2022 Market Profile

Kankakee County is ranked #5 among small manufacturing communities in the United States (AdvisorSmith). Paired with a diverse set of industries – everything from healthcare and pharmaceuticals to steel, food and plastics manufacturing, and transportation and logistics – the area remains on a strong growth trajectory. In fact, our manufacturing sector is on track to grow almost 14% in the next decade, with more than 7,000 employees in that industry locally.

Comcast RISE – Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment – was created to help small businesses owned by people of color – including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic and Asian Americans –survive the pandemic and thrive in the future. In just one year since the program began, Comcast RISE has provided over $60 million in grants,  marketing and technology services to more than 6,700 entrepreneurs nationally – nearly 550 in this region alone – and the program just expanded to include all women-owned small businesses.

Northern Illinois offers new and existing businesses a host of strong energy-related assets, including low and stable power prices, industry-leading reliability, clean energy options, and more.

The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is BOLDLY MOVING MAKERS FORWARD and stands shoulder to shoulder with American manufacturers who are leading our nation forward as we recover and rebuild from the global pandemic that is reshaping the world around us. The IMA is proudly standing by your side every single day dealing with COVID-19, supply chain issues, health and safety regulations, and every issue impacting manufacturers.

Tax Incentives for 2021 are available for small businesses affected by COVID-related shutdowns and disruptions.   For 2021, the employee retention credit (ERC) is a quarterly tax credit against the employer’s share of certain payroll taxes.

What every Illinois veteran, spouse, dependent or survivor of a veteran should know about the federal and state benefits to which they are entitled by law.

ComEd customers saved a total of more than $6 billion on their energy bills as a result of the company’s energy efficiency program that launched in 2008. The ComEd Energy Efficiency Program is one of the largest programs in the nation offering residents, businesses and the public sector a variety of options that help them cut back on their energy use, which reduces energy bills and helps the environment.

In fiscal year 2020, AMITA Health provided $336 million in community benefit including care of people living in poverty.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE), Chicago State University (CSU) and Chicago Urban League (CUL) are conducting a statewide survey to better understand the unique challenges Black business owners across Illinois are facing. We are requesting your participation if you identify as a Black or African American owned business located in Illinois.

Kankakee County’s thriving manufacturing, healthcare, transportation and pharmaceutical industries are expanding, offering more opportunities for our community.