Boone County Strength in Manufacturing

Boone County Strength in Manufacturing Main Photo

28 Oct 2020


News

Boone County, Illinois is home to a diverse range of manufacturing companies, with prominent businesses in the automobile, food and housing supply industries. According to the 2011 U.S. Census, nearly half of the existing jobs - approximately 6,000 workers -  are in the Boone County manufacturing sector.

October is National Manufacturing Month and an excellent time to highlight the contributions these companies and employees make to the Boone County community. Illinois Governor J.B. Priztker proclaimed October as Manufacturing Month in Illinois, noting the proud history of ingenuity, innovation and resilience of Illinois manufacturers. He encouraged Illinoisans to honor the role of manufacturers and “give special thanks to the hardworking men and women who have gone above and beyond to create new products and devices and to put their communities first so that we can deploy the level of health response that this crisis has demanded from all of us.”

Illinois has a strong manufacturing sector

Illinois is a state with a prominent manufacturing presence. Manufacturing companies contribute over $108 billion to Illinois’ annual GDP in 2018, accounting for roughly 12.5% of the total state output. Nearly 600,000 workers, not quite 10% of the state’s workforce, are employed across a diverse range of industries, both homegrown and branches of large international firms.

This diversity and innovation is on display in Boone County, home to nearly 60 manufacturing companies covering a wide range of industries. These companies are major employers, contributing to the strength of the county's economy, while also creating opportunities for smaller companies and vendors.

The major manufacturing employers of Boone County include: 

  • Fiat-Chrysler Automotive
  • General Mills - Green Giant
  • Syncreon
  • Camryn Industries
  • R&D Thiel Carpenter Components
  • Acument Global Technologies
  • Android Industries
  • Magna Exteriors
  • Yanfeng Automotive Interiors

Room for growth

There is room for more manufacturers to join the strong, growing business environment of Boone County. A wide, diverse range of existing properties for sale and lease are currently available to meet many different requirements. 

Businesses have found Boone County to be an ideal central location, offering the ability to service not only the entire country, but international customers as well. Boone County is the midpoint to the I-90 Regional City, the fourth largest urban constellation in the U.S. and home to 17 million people. Anchored by Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Rockford, major interstates in the area include I-90, I-39, I-43 and I-88. Those with air transportation requirements can utilize the local Poplar Grove Airport and six major airports within 75 miles serving 10,000 passenger boardings per year. 

Boone County’s strategic location allows employers to pull from a diverse primary labor force of 166,000, with more than 500,000 possible workers available within an extended 30 minute commute. And as a manufacturing center with a concentration of manufacturing jobs more than five times that of the U.S. average, Boone County has a workforce suitable for a variety of advanced manufacturing operations. 

Locate, expand and grow in Boone County

With a willing, skilled workforce and the location advantages presented in the state of Illinois, Boone County has the pedigree and potential for manufacturing companies to flourish. Growth Dimensions Economic Development thanks the manufacturing companies who currently call Boone county home for creating jobs and investing in our communities. We invite other companies to consider Boone County as the place for their next investment and expansion. For more information about available sites and incentives, contact us at Growth Dimensions today!