The Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council (CMRC) is a coalition of business, labor, government, and community leaders working to make Chicago the global leader in advanced manufacturing. We operate throughout the nine-county region to reform policy and implement practical projects in support of advanced manufacturing.

• Manufacturing sustains 406,700 jobs in the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville area, employs 10% of the Illinois workforce, and generates $1.6 trillion nationally each year. On its own, U.S. manufacturing would be the 8th largest economy in the world.
• Manufacturing creates high-paying jobs to strengthen our middle class. In 2009, the average U.S. manufacturing worker earned $72,258 in pay and benefits, compared to $58,411 for the average non-manufacturing worker.
• Manufacturing is responsible for half of all research and development in the United States -- more than any other sector. Manufacturing drives innovation, keeping the US competitive in the global knowledge economy.

Learn more about why advanced manufacturing builds economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

Sources: National Association of Manufacturers, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Commerce

The Renaissance Council established Austin Polytechnical Academy, a college and career prep high school on Chicago's West Side, to prepare students for success in manufacturing, engineering, and business. APA was featured on PBS NewsHour:

Learn more about our programs in support of advanced manufacturing in Chicago.