State Representative Tony McCombie recently joined the Illinois Manufacturer’s Association (IMA) in Whiteside County at the Walmart Distribution Center in celebration of Manufacturing Month.
“Whiteside County has a long history of industry and innovation; from the long-running steel and hardware manufacturers to newer companies like the Wahl Clipper Corporation and Walmart,” Rep. McCombie said. “This massive Distribution Center ships 6 million cases of products to 170 stores each week. Manufacturing and distribution facilities, like this one, are vital community partners and integral to the economic stability of our community.”
A recent study by the University of South Carolina estimated the total economic impact of manufacturing in Illinois to be between $580 billion and $611 billion every year – the largest share of any industry in Illinois. Manufacturing directly employs 662,298 workers, but ultimately supports as many as 1,771,928 jobs, generating up to $150 billion in labor income for Illinois residents annually. When accounting for direct employment, as well as additional impacts from all economic multiplier effects, manufacturing supports nearly 30% of all jobs in Illinois.
The IMA is the oldest and largest state manufacturing trade association in the United States, dedicated exclusively to advocating, promoting and strengthening the manufacturing sector in Illinois. IMA stopped in Whiteside County as part of their statewide bus tour, “Makers on the Move”. The Tour crisscrossed the state logging 2,100 miles while visiting manufacturing facilities, colleges, and high schools to highlight the exciting job opportunities in the Illinois manufacturing industry.
