Rockford Brake Manufacturing received the Governor’s Award for Local Impact – Northern Illinois on October 1. The company also reports $20 million in direct economic impact since reopening the former Gunite Corporation foundry in Rockford, Illinois. The Illinois Economic Development Corporation (Illinois EDC) presented the honor at the inaugural Illinois Impact Awards at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. The recognition comes roughly a year after the company’s $6.6 million revival of the shuttered Gunite plant.
Highlights
- $20 million in direct economic impact since the foundry reopened, according to the company
- More than $7 million in wages and benefits paid to its 130-plus employees, the company says
- 619,000-square-foot former Gunite facility, acquired by a group of former Gunite employees
What Has Rockford Brake Generated Since Reopening?
The foundry is approaching the first anniversary of its reopening. Rockford Brake Manufacturing says it has generated $20 million in direct economic impact over that period. The company reports that the figure includes more than $7 million in wages and benefits for its more than 130 employees.
According to Illinois EDC, the plant reopened after former Gunite employees bought the idled 619,000-square-foot site in a deal backed by the state’s EDGE for Startups tax credit. The agency credits the reopening with restoring production and creating 150 jobs in Northern Illinois.
Award Recognizes Workforce and State Support
Illinois EDC says the Governor’s Awards for Local Impact honor businesses whose investment, growth, and long-term presence strengthen communities and regional economies. CEO Paul Wright pointed to the region’s manufacturing workforce and the state’s investment in the sector.
“Rockford Brake is thrilled to receive the Governor’s Award for Local Impact – Northern Illinois. Rockford Brake’s success is due to the people we have been able to bring into the organization. The strong generational foundation of manufacturing talent in Northern Illinois has meant we have been able to ramp up production with skilled team members to support the rapid growth of the company. The investment Illinois continues to make in manufacturing provides the platform for companies like ours to compete and win,” said Wright.
Fellow Honorees
Rockford Brake was one of four companies to receive a Governor’s Award for Local Impact. The others were ADM and Rural King in Central Illinois and Continental Tire in Southern Illinois.
Statewide, Rivian was named Innovator of the Year, and Hyundai Translead received the Governor’s Award for Large Development of the Year. The Team Illinois Partner of the Year award went to the partnership behind the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, which includes anchor tenant PsiQuantum.
