Rockford brake manufacturing to get $250,000 city grant

Local news source the Rock River Current reported January 12 that the city of Rockford, Illinois had agreed to a $250,000 grant for Rockford Brake Manufacturing as it takes its first steps in a previously-idled Gunite brake drum factory for heavy trucks.

Alderwoman Gina Meeks reportedly delayed the grant by a week for concerns about stormwater management at the factory, but has since assented to the funding measure following discussion with the state EPA and Rockford Brake staff. The measure passed unanimously, with all 13 city council members backing the funds.

The grant, according to the Current, is meant to help the nascent small manufacturer with cash flow in the first few months of business. The paper reports Rockford Brake has already shipped about $600,000 in product since production started in December. The company, founded by four former Gunite employees, spent $6.6 million to buy the facility from Gunite following its February 2025 bankruptcy.

Manufacturers investing in Illinois

Cache Energy to invest $2.5 million to expand Illinois factory
The $2.5 million investment will create 20 new jobs at the energy-storage startup.

Rockford Brake Manufacturing spends $6.6 million to reopen shuttered factory, hire 150
Four former employees of the Gunite Corporation bought its old location for their startup.

Pure Lithium Corp. battery co opens new Chicago HQ, announces pilot production line
The company hopes to supplant lithium-ion batteries with superior lithium-metal batteries.

Investing in American manufacturing in 2025 

This map shows where manufacturers are choosing to invest their resources, whether they are building new production facilities or expanding existing plants.