Industries

Agribusiness, Food Processing & Technology

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation & Visitor Industries

Biomedical/Biotechnical (Life Sciences)

Chemicals & Chemical Based Products

Education & Knowledge Creation

Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing

This cluster is responsible for employing 2,054 people in the 248 establishments located in East Central Illinois. Located in the heart of America, the Bread Basket of the World, a large portion of our economy is supported by agriculture and its related industries. This cluster not only includes crop and animal production, but also the production of the machinery and technology used to support this production as well as the industries that process the raw products.

East Central Illinois is home to world leading agricultural machinery manufacturers. Hydro-Gear is located in Sullivan and is a world leader in the design, manufacture, sale and service of quality hydrostatic drive systems for the lawn and garden industry. They produce high-performance hydrostatic transmissions, gear reduction drives, piston pumps, wheel motors and accessories for both the consumer and commercial markets. Agri-Fab’s product line includes many innovative and feature-rich attachments for the lawn and garden industry as well as the UTV/ATV market.

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation & Visitor Industries

This cluster is responsible for employing 1,064 people in the 184 establishments located in East Central Illinois. Our communities have much to offer visitors and residents. Whether you chose to camp on Lake Shelbyville, attend a concert at the Effingham Performance Center or a musical at the Little Theatre on the Square, or visit the Amish villages we have something for everyone.

Biomedical/Biotechnical (Life Sciences)

This cluster is responsible for employing 1,292 people in the 139 establishments located in East Central Illinois. The region contains a cluster of innovative employers and designers of cutting edge dentistry technology and practices. Dental Health Resources, Inc.’s, better known as Heartland Dental Care, headquarters is located in Effingham. Heartland Dental Care is a collection of more than 200 hometown dental practices located throughout Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. In addition, Heartland Dental Care serves consulting clients throughout the United States, in Puerto Rico and in Canada. Heartland Dental Care is currently affiliated with more than 270 dentists and more than 1750 team members.

Patterson Technology Center, Inc. is also located in Effingham. The PTC plays a major role in ensuring that Patterson Dental’s customers get the most from the computer-related technologies, like CEREC, Patterson EagleSoft, digital X-ray, CAESY Patient Education Systems, and Patterson hardware. Patterson Dental provides a virtually complete range of consumable dental products, clinical and laboratory equipment, and value-added services to dentists, dental laboratories, institutions and other healthcare providers throughout North America. Patterson Dental has the largest direct sales force in the industry, totaling nearly 1,300 sales representatives and equipment/software specialists serving the United States and Canada.

East Central Illinois is also the home of Bonutti Technologies. Bonutti Technologies is an incubator for new ideas in surgical instrumentation, implants, procedures, and rehabilitation. Through development partnerships, licensed technology, and consulting agreements, Bonutti Technologies has emerged as a leading innovator in minimally invasive orthopedic surgery.

Chemicals & Chemical Based Products

This cluster is responsible for employing 1,486 people in the 61 establishments located in East Central Illinois. The region has several plastic and rubber products manufacturers residing here. Just in Edgar County alone, there is Simonton Building Products, PVC Container Corporation, Cadillac Products Packaging Company and North American Lighting.

East Central Illinois also serves as plant locations for some top chemical manufacturers such as Cabot Corporation, Equistar Chemicals and Arkwright Incorporated.

Education & Knowledge Creation

This cluster is responsible for employing 6,557 people in the 167 establishments located in East Central Illinois. With brainpower becoming the number one asset in the nation, East Central Illinois is fully equipped to meet the ever-increasing need for education. Our innovative post-secondary education institutions are nationally ranked as some of the best. Eastern Illinois University is one of the most affordable universities in Illinois and is ranked in the top half in the U.S. News 2008 rankings of Masters universities in the Midwest region. Eastern Illinois University serves many businesses and industries in the region through continued education and through the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation as well as the local SCORE chapter.

Lake Land College is an elite community college located in the region that offers many degree seeking programs through the college and offers support education for organizations through the Center for Business and Industry which is comprised of a versatile and responsive consulting group with the ability to tailor just-in-time training to the specific needs of your organization. For more than two decades, The Center for Business and Industry has provided high quality on-demand training for employers in the Midwest. The professional training team, in partnership with some of the nation's top training firms, ensures easy, affordable access to world-class training, resources and support services.

Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing

This cluster is responsible for employing 1,482 people in the 49 establishments located in East Central Illinois. Many fabricated metal product manufacturers are sprinkled throughout the region. They range from automotive parts manufacturers such as HN Automotive and Mattoon Precision Manufacturing to residential garage door producers like CHI Overhead Doors. Fabricated metal product plants like The GSI Group, Agri-Fab and Mid-State Tank serve the agricultural community with their precision metal needs. Justrite's industry-leading product line includes items specifically designed to help workers store, transfer, use and dispose of hazardous materials in a safe and convenient manner. Macon Metal in turn manufacturers anything from retail fixtures to heavy equipment and industrial components.

Forest & Wood Products

This industry is responsible for employing 2,871 people in the 216 establishments located in East Central Illinois. Many paper manufacturers can be found in the region. PAP-R Products Company produces wrappers for currency and napkins and everything in between. Ahlstrom Engine Filtration LLC is the leading manufacturer of filtration media which is used in the transportation industry and in liquid and air filtration applications. American Pad & Paper offers more than 1,400 different styles of writing pads, notebooks, filing supplies, envelopes, and designer papers which are sold in national retail stores, office supply catalogs and college bookstores.

There are also several wood product manufacturers and furniture manufacturers in East Central Illinois, many of which are centered around Douglas and Moultrie County. Bear Creek Truss and Okaw Truss produce trusses for both commercial and residential applications. Schrock Cabinet Company manufactures custom wood cabinets and John Boos & Co. is world-renown for its butcher blocks. Nova Solutions produces Ergonomically correct office furniture and other various furniture for many environments.

Transportation & Logistics

This industry is responsible for employing 1,318 people in the 273 establishments located in East Central Illinois. East Central Illinois’ geographic location is ideal for logistics operations and distribution centers since it is only a few hours drive to half of the U.S. population and easily reaches 65 percent of the manufacturing region of the United States with one day service for “just in time” shipping and receiving. Situated in the heart of America, the region is bisected by an Interstate highway system with Interstate 57 connecting the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast and Interstate 70 reaching coast to coast from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles. Additionally, the area has many state routes such as Route 29 and Route 51 offering ongoing widening projects. Consolidated Rail and the Illinois Central Gulf railroads along with local lines offer similar connections for nationwide rail transportation.

Outstanding motor freight carriers are available to move goods in and out of the area in a timely manner including several overnight package terminals. The region also offers excellent access to smaller commercial airport facilities and is well-suited to serve companies using corporate or charter aircraft.

Printing & Publishing

This industry is responsible for employing 1,806 people in the 107 establishments located in East Central Illinois. It is a large industry that provides many jobs in Coles and Effingham counties. These printers are supported by several large paper manufacturers also located in the region. The region’s central location close to major interstates also makes it a prime location for printers such as Yellow Book Sales & Distribution, Petty Printing, Three Z Printing Company, United Graphics Inc. and RR Donnelley & Sons Company.