Finally, they show that public programs can be designed to fit local or state circumstances, whether predominately urban or rural. In both cases, the state energy offices are submitting proposals for additional funding to the Office of Industrial Technologies' Industries of Future competitive grant program. Illinois The Illinois project arose out of a Financing Technology Workshop organized by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Northeast-Midwest Institute in Chicago in 1997. Moreover, metal casting plays a fundamental and essential economic role in other manufacturing sectors, as 62 percent of all finished-goods producers utilize castings as a starting supply. Quality control, design techniques, workforce training, equipment upgrades, and regulatory compliance have become increasingly important issues for these firms.
Sustained competitiveness is critical to both the individual facilities and region's economy.
The partners convened a focus group of metal casters to discuss their needs and priorities for assistance. The goals were to reduce these companies' energy and scrap costs, while improving production efficiencies, competitive status, workforce stability, and long-term business prospects. The original partners then reached out to other organizations in the greater Chicago area in order to obtain a broad and varied array of expertise. To give a context for this program, consider a few characteristics of New Hampshire. This small state has seen some tough times.