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Southland manufacturer receives state funding thanks to Hastings
State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced an Oak Forest manufacturer has been selected to participate in and receive state funding through the Made in Illinois Grant Program.
“To keep up with big business, small-scale local manufacturers need support to help them thrive and achieve their goals,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort).
“Fighting for small and mid-sized businesses in the 19th District keeps people working and strengthens our local economy.”
The Made in Illinois Grant Program provides matching grants of up to $50,000 to help small and mid-sized manufacturers invest in strategic projects that fuel innovation, increase productivity and enhance competitiveness.
In 2025, the program awarded $1.35 million to 29 manufacturers employing a combined 1,120 individuals supporting projects that represent a total investment of over $38.3 million statewide.
In Hastings’ district, E. Formella & Sons, Inc., located in Oak Forest, was selected as a recipient of the 2025 Made in Illinois Grant Program.
“E. Formella & Sons, Inc. is very appreciative of the grant awarded. We are a fourth generation family owned business who is known for the giardiniera & muffuletta, shelf stable items,” said Kathy Formella, owner of E. Formella & Sons, Inc.
“The money from the grant will be used to increase production capacity purchasing new equipment for these new offerings which is necessary to compete with larger brands while maintaining a superior quality. We will be able to compete in broader markets, reduce waste, enhance food safety and produce a clean product with no preservatives.”
| Company | City | # of Employees |
| Allnex | East St. Louis | 72 |
| Apparel Redefined | Crestwood | 53 |
| Atomic Industrial Machine, Inc. | Elk Grove Village | 13 |
| Aztec Plastic Company | Chicago | 13 |
| Bridgewater Studio | Chicago | 62 |
| Calumet Brass Foundry, Inc. | Dolton | 12 |
| CCK Automations | Jacksonville | 95 |
| E. Formella & Sons, Inc./Simply Salsa | Oak Forest | 42 |
| ELC Industries Corp | Aurora | 22 |
| Elite RF LLC | Hanover Park | 15 |
| Gasket & Seal Fabricators | Sauget | 15 |
| GEO. J. Rothan Co. | Peoria | 14 |
| Grind Lap Services | Addison | 29 |
| Imperial Punch | Rockford | 27 |
| J6 Polymers LLC | Genoa | 14 |
| Kelco Industries | Woodstock | 100 |
| Lemfco | Galena | 21 |
| Maplewood Brewery & Distillery | Chicago | 21 |
| MDi-co | Gilberts | 31 |
| Meyer Tool & Manufacturing | Oak Lawn | 30 |
| Mid-State Tank Co., Inc. | Sullivan | 125 |
| Mothers Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes | Elk Grove Village | 23 |
| OceanComm Inc | Chicago | 6 |
| Slidematic LLC | Chicago | 40 |
| Steel Grip Inc. | Danville | 125 |
| Tec Coffee & Foods, Inc. | Chicago | 57 |
| Tri C Company | Eureka | 14 |
| Zarc International, Inc. | Minonk | 9 |
| Zigler’s Machine & Metal Works, LLC | Dixon | 20 |
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Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
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