2 McHenry Co. businesses honored

Two McHenry County manufacturers were each awarded $10,000 from McHenry County Economic Development Corporation's Business Accelerator for Innovation and Collaboration.

Congressman Don Manzullo presented the awards Aug. 8 at the McHenry County College Shah Center to Central Specialties Ltd. of Crystal Lake, Image Industries of Huntley and also recognized three other local companies with certificates of achievement.

Central Specialties Ltd. manufactures strollers and stroller vending systems for shopping centers and amusement parks. The company was recently approached by the University of California, Irvine to develop a bicycle-share vending system, which can provide a green transportation alternative. Similar programs have been successful in Europe.

Central Specialties will apply its $10,000 award toward project development costs.

Image Industries, a stud welding equipment manufacturer, is in the final stages of research and development to bring a new product to market. The product was conceived three years ago to help one of the company's customers solve a problem and can potentially benefit hundreds of companies nationwide. The $10,000 award will support ongoing research and development efforts.

BAIC and Manzullo also recognized Alluma Natural Products Ltd., Millennium Electronics and Pressure Specialists Inc., all of Crystal Lake, with certificates of achievement for innovations that help protect the environment, improve efficiency and product safety. All three companies are previous BAIC cash award recipients.

Since the BAIC program was created, it has awarded more than $84,000 to seven local manufacturing companies to help develop new products and ideas that keep manufacturing innovations alive in McHenry County.

BAIC is an SBA funded initiative secured through the efforts of MCEDC, McHenry County College and Illinois Congressman Don Manzullo. BAIC, the Business Accelerator for Innovation and Collaboration was established to focus on the needs of more than 600 manufacturers in McHenry County, providing business assistance and consultation, free of charge. Utilizing a significant network of relationships, BAIC provides a vital link to the state, federal and private resources available to manufacturers with a focus on creating jobs, ideas and revenue.

For details, contact MCEDC at (815) 363-0444, email manufacturing@mcedc.com or visit www.illinoismanufacturing.net. The McHenry County Economic Development Corporation is a nonprofit private-public business advocacy group comprised of business and industry investors from throughout the county. Its mission is to encourage and develop the economic health of McHenry County through the retention, expansion and attraction of commerce and industry which is conducive to an optimal quality of life for its citizens. A nongovernmental organization, the MCEDC seeks to work with local, county, state and federal legislators to foster, enhance and improve the economic vitality of McHenry County.