The Chicago Composite Initiative (CCI) is a public/private cooperative movement that provides the required resources for Chicago to become a center for advanced manufacturing. CCI has established the infrastructure required for the development of new and enduring manufacturing jobs through the utilization of stateoftheart composite materials like
carbon fiber and Kevlar, as well as developing applications for significantly important emerging technologies like graphene, the utilization of additive manufacturing (3D printing), and any other advanced manufacturing technology that comes to market.
1.) Education for the Future - Learn by Doing for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Establish learn by doing programming for high school and college students. Introduce and develop students’ understanding of composite materials and digital manufacturing in order to advance the usage of these new technologies within Chicago.
2.) Workforce Development - Putting Chicago Back to Work
Mobilizing Chicago's workforce by providing valuable training in composite materials and advanced manufacturing. Increase income / wage earning potential of Chicago workers. Ensure members of Chicago's youth and disadvantaged populations have access to new and unique employment opportunities.
3.) Hub for Entrepreneurs - Dedicated Assistance for Start-Ups
Foundation for the development of new businesses that will create jobs in Chicago. Forging the necessary incubational hub for entrepreneurs to rely on to accelerate their advanced manufacturing concepts and goals within the City of Chicago. Shared workspace, reliably sourced materials, access to industry experts/mentors, educational resources, exposure to investors, and a community of like minded people. Testing resources to aid in discovery, product refinement, and exploratory problem solving.
4.) Infrastructure for Manufacturing in Chicago - Center for Digital Manufacturing
Provide the foundational infrastructure required for large scale advanced manufacturing in Chicago. Creating a path for success: CCI is able to source materials, provide skilled labor, manufacture products, coordinate packaging, and finally arrange transport to the world, all within the City of Chicago.
