Manufacturers and universities create digital manufacturing hub in Chicago

Rockwell Automation Inc. and the University of Wisconsin-Madison are among 73 companies, nonprofits and universities that are investing in building a Midwest Digital Lab for Manufacturing at the University of Illinois.

President Barack Obama announced on Feb. 25 that UI Labs received a $70 million grant from the Department of Defense to build the Digital Lab in Chicago. In total, the project will cost $320 million to build. The rest of the money was raised through public-private partnerships from industry, academia, government and community partners, to which Rockwell and the University of Wisconsin-Madison contributed.

The lab will help bolster advanced manufacturing, strengthen the United States' capabilities for defense and attract higher paying jobs by focusing on digital manufacturing and design technologies.

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin applauded President Obama’s announcement.

“This is a strong investment in working to create an economy that is built to last,” Baldwin said. “This public-private partnership supports Wisconsin research and innovation and will strengthen our advanced manufacturing economy. The Digital Lab for Manufacturing will expand access to new technologies and opportunities for small manufacturers, and help create high-wage, high-skilled jobs for Wisconsin workers.”