Governor Announces CXM to Expand in Ottawa

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced CXM Incorporated will open a new $6 million manufacturing facility in Ottawa. The Chicago-based manufacturer of extruded brass shapes, precision components, and reclaimer of metals will lease the former Snap-On Tool building in Ottawa.

The expansion project will employ approximately 15 people initially, and could reach 50 people within one year.

"CXM has been a family-owned business known for producing quality products. The expansion of its Chicago operations into Ottawa will bring good jobs to the community and continue its commitment to manufacturing in Illinois," Ryan said.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) supported the project through a total of $320,000 in grants. Construction of a new road to the opening facility utilized $280,000 in Community Development Assistance (CDAP) grants and $40,000 in matching funds for job training through DCCA's Industrial Training Program.

In addition to the infrastructure improvements and the ITP grant, the company was offered incentives from the new EDGE program, which provides tax credits based on new jobs created.

"DCCA is committed to helping companies grow by addressing their infrastructure and job training needs," DCCA Director, Pam McDonough said. "With new programs like EDGE, we're able to effectively compete for new business projects, helping bring good paying jobs to communities such as Ottawa."

CXM, Inc. was founded in 1923 and has operated out of Cicero since then. The company also has a facility in Dolton, Illinois. The different site-locations help the company supply products to automotive, lock and hardware, industrial fittings, and other markets.

"The Ottawa facility will expand our capacity for the production of copper-based alloyed extruded shape and small diameter products; all to better serve our customers today and provide the opportunity for growth into the future. We are excited about pursuing this opportunity in the State of Illinois, and specifically in the City of Ottawa," said Davis Anderson, president of CXM Inc.

The new manufacturing facility in Ottawa is the seventh such facility to locate in the city during the last 18 months.

Mayor Bob Eschbach said, "I believe our friendly business environment, qualified labor force and good quality of life attracted CXM to Ottawa. I congratulate our economic development team composed of the City, Ottawa Chamber, IL Power, Small Business Development Center/IVCC and IL Department of Employment Security in helping to bring these new jobs to Ottawa and thank the Ryan administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, through its incentive programs, for providing funding for training and infrastructure improvements. Our aggressive program to attract quality business and industry is working."

John Colt Landreth of Grubb & Ellis, which conducted the site search for CXM, noted that the economic development team was the most "user-friendly" group he had worked with.