Companies in Rockford and across Illinois are charting a new course for the aerospace industry into a high-tech future, Illinois Gov. JB Prtizker said at a celebration of all things aerospace.

Pritzker was featured at the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Midwest Aerospace Conference at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in downtown Rockford. More than 240 leaders from the aerospace and manufacturing industries attended.

"For generations, the Midwest, Illinois — Rockford especially — has played a leading role in this industry, reaching new heights in the skies and of course beyond," Pritzker said.

"AAR is trusted by our Air Force and our Marine Corps. to provide manufacturing and maintenance support to our armed forces. Forest City Gear in Roscoe manufacturers the gears that make NASA’s Mars Rover … helping them explore a new world and make breakthrough scientific discoveries. Ingersoll Machine Tool right here in Rockford is crafting the next era of space exploration by manufacturing key parts of the NASA Artemis Program."

Aerospace is an economic strength of the Rockford region, home of the Chicago Rockford International Airport, the 13th busiest cargo hub in the United States. There are 90 aerospace companies located in Winnebago County and 250 in a 90 minute radius, many of which are smaller employers who supply larger companies like Collins Aerospace, GE Aerospace and Woodward Inc..

The annual conference was organized by the 15-year-old Rockford Area Aerospace Network and the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce. The event highlights the aerospace industry while providing a day of discussion, networking and industry insights from insiders, government officials and experts. Topics included workforce development, automation, electrification and cutting-edge manufacturing technology.

Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce CEO Angela Larson said the conference was a chance for aerospace workers to get inspired and build networks.

"When you have a a an industry cluster like aerospace or medical or advanced machining, it’s really about building a tight knit community," Larson said. "As you grow, you need to make sure that community stays tight because the more people you bring into it, the easier it is for it to loosen up. So it’s the conversations, the conferences, the networking that helps keep everybody elevating the entire industry together."

Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at  (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.