“This is an opportunity for us to lean into a neighborhood that we know, Belmont-Cragin, deepen the relationship, and spread that engagement to a community like Austin that has been underinvested in for decades.” - Kenneth Escoe
Building on our long-standing legacy of giving back to our communities, ITW is partnering with United Way for the Commit to a Neighborhood initiative – a 5-year, $2.5 million investment plan in support of the Austin and Belmont-Cragin communities of Chicago. ITW also expects to spend more than $38 million in the acquisition of buildings, property and capital improvements to support manufacturing jobs in this neighborhood.
Aligned with our “Do More” Agenda, Commit to a Neighborhood will create quality, family-sustaining wage jobs and stimulate economic development and inclusiveness. Working with United Way and on-the-ground nonprofit partners, ITW will provide workforce development for industry-specific job opportunities for residents in Austin and Belmont-Cragin.
This unique investment is intentional, deliberate and goes beyond “pure philanthropy” to deepen ITW’s impact. We will explore ways to use the economic engine of our businesses, as well as that of our suppliers, to provide opportunities for well-paid employment for residents. Skills-based volunteer opportunities will enable ITW colleagues to help residents and other members of the community bring about economic prosperity. Kenneth Escoe, Executive Vice President, Specialty Products, is serving as ITW’s key leader and champion of this initiative.
“This is an opportunity for us to lean into a neighborhood that we know, Belmont-Cragin, deepen the relationship, and spread that engagement to a community like Austin that has been underinvested in for decades,” said Escoe.
Through our sponsorship of the ITW David Speer Academy, ITW has established roots in Belmont-Cragin, and now Austin, which is a bordering neighborhood. ITW’s investment demonstrates our commitment to give back in meaningful ways to our communities.
