NORBIC is an economic development organization that promotes job growth and community advancement through the provision of professional and technical services to manufacturers located in the State of Illinois' Northeast Economic Development Region. Founded in 1975, Chicago based NORBIC works to revitalize Northeast Illinois' manufacturing base, and to retain and create jobs. It does this by proactively identifying manufacturing clients through partnerships with local governments, trade associations, and other economic development organizations, objectively assessing these manufacturer clients' needs, and then leveraging the capabilities of its own programs with those of its partners to create integrated focused solutions that address the identified needs and produce measurable positive change. NORBIC operates as a 501 c (3) organization and is funded in significant part by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the City of Chicago. NORBIC matches this governmental funding with program income generated though its economic development activities and donations from private foundations and corporate sponsors.