In Tonight's Economy Rockford report... In our tough economy.. many national and local companies are thinking more about outsourcing jobs overseas. But one local manufacturer is profiting big time due to this outsourcing shift.

"it used to be somebody wanted something packaged.. and you give it back to them packaged.. and now they say.. we want you to assemble it, we want you to do the packaging.. and by the way can you ship orders for us."

The changing face of our economy has these assembly lines at Illinois Growth Enterprises in Loves Park churning out big business as local and global manufacturers look for less expensive ways to make its products.

Mike Miller says, " Historically in a slow economy manufacturers shy away from hiring.. they don't want to take the step of bringing someone in and so they'll much more likely to subcontract so what we try to be is the extension of the company so they don't have to absorb those costs."

This non profit manufacturer has been in business for over 30 years... and does sub contracting packaging and assembly work. Several local companies like Bremmer Foods in Dakota have sought help recently.

" We're seeing a move from some of the outsourced goods outside the country.. its becoming more expensive to ship and so some of the things are coming back into the U.S... and so we want to fill that void. "

Illinois Growth Enterprises provides jobs for physically and mentally disadvantaged people... while at the same time helps businesses expand capacity without investing in huge overhead costs. Miller says this is a win-win situation for everyone.

"We can do a service they don't already do. If you have a customer who comes to a company who says I want you to make this product for me.. but I also want it packaged.. and you don't package there is a capital outlay to buy the equipment teach your people."