Megasites Development Program

The Megasites Development Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), aims to support targeted infrastructure investments that accelerate industrial development and attract business activity to high-potential sites. This specific opportunity focuses on enhancing infrastructure in Gallatin County by funding the electrification of a dewatering pump system. The proposed investment will improve land readiness by addressing issues related to water retention, minimizing the impact of heavy rainfall and high-water events, thereby increasing the area’s viability for commercial or industrial development. The strategic objective of the Megasites Development Program is to shorten business development and site selection timelines by providing essential site improvements such as electricity, natural gas, water, and sewer upgrades. By deploying capital resources efficiently, the program ensures that identified sites are "development-ready," reducing uncertainty for potential investors and businesses. Such infrastructure improvements are crucial in facilitating rapid and certain industrial expansion, especially in regions like Gallatin County that are home to critical port facilities. The funding opportunity operates as a project grant mechanism. While the published material does not specify the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) content, it indicates that detailed program terms, required documents, and eligibility constraints are outlined within that NOFO. Applicants are instructed to refer to the NOFO for complete eligibility details, including project site qualifications and documentation requirements. The application must be submitted via a Smartsheet link, also provided within the NOFO, adhering to standard submission protocols. Grant proposals are evaluated through a merit-based review process. Proposals will be scored competitively, and awards are determined based on the outcomes of this review. The reimbursement structure of the program is based on quarterly reporting through the PPR and PFR formats. Successful applicants are required to adhere to this reporting schedule to receive reimbursement for project-related expenses. The standard approval or disapproval window for submitted applications ranges from 45 to 60 days post-deadline. For the FY26 funding cycle, the application deadline falls within the second quarter. Although there are no recurring submission dates explicitly stated, the presence of similar programs in earlier years and references to multi-year funding suggest that future funding cycles may be possible. In the event of an appeal, only the evaluation process itself—not the merit score—may be contested. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days of the grant award notice publication date, using the guidelines on the DCEO website. This grant opportunity is supported entirely by state funds with no federal funding involved. The total obligation for this specific initiative is $56,000 for FY26, with the same amount listed as the expected range and average for financial assistance. Matching funds are not required. There is no NOFO PDF link provided in the source material. For more information or assistance with this grant, the program contact is Emily Rhodes, who can be reached at emily.rhodes@illinois.gov or by phone at 312-310-3967.