Illinois Infrastructure Grants

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering the Manufacturing Retention Grant Program. This program is designed to help manufacturing companies maintain their operational presence within Illinois. Its core mission is to encourage businesses to invest in their workforce, facilities, equipment, technologies, and infrastructure, thereby securing existing jobs and fostering economic stability in the state. The program is supported through the Enterprise Fund, administered by DCEO, which typically funds a broad range of economic development projects. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are private for-profit business entities that operate a major manufacturing complex in Bushnell, Illinois, specifically within McDonough County. These companies must have less than 1,000 employees and extensive experience in tool manufacturing. A key eligibility criterion is the requirement to have acquired a tool manufacturing firm in McDonough County with a minimum of 100 full-time equivalent employees. The grant's impact goal is to retain these companies' manufacturing campuses at operating production levels that support at least 100 employees at the Bushnell site. The program prioritizes job retention in Illinois through various investments. Eligible expenses encompass employee payroll for existing employees (including backpay incurred from May 14, 2024), invoices for services, training expenses for existing employees, and significant capital improvements. These improvements include refurbishment or replacement of machinery, equipment, and tooling (e.g., forging hammers, Swiss lathes), facility repairs (e.g., roof repair, electrical upgrades), productivity and innovation initiatives (e.g., robotics reprogramming, induction heat furnaces), and the replenishment of inventory to maintain standard stocking levels for daily production. The expected outcome of the Manufacturing Retention Grant Program is the successful retention of manufacturing operations and a minimum employment level of 100 employees at the Bushnell site. Measurable results will be directly tied to the utilization of the $5,000,000 total funding, with a performance period spanning from September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2026. The DCEO's strategic priority, as evidenced by this program, is to safeguard manufacturing jobs and foster a robust economic environment within Illinois, aligning with a theory of change that posits direct investment in established manufacturing entities will lead to sustained employment and economic growth.

This program provides reimbursement funding to nonprofit organizations for marketing and municipal expenses related to free events that attract visitors to Edwardsville, fostering community engagement and economic growth.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that offer transportation, safety, and health navigation services for seniors aged 55 and older in the Greater St. Louis area and nearby counties in Illinois and Missouri.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, universities, and government entities in Illinois and Iowa that focus on educating the public about climate change and natural resource depletion or conducting research for sustainable solutions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to private and non-profit developers, property owners, and businesses for commercial, mixed-use, and light manufacturing projects that enhance community vitality in Chicago.

This grant provides funding to under-resourced communities in the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions to develop strategic plans that address local economic development challenges.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations and individuals in Rockford to develop programs that address economic development, violence prevention, and community reinvestment in areas disproportionately affected by past cannabis laws.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that serve low-income and underrepresented communities in various areas such as health, education, and legal services across specific major U.S. cities.

This program provides federal funding to local governments and transit agencies in northeastern Illinois for significant transportation projects that improve roads, bridges, public transit, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for commercial, cultural, industrial, and mixed-use development projects in Chicago, aimed at enhancing community development and economic growth.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to create a campaign that promotes the community health worker profession in Illinois, aiming to increase awareness, integration, and workforce expansion in healthcare and social services.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods for improving local football fields, ensuring safe and accessible play spaces for community youth.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit and public organizations in Illinois, particularly in DeKalb County, to enhance music education initiatives for underserved communities.

The City of Naperville in Illinois is inviting applications for its Community Development Block Grant Program, aimed at providing affordable housing, services to vulnerable communities, job creation, and business expansion, with funds allocated for property acquisition, infrastructure improvements, public services, energy conservation, and economic development activities.

This grant provides financial support for projects that improve economic development and quality of life in rural Illinois communities, encouraging collaboration among local organizations to address challenges like funding shortages and infrastructure needs.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments in Illinois for developing and improving public access areas for boats and canoes on state waterways.

This grant provides financial support for music education initiatives in Central Illinois, focusing on diverse and inclusive programs that engage individuals of all ages and abilities, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This program provides financial support to Illinois-based businesses and organizations for new or improved tourism events that attract visitors from outside the state, promoting regional economic development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments in Illinois for essential infrastructure projects that improve water and sewer systems, benefiting low-to-moderate income residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Illinois school food authorities for purchasing or renovating equipment to improve the quality and safety of meals served to students.