Latest news with #DCEO
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vermilion Advantage gets grant to create jobs, improve economy
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced on Thursday that Vermilion Advantage was awarded a grant for economic recovery and resiliency planning throughout the county. Vermilion Advantage and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined Pritzker in the announcement that the nonprofit would be receiving $80,000 in federal grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Local Technical Assistance program. UPS updates and tackling local obstacles | Meet the Mayor The nonprofit organization combines the functions of a chamber of commerce with an economic development agency with the goal of creating and sustaining an environment for successful business and economic growth in Danville, and throughout the rest of Vermilion County. Additionally, state assistance was able to strengthen the grant application to support private capital investment and create jobs in Danville specifically. 'Illinois is committed to investing in projects that leverage that strengthen economic development opportunities while creating jobs,' Pritzker said. 'Thanks to organizations like Vermilion Advantage, and support from the Federal Grant Support Program, businesses in Vermilion County will benefit for years to come from the recruitment plan created through this initiative.' Vermilion Advantage also applied for a received a $10,000 investment from DCEO through the Federal Grant Support Program and contributed $10,000 of local funding support to the project in order to make their federal application more competitive. 'They have to go somewhere'; Danville officials trying to regulate public camping, mitigate homelessness The $100,000 planning project aims to help with the development of a strategy for economic recovery and resilience to target Vermilion County's business recruitment and retention efforts, including workforce development throughout Danville. 'Vermilion Advantage is excited about our partnership with TPMA on the East Voorhees Redevelopment Study,' said Mike Marron, President, Vermilion Advantage. 'This is a critical first step in building a solid plan for the revitalization of East Danville. We start from this point by creating our new economy of the future.' The strategy of the planning project will include the following: Assessment of current economic conditions Industry analysis Workforce skills assessment Strategy for targeted outreach Recommendations for industrial site development The project will also involve data and other analysis for the entire county, and specific attention will be focused on Danville's E Vorhees Street corridor. This area is being described as a 'prime location for future industrial development' to bring in new economic opportunities and jobs to the county. Bresee Babes watch beloved tower fall Once finished, the project will be part of the roadmap towards future economic sustainability and economic resiliency in the E Vorhees Street corridor area, and throughout the rest of the region. 'DCEO's Federal Grant Support Program continues to give Illinoisans a competitive advantage to secure federal funding that will support Illinois communities,' said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. 'The State of Illinois is investing in Vermilion Advantage's plans to create new jobs and economic opportunity for families in Vermilion County.' The Local Technical Assistance program was created to help fill the knowledge and information gaps that could prevent leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors in distressed areas from making the most favorable decisions on local economic development problems. 'As a strong partner in Vermilion Advantage's work to strengthen the local economy, I'm proud to see this important organization receive critical grant funding,' said Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign). 'The community in Vermilion County will greatly benefit from Vermilion Advantage's plans to support the business environment by boosting economic recovery and resilience.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Pritzker awards over $10M in IL grocery initiative grants
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Governor JB Pritzker announced some awards to assist with Illinois grocery stores, however, the closest town to the Tri-State that will currently benefit from this initiative is Marion, Illinois. Governor JB Pritzker says he joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and 'local leaders' to announce awards through the Illinois Grocery Initiative 'New Stores in Food Deserts Program' and 'Equipment Upgrades Grant Program' to address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures in Illinois. Officials note grantees were selected through competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) processes. 'When I signed the Illinois Grocery Initiative into law the vision we had in mind was reducing costs, fighting food insecurity, and boosting the local economy,' said Governor JB Pritzker. 'This $10 million investment will go directly toward construction and renovation of quality, affordable grocery options in neighborhoods across the state. From Champaign to Marion to Venice, we're fighting food insecurity while investing directly into the lifeblood of our economy, supporting farmers, small businesses, and working families.' Support grows for banning cell phones in classrooms across Illinois New stores in food deserts program Officials say the 'New Stores in Food Deserts Program' awards will support the establishment of new grocery stores in food deserts as defined by the Illinois Grocery Initiative Act. This funding will support construction and renovation costs for new stores, as well as many first-year operations costs, such as employee wages, utility costs and initial inventory of food. AL RAAWI LLC of Marion, Illinois, received $2,399,975 for a new construction project. 'At Economic Security Illinois, we believe that families and communities should have the resources they need to live fulfilling lives, from access to banks, to good schools, to affordable food in grocery stores,' said Erion Malasi, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Economic Security Illinois. 'When major life staples are lacking in the market, we want to harness the power of community and government to come together and provide a public option. We are proud to have funded the feasibility study for this effort, and proud to see funds for a new municipal-owned grocery store come to Venice. We're grateful to Governor Pritzker, Deputy Governor Andy Manar, and leaders in the General Assembly for advancing this critical effort.' Officials say after providing approximately $6.9 million through Round I of the Illinois Grocery Initiative New Stores Grants, DCEO opened Round II in October of 2024. Applicants were selected based on various requirements including: Must be located in a food desert Must earn less than 30% of revenue from alcohol and tobacco sales Must accept SNAP and WIC Must contribute to diversity of fresh foods available in community Kristi Noem slams Illinois governor, state's sanctuary policies; Pritzker claps back Equipment Upgrades Grant Program Governor JB Pritzker's office says the Equipment Upgrades Grant Program awards will support energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing grocery stores, with priority given to those located in food insecure communities across the state. This program is designed to strengthen existing grocery stores and preserve access to fresh food in food insecure communities, in an effort to stop the formation of new food deserts. Willjo, Inc. of Marion, Illinois, received $132,234 for the complete replacement of walk-in freezer, HVAC system. State officials say after providing $1 million through Round I of the Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Grant Program, DCEO opened Round II in January of 2025. This is a rolling grant opportunity which will remain open until December 15, 2025, or until funding is exhausted. Applicant qualifications include independent grocers or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four grocery locations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Illinois offers $250 for top prize in state short film contest
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois is asking student and young filmmakers, under 22 years old, to enter the Illinois Film Office's Shortcuts Short Film Contest. The contest is put on by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The winner will receive $250 and their film will be screened at the 815HORTS festival in Rockford, which runs November 14-15. Submission guidelines are available at the . 'DCEO's Illinois Film Office continues to serve as an integral partner for the 815HORTS festival,' said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. 'I encourage eligible filmmakers throughout the state to submit their short films to the Shortcuts contest for their chance to be featured on the big screen as part of Illinois' world-class film industry.' 'We're so grateful to the Illinois Film Office for its continued partnership with 815HORTS and our film program in Rockford,' said Nicholas Povalitis, founder, Plus Seven company and program director, 815HORTS. 'With the return of Shortcuts and its integration into 815HORTS, we are now able to improve on one of our most important festival goals – reaching the many aspiring and talented student filmmakers throughout the state. It's an honor to help IFO uplift young filmmakers and we're thankful for this opportunity.' Film productions spent $653 million in Illinois in 2024. The state offers a Film Production Tax Credit and launched a Film & TV Workforce Training Program to incentivize production. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City of Effingham receives over $300K from RISE grant
EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — The Mayor of Effingham has announced that the city is one of just nine communities statewide receiving a Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) grant. Governor JB Pritzker announced on Tuesday that the city was awarded $373,500 in RISE funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The funding will be used to buy 2.6 acres of property on Heritage Avenue. The goal of this purchase is collaborating with investors to turn the property into workforce housing. Newborn kittens abandoned in Effingham as 'kitten season' ramps up 'The result of this grant award will be another component in our overall strategy to stimulate the renovation of current housing stock and the building of new housing stock for the working families of Effingham and the surrounding area,' said Effingham Mayor Mike Schutzbach. The RISE grant development is one of a series of recent housing initiatives by Effingham. The city has also implemented a TIF Housing Redevelopment Program and a Housing Enterprise Zone Program. 'Several City of Effingham staff members significantly contributed to this grant award from DCEO, and they continue to work with the community to identify more opportunities for housingdevelopment,' Schutzbach said. Those interested in additional information on these programs should contact City Administrator Steve Miller at 217-342-5300 ext. 5314 or smiller@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
East Moline gets $2M grant for 15th Avenue revitalization
East Moline's revitalization just got a major financial boost. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) says the City of East Moline has been awarded a $2 million grant to support the reconstruction and streetscaping of 15th Avenue. The funding will help create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly 'Main Street' as part of the City's Greater Downtown Revitalization Project. This project will reconstruct 15th Avenue between 6th and 13th Streets, including new streetscaping, widened sidewalks and accessibility improvements, making the corridor more inviting for residents, visitors and businesses. A new 'festival street' between 7th and 9th Streets can accommodate outdoor events, food trucks and gatherings in a pedestrian-friendly layout. The grant was made available through DCEO's Rebuilding Downtowns and Main Streets capital grant program. It supplements existing federal funding for improvements to 15th Avenue, 7th Street, 12th Avenue, and at The Bend that will work together to create downtown that's better connected. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and then-Representative Cheri Bustos announced the original $23.7 million federal grant in 2022. 'The revitalization of 15th Avenue and all of downtown is a transformational project for East Moline,' said Mayor Reggie Freeman. 'This grant allows us to leverage the RAISE grant we received to make an even greater impact to support local businesses, attract new investment, and enhance quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Thank you to Governor Pritzker, Senator Halpin, and Representative Johnson for their support of this critical project.' The project will include green infrastructure to reduce surface runoff, improve pedestrian lighting for safety and install wayfinding signage to connect downtown attractions. A new gateway feature at 7th Street and 15th Avenue will welcome visitors to the heart of downtown. These improvements were originally identified in the City's downtown comprehensive plan and refined through public meetings in 2024. Construction on the first phase of the Greater Downtown Revitalization began last week at The Bend; construction on the 15th Avenue improvements will begin this summer and is expected to be completed in 2026. Click here for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
