Green Industry Grants

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is now accepting applications under the Green Industry Business Development Grant Program. The purpose of this competitive solicitation is to support the development or expansion of renewable energy and energy efficiency component manufacturers, producers of dedicated biomass crops, the manufacturers of recycled content products, and recycled materials processing projects. The program targets projects that develop and expand these manufacturing sectors and corresponding supply chains while improving the economy of the State through new business development. Grant Awards: Range from $250,000 to $5,000,000. Eligible applicants: For-profit businesses, governmental entities, colleges and universities, and not-for-profit organizations with projects occurring in Illinois. Eligible Expenditures: Purchase and installation of machinery, equipment and new industrial systems, project necessary site improvements, technical or engineering services for process improvements in key functions, and/or the conversion of existing processes. Applicant Contribution: Proposed projects are eligible for grants up to 50 percent of eligible project cost. The applicant must contribute a minimum of 25 percent of the total project cost. Eligible Project Activities: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Business Development Projects:Projects will focus on the development or expansion of a manufacturing facility for renewable energy and energy efficiency products or components. Biomass Production Projects: Projects will focus on production of dedicated crops grown for their energy content, including miscanthus and switchgrass, which can be used in electric generation facilities as a fuel or for co-firing. Materials Processing Facility Projects: Projects will include tasks and activities that support the recovery, use, and reuse of eligible recyclable commodities, and/or the manufacturing of recycled-content products. Applications due October 26, 2009. Projects must be completed before February 17, 2012. Technical assistance is available to potential applicants through the Center for Renewable Energy at Illinois State University, Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center, and Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc. For more information please contact Pam Fuller at pjfuller@ilstu.edu or 309-438-7919 or visit the Illinois Energy Plan – Recovery Act website