10/07/2009

Green Industry Grants

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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

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10/06/2009

Charter Schools in Peoria


Want to know more about Charter Schools in Peoria?

Sign up on the website to receive update information on the charter school





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Congratulations - Job Well Done


Congratulations to Susan Schlupp of the City of Peoria Economic Development Department and Roger Troxell of the Public Works. Nice Job.


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Dear Ms. Schlupp and Mr. Troxell:

I wish to commend you both plus the City of Peoria for the very active program put in place to enhance and beautify Peoria's Inner City areas. Through this program, IDNR was able to inventory the trees within the Inner City areas, remove high risk/hazard trees, create vest pocket parks, plant trees in vacant lots, provide technical support for local projects and encourage local citizens to learn about and take action to green the living environment around them.

Through your efforts, Peoria had a very successful Urban and Community Forestry INNER CITY program.

My personal thanks to both of you for your hard work.

Reinee Hildebrandt
Urban Conservation Program
Administrator
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702


“The leader is one who mobilizes others toward a goal shared by leaders and followers... Leaders, followers and goals make up the three equally necessary supports for leadership." - Gary Wills Certain Trumpets: The Call of Leaders


ILLINOIS #2 in the NATION for TREE CITY USA


ILLINOIS #1 in the NATION for TCU GROWTH


"The task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for the greatness is there already." - John Buchanan


Burnham Plan Slide Show


Check out this great SlideShare presentation about the Burnham Plan on LinkedIn from City Planning Consultant and friend Mahender Vasandani.

Click on the link below to view the presentation.




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Economic Development Department Accomplishments

Preliminary - Will be Revised at the end of 2009


Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Economic Development is to foster economic growth and an improved quality of life by supporting existing businesses, encouraging business expansion, pursuing new business opportunities, and supporting community revitalization and growth.



Fiscal 2009 Accomplishments

Collected more than $150,000 in interest revenue through the Business Development loan fund.


Stimulated economy through the retention/creation of 1,109 jobs and $26,393,556 in private investment from existing/new businesses through Enterprise Zone.

Assisted in the development of the Spring Grove subdivision resulting in more than $106,000 in annual property tax revenue.

Renewed exemptions for 392 parcels of City owned property.

Allocated $36,660 in public funds through the Façade Improvement Program to leverage $167,719 in private investment for the revitalization of the Southern Gateway, West Main, Sheridan and Prospect Form Districts.

Processed two changes to the Enterprise Zone to assist and attract developers interested in urban redevelopment.

Created local housing market stimulus program for first time homebuyers through the allocation of $7 million of Volume Cap for the Mortgage Credit Certificate Program.

Partnered with local lenders, realtors and IHDA to conducted 8 training sessions to promote the Mortgage Credit Certificate Program.

Processed 4 TIF redevelopment agreements to stimulate development in the Warehouse and Central Business District.

Applied for two Federal Grants through the American Reinvestment Act Stimulus funds.

Developed the Green Sustainable Technology Park Plan to encourage green technology businesses to locate in Peoria.

Facilitated the completion of the Downtown Retail Strategy.

Met with 126 developers to promote Peoria and encourage redevelopment throughout the City.






Desired Program Outcomes for 2010

Foster a climate that encourages the creation and expansion of businesses; providing quality jobs, a diverse workforce, and expanded tax base.





Continue to aggressively market Peoria to developers at a National level.




Promote special project areas including the Warehouse District, Eagleview District, Southern Gateway, Renaissance Park, Hospitality Improvement Zone, Glen Oak Neighborhood Impact Zone and residential neighborhoods, as an attractive location for working, living, and entertainment.


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Manage City-owned real estate assets in a manner, which promotes the public interest, enhances the City’s overall financial resources, and fulfills the City’s obligation as a responsible, environmentally sensitive property owner.




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10/05/2009

Sustainable Economic Development Strategy


Sustainable Economic Development combines economic development and environmental improvement into one discipline. Follow the principles below:

Leave your City better then you found it.

"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.“

· Increase Sustainability and Green Technology
· Retain and Expand Existing Businesses
· Nurture and Grow New Businesses
· Revitalize the Heart of Peoria
· Attract New investment and Business

· Create a Positive Image of the City
· Increase the Diversity of the Economic Base
· Provide Solid Jobs at Good Wages
· Promote efficient buildings
· Use recycled material in buildings

· Recycle building material waste
· Encourage rain harvesting & irrigation
· Use passive solar orientation of buildings
· Encourage solar and wind energy systems
· Employ green roofs

· Support the use of natural landscaping
· Improve municipal staff knowledge of “green” techniques
· Support quality construction for long lived buildings
· Encourage mixed use development
· Support walk to work programs

· Design wetlands, drainage systems, retention and bio swales into parks
· Update codes to encourage “green” development
· Support the local production of “green” technology equipment
· Encourage development that supports transit
· Support efforts to redevelop older communities
· Permit Live / Work Space development
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· Support natural open space and parks
· Use open surface natural drainage where feasible

· Incorporate bikeways and pedestrian path
· Minimize pavement widths & cost & material
· Encourage geothermal energy
· Require street trees

More info below:
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309 494 8640




















10/02/2009

Midwest Better Then the Coasts


Interesting article in New Geography that shows that the midwest has fared better then the coasts during the recession.

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The midwest is better then the Coasts. But we already knew that, didn't we?
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Lots of Interesting Scoop on the Urbanophile Blog.
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