FY26-1 Illinois Regional Site Readiness Program

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has launched the Illinois Regional Site Readiness Program to bolster the state’s competitiveness for industrial and manufacturing investments. This initiative seeks to fund infrastructure and capital improvements across Illinois to increase the inventory of development-ready sites for industrial purposes. The program reflects a broader economic strategy outlined in the state’s Five-Year Economic Growth Plan and builds upon prior programs such as the Megasites Development Program and the Illinois Economic Development Corporation’s Vetted Sites Program. Through this funding opportunity, the state aims to provide critical support for infrastructure enhancements that make industrial sites more appealing for potential investment and job creation. This includes projects involving land acquisition, utility construction, road and rail access, environmental remediation (as part of bondable projects), and related site preparation activities. However, funding cannot be used for buildings, additions, or structures, nor for proposal development costs. Applicants must adhere to specific bondability and cost guidelines, and pre-award costs are only reimbursable if explicitly approved. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, economic development organizations, and private landowners. Projects must target sites that are unoccupied, zoned for industrial or agricultural use, and meet acreage requirements depending on their environmental classification (e.g., 50-acre minimum for greenfields or 25-acre minimum for brownfields/infill). Sites must either be controlled by the applicant or have documented partnerships granting control rights. Applications are evaluated competitively, with consideration for geographic distribution and readiness of the sites based on zoning, infrastructure access, and prior due diligence. Applicants are required to register in the Illinois GATA Grantee Portal and meet multiple verification requirements, including having a valid SAM registration, UEI number, and being in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State. Matching contributions are mandatory and vary by applicant type—ranging from 20% to 50% of the total project cost. Applications must include documentation of committed matching funds, project timelines, readiness, zoning and environmental assessments, and letters of support from local municipalities or stakeholders. The grant opportunity operates on a rolling basis with a final deadline of March 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM CT. Submissions are made electronically via a SmartSheet form, and applicants are encouraged to reach out to the program manager with regional eligibility or submission questions. A technical assistance session is available but not mandatory. Awards are expected to start as early as January 1, 2026, with a performance period of up to two years. Up to 10 grants will be awarded, each ranging from $100,000 to $5,000,000, with a total program funding of $30 million. Evaluations are conducted monthly, with merit-based scoring of proposals based on need, capacity, and project quality.

Highlight alignment with regional plans and provide detailed environmental and zoning documentation; ensure match funding is committed and documented clearly