Business Attraction Prime Sites

The Business Attraction Prime Sites grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to support businesses relocating to or expanding operations in Illinois. The program is part of a broader initiative to encourage large-scale capital investment projects that will generate substantial job creation and long-term economic growth. It aligns with Illinois’ 2024 Economic Growth Plan and aims to enhance key sectors such as life sciences, quantum computing, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, agriculture technology, and logistics. The grant program is designed for businesses that qualify for specific state tax credit programs—namely, EDGE, HIB, REV, and MICRO. These applicants must demonstrate their intent to invest significantly in Illinois by hiring at least 40 to 100 new employees and making investments of $20 million to $40 million, depending on the program tier. The funding ranges from $250,000 to $25 million per project, with the total program funding currently set at $90 million. Tier 2 applicants under the EDGE, REV, or MICRO programs are eligible to receive $10,000 per new job created and $5,000 per retained job. The grant may cover up to 50% of eligible capital expenditures, and recipients must match the grant on a 1:1 basis. Eligible expenditures for these capital grants include land and building acquisition, architectural planning, site preparation, utility work, new construction, renovation of industrial and commercial facilities, and the purchase and installation of durable equipment. Ineligible costs include operating expenses, leasing, temporary facilities, and vehicle purchases. Grantees must initially receive reimbursement for up to 50% of capital expenses, with the remaining 50% reimbursed once all expenditures—including matching funds—have been fully utilized. Projects that do not meet job creation or investment benchmarks may be subject to partial or full clawback of grant funds. To apply, businesses must submit a complete application package, including a uniform grant application, capital budget, conflict of interest disclosure, and a detailed project narrative using the revised template (as of May 28, 2024). Applications are submitted electronically via a Smartsheet form. The project narrative must demonstrate project scope, budget justification, organizational capacity, and job creation commitments. Applicants must also be registered in the GATA Grantee Portal and be in good standing with state and federal regulatory entities. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and evaluated using a merit-based process scored out of 100 points. Criteria include demonstration of need (30 points), organizational capacity (20 points), project quality (25 points), and anticipated economic impact (25 points). Projects located in Opportunity Zones or involving high-growth industries receive additional consideration. Applications scoring above 80 are prioritized for funding, though additional applicants scoring over 65 may be funded based on fund availability and strategic considerations like geographic equity. Joy Wolfe is the primary contact for this opportunity and can be reached at ceo.obd@illinois.gov. Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2026, and the final funding disbursement is expected by the end of fiscal year 2025. Recipients must comply with prevailing wage laws, the Illinois Works Jobs Program, and ongoing performance and financial reporting. The grant also mandates quarterly reports and a final closeout report to monitor compliance and outcomes. Projects exceeding $500,000 must also meet the requirements of the Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative.

Applications scoring over 80 are prioritized for funding; ensure narrative demonstrates need, project quality, and economic impact.