State Workforce Development Grants

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering the Manufacturing Retention Grant Program. This program is designed to help manufacturing companies maintain their operational presence within Illinois. Its core mission is to encourage businesses to invest in their workforce, facilities, equipment, technologies, and infrastructure, thereby securing existing jobs and fostering economic stability in the state. The program is supported through the Enterprise Fund, administered by DCEO, which typically funds a broad range of economic development projects. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are private for-profit business entities that operate a major manufacturing complex in Bushnell, Illinois, specifically within McDonough County. These companies must have less than 1,000 employees and extensive experience in tool manufacturing. A key eligibility criterion is the requirement to have acquired a tool manufacturing firm in McDonough County with a minimum of 100 full-time equivalent employees. The grant's impact goal is to retain these companies' manufacturing campuses at operating production levels that support at least 100 employees at the Bushnell site. The program prioritizes job retention in Illinois through various investments. Eligible expenses encompass employee payroll for existing employees (including backpay incurred from May 14, 2024), invoices for services, training expenses for existing employees, and significant capital improvements. These improvements include refurbishment or replacement of machinery, equipment, and tooling (e.g., forging hammers, Swiss lathes), facility repairs (e.g., roof repair, electrical upgrades), productivity and innovation initiatives (e.g., robotics reprogramming, induction heat furnaces), and the replenishment of inventory to maintain standard stocking levels for daily production. The expected outcome of the Manufacturing Retention Grant Program is the successful retention of manufacturing operations and a minimum employment level of 100 employees at the Bushnell site. Measurable results will be directly tied to the utilization of the $5,000,000 total funding, with a performance period spanning from September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2026. The DCEO's strategic priority, as evidenced by this program, is to safeguard manufacturing jobs and foster a robust economic environment within Illinois, aligning with a theory of change that posits direct investment in established manufacturing entities will lead to sustained employment and economic growth.

This program provides direct financial support to California residents aged 60 and older who qualify for or receive means-tested benefits, helping to enhance their economic security.

This funding opportunity supports Illinois-based organizations in developing and delivering training for healthcare providers on effective pediatric asthma management using a telementoring model.

This funding program provides financial support to local defense groups and government entities in Pennsylvania to enhance the military value and sustainability of military installations and organizations within the state.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist California's vulnerable populations in gaining employment through social enterprises and work-based learning programs.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public and nonprofit organizations in Indiana to develop community-based alternatives to juvenile detention and improve outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.

This initiative provides funding to Pennsylvania's industrial sector to support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through decarbonization efforts, targeting small to large manufacturers and facility operators.

This program provides funding to organizations that assist socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and very small businesses in New York in becoming ready for venture capital investment.

This funding opportunity supports community-based organizations in Washington, DC, that provide programs in education, community safety, and economic development to improve the quality of life for local residents.

This funding opportunity supports innovative projects that connect diverse Minnesotans to careers in public health, particularly through experiential learning and partnerships.

This program provides funding to support the maintenance and improvement of rail freight services in Pennsylvania, benefiting railroad companies, municipalities, and businesses that rely on rail infrastructure.

This program provides funding to law enforcement and public safety agencies in Colorado to improve the mental health and well-being of peace officers and their families through counseling, training, and community partnerships.

This funding opportunity is designed for Illinois-based organizations to improve asthma care and education statewide, focusing on reducing health disparities and enhancing community partnerships.

This funding supports regional planning and development councils in Maryland to enhance economic growth and infrastructure in rural areas, with each council eligible for up to $600,000 to address local challenges.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to New Mexico-based small businesses that have received federal SBIR or STTR awards, helping them commercialize innovative technologies and grow their operations in key industry sectors.

This program provides funding to public and non-profit organizations in Texas to support sustainable community forestry initiatives that promote healthy urban and community forests.

This program provides low-interest loans to small businesses in Arizona to promote economic development and job creation.

This program provides funding to local governments and economic organizations in Colorado to boost the semiconductor industry by conducting market studies, implementing infrastructure improvements, and promoting regional assets.

This program provides financial assistance to local law enforcement, tribal governments, and district attorneys for investigating and prosecuting illegal marijuana operations, particularly in rural areas and those linked to organized crime.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and community colleges in Maryland that focus on agricultural and forestry education, as well as rural economic and community development initiatives.