U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.5 Million to Boost Business and Workforce Training Efforts in Illinois

Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, [email protected]

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $2.5 million in the state of Illinois for infrastructure improvements needed to support current and future business needs and to support workforce development in the clean energy sector.

The EDA investments announced today are:

Kaskaskia Regional Port District (KRPD) in Red Bud will receive a $1.7 million EDA grant to construct a new laydown space at their KRPD 2 Terminal, to support the movement of equipment and supplies of current industrial park tenants while allowing for future growth. The project, to be matched with $1.2 million in state funds, is expected to create 50 jobs and generate $20 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
mHUB in Chicago will receive a $778,105 EDA grant to support the purchase of new prototyping equipment and increase training capabilities to fill existing gaps in the growing regional clean-tech innovation ecosystem. The project is expected to create 50 jobs and generate $15 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to investing in American communities to ensure that everyone gets the resources they need to strengthen their local economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These EDA investments will support efforts in Illinois to help grow the state’s industrial and clean technology sectors through infrastructure and equipment improvements.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-developed strategies designed to create economic opportunity,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “EDA is pleased to support these efforts in expanding business capacity and enhancing training programs, boosting businesses and promoting opportunities for a diverse workforce.”

“From my administration’s landmark Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan to our first-of-its-kind Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, we are transforming Illinois’ infrastructure, all while leading the clean energy revolution,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “And now, thanks to the Biden Administration, Illinois will receive $2.5 million to help us further this critical work – improving infrastructure in the Kaskaskia Regional Port District and Chicago, so we can continue to further our clean energy sector. To Secretary Gina Raimondo and the Department of Commerce team: thank you for partnering with us as we build a more sustainable Illinois for generations to come.”

“This federal funding represents a strategic investment in our state’s future, one that will bolster our competitiveness on a national and global scale, create quality jobs for our residents, and ensure that Illinois remains a pioneer in the clean energy revolution,” said Senator Dick Durbin.

“Today’s federal investments mean bolstering Illinois’s workforce, improving our infrastructure and further positioning our state as a leader in the clean energy sector,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth. “I’m proud to support Illinois talent and innovation, and I’m glad that the Biden administration continues to prioritize economic growth across the region.”

“Manufacturing is a key component of economic development. Therefore, this $778,000 grant supporting new prototyping equipment will do much to help create new jobs, train workers for clean-tech careers, and generate $15 million in private investment for the Chicagoland community. I congratulate mHUB for its creative work,” said Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-07).

The KRPD project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan and Regional Planning Commission (SIMAPC). EDA funds SIMAPC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.