The Illinois Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program is a support initiative designed to nurture and accelerate clean energy contractors and businesses within the state. It provides resources, mentorship, and training to help these contractors thrive in the growing clean energy sector while contributing to Illinois' sustainability goals.

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20 ILCS 730/5-45

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(e) The Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program shall: (1) provide access to low-cost capital for small clean energy businesses and contractors; (2) provide support for obtaining financial assurance, including, but not limited to: bonding; back office services; insurance, permits, training and certifications; business planning; and low-interest loans; (3) train, mentor, and provide other support needed to allow participant contractors to: (i) build their businesses and connect to specific projects, (ii) register as approved vendors, (iii) engage in approved vendor subcontracting and qualified installer opportunities, (iv) develop partnering and networking skills, (v) compete for capital and other resources, and (vi) execute clean energy-related project installations and subcontracts; (4) ensure that participant contractors, community partners, and potential contractor clients are aware of and engaged in the Program; (5) connect participant contractors with the Department of Labor for resources, training, and technical support on prevailing wage compliance; (6) provide recruitment and ongoing engagement with entities that hire contractors and subcontractors, programs providing renewable energy resource-related projects, incentive programs, and approved vendor and qualified installer opportunities, including, but not limited to, activities such as matchmaking, events, and collaborating with other Hub Sites.

Yes

See NOFO.

Nonprofit Organizations;

Eligible applicants are community-based organizations, including nonprofit organizations, accredited public colleges or universities, with demonstrated history and effectiveness in serving program-eligible populations in one or more of these Program Delivery Areas: Chicago (South Side), Chicago (Southwest and West Sides), Waukegan, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, Peoria, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Carbondale, East St. Louis, and Alton. Eligible applicants must: 1. have a history of providing business-related assistance and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start, run, and grow their businesses; 2. have knowledge of construction and clean energy trades; 3. demonstrate relationships with local residents and organizations serving equity investment eligible communities within the service region; and 4. demonstrate the ability to effectively recruit and serve diverse and underrepresented populations in one or more of the Program Delivery Areas. Applicants must also demonstrate that they have adequate facilities with capacity for program operations and training. The Department strongly prefers eligible applicants with headquarters located within equity investment eligible communities and conveniently accessible by public transportation. Community-based organizations may propose to deliver all required elements or may subcontract to other entities for the provision of portions of program elements, including, but not limited to, training and mentoring, recruitment, support for obtaining business and financial services, or provision of other support functions for program delivery compliance.

Small clean energy businesses

Project Grants

Economic Development

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Standard application procedures. Requires Executive Summary in addition to Technical Proposal (narrative)

Need, Capacity, Quality, Effectiveness

Merit-based review. Initial 25% awarded upfront. Additional 75% reimbursed based on quarterly reporting.

60 days from posting

30-60 days

The Merit Based Review process is subject to appeal. However, competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published. The written appeal shall include the name and address of the appealing party, the identification of the grant and a statement of reasons for the appeal. To file an appeal, applicants must submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the Merit-Based Application Review Appeals Process listed on the Grant Opportunities page of the DCEO website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/GrantOpportunities/Pages/MeritAppReview.aspx.

CEJA

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Allowable costs are those that are necessary and reasonable for the performance of the award. These include: o Personnel (salaries, wages, and fringe benefits) o Travel and supplies (including reasonable food costs for events) o Contractual services, subawards, and consultants o Indirect costs (using a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or the de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% modified total direct costs) Capital expenditures for general purpose equipment, buildings, and land are unallowable as direct or indirect costs.

Quarterly reporting using PPR and PFR

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427-42030-4900-0000

$0, $21,000,000, $21,000,000

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Number of businesses assisted, contracts secured, funding secured, certifications obtained, jobs created and jobs retained

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/002007300K5-45.htm

Chicago (South Side), Chicago (Southwest & West Sides), Waukegan, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, Peoria, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Carbondale, East St. Louis, and Alton.

500 East Monroe Springfield, IL 62701 and 555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661

https://dceo.illinois.gov/climateandequitablejobs/clean-energy-contractor-incubator-program.html

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FY 2024 : $21,000,000
FY 2025 : $21,000,000
FY 2026 : $21,000,000