The Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program offers progressive courses with one-on-one coaching to help clean energy contractors to develop a business plan. It provides operational support grants, tailored business coaching, mentorship, access to Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program services, assistance with certifications and vendor status, support in preparing bids, networking opportunities, and access to financial development assistance programs, including zero-interest and low-interest loans.

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20 ILCS 730/5-55

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(h) The Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program shall provide participants with: (1) a 5-year, 6-month progressive course of one-on-one coaching to assist each participant in developing an achievable 5-year business plan, including review of monthly metrics, and advice on achieving participant's goals; (2) operational support grants not to exceed $1,000,000 annually to support the growth of participant contractors with access to capital for upfront project costs and pre-development funding, among others. The amount of the grant shall be based on anticipated project size and scope; (3) business coaching based on the participant's needs; (4) a mentorship of approximately 2 years provided by a qualified company in the participant's field; (5) access to Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program services; (6) assistance with applying for Minority Business Enterprise certification and other relevant certifications and approved vendor status for programs offered by utilities or other entities; (7) assistance with preparing bids and Request for Proposal applications; (8) opportunities to be listed in any relevant directories and databases organized by the Department of Central Management Services; (9) opportunities to connect with participants in other Department programs; (10) assistance connecting with and initiating participation in the Illinois Power Agency's Adjustable Block program, the Illinois Solar for All Program, and utility programs; and (11) financial development assistance programs such as zero-interest and low-interest loans with the Climate Bank as established by Article 850 of the Illinois Finance Authority Act or a comparable financing mechanism. The Illinois Finance Authority shall retain authority to determine loan repayment terms and conditions.

Yes

See NOFO.

Education Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations; For-Profit Organizations;

Eligible applicants include: Eligible applicants are organizations located within their Program Delivery Area that have experience in the following: · Leading a large contractor-based business in Illinois; · Coaching and mentoring; · Developing relationships with companies in the Program Delivery Area; · Working with equity investment eligible community members, organizations, and business; · Knowledge of the Illinois clean energy industry. Organizations may propose to deliver all required elements or may subcontract to other entities for the provision of portions of Program elements. The Department will consider eligible applicant organizations and teams led by experienced organizations that demonstrate the required history, knowledge, and qualifications, as described above, and the capacity to deliver all required Program elements. The Department encourages applicant teams to include experienced organizations that deliver other contractor assistance programs, such as the Illinois Small Business Development Centers and the Illinois APEX Accelerator Program (formerly the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Program, or PTAC). Organizations that deliver these programs may be the lead applicant or a sub-grantee. Organizations with less experience and the history, qualifications, and capacity to deliver some but not all required Program elements are encouraged to apply in partnership with other relevant organizations to create a team with the required history, qualifications, and capacity to effectively design and deliver all required services. The Department reserves the right to assign partners, mentors, and training to grantees to increase the Department’s capacity to successfully deliver the Program. Organizations that wish to apply to deliver multiple CEJA workforce and contractor programs (including the Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program, the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, the Energy Transition Navigator Program, and the Clean Jobs Contractor Incubator Program) as well as other DCEO programs must consider their capacity to deliver all proposed services if their proposals are selected.

Clean energy businesses

Project Grants

Economic Development

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N/A

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

1-4 months

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 o Contractual services, subawards, and consultants o Miscellaneous Costs (including reasonable food costs for events)

Quarterly reporting using PPR and PFR

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427-42030-4900-0000

PY - $0, CY - $9,000,000, BY - $9,000,000

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Participant contractor engagement in other clean energy programs, retention of participants in each cohort, total projects bid/started/completed, certifications issued, and grants and loans distributed.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/002007300K5-55.htm

Northern Illinois, Central Illinois, Southern Illinois

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

https://dceo.illinois.gov/ceja/ceja-contractor-programs.html#2

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FY 2024 : $9,000,000
FY 2025 : $9,000,000
FY 2026 : $9,000,000