ALTON, Ill. — A $21 million grant program in Illinois has launched to help clean energy contractors, especially those from underserved areas, grow their businesses.
The Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program will award grants between $500,000 and $2.5 million to 13 community-based hubs, including several in St. Louis' Metro East, that will in turn provide access to low-cost capital, training, mentorship, networking opportunities and other business-related assistance.
In addition to two in Chicago, there will be community-based hubs in Alton, East St. Louis, Aurora, Carbondale, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford and Waukegan.
Eligible entities include community-based organizations such as nonprofits and accredited public colleges or universities that have experience providing business-related assistance; knowledge of the construction and clean-energy trades; a record of serving diverse populations; and established relationships within the local area.
The state will select hubs from a Notice of Funding Opportunity. Online applications are accepted until Dec. 11.
Click here to read the full story from the St. Louis Business Journal.
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