The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to provide grants from the Energy Transition Community Grant Program to units of local government that are taxing authorities for the Zion Nuclear Plant.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/28/2024
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Energy Transition Community Grant Program provides grants to promote economic development to communities that are in an area with a closure or reduced operation of a nuclear plant.
Grants must be used to plan for or address the economic and social impact on the community or region of plant or mine retirement or transition. Eligible uses of grant funds include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Workforce development, including upskilling and reskilling for high-demand/high-wage opportunities in regional industries, and investment in training facilities. This may include tuition assistance and wrap-around services for trainees, including stipends for housing, transportation, and childcare.
- Financial assistance for unemployed, underemployed, and/or low-income residents, including direct cash benefits, childcare, housing, transportation, and health care.
- Public infrastructure investment, including water/sewer, transportation, drainage, broadband, public facilities, and other.
- Site cleanup and environmental remediation.
- Grants to incentivize relocation or retention of companies.
- Marketing and other investment to boost tourism, recreation, and business development opportunities.
- Affordable housing.
- Public health initiatives and community health care facilities.
- Downtown/commercial redevelopment, including investment to enhance public space, improve energy efficiency/sustainability of facilities or infrastructure, and renovate/revitalize historic buildings.
- Planning, along with supporting research and analysis, for economic development, transportation, or other programs to address the impact of closure.
- Investment in local or regional operational capacity for economic development/business development/grantwriting/planning through local governments or nonprofits.
Funding Information
- This grant program is utilizing state funds appropriated by Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $13,527,118.34. Awards will range from $151,153.83 to $5,589,914.07. The Department expects to make 10 awards through this NOFO.
- Anticipated start date for awards is 7/1/24. The period of performance is expected to be 7/1/24 through 6/30/25 and may be extended and amended in future years, subject to appropriation.
Eligibility Criteria
- Local units of government, including municipalities, counties, school districts, and other taxing districts that are taxing authorities for the Zion nuclear plant.
- Local units of governments in eligible areas may join with any other local unit of government, economic development organization, local educational institutions, community-based groups, or with any number or combination thereof as subgrantees to apply for the Energy Transition Community Grant.
For more information, visit DCEO.
