The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is accepting applications for its Energy Transition Community Grant Program to support economic development in communities impacted by a closure or reduced operation of a fossil fuel power plant or coal mine.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/30/2025
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: 3 Years
Details:
The Energy Transition Community Grant Program will provide grants to promote economic development to communities that are in an area with a closure or reduced operation of a fossil fuel power plant, coal mine, or nuclear plant. These funds support the activities to help communities develop economic opportunities to replace the revenue lost due to plant/mine closures, achieve environmental goals outlined in Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), and seek to achieve many of the following:
- Address the economic and social impact on the community or region of plant or mine retirement or transition.
- Procure third-party vendors for grant writing, funding resource acquisition, and implementation costs, for:
- Guidance and opportunities to apply for additional federal, State, local, and private funding resources
- Planning and procurement to attract development that will replace lost revenue
- 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. (i.e. Affordable housing, infrastructure)
- Marketing and other investment to boost tourism, recreation, and business development opportunities.
- 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/grant writing/planning through local governments or nonprofits.
Funding Information
Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $40,000,000, less any funds awarded to taxing authorities for a nuclear plant that was decommissioned but continues storing nuclear waste. Award minimum will be $50,000.
Grant Period
Anticipated start date for awards is December 1st, 2025. The period of performance is expected to be 1 to 3 years.
Uses of funds
Eligible uses for grant funds include, but are not limited to:
- Research, analysis, and planning regarding economic impact reduced or ceased operations of the regional facility;
- Environmental remediation of sites of closed facilities and other local infrastructure improvements;
- Marketing of tourist and recreation opportunities;
- Business development initiatives to attract, expand, or retain employers;
- Workforce development and support for individuals displaced by closures or reduced operations, including training for skilled trades in regional industries;
- Investment for construction or improvement in local job training facilities;
- Financial assistance for unemployed, underemployed, and/or low-income residents;
- Public health initiatives; and
- Other initiatives to address the economic and social impact of reduced production or closure of regional facilities.
Eligibility Criteria
Local units of government, including municipalities, counties, school districts, and other taxing districts, within 30 miles of a closed or closing plant/mine.
For more information, visit DCEO.
