The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to support the Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/02/2024
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The goal is to establish a network of community-based providers across the state of Illinois. These providers will offer community education, outreach, and recruitment services to encourage eligible individuals to participate in clean energy workforce and contractor development programs.
Investments in clean energy technology and infrastructure, funded through CEJA and other state and federal programs, will offer numerous employment and business development opportunities for the residents of Illinois. Historically, these types of opportunities have not always been available to some populations and communities. CEJA establishes various new programs and expands existing programs aimed at accelerating the adoption of clean energy sources, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency efforts.
Recognizing that the manufacturing, construction, and maintenance activities required to meet these regulations, incentives, and goals will require significant expansion of businesses and well-trained workers, the CEJA legislation includes several new workforce and contractor development programs. These programs are intended to equitably grow the clean energy workforce by serving equity investment eligible communities and equity investment eligible people.
The Energy Transition Navigators Program will provide outreach and recruitment for the CEJA workforce and contractor programs. The Department seeks to contract with the community-based provider(s) (“Navigator Teams”) to connect people to the CEJA workforce and contractor programs. Navigator Teams will provide outreach and recruitment services to eligible populations to ensure they are aware of and engaged in the statewide and local workforce and contractor development programs. Navigator Teams will prioritize individuals eligible for the following programs:
- Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program (20 ILCS 730/5-20). Creates 13 workforce hubs run by community-based organizations to provide clean jobs training and a career pipeline for eligible participants.
- Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program (20 ILCS 730/5-40). Creates 3 preapprenticeship centers to train equity investment eligible individuals for careers in clean energy sector construction and building trades.
Additionally, Navigator Teams will engage eligible individuals to participate in the following programs:
- Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program (20 ILCS 730/5-45). Creates regional contractor incubators to provide training, mentorship, low-cost capital, business planning, low-interest loans, and recruitment opportunities for small clean energy businesses and contractors.
- Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program (20 ILCS 730/5-55). A program for contractors seeking to expand their capacity and fill the role of the prime contractor on clean energy projects through a structured five-year program with mentorship, operation support grants, business coaching, assistance applying for certifications, procurement programs, and preparing bids.
Funding Information
This grant program is utilizing state funds appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly under Public Act 103-0589. Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is up to $500,000. Awards will range from $200,000 to $500,000.
Grant Period
Anticipated start date for awards is January 1, 2025. The period of performance is expected to be January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
Eligible Populations
Eligible (Equity focused) populations include but aren’t limited to:
- low-income persons;
- persons residing in equity investment eligible communities;
- persons who identify as black, indigenous, and people of color;
- formerly convicted persons;
- persons who are or were in the child welfare system;
- energy workers;
- dependents of displaced energy workers;
- women;
- LGBTQ+, transgender, or gender nonconforming persons;
- persons with disabilities; and
- members of any of these groups who are also youth.
Program Requirements
The focus of the Energy Transition Navigator Program is: 1) to provide outreach and community education to eligible populations to raise awareness of opportunities to participate in CEJA programs, with priority to individuals eligible for the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program and the Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program; 2) to provide services to assist those individuals with enrollment and participation in those programs; and 3) to engage with diverse community, employer, and workforce stakeholders to effectively reflect both the opportunities and the needs of the emerging regional clean energy economy.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants are community-based providers.
For more information, visit DCEO.
