1. New $31 billion Capital Construction Plan

Illinois Jobs Now! provides for funding for many local projects in the region. North Central Illinois Council of Governments is available to assist in all aspects of the application process that will accompany these grants. Most of the local projects will be administered through the IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The time frame on the funding is unknown at this time. Our experience indicates that the project funds should not be expected before early winter and into 2010. There will be an application process and a grant agreement to sign etc. If you would like help once you receive official documents or have any questions, please feel free to contact us. 

A complete list of specific projects can be found at www.JobsNow.Illinois.gov. 

2. Community Energy Efficiency and Conservation Opportunities

The US Department of Energy (DOE) issued an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding notice. Federal Grants know as ‘Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants’ (EECBG) will be issued to states and direct entitlement communities. The State of Illinois, DCEO has responded to DOE with a plan to utilize the statewide network of Regional Planning Commissions or Councils of Government to administer the program for the local government portion. 

NCICG is the Regional Council of Governments serving LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam, Stark, Marshall, and Grundy Counties. The State's Plan identifies NCICG as the regional agency that will administer the funds in this area. If approved by the DOE, NCICG will: market the program; educate local leaders; provide necessary staff assistance; intake grant applications; review proposals and ultimately award EECBG funds to local governments, special taxing districts and/or non-profit public agencies within their service jurisdiction. Based upon the most current censes of population, the allocation for the NCICG area is approximately $906,527. 

We are very excited to be involved in this process! More information will be passed along as soon as an official announcement is made. While we are waiting for that announcement consider the following:

What specific activities are eligible for use of funds?

• Development of an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy and Technical Consultant Services to assist in the development of such a strategy.
• Residential and Commercial Building Energy Audits. Communities may provide funding for energy audits.
• Energy Efficiency Retrofits - Communities may use funds to administer a program of granting or loaning funds to residents, businesses and non-profit organizations for energy efficiency retrofits.
• Development and implementation of transportation programs to conserve energy (e.g. purchase of hybrid, electric, or alternative fuel vehicles.
• Building code revisions and inspections to promote building energy efficiency and or training of enforcement officials or the local building industry.
• Material conservation programs including source reduction, recycling and recycled content procurement programs that lead to documented energy savings.
• Energy efficient traffic signals and street lighting.
• Government building renewable electricity - Onsite renewable energy projects that generate electricity from solar, wind, fuel cells, or biomass are eligible.

In all cases, other available state and federal funding should be pursued and the EECBG grants will then help to make a project viable or to close a funding gap.