Elgin Area Chamber Of Commerce: $15 Million Rebuild Capital Grant Helps Jumpstart Metra's Newest Station

Press release from the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce:

November 05, 2021

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$15 Million Rebuild Capital Grant Helps Jumpstart Metra's Newest Station On Monday, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's (DCEO) Acting Director, Sylvia Garcia, joined  Metra Metra , elected officials and members of the community to break ground on the new Peterson Ridge Station in Edgewater. Funded in part by a $15 million Rebuild Illinois capital grant - construction on the brand-new station will provide more accessible and equitable transit options in the area, generate economic activity, and create local jobs. Rebuild Illinois is Governor Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan plan making $45 billion worth of investments to modernize roads, bridges, railroads, universities, early childhood centers and state facilities, creating and supporting an estimated 540,000 jobs over the life of the plan, improving quality of life, and revitalizing local economies across the state.  Read More Read More State of Illinois Launches First-Ever Statewide Black Business Survey The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE), along with partners from  Chicago State University Chicago State University (CSU) and the  Chicago Urban League Chicago Urban League  (CUL), have launched a new survey to gather direct feedback from Black and African American business owners across the state. The  survey survey is designed to gain insight into the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses amid the pandemic and the current economic climate. Through the survey, DCEO will obtain the perspectives of business owners about the current challenges they face, pandemic resources that have helped meet their needs and how to improve resource allocation, outreach and business-related programs and services in future initiatives. The survey will remain open through the end of the year with findings released in early 2022. DCEO will leverage survey findings as part of our efforts to tailor resources to meet the current needs of the business community. For questions about the survey, contact Matt Simpson at Matthew.Simpson@illinois.gov Matthew.Simpson@illinois.gov , Dean Derrick Collins at dcolli25@csu.edu dcolli25@csu.edu or Stephanie Schmitz Bechteler at SBechteler@chiul.org SBechteler@chiul.org . More information can be found on the  DCEO website DCEO website . $3.5 Million in Tax Credits Available for Investors The  Angel Investment Tax Credit Program  Angel Investment Tax Credit Program  has been a springboard for startups that range the entire spectrum, from tech and life sciences, to manufacturing - bringing innovative products and services to fruition. In Illinois, venture funding is at an all-time annual record of over $5.5B raised, and to finish the year strong, DCEO is reminding investors there is currently $3.5 million in tax credits still up for grabs for the remainder of the year on a first-come first-served basis. The program is still accepting applications from new businesses, as well as investors for the 2021 program. For more on applying, visit  DCEO’s website DCEO’s website . Illinois to Kick Off 2021 National Apprenticeship Week November 15th - 19th In partnership with multiple agencies from the State of Illinois, join the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s Office of Employment and Training, Office of Illinois Works, the Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board in celebrating g  National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) . This week-long celebration starts on November 15  and highlights the benefits of apprenticeship in preparing a highly skilled workforce to meet talent needs of Illinois employers across diverse industries by showcasing programs, facilities, and apprentices in their community.

• Nov 15 Apprenticeship Illinois: A Learn and Earn Strategy
• Nov 16 Creating More Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Apprenticeships
• Nov 17 Apprenticeship Business Champions: Building In-House Talent
• Nov 18 Youth Apprenticeship: Supplying Illinois' Talent Pipeline
• Nov 19 Build Your Future Workforce: Meet Illinois' Apprentices

Apprenticeship Illinois: A Learn and Earn Strategy Creating More Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Apprenticeships Apprenticeship Business Champions: Building In-House Talent Youth Apprenticeship: Supplying Illinois' Talent Pipeline Build Your Future Workforce: Meet Illinois' Apprentices For more information on the series or to learn about additional events scheduled throughout the state, visit the Apprenticeship Illinois website Apprenticeship Illinois website .  Back to Business Grant Recipient Congratulations to Back to Business Grant (B2B) recipient Tesfa Ethiopian Cuisine Tesfa Ethiopian Cuisine . Located in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, Tesfa Ethiopian Cuisine serves fresh, healthy, authentic Ethiopian food to its loyal customers. Tesfa, meaning “hope” in Ahmaric, is what owner Samuel Sake found in a COVID-19 Back to Business economic recovery grant from the State of Illinois. “Thankfully, the B2B grant will help us keep our doors open by supporting overhead costs, purchase of PPE, and retaining our dedicated and hard-working staff,” said Samuel. “B2B will allow us to continue to provide a gathering place for friends and family, while sharing in the hope for a better tomorrow.” During the month of November, DCEO celebrates Native American Heritage Month with a series of webinars and Facebook Live events focusing on business resources available to Native American business owners. Partnering with the Native American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, DCEO’s Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) will discuss technical assistance, financial resources, and spotlight Native American business leaders and their success stories. Register for a Native American Heritage Month Event Native American Heritage Month Event Office of Trade Webinars During Export to China week: November 8 – 12, 2021 Illinois exporters, are invited to join the Illinois Office of Trade and Investment (OTI) for several opportunities to help highlight this important market. November 9, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Register Register  with Illinois exporters who have succeeded in exporting to Asia-Pacific November 10, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Register Register Get more information on these webinars and other upcoming events upcoming events . Virtual Job Fairs Virtual Job Fairs (VJF) are part of the GET HIRED GET HIRED  initiative.  Job seekers can find a hiring event near them, learn how to prepare for, and what to expect when attending the event.

This press release was produced by the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.