University of Illinois at Chicago Voorhees Center (UIC-V), an EDA University Center, is applying for additional funding from the EDA under the CARES Act. Greater Peoria along with Quad Cities, Rockford and Chicago have partnered with UIC-V in the Illinois Defense Network project over the past two years. The network has brought together stakeholders from industry, government, and academia to strengthen Illinois’ defense resilience.
Illinois Defense Industry Network Program managers visiting a local company.
Supplemental funding through UIC-V will enhance the bottom-up community economic development of critical manufacturing clusters by directly leveraging the four IDN regions. The $25,000 annual funding for two years will enable the regions to spur new efforts targeted to assist with the mitigation of COVID-19 impacts for regional manufacturers in the defense supply chain, as well as other industries.
These activities could involve PPE assessment, updating safety plan, social distancing in facility, business development, export support, infrastructure and site development and applied research will also be addressed. Previously identified needs including workforce training, cybersecurity, small business support, access to capital, export support, supply chain diversification, applied research, infrastructure and site development will also be addressed.
GPEDC works with individual companies to help them explore opportunities in defense contracting. To learn about this program, contact our Director of Business Assistance, Sally Hanley at shanley@greaterpeoriaedc.org.
The Illinois Defense Network (IDN) brings together stakeholders from industry, government, and academia to strengthen Illinois’ defense resilience. Learn more at www.illinoisdefense.org.
