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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL EDITION
February 2020
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Kane County Fiber Network
Regional fiber optic network provides enhanced data transmission capabilities for businesses and communities
Since 2011 the Kane County Fiber Optic Network has grown to cover 55 miles with high speed fiber optic cable, enhancing the data transmission capabilities of public safety and health information systems and county branch offices, schools, universities, businesses, and communities.
As the Kane County network expands and evolves over time, another service that organizations and citizens will be able to take advantage of is fiber to the premises (FTTP), also known as fiber to the home (FTTH). FTTP is the installation and use of fiber connected from a central point directly to individual buildings, such as residences and businesses, which provides unprecedented high-speed internet access.
All across America, communities are rewiring for the future with fiber to the home connectivity. Community leaders are working toward a future where their communities are competitive in the global economy, where 21st century education and healthcare are not limited by bandwidth, and where citizens have access to better services. No community can afford to be left behind in the all-fiber revolution.

For more information, visit the Kane County Fiber Network website. To learn more about how the network could benefit your organization or community directly, contact Steve with the Kane County IT Department at 630-762-2060 or fiberinfo@co.kane.il.us.

Kane Energy Efficiency Program
Program provides financing for energy-efficiency improvements for Kane County commercial real estate owners
The Illinois Energy Conservation Authority NFP (IECA) is pleased to announce that it has been selected by Kane County as the program administrator for the Kane Energy Efficiency Program (KEEP) financing for commercial real estate owners. The passing of the KEEP legislation by the Kane County Board makes Kane County one of the first Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) programs in Illinois. 

Recently introduced in Illinois, C-PACE is an innovative financing tool that provides low-cost, long-term funding for energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects in commercial properties. C-PACE financing is currently available in 36 states and Washington, D.C. From 2009 to 2018, C-PACE programs have funded 1,934 qualifying projects for a total of $883 million, while also creating over 12,000 jobs.
 
"We look forward to working with Kane County," commented Mark Pikus, president of the IECA. "This is a great program for Kane County's commercial real estate owners and we intend to work with the local constituents to further educate businesses on the KEEP program benefits."

The IECA is uniquely positioned to assist the region in establishing successful C-PACE programs that will support greater economic development activity, as well as contribute to developing high performing buildings through installation of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies.
 
The IECA is a not-for-profit organization that was formed out of a commitment to bring KEEP-like program administration to the Chicagoland area. For more information on IECA visit www.iecaPACE.org.

Manufacturing
Technical Assistance for Manufacturers
Illinois Manufacturing Innovation Voucher Program assists small / medium-sized manufacturers bridge knowledge gaps
Kane County businesses are eligible for as much as $30,000 through Kane County and the Illinois Manufacturing Innovation Voucher Program. In November, IMEC announced the launch of the Illinois Manufacturing Innovation Voucher Program to help small and mid-sized manufacturers in Illinois obtain external technical assistance to solve technology adoption challenges.
The Kane County Manufacturing Innovation Voucher program for 2020 was approved unanimously by the Kane County Jobs Committee on Jan. 17, and adopted by the Kane County Board for implementation at the February 11th meeting.
The competitive matching voucher program is designed to remove hurdles in funding and know-how so SMMs can embrace new technologies in their products and processes — providing Illinois manufacturers a competitive advantage.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 

For additional details, view the program press release or the program summary which includes a listing of eligible expenses. The online application form can be completed here. Questions can be submitted to IMEC at innovationvouchers@imec.org.

Planning Tools for Export Businesses
ExporTech training series connects companies with national experts and resources to build export strategies
The Chicago Regional Growth Corporation (CRGC) is partnering with Kane County to bring the ExporTechTM program back to Kane County! CRGC will be hosting a winter 2020 ExporTech cohort limited to eight Kane County manufacturers and the 3-day cohort will be held in Aurora.

Those that would benefit most from ExporTechTM are:

  • Manufacturers that have received inquiries about exporting, but do not include it in their business plan.
  • Companies looking to create a holistic, strategic plan for exporting.
  • Manufacturers who want to export and are unsure of where to begin.
  • Experienced exporting manufacturers looking to target new markets.
  • Businesses that are looking for personalized exporting assistance.
  • Manufacturers looking for resources and technical assistance for exports.
In addition to locating the ExporTechTM Program in Kane County, Kane County manufacturers will also receive a reduced rate compared to other ExporTechTM cohorts:

  • Regular ExporTech Cost per Company - $5,000
  • Limited Time Reduced Cost per Company for Kane County Winter 2020 cohort - $750

Space is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis for qualified companies. Each participating company may bring up to 3 executives for the 3-day program. The session dates for the 3-day Winter 2020 cohort are subject to change, but tentatively scheduled to take place: March 12 (Day 1), April 8 (Day 2), and May 6 (Day 3).

Interested applicants may download an enrollment form from the CRGC website or learn more about the program at the national level here. Questions? Contact Marti Deuter, CRGC Program Manager at mdeuter@chicagoregionalgrowth.com or by phone at (312) 589-5773.

Export Grants Program
Matching grant opportunity for Kane County exporters
In May 2015, Chicago Regional Growth Corporation Exports Initiative (Formerly known as Metro Chicago Exports) announced the launch of a Grant Program to help small and mid-sized businesses grow in international trade, specifically through exports. The Chicago Regional Growth Corporation Exports Grant Program, presented by JP Morgan Chase & Co., awards grants up to $5,000 to businesses throughout Northeastern Illinois. This innovative and successful grant program has been renewed for 2020.
 
The Kane County Exports Grant Program provides an additional incentive for Kane County companies to start or increase exporting. Companies located in Kane County which apply for, and are awarded, a grant from Chicago Regional Growth Corporation Exports Program, would be eligible for up to an additional $5,000 from Kane County to reimburse 50% of eligible expenses associated with implementing an export plan.
 
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
Companies located in Kane County which are awarded a grant from Chicago Regional Growth Corporation Exports Program.
 
WHAT GRANTS COVER
Grant awards up to an additional $5,000 to reimburse 50% of eligible expenses to support the company's next steps to going global. Grant awards may also cover a Kane County company's participation in the ExporTechTM program.
 
WHERE BUSINESSES CAN APPLY
Program information and applications are available here.
 
Questions about the Kane County Exports Program? Contact Chris Toth with the Kane County Development Department by Email at tothchris@co.kane.il.us or by phone at (630) 232-3491.

EMPLOYMENT
Census Bureau Positions
U.S. Census Bureau to hire thousands of temporary workers
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting to fill hundreds of thousands of temporary positions across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count. Kane County Complete Count Commission is promoting efforts for a thorough census effort in Kane County. 

The decennial Census is the constitutionally mandated population count which shapes everything from state representation in congress to the allocation of billions in federal funding.

WHY APPLY?
Visit the 2020 Census webpage for descriptions of the different jobs available and to view corresponding wage rates for your area. Interested candidates may get started with their applications here.
Kane County Planning Cooperative
Matt Tansley, Planner - (630) 232-3493 

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