December 2019
Randall Road Corridor Feasibility Study
Kane County Division of Transportation to work with consulting firm to study improvement alternatives for a section of Randall
Kane County Division of Transportation has initiated a feasibility study of Randall Road in the vicinity of the I-90 interchange to plan for the future needs of this high priority transportation corridor. The study is performed at a high level to identify challenges and plan alternatives which will alleviate congestion, minimize traffic conflict points and improve travel along this corridor. The study also evaluates whether the project merits moving on to further stages of development.

The feasibility study will focus on Randall Road from IL 72 on the north to Big Timber Road on the South. This portion of Randall Road is a well‐known pinch point in the northern part of Kane County, experiencing extreme congestion, travel delays and traffic conflicts.
KDOT has developed a project website, RandallOver90.com, for interested parties to visit to learn more about the study and get involved in the public participation process. The website will remain active throughout the timeline of the study as a resource for meetings, information and updated as the project
moves through the study process. The website allows interested parties to register to receive updates and to provide feedback for the team to consider.

To learn more about the project and to receive updates, complete the contact form at the bottom of the project homepage or email the project team directly at RandallOver90@gmail.com .

KEEP Supports Elgin Clean Energy Project
Elgin Sports Complex to utilize C-PACE financing for the installation of a photovoltaic system
A 48,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor soccer campus facility will soon be solar-powered, thanks to a groundbreaking, $350,000 clean-energy financing deal — the first ever for the Kane Energy Efficiency Program. The Illinois Energy Conservation Authority (IECA) NFP announced this week on behalf of the KEEP that it closed the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing deal on Nov. 4.

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 on commercial properties. PACE financing is currently available in 36 states. From 2010 to the present, PACE programs have funded more than 2,000 qualifying projects for a total of more than $1 billion, while also creating more than 17,000 jobs.

The C-PACE capital is funding roof improvements and a solar photovoltaic system for the indoor-outdoor soccer complex located on approximately 13 acres in Elgin. The facility owner, International Sports, secured a 20-year term and is expected to receive annual utility savings of $19,111, aside from any other tax incentives or utility or manufacturer rebates.
The solar PV system will be installed by  Bright Life Renewable Energy, LLC, based in Naperville. With more than 15 years of solar experience, Bright Life initiated the C-PACE application with their client through the IECA.
You can review a recently published article in Kane County Connects for additional detail on this project. Any questions on the KEEP / C-PACE initiative can be directed to Chris Toth , Planner, Kane County Development and Community Services.

Manufacturer Grant Program
IMEC is now accepting applications to the Illinois Manufacturing Innovation Voucher Program
The Illinois Manufacturing Innovation Voucher Program helps small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in Illinois obtain external technical assistance to solve technology adoption challenges. This competitive matching grant 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.
Eligible companies may be awarded up to $25,000 in matching grant funds to be used to access third party expertise in the areas of R&D and technology adoption.
Why this is important?

  • Small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) are 99% of Illinois manufacturers

  • SMMs are cornerstones of Illinois communities across the state, representing over 12,000 companies

  • SMMs are lagging in productivity growth and innovation, the drivers of global competitiveness 

  • SMMs often lack the necessary internal resources to adopt advanced technology and modern business practices that are necessary for them to grow and/or sustain the future of their organization 
Eligibility

  • Existing Illinois manufacturer with between 5 and 500 employees

  • Funded projects must be conducted in Illinois

  • Recipients must provide a cash match of 50 percent of the total project cost, up to $25,000. For example, under the matching requirement, a company that receives the maximum award of $25,000 must contribute $25,000.

  • Funding assistance must be approved before project is initiated 

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 .

Clean Energy Assessment Tool
Local Clean Energy Self-Scoring Tool helps communities measure performance
This updated version of the Local Clean Energy Self-Scoring Tool lets you score any community’s energy efficiency and renewable energy efforts using the metrics from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy 2019 City Clean Energy Scorecard . The brief user guide shows users how to use the application to evaluate community-wide initiatives, government operations, and buildings, utility, and transportation policies.

Users can also compare their community’s scores against average city scores from the 2019 City Scorecard. By cataloging strengths and identifying areas for improvement, the Self-Scoring Tool can help communities create a clean energy roadmap that is designed to serve all residents.

The tool can inform the climate and energy policy decisions of smaller, more resource-constrained local governments and assist them in prioritizing future investments. It gives a policymaker, stakeholder, student, or informed citizen the opportunity to score a community’s clean energy efforts in an easy, transparent manner.

The following are some ways that stakeholders can use the tool:

  • Sustainability staff can benchmark municipal climate and energy efforts to get a better understanding of their progress and inform future policy decisions.

  • Nonprofit organizations can learn about new clean energy programs and policies to consider for their community, which they can advocate for or work to implement.

  • Informed citizens can measure and track the clean energy progress of their community and learn about the strengths and weaknesses of current programs, in order to keep local officials accountable for these efforts.

Visit the ACEEE Self-Scoring Tool webpage to learn more and to download the tool file. Any feedback regarding the tool can be directed to ktanabe@aceee.org .

Kane County Planning Cooperative
Matt Tansley, Planner - (630) 232-3493 

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