More than $800,000 Available in Opportunity Returns Grants through AgriFirst           

[SEPT. 21, 2005]  SPRINGFIELD  – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced $833,000 is now available through Opportunity Returns, his pro-active, comprehensive economic development strategy, to individuals with innovative, new businesses designed create additional uses for Illinois’ agricultural commodities.  Applications for the AgriFIRST grants are now available through the Illinois Department of Agriculture and must be submitted by Dec. 20, 2005. 

“As additional uses are created for Illinois corn, soybean and other commodities, the demand for our raw products increases,” Gov. Blagojevich said. “AgriFIRST grants will help defray start up costs for new companies, encourage “valued-added” agricultural ventures and create jobs for our working families throughout Illinois.”

Individuals can apply for funds to assist with a variety of value-added agricultural projects, including up to 50 percent of the cost of feasibility studies, competitive assessments, consulting or productivity services (creation of business and marketing plans); up to 75 percent of the cost of technical assistance (maximum $25,000 per project); or up to ten percent of a project's total capital construction cost not to exceed $5,000,000. For capital construction, funds may be used to pay costs including, but not limited to purchasing land, purchasing, constructing or refurbishing buildings, purchasing or refurbishing machinery or equipment, installation, repairs, labor and working capital.

“Agriculture is our number one industry in Illinois, and it is constantly growing and evolving,” Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. “Gov. Blagojevich is helping individuals and businesses stay ahead of the times by spurring the innovations needed to increase demand for our agricultural products, keep us competitive in global markets and improve our farm profitability.”

Since the program’s inception in 2001, IDOA has provided more than $3.7 million in funds to more than 70 value-added agricultural projects. In FY04, IDOA granted $400,000 in funds. As a result, several businesses around the state received the assistance needed to explore or start new agriculture ventures.

2004 AgriFIRST grant recipients include:

Environmentally Correct Concepts – East Central Region
$20,000 to investigate the potential value of Miscanthus as a renewable energy source in Illinois. Grant funds were awarded to develop a mechanical method of propagation, determine combustion characteristics, determine best management practices and develop a website to provide farmers with this information. As a result, successful propagation method and best management practices were developed. The project is now in Phase II which involves the development of a website and combustion test analysis.

Glacier Beef – Northwest Region
$25,000 for technical assistance to upgrade the company website, production of advertising and sales material and hiring a full time sales person. As a result, the company has completed upgrade of their website ( www.glacierbeef.com ), hired a full-time sales person and developed a marketing plan.
 

Omni Ventures – Southwest Region
$25,000 for technical assistance to enable a consultant to evaluate the quality of the kenaf fiber and core being grown in Illinois, to assess the appropriate level of processing and to develop a strategy for full-scale commercialization and long-term viability of kenaf as a crop in Illinois. As a result of the grant, the industry appears to have in place the necessary infrastructure with companies willing to collaborate with Omni Ventures for the final stage of commercialization. There is also potential for kenaf to impact more than just Southern Illinois. For example, there is the potential to use kenaf for animal bedding and other pet products.

Illinois Grape Growers & Vintners Association –West Central Region
$17,450 to provide educational viticultural and enology programs to new and existing growers and new and existing wineries. The Grantee was awarded funds to contract with specialists from Missouri, Arkansas, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio to provide educational workshops in three sites across the state (North, Central and Southern Illinois). As a result a total of 17 workshops were held between April 2004 and Feb. 25, 2005 with more than 450 individuals attending.

Applications can be found on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website at www.agr.state.il.us or can be requested by phone. Call Kim Janssen at 217-785-5848. All AgriFIRST grant applications must be in by 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2005.

Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges. Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.
 
[News release]