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"These grants will help to fund the development of new
agribusinesses, which, in turn, will help to create new jobs and
stimulate economic growth in rural communities throughout
Illinois," Blagojevich said. "Agriculture is our state's number
one industry, and I am committed through this program to help
create new agricultural ventures that ensure the industry
remains number one in the future."
The fiscal 2007 budget includes $564,480 in AgriFIRST
incentives to promote "value-added" agricultural ventures, or
projects that turn raw commodities into marketable products and
enable farmers to earn a larger share of the consumer dollar.
The program helps defray the startup costs of qualified
projects.
"These grants represent an investment in the future of
Illinois agriculture," Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said.
"They will spur the innovations needed to increase demand for
our agricultural products, keep us competitive in global markets
and improve our farm profitability."
Three types of AgriFIRST grants are available:
Technical assistance grants cover up to 75 percent of the
cost of developing a "value-added" project. The maximum award is
$25,000.
Competitive assessment grants pay up to 50 percent of the
cost of feasibility studies, business and marketing plans, and
consulting services, with a cap of $300,000 per project.
Capital grants cover up to 10 percent of a qualified
project's construction cost, including the purchase of land,
buildings and equipment. The amount received cannot exceed $5
million.
The deadline to apply for a grant this fiscal year is 5 p.m.
Dec. 15.
Application forms are available on the Illinois Department
of Agriculture's website at
www.agr.state.il.us or by calling Kim Janssen at
217-785-5848. A single project can apply for all three types of
funding.
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 Since its inception in 2001, the program has awarded grants
totaling $3.7 million to more than 90 projects. Recipients are
studying the viability of ventures ranging from ethanol and
biodiesel production facilities, to the use of grassy field crops as
an alternative energy source, to the market potential of
locally-grown organic food.
To be eligible for a grant, a project must "enhance the value of
farm and agricultural products or byproducts produced in Illinois."
The program does not provide funding for technology research,
promotion of proprietary products or compliance with the Livestock
Management Facilities Act.
The governor'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 work force, 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]
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