Grant Will Provide Training for 169 New and Existing Employees

CHICAGO – Continuing to invest in the skills of Illinois’ working men and women, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced nearly $80,000 in workforce training grants to four manufacturing companies across Peoria and Tazewell counties to increase their productivity and improve their competitiveness.  These grants will help train 62 new and 107 existing employees.  This funding comes as a part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor’s pro-active, comprehensive economic development strategy designed to spur economic growth and create jobs in the North Central region and throughout Illinois. 

“There’s no greater resource for any business than its people, and there’s no better way to expand our economy than by investing in the skills of our workers.  By making these kinds of investments, we are helping companies throughout Peoria and Tazewell counties compete at home and across the world and create more high-paying jobs,” Gov. Blagojevich said.   

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering the grants, which are being awarded through the Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP).  Training ranges across companies and includes computer and technology skills, various ISO training and technical workplace skills.  ETIP is a new generation of employer-focused, customized training grants created through the “21st Century Jobs” Training Initiative, which reimburses companies and organizations for up to 50 percent of the costs of training their employees. 

Companies receiving grants are:

Company Name	City	County	Grant Amount	Employees Trained
Daxcon Engineering	Bartonville	Peoria	$29,500	45
Excel Foundry	Pekin	Tazewell	$30,000	84
Homeway Homes	Deer Creek	Tazewell	$15,000	30
JM Industrial Supply	Pekin	Tazewell	$4,500	10
		Total	$79,000	169

“One of our greatest strengths in the region is our workforce, which possesses exceptional work ethic and great dedication.   Through this assistance, we are helping these companies meet the demands of today and tomorrow by investing in the skills of their workers.  Governor Blagojevich understands exactly what businesses need to stay competitive, and my thanks to DCEO for providing this assistance,” said State Senator George Shadid (D-Pekin).

“We can never underestimate the importance of skills training to keep our companies on the cutting-edge.  I will continue my efforts to support the region’s working men and women to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of our companies and keep our economy growing,” said State Rep. Mike Smith (D-Canton).

“Gov. Blagojevich and I have been committed to enhancing the skills of our workforce and supporting the assets that are the most desirable to business.  The ETIP program continues to serve as an enormous resource for companies in Peoria and Tazewell counties, which is helping them increase productivity, reduce costs and enhance competitiveness in today’s ultra-competitive, global economy,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said. 

Gov. Blagojevich recently announced that Illinois added 31,100 new jobs in July, which was the best in the nation that month.  This is the second time this year Illinois has created more new jobs than any other state, which has never happened before in recorded history.  Illinois also led the nation in job growth in April.  The total number of new jobs created this year is 75,200, which is the best start to a year since 1998 and more new jobs than any Midwest state.  Since January 2004, Illinois has gained more than 150,000 new jobs, which is also best in the Midwest.   The Illinois unemployment rate has been below or the same as the U.S. unemployment rate since May 2006, the first time this has happened in seven years.  The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security compiled these statistics

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.