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Kane County EDB readies $200,000 rural grant application, highlights $50,000 for workforce training and names small-business grant winners
Summary
The board discussed applying for a $200,000 rural county grant (application due at the end of the month) and proposed earmarking $50,000 for workforce education and training. Members also announced three small-business grant finalists and discussed apprenticeship and CDL training partnerships.
The Kane County Economic Development Board discussed preparing an application for the next round of the rural county grant, which Speaker 2 described as $200,000 available for 2025–2026, and emphasized an approaching application deadline and strict character limits in the portal.
Speaker 2 said the county planned a flexible application that fits three broad parameters the legislature intended for the program: workforce training and skills development; business recruitment, expansion and retention; and economic development infrastructure (capital improvements). "We set aside 50,000 for the education component of it for trainings and workforce and things like that," Speaker 2 said, describing a working budget to fund training, leadership, QuickBooks, marketing, and trade-class delivery.
Board members pressed on how the county would use the funds. Speakers discussed expanding Southwest Tech and Snow College courses locally (welding, trucking, nursing, cosmetology) and the possibility of sponsoring apprenticeship pathways for electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians. Speaker 8 suggested outreach to a local employer, Littles Diesel, about sponsoring CDL training; Speaker 7 and others noted Southwest Tech already runs a CDL and semi-truck mechanic program but that class minimums and participant interest are constraints.
Speaker 6 flagged two local workforce and public-safety shortfalls — child daycare closures and first-responder staffing — and noted the county commissioned a $50,000 study on countywide fire feasibility; members suggested workforce funds might help fill EMS and firefighter training gaps where appropriate.
Separately, Speaker 2 announced the small-business grant finalists: Once Upon a Time Museum (expansion), Always Adventure (expansion), and Rome (a new visitor center in Orteville). Speaker 2 said the board will disburse grants in two payments — half up front and half on completion — and that recipients are required to provide matching funds (many are matching more than the minimum). Speaker 2 called the small-business grant process competitive, noting nearly 20 applications this round.
The board also reviewed municipal infrastructure grant reporting and local allocations; Speaker 2 said some towns still need to supply project details to qualify for the funds. Several members requested follow-up information and drawings for a proposed cattle-guard widening project near the visitor center (estimated materials cost discussed roughly at $20,000) and asked that the item be placed on a future agenda for a formal request.
Next steps: staff will submit the rural county grant application before the portal deadline, follow up with towns to document qualified municipal projects, and advance the small-business awards for payment processing and monitoring.
