Board prepares $200,000 rural grant application, proposes $50,000 for workforce training

The Kane County Economic Development Board is preparing a $200,000 rural county grant application and discussed allocating a $50,000 portion for workforce development and training, the chair said during the meeting.

The chair explained the grant portal is open and that the board must submit a concise application under strict character limits. “So it's 200,000,” the chair said, adding the board wanted to submit before the application deadline. A later exchange clarified the deadline for the rural county grant application is Sept. 1.

Board members recommended earmarking $50,000 for education and workforce development — training, apprenticeship programs and skills development tied to the county’s priorities of business recruitment, expansion, retention and infrastructure. “We put a working budget, 50,000 for the education component of it for trainings and workforce and things like that,” the chair said.

Discussion focused on expanding trades and apprenticeship opportunities through partnerships with Southwest Tech and Snow College, bringing programs such as welding, trucking, cosmetology and CDL training to the community, and finding ways for adult learners and high-school students to participate without compromising student safety. Committee members suggested reaching out to local businesses (for example, Little’s Diesel) to sponsor targeted training or to host CDL courses locally.

The board also discussed program flexibility: staff said the grant was intentionally broad so funds could be applied to workforce, business support or capital infrastructure within defined parameters. Members agreed to finalize the application using an accepted template and to circulate drafts for feedback before submitting.

Next steps: staff will complete the application and submit it by the Sept. 1 deadline; the board will follow up on specific program proposals and potential partnerships with Southwest Tech and local employers.