Chicago, Illinois (Effingham Radio) The grants provide assistance to economic development organizations and agencies to help small businesses win government contracts.
Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) awarded $1.2 million in grants to 11 recipients through the Illinois APEX Accelerator. The grants will support economic development centers, academic institutions and private nonprofit organizations in their efforts to provide small businesses with the resources to identify and secure government contracting opportunities.
“Illinois is providing necessary resources to small businesses across the state.” Governor JB Pritzker said: “Thanks to our federal, state and local partners, the APEX Accelerator program helps diversify and strengthen the supply chain by training and connecting small businesses to government contracts.”
“When we invest in the innovators, job creators and economic drivers that drive our businesses forward, everyone benefits.” Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton said: “A diverse and vibrant business community is critical to the long-term prosperity of Illinois, and the APEX Accelerator is leading the way.”
The Illinois APEX Accelerator was established to help companies, including small, disadvantaged, and minority-owned businesses, sell their products and services to federal, state, and local government agencies. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) tasked the APEX Accelerator with strengthening the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) by accelerating innovation, fostering ingenuity, and establishing a resilient and diverse supply chain. Clients include any company pursuing or executing these types of contracts or subcontracts at any level.
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China Mutual Aid Association |
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Greater Southwest Development Center |
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Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce |
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Southern Illinois University Carbondale |
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Southland Development Authority |
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Western Illinois University |
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Women's Business Development Center |
This funding will enable Illinois' APEX Accelerator Center to provide small businesses with confidential one-on-one advising, education and training, socio-economic certification guidance, market research, electronic bid matching, technical assistance with bid preparation and proposal review, and networking opportunities. The program is designed to:
- Grow and sustain the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and the Government Industrial Base (GIB).
- Increase equity and inclusion in government supply chains.
- Educate DIB and GIB companies about foreign ownership, control and influence (FOCI).
- Strengthen cybersecurity in the DIB and GIB.
- Connect innovative businesses to Government-led Innovation Programmes (GIPs).
- Strengthen the supply chain.
- Collect market data for key industries.
“The Illinois APEX Accelerator plays a critical role in our efforts to support Illinois businesses in the most effective way.” DCEO Director Christine Richards said: “This funding will not only have a tangible impact on our state's economy, but it will also help expand opportunity for small businesses across Illinois.”
The Illinois APEX Accelerator has been providing resources to businesses across the state for nearly 40 years. Since the program's inception, it has provided more than 192,000 hours of technical assistance, hosted or participated in more than 2,000 events, helped secure more than 60,000 contracts totaling more than $19 billion, and helped businesses retain more than 42,000 jobs and create more than 14,000 new jobs. In 2023, Illinois businesses won nearly 420 government contracts worth more than $526 million through the support of the Illinois APEX Accelerator.
“For many years, Illinois Apex Accelerators has helped Illinois businesses seize new opportunities.” Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) said: “This grant will support the continued growth and success of this program while helping to strengthen our state's economy.”
“This funding will have a significant impact on our state's small businesses.” Sen. Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) said: “The Illinois Apex Accelerator has provided Illinois businesses with critical resources and opportunities to succeed.”
“The Illinois Apex Accelerator plays a vital role in the success and growth of many Illinois companies.” “This is a big step forward for the state,” said Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora). “This funding will ensure businesses across the state have access to the right resources to continue their growth.”
Funding for the Illinois APEX Accelerator was awarded through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Eligible applicants included fully accredited institutions of higher education, private non-profit corporations engaged in economic development activities, local counties or municipalities with existing community or economic development departments or programs, and public economic development agencies such as the Workforce Investment Board or Economic Development Corporation.
The Illinois APEX Accelerator, formerly known as the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), debuted in Illinois in 1985. The program is funded by Congress and administered by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to assist companies looking to enter the world of government contracting. The Department of Defense transitioned the PTAC program from DLA to the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) in October 2022. The name Illinois APEX Accelerator emphasizes that with state guidance, Illinois small businesses can accelerate the pace at which they reach the pinnacle of their potential in government contracting.
