Tri-state partnership offers free assistance to manufacturers

The Technology Acceleration Program (TAP), part of ISTC’s Center for Economic Impacts & Societal Benefits, along with partners at Iowa Department of Natural Resources Office of Pollution Prevention Services and Missouri State University, have been awarded grant funding to provide FREE sustainability assessments to manufacturing and processing facilities in their respective states. This project will assist businesses in making their operations more sustainable and competitive.

TAP is offering assistance to all Illinois manufacturers, regardless of industry sector.

How does it work?

  • Initial Meeting – either via email, conference call, or in person, to discuss needs and concerns
  • Opportunity Assessment – conducted on-site to uncover areas for potential change or improvement
  • Report on Findings – a document providing methods for reducing pollution and potential cost savings
  • Implementation Support – assistance for next steps, if needed
  • Project Review – document savings and benefits

What are the benefits?

  • Promotes sustainable manufacturing and growth
  • Improves profitability, productivity and competitiveness
  • Improves workplace safety through less exposure to hazardous materials
  • Reduces environmental impacts such as:
    • water use, energy and materials
    • waste volume and/or toxicity
  • Increases capacity to attract new business
  • Increases recyclability and/or diversion of by-product

How can companies sign up to participate?

Contact Owen McMahan at omcmahan@illinois.edu or fill out our online form to request assistance for your IL facility at GO.ILLINOIS.EDU/SCHEDULE-SITE-VISIT.

If your company is located in Iowa or Missouri and you’d like to participate, we can connect you to the proper contacts in your state.

Help spread the word

Download the project flyer or copy the link to this post to share on social media or email it to potential participants in your network.

Energy efficiency funding for small businesses and nonprofits–applications due Feb. 2

Intuit energy efficiency grant program flyer
Program flyer, courtesy of the Illinois Green Business Association.

The Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA) has partnered with Intuit, the maker of Quickbooks, and the Green Business Engagement National Network (GBENN) to offer energy efficiency and electrification project rebates up to $1,000 for 30 businesses or non-profit organizations in Illinois. Applications are due February 2, 2026.

Qualifying projects include LED lighting upgrades, EV charging stations, HVAC maintenance, smart thermostat installation, electric hot water heater replacements, walk-in cooler maintenance and/or strip curtains, purchasing electric bikes or vehicles…and many more.

To be eligible for this funding, your IL business or non-profit must:

  • Have 100 or fewer employees or have an annual revenue equal to and less than $3.5M.
  • Enroll in the IGBA Green Business Baseline program or Certification program. Contact the EnergySense Resilience Center to get started.
  • Complete your energy efficiency or electrification project by May 31, 2026.
  • Provide project completion documents (proposal, invoice, etc.).
  • Be willing to have your story featured by IGBA, GBENN, and/or Intuit after project completion.

IGBA will also connect businesses with local utilities, where applicable, to stack funding opportunities and lower project costs.

Submit your application by February 2, 2026, at https://forms.gle/2LnAdjCjDnDdBsbF9.

More information can be found on the GBENN website at https://gbenn.org/green-business-grants/ or by contacting Cassie Carroll.