Regional Economic Development

Argonne participates in economic development activities with State of Illinois agencies and programs, business and industrial organizations, and community development enterprises. These organizations may be of help to your organization.

Some Examples . . . .

Argonne's partnership with Bethel New Life, a Chicago community development organization, is directed towards improvements in energy-efficient housing, urban engineering, industrial site characterization and cleanup, conservation and energy efficiency, waste recycling and materials reuse, and business development and training.

The Valley Industrial Association (VIA) is a non-profit trade association representing the interests of about 160 manufacturers and their suppliers in Illinois' Fox River Valley area. VIA is a participant with Argonne in the Manufacturing Engineering Research and Training Coalition. Other joint activities include a welding seminar for area manufacturers. Argonne also provides awareness of emerging technology trends at the strategic level of VIA.

The North Business Industrial Council (NORBIC) is a business development organization dedicated to increasing the economic vitality of about 260 member companies. NORBIC provides an array of services focusing on business operations. Argonne serves as a technical and networking resource for NORBIC.

The Illinois Coalition is a statewide public-private partnership established to drive Illinois' economic growth through science and technology. The Coalition works with the premier research universities and national labs to secure key scientific infrastructure, while assisting technology entrepreneurs with business-building assistance and access to capital. Argonne participates with the Illinois Coalition in a range of activities and is among the leadership in the coalition's "Illinois 2H2" initiative to form a technology-based region of expertise in the emerging hydrogen economy.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is the lead state agency responsible for improving the competitiveness of Illinois in the global economy resulting in growing, prosperous industries, high quality jobs and world-class communities. DCEO provides information, assistance and advocacy to facilitate and advance the economic development process in partnership with Illinois' communities, businesses, and our network of public and private service providers. Argonne supports numerous DCEO activities including initiatives in energy conservation and the environment and the Illinois Technology Enterprise Centers (described below).

The East West Corporate Corridor Association is a unique organization which provides an alliance through which its membership explores issues of critical importance to business success in the Chicago area. EWCCA provides a common voice for addressing long-term strategic interests, such as economic development, government relations, education and workforce issues. Communication, cooperation and corporate citizenship are essential to meeting ewcca member needs in the business community.

More than one hundred thirty five companies and organizations comprise the EWCCA. They represent over 100,000 employees in the Chicago suburban area. Membership provides linkages to corporate peers facing similar circumstances and decisions and, as a result, interest in parallel issues. EWCCA's organizational structure provides opportunities for involvement at many levels, from direction at the Board level to "hands on" participation of practitioners.

The Illinois Technology Enterprise Centers (ITEC) serve technology-based entrepreneurs, innovators and small businesses by assisting them with critical business startup and marketing needs. The regional centers, supported by DCEO, help entrepreneurs locate pre-seed and early stage financing; help innovators in high growth and high technology sectors further their technical and/or managerial skills, and assist with new product development and marketing, thus nurturing new venture development in Illinois. The Argonne/University of Chicago ITEC supports the establishment of small business enterprises by focusing on emerging technology developed at Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago.

The Will County Center for Economic Development (CED) is a not-for-profit foundation, created by the business community in 1981. Governed by a 50-member board and managed by a professional staff, the CED is responsible for attracting and retaining jobs for Will County. It provides a "one-stop shop" for information and assistance in locating or expanding a business in Will County. Argonne serves as a technical and technology networking resource for the CED and Will County businesses community.

The National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing (NACFAM) is a national, industry-led, non-profit education, research and services organization committed to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of U.S.-based manufacturing. Argonne participates in NACFAM's LabTechAccess program, a streamlined, one-stop-shop for industry to seek federal laboratory solutions to manufacturing-related technical issues.

The Technology Research, Education, and Commercialization Center (TRECC) was established to bring expertise, knowledge, and technological innovation to businesses, educators, and students. Funded by the Office of Naval Research, it was established at the DuPage County Airport to provide a gateway to world-class government and university research centers across the country, and to scientists, technologists, educators, and business leaders around the globe. Argonne supports as well as utilizes the TRECC resources for technology transfer and industry networking.

The NASA Illinois Commercialization Center (NICC) provides strategic technology management, technology access, and commercialization services to Illinois companies. Facilitated by the Great Lakes Industrial Technology Center (GLITeC) and the Illinois Coalition, the application of NASA technology enables companies to increase their competitiveness and create substantial economic impact for Illinois.

The NICC assists companies by identifying and gaining access to NASA technology capabilities to help Illinois companies develop new products and processes, providing targeted assistance to early-stage, SBIR, STTR and SDB companies seeking to use NASA technology, providing commercialization awards to small companies, including NASA SBIR/STTR recipients to drive NASA technology into new products and processes and building sustained relationships with Illinois companies to facilitate the process of commercialization.