“Bio-TIP” Program Will Build Upon State’s Efforts in Support of Emerging Bioscience Sector
CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced $500,000 for a new, innovative workforce training program designed to help bio-science related companies become more competitive by upgrading the skills of their workforce. The Biotech Training Investment Program (bio-TIP) is part of the Governor’s continued commitment to the emerging life science sector in Illinois, while strengthening his efforts to invest in the skills of Illinois’ working men and women. This funding comes as a part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor’s pro-active, comprehensive economic development strategy designed to spur more economic growth and create more jobs throughout the state.
“Illinois has been recognized as a national leader in the growing life sciences industry, and, for us to continue to advance our position, we must make sure we have a ready and capable workforce equipped with the necessary technical skills. Bioscience companies and researchers across the state are working to find solutions to everything from cancer and Alzheimer’s to safer food for our children. This research is cleaning our air and fighting crime. Through this innovative program, we are helping bioscience companies become more competitive and creating more high-paying, high-tech Illinois jobs,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering this new grant program, which is modeled after the successful Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) that has advanced the skills of more than 230,000 Illinois workers at almost 4,700 companies over the last three and a half years. Through bio-TIP, companies and organizations will be eligible for up to 50 percent of the costs of training their full-time and/or part-time employees. The bio-TIP program is designed to serve existing bioscience businesses in the state, and those who are engaging in planned permanent expansion or retention activities. This program will be especially beneficial for biotechnical and biomedical businesses that promote highly-skilled, high-wage jobs for emerging technology occupations. Additionally, bio-TIP will help companies recruit graduate students who are seeking industry experience and employment. For companies or organizations seeking more information about bio-TIP, please contact Cesar Lopez, 312/814.2700 or Cesar.Lopez@illinois.gov.
Illinois is already home to nearly 60,000 employees at more than 1,100 biotech firms and was rated the top state in the nation for biotech growth in 2005 by Business Facilities Magazine. Illinois’ strengths are highlighted through unmatched university and research institutions, a world-class infrastructure, a diversified workforce, aggressive government support and its innovative Illinois companies. Multi-billion dollar Illinois medical companies, including Abbott, Baxter Labs and Dade-Behring, are giants who are setting industry standards for excellence in the biotech field. World-class universities and research institutions include: the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Institute for Genomic Biology, the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, University Technology Park at Illinois Institute of Technology and the Illinois Medical District.
Gov. Blagojevich and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley recently celebrated that BIO 2010, the world’s most prestigious international life sciences conference, is coming back to Chicago after its tremendously successful conference here in April. BIO 2006 was a unique opportunity for Illinois to showcase its growing biotech business to the almost 20,000 people who attended from across the U.S. and 62 countries. Nearly one-third of the attendees were international participants. The annual BIO convention is the industry's largest gathering of researchers, major international and domestic biotech corporations, start-ups, regulators and investors. The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau estimated that BIO 2006 had a direct economic impact of almost $28 million. BIO 2010 will be held at McCormick Place from May 2-5, 2010. The Governor is also providing $1 million to bring BIO 2010 back to Chicago.
Over the past four years, Gov. Blagojevich has been making the investments that are growing biotech in Illinois:
1.) Illinois became the first Midwest state and only the fourth state in the nation to commit public funds to stem cell research. The Governor is investing $15 million in stem cell research.
2.) Illinois has worked to promote the use of alternative fuels like E-85 and biodiesel.
The Governor’s energy independence plan calls for replacing 50 percent of the state’s current supply of imported oil with renewable, homegrown biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel and meeting 50 percent of gasoline needs by 2017. It includes investing $100 million over the next 5 years to build up to 20 new ethanol plants across Illinois and an additional $100 million over the next ten years to build four plants in downstate Illinois using new technology to create ethanol made from plant waste materials like corn husks and wood pulp – or “cellulosic ethanol.”
The Governor’s plan would also invest $25 million to help build five new biodiesel plants, boosting the state’s production by 200 percent to 400 million gallons per year or the equivalent to 25 percent of the state’s annual diesel fuel needs by 2017.
Illinois became the first and still only state to completely eliminate the state sales tax on E-85 and biodiesel blends of 11 percent and higher (“B11”), dramatically increasing E-85 sales and creating the largest biodiesel market in the nation.
Provided more than $5 million to the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville that is pioneering biofuels research.
3.) Helping leading biotech companies move to and expand in Illinois. Gov. Blagojevich has partnered with Astellas Pharma, Hospira and Takeda Pharmaceuticals to expand or relocate their headquarters, which is helping to create and retain more than 1,300 jobs.
4.) Investing to Improve Illinois’ Biotech Infrastructure:
$1 million for the Illinois Science + Technology Park, a 1.5 million square foot campus to commercialize scientific research in Skokie. The multi-tenant Park is expected to create 3,250 new jobs on-site, more than 10,000 ripple-effect jobs and 1,000 construction jobs. Upon completion, the campus will generate $1.8 billion annually in statewide economic activity, according to a study conducted by Applied Real Estate Analysis, Inc.
$4.5 million to help launch the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center to nurture start-ups in the fields of nanotechnology, bio-science, health care and agriculture. It is expected to accommodate up to 20 firms and create more than 200 jobs in three years and up to 1,200 jobs over the next eight years as these companies grow.
$1.6 million for the new Biotechnology Laboratory Incubator at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville that will house as many as twelve biology, chemistry or biochemical laboratories.
“Over the last several years, Gov. Blagojevich has helped build tremendous momentum throughout our biotech industry, and this new training program is another way we are stepping up to help this vital sector grow and thrive. By enhancing the skills of our workforce and supporting the assets that are the most desirable to growing bioscience businesses, we will help increase productivity, reduce costs and enhance competitiveness in today’s ultra-competitive, global economy,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.
Illinois led the nation in monthly job growth this year in both April and July, which has never happened twice in one year in recorded history. The total number of new jobs created this year is 77,300, which is the best start to a year since 1999. Since January 2004, Illinois has gained more than 152,000 new jobs.
Last week, it was announced the Illinois unemployment rate dropped to 4.1 percent, which is the state’s lowest level on record. It has remained below the national rate for four consecutive months, which is the first time this has happened since 1998. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security compiled these statistics.