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GOV. BLAGOJEVICH ANNOUNCES HOMELAND
SECURITY INVESTMENTS TO BUILD ILLINOIS'
ECONOMY, SECURE AMERICA'S FUTURE
Illinois Companies
Receive $200,000 in Grants to Support
Rapid Growth in
Homeland Security Sector
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - Delivering on his
commitment to build upon the homeland
security industry throughout Illinois,
Gov. Rod Blagojevich today announced
$200,000 in Opportunity Returns grants
for two companies on the verge of rapid
growth. TechAlt, Inc. and Midco Inc.
will each receive a $100,000 grant to
support necessary employee training and
development as the companies race to
meet the new demands of the homeland
security industry. Illinois Department
of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Director Jack Lavin (DCEO) made the
announcement today at Arlington
Heights-based TechAlt, Inc.
"It's important for businesses in our
state to adapt and grow and, ultimately,
be on the cutting edge of the demands of
the global marketplace. We made a
commitment to support Illinois companies
that are tapping into this new market
and selling products and services to the
ever-expanding homeland security
industry. Through my Opportunity Returns
program, we are investing in businesses
that are not only protecting the world,
but striving to meet the new market
demands and creating jobs and a stronger
economy," Gov. Blagojevich said.
Gov. Blagojevich made his commitment to
building Illinois' homeland security
sector at this year's State of the State
address. Nationally, federal, state and
municipal governments and private sector
companies spend approximately $100
billion each year on the homeland
security industry. The two grantees
announced today have been recognized for
their innovative contributions to this
growing industry and have received
significant government and private
sector contracts. The companies will
receive $200,000 in Employee Training
and Investment Program (ETIP) grants to
advance employee skills to support the
growth of this new market.
Founded in 2002, TechAlt, Inc. has
provided revolutionary solutions for
secure voice, visual and data platforms
for first responders. As a result of
these new solutions, the company was
recently chosen to participate in
several U.S. Department of Homeland
Security projects, and its technologies
have been used in a number of
high-profile events, including the
recent Presidential inauguration.
TechAlt has grown from six full-time
staff to 25 since September of 2004, and
expects to add another 75 employees over
the next eighteen months as it continues
to win certifications from the Naval
Research Labs, U.S. Secret Service, U.S.
National Standards of Training
Association (USNSTA) and the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security. The
$100,000 Opportunity Returns grant will
help train between 30 and 50 new
employees.
Meanwhile, Midco Inc. in Burr Ridge is
also significantly growing in the
homeland security sector. Recently, the
company has been actively installing new
technology that allows for integrated
communications across the range of
technology platforms for secure data and
voice networking. The company also
installs routers and switches necessary
on physical security systems, such as
cameras and door access devices, as well
as network security safeguards when
establishing inter-agency computer
systems. The company has 92 employees,
and the $100,000 grant will support
ongoing education to advance employee
certification.
"Illinois companies have always adapted
to the changing demands of the world,
and, with Gov. Blagojevich's support,
we're helping to expand the homeland
security industry in Illinois," said
State Rep. Eileen Lyons (R-Countryside).
"These two companies are fine examples
of the entrepreneurial spirit that is
alive and well in Northeast Illinois.
Thanks to Gov. Blagojevich and the
Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity, we can invest in these
companies to help them grow and create
good new jobs," State Rep. Sidney
Mathias (R-Arlington Heights) said.
"The business world today is a dynamic
and rapidly changing environment, and
it's important to stay on the pulse of
emerging markets and be able to adapt to
meet the needs of the marketplace," said
DCEO Director Jack Lavin. "And that's
exactly what Gov. Blagojevich directed
in his recent State of the State speech:
to engage Illinois businesses to serve
the growing homeland security market. We
are creating a new team to build these
businesses and provide resources to
companies who are expanding in this
sector. By helping these businesses grow
and reach their potential, we can create
new jobs in Illinois and meet the
demands of markets today and tomorrow."
These Opportunity Returns investments
were made through the Employer Training
Investment Program (ETIP) that helps
keep Illinois workers' skills in pace
with new technologies and business
practices, which helps businesses
increase productivity, reduce costs,
improve quality and boost
competitiveness. ETIP grants can
reimburse Illinois companies for up to
50 percent of the cost of training their
employees.
Gov. Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns regional economic
development strategy is the most
aggressive, comprehensive approach to
creating jobs in Illinois' history.
Since a one-size-fits-all approach to
economic development just doesn't work,
the Governor has divided the state into
10 regions - each with a regional team
that is empowered and expected to
rapidly respond to opportunities and
challenges. Opportunity Returns is about
tangible, specific actions to make each
region more accessible, more marketable,
more entrepreneurial and more attractive
to businesses. It is about upgrading the
skills of the local workforce,
increasing the access to capital,
opening new markets, improving
infrastructure, and creating and
retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is
about successfully partnering with
companies and communities, both large
and small, to help all of Illinois reach
its economic potential. |
