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GOV. BLAGOJEVICH ANNOUNCES $150,000
GRANT FOR HOMELAND SECURITY PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Illinois Homeland Security Market
Continues to Earn National Reputation as it Responds
with Products to Address Critical Needs in Homeland
Security
CHICAGO - Delivering on his commitment to attract and
support business engaged in the homeland security
industry throughout Illinois, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich
today announced a $150,000 Opportunity Returns grant for
Evanston-based Ohmx Corporation to develop a low-cost,
reusable field deployable biosensor reader that will use
a new electrochemical protein detection method to screen
for a variety of biological threats, including Anthrax.
The funding is being provided to Ohmx through the
Innovative Product Grant (IPG) Program administered by
the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity's (DCEO) Homeland Security Market
Development (HSMD) bureau.
"It is vital for our state to be at the forefront of the
homeland security industry and supporting the
development of innovations and technology that
contribute to improving our national security. We can
successfully respond to the security needs of the
nation, and continue to contribute to the region's
economic growth by creating the high-tech and high
paying jobs of today and tomorrow," Gov. Blagojevich
said.
Ohmx previously received a $5,000 Challenge Grant from
the Homeland Security Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Center (HSIEC) at Northwestern University. Ohmx'
founder, Dr. Thomas Meade is the Eileen M. Foell
Professor in Cancer Research and professor of chemistry,
biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology,
neurobiology and physiology and radiology at
Northwestern University.
"We are thrilled to be the recipients of this investment
from State of Illinois and Gov. Blagojevich. These
resources will help in our effort to pioneer new
technologies with applications in homeland security as
well as other commercial markets. It is programs like
the IPG that are helping to position Illinois as an
environment focused on being at the leading edge of
scientific innovation and technology development," said
Meade.
"This funding represents an investment in our local
economy that will not only help create jobs, but help
spur greater innovation and technology to keep our
communities safer," State Senator Jeffrey Schoenberg
(D-Evanston) said. "Gov. Blagojevich and I are committed
to helping the homeland security industry continue to
grow and prosper here in Illinois."
"Illinois businesses have a strong track record at
adapting to the changing demands of the global
marketplace, and Gov. Blagojevich's support of the
thriving local homeland security market is further
evidence of our state's ability to operate on the
cutting-edge," State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) said.
DCEO's Innovative Product Grant (IPG) Program was
created to accelerate the commercialization,
improvement, and production of goods and services with
an application in homeland security and other sectors.
IPG funds are intended to help create jobs and produce
economic activity in Illinois. IPG is the nation's first
state-funded grant program focused on developing
products to meet homeland security needs.
"Homeland security is not a singular industry; it
encompasses multiple industries merging their resources
to find solutions to keep our nation safe. Gov.
Blagojevich is the catalyst to bringing these companies
and their services together. No other state in the
country is better equipped than Illinois to be a leader
in the homeland security industry. From manufacturing
and biotechnology to aerospace and finance, we have an
unmatched level of diversity in our state's economy,"
DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.
DCEO's Homeland Security Market Development bureau is
focused on supporting businesses engaged in the homeland
security industry and the bureau offers a variety of
tools designed to help existing Illinois companies
expand operations and utilize available state and
federal programs and services. For more information on
HSMD, visit
www.hsmd.illinois.gov.
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. It's
about successfully partnering with companies and
communities, large and small, to help Illinois reach its
economic potential. | 
