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Select Illinois community colleges are now eligible to apply for grants aimed at funding advanced workforce training facilities to prepare students for high-demand jobs in manufacturing and clean energy. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has allocated $24 million to create six manufacturing training academies, focusing on sectors such as food processing, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, quantum computing, microelectronics, and ag tech.

Grants will range from $3 million to $6 million, with colleges in Cook and collar counties excluded from eligibility. A technical assistance session for potential applicants is scheduled for January 28.