Illinois Tollway's expanded Construction Business Development Center to include CLC center

The Workforce and Professional Development Institute of the College of Lake County was recently named the fourth location in Northern Illinois to provide services to small businesses in the construction industry, including minority- and women-owned firms bidding on Illinois Tollway projects.

The Illinois Tollway and the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) made the announcement Sept. 17 about expanding the Construction Business Development Center (CBDC) to include CLC.

The partnership is designed to provide firms with flexible, customized training and technical assistance to participate in the Tollway's 15-year, $12 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.

"We are committed to creating more opportunities for diverse businesses to grow and succeed so they can assist us in rebuilding our state's infrastructure," said Governor Pat Quinn. "Offering this one-on-one support for small businesses in the construction industry, especially those led by women and minorities, is an investment that will continue to drive our economy forward."

"The Workforce and Professional Development Institute (WPDI) at the College of Lake County is very pleased to be selected as a Construction Business Development Center. This opportunity to serve and grow small, minority and women owned businesses in the road construction industry will bring jobs and economic development to Lake County," said Roneida Martin, WPDI executive director.

"The Construction Business Development Center is another way the Tollway works with small businesses to provide the skills and knowledge they need to grow and succeed in the construction industry," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said. "Our Move Illinois program is the largest capital program in the Tollway's history and we want to make sure that all firms have an opportunity to compete for and win Tollway contracts."

A Tollway committee approved a $245,296 agreement to fund the new CBDC location in Lake County through March 2016. The additional funding builds upon the $578,000 annual

commitment made by the agency when the Tollway and the ICCB launched the program in 2013.

The CBDC Program is led by Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, in partnership with South Suburban College in South Holland and Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills.

The Workforce and Professional Development Institute (WPDI) of the College of Lake County provides training, consulting and cutting-edge courses for businesses, professionals and the community through its six areas: Center for Personal Enrichment, Client Solutions, Construction Business Development Center, Continuing Professional Development, IL Small Business Development and International Trade Center and Judicial Services. Contact WPDI at (847) 543-2615, email WPDI@clcillinois.edu or visit www.clcillinois.edu/wpdi to learn more.