IL Economic Empowerment Center at SIU

07/27/2026

Calling all women-owned businesses in Southern Illinois!

There’s still time to apply for the 2026 EmpowerHER Community Grant. Applications close Aug. 1.

The SIU Foundation Women's Leadership Council and Legence Bank will award four $500 grants to women-owned businesses across Southern Illinois that are making a difference through innovation and leadership.

In addition to receiving a grant, recipients will have the opportunity to showcase their business at the Saluki Women's Weekend Women Empowerment Conference on Sept. 11.

Important dates:
• Aug. 1: Applications close
• Aug. 14: Finalists will be notified
• Sept. 11: Grant recipients will be recognized at the 2026 Saluki Women's Weekend Philanthropy and Awards Luncheon

Don't miss this opportunity—apply now: http://siuf.org/events/empowerher.php

07/24/2026

Build Your Road to IDOT Contracting - July 29

Join the Illinois APEX Accelerator at Southern Illinois University and IDOT DBE Supportive Services for an in-person IDOT Training and Networking Event on Tuesday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to Noon at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center in Carbondale.

🚧 Navigate IDOT contracting opportunities
🚧 Understand certification programs and new Interim Final Rule (IFR) updates
🚧 Find upcoming contracting opportunities
🚧 Access management and technical assistance resources
🚧 Connect with experienced industry professionals and potential business partners

Whether you're a road or bridge contractor, engineering or architectural firm, consultant, supplier, trucking company, or professional service provider or you're looking to build relationships with prime contractors and subcontractors, this event is designed to help your business compete for transportation infrastructure contracts.

No cost to attend, but registration is requested.

📅 Tuesday, July 29, 2026
🕙 10:00 a.m. – Noon
📍 Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, SIU Carbondale

Register today: https://ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/42142

Questions? Call the Illinois APEX Accelerator at SIU at 618-536-2355.

Looking to grow your business with government contracts?
Illinois APEX Accelerator at SIU helps Southern Illinois businesses prepare to capture more contract dollars.
618-536-2355
[email protected]
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07/12/2026

Finding Financing for Your Small Business — Free Workshop for Entrepreneurs

A free workshop is being offered in Jackson County, IL, called “Finding Financing for Your Small Business Using Traditional and Alternative Funding Methods,” on Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM at the SIU Research Park, Dunn-Richmond Center, 1740 Innovation Drive, Carbondale, IL, 62903.

Attendees will receive a free lunch and are invited to stay after the presentation to network with the lenders and get advice about their business projects and possible funding solutions.

This session is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, and current small business owners seeking guidance on funding options specific to Jackson County. Regional community lenders, bankers, and creative financing experts will present practical guidance on:
● Traditional and alternative financing options
● Preparing for business loans and funding opportunities
● Credit, collateral, and lender expectations
● Local and community funding programs
● Strengthening business plans and financial projections

“Access to capital to get a new business started, or an existing business expanded, is one of the biggest barriers for our small business owners,” said Steven Mitchell, Champion Community Board Member (Jackson County) and Economic Development Director for the City of Carbondale. “This workshop will provide new or aspiring entrepreneurs the information they will need to overcome this barrier.”

Champion Community Investments (CCI) is hosting the workshop. Champion Community Investments (CCI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation founded in 2002 and originally known as Southern Illinois Coal Belt Champion Community, Inc. CCI is dedicated to regional economic and community development by providing essential capital to start-up and existing small businesses in underserved communities.

CCI offers direct-to-borrower loans and can partner with commercial banks on participation loan projects, providing gap or bridge financing. We even help those who might not qualify for traditional “credit elsewhere.”
CCI covers these service area in Illinois: CCI proudly serves the 12-county footprint of Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, Pope, Randolph, Saline, White, and Williamson.

This workshop will be sponsored by the Office of Innovation and Economic Development (OIED), which serves as the University’s primary business development and community engagement outreach arm. OIED offers a comprehensive suite of programs and services designed to support entrepreneurs, innovators, organizations, and communities throughout Southern Illinois with a focus on the 17 southern counties. SIU has been supporting the region’s entrepreneurs since 1985 with the establishment of the award-winning Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU. Staff expertise in business start-up and expansion, conventional financing, business consulting, entrepreneurship training, and workforce development has made this program one of the most comprehensive and successful service providers in Illinois.

Lunch will be provided. Space is limited; registration is required by emailing [email protected] by Monday, July 13, 2026.
Contact Robyn Russell, CCI Executive Director, for media/information at Email: [email protected] or phone 618-559-6194. Media is invited to attend.

06/23/2026

Curious about how AI can support your small business? Don’t miss this free workshop next Tuesday, June 30 at Dunn-Richmond! Registration is required, secure your spot today.

Unlocking AI: Empowering Tools to Grow Your Business

Registration is required: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/E0LF9wyFAv

Tuesday, June 30, 5:00- 6:30pm
Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center
1740 Innovation Drive
Carbondale, IL

This workshop introduces small business owners and entrepreneurs to practical, easy-to-use artificial intelligence tools that can improve marketing, streamline operations, and support business growth.

Through real-world examples, hands-on activities, and guided instruction, participants will learn how to communicate effectively with AI, use it responsibly, and identify opportunities to increase productivity and efficiency.

No technical background is required.

Sponsored By: SIU Broadband Ready and the Illinois Broadband Lab

06/10/2026

Thank you for your interest in the Illinois Economic Empowerment Center at SIU (EEC).

Small business resources and support are available through the SIU Small Business Development Center online at sbdc.siu.edu, by phone at (618) 536-2424, or by email at [email protected].

For government contracting assistance, the APEX Accelerator is available online at apex.siu.edu, by phone at (618) 536-2355, or by email at [email protected].

On-demand EEC courses are also available at econpower.siu.edu

Stay tuned for updates on future EEC programming.

05/29/2026

Meet Kathryn Chaney, Launch That Business graduate and founder of Quill & Scrolls, a bookish-themed small business bringing the magic of surprise and story to readers everywhere. 📚✨

Here's how it works: customers choose their genre and receive a mystery book wrapped up with bookmarks, stickers, highlighters, notebooks, and more. Plus bookish mugs, tote bags, glasses, and pens for the reader in your life. It's a book lover's dream.

Kathryn came to the EEC feeling overwhelmed by the behind-the-scenes work of starting a business. She left with the tools and confidence to move forward on her own terms. "Each section was broken down into easy-to-follow steps, and the one-on-one sessions answered any lingering questions."

Next up for Quill & Scrolls: website sales, vendor events, and a dedicated workspace. Watch out for her at a market near you! 🛒

📘 facebook.com/groups/1876573056510324

05/28/2026

There's still time to register!
Happening tomorrow in Anna!

Grow Local: Marketing Your Business in Today’s World
If you’ve been wanting to get better at marketing your business but aren’t sure where to start this is for you.

Join us on May 29th at the Union County Extension Center in Anna, IL for a series of practical sessions you can actually use right away. Come for one or stay for all!

🕒 Sessions include:
• 8:30–9:30 AM | AI for Marketing
Simple ways to use AI to create content and save time
• 10:00–11:00 AM | Digital Marketing Foundations
Get your messaging right and make sure your Google profile and website are working for you
• 12:30–1:30 PM | Digital Design Tools
Learn how to create clean, professional graphics (yes, even if you’re not “creative”)
• 2:00–3:00 PM | Social Media
What to post, where to post, and how to actually reach people

👉 You can attend one session or all four, whatever works for your schedule.
⚠️ Space is limited, so be sure to sign up soon!

Register here: https://ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/41847
Questions? Call or email Mackenzie at 618-634-3364, [email protected]

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05/28/2026

The Healthcare Asylum | EEC Client Spotlight 🏥🎙️
Healers deserve a place to heal too.

Steven Nickens, Medical Assistant and former Deputy Sheriff, and Andrea Yisrael, RN and Legal Nurse Consultant, founded The Healthcare Asylum after living the burnout themselves — a multimedia storytelling and advocacy platform built to give frontline healthcare workers a safe, judgment-free space to be heard.
CNAs. LPNs. RNs. EMTs. Home health workers. The people who show up every day carrying an emotional weight most of us never see — The Healthcare Asylum was built for them.

Andrea came to the Illinois Economic Empowerment Center at SIU to help bring that vision to life, gaining tools in organizational formation, digital presence, business planning, and marketing strategy along the way.
The Healthcare Asylum may have run its course, but their work is still out there — and worth a watch. 🎙️ youtube.com/

And Andrea is just getting started. She's got new projects in the works and we can't wait to see what she builds next. 👀
"Most importantly, trust your voice. Your story and your purpose matter just as much as the product or service you're building."

We'll be cheering her on every step of the way. 🌟