Tom Mick Village Manager | Village of Park Forest
Tom Mick Village Manager | Village of Park Forest
A $100,000 grant from Nicor Illinois Community Investment (NICI) has been awarded to support clean energy job training in the Chicago Southland. The funds will go to the NICI Southland Clean Energy Training Center at 210 Main St. in Park Forest, operated by OAI as part of its Clean Energy Workforce Initiative.
The center offers hands-on training for electric vehicle charging station installation and other green energy workforce programs. It also hosts the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Clean Energy Bridge Training program.
NICI Executive Director Tovah McCord presented the check during a recent event attended by community partners such as representatives from the Village of Park Forest, United Way of Metro Chicago, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce, and Proactive Community Services.
The facility serves as a hub for residents to learn skills related to emerging energy technologies and provides space for collaboration among employers, educators, and workforce development professionals.
"This $100,000 investment is part of NICI’s 2025 Impact Grant program, which has distributed $700,000 to seven organizations across northern Illinois," according to NICI officials. "OAI was selected for its leadership in job training and economic opportunities in historically underserved communities."
OAI is based in Chicagoland and provides training across several industries including transportation, logistics, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare. According to OAI officials: "the NICI Southland Clean Energy Training Center in Park Forest enhances their ability to provide on-the-ground training in renewable energy careers."
The center builds on previous state investments received through the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership under the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program. While that funding covered training costs, NICI’s grant supports the physical infrastructure needed for hands-on learning.
Programs at the center are currently running with a focus on preparing local residents for jobs in the clean energy sector.
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