Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a new initiative Tuesday aimed at addressing the lack of lab space for startups and growth-stage life sciences companies.
Pritzker, along with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, announced that the state of Illinois is making an initial $9 million available to expand access to lab space.
The goal is for incubators, corporations, university researchers, and startups to have access to the critical workspace needed for research innovation and scientific breakthroughs.
The initiative is designed to retain and attract companies in Illinois' sciences industry. More than 1,200 Illinois life sciences jobs have been added since Pritzker took office, according to a news release, and the state expects to add another 80,000 life science jobs in the coming years.
To qualify for the funding, the space must be a multi-tenant space available to incubators, corporations, university researchers and/or startups, the release said. Applicants must also present a plan for recruiting from underserved areas. Applications for the funding are due on January 27.
“As a leader in research and development, and with access to the most diverse and talented workforce in the nation – Illinois is poised to support the continued growth and innovation of our life sciences industry,” Erin Guthrie, director of the department of commerce and economic opportunity, said in a statement. “These investments by Governor Pritzker to stimulate additional industry growth will lead to more well-paying jobs and contributions to the health of our local economies and will ultimately put Illinois at the forefront of making life-changing scientific breakthroughs.”
