Elevate Hosts Celebration Honoring Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Participants and Their Achievements on Chicago’s South Side

CHICAGO – Elevate, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to clean and affordable energy, is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of participants in its CEJA Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program. This no-cost program is designed for clean energy contractors ready to expand into energy-efficiency upgrades, renewable energy, and related services.

The event honors the 2025-26 cohort of emerging clean energy contractors who have participated in the program’s training, business development support, and clean energy workforce preparation.

This celebration marks a major milestone for participants who have advanced their skills in energy-efficiency upgrades, renewable energy technologies, business operations, and project management. Attendees will include program graduates, community partners, clean energy employers, and local leaders committed to building a more equitable clean energy economy.

“This contractor incubator program proves that when Chicago’s South Side communities receive real investment and support, they drive meaningful change,” said Dr. Anne Evens, CEO of Elevate. “I am very proud of the hard work of these contractors, their strength and determination to grow their businesses, their expertise, and now they are leading Illinois’ clean energy future. They are showing us what’s possible when communities have access to the resources they need to succeed.”

The Incubator is one of 14 hubs funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) through Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Passed in September 2021, CEJA provides a roadmap to move Illinois to carbon-free power, expand energy efficiency and other cost-saving opportunities, and bring the benefits of the clean energy economy to all communities.

As part of CEJA’s workforce training and contractor support ecosystem, the CEJA Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program helps contractors and nonprofits grow their businesses to meet demand for clean energy technologies and services.

“I’m walking away from this program with a wealth of knowledge that has helped me grow my business,” said Tasharia Gardner, owner of Gardner & Gardner Consulting LLC. “The program has expanded my business’ capacity, especially in the clean energy field, by introducing me to tradespeople in the industry I can learn from as well as business owners I can offer services to.”

Throughout the program, participants receive:

• Financial resources to support business expansion
• Business operations coaching and one-on-one technical assistance
• Clean energy training aligned with CEJA workforce goals
• Networking opportunities with industry professionals, contractors, and community organizations

Eligibility for the Incubator Program is based on CEJA-defined geographic areas, with additional pathways for individuals facing barriers to employment, those connected to the foster care system, formerly incarcerated individuals, and workers displaced by power plant or coal mine closures.

Elevate is still accepting applications for future cohorts, and interested contractors can apply by submitting an [intake form]. More information can be found on Elevate’s [website].

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