Raja Krishnamoorthi secures $1 million funding for Illinois’ Hire360

Indian American Congressman joins Illinois governor in announcing $3 million investment in Hire360 job training center

Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi joined Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, to announce a $3 million investment in HIRE360’s new training and development center in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood.

The HIRE360 Training & Business Development Center, a 40,000-square-foot space supported by $2 million in state funding and $1 million of federal funds secured by Krishnamoorthi secured, according to a press release.

Paired with philanthropic donations, this funding puts the center on track to open for the community later this year.

“I am proud to deliver $1 million in federal Community Project Funding to help make this dream a reality for HIRE360 and working families in the area,” Krishnamoorthi said at an event in Schaumburg, Illinois Monday announcing the investment.

Representatives from the Chicago Federation of Labor, Hire360, and other state and local leaders also attended the event.

Read: Indian American Raja Krishnamoorthi re-elected to US House (November 4, 2020)

“The HIRE360 Business Development Center will help Illinoisans train for and obtain good-paying, in-demand jobs in the Greater Chicago Area, bolstering our workforce and our local economy,” Krishnamoorthi said.

“I applaud Governor Pritzker’s success in securing robust funding for this program at the state level, and I am proud of the strong federal-state partnership we have built to create a brighter and more prosperous future for Illinois.”

“My administration is dedicated to rebuilding our economy by investing in people, and that’s exactly what we’re doing with the HIRE360 Training & Business Development Center,” said Pritzker.

“I’ve prioritized apprenticeship training programs to prepare our residents for good paying jobs, to meet the actual needs of our employers, and to do so with a specific eye for those underrepresented in key industries, like women and people of color.”

“With the $2 million announced today and over half a million dollars from our Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program, our investments in HIRE360 represent a key next step in that endeavor,”  Pritzker said.

The center focuses on training and developing employees in the construction, manufacturing, and hospitality sectors, a critical step in accelerating recovery for industries deeply damaged by the Covid-19 pandemic, the release said.

It will provide employment and advancement opportunities, recruiting, training, placement support, mentoring, technical assistance, assistance in securing capital, youth programs, and socially responsible supply chain training, among other programs.

The center will include conference and meeting spaces, networking and education facilities, working space for 37 trades, a playroom and parents center for working professionals, two commercial training kitchens, retail space for diverse suppliers, event space and more.

HIRE360 was launched in 2019 by industry leaders to provide a creative solution to workforce development that allows employers and unions to develop and connect directly with emerging members of the workforce.

It previously received $550,000 in funding through Pritzker administration from the “Illinois Works” Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

“HIRE360 is proud to partner with Governor Pritzker and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi who are committed to leveraging federal and state funding to assist Women- and Minority-owned entrepreneurs in the trades,” said Jay Rowell, Executive Director of HIRE360.

“This funding will make the HIRE360 Training and Business Development Center possible, providing a space where industry leaders, contractors, sub-contractors, developers, organized labor and apprentices can come together and ensure that our city’s future is inspired by the communities that call Chicago home.”

“HIRE360 is a 360-degree vision for community-connected employment and business opportunities,” said Don Biernacki, Board Chair of HIRE360 and Executive Vice President of Construction at Related Midwest.

Read: Congressman Krishnamoorthi Joins Governor Pritzker In Announcing $3 Million Investment In Hire360 Job Training Center (April 18, 2022)

“For Related Midwest, HIRE360 serves as an extension of our work investing in local residents and small businesses to create the most comprehensive diversity and inclusion program in the history of Chicago’s construction industry.”

“We’re grateful for Governor Pritzker’s and Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s support and thrilled to collaborate with members of the development, labor and contractor ecosystem in this effort to build an economic engine that maximizes Chicago’s potential,” Biernacki said.

For more information on apprenticeship programs and HIRE360’s mission, visit  www.HIRE360Chicago.com.