The mission of the Market Development Initiative is to provide all Ameren Illinois customers with access to opportunities and education to help complete energy-saving upgrades and increase their quality of life, regardless of income, socioeconomic status or other participation barriers. MDI aims for Energy Efficiency Impact, building greater community engagement, while creating energy industry jobs and delivering cost savings to those that need it the most.
The Market Development Initiative has three main goals intended to create meaningful impact throughout the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program.
Market Development Initiative Goals:
- Engage customers who have not previously benefited from energy efficiency.
- Increase number of energy efficiency jobs available to local candidates’ representative of the communities where they live and work.
- Support new or growing energy efficiency businesses.
Jobseekers served:
More than 600 since 2021
Community-Based Organization Partners:
25
Energy Efficiency Kits Distributed:
3,000 in 2024
Customers engaged:
More than 500,000 engaged since 2018
Internships Funded:
104 since 2018
Scholarships Awarded:
294 since 2018
Community-Based Organization Management
- Customer Outreach
- Customer Referrals
- Community Kits
Local Area Vendor Advancement (LAVA)
- Procurement Process
- Vendor Procurement Database
- Outreach and Events
- Program Ally Incubator
Other MDI Information
History
Background
The Market Development Initiative (MDI) was established in 2018 as part of the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program to closely integrate with both the Business and Residential teams on day-to-day operations, helping to identify more project opportunities, maximize customer touchpoints and create a streamlined process for customers to participate in the Energy Efficiency Program. The mission of the MDI is not only to meet key metrics, but to transform how the Energy Efficiency Program operates in every area. To this point, the MDI cultivates new economic and energy efficiency opportunities for individuals and communities in the Ameren Illinois service territory. Together, the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program and the MDI will achieve Energy Efficiency Impact.
MDI in Action
Since its inception in 2018, the Market Development Initiative has impacted the Ameren Illinois service territory through various means. Specifically, the MDI emphasizes expanding access to opportunities for local individuals to enter the energy efficiency industry by awarding scholarships, funding internships, providing support services to jobseekers, and connecting jobseekers to employers with open positions. Additionally, the MDI partners with a network of nonprofit community partners to extend the reach of the Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Program and directly engage with customers. Furthermore, the MDI supports the development of new and growing energy efficiency businesses by providing resource grants and increasing implementation partner access to the goods and services these businesses provide.
Through these points of emphasis, the MDI has provided scholarships to 231 students, placed 104 interns with employers, served 621 jobseekers, and placed 103 jobseekers in energy efficiency jobs. Since 2018, the MDI has partnered with 121 distinct organizations that are nonprofits, Community-Based Organizations, or small businesses resulting in over 500,000 customers engaged. These values reflect the impact of the MDI and the ways it supports the overall Energy Efficiency Program while providing opportunities to all Ameren Illinois customers.
Resource Grants and Copay Assistance
Resource Grants
- Resource grants are available to local Program Allies, Community-Based Organization Partners, Program Ally Incubator Alumni and contractors that work with Community Action Agencies.
- Grants are available to support the business operations and are to be applied to tasks and functions that relate to energy efficiency.
- For example, a resource grant may be used to purchase equipment needed to complete projects or short-term salary support for an employee.
- For more information contact adeeb@ameren.com.
Copay Assistance
- Some small businesses that are approved for energy efficiency projects may be eligible for copay assistance.
- Copays are reserved for nonprofits and other small businesses within the Ameren Illinois service territory.
- Copay amount awarded is based on need and available funding.
- Click here to apply for copay assistance.
Not Sure Where To Start?
For more information about our award-winning energy efficiency programs, please contact us.
