Champaign County EDC and U. of I. Partners Announce Illinois APEX Accelerator, Krueger-Huhra Named Inaugural Director
Center to Help Businesses Identify Government Contracting Opportunities
CHAMPAIGN, IL, September 30, 2024 – Together with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and University of Illinois System, the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is pleased to announce the Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC, a newly established Center to provide small businesses with resources to identify and secure government contracting opportunities. Keli Krueger-Huhra has been named Director of the Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC and begins today, September 30.
“The selection of Keli Krueger-Huhra as CCEDC’s first Center Director underscores the organization’s commitment to fostering growth and success within the community,” said Darryl Thomas, State Director of the Illinois APEX Accelerator. “Keli’s extensive experience in government contracting and her deep understanding of socioeconomic programs position her to effectively guide the Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC in achieving its mission. Her leadership will help develop customized resources and support systems, empowering entrepreneurs and businesses to navigate the complexities of the contracting landscape. Keli’s role as a connector will be instrumental in creating opportunities for dialogue and partnership, ultimately benefiting both innovators and government agencies alike. This strategic move signals CCEDC’s dedication to being a valuable partner for those seeking to enhance their capabilities and achieve their goals in government contracting.”
Part of the Illinois APEX Accelerator network, the Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC will provide small businesses with confidential one-on-one advising, education and training, socioeconomic certification guidance, market research, electronic bid matching, technical assistance with bid preparation and proposal review, and networking opportunities.
“Together with our partners, we’re excited to launch the Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC, expanding our small business support resources and services,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director of the CCEDC. “We’re thrilled to welcome Keli Krueger-Huhra to our team. Her experience, expertise, and enthusiasm will allow her to hit the ground running; she’ll be a tremendous asset for small businesses in our region.”
As the APEX Director, Krueger-Huhra is responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the APEX Center, including advisory services to clients, training and education, oversight of budget activities, and more. Additionally, Krueger-Huhra will represent the APEX program at a local and regional level within the economic development and business communities – and collaborate closely with stakeholders throughout Champaign County and central Illinois.
“This center is a significant opportunity to provide guidance and direction to businesses looking for growth through government contracting,” said Keli Krueger-Huhra. “I’m honored to be the inaugural Director and look forward to building the number of businesses entering and participating in the government supply chain.”
Krueger-Huhra most recently served as Director of the Illinois APEX Accelerator at Bradley University’s Turner Center for Entrepreneurship. In that role, she established the center’s strategic direction to deliver critical program resources and reduce barriers for small businesses to become suppliers to the Department of Defense and other government agencies. She developed effective and engaging technical learning experiences to train businesses on performing market analysis and navigating contracting requirements through client consulting and instructing training seminars.
Before joining the Illinois APEX Accelerator, she had more than twenty-five years of progressive career growth in automotive manufacturing, integrating procurement and supply with strategic objectives. She has received the globally recognized CPSM designation by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).
Krueger-Huhra earned an MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Illinois State University.
“Having Keli lead our new APEX Accelerator will significantly enhance our ability to support underserved community members who may not have had access to vital resources or information for engaging with state, university, or local agencies,” stated Madeleine Wolske, Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC. “Her impressive track record in guiding businesses and delivering critical training to navigate complex government and institutional markets speaks volumes. Keli’s experience and the APEX Accelerator services will seamlessly complement the offerings of our Illinois Small Business Development Center and International Trade Center, rounding out our comprehensive support for local entrepreneurs. I’m excited about her extensive experience and dedication to the APEX Accelerator, and I look forward to the positive impact she will have on our local business community.”
The Illinois APEX Accelerator was created to help small, disadvantaged, and minority-owned firms market their products and services to federal, state, and local government agencies. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has tasked APEX Accelerators with strengthening the defense industrial base (DIB) by accelerating innovation, fostering ingenuity, and establishing resilient and diverse supply chains.
The Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC is provided through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense (DoD). Program support is made possible by DCEO and CCEDC; the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Operations, and Office of Public Engagement/Office of the Chancellor; and the University of Illinois System’s Office of the Assistant Vice President, Procurement Services.
“We are excited to partner with the Champaign County EDC in engaging the small business community,” stated Sean Garrick, Vice Chancellor for Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. “It is important for the University of Illinois to utilize its talent and resources as a catalyst as we engage businesses, nonprofits, government organizations, and community economic development stakeholders to create opportunities in the region and spur economic growth.”
The Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC is located at 1817 S. Neil Street, Suite 100, Champaign. APEX meetings, available in person or virtually, are by appointment only. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Director Krueger-Huhra can be reached at kh@cusbdc.org. Visit https://cusbdc.org/government-contracting/ to learn more about the Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC.
About Champaign County Economic Development Corporation:
Founded in 2001, the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is a public-private partnership dedicated to fostering a cooperative, county-wide approach to economic development. CCEDC works to improve the economic well-being of all Champaign County through efforts that entail job creation, job retention, tax base enhancements, small business development, and promotion of quality of life. CCEDC brings together community partners to support economic development by aligning interests through productive relationships, open dialogue, and advocacy efforts. CCEDC hosts the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Champaign County EDC, a program of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), which includes an International Trade Center (ITC). The SBDC provides information, confidential business guidance, training, programs, and other resources for startups, existing small businesses, and those who wish to start or sell a business. These services are provided to hundreds of individuals each year.
About Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC:
The Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC is a newly established Center by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) as part of the Illinois APEX Accelerator network. Now under the management of the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), the APEX mission is to provide guidance for government contracting success, assisting Illinois businesses with all their government contracting needs, whether federal, state, or local. For nearly 40 years, the Illinois APEX Accelerator (formerly known as PTAC) professionals have been providing small, disadvantaged, and women-owned businesses the guidance they need to sell their goods and services to local, state, and federal government agencies.