TCCI unveils Clean Energy Innovation Hub

Decatur, IL – TCCI Manufacturing, a global leader in mechanical and electrical compressor technology for commercial, heavy-duty vehicle and automotive specialty markets, and next generation thermal management solutions, today hosted the grand opening of its Clean Energy Innovation Hub in Decatur, Illinois.

The ribbon-cutting event and reception was attended by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Kristin Richards, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; James Jennings, director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency; Cristóbal Valdez, president of Richland Community College; Timothy Killeen, president of the University of Illinois System; local elected officials; TCCI executives; clean energy leaders, and other distinguished guests.

The new state-of-the-art hub, which marks the first Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois Act (REV) recipient project, is a $45 million public-private partnership designed to support the advancement of sustainable mobility while strengthening the North American supply chain by onshoring critical electric vehicle component manufacturing. The 260,000-square-foot facility includes an electric vehicle compressor production line, the Clean Energy Workforce Academy, a collaborative initiative with universities and community colleges offering students an immersive learning experience, and a Climatic Center for Innovation & Research, a cutting-edge research and development facility with robust climatic testing capabilities.

The EV compressor production facility, which will serve as the foundation of the three-tiered innovation hub, will begin producing made-in-America EV compressors for customers in the coming weeks. The Clean Energy Workforce Academy will begin in the fall with Richland Community College within TCCI’s facility – a first-of-its-kind clean energy education model. TCCI’s Climatic Center for Innovation & Research (CCIR) will open in 2026 and will be among the most advanced facilities in the country dedicated to next-generation thermal management systems and natural refrigerant technologies for EVs.

Earlier in the day, TCCI hosted an Illinois Clean Energy Leadership Roundtable with Governor JB Pritzker. Moderated by Mark Denzler, president & CEO of Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, the convening brought together executive leaders from industry, government, academia, and workforce development to discuss Illinois’ clean energy future. The group addressed key priorities including industrial decarbonization, supply chain resilience, workforce development for the clean energy transition, and public-private partnerships to scale clean energy innovation.

“From workforce development to innovation to manufacturing expansion, we are building an engine of opportunity. That starts with strategic projects like the Clean Energy Innovation Hub,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This has been years in the making, and it took collaboration to get here – collaboration between a company committed to Illinois, a state government and General Assembly committed to building an ecosystem for innovation to thrive, city government partners that understand what job growth means for its residents, and higher education that produces the highest quality workforce in the nation. Illinois is turning the page to grow good jobs, a cleaner environment, and stronger communities.”

“Our opening marks a pivotal step forward in Illinois’ clean energy leadership and reflects the power of collaboration in building a more sustainable and inclusive economy,” said TCCI president Richard Demirjian. “We’re proud to be onshoring critical thermal management technology development to the United States, while supporting workforce development, and building a global hub for research and innovation.”

In partnership with Richland Community College, TCCI is launching the Clean Energy Workforce Academy to expand educational opportunities and to address workforce shortages in the EV and clean energy sectors. The scalable program aligns statewide higher education resources to train and reskill Illinois’ workforce through a co-developed curriculum focused on computer science, engineering, and advanced technology. Students will gain hands-on training in natural refrigerants, sustainable HVAC solutions, and clean energy systems, along with direct experience in refrigerant system validation. The initiative also strengthens career pathways for high school students, associate degrees, and industry certifications, ensuring a highly skilled workforce to help Illinois meet its ambitious clean energy goals.

As part of the grand opening celebration, Illinois EPA Director James Jennings announced a $650,000 matching grant to support the expansion of TCCI’s Climatic Center for Innovation & Research (CCIR), developed in partnership with Richland Community College. Set to open in spring 2026, the CCIR will serve as one of the nation’s most advanced facilities for testing and validating natural refrigerant technologies and sustainable thermal management systems. This new investment will enable expanded capabilities for real-world HVAC and thermal system simulations, customized testing for compliance with evolving energy standards, and accelerated development of next-generation clean technologies. The CCIR will also serve as a training ground for students and professionals entering the clean energy workforce-further cementing Illinois’ leadership in sustainable manufacturing and applied research.

“This investment reflects our shared commitment to building a more sustainable, resilient, and competitive manufacturing economy in Illinois,” said Director James Jennings. “By advancing natural refrigerant research and workforce development, we’re reducing emissions, accelerating decarbonization, and paving the way for Illinois to lead the nation in clean energy innovation.”

Separate from the EPA grant, the CCIR will also feature one of the only publicly available EPA-certified, three-axle, 2,200-total horsepower electric chassis dynamometers in the country-supporting advanced testing for emissions compliance, energy efficiency, and performance validation of next-generation commercial and heavy-duty vehicles.