Powering Chicago

What Powering Chicago does

Powering Chicago is a labor-management cooperative (LMCC) founded in 1900 that operates as the joint venture between IBEW Local 134, representing more than 12,000 construction, communication, and residential electricians in the Chicago region, and the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) of Chicago and Cook County, representing more than 1,000 professional electrical contractors. Headquartered at Five Westbrook Corporate Center in Westchester, IL with a union hall on Chicago's South Side, the organization functions as a referral and workforce development platform: customers seeking union electrical work access the network through the Find a Contractor online directory, while apprentices and journeymen are trained at the IBEW/NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech), a 120,000-square-foot, 29-acre training campus in Alsip, IL featuring a Renewable Energy Training Field with solar, wind, and battery storage components. Revenue is generated through ECA membership dues, IBEW union dues, and apprenticeship program funding; Powering Chicago itself maintains only 1-10 direct employees as the cooperative structure delegates execution to its member contractors.

The organization's core service portfolio spans commercial, industrial, healthcare, government, and educational electrical construction, with explicit recent expansion into EV charging infrastructure and solar energy system deployment. Notable project work includes O'Hare Terminal 3 renovation, CTA electric bus charging stations, Rush University Hospital Cancer Center, the 74-story 1000M luxury high-rise, Chicago Public Schools solar installations, and T5 Data Centers power infrastructure. Workforce development is anchored by a five-year apprenticeship program combining 1,200 hours of classroom training with on-the-job experience, supplemented by the Electrical Industry Scholarship Program ($5,000/year for up to four years) and the IBEW-NECA Tuition Reimbursement Program with Illinois Institute of Technology (up to $6,000/year). The organization holds NFPA 70B compliance training programs, mandatory since January 2023, and operates a Joint Safety Committee enforcing OSHA compliance across member contractors.

Powering Chicago's go-to-market combines B2B contractor referral via the Find a Contractor database, premier event sponsorships (Chicago Auto Show, Midwest Solar Expo, Cooperator Expo, NECA conventions), content marketing through 'The Power of Better' YouTube series (10,000+ subscribers) and LinkedIn newsletter, and workforce pipeline partnerships with Northwestern University, 100 Black Men of Chicago, and EWMC. The organization has earned consecutive NECA Safety Recognition Awards (2021, 2023, 2024, 2025), three Stevie Awards for marketing in 2022, U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Ambassador designation in 2022, and the 2024 IACT Clean Fuels Champion award. Notable leadership includes Elbert Walters III (Executive Director), Don Finn (Business Manager and Financial Secretary, IBEW Local 134), and Eric Nixon (Governor, ECA Chicago), with Kendra Dinkins recently elected as the first Black female ECA President.

Name

Powering Chicago

Legal name

Powering Chicago

Website

https://poweringchicago.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Powering Chicago is a labor-management cooperative between IBEW Local 134 (12,000+ electricians) and ECA Chicago (1,000+ contractors), founded in 1900. It operates the IN-Tech training academy and Find a Contractor referral network serving commercial, industrial, healthcare, and government electrical construction projects across the Chicago metro.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electrical Construction Services

NAICS

Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors (23821), Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (237130)

SIC

Electrical Work (1731), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Electrician Training (Residential & Commercial) (EDAOABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Grid Interconnection & Collector Substation EPC (Utility-Scale Renewables) (EUAEABAK), EV/Industrial Charging Power Electronics (Chargers, rectifiers, power stages) (IMAGADAF)

Keywords

• Union electrical construction
• Commercial electrical services
• EV charging installation
• Solar energy systems
• Electrical apprenticeship training

Headquarters

HQ city

Westchester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ECA Membership Services: ECA Chicago provides membership services to electrical contractors including business insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), legal services, industry affiliations, member promotion, education and information services, and safety training programs
2. IBEW Local 134 Union Dues: IBEW Local 134 represents more than 12,000 electricians and collects union dues from members, providing workers' rights, benefits and job conditions representation
3. Apprenticeship Program: Five-year paid apprenticeship program funded exclusively by Powering Chicago members. Apprentices receive wages during training while contributing to the skilled labor pipeline

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Powering Chicago is a labor-management partnership (LMCC) connecting IBEW Local 134's 12,000+ union electricians with ECA Chicago's 1,000+ signatory electrical contractors. The organization facilitates commercial, industrial, and residential electrical construction projects across the Chicago metro area via its "Find a Contractor" online directory, while operating a five-year apprenticeship program at the 120,000-square-foot IBEW/NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech) training facility with a dedicated Renewable Energy Training Field. Service offerings focus on EV charging infrastructure installation, solar energy system deployment, and traditional electrical construction work for commercial, industrial, healthcare, education, and government clients.

Product overview

Powering Chicago is a labor-management partnership (LMCC) between IBEW Local 134 and the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) of Chicago that provides electrical construction services rather than a traditional software product. The organization operates the Ours To Protect Member Portal as its primary digital platform for member communication, along with workforce development programs through the IBEW/NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech). Service offerings include EV charging infrastructure installation, solar energy system deployment, and electrical construction for commercial, industrial, and residential projects. Educational products include the Electrical Industry Scholarship Program (EISP) and IBEW-NECA Tuition Reimbursement Program. The organization also produces The Power of Better content series for industry outreach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ours To Protect Member Portal
• IBEW/NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech) Apprenticeship Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 65% labor union approval rate, highest since 2003 (Gallup)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.

• IBEW Local 134coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1900IBEW Local 134 represents 12,000+ construction, communication, and residential electricians in Chicago. Powering Chicago is a labor-management partnership bringing together IBEW Local 134 and ECA Chicago for consistent better construction, careers, and communities.
• Electrical Contractors' Association of Chicago (ECA Chicago)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECA Chicago represents 1,000+ professional contractors providing information and services to strengthen position in electrical industry. Joint partnership with IBEW Local 134 forms Powering Chicago organization.
• IBEW/NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-of-the-art 120,000 sq ft training facility on 29 acres in Alsip, IL. Funded by Powering Chicago members. Features Renewable Energy Training Field with solar, wind, battery storage components. Five-year apprenticeship program with 1,200 hours classroom training.
• Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBEW-NECA Tuition Reimbursement Program for IN-TECH graduates transferring to IIT's Industrial Technology and Management (INTM) program. Covers up to $6,000/year for undergraduate students pursuing Industrial Facilities Construction Technology specialization.
• Northwestern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual STEM competition partnership at IN-Tech facility. Attracts 200+ high school students from Chicago area schools to compete in science, technology, engineering, and math challenges.
• ComEd (Commonwealth Edison)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Powering Chicago and Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund to train next generation of energy workers. Focus on renewable energy and grid modernization training.
• Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund (REF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFund advances safe, productive, sustainable growth of renewable energy. Sponsors Summer Solar Program for workforce training. Supports Green Drives Conference. Partners with ComEd on renewable energy training.
• National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational trade association for electrical contractors. ECA Chicago is the Chicago chapter of NECA. Powering Chicago participates in NECA conventions, trade shows, and safety award programs.
• Rebuilding Together Metro ChicagomoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual National Rebuilding Day partnership. Over 20 Powering Chicago signatory contractors and 400 IBEW Local 134 electricians restore homes in underserved communities. Restored 38+ homes in 2024.
• Chicago Blackhawks FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to support small businesses through electrical equipment and safety upgrades. Assisted Muse Coffee Studio and La Malinche Coffee & Tea House via Simply E&C contractor.
• Chicago Red StarsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial partner of professional women's soccer team. Part of community engagement and brand visibility initiatives.
• Chicago Auto Show / Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier sponsor of Chicago Auto Show for multiple years. Hosts indoor EV test track 'Chicago Drives Electric' with expert Q&A on EV charging infrastructure.
• Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Union Construction Trades Fair partnership. Powering Chicago supports CISCO's efforts to connect attendees with career opportunities in union trades.
• Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation (IACT)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerPowering Chicago recognized as 2024 IACT Clean Fuels Champion. Co-hosts Green Drives Conference and Expo at IN-Tech facility. Promotes EV infrastructure and clean transportation.
• 100 Black Men of ChicagominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to empower young African Americans to join electrical industry. Event hosted at IN-Tech for 30 mentees showcasing career opportunities.
• Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) Chicago ChaptermoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerEWMC Chicago Chapter celebrates 20 years of inclusion. Works to create opportunities for minorities and women in the electrical industry. EWMC Day of Service for community benefit.
• Sisters of IBEW Local 134minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization providing support network for women across all job classifications within IBEW Local 134. Promotes women in electrical trades and workplace diversity.
• Crain's Chicago BusinessmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative webcasts and content partnership on NFPA 70B compliance, electrical safety, and industry trends. Positions Powering Chicago as industry thought leader.
• Lakeside AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Obama Presidential Center project. Hosted 'day in the trades' event for high school students at the project site.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/poweringchicago
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmZeww-hohiy_vbEILMc94Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/PoweringChicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/poweringchicago
• Instagraminstagram.com/PoweringChicago

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Powering Chicago