CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced $2.1 million in funding for new sanitation and water drainage improvement projects in Southern Illinois.  These key initiatives will improve the health and quality of life of working families throughout Southern Illinois, as well as provide the necessary infrastructure for economic growth.  This aggressive effort to improve the quality of infrastructure and public facilities is a major emphasis of the Governor’s Opportunity Returns initiative for the Southern region, his comprehensive, pro-active strategy for restoring economic opportunity to the area.

“Improving infrastructure in Southern Illinois is not only about fostering business growth and attraction, it’s about building safer, stronger and healthier communities where families can live, work and raise their children from one generation to the next.  This is an investment in the region’s economic vitality as well as its quality of life,” Gov. Blagojevich said.  

The funds for this initiative are part of the Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP), a federally-funded grant program that assists Illinois communities by providing grants to local governments to assist them in financing economic development, public facilities and housing rehabilitation projects. The program is targeted to assist low-to-moderate income people by creating job opportunities and improving the quality of their living environment. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) administers the program.

“Gov. Blagojevich and I understand that we must make investments like these in the region’s infrastructure in order to build stronger, more vibrant communities that will also help grow our local economy and create good, new jobs,” State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) said.

“Everyone who lives or works in this community stands to benefit by enhancing our local infrastructure.  Our working families will have access to better water and sanitation at home, and businesses will be better equipped to grow and expand.  Gov. Blagojevich is demonstrating why a grassroots approach to economic development is so important,” State Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) said

These CDAP initiatives address a crucial need for the region.  Communities with established infrastructure are under constant pressure to upgrade and rehabilitate their systems to keep up with changing Environmental Protection Agency regulations, changing populations and changing needs.  As more rural water wells are becoming undrinkable, rural water providers assume even greater importance.  

Adequate sewer and water service is also vital to community and economic development. Without basic infrastructure, communities cannot compete for company relocation and expansion, but with a healthy infrastructure in place, communities can create jobs and prosper.  

The Southern region’s public facilities improvements are:

LOCATION        TYPE                          DESCRIPTION                COST        

City of Hurst                Public Facilities                     Replace deteriorated sewer mains        $395,430
Williamson                

City of Johnston City        Public Facilities                     Replace deteriorated water mains  $225,000
Williamson

City of McLeansboro        Public Facilities                    Replace old water mains        $395,000
Hamilton                

Village of Norris City        Public Facilities                     Water main replacement        $390,000
White                

Village of Ridgway        Design Engineering              Design wells        $85,600
Gallatin                

Village of Royalton        Public Facilities                    Replace sewer mains        $132,000
Franklin

Village of West City        Public Facilities                    Replace two sewage list stations        $103,140
Franklin
       
City of West Frankfort         Public Facilities                    Replace existing sewer lines        $390,000
Franklin                
                                                                                  Total: $2,116,170

“Gov. Blagojevich understands that the best way to continue creating and retaining good jobs in Southern Illinois is to foster a highly competitive, attractive business climate.  Ensuring that communities across the region have safe and reliable water and sanitation infrastructure is a vital part of that effort, and these investments will lay the foundation for a more vibrant local economy today and tomorrow,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.

Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history.  Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.  Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses.  It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs.  Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.