CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced more than $3.5 million in funding for new sanitation, drainage and potable water system improvements throughout Southern Illinois.  As part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor’s aggressive, pro-active economic development strategy, these key investments will significantly improve the health and quality of life for working families, while strengthening crucial public infrastructure that supports and attracts economic development.

“Every man, woman and child deserves to have clean water in a safe, strong and healthy community.  These improvements will ensure that many more Southern Illinois families have those opportunities that most of us take for granted.  Making these investments will also make these communities a more attractive place for business, which will help them grow and create more new jobs,” Gov. Blagojevich said.

This funding is part of the Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP), a federally-funded grant program that assists Illinois communities by providing grants to local governments, which are designed to help finance economic development, public facilities and housing rehabilitation projects.  The program is administered through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), where it is used to effectively target and assist low-to-moderate income people by improving their quality of life and creating job opportunities.

“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.

“These improvements are an important step in making sure that Southern Illinois remains not only a safe place to live, but also a great place to invest and conduct business.  I want to thank Governor Blagojevich and his administration for their efforts to make our communities more sustainable through critical infrastructure investments that are necessary for growing our economy and making sure that more jobs come here,” State Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion) 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.

The CDAP grants are designed to address the critical needs of Illinois’ communities.  Communities must ensure that their infrastructure undergoes rehabilitation and upgrades in line with changing regulations issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Also, the shifting demographics of communities and loss of drinkable water wells require that local infrastructure be equipped to meet the needs of the population it serves and the challenges posed by an ever-changing environment.   

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 as follows:

LOCATION	TYPE	DESCRIPTION	COST
Village of Allendale Wabash	Public Facilities	Construct elevated water storage tank	$266,325
Village of Alto Pass Union	Design Engineering	Design water distribution improvements  including source, Alto Pass Water District	$122,430
City of Benton Franklin	Public Facilities	Replace deteriorated water main	$285,000
City of Cairo Alexander	Public Facilities	Construct repairs to sewers in two locations	$305,000
City of Christopher Franklin	Public Facilities	Replace existing water mains	$350,000
Village of Colp Williamson	Public Facilities	Construct water system improvements under IEPA mandate	$321,000
City of DuQuoin Perry	Public Facilities	Sewer sleeving project	$349,875
City of Eldorado Saline	Design Engineering	Design for replacement of dilapidated water lines	$57,240
Village of Freeman Williamson	Spur Public Facilities	Replace deteriorated water mains	$237,000
City of Herrin Williamson	Public Facilities	Replace old water mains	$350,000
Johnson County Johnson	Design Engineering	Design waterline extensions in Dutchman Lake area, Lake Egypt Water District	$114,480
City of Sesser Franklin	Design Engineering	Design new sanitary sewer collection system, treatment facility	$80,560
Village of Thebes Alexander	Design Engineering	Design sewer system improvements including rerouting lines	$28,525
Wabash County Wabash	Public Facilities	Phase V rural water system extension  Rural Wabash Water District	$350,000
City of Zeigler Franklin	Public Facilities	Replace old, deteriorated water mains	$316,000
		Total:	$3,533,435

 “Gov. Blagojevich is demonstrating his ability to plan effectively by improving vital infrastructure that increases the competitiveness of communities throughout Southern Illinois.  Investing in safe and reliable water and sanitation systems is an important component in making these communities highly attractive to businesses.  These grants are important steps in building a solid foundation that can adequately support strong economic growth and community development,” said DCEO Director Jack Lavin.   

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.