The Governor is Providing Nearly $600,000 in Opportunity Returns Support to Madison Communications
CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today praised the ribbon cutting of Madison Communications’ nearly 40,000 square foot, state-of-the-art office building and warehouse facility in Staunton Township that is creating 20 new jobs and retain 45 more. The Governor is providing the telecommunications firm more than $581,000 in Opportunity Returns grants and credits for the expansion project, which comes as part of his regional economic development strategy to continue expanding the economy and creating more jobs across Central Illinois.
“By investing in companies that are investing in Illinois and by holding the line on sales and incomes taxes, we are creating a business climate where companies like Madison Communications can easily grow and create better jobs for more people. Providing this support will ensure that an important local business has the facilities it needs to stay competitive and continue providing an essential service to the greater community in Macoupin County,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
The majority of the support is coming in the form of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) program, which extends tax credits over a ten-year period based on job creation and retention projections. DCEO is also providing Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) job training funds that will help enhance the skills of its workforce, as well as a grant to Staunton Township to make key road improvements that allowed Madison Communications to undertake the much-needed expansion.
“Investments like these in the region that fuel business expansion and help secure good jobs are so important to the economic vitality of this area. When it comes to important local projects that really make an economic impact, we continue to show that we will act quickly and aggressively to answer the bell,” State Senator Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville) said.
“This is a great example of why it is so important to implement an economic development plan that is pro-active instead of reactive. This funding to Staunton Township enabled this critical expansion project to move forward, and that means greater economic security and opportunity for the people of this area,” State Representative Gary Hannig (D-Gillespie) said.
The new business office and warehouse was constructed on ten acres of property in Macoupin County. The project is expected to be a catalyst to development and growth across the county.
“We have outgrown our present facilities,” said Bob Schwartz, President of Madison Communications. “The excellent support and guidance we’ve received at the state level from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and at the local level from Staunton Township has been a critical resource in facilitating our move into the new offices and warehouse that will enable us to keep pace with the growing and more complex needs of the people and communities we serve.”
"Staunton Township was elated to receive this grant to assist Madison Communications in the construction of its new facility. Madison Communications continues to be a very successful company and quality employer that positively impacts our local economy. The Township Board and I consider it our duty to do help secure the resources businesses need to stay competitive and, with the state's assistance, we will be able to ensure that Madison Communications remains a vital part of our community," said Raymond Spudich, Staunton Township Supervisor.
Madison Communications provides state-of-the-art telecommunication products and services, including high speed internet, voice and digital video to twenty-three communities in Macoupin, Bond and Madison Counties.
“Opportunity Returns is all about making the kinds of strategic investments at the community level that are most critical to strengthening the competitiveness of the local economy and fostering job creation and retention. This funding Gov. Blagojevich is providing addresses a major priority of the community and is a great example of an effective grassroots economic development plan at work,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.
Gov. Blagojevich recently announced that Illinois added 31,100 new jobs in July, which was the best in the nation that month. This is the second time this year Illinois has created more new jobs than any other state, which has never happened before in recorded history. Illinois also led the nation in job growth in April. The total number of new jobs created this year is 75,200, which is the best start to a year since 1998 and more new jobs than any Midwest state. Since January 2004, Illinois has gained more than 150,000 new jobs, which is also best in the Midwest. The unemployment rate in Macoupin County has declined from 7.8 percent in January 2003 to 5.3 percent in August 2006. The Illinois unemployment rate has been below or the same as the U.S. unemployment rate since May 2006, the first time this has happened in seven years. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security compiled these statistics.
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.