Recycling Grants Will Advance Efforts in Cass, Christian, Macon and Sangamon Counties
CHICAGO – In his continued efforts to promote environmentally-friendly ways to expand the Illinois economy, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced more than $146,000 in funding from the Illinois Recycling Grant Program (IRGP) to four programs in Cass, Christian, Macon and Sangamon counties to increase recycling opportunities across Central Illinois. These recycling grants are administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and come as a part of Opportunity Returns, Gov. Blagojevich's pro-active, regional economic development strategy designed to create even more jobs and spur continued growth across the region.
“By encouraging more recycling, communities across the region are improving both our environment and our economy. These grants will go a long way in expanding the recycling industry across Central Illinois, so it is even easier for more people to become a part of this important process. By supporting these kinds of innovative programs that are recycling everything from cans to computers, we are lessening the demand on our landfills and creating more jobs for our working families,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
LSR RCD/City of Virginia Recycling Project, located in Virginia, is receiving an $8,655 recycling grant to expand its current recycling efforts to include additional commercial businesses and residential accounts not presently participating. The expansion effort will target additional recyclable volumes from commercial accounts, as well as provide an additional drop-off collection container for area residents. This project expects to divert an additional 125 tons of recyclable commodities. (Contact: Randy McClure, Virginia City Manager – 217/452.7786).
Midstate Salvage Corporation, located in Taylorville, is receiving a $60,000 recycling grant for the expansion of its processing capabilities. This expansion will be necessary due to an agreement with another processor in the Normal area that will be able to accept commingled volumes of recyclable commodities. The expansion will include new and additional containers loaded with recyclable commodities to be transported to Midstate where the increased volumes accepted will be sorted, processed and shipped to end-markets. This expanded project is expected to divert approximately 30 tons of additional recyclable commodities. (Contact: Neal Lebeter, President – 217/824.6047).
The Macon County Solid Waste Management Department, located in Decatur, is receiving a $49,996 recycling grant to expand the services of its rural recycling mobile collection trailer program to provide citizens with convenient drop-off recycling. The Department will increase the availability of multi-stream recycling through the addition of an increased number of user-friendly collection boxes and associated equipment, modifications to new facilities and existing equipment, and increased hours of access. This increased availability will also provide a new service to multi-family locations in Decatur and at large outdoor public events. This project anticipates an increase of approximately 100 tons of recyclable commodities to be diverted from Illinois landfills. (Contact: Sherri Ludlam, Director – 217/425.4505).
The University of Illinois at Springfield is receiving a $27,550 recycling grant for the expansion of existing recycling collection efforts. This expansion will include the placement of collection containers at locations currently not served. These locations will include all classrooms, individual dormitory rooms and outdoor campus areas. The expansion will also divert additional recyclable volumes not currently targeted. In addition to the current 76 tons of recyclables presently collected, this project effort anticipates an initial increase of 5 tons. (Contact: Marc Klingshirn, Assistant Professor of Chemistry – 217/206-8341).
The goal of the IGRP is to divert recyclable commodities from Illinois landfills and to expand and enhance the recycling collection and processing infrastructure in Illinois. Funded projects also can demonstrate public economic benefits, which includes job creation and retention, and assistance to economically distressed areas.
All entities, including private businesses, local governments and not-for-profit organizations, are eligible to apply for funding. Grants are awarded for traditional recycling projects involving paper, glass, metal and plastics, and also for electronics recycling, which focuses on the development and expansion of permanent collection and processing facilities that handle end-of-life electronics and computers.
“Building our economy in a way that helps our environment can be accomplished by investing in companies and communities that are expanding the recycling industry in Central Illinois. Gov. Blagojevich and I will continue to support these efforts that are fostering a cleaner and stronger regional economy,” said State Senator Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville).
“Recycling should be an everyday part of life for residents and businesses across Illinois, so we must continue our efforts to grow the recycling industry in the region. My thanks to Gov. Blagojevich for providing these grants that are increasing the reach of this important industry,” said State Representative Gary Hannig (D-Gillespie).
“We are committed to growing our economy in a way that not only creates good jobs but helps protect our environment as well. We will continue making these kinds of important investments that are making a difference throughout the region,” State Representative Bob Flider (D-Flider) said.
“Gov. Blagojevich understands that strategically investing in recycling is both an environmentally and economically sound decision. This is helping to turn what could have become trash into a reusable commodity that is spurring private investment and putting more and more people to work. These types of progressive partnerships are what Opportunity Returns is all about,” 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.