CHICAGO – In his continued efforts to promote environmentally-friendly ways to expand the Illinois economy, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced more than $112,000 in funding from the Illinois Recycling Grant Program (IRGP) to Illinois State University and the DeWitt County Human Resource Center to increase recycling opportunities in North 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 North Central Illinois.
“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 in McLean and DeWitt counties, 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.
Illinois State University, located in Normal, is receiving a $59,968 recycling grant to expand its existing recycling efforts. Currently, the University’s recycling containers are experiencing overflow, which has caused some recyclable commodities to be discarded into the waste stream. Through the purchase of additional containers and a larger collection truck, the University will be able to provide an increased number of outlets for recycling and also be able to service the campus with more frequent collections. It is projected that the University will be able to increase its general recycling rate by 10 percent, and its housing recycling rate by 25 percent, with a projected increase in the diversion of recyclable commodities by an additional nearly 90 tons. (Contact: Chuck Scott, Green Team Chair – 309/438.8851).
The DeWitt County Human Resource Center, located in Clinton, is receiving a $52,109 recycling grant to expand its existing recycling efforts as well. This expansion will provide an adequate facility for haulers to bring materials and tip commodities efficiently and effectively, provide necessary equipment to more efficiently sort increased volumes of commodities and add new accounts from neighboring communities. This project effort is anticipated to divert an additional 452 tons of recyclable commodities. (Contact: Debbi Logan, Project Manager – 217/935.2218).
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.
“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.