CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced more than $7 million in funding for new sanitation, drainage and potable water system improvements throughout Central 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 Central 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.

“Water and sanitation improvements might not be the most exciting projects, but they are vital to growing and expanding our local economy. By making investments at the community level, Gov. Blagojevich is employing the most effective approach to economic development,” State Senator Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville) said.

“Everyone who lives or works in Central Illinois stands to benefit from the kind of upgrades these grants will support.  Communities will have access to better water and sanitation at home, and companies will be more likely to invest in the region if the infrastructure exists to support them.  I am pleased to have supported the budget that provides grants that ensure economic prosperity,” State Rep. Bob Flider (D-Mt. Zion) said.

“The infrastructure projects funded by these Opportunity Returns grants will make Central Illinois even more attractive to businesses who are looking to expand or relocate. Through investments like these, Gov. Blagojevich continues to demonstrate his commitment to strengthening the local economy one community at a time, one company at a time and one job at a time,” State Rep. Gary Hannig (D-Gillespie) 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 Central region’s public facilities improvements are as follows:

LOCATION	DESCRIPTION	COST
City of Beardstown	Construct new 1,000,000 gallon elevated water storage tank	$350,000
City of Benld	Replace 70 year old cast iron water main line from Gillespie to Benld	$287,764
Bluff Springs Township	Construction of potable water mains in rural areas of Cass County	$325,000
City of Bunker Hill	Install and construct a new water storage tank	$325,000
Village of Butler	Complete construction of new sanitary sewer system	$325,000
Cass County	Construct potable water mains in rural areas that currently depend on wells, ponds	$325,000
Village of Franklin	Construct new sanitary sewer collection system and waterwaste treatment  facilities	$350,000
City of Girard	Construct a new water tower to replace the existing 70 yr old tower	$350,000
Village of Irving	Improvements to the Village water distribution system	$145,792
City of Jacksonville	Construct 11 miles of water main to provide potable water to some 30 rural households	$350,000
Village of Kane	Construction of an elevated storage tank and wells to service residents of the Village	$325,000
Village of Kincaid	Planning for construction improvements to the sanitary sewer system	$350,000
Macoupin County	Construct water mains in rural areas to serve unserved households	$350,000
Village of  Mount Clare	Replace water mains damaged by mine subsidence	$109,500
Village of Oconee	Install a water distribution system	$350,000
Village of Ohlman	Install water distribution system which will serve the entire Village and 20 rural customers	$350,000
Ridge Township	Construction of PVC water line complete with flushing hydrants and gate valves	$350,000
Village of Rockbridge .	Construct new sanitary sewer collection system and wastewater treatment facilities	$350,000
Rural Township	Complete PVC water line with flushing hydrants and gate valves	$350,000
Village of Sawyerville	Replace deteriorating water lines east of Ill. #138 in Sawyerville	$110,250
Village of Stonington	Replace approx 2,775 LF of water main	$197,197
Village of Wenonah	PVC water line complete with flushing hydrants and gate valves in the   Village of Wenonah	$350,000
Village of Wilsonville	Extend sewers to an area within corporate limits that is currently unsewered	$150,000
City of Witt	Construct changes necessary to upgrade the existing water treatment plant	$200,000
	Total:	$7,025,503

              
“Gov. Blagojevich is demonstrating his ability to plan effectively by improving vital infrastructure that increases the competitiveness of communities throughout Central 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 strong foundation that can adequately support strong economic growth and community development,” 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.