State Economic Development Director Announces Over $12.6 Million for Local Infrastructure Projects

STAUNTON - Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Warren Ribley visited Staunton today to announce that 40 communities throughout the state have been awarded competitive Public Infrastructure grants totaling over $12 million through the federally-funded Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP).

"Many of Illinois' smaller communities have been hardest hit by the economic recession, but funding through the state's CDAP program allows us to build up the infrastructure of our smaller and rural communities," said DCEO Director Warren Ribley.  "These improvements create jobs and set the stage for future economic development."

Infrastructure projects being funded in this round include construction on water and sewer lines.  The City of Staunton in Macoupin County is receiving $350,000 to upgrade its sewer drainage system to alleviate recurring flooding along the main road into town from I-55.

"This grant will enable Staunton to pursue a permanent solution to a long-existing problem," said Mayor John Willmon. "On behalf of the residents of Staunton, I want to say how very appreciative we are to DCEO. This is a culmination of an awful lot of work for a lot of people."

"I know that flooding has been a problem for motorists entering Staunton from I-55", said State Senator Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville).  "This CDAP funding will not only help alleviate flooding and make travel safer for local motorists, but it will also create jobs at the same time. I am very pleased to join Director Ribley today to announce the release of these funds for the City of Staunton."
      
Illinois will receive approximately $35 million total in federal funds through the Community Development Block Grant Program (known in Illinois as CDAP). Larger urban areas known as "entitlement communities" receive funding directly from the federal government to support similar development needs, while DCEO's Office of Community Development administers funding to the smaller "non-entitlement communities."  CDAP serves communities with populations under 50,000 that are not located within a US Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-designated entitlement community, or one of the eight designated entitlement urban counties.  

DCEO will award additional funding in the coming months to support a variety of projects under the CDAP-Flex program, to support emergency infrastructure under CDAP- emergency set aside (as needed), and to support mobility and accessibility upgrades under the CDAP-MARS program.

The list of Illinois communities receiving 2010 CDAP-Public Infrastructure funding follows:

DCEO is the state's lead economic development agency responsible for creating jobs and building economic prosperity. For more information, visit DCEO's website at www.ildceo.net.