CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced nearly $5 million in funding for new sanitation and water drainage improvement projects in Southeast Illinois.  These key initiatives will improve the health and quality of life of working families throughout Southeast Illinois, as well as provide the necessary infrastructure for economic growth.  This aggressive effort to improve the quality of infrastructure and public facilities is a major theme of the Governor’s Opportunity Returns initiative for the Southeast region, his comprehensive, pro-active strategy for restoring economic opportunity to the area.

“Improving infrastructure in Southeast Illinois is not only about fostering business growth and attraction, it’s about building safer, stronger and healthier communities where families can live, work and raise their children from one generation to the next.  This is an investment in the region’s economic vitality as well as its quality of life,” Gov. Blagojevich said.  

The funds for this initiative are part of the Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP), a federally-funded grant program that assists Illinois communities by providing grants to local governments to assist them in financing economic development, public facilities and housing rehabilitation projects. The program is targeted to assist low-to-moderate income people by creating job opportunities and improving the quality of their living environment. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) administers the program.

"In order for our communities to have the infrastructure to meet the needs and demands of current and future populations, improvements must be made," State Rep. Bob Flider (D-Mount Zion) said.  "I'm pleased that Gov. Blagojevich has awarded this funding for improved water service in our rural areas in Moultrie County."

“Gov. Blagojevich understands that making these kinds of critical infrastructure improvements are vital to ensuring that our working families have access to the basic necessities that most people take for granted.  This also makes Southeast Illinois primed for more economic development,” State Rep. Kurt Granberg (D-Centralia) said.

These CDAP grants address a crucial need for the region.  Communities with established infrastructure are under constant pressure to upgrade and rehabilitate their systems to keep up with changing Environmental Protection Agency regulations, changing populations and changing needs.  As more rural water wells are becoming undrinkable, rural water providers assume even greater importance.  

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 Southeast region’s public facilities improvements are:

LOCATION           TYPE                          DESCRIPTION                                                 COST
Clay County                Design Engineering            Design water lines in southeastern                                        $200,000
Clay                Clay County Rural Water County

Crooked Creek Township        Public Facilities                    Extend new water lines                                                    $394,100
Jasper                EJ Water Corporation

Crooked Creek Township        Design Engineering            Design portion of water distribution system        $100,000
Cumberland                EJ Water Corporation

East Nelson Township        Public Facilities                   Extend water line to East Nelson                                                     $309,786
Moultrie                Moultrie County Rural Public Water District

Grandville Township        Design Engineering            Design water system improvements        $95,000
Jasper                EJ Water Corporation

Greenup Township        Design Engineering            Design water distribution system extension        $118,000
Cumberland                EJ Water Corporation

Hunt City Township        Public Facilities                    Extend water line to a targeted area        $394,100
Jasper                EJ Water Corporation        

Hunter Township        Design Engineering            Design extension of rural water lines        $77,050
Edgar                Clark Edgar Rural Water District

Village of Iuka                Public Facilities                   Replace deteriorating stations                $178,000
Marion                

Jonathan Creek Township        Public Facilities                   Extend rural water lines                $301,484
Moultrie                Moultrie County Rural Public Water District

City of Kinmundy        Public Facilities                   Repair and upgrade existing water treatment plant        $201,300
Marion

LaClede Township        Public Facilities                  Construct water mains in Fayette and Clay counties        $395,430
Fayette, Clay                Northeast Marion County Water Company

Lowe Township        Design Engineering           Design to extend water service                $117,500
Moultrie                West Prairie Water Company        

Mound Township        Public Facilities                 New water mains                $394,100
Effingham                EJ Water Corporation
               
North Okaw Township        Public Facilities                        Construct water main to 2 areas & install new well/pump      $395,430                        
Coles                Crooks Mills Water Association
               
Pixley Township        Public Facilities                Extend new waterline to unserved area        $394,100
Clay                EJ Water Corporation

Village of Sandoval        Public Facilities                Water line replacement                $390,000
Marion                

Sumpter Township        Design Engineering        Design water distribution system extensions        $120,000
Cumberland                EJ Water Corporation                

Village of Westfield        Public Facilities               Construct elevated water tower                $279,444
Clark                        

                                                                                                 Total: $4,854,824                                

“Gov. Blagojevich understands that the best way to continue creating and retaining good jobs in Southeast Illinois is to foster a highly competitive, attractive business climate.  Ensuring that communities across the region have safe and reliable water and sanitation infrastructure is a vital part of that effort, and these investments will lay the foundation for a more vibrant local economy today and tomorrow,” 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.