Recycling Grants To Help Local Businesses Increase Efficiency and Competitiveness
CHICAGO – In his continuing efforts to promote environmentally-friendly ways of growing the Rock River Valley economy, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced today nearly $72,000 in Opportunity Returns grants that will fund two businesses and organizations who are expanding recycling throughout the region. 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 jobs and spur growth in the Northern Stateline region.
“Growing 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 Rockford. 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.
The Barbara Olson Center of Hope, located in Rockford, has been selected to receive a $50,000 grant to expand its document shredding and paper recycling efforts. Since 1948, the Barbara Olson Center of Hope has been serving the needs, aspirations and dreams of individuals with developmental disabilities. The goal of this organization is to help each individual achieve his or her greatest independence, both at home and in the community. This project is anticipated to capture approximately 140 additional tons of paper for recycling annually. For additional information please contact: Carm Herman - 815-964-9275
The Rockford Park District has been awarded a $21,785 grant to expand its recycling collection efforts by implementing a recycling collection program at five district golf courses. This project will assist the district in advancing its goal of providing recycling opportunities to citizens while they are “at play.” The project is anticipated to divert an additional 22.5 tons of recyclable commodities from being landfilled annually. For additional information please contact: Judy Roby - 815-987-8695
“Gov. Blagojevich continues to utilize innovative programs from a wide variety of fields to spur regional economic growth and create more jobs. While these recycling grants will help minimize the negative impact we as consumers have on the environment, they will also play an instrumental role in strengthening an industry that has proven to be a great source of job creation and economic productivity in the Rock River Valley,” State Rep. Charles Jefferson (D-Rockford) 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 our 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.