CHICAGO – In his continued efforts to promote environmentally-friendly ways to expand the Illinois economy, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced $128,000 from the Illinois Recycling Grant Program (IRGP) to the Highland Recycling Center and Randolph County to increase recycling opportunities in communities across Southwest 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 in Southwest 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 Madison and Randolph 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.
Highland Recycling Center is receiving a $120,000 recycling grant for the expansion of its existing recycling collection and processing efforts. Highland Recycling anticipates implementing new recycling collection programs in approximately 19 commercial businesses, which will include about 13 schools. The center is in its eleventh year of operation and has diverted more than 7,000 tons of recyclable commodities since 2002. This new expansion effort estimates more than 450 additional tons will be collected, processed and shipped to end-markets in the first year. (Contact: Rick Frey, Owner – 618/654.3293.)
Randolph County is receiving an $8,000 recycling grant for the expansion of an existing recycling effort to include the additional communities of Percy and Prairie du Rocher. The expanded effort will also include the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta. Grant funds will be used for the construction of containers to be placed on mobile recycling collection trailers. It is anticipated that this project will divert approximately 65 tons of recyclable commodities from Illinois landfills. (Contact: Mike Springsteen, Recycling Coordinator – 618/443.2145).
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.
“Expanding access to recycling makes so much sense for the environment and for our economy. Gov. Blagojevich and I understand that we must continue to support these kinds of recycling efforts so we can create even more jobs and cleaner communities throughout the region,” State Representative Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville) 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 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.