CHICAGO – In his continued efforts to promote environmentally-friendly ways to expand the Illinois economy, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced more than $143,000 in funding from the Illinois Recycling Grant Program (IRGP) to the Clay County Rehabilitation Center in Flora, the Lincoln Heritage Resource Conservation and Developmental Council in Tuscola, and the Sutter Sanitation Services, Inc. in Shumway, to increase recycling opportunities across Southeast 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 the region.

“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 Clay, Coles and Effingham 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.       

The Clay County Rehabilitation Center, located in Flora, is receiving a $60,000 recycling grant to expand its existing commercial recycling collection efforts to area businesses.  This expansion is expected to increase the recyclable commodities collected and processed by the center from 760 tons to more than approximately 1,000 tons.  The center is a not-for-profit corporation providing vocational rehabilitation and day training for disabled residents of Clay, Wayne and Richland counties.  Approximately 190 clients are served per day in seven programs, and almost 90 percent of these clients participate in the Center’s recycling efforts. (Contact:  Gary Whitehead, Executive Director – 618/662.4916).

The Lincoln Heritage Resource Conservation & Developmental Council (RC&D Council), a not-for-profit organization located in Tuscola, is receiving a $27,479 electronics recycling grant to establish and operate a permanent electronics collection site at the Coles County fairgrounds.  Grant funds will be used to purchase a forklift, pallet scale, hand truck, camera system, gaylord boxes, shrink wrap machine, and project-related promotion and education efforts.  (Contact: Rollie Spaniol – 217/345.6266).

Sutter Sanitation Services, Inc., located in Shumway, is receiving a $55,962 recycling grant for the implementation of an expanded drop-off service for residents of Effingham County and also includes Cumberland, Shelby, Fayette and Marion counties.  Sutter Sanitation Service operates a full-time recycling drop-off and processing facility, which provides commercial businesses with hook-lift containers and a limited number of local recycling days.  The expansion of community recycling efforts has been hampered in the past due to a lack of equipment.  The addition of new containers placed at new sites will facilitate the proposed expansion and generate additional volumes of recyclable commodities in a rural setting.  (Contact: Tracy Sutter, Vice President – 618/483.9734).

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.

“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.