(WSIL) -- The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the recipients for the 2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Public Infrastructure.
A total of $18.2 million will be awarded to 34 communities across the state, enabling cities and towns in non-metropolitan areas to make repairs to shared water and sewer infrastructure that will enhance safety and quality of life for those who live there.
“Every community deserves clean water and reliable sewer service, and I’m proud to advance that right for over 113,000 Illinois residents in 34 downstate and rural community areas,”�said Governor JB Pritzker. “The 2020 Public Infrastructure grants program will empower cities and towns across the state to improve the quality of life for their residents, invest in community, create jobs, and lay the groundwork for even more revitalization down the road. As we look to shape an even stronger post-pandemic economy, it’s essential that we do so in a way that uplifts the whole state, across every zip code, and this $18 million infrastructure investment does right by that mission.”�
Local governments were able to request a maximum award of $550,000, with an average grant size for the 2020 program at $536,000. Preference was given for projects located in underserved areas, opportunity zones and those which proposed a non-state matching component to drive the maximum investment to the area.
2020 Public Infrastructure Recipients in southern Illinois:
• City of Carmi, $550,000
� Village of Coulterville, $550,000
• Village of Dongola, $550,000
• Village of Galatia, $430,000
“Like many small towns across America, Coulterville faces the unfortunate reality of water infrastructure that has reached the end of its useful life and that requires costly repairs and replacements,”�said Village of Coulterville Mayor Steve Marlow. “However, thanks to the Pritzker administration and this public infrastructure funding opportunity � we’ll receive a much-needed boost to modernize our public works and ensure residents of our town can continue to count on safe and reliable water service.”�
