Sorensen and Duckworth announce funding to help create jobs in Rockford

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Two Illinois lawmakers just announced a major donation of money to the community.

Congressman Eric Sorensen and Senator Tammy Duckworth said on Wednesday that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded $70,000 to the Region 1 Joint Planning Commission in Rockford. They were given the money to bring jobs to families in the area.

“I want my neighbors in Rockford to be able to stay and raise their families in my hometown, but that means we need to continue bringing good-paying jobs that can support a family, help people afford a home, and get ahead,” said Congressman Sorensen. “This funding will help give Rockford and the region a blueprint to bring in new investments, create jobs, and grow the economy into the future.”

“As a hub of agriculture, manufacturing, technology and innovation, Illinois is uniquely prepared for greater investment,” said Senator Duckworth. “Coordination between business leaders and all levels of government is critical to help grow our local economies, and I’ll keep doing everything I can alongside Congressman Sorensen to bring federal support home to Illinois.”

The EDA's funding comes in the form of a Partnership Planning Grant.

“The Economic Development Administration’s Partnership Planning Grant allows us to help public and private sector partners in Northern Illinois amplify private investment and job creation through collaborative research and infrastructure planning,” said Region 1 Planning Council Director Michael Dunn. “Ultimately, the EDA’s partnership is a force multiplier. Regional planning yields infrastructure improvements that, in turn, attract further investments in our regional manufacturing, logistics, medical services, and agriculture clusters that remain vital to the Northern Illinois economy.”

The grant will be used to create what Sorensen calls an "economic development roadmap" to strengthen and diversify the local economy.

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