April 19, 2018

Duckworth, Durbin Announce $280,000 for Strategic Economic Planning in Southern Illinois

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced $280,000 in federal funding today to help create jobs and encourage economic development throughout Southern Illinois. This funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Planning Program, which assists communities as they develop and implement plans to enhance their local economies.

“It’s important for local community and business leaders to have access to the resources they need to create opportunities that drive economic development in Southern Illinois,” Duckworth said. “These investments will go a long way toward helping revitalize parts of our state that could use a boost, and I will continue working closely with Senator Durbin to secure additional investments that strengthen local economies across our state.”

“This federal funding will help give Southern Illinois communities the tools to reach their economic goals,” Durbin said. “Senator Duckworth and I will continue working to ensure that our state’s rural communities have access to these critical federal investments that drive growth.”

Under today’s announcement, the Southern South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission (Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper and Marion Counties) will receive $70,000 and the Southeastern Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission (Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope and Saline Counties) will receive $210,000. Both Commissions will use the funding to develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) in coordination with the EDA - a process that brings the public and private sectors working together to produce a blueprint for economic prosperity that improves the quality of life for community members throughout the region.

-30-