WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–September 20, 2011. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that five Illinois communities – Chicago, Champaign, Macomb, Rock Island and Rockford – have received Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants to create jobs and boost economic development in the region.
EDA is an agency within the U.S. Commerce Department and supports the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. Its mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.
Illinois communities receiving funding through today’s announcement include:
- Champaign, Illinois: $136,625 in funding to a partnership between the University of Illinois, Champaign County Regional Planning Commission, Urbana/Champaign County Economic Development Corporation to leverage applied research and technical assistance to help communities capitalize on economic development opportunities. The investment funds the first year of a five-year University Center program which provides technical assistance and research and development tools to increase productivity, spur innovation and promote entrepreneurship to help increase long-tem regional competitiveness;
- Chicago, Illinois: $98,000 in funding for the Center for Neighborhood Technology to develop a framework to restore logistic growth opportunities in the Chicago Southland region, which includes 42 suburbs in Will and southern Cook counties. The plan will identify sites for expanding and new logistics businesses, plan business support and workforce development and incorporate sustainable design and green technology;
- Macomb, Illinois: $53,000 in funding for the Western Illinois Regional Council to establish an economic development planning framework, process and strategy that supports private capital investment and job creation in the region. This comprehensive economic development strategy is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy;
- Rock Island, Illinois: $1,498,618 in funding for the City of Rock Island to construct a new sustainable business park. This project is expected to attract green businesses, create 92 jobs and leverage $12.3 million in private investment; and
- Rockford, Illinois: $150,000 in funding for the Rockford Area Economic Development Council to diversify the economy of the Rockford region by increasing the number of higher-skill, higher-wage jobs through the creation of a strategic diversification plan that will determine the emerging and evolving industries best suited for the region.
Source: durbin.senate.gov
