Press Release - Thursday, June 15, 2006
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Gov. Blagojevich announces $3,931,439 Opportunity Returns funding to improve water in Geneva
SPRINGFIELD --- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has approved a $3,931,439 loan from the Agency's Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Program, which will assist the Kane County City of Geneva in building a new drinking water treatment plant and complying with federal radium limits.
The project consists of construction of a new eight million gallons per day water treatment plant to assist Geneva in meeting radium compliance limits. A previous loan was approved to fund the construction of one new shallow well, two new deep wells and a variety of new water transmission units, with these loans providing a portion of the $27.9 million total project cost. The remaining $20.8 million will be funded as additional loan funds become available in the future.
The funding for this project is being provided by the federally subsidized Water Revolving Fund and through the Illinois EPA as part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor's comprehensive, pro-active economic development plan for the Northeast region.
"Opportunity Returns is critical to our state's economic future, and funding infrastructure improvements are an integral part of the program," said Gov. Blagojevich. "With these loans, communities can provide necessary services to its citizens, as well to existing and potentially new businesses. By working together, we will continue doing all we can to help the Northeast region reach its economic potential."
The loan from the Illinois EPA is part of the Agency's revolving loan program that utilizes federal and state funding to provide loans for eligible drinking water and wastewater treatment projects at half the market interest rate. Interest paid on the 20-year loans is returned to the fund to support other low interest loans.
"It is through this state and federal partnership that we are able to address the infrastructure needs of our communities," said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott. "I am appreciative of the efforts of Illinois' congressional delegation for proposing enhanced funding for the State Revolving Fund and for new grant funding."
"This loan is an important part of the financing of this treatment plant critically needed in Geneva to comply with the radium standard," said State Sen. Chris Lauzen, R-Aurora.
"Construction of this plant helps assure a safe and healthy water supply for this attractive Fox River community, "said State Rep. Timothy Schmitz, R-Batavia.
Due to Illinois' critical need for safe drinking water and effective treatment systems, Governor Blagojevich has demanded that the federal government fully subsidize the State Revolving Fund, which is 80 percent federally-funded. Since the Clean Water Act was passed more than 30 years ago, the federal government's funding for clean water infrastructure has decreased by 70 percent. This year's federal budget proposal would leave many local communities without the resources to complete the necessary infrastructure improvements necessary to protect public health and promote economic development.
During his administration, Gov. Blagojevich has been committed to improving the environment for Illinois citizens. During his 2006 State of the State address, the governor proposed a plan to drastically reduce mercury emissions from power plants by 90 percent by June 30, 2009. This ambitious plan to protect Illinois families from harmful mercury emissions will provide tougher standards than those proposed by the federal government.
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.
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