Press Release - Wednesday, September 06, 2006
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Gov. Blagojevich announces over $21 million Opportunity Returns funding for Caseyville Township
SPRINGFIELD --- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has approved a $21,858,613 loan from the Agency's Wastewater Infrastructure Program, which will enable Caseyville Township in St. Clair County to serve the needs of a growing residential and commercial area.
The project involves expanding the East Sewage Treatment Plant to provide additional sewage treatment capacity that will serve the needs of the rapidly growing community. The plant is currently nearing its design capacity which would soon restrict development in the area. The area affected includes the village of Fairview Heights, parts of the city of O'Fallon, and the village of Shiloh.
The funding for the project is being provided through the Illinois EPA as part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor's comprehensive, pro-active economic development plan for the Southwest region.
"Having clean and safe water is something every man, woman and child deserves, and we are going to do everything we can to make that happen. By helping communities with these vital improvements at their water treatment systems, we are making them even better places to live and work in," Gov. Blagojevich said.
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 and principle paid on the 20-year loans is returned to the fund to support other low interest loans.
"This loan from the Illinois EPA and the Opportunity Returns program will enable this important sewage treatment plant expansion to go forward, which is vital for this growing area of Metro East," said State Sen. James Clayborne (D-Belleville).
"This infrastructure project is needed to accommodate growth while protecting the environment in our area, and the financing assistance is an excellent partnership between the state and local governments," said State Rep. Thomas Holbrook (D-Belleville).
"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 and state legislators for proposing enhanced funding for the State Revolving Fund and for new grant funding that is vital in helping communities like the Caseyville Township maintain efficient treatment systems."
Due to Illinois' critical need for safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment systems,
Gov. Blagojevich has demanded that the federal government fully capitalize 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. As part of 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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