Press Release - Wednesday, November 23, 2005
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Gov. Blagojevich announces $4,921,495 Opportunity Returns funding for the Village of Hebron
SPRINGFIELD --- Governor Rod Blagojevich announced today that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has approved a $4,921,495 low-interest Wastewater Infrastructure Revolving Loan that will enable the Village of Hebron in McHenry County to meet the growing community's current and future needs.
The project will utilize an additional $10,000 of local funds and will finance the construction of a new 0.33 million gallons per day (MGD) single-stage nitrification wastewater treatment facility with phosphorus removal.
Hebron's existing sewage treatment plant is in need of repairs and extensive upgrading, but it cannot be sufficiently expanded to meet the anticipated future growth from new proposed residential areas the village is expecting over the next 10-15 years in western McHenry County. As part of the project, the village will discard the existing lagoon treatment system and is constructing a new state-of-the-art mechanical type of wastewater treatment facility, which will be sized to accommodate the projected wastewater generated by the new residents of the community. The new facility will provide more effective treatment and better qualify effluent discharged to the North Branch of the Nippersink Creek.
The loan from the IEPA 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."
"As McHenry County continues to experience substantial growth, it is important that this financial assistance be available for smaller communities like Hebron that need to develop infrastructure now to meet future demands," said State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock.
The funding for the project is being provided through the IEPA 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 Governor 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 IEPA 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.
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.
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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