GOV. BLAGOJEVICH ANNOUNCES OPPORTUNITY RETURNS BROWNFIELDS GRANT FUNDS FOR REDEVELOPMENT IN LANARK

SPRINGFIELD --- Governor Rod Blagojevich announced today that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has approved a $21,261 Municipal Brownfields Redevelopment Grant for the Carroll County city of Lanark.  This funding is needed to conduct environmental investigation activities at the former Don Hart Automotive facility located in the heart of the downtown district. 

 

The city of Lanark will use the grant funds for environmental investigation activities at the parcel(s) in question in preparation for relocation and expansion of the existing library facility.  Currently, the library is housed in the same building as City Hall and is cramped for space.  Relocation of the facility will allow the library to expand and will free up space needed for City Hall operations. 

 

Brownfields redevelopment grants are awarded to Illinois municipalities for environmental assessments and cleanup of abandoned or underutilized properties in preparation for redevelopment.  The funding is being provided through the IEPA as part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor's comprehensive, pro-active economic development plan for the northwest region. 

 

"Opportunity Returns is critical to our state's economic future, and Brownfields Redevelopment Grants are an integral part of the program," said Governor Blagojevich.  "With these grants, communities such as Lanark can prepare underutilized properties for redevelopment, which leads to more jobs and increased tax revenue.  By working together, we will continue doing all we can to help Lanark and the northwest region reach its economic potential."

 

"This grant is an important step in moving forward with the new library and expanded city government office space needed by the citizens of Lanark," said State Sen. Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo.

 

"Addressing brownfields sites through this partnership between the state and local officials is just as important in smaller communities like Lanark as it is in our larger cities," said State Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica.

 

"More and more, as the availability of affordable land decreases, officials are looking to brownfield sites as areas to redevelop," said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott. "As a former mayor, I know first hand that assistance such as IEPA's Brownfields Grants program can help make these developments a reality."

 

So far, 116 Illinois communities have received over $15 million, for environmental assessments and cleanups of brownfields sites. The program began July 1, 1998.

 

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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