Press Release - Monday, May 08, 2006
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Gov. Blagojevich announces $1.1 million Opportunity Returns funding for Port Barrington
SPRINGFIELD --- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has approved a $1.1 million loan from the State Revolving Fund for the Lake County village of Port Barrington, which will enable residents to switch from individual septic systems to a sewer system.
The project is also being partly funded by a $482,100 grant from the U.S. EPA and a $61,101 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and it is needed to provide sanitary sewer collection facilities for residences, which are currently served by individual septic tank systems. It consists of construction of a low-pressure collection system and also includes grinder pump stations.
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 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 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.
"This loan implements a modern sewage collection system that will enhance the quality of life and environment for Port Barrington residents," said Sen. William Peterson, R-Long Grove.
"This project is of great importance to the daily lives of the residents of this community, and I am a strong supporter of the revolving loan program," said Rep. Mark Beaubien, R-Barrington Hills.
"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."
Due to Illinois' critical need for safe drinking water and effective treatment systems, Gov. 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. And in an effort to protect the environment and simultaneously reduce pain at the pump for Illinois consumers, the governor also proposed giving consumers a $500 tax rebate for purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles.
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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