Press Release - Wednesday, October 25, 2006
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Gov. Blagojevich announces over $12.7 million in Opportunity Returns funding to the City of Litchfield
LITCHFIELD --- Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has approved a $12,750,000 loan from the Agency's Public Water Supply Loan Program, which will enable the Montgomery County city of Litchfield to construct a new water treatment plant.
Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott joined local officials and legislators, including Litchfield Mayor Tom Jones, State Sen. Deanna Demuzio and State Rep. Gary Hannig at the Litchfield treatment plant today to present an oversized check symbolizing completion of the financing to move the key local infrastructure project forward.
The new system will serve Litchfield, the Three County Water District, the Village of Butler, the Rocky Hollow Water District, the Stage Coach Junction Water District and the Cedar Grove Water Association.
The City will utilize this funding to construct a new, state of the art water treatment plant at a site located north of the current facility along State Route 16. The project will be completed in two phases: The first involves construction of the new four million gallon per day treatment plant. The second provides for the installation of membrane filtering technology to further assist with water clarification and filtration processes. The new facility will assure the City's ability to meet future water quality and supply demands, while replacing aging water infrastructure that is nearing the end of its useful life.
In addition to the Illinois EPA loan, local funds in the amount of $1,311,187 were also contributed to the project.
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 Central 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 project is vital to meet the future need for good quality water for this growing area of my district," said Sen. Demuzio.
"This loan from the IEPA is an example of how state government can work in partnership with local communities to meet our citizens' basic needs," said Rep. Hannig.
"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 appreciate 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 Illinois communities maintain effective and 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.
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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