DCEO Grant Will Spur Continued Growth of "Rock City" Companies

VALMEYER - Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Warren Ribley today visited "Rock City," located in Valmeyer, to see the results of a Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) grant of $750,000 that will create 30 jobs at the National Archive storage facility and support growth of other businesses at the abandoned limestone quarry. Rock City lies beneath the bluffs that overlook the Mississippi River in Monroe County.

"This public-private partnership to continue developing a former stone quarry is a win for the entire rural community. Our investment in the National Archives' expansion is just one piece of a puzzle that fits together community development, economic development and new jobs," said DCEO Director Ribley. 

The facility is owned by the Village of Valmeyer and developed by Admiral Parkway, Inc., with an initial private investment of $35 million. The 75,000 square foot space will house more records for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), which moved into the Valmeyer Annex in 2008. The new facility represents an additional investment by Admiral Parkway of approximately $4 million. The CDAP portion of the project was to help stabilize the roof and level the floor. The project is expected to create 30 new permanent jobs at the complex, 51% of which benefit low- to middle- income persons.

The CDAP investment leveraged $200,000 in private investment by Admiral Parkway for the scaling, bolting, and milling work, as well as the engineering and grant administration costs.

Other businesses currently operating out of the former quarry include a restaurant supply company, a trucking company and a cold storage company. New sections of the quarry continue to be repurposed for economic development, according to developer Joe Koppeis. "We will continue to meet the needs of NARA and other organizations and businesses who see the economic development value in this old limestone quarry, and we appreciate the support of the State of Illinois in our efforts," said Koppeis.

"The Village of Valmeyer is grateful that DCEO has provided significant financial assistance for this project.  This project really showcases the cooperation between state and local governments, and private industry to bring jobs to our city in these tough economic times," said Mayor Howard K. Heavner of the Village of Valmeyer.

"This is a great economic development project that will create substantial opportunities for the Rock City development and the City of Valmeyer.  Creating jobs is the key to our economic recovery," said State Representative Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville).

Illinois' CDAP program, known nationally as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, provides federal funding for a variety of community-based projects. Communities with populations of 50,000 or less can apply for CDAP-Flexible Opportunity grant funding to support a variety of projects falling outside of other CDAP program parameters, but can provide significant community-benefit.

DCEO is the state's lead economic development agency responsible for creating jobs and building economic prosperity. For more information, visit DCEO's website at www.ildceo.net.