CHAMPAIGN – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced the recipients of the second round of the Regional Site Readiness program, with over $5 million in funding coming to the 52nd District to aid industrial economic development in the East Central Illinois region, thanks to support from State Senator Paul Faraci.
“Through Site Readiness Planning and Capital Ready grants, Illinois is setting communities up for success as they seek major industrial business development projects,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “We’re building upon our world-class infrastructure by supporting site readiness activities at dozens of sites throughout the state.”
The Regional Site Readiness Program aims to better prepare sites for industrial development across the state through more flexible funding to support the construction and infrastructure improvements necessary for future development. A total of $35 million was awarded to 22 sites across the state. The program includes two competitive funding opportunities: planning grants to support due diligence activities, studies and site plans, and Capital Ready grants to support capital infrastructure improvements.
In the district Faraci represents, the City of Danville received $1,371,000 for a sewer infrastructure expansion project intended to serve a 50-acre industrial site, and the Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District received $3,821,558 for a water and sewer infrastructure project that will serve a 274-acre industrial site known as the Apollo Industrial Park.
“The state’s investments in the Regional Site Readiness Program are preparing sites for business across all 10 of our Economic Development Regions,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “With double the funding available for the program, this second round of grants is supporting 30 grantees across Illinois as they ready their sites for business attraction and development.”
For a full list of grantees, click here.
