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Lawrenceville to benefit from rural development  Share
Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois - 19) and Timothy V. Johnson (R, Illinois - 15) are pleased to announce federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to the City of Lawrenceville. The City will receive a $98,000 Rural Business Enterprise Grant. The funds will be used to extend water and sewer to the existing industrial park. Additional funding includes $354,735 from the City and $199,750 from the State's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. ''Rural Development is one of the most productive government agencies at the federal level. They are vital to helping rural residents and in attracting businesses to rural areas,'' Shimkus said. ''I want to congratulate Mayor Straub and the City of Lawrenceville for their efforts in bringing jobs to the area in these difficult circumstances,'' Johnson noted. ''Lawrence County is certainly deserving of this award and is in a good position to make the best use of this funding.'' This project has the potential to help create 32 new jobs and save 15 jobs at five local businesses in the industrial park.
Lawrence County which was hit hard by damaging storms and flooding in June of 2008 was one of 49 rural not-for-profit corporations, communities and public entities to receive $4.7 million to assist in disaster relief efforts. John Wood Community College in Quincy will use their $40,000 grant to purchase equipment for a welding technology lab in the college's new workforce development center. With the potential of training 40 students a year, the lab will address the region's need for highly-skilled entry level employees in the manufacturingindustry. Local employers attest to the need for well qualified, technology-savvy graduates if they are to continue to be competitive nationally and globally. The City of Prophetstown will upgrade the sidewalks and street lighting in the downtown business district with help from the $99,500 business grant. The funds will help to re-establish the role of the city's downtown as the center of their community. Vintage style street lights and sections of decorative sidewalk in a three block stretch of Washington Street will help to improve the vitality of the downtown area. The funding is being provided under the Rural Business Enterprise Grant program. Grants are available for rural projects to finance the development of small and emerging rural businesses, as well as distance learning networks and adult education and employment programs. Rural public entities, such as towns, communities, state agencies, and authorities; Indian tribes; and rural private non-profit corporations are eligible to apply for funding. USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. Bio
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