Augusta, Macomb each receive $1.5 million Community Development Block Grants

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity announced Friday the recipients for the Community Development Block Grant for public infrastructure and housing rehabilitation.

A total of $56.9 million was awarded for 54 projects, which will support housing rehabilitation projects and enable communities in non-metropolitan areas to make critical repairs to water, sewer and drainage infrastructure to enhance safety and quality of life for residents.

The city of Macomb and the village of Augusta each received $1.5 million.

“Since day one as governor, it has been my priority to ensure that every family, individual, and child in Illinois has access to safe and healthy water, housing, and infrastructure,” Pritzker said in a press release. “That’s what my administration’s Rebuild Illinois capital plan is all about and now, in further partnership with the federal government, over 50 projects across Illinois will receive grants to support projects that will better our communities for years to come.”

“Every Illinoisan deserves access to safe drinking water sources, proper sanitary management, and stable housing,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said. “With this substantial federal Community Development Block Grant, we are one step closer to delivering on that promise.”

Public infrastructure grants are designed to provide communities with funding to improve public infrastructure and eliminate conditions detrimental to public health, safety and public welfare. As part of the annual CDBG program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, DCEO is awarding $48.5 million for 41 infrastructure projects. These projects include construction of storm sewer pipes, waterline replacements, hydrant and water storage tank construction and other projects that help mitigate flooding and support sewage management, water delivery and other public water necessities.

State-administered CDBG funds must be utilized in areas that do not receive their own funds directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with the majority of funds benefitting smaller communities and rural areas. Local governments are receiving grants between $425,000 and $1.5 million with an average grant size of $1 million. Preference was given to projects located in underserved areas, opportunity zones and those which proposed a non-state matching component to drive the maximum investment to the area. When matched with other local funds, the grants will generate repairs valued over $55.1 million.