08.29.17

Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $1.5 Million In Federal Funding For Roadway Improvements In Jefferson County

CHICAGO – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $1,507,478 in federal funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the construction of roadway improvements for industrial expansion in Jefferson County, Illinois.  The project will improve access to allow current industries to ship and receive goods more efficiently, which will result in new higher paying jobs and additional employment throughout the region.  The project is expected to create 110 new jobs and save 97 current jobs.

“This federal funding will create good paying jobs, improve safety and reliability for those moving goods in and out of Jefferson County, and continue to expand businesses in Southern Illinois,” said Durbin.  “I will keep working with Senator Duckworth to ensure that our state’s rural communities have access to the critical federal investments that drive economic growth.”

“Investing in our nation’s infrastructure is just common sense – it creates jobs, drives economic growth and improves transportation for working families,” said Duckworth. “This funding will help open up new economic opportunities for families in Southern Illinois and create good-paying jobs, and I look forward to continuing my work with Senator Durbin to modernize and expand transportation systems throughout our state and around the country.”

The Economic Development Administration's mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for economic growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA fulfills this mission through strategic investments and partnerships that create the regional economic ecosystems required to foster globally competitive regions throughout the United States. EDA supports development in economically distressed areas of the United States by fostering job creation and attracting private investment.