CHICAGO – In his continued efforts to promote environmentally-friendly ways to expand the Illinois economy, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced more than $15,000 in funding from the Illinois Recycling Grant Program (IRGP) to the Western Illinois Regional Council/Tri-County Resource and Waste Management Council to increase recycling opportunities in West Central Illinois. This recycling grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and comes as part of Opportunity Returns, Gov. Blagojevich's pro-active, regional economic development strategy designed to create even more jobs and spur continued growth across the region.
“By encouraging more recycling, communities across the region are improving both our environment and our economy. This grant will go a long way in expanding the recycling industry across the region, so it is even easier for more people to become a part of this important process. By supporting these kinds of innovative programs that are recycling everything from cans to computers, we are lessening the demand on our landfills and creating more jobs for our working families,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
The Western Illinois Regional Council/Tri-County Resource and Waste Management Council is receiving a $15,150 recycling grant to expand its recycling efforts to include the collection of additional recyclable commodities generated from an existing electronics recycling effort. Jointly, these organizations have developed an electronic recycling facility in Macomb that provides recycling opportunities throughout the region. The program has established and services satellite collection areas in McDonough, Warren, Mercer, Knox, Henry, Henderson, Fulton, Hancock and Schuyler counties. Additional recyclable commodities are being generated through packaging materials included with electronic scrap that is being dropped off for recycling. This effort will include the purchase of equipment to handle and process cardboard boxes and plastic wraps for end-markets and is estimated to increase collection by ten tons of recyclable commodities. (Contact: Charles E. Braatz, Solid Waste Coordinator – 309/837.3941).
The goal of the IGRP is to divert recyclable commodities from Illinois landfills and to expand and enhance the recycling collection and processing infrastructure in Illinois. Funded projects also can demonstrate public economic benefits, which includes job creation and retention, and assistance to economically distressed areas. All entities, including private businesses, local governments and not-for-profit organizations, are eligible to apply for funding. Grants are awarded for traditional recycling projects involving paper, glass, metal and plastics, and also for electronics recycling, which focuses on the development and expansion of permanent collection and processing facilities that handle end-of-life electronics and computers.
“Expanding recycling opportunities makes so much sense for the environment and for our economy. Gov. Blagojevich and I are happy to be supporting these innovative recycling efforts, which will lead to more jobs and cleaner communities in the region,” State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) said.
“Gov. Blagojevich understands that strategically investing in recycling is both an environmentally and economically sound decision. This is helping to turn what could have become trash into a reusable commodity that is spurring private investment and putting more and more people to work. These types of progressive partnerships are what Opportunity Returns is all about,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.
Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges. Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.