Recycling Grants Will Advance Efforts in Jefferson, Pulaski, Wayne and Williamson Counties

CHICAGO – In his continued efforts to promote environmentally-friendly ways to expand the Illinois economy, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced more than $261,000 in funding from the Illinois Recycling Grant Program (IRGP) to four programs in Jefferson, Pulaski, Wayne and Williamson counties that will increase recycling opportunities in communities throughout Southern Illinois.  These recycling grants are administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and come as a part of Opportunity Returns, Gov. Blagojevich's pro-active, regional economic development strategy designed to create even more jobs and spur continued growth throughout the region.

“By encouraging more recycling, communities across the region are improving both our environment and our economy.  These grants will go a long way in expanding the recycling industry across Southern Illinois, 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.
       
Ripped To Shreds (RSI), Inc. dba Data Lock, located in Mt. Vernon, is receiving two grants totaling $87,168 to expand its recycling efforts.  The company will use a $50,000 recycling grant to purchase a mobile baler and forklift, which will allow RSI to service an increased number of Southern Illinois businesses and divert more recyclable commodities.  The facility collected, processed and shipped to end-markets more than 2,100 tons of commodities in the last year and expects to handle an additional 359 tons of recyclables with this expansion.  The company is also receiving a $37,168 electronics recycling grant to purchase alligator shears, stock picker, work bench and project-related promotion and education efforts.  This project is anticipated to annually divert an additional 95 tons of electronic discards for recycling.  Both projects combined are expected to create three full-time jobs.  (Contact: Mary Burgan, President – 618/241-9481).

Shawnee Community College, located in Ullin, is receiving a $54,217 recycling grant for the implementation of a campus wide recycling project.  The project is expected to divert more than 24 tons of recyclables in the first year and allow the college to fill two part-time jobs.  The college will install collection containers in all offices and common areas and collect and transport all recycling materials to a center on campus where it will be processed, boxed or baled.  Students in the school’s truck driving program will then load and transport all recyclable materials to a recycling center for final shipment to end-markets.  The college will implement an extensive educational program to promote recycling, and, under the direction of a newly formed recycling committee, will expand the program to all four college campuses within the next two years.  (Contact:  Ron Duncan, Associate Vice President – 618/634.3391).

Wayne County Recycling, located in Fairfield, is receiving a $60,000 recycling grant for the expansion of its existing recycling services.  The grant funds will assist in the purchase of collection containers to be placed at new commercial accounts.  Due to the increased volumes of commodities to be collected and processed, a new box truck will be also be purchased to enable staff to collect additional materials from drop-off sites and new commercial accounts in an effective and efficient manner.  The project area served includes Wayne, Clay, Edwards, Hamilton, White and other surrounding counties in southeastern Illinois.  It is expected that this expansion effort will result in an additional 100 tons of recyclable commodities diverted from Illinois landfills.  (Contact:  Clark Griffith, Administrator – 618/842.5166).

C & T Recycling, located in Marion, is receiving a $60,000 recycling grant to expand its existing recycling collection and processing capabilities.  The grant funds will provide equipment to enable C & T to collect and process additional volumes of recyclable commodities to be collected from area businesses and residents.  An additional drop-off site also will be established within the City of Marion.  This start-up business expects to increase the amount of collected and processed recyclable commodities from 360 tons to more than 7,000 tons annually.  (Contact: Tabitha Booten, Manager – 618/993.5128).

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.

“Recycling should be a way of life for all Southern Illinois residents and businesses.  Through this grant program, Gov. Blagojevich is supporting important efforts to divert recyclable products from our landfills, which is helping to expand the regional economy,” said State Sen. Gary Forby (D-Benton).

“Building our economy in a way that helps our environment can be accomplished by investing in companies and programs that are expanding the recycling industry in Marion and across Southern Illinois.  We will continue to support these efforts that are creating cleaner communities and a stronger regional economy,” said State Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion). 
 
“Gov. Blagojevich and I understand that economic development and environmental protection go hand in hand.  Recycling is a vital way to divert more waste from our landfills and, through this support, we will keep building these efforts, which are creating more jobs and growing our regional economy,” said State Rep. Kurt Granberg (D-Carlyle) “As we continue our efforts to stimulate the economy and create more jobs throughout the region, Gov. Blagojevich and I understand we cannot leave our environmental responsibilities behind.  These Opportunity Returns grants are valuable assets because they are expanding recycling programs across Southern Illinois that are helping both our environment and our economy,” said State Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg).
                                                       
“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.