Calumet City canoe launch and river walk
Press release from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $39.5 million in new grants awarded for 27 capital development projects to support continued economic development across the state. The grants are being released through an allocation of $24.8 million from the Fast-Track Public Infrastructure Capital program, and with a $14.7 million allocation for projects located in Opportunity Zones.
Funding is supported by the Rebuild Illinois capital plan and will be used to accelerate shovel-ready public works projects as well as long-term infrastructure upgrades in underserved communities around the state.
As part of the Fast-Track Capital grant, DCEO awarded $24.8 million in capital grants for 17 construction projects. The average grant award is $1.5 million, and projects include utility work projects, street infrastructure, and large-scale playground modernization plans from the park districts for Chicago and Winfield.
South suburban projects funded by the initial allocation of the Fast-Track program include:
• City of Calumet City – canoe launch and river walk, $1,400,000
• Village of Beecher – water main improvements, $966,719
“On behalf of Calumet City residents and the entire Southland Region that will enjoy “Blues Water Run Canoe and Kayak Launch” for generations to come, I applaud the efforts of Governor Pritzker and DCEO in providing a Fast Track grant,” said Calumet City Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush. “It is a sign of progress and greater things to come in the face of the challenges we’ve endured this past year. Calumet City stands with the State in its commitment to rebuild our economy by putting people to work and investing in infrastructure improvements.”
“We are thrilled Calumet City has been awarded a Fast Track grant,” said Leslie Phemister, Transportation Planner for the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association. “Calumet City has always been a destination in the South Suburbs and this state-of-the-art facility will give the South Suburbs more recreational opportunities to be together while apart. We are grateful to Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for providing the funding for a public infrastructure improvement project that will have years of impact on many Illinois families.” Read more.
Related stories: Illinois awards Calumet City $1.4 million for canoe launch, riverwalk in the Times, and Calumet City plans riverwalk, canoe launches near River Oaks mall in the Tribune/Daily Southtown