First of 2 Citizen Participation Public Hearings Held in Milledgeville

Obtaining citizens' views regarding the submission of an Economic Development Grant Application was the purpose of the Public hearing held Monday, June 16 at the Village Hall in Milledgeville, before the regular Board meeting. The grant application is through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP). The public hearing is a requirement of the program, and is the first of two Citizen Participation hearings scheduled.

Sharon Pepin of Community Funding and Planning Services in Stockton explained that grant funds will be used for the extension of new water and sewer service mains.

"Earlier this year, the Village started the process of creating its first Capital Improvements Plan (CIP)," she told the audience. "This five-year plan will help the Village identify projects that need to be completed, identify cost estimates, and provide possible funding sources. The CIP will help to guide growth and future development of Milledgeville."

The community development projects identified by the Village Board are road repairs throughout the community and the downtown area, improvements at the wastewater treatment facility, replace smaller sized water mains in the water distribution system, and input water and sewer system information into the Geographic Positioning System (GIS) database, then coordinate the info with Carroll County's GIS program.

Seven economic development projects were also identified:

1) Development of a new business park and infrastructure to support future growth;

2) Create financial incentive tools, ie: Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Enterprise Zone;

3) Establish a Revolving Loan Fund for financial assistance to local businesses;

4) Create a new Village website and marketing brochure;

5) Create a Downtown Maintenance & Beautification Program;

6) Attract a pharmacy to the community, and;

7) Assist existing and attract new day care providers.

The Village has progressed with the CIP since last year, with the start of its major water project. The plan entails the construction of a new 250,000-gallon elevated water storage tank,the extension of water mains, construction of a new well building, and upgrades to the electrical system.

The Village also identified a 30-acre parcel of land adjacent to the existing Industrial Park for the development of a new business park. This parcel is in the process of being purchased by the Village, and will soon be annexed into the Village. It was recently added to the Whiteside County Enterprise Zone. These incentive tools will provide financial assistance for the Village to install the necessary infrastructure, as well as attracting new business.

Carroll Industrial Molds will be the first business to locate in the new Business Park.

They will invest approximately $750,000 and intends to build a new 18,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. This project will allow the company to expand and create six more jobs. In order for this expansion project to occur, the Village must first acquire and develop the land.

Once the land is purchased and annexed, the Village will make roadway improvements to IL Rt. 40, new interior roads, storm water detention ponds, 1,900 linear feet of 10-inch water main extension, and 1,900 l.f. of 8-inch sanitary sewer main extension. CDAP grant funds may be used to finance public facilities and improvements that support economic development.

The Village is also working with the Illinois Dept. of Transportation (IDOT) to secure Economic Development Program funds for the proposed roadway improvements associated with the Business Park in addition to the CDAP funds.

Of the $2.65 million estimated cost of the Business Park development, the $554,300 cost associated with the infrastructure are eligible activities under the CDAP component. The maximum CDAP ED grant amount is $750,000 and is based on the number of jobs retained and/or created. The Village is eligible to apply for $255,000 because 20 jobs are being retained and created by Carroll Industrial Molds, and will apply to IDOT for $1.2 million in financial assistance. The remaining balance, nearly $1.1 million, will be financed through the issuance of bonds by the Village.

Immediately following the public hearing at the regular Board meeting, the Village Board unanimously approved the adoption of Resolution of Support #697, authorizing Village President Bill Ritenour and Clerk Jo Anne Ludewig to execute the necessary documents to obtain a CDAP grant.

The public may access the CDAP application by contacting Ludewig at 815-225-7231 to arrange a time. A complete copy of the grant application will be available after July 1, 2008.

-TKocal@prairie-advocate-news.com

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