U.S. Government Provides $2 Million Grant for Water Infrastructure Improvements in Peru, Illinois
U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, has revealed that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to the city of Peru, Illinois. The funding is aimed at improving water infrastructure to support business expansion and job growth in the region.
The grant is part of a larger initiative with $4.4 million in local funds also being injected into the North Trunk Line Deep Sewer Project. This project is expected to provide increased water and sewer access to 50 local businesses, creating an estimated 80 jobs, retaining nearly 900 jobs, and generating $2 million in private investment.
“The Biden-Harris Administration knows that infrastructure is key to building an economy that works for all Americans,” stated Secretary Raimondo. She further highlighted that this grant would not only transform Illinois’ water infrastructure, but also strengthen the state’s economy in line with President Biden’s ‘Investing in America’ agenda.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Alejandra Y. Castillo, emphasized the crucial role of the Economic Development Administration in supporting locally-developed strategies designed to create economic opportunities. The project is expected to impact six counties in North Central Illinois, contributing to a more diverse regional economy.
Local leaders, including Governor JB Pritzker and Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth applauded the initiative, emphasizing the positive implications for small towns like Peru. The investments are expected to modernize water infrastructure resulting in business expansion, job creation, and a more equitable and resilient economy for communities across Illinois.
The initiative was made possible through the regional planning efforts led by the North Central Illinois Council of Governments (NCICG), which aims to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs by bringing together the public and private sectors.
