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U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.4 Million to Improve Critical Business Infrastructure and Create Jobs in Rochelle, IL

Contact: John Atwood, 202-482-4085
Thursday, March 15, 2012


WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson today announced a $2.4 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Rochelle, Illinois, to make critical transportation infrastructure improvements needed to support the local business community. The project is expected to help create 290 jobs and generate $58 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"This $2.4 million EDA investment in Blackhawk Hills is an example of the Obama Administration's commitment to supporting a 21st century infrastructure," Bryson said. "The grant announced today will provide resources to Illinois that will help the city of Rochelle create hundreds of jobs and modernize a critical foundation of an economy built to last."

The Blackhawk Hills region consists of the six most northwestern counties of Illinois. The region has been impacted by a loss of manufacturing jobs since the 1990s and the closure of the Savanna Army Depot Base in 2000.

The EDA investment will help fund improvements to the city of Rochelle's municipal water and sanitary sewer utilities and to the city-owned Rochelle Dual Access Railroad. These will facilitate access to interstate highway and rail lines located near two industrial parks located in the city and will enhance an existing regional intermodal transportation hub.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov):
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.