U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1 Million for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements to Strengthen the Manufacturing Industry and Promote Disaster Resiliency in Sauget, Illinois

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1 million grant to the village of Sauget, Illinois, for wastewater infrastructure improvements to strengthen the manufacturing industry and promote disaster resiliency in the region.

This grant will help revitalize the Monsanto Avenue Industrial Corridor following a series of storms in 2022. This EDA investment will be matched with $1 million in local funds and is expected to retain 400 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“Part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda is a commitment to ensuring communities can protect their regional economies from disaster events,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will help the Sauget community build much-needed infrastructure upgrades to retain manufacturing businesses, attract new private investment, and create good-paying jobs in the region.” 

“The U.S. Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to build economic resiliency to disaster events,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. “This project will protect the manufacturing base in the village of Sauget and enhance future recruitment of new businesses to the region.”

“This EDA investment will help us rebuild and revitalize Sauget while better preparing the region for future disaster events,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Every dollar that goes toward keeping our communities safe and protected, attracting good paying jobs and investment, and fortifying critical infrastructure is a dollar well spent.”

“Illinoisans have experienced their fair share of natural disasters,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. “Thanks to this federal investment from the Economic Development Administration, Sauget will be able to build resiliency for when disaster strikes, fortify their manufacturing sector, and create more good-paying jobs.”

“I’m grateful to see this funding go toward improving water infrastructure and disaster relief response plans in Sauget, creating opportunities for business expansions and more good-paying jobs as a result,” said U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth. “Critical investments like these are just one of the ways we’re helping create a more equitable and resilient economy for communities in every corner of our state. I’ll keep working to help ensure communities have been overlooked for far too long receive the federal support needed to thrive.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan and Regional Planning Commission (SIMAPC). EDA funds SIMAPC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

This project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.

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 invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.