| ROCHELLE, IL… Congressman Don Manzullo stopped in Rochelle on Monday to announce a nearly $3 million federal grant that will help construct the Steward Road Overpass.
The grant, from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (ED), will open up new economic development opportunities and create hundreds of jobs in Rochelle.
"The construction of the Steward Road Overpass will help open up over 2,000 acres of development in an industrial area that extends from the City of Rochelle to the Village of Steward. It will help enhance the economic impact of the Union Pacific Intermodal Hub and support the expansion of local businesses such as the Illinois River Energy Ethanol Plant," Manzullo said. “There are many exciting projects going on here in the Rochelle area, and I want to congratulate Mayor Chet Olson, City Manager Ken Alberts, Economic Development Director Jason Anderson, and all of the City Council members, and GREDCO board members who are working hard to bring more employers and jobs to the Rochelle area”.
Accompanying Congressman Manzullo was EDA Regional Director Robert Sawyer. “The EDA is pleased to partner with the City of Rochelle and Ogle County on this important project. We are pleased to be a part of the rapid growth of Rochelle as it becomes the Logistics Center for the Midwest”, said Sawyer.
The grant application was submitted to the EDA’s Grants for Public Works and Economic Development Facilities program by both the City of Rochelle and Ogle County. The project seeks to construct an overpass that would replace the existing at-grade crossing on the portion of Steward Road that crosses the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and the City’s Industrial Railroad tracks at its intersection with Caron Road.
The basis for an EDA financial award is job creation. The Steward Road Overpass and Road Improvement Project is expected to generate over 800 new jobs over the next seven years. This project is an example of a successful public-private partnership.
“Because of the increase in unemployment in Ogle County, the project was eligible for EDA funding and is expected to provide a direct benefit to residents of the region seeking job opportunities for the unemployed, underemployed, and low-income residents”, said Rochelle Mayor Chet Olson.
Six local businesses have committed to expanding their operations and to creating new jobs if the bridge is built. Due to the proximity of the 222’ long bridge, the new Steward Road Overpass will be the gateway for new industrial development in both Lee and Ogle Counties.
“The City of Rochelle is committed to participating in the funding of public infrastructure necessary for private investment to occur. With this improvement in our transportation system, Rochelle is quickly becoming a major employment center in the region”, said Rochelle City Manager Ken Alberts.
Support from Dave Dornbusch, RC&D Coordinator and Theresa Wittenauer, Economic Development Professional of the Blackhawk Hills Resource Conservation and Development Area (RC&D) was critical to receiving the funding. Blackhawk Hills represents six northwestern counties in the State of Illinois. This includes Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, and Whiteside Counties all with a combined population of over 235,689.
The RC&D Council also serves the region as an Economic Development District (EDD), established by the EDA to accelerate overall regional economic development program planning and to utilize applicable federal, state, and local agencies in implementing the plans in rural communities.
The total cost of the project is expected to reach $7 million. The press conference included remarks by federal, state, and local officials, a visual presentation of development projects in Rochelle and appreciation to Team Rochelle and all those who were instrumental in the grant award. “A project of this magnitude requires a tremendous amount of teamwork. On behalf of the City, I would like to express gratitude to Ogle County Highway Engineer Curtis Cook, Ellen Burgeson of Burgeson Consulting, and Ken Wise of Wise & Associates for their tireless efforts to meet all of the grant requirements”, said Jason Anderson, City of Rochelle Economic Development Director.
|
