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  For Immediate Release  
  Contact: Phil Bloomer  
  Phone: (217) 403-4690  
Sept. 22, 2006
 
REP. JOHNSON ANNOUNCES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT
 

 

 

Washington, D.C. -  U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson today announced the award of a $53,628 grant to help create the East Central Illinois Economic Development District.

The newly created district is headquartered at the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission. The district has been conducting economic development activities for Champaign, Douglas and Iroquois counties and with the funding will expand operations to cover Ford, Piatt and Vermilion counties.

“I’m extremely pleased to be able to announce the acquisition of this award that will further the vital work of the District,” Rep. Johnson said. “The economies of these towns and counties and their residents are interconnected in myriad ways, which begs for a long-overdue coordinated approach that this new initiative will be able to provide.”

The award, which is being matched by contributions from the local region, comes through the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“This is the culmination of a 5-year effort and we are very pleased to receive this funding,” said John Dimit, executive director of the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission. “We hope that this will allow the entire 6-county area to move forward in attracting jobs and increasing the economic well-being of East Central Illinois.”

 

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