Shimkus Presents $2.4 Million in Federal Financing for New Water Tower in McLeansboro

McLeansboro, Illinois – Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) last week announced the City of McLeansboro was awarded a $2.4 million U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development loan to replace the city's water tower.  

The financing comes on top of a $30,000 planning grant the city received earlier this year. 

“Rural Development is privileged to support this new water tower project and what it means for McLeansboro”, said Douglas Wilson, USDA Rural Development Director, Illinois. “We know the importance of modern water infrastructure to further economic opportunity and enhance quality of life.”

The city's current water tower is not large enough to provide the average daily flow required for the 6,883 users on the system. Replacing the existing tower will also satisfy a potential health hazard identified by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

“I congratulate McLeansboro and Mayor Dietz on the city's successful grant application,” Congressman Shimkus said. “Rural Development grants help communities complete major infrastructure projects like this that could be otherwise difficult to finance."

Shimkus added that his office can assist with these grants as well as other federal grant program applications. 

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