Reitz helps capture federal stimulus funds

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[State Rep. Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville) announced that the region will be receiving just over $1.5 million in federal stimulus funds to keep good jobs in Southern Illinois.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law by President Obama in February, awards $1 billion in Community Development Block Grant Recovery (CDBG-R) funds to be distributed to cities, counties, and states.

"President Obama's Recovery Act is essential to getting the economy back on track and I am pleased that we are receiving our share in Southern Illinois to keep people working," Reitz said. "With families all over the state struggling through this economic recession, every job created or retained helps."

The City of Sparta will receive $734,000 in grant funds on behalf of Sparta Light Metals Products to be used for re-tooling and employee re-training, allowing the city to retain close to 300 jobs. The Village of Valmeyer will receive $750,000 to stabilize a steel ceiling in the Rock City development. This will allow for further development of this unique underground storage facility, where an even, constant temperature allows for greater energy conservation. The project will also allow the city to retain an estimated 100 jobs. Finally, Monroe County will receive $85,000 on behalf of KBMJ Inc., a new business that will serve as a full service print shop and provide two full-time and one part-time job.

"The success of local businesses is critically important to the vitality of our communities," said Reitz. "I will continue to work with local, state, and federal officials to ensure that families and businesses in our region are given every opportunity to thrive and succeed."

Reitz represents all or parts of St. Clair, Monroe, Randolph and Perry Counties. For more information on the American Recovery and Investment Act or CDBG-R funds, please contact his constituent service office at (618) 443-5757.