More federal money is getting invested into the 17th Congressional District.
In announcements made through East Moline Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, the villages of Williamsfield, and Oquawka are getting federal funds to make infrastructure improvements and rural development work.
Last week, Bustos made a visit to the Galesburg Sanitary District’s Wastewater Treatment Plant for her 116th Cheri on Shift where she cleaned equipment used to ensure water flow at the facility and presented a $1.2 million check for upgrades.
The funds will clean and improve the number four digester in Galesburg for better, more efficient mixing, adding biogas monitoring, and safety equipment.
“When we think about infrastructure, most of us tend to think about our roads and bridges,” Bustos said. “But the infrastructure needed to transport and treat our water is absolutely vital to all of our communities. The Galesburg Sanitary District’s Water Treatment Facility collects, transports, and treats between 6 and 8 million gallons of wastewater every day and supports 21 local jobs.”
The funding will also convert the secondary digester to a primary digester.
In addition to the money Galesburg is getting, several smaller communities in the 17th Congressional District are set to receive funds in the form of Rural Development grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Village of Williamsfield will receive an additional $5,300 for improvements to make the Village Hall handicap accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This includes the construction of a bathroom, replacement of the waterline, and improvements to sidewalks and parking. Williamsfield was previously awarded $15,400 for this project in November 2021.
And, the Village of Oquawka will receive $43,100 to acquire a new police vehicle. The vehicle will replace a vehicle that is in need of costly repairs and is no longer dependable.
USDA Rural Development delivers a number of programs to help improve the quality of life in rural communities throughout the nation.
Bustos says that small cities and villages are the fabric of the American Heartland and the drivers of the rural economy, adding, “Since I was elected to Congress nearly a decade ago, I’ve always prioritized ensuring that all of our communities receive the attention and support they deserve from the federal government.”
Bustos is wrapping up her 5th and final term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
