State Senator Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) is pleased to announce that over $2.67 million in state grant funds are coming to the 32nd Senate District to help revitalize main street/downtown areas. The Cities of McHenry and Woodstock and Village of Lake Villa are three of just 25 grantees statewide that are receiving funds through the program, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
“These projects will bring temporary jobs and permanent improvements to key corridors in the 32nd Senate District, said Wilcox. “They should also help spur economic development and growth and help bring new jobs to the area.”
The City of Woodstock is receiving a “Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery” (RISE) grant, which aims to accelerate economic recovery. The funds can be used for historic building preservation and renovation, to acquire land for affordable housing development, and for streetscaping and other critical infrastructure projects. The City of Woodstock is receiving $1,047,750 to renovate the Opera House’s Stage Left Café and its west annex as a reception and bar area, and for the installation of three dual-screen interactive kiosks on the Historic Woodstock Square to engage residents and visitors in music and art, holiday celebrations, cultural events, and Opera House and Stage Left Café performances.
The City of McHenry is receiving a “Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets” (RDMS) grant totaling $771,263. RDMS grants may be used for construction, repair, and modernization of public infrastructure and other amenities to boost jobs, improve quality of life, and stimulate economic activity. Specifically, the City of McHenry will use the grant to reconstruct Riverside Drive from Venice Avenue to just past Pearl Street in the City’s downtown district.
The Village of Lake Villa is also receiving an RDMS grant and will utilize its $855,013 allocation for the “Station One” project. Through this initiative, the village will acquire and develop a vacant fire station building and mixed-use commercial property and transform the land into a mixed-use development that includes commercial, residential, civic, and public recreational spaces.
“These areas have great potential to be economic and cultural engines in the 32nd District, and I look forward to seeing these areas thrive once the projects are complete,” said Wilcox.