PROGRAM OFFERS BOOST TO S. ILLINOIS ECONOMY

ULLIN, Ill. -- The Southernmost Illinois Delta, made up of portions of three counties that suffer from high unemployment, a stagnant economy and increasing out-migration of people, could be in line for more than $20 million in federal funds for community development over the next 10 years.

The stage was set for the additional funding for infrastructure, business expansions, tourism development and affordable housing when an agreement was signed last week creating the Southern Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone, one of only five empowerment zones selected nationally for the 10-year grant program.

"A number of committees have already been founded," said Donna Raynalds, executive director of SIDEZ, which is headquartered at Shawnee Community College near Ullin.

"We are starting on strategic plans," said Raynalds.

SIDEZ is a grass-roots effort of people living in the nominated area, and public input and volunteers are necessities, said Raynalds.

SIDEZ already has been approved for first-year funding of about $2 million to start this year.

A number of census tracts in three counties are included in the application: three in Alexander County, including Cairo; all of Pulaski County, including Mounds and Mound City; and one in Johnson County south of Illinois Route 146.

SIDEZ was more than 14 months in the planning. The agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development was signed during a ceremony at Cairo. Robert Winchester, deputy chief of staff for Gov. George Ryan, presented an agreement signed by Ryan pledging the state's support in implementation of the plan.

On hand for the ceremony were a number of state and national officials, including Jill Long Thompson, under-secretary of agriculture; SIDEZ board president Bob Reichert; USDA Rural Development state director Wally Furrow; U.S. Rep. David Phelps and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

With implementation of the plan, the communities concerned will receive funding for a number of activities ranging from tourism to economic development.

To apply for designation, areas must have a minimum of three census tracts that have a 20 percent or more poverty level. The areas selected last week had an overall poverty rate of 31 percent.

Originally, funding was thought to be over $40 million for the 10-year period. But because of budget constraints, the funding was reduced to $2 million for one year. Additional funding over a 10-year period is under consideration.,

"We will receive the $2 million for the first year," said Raynalds. "But Congress will have to pass additional funding for the empowerment zones."

The funding is not designed to fund all projects, said Raynalds. "It is not intended to be the only resource for the empowerment zone. The initial capital will be combined with other resources such as grants, loans, in-kind contributions and volunteers to carry out the strategic plan."

The concept is the brainchild of Vice President Al Gore.

The strategic plan goals:

-- Infrastructure: Increase access to clean drinking water, safe sewage disposal, more paved roads and 24-hour emergency service.

-- Economic development: Business expansion, development of the work force, reduce unemployment.

-- Tourism; Develop and market existing and new tourist sites and services.

-- Stronger unity and sense of community: Increase the number of people planning and participating in new volunteer community building activities.

-- Lifelong learning and education: Improve graduation rates and vocational programs offered by regional educaiton institutions. Raise standardized test score.

-- Housing; Increase availability of decent and affordable housing through construction and housing rehabilitation.

-- Health care: Increase access to affordable health-care services.