THEBES, CAIRO IN LINE FOR GOVERNMENT FUNDS

THEBES, Ill. -- Southern Illinois will enjoy a $4 million windfall of government grants and loans to update aging water systems, repair dilapidated buildings and launch new businesses.

Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Southern Illinois lawmakers and others will travel to Thebes and Cairo, Ill., on Thursday to make the formal announcements.

The Thebes water system, in place more than 70 years, will get a $750,000 overhaul starting this fall.

"We're looking at new pipes, new water mains and a new water tank," said James Sutton, the mayor of Thebes, a small community along the Mississippi River a few miles south of Cape Girardeau.

The new water system is one of a number of Alexander County projects receiving funding through the efforts of the USDA Rural Development office in Harrisburg, Ill.

Thebes will receive a $152,000 grant from the USDA plus a $201,000 low-interest loan to go along with a $400,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs.

Cairo will receive $100,000 to add to a $60,000 match in city funding to renovate 11 existing downtown buildings, preparing them for future use. The city purchased the buildings three years ago. Most of the buildings are located on 8th Street between Washington and Commercial streets.

"The funds are part of a master plan to get the buildings into condition to rent for businesses," said Cairo Mayor James Wilson. "Most of them need roof, plumbing and electrical work."

The biggest chunk of the windfall -- a $1.5 million USDA grant and a $627,000 loan -- will go to South Water Inc. for expansion of its Southern Illinois water system in parts of Alexander, Union and Pulaski counties. South Water's funding will be used to install a new tank at the company's water treatment plant near Tamms in Alexander County, to provide standby generators and booster stations, and to add an additional 110 users in the Perks area of Pulaski County.

Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone officials also shared in the good news. SIDEZ, which takes in Johnson, Alexander and Pulaski counties, is receiving a $114,600 grant from the USDA to hire a credit counselor for housing and business development plans, a $125,000 grant for development of small businesses employing 10 or fewer employees and $750,000 to start a revolving loan fund for public and nonprofit groups.

"We've been busy lately," said Glen Hall, USDA rural development specialist at the Harrisburg, Ill., office.

Hall and other officials will make the presentations at 9 a.m. at Thebes Village Hall, 413 6th St., and at 11 a.m. at First National Bank in Cairo, 800 Washington St.