Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller recently announced that she has secured funding to improve our local communities.
Earlier this summer, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved funding through the Invest in Cook Grant Program, the Community Development Block Grant Program (CBDG), the Emergency Solution Grant Program, and the HOME Investments Partnerships Program to further increase access to housing, expand job opportunities, spur business growth and development, improve infrastructure, and restore our community by supporting local nonprofits serving those in need.
“This important funding supports a variety of business, infrastructure and community development activities designed to primarily benefit low- and moderate-income individuals. I am proud to have secured funding for initiatives across the Southland to grow our local businesses, improve our infrastructure and support our great local nonprofits.
“These targeted areas provide resources to the people in our community who need them most,” said Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller. “These funds will go to the areas most in need that can provide the highest return on investment, and I look forward to seeing these funds put to good use.”
This year, Commissioner Miller secured a total of nearly $3 million through these grant programs for some of the following communities: Chicago Ridge, Glenwood, Matteson, Oak Lawn and South Chicago Heights to make significant improvements to their streets through repaving and replacing sewer and water lines.
Additional CDBG funds also go to non-profit and social aid organizations that support the 6th District, including ANEW: Building Beyond Violence and Youth, which assists victims of domestic violence at risk of homelessness; the Southland Development Authority, which provides industry, workforce, housing and community support to stimulate economic growth in the south suburbs; and The Boys and Girls Club, Chicago West Community Center and Homewood Science Center for additional youth programs.
The Invest in Cook program provides funding to cover the costs of planning and feasibility studies, engineering services, rights-of-way and construction related to transportation improvements sponsored by local and regional governments and private partners. Over $1 million will go toward projects in the Sixth Ward.
This program includes funding for the Glenwood-Homewood Trail Connection, new construction of the Justice Northside Sidewalk Project, engineering grants for the Natalie Creek Trail Multi-Use Path in Midlothian, sidewalk extensions for Oak Forrest High School on Central Avenue, and new road construction on Forest Boulevard and Norwood Boulevard in Park Forest.
In the coming months, Commissioner Miller will meet with community leaders to discuss how the funds will be used and how these funds will best benefit our communities.
For more information about the Sixth District projects and other projects throughout Cook County, visit https://www.cookcountyil.gov/.
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