Springfield, IL (WAND) – $6.7 million in funding was announced Tuesday for projects across several Illinois counties.

Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) broke down funding for projects in Sangamon County, Macoupin County, Champaign County, and Decatur.

Sangamon County will be receiving a combined $3,107,182 in federal funding.

The funding was requested by Congresswoman Budzinski during the House of Representatives’ Community Project Funding process and signed into law this weekend in a bipartisan government funding bill.

“Last week, I was proud to join colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass a government funding deal that will provide critical federal resources to projects in Springfield and Pawnee,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “With more than $3.1 million headed to our area, I’m excited to see progress made on efforts to spur entrepreneurship, improve our neighborhoods and modernize our infrastructure. I look forward to visiting the sites of these projects in the coming months and continuing my work to deliver results for the folks I serve in Central and Southern Illinois.”

$1,607,182 for Springfield’s CAP 1908 Innovation Co-Working Center

The funding will be used by The Springfield Project to renovate existing incubator space as well as to acquire the neighboring property in an effort to further serve the community and address socio economic challenges in East Springfield neighborhoods through the lens of entrepreneurship and small business development.

“The Springfield Project expresses profound gratitude for the chance to collaborate with Congresswoman Budzinski on the revitalization project for the historic Southtown neighborhood, focusing on enhancing its business corridor through the expansion of Community Access Project 1908. This grant is not only a homage to our city’s rich heritage but also a significant stride towards a future where all residents enjoy prosperity and inclusivity, ultimately fostering positive community outcomes,” said Springfield Project President Dominic Watson.

$1,000,000 for Springfield’s Pillsbury Mills Redevelopment Project 

The funding will be used by Moving Pillsbury Forward to redevelop the former Pillsbury Mill located in Springfield. The project aims to benefit the low-income and underserved residential populations that live in the immediate area surrounding the Pillsbury site.

“Moving Pillsbury Forward is grateful to be the recipient of a Community Project Funding award through the Office of Congresswoman Budzinski. Moving Pillsbury Forward was formed as a not-for-profit to provide a community centered collaborative approach to remediate and redevelop the former Pillsbury Mills site for the betterment of the surrounding neighborhood in Springfield, Illinois. In working together with Congresswoman Budzinski, Moving Pillsbury Forward has been able to significantly advance this community centered project and enhance the quality of life for thousands of Springfield residents,” said Moving Pillsbury Forward President Chris Richmond.

The funding would be used by the Village of Pawnee to replace approximately 7,550 feet of water main that services 121 residential properties, a church and the Village’s school.

“Our village has struggled with breakages in our water mains and boil orders for years,” said Village of Pawnee Mayor Jeff Clarke. “This project will help us finish replacing our water mains, guaranteeing that our village’s families are provided with safe and clean water for years to come. We’re grateful to Congresswoman Budzinski for requesting these funds and delivering them to our community.”

Budzinski announced two projects in Macoupin County will be receiving a combined $1,300,000 in federal funding.

$800,000 for Staunton’s Force Main Project

The funding will be used to replace the City of Staunton’s only sanitary sewerage pump station. The sanitary sewer force main infrastructure is over 40 years old and has experienced severe wear and poses a risk to citizens.

“I would like to thank Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and her team for all their hard work for supporting this project and securing the grant. Without this grant it could be a possible catastrophe for the city of Staunton. Thank you so much,” said Staunton Mayor Craig Neuhaus.

$500,000 for the Macoupin Center for the Developmentally Disabled

The funding will be used by the Macoupin Center for the Developmentally Disabled to relocate their current facility to a more accessible and safe location that will allow the Center to provide more education and employment services and opportunities for residents who have developmental disabilities.

Richland Community College will be receiving $500,000 in federal funding. The funding will be used by Richland Community College to house students entering programs at the EV Workforce Academy, Academy and Nursing Program, allowing for the provision of new workforce training programs that will close the skills gap in Illinois.

“I’m proud to have worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass a federal spending package that includes $500,000 in federal funding for the EnRich program at Richland Community College,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “This highly successful program is providing students with the skill they need to pursue good-paying jobs in our region, and these funds will help improve access to housing for these students. I look forward to visiting Richland Community College in the coming months to celebrate this project with our community.”

“Richland Community College is extremely excited to receive federal support for EnRich, a program with a ninety percent graduation rate that has placed 2,800 adults into employment. These funds will assist EnRich in continuing to serve the underserved. Overall, ninety-one percent of EnRich’s graduates are from underrepresented groups and seventy-eight percent are Black, demonstrating our continued commitment to equity and strengthening our community,” said Richland Community College President Cristobal Valdez.

$963,000 for the University of Illinois Police Champaign-Urbana Real Time Crime Center

The funding will be used by the University of Illinois to establish a Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) on the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana campus. The project would allow for expanded and enhanced prevention, monitoring, and response to crimes-in-progress in order to protect students and community members.

“The RTCC is a major new investment in public safety for our students, faculty, staff, for our entire community and for hundreds of thousands of visitors to our campus each year,” said University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert J. Jones. “We are all grateful to Congresswoman Budzinski for her strong support of the funding that will make this possible. She was behind this effort from the moment we discussed it and she has been tireless in moving it forward.”

$850,000 for the City of Champaign’s Garden Hills Revitalization Project

The funding will be used by the City of Champaign to build a park in a traditionally underserved area and bridges over new detention basins that are being built to address flooding issues in the neighborhood. The project would seek to increase safety and accessibility for community members.

“The City of Champaign is grateful to Representative Budzinski for obtaining this funding to help construct the Hedge Road Park.  In conjunction with the City’s significant investment in infrastructure to solve the long-standing flooding in the neighborhood, the construction of a new, state of the art park in the Garden Hills neighborhood provides a critical quality of life amenity that has long been missing,” said Champaign Mayor Deborah Feinen.