Coal City awarded $120,000 development grant

The Village of Coal City has been awarded a $120,000 Site Readiness Grant for development from the state of Illinois.

The Site Readiness Grant will be used to prepare a key area within the community for future development, including environmental assessments and planning services, according to a news release from the village.

The money will be used to enhance local economic development and attract new opportunities to the community, according to the release.

The grant was secured through a collaborative effort with the Grundy Economic Development Council, underscoring the strong partnership between the two organizations, according to the release.

The grant be used to prepare “a key area within the community for future development, including environmental assessments, and planning services. These improvements aim to make Coal City a more competitive location for businesses, create job opportunities, and enhance the quality of life for residents through the creation of a larger tax base,” according to the release.

Mayor David Spesia said the grant represented the continuation of “a can-do attitude” the Village Board has continued to bring to economic development.

“We are proud of the private/public partnerships in which we have engaged. The Village Board works hard to partner with its local landowners, developers, and local non-profits in order to build a solution in which all of the partners who are willing to contribute can succeed within Coal City,” Spesia said in the release.

The Grundy Economic Development Council said that site readiness is a priority for advancing development in the region.

“The Site Readiness Grant is a game-changer for Coal City,” said Ethan Scrogham, a current employee of the GEDC who began as a summer intern through the Grundy County Internship Program. “This funding allows us to prepare a key site for future development, ensuring the site meets the needs of prospective businesses. It’s about creating opportunities for growth and making Coal City an attractive destination for investment.”

As the project moves forward, Coal City and GEDC will continue to work closely to ensure the effective use of the grant funding and attract businesses that align with the village’s long-term vision for economic prosperity, according to the release.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced the grants through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The state awarded grants totaling $31 million to support site readiness activities at 24 sites across the state.