Carbondale Reporter

State Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Paloma) recently released a statement regarding a $4.4 million state grant to the Village of Alto Pass, which will be utilized to develop new wastewater infrastructure.

Alto Pass is one of five communities in the state to receive a portion of a $16,878,529 grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Unsewered Communities Construction Grant Program (UCCGP), according to a KFVS 12 report.

"This investment will provide good-paying jobs throughout Southern Illinois for a nice boost to our economy, and create a safe, efficient sewage system for the good people of Alto Pass," Jacobs stated in the release.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who issued a statement at Alto Pass, remarked that while the village is the first community to receive the EPA's Unsewered Communities Construction Grant, "many more will follow," according to a WSILTV report.

"Thanks to Rebuild Illinois, we are making $100 million available to build wastewater collection and treatment facilities for communities without them,” Pritzker said at a press conference.

As a grant recipient, the city is responsible for completing the work, paying for it, and invoicing the UCCGP prior to receiving reimbursement from the Illinois EPA, according to a press release from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

“We also have provided an additional grant program to help communities plan their future design so they can build the solution that works best for them," Pritzker continued, "Over 30 communities have already received these planning grants earlier this year.”  

Alto Pass will also receive $500,000 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and more than $2.2 million from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Loan/Grant funds in addition to the EPA funds.

The project's overall cost is estimated to be $6.622 million.

Additionally, the Village of Alto Pass expects construction to begin in January 2022 and conclude in December 2022.