Sorensen Visits Savanna Industrial Park, Highlights Developments Coming to Northwestern Illinois
SAVANNA, IL – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) visited Savanna Industrial Park to meet with leaders from the JoCarroll Local Redevelopment Authority and Upper Mississippi River International Port District to discuss proposed developments on the property.
“I’m excited to be working with local leaders to help deliver historic investments to Northwestern Illinois that will create jobs and boost economic development,” said Sorensen. “I look forward to bringing what I’ve learned back to Washington, so these projects can get the support they need to thrive.”
“The Jo-Carroll Local Redevelopment Authority and Upper Mississippi River International Port District are pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with Congressman Sorensen and to brief him about the projects underway at the site. The JCDLRA and UMRIPD are committed to working together to create a modern, sustainable, and energy-smart public intermodal facility on the Upper Mississippi River to foster rural economic development in the region,” said Rob Davies, Deputy Director of JoCarroll Depot Local Redevelopment Authority. “Congressional support is of great importance to this project and Rep. Sorensen's visit gives us the opportunity to share our vision and goals. We believe that this project will not only have a positive impact on intermodal transportation, agriculture and renewable energy infrastructure, but also the surrounding communities and the people who live in them.”
During the visit, Sorensen and local leaders discussed developments coming to the region as part of the JoCarroll Local Redevelopment Authority’s work to bring new investments to Northwestern Illinois.
The Savanna Industrial Park was selected as the site for a renewable natural gas and bioenergy project that has already received $4 million in federal funding. The Department of Energy and National Renewable Energy Laboratory will partner on the project. These developments are part of an effort to create wide-ranging regional rural economic development in Illinois' 17th Congressional District.
The JoCarroll Local Redevelopment Authority exists to receive property from the U.S. Army on behalf of Jo Daviess and Carroll counties and use it for long-term job creation and economic development. The Local Redevelopment Authority was established by an Intergovernmental Agreement between Jo Daviess and Carroll counties in 1997.
Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.
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