ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — More than $350,000 in federal funding is coming to Rock Island. That's thanks to the city's port district status, approved by the Illinois legislature in July.
The port district allows the city to apply for federal grants supporting transportation and business.
State Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, is one of the local lawmakers who worked on the bill.
"I'm always excited when a plan works out and comes to fruition and we get the results that we're looking for," Halpin said.
The Illinois Department of Transportation grant gives the city $368,000 to work on a master plan for transportation, commerce and recreation. Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms said the city is also contributing nearly $100,000 towards the plan.
He said the city is opting for a master plan to organize what grants the city will apply for.
"Let's work on a whole big master plan, then each year off of that plan, apply for grants for different projects, and prioritize them," Thoms said. "So we'll now engage a consultant to do that, and it'll take about six months to put that plan together, and we'll see where we want to go from there."
The port district status isn't limited to the riverfront. Thoms said it covers the whole city, paving the way for all kinds of transportation projects.
He and city council have floated ideas for future projects, including road repairs, railroad access and site clearing for new warehouses.
Many of those project ideas center the Sunset Business Park, where the city leases its port to a logistics company. Thoms said the company and the community could benefit from some port upgrades.
"We need to make some improvements there, with some dredging, with the seawall, with some equipment they have," Thoms said. "They feel they can expand what they do, and create more jobs and be more energy efficient with some new equipment."
Over time, Halpin said these improvements will bring new businesses to town.
"Creating facilities and transportation connections that will be attractive to the business community, whether it’s manufacturing or shipping, which then in turn has the ability of raising the city’s overall property value, and in the long run, can have an effect on lowering property taxes because we’re getting that new growth and new businesses in the area," Halpin said.
With access to more grants, the city is just getting started.
"It should be a great tool in our toolbox to help economic development," Thoms said.
Thoms and Halpin also said the port district can be used to work on recreational areas like Sunset Harbor. Halpin said that could encourage more people to spend time in the city.