Durbin Meets With Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, Talks Infrastructure Priorities

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met virtually with the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council to discuss the region’s infrastructure priorities. During their conversation, Durbin spoke about the increased federal funding coming to Illinois from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will be put toward infrastructure projects in the area.  He also discussed the federal funding provided by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to aid in economic recovery, pandemic costs, lost revenue, and local infrastructure projects.  ARP allocated $13 billion to Bloomington, $10 million to Normal, and $33 million to McLean County.

Durbin and the Council also discussed Heartland Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Academy, which is seeking federal funding through the American Rescue Plan’s Economic Adjustment Assistance Program. Durbin recently visited the Academy’s Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage training facilities.

“With the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s funding, we can begin to map out a new era of infrastructure in Illinois. It was great to speak with Bloomington-Normal leaders today to discuss how to put this funding to good use,” said Durbin. “From improving our regional infrastructure to leading the electric vehicle revolution, Central Illinois is ready for the challenge.”

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