The Centralia City Council was told Monday night that it appears another round of funding to businesses and non-profits impacted by COVID-19 is on the way from the State of Illinois.
City Manager Lowell Crow says the money is leftover from what was originally set aside from the Southern Illinois Region.
“They are looking at either giving us additional money to give to the businesses that we have awarded or allow us to go back out and redo the grant. The state has not decided how they are going to do it going forward. I’ll keep everyone posted. They are talking about giving us about $130,000 from that. Giving us back the money we didn’t use, so it will give us another opportunity.”
Crow notes the grants can also be awarded to those who had to make changes to their business or organization to deal with COVID-19.
“Anything that you spent money towards if you had to make a change to your business because of COVID and how you did business, that is acceptable.”
Crow says he will be reaching out to the business and non-profit community once he has more details on how the program will work. He believes the funding could remain available through June.
In other action, the council accepted a $125,000 Strong Communities Program grant that will be used to help fund demolition projects.
The council awarded a $448,800 bid to Trikote for protective coating restoration of the East Rexford Street Water Tower and for ground storage reservoir and miscellaneous concrete work at the water plant.
The council approved a $42,023 state bid through Miles Chevrolet to purchase a four-wheel-drive full-size SUV for the Police Department.
The purchase of vacant property at 129 North Maple for $750 from the Marion County Tax Trustee was approved. The city earlier tore down a home on the property. Crow says it abuts another small lot already owned by the city and the two together would be big enough for a new home.
Steve Coleman was named to the city’s Preservation Commission.
Finance Director Michelle Liggett was honored for being with the city for 15 years.
Pictured: Centralia City Manager Lowell Crow.
