Centralia Mayor Bryan Kuder sat down with Governor JB Pritzker, Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton and five other mayors from around Southern Illinois last Thursday to discuss issues they are facing.
Kuder pushed the need for federal and state grant funding to assist the city in building a new water treatment plant.
“One of the top items was our water treatment plant infrastructure. We spoke to him at length about what we were wanting to do about what all the water treatment plant serves as far as up to almost 30,000 people, not only Centralia but surrounding communities to include state facilities, the prison, Murray Center, the college and so forth. And what it means to this area and region as far as clean water.”
Kuder also emphasized how the new water plant will open the Centralia region to economic development as larger facilities will be able to see the city can provide their needed water supply. He came away with a promise from the Governor to do whatever he can to help the city obtain funds to help build the new plant. Since the meeting, Kuder says he has already received e-mails from various state offices showing grants the city could be eligible.
Kuder says he and Mt. Vernon Mayor John Lewis noted they were both Republicans, but still hope they could work with Pritzker, who is a Democrat. Pritzker shared with the Mayors he hoped the same could happen in Springfield.
Kuder emphasized the meeting underscores the importance of collaboration between local and state officials in pursuing funding opportunities that can benefit small communities like Centralia.
Other Mayors in attendance for the three and a half hour roundtable discussion held in Mt. Vernon were Sesser Mayor Jason Ashmore, Herrin Mayor Steve Frattini, Greenville Mayor George Barber, and Pinckneyville Mayor Robert Spencer. Kuder said he was able to sit right next to the Governor giving him more time to bend his ear.
