City Council Discusses Extension of Airport Road for Economic Development

Effingham City Council members Tuesday agreed to contribute local funds toward the cost of a project that would extend Airport Road to the west. The project would open up a large tract of City-owned land for economic development.

A new state effort, known as the Illinois Regional Site Readiness Program, is different from other efforts in that it doesn't require a guarantee of a certain number of jobs to obtain the state's share of the project cost. 

The $3 million project would involve street, water and sewer construction, with the City contributing $750,000 toward the project cost.

A special City Council meeting will take place in the next several days to start the ball rolling on applying for the state share of the funds.

Also Tuesday, the Council approved a preliminary plat of River Ridge Subdivision. The 70-acre residential project would be the site of 22 residential lots and would be located west of the city water treatment plant.