Representatives from the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development and the city of Galesburg are headed to Washington, D.C. next week to advocate for federal support for several infrastructure projects.
The delegation will meet with legislators and federal agency representatives to discuss replacing the South Street underpass, drilling new municipal water wells, and constructing a modern fleet maintenance facility.
This is the second year a delegation has traveled to Washington to advocate for federal support.
“Seeking federal support for infrastructure is another method of bringing economic development to the community,” said Ken Springer, KCAP President, in a release. “These efforts align with KCAP’s overall mission to support growth in the greater Knox County region.”
The delegation will include Springer, two KCAP Officers, and two senior city staff members. They will be led by Mercury Public Affairs, a bipartisan government relations firm.
Here’s a closer look at the projects they plan to discuss in DC:
- The city is seeking federal funds for the planning phase for replacement of the South Street underpass, near the Amtrak depot and the future National Railroad Hall of Fame. The goal is to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety at the critical downtown artery. The city is partnering with BNSF on this project.
- The city is also seeking federal funds to drill additional municipal water wells further from the Mississippi River to continue to enhance water quality. In drilling new wells, the city aims to ensure a long-term water supply free of PFAs several years ahead of the EPA compliance deadline.
- The city also hopes to secure federal funding for a new fleet maintenance facility where transit system vehicles, as well as those used for public safety and public works, would be repaired. The city’s current facility cannot accommodate large-scale fire equipment or heavy equipment. A modernized facility will allow for efficient in-house maintenance of the entire fleet.
