CARBONDALE (WSIL) - On Thursday, the announcement of a collaborative effort to help the region transition to a clean energy economy. The Federal Working Group launched the new Illinois Basin Rapid Response Team, which brings together 11 federal agencies with local communities, in effort to make getting federal dollars a little easier.
SIU's Student Center conference room was the grounds for the announcement. Spearheading the Rapid Response Team to Support Illinois Basin Energy Communities, Brian Andrews said, aiding once coal heavy regions who struggle with energy transition is their goal.
"(Those) who have seen job losses in the coal sector and will continue to see those losses, and bringing federal agencies together, about a dozen federal agencies, to provide opportunities of economic revitalization to these communities," Andrews explained.
And in doing so, USDA Rural Development's Farah Ahmad said, for communities in our region, this is only the beginning.
"What we're trying to do is listen and learn what their strategies are and connect them to the right tools and opportunities that the federal government has to offer," said Ahmad.
Bridging the gap between communities and federal dollars and grants that can sometimes be difficult to navigate. Federal Co-Chair for the Delta Regional Authority, Corey Wiggins said, this group is solution based.
"So often we get the room and talk about all the problems, and all the challenges, but this is about making room to be very solution oriented and get some things done," Wiggins said with determination.
Murphysboro Mayor, Will Stephens, explained that having these federal agencies right here in southern Illinois is important in and of itself.
