A workshop in Marion Wednesday will help guide community leaders to state and federal resource opportunities.
The Illinois Basin is one of six priority energy communities whose economy has been impacted by mine and coal power plant closures.
The Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization was created to deliver resources to these areas.
Prairie Rivers Network Energy Campaign Coordinator Amanda Pankau (pan-kaw) says this is an exciting opportunity for Southern Illinois.
“In many ways, we're seeing a once in a generation investment coming from these new federal laws, and there's funding available for water transportation, a lot of funding available for renewable and clean energy projects.”
The group plans to join with other federal and state agencies will hold a workshop to share with community leaders and stakeholders what funding and other resources their agency can provide.
Part of the workshop will help attendees to create accounts to apply for grants and other resources.