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Funding Report Benchmark Summary Report

Lead Entity: Alexander, Pulaski, and Johnson Empowerment Zone Steering Committee

Background

• Alexander and Pulaski Counties each a Round I Champion Community
• Unemployment Rate is 11%
• 40% of the area population has less than a high school education
• 22% of the area population is on some form of public assistance
• Alexander and Pulaski Counties are the two poorest counties in Illinois

The Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone encompasses portions of three counties at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in the southern tip of Illinois, 400 miles south of Chicago and is plagued with a stagnant economy, increasing outmigration, and low-incomes. The area does not possess the industrialization of the northern part of the state nor the fertile agricultural topography of the central portion of the state. Instead, the area bears those characteristics more associated with Appalachia, and is the northern boundary of the geocultural region often referred to as the Lower Mississippi Delta. In the past seven years, this area has suffered major droughts and multiple floods, most recently the "Great Flood of 1993" along the Mississippi and the Flood of 1995 along the Ohio River. In 1993, the region was designated a disaster area. From 1992 to 1995, total farm income in the region decreased 62%.

With the implementation of the strategic plan, the community strives to balance economic and community development.

• Infrastructure-clean drinking water, safe sewage disposal systems, 24-emergency service, telecommunications, paved roads, etc.;
• Economic Development-business expansion, recruitment and entrepreneurship training;
• Tourism Development-300 jobs will exist as a result of developing tourist sites and services;
• Stronger Unity/Sense of Community-300 people, reflecting the diversity of the community will plan or participate in new volunteer community building activities;
• Life-long Learning and Education-increased graduation rates and higher test scores, increase in the number of adults getting their GED;
• Housing-increased number of residents in the zone will have decent, affordable place to live; and
• Health Care-increased number of residents of the zone will have access to affordable health care services.

Partnerships include nonprofit organizations, local governments, regional planning and development groups, and area businesses and schools. Shawnee Community College will serve as the fiscal agent, and will contribute support staff, office space, and technical assistance to the effort. Alexander, Pulaski, and Johnson Counties each committed $10,000 annually to support the Zone. The Southern Five Regional Planning Commission is donating computer equipment and technical assistance to help start up the Zone. Other partners include the Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative and the Southern Seven Health Department.

For each benchmark, the Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone has identified a range of organizations at the federal, state, and local level where it intends to seek technical assistance and potential funding. The Zone has also received assistance and in kind contributions from local and regional entities.

Outreach to the residents in the designated areas consisted of surveys, press releases, articles in local newspapers and a series of public meetings.