ABOVE: Vermilion Advantage CEO Mike Marron
Vermilion Advantage is sponsoring our first annual lobbying trip to Washington DC. The trip is the first effort to connect and build relationships with our Representatives on a Federal level and to advocate for Vermilion County’s priorities for growth and economic development. The effort is modeled off other local successful advocacy efforts like the Champaign County First group that has successfully lobbied for funding for major Champaign County infrastructure projects in the past. The trip is the second stage in an effort on the part of Vermilion County officials to advocate for the needs of Vermilion County with all levels of Government. Vermilion Advantage board members met with Governor Pritzker and other state lawmakers in Springfield back in May.
Vermilion Advantage President Mike Marron said, “During my time in the legislature, it made a big difference to me when people from the district came to visit and let me know what was important to them. I believe legislators take notice of that, and you are remembered during budget time. We must start getting Vermilion County on the minds of our elected officials. The Vermilion Advantage delegation will be made up of several board members and community leaders. The delegation will spend two days working Capitol Hill on September 18th and 19th and will be meeting with various members of the Congressional Delegation including Vermilion County’s two Representatives, Robin Kelly and Mary Miller.
The priorities for Vermilion Advantage are as follows:
Request support for the $1 million dollar appropriation of Congressionally Directed Spending from Senator Duckworth for flood/storm water remediation along East Voorhees St. in Danville. The project is likely to cost $2.5-$3 million total and is a prerequisite to industrial redevelopment in the footprint of the former Quaker Oats facility. We need Senator Duckworth’s appropriation and any additional funding.
Funding for general infrastructure, particularly utility infrastructure for industrial site prep. We ask for a fast-track regulatory process for utility infrastructure projects, power, gas, etc. for industrial site prep.
Funding for workforce training initiatives. We are trying to build a student engagement program that starts aggressively engaging young people at an eight-grade level to get them interested in workforce and educational opportunities in our area. (See attachments) Also, a streamlined regulatory process for immigrants so we are more readily able to attract immigrants into our community.
Funding for blight remediation/land banking operations. As communities lose population, assistance is needed to tear down old, dilapidated property and replace it with new affordable housing stock.
