Jim Langfelder
Last week the City of Springfield and Sangamon County made positive steps forward in unifying our efforts regarding economic development initiatives. The Springfield City Council approved $250,000 for the Land of Lincoln Economic Development Corporation. Integrating our efforts and investments between the city, Sangamon County and private sector companies will strengthen our competitive advantage to promote economic opportunities for business growth.
A key economic driver for any region is air transportation. We recently received word from U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood that the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport has received a $3.4 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant, which will continue the improvements being made at the main terminal building.
LaHood was instrumental in helping facilitate a meeting between the Federal Aviation Administration and Springfield community leaders last summer to discuss terminal improvements for the airport. This grant will significantly improve the terminal and the quality of service for passengers. It will also strengthen our regional airport to remain competitive and enhance our economic opportunities. We anticipate these upgrades will help grow our passenger base and attract additional air service to the Springfield area.
Representatives from our Chamber of Commerce, city and county visit Washington, D.C., annually. It gives us the opportunity to express our community’s project priorities to our federal leaders — Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, and U.S. Reps. LaHood and Rodney Davis — that will help improve our community’s future. Thanks to our federal leaders, we have received millions of dollars for road infrastructure, railroad consolidation and now airport improvements. It is very encouraging that we have representatives in Washington who not only listen to our concerns and needs, but also act on them.
We would like to say “thank you” to each of them for their dedicated service to our community.
