PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
LOAN FUND PROGRAMS
Southern Five administers four different forms of loan fund programs that are available in various areas of our region.
For more information regarding these loan programs please contact Brittany Taylor, Economic Development Coordinator.
Southern Five administers four different forms of loan fund programs that are available in various areas of our region.
- The Revolving Loan Funds were established through grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to provide low interest loan financing to small businesses for start-up or expansions. Southern Five is contracted to fully administer four DCEO funded Revolving Loan Fund portfolios on behalf of Alexander County, Pulaski County, the City of Mound City, and the City of Cairo.
- The Economic Development Administration (EDA) funded Revolving Loan Fund is one of two loan programs that Southern Five administers that can be used for businesses within the entire Southern Five region and is not specific to just one community. It also boasts a low interest rate and can be used for small businesses for start-up or expansions.
- The Intermediary Relending Programs (IRP) were established by loan agreements between the local communities and USDA Rural Development. For communities, Southern Five can apply for and administer the IRP loan funds once received. The IRP allows the respective communities to offer another type of low interest loan financing to small businesses. Southern Five is contracted to fully administer three IRP loan portfolios on behalf of Alexander County, Johnson County, and Pulaski County.
- The Rural Microentrepreneurs Assistance Program (RMAP) loan program was established through USDA Rural Development and is available to all small businesses within the Southern Five region.
For more information regarding these loan programs please contact Brittany Taylor, Economic Development Coordinator.
PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND HOUSING REHAB PROGRAMS
Southern Five prepares yearly applications for assistance and administers grants provided by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Community Development Assistance Program (DCEO-CDAP) on behalf of its member communities.
The DCEO CDAP Public Infrastructure program offers grant funds in order to make improvements to the community’s water, sewer or storm sewer systems that pose a threat to homeowner health and safety. Southern Five also helps the communities coordinate any other funding necessary to complete a project.
The DCEO CDAP Housing program offers grant funds to communities in order to help homeowners rehabilitate, or bring up to state code, their homes. The homeowners must be low-to-moderate income in order to qualify for the program. Southern Five has administered numerous DCEO CDAP Public Infrastructure and Housing Rehabilitation grants on behalf of its member communities.
Southern Five prepares yearly applications for assistance and administers grants provided by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Community Development Assistance Program (DCEO-CDAP) on behalf of its member communities.
The DCEO CDAP Public Infrastructure program offers grant funds in order to make improvements to the community’s water, sewer or storm sewer systems that pose a threat to homeowner health and safety. Southern Five also helps the communities coordinate any other funding necessary to complete a project.
The DCEO CDAP Housing program offers grant funds to communities in order to help homeowners rehabilitate, or bring up to state code, their homes. The homeowners must be low-to-moderate income in order to qualify for the program. Southern Five has administered numerous DCEO CDAP Public Infrastructure and Housing Rehabilitation grants on behalf of its member communities.
DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY
Southern Five serves as the Local Development District for the Mississippi Delta Regional Authority. As part of its duties as a Local Development District, Southern Five assists communities and businesses within the five-county region with application preparation for DRA funding. It is also DRA’s conduit to providing information and administration of DRA programs within the five counties.
Southern Five serves as the Local Development District for the Mississippi Delta Regional Authority. As part of its duties as a Local Development District, Southern Five assists communities and businesses within the five-county region with application preparation for DRA funding. It is also DRA’s conduit to providing information and administration of DRA programs within the five counties.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOAN AND GRANT ASSISTANCE
Southern Five works with its member communities and USDA Rural Development to obtain financing for local development projects utilizing several USDA community development programs. These programs include: community facility loans & grants for the improvement and expansion of equipment and property to improve the community and residents’ access to services; water and waste-water loans & grants to construct, improve, or expand water and waste-water systems; business & industry loans; Rural Business Enterprise Grants; Rural Business Opportunity Grants; and individual home improvement loans & grants. From time to time, USDA Rural Development will also sponsor special programs for the assistance of rural businesses and technical assistance to rural areas. Southern Five works with its communities to development and craft special projects that will qualify for special funding when available.
Southern Five works with its member communities and USDA Rural Development to obtain financing for local development projects utilizing several USDA community development programs. These programs include: community facility loans & grants for the improvement and expansion of equipment and property to improve the community and residents’ access to services; water and waste-water loans & grants to construct, improve, or expand water and waste-water systems; business & industry loans; Rural Business Enterprise Grants; Rural Business Opportunity Grants; and individual home improvement loans & grants. From time to time, USDA Rural Development will also sponsor special programs for the assistance of rural businesses and technical assistance to rural areas. Southern Five works with its communities to development and craft special projects that will qualify for special funding when available.
TECHNICAL PLANNING ASSISTANCE
Technical assistance is provided to local governments on zoning and subdivision issues as well as other matters pertaining to land development, such as site planning and urban issues. Comprehensive planning assistance is also provided by Southern Five for those communities desiring to establish a comprehensive plan, or those that want to revise existing ones.
Technical assistance is provided to local governments on zoning and subdivision issues as well as other matters pertaining to land development, such as site planning and urban issues. Comprehensive planning assistance is also provided by Southern Five for those communities desiring to establish a comprehensive plan, or those that want to revise existing ones.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
Certain economic development activities may be eligible to receive assistance from to Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity through its CDAP Program. For member communities, Southern Five can make application to these CDAP Economic Development grants. Also, Southern Five can prepare and administer applications for infrastructure in support of businesses through the US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration’s Public Works program for those areas located within Southern Five’s Economic Development District. Southern Five is an EDA Economic Development District and receives funding for economic development and planning for the five-county Region. Through this funding, Southern Five maintains the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS).
Certain economic development activities may be eligible to receive assistance from to Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity through its CDAP Program. For member communities, Southern Five can make application to these CDAP Economic Development grants. Also, Southern Five can prepare and administer applications for infrastructure in support of businesses through the US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration’s Public Works program for those areas located within Southern Five’s Economic Development District. Southern Five is an EDA Economic Development District and receives funding for economic development and planning for the five-county Region. Through this funding, Southern Five maintains the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS).
LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE, AND EMERGENCY SERVICES ASSISTANCE
Southern Five provides assistance to the Region’s police departments, sheriff’s departments, fire departments, and ambulance services to obtain funds for the purchase of new equipment, vehicles, and facilities. There are several programs Southern Five administers and provides application assistance on including: JAG grants for police cars; COPS grants for equipment and the hiring of new police officers and school resource officers; BVP grants for the purchase of bulletproof vests; Small Equipment Grants from the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office to purchase new equipment. Application and administrative assistance is available to departments of member municipalities for a small fee.
Southern Five provides assistance to the Region’s police departments, sheriff’s departments, fire departments, and ambulance services to obtain funds for the purchase of new equipment, vehicles, and facilities. There are several programs Southern Five administers and provides application assistance on including: JAG grants for police cars; COPS grants for equipment and the hiring of new police officers and school resource officers; BVP grants for the purchase of bulletproof vests; Small Equipment Grants from the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office to purchase new equipment. Application and administrative assistance is available to departments of member municipalities for a small fee.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES GRANT PROGRAMS
Southern Five works with its member communities in obtaining grants for the development of community parks, tree planting initiatives, land and water conservation activities, and boat access facilities. Services provided are limited to coordination of resources and grant application preparation.
Southern Five works with its member communities in obtaining grants for the development of community parks, tree planting initiatives, land and water conservation activities, and boat access facilities. Services provided are limited to coordination of resources and grant application preparation.
CENTER FOR REGIONAL STATISTICS
General statistical and demographic information on communities in the region is available to communities upon request. This includes Census data, local business statistics, location of public utilities, and general information on tourism, regional environmental concerns, and transportation. Additionally, certain special studies conducted by Southern Five will be available to members upon request. Finally, Southern Five also serves as a State Data Center. This means that Southern Five has the capabilities to provide extensive statistical and demographic information to residents of the region. Data is provided to residents for a nominal fee to cover the costs of research and reproduction.
General statistical and demographic information on communities in the region is available to communities upon request. This includes Census data, local business statistics, location of public utilities, and general information on tourism, regional environmental concerns, and transportation. Additionally, certain special studies conducted by Southern Five will be available to members upon request. Finally, Southern Five also serves as a State Data Center. This means that Southern Five has the capabilities to provide extensive statistical and demographic information to residents of the region. Data is provided to residents for a nominal fee to cover the costs of research and reproduction.
SPECIAL PROJECTS AND STUDIES
Southern Five will, at times, conduct special studies, such as examining the regional economic impacts of proposed development or conducting tourism and marketing studies for member communities. These studies may require additional funding from either the local government or state and federal sources. Also, Southern Five will prepare funding applications for member communities for special projects outside the scope of normal operations.
Southern Five will, at times, conduct special studies, such as examining the regional economic impacts of proposed development or conducting tourism and marketing studies for member communities. These studies may require additional funding from either the local government or state and federal sources. Also, Southern Five will prepare funding applications for member communities for special projects outside the scope of normal operations.
REGIONAL COORDINATION
Southern Five provides coordination between local units of government in such areas as economic development and public service provision. Southern Five’s policies are established and directed by its Policy Board, which consists of local elected representatives of all five counties, including community representatives, citizen appointments, minority appointments, and appointments representing business and education within the Region. Southern Five serves as the lead entity for projects determined to be of regional significance. It is our philosophy that problems can be solved more effectively as a group than individually. If a problem can be addressed on a regional level instead of at the individual level, Southern Five will assist with coordinating the regional effort upon request.
Southern Five provides coordination between local units of government in such areas as economic development and public service provision. Southern Five’s policies are established and directed by its Policy Board, which consists of local elected representatives of all five counties, including community representatives, citizen appointments, minority appointments, and appointments representing business and education within the Region. Southern Five serves as the lead entity for projects determined to be of regional significance. It is our philosophy that problems can be solved more effectively as a group than individually. If a problem can be addressed on a regional level instead of at the individual level, Southern Five will assist with coordinating the regional effort upon request.