Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) announced that their bipartisan bill, the Opportunities for Non-developed Sites to Have Opportunities to be Rehabilitated for Economic Development (ONSHORE) Act, has been signed into law as part of a larger infrastructure package.
The law focuses on attracting new manufacturing jobs and businesses to the Quad Cities by addressing the issue of unused sites that aren't ready for development. Local leaders and businesses have said that preparing sites for development is one of the biggest obstacles to attracting manufacturing businesses to the area.
“Manufacturing is the backbone of our region, and the ONSHORE Act is a game-changer for communities in the Quad Cities area and beyond,” said Sorensen. “By preparing unused sites for development, we’re unlocking opportunities to bring good-paying jobs to the region and keep Illinois competitive in manufacturing. This bipartisan win shows what’s possible when we work together to deliver for the hardworking people who call this place home.”
"This is a big win for the Quad Cities region. By establishing the Critical Supply Chain Site Development grant program, we're investing in the revitalization of communities, fostering economic growth, and fortifying our domestic supply chains,” said Miller-Meeks. “This program not only empowers regions to attract investment and create jobs in Iowa but also ensures our nation's strategic interests and economic security are safeguarded.”
“The Quad Cities is a highly competitive location for advanced manufacturing, biosciences and defense,” said Peter Tokar III, President & CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber. “This new funding brings needed investment in the next generation of sites to continue our regional growth and investment in these key industries”.
The ONSHORE Act establishes the Critical Supply Chain Site Development Grant Program within the Department of Commerce. The program will provide grants to local communities for key improvements such as connecting sites to utilities, completing environmental reviews, and investing in workforce training. These costs have historically made it difficult for local governments to prepare sites for new businesses.
This bill was included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, passed in December. Sorensen and Miller-Meeks introduced the bill in April. You can read the full text of the bill here.
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