Keicher, Syverson announce safety grant for Sugar Grove; signage grant for Hampshire

State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) and State Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) have secured a $125,000 transportation safety grant for the Village of Sugar Grove.

The grant is to be used to make improvements at the pedestrian crossing at Route 30 at Municipal Drive in Sugar Grove.

“Improving pedestrian safety along transportation routes, especially one used by children, is an important consideration for this community,” Senator Syverson said. “We are pleased to have been help Sugar Grove leaders secure funding for this project.”

The grant was requested by Village President Jennifer Konen who raised concerns about pedestrian safety at this intersection as a result of increased traffic flow and pedestrian usage.

“We appreciate the priority the Village is making in having safety of their pedestrians as a key component of their Village transportation plan” Keicher said.

Senator Syverson and Representative Keicher have also secured a $150,000 state grant for the Village of Hampshire for two sign projects.

Syverson says the first project is a community interactive information sign, which will be used for notifications of community meetings, upcoming construction projects or detours, community events and other announcements. 

“Hampshire is a growing active community for residents of all ages,” Syverson said. “This informational sign will help residents stay informed of activities going on in the community, as well as inform visitors coming to the area.”

Keicher says the second project will add “wayfinding signs” throughout the community to direct visitors to Hampshire’s downtown area and highlight key downtown venues or attractions. 

“Village President Reid and other community leaders are working on keeping the downtown a vibrant center of family and business activities,” Keicher said. “The directional signs will be helpful for visitors and customers in directing them to downtown businesses and key attractions.”

“Our community appreciates Senator Syverson and Representative Keicher going to bat for our village yet again to fund a project that otherwise would go unfunded,” stated Village President Reid  “Our consistent goal is to improve the look and feel of our community while focusing on communication with our residents; the community signage resulting from this grant will allow us to achieve both of these goals”.