Pingree Grove needs to spend money to make money

When it comes to securing a big chunk of change from the federal stimulus package, Pingree Grove officials are "moving heaven and earth" to make it happen.

The village qualifies for millions of dollars funneled through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency - funds officials would use to nearly quadruple the size of the wastewater treatment plant that now serves about 4,000 people.

But the money doesn't come for free.

Village President Wyman "Clint" Carey estimates the project would cost about $8 million and, under the deal's provisions, Pingree Grove would repay the IEPA $6 million at $300,000 a year for the next 20 years.

The IEPA would fund the remaining $2 million, Carey said.

The village would pay back a majority of that with reserves, but the village's coffers still would take a $70,000 hit each year and authorities are now deciding what the village can cut from the budget.

So far they have considered scaling back Christmas parties, freezing beautification funds and forgoing new equipment.

Officials hope to make the money back from developer tap-on fees and from additional residents signing on to use the expanded plant.

They are convinced a bigger treatment plant will translate into bigger commercial development.

"The village is still moving ahead with the idea that we're going to go ahead and get these stimulus dollars; it's just the first few years are going to be tough, Carey said.

The plant's expansion program is not necessary at the moment, but officials would rather get things taken care of now, instead of passing up on the deal, waiting five years for more growth and paying 2014 prices for the project.

In the meantime, leaders have gotten a lot of the leg work out of the way, including securing permits for the work and doing some preliminary engineering.

Only three things remain - putting the project out to bid, which should take place at the end of June, taking an official vote in August and signing the loan documents.

Work would last between six months and a year.

"What I'm proud about is Pingree Grove is in the position to be one of the players in this," Carey said. "I hope that we can find a way to make it happen."