SSMMA Newsletter September 06, 2024

Having trouble viewing this email? Click to open as a webpage.

September 06, 2024

www.ssmma.org

Help Shape the Future of the Calumet Triangle!

SSMMA invites you to participate in an important community survey for the Calumet Triangle Area Planning Study. SSMMA’s initiative, funded through IDOT’s Statewide Planning and Research Program, aims to enhance transportation, land use, and overall quality of life in Calumet City, Lansing, and South Holland.

What’s the Study About?

The Calumet Triangle Area Planning Study focuses on improving mobility and economic potential within a triangular region centered around U.S. Route 6/159th Street/162nd Street/River Oaks Drive and Torrence Avenue/IL Route 83, extending to Ridge Road. This project seeks to develop specific strategies for transportation and land use that benefit the entire region.

Survey Focus

Your feedback will help shape plans in three key areas:

• Transportation: Addressing traffic and public transit challenges.

• Placemaking: Enhancing the local environment and community spaces.

• Land Use: Guiding the development and redevelopment of the area.

Why Participate?

Your insights will be crucial in creating an efficient, sustainable, and vibrant transportation network and land use plan. Plus, completing the survey enters you into a chance to win one of fifteen $15 gift cards to local businesses!

Survey Details

• Duration: Approximately 15 minutes

• Deadline: November 4, 2024

• Privacy: All responses are confidential and analyzed anonymously.

Help us make a positive impact on our community by sharing your thoughts. Click here to take the survey and contribute to a brighter future for the Calumet Triangle area!

Area Leaders Weigh in on Continuation of ARPA

Programs at Cook County

Cook County has held multiple meetings around the county to share information about their use of American Rescue Plan Act funding – known as ARPA— inviting local leaders and community members to help determine which of their ARPA programs to continue once funding runs out in 2026. With 73 programs—ranging from health and wellness, economic development, climate resiliency, infrastructure improvements and other initiatives, Cook County asked attendees to voice their opinions on which programs they should be continuing in the long run.

Cook County hosted their south suburban community engagement meeting at South Suburban College in South Holland yesterday evening. Several SSMMA mayors, representing the communities of Burnham, Dixmoor, Harvey, Phoenix, and Richton Park attended, along with Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller and SSMMA staff, and nearly 100 other stakeholders. There, they took the opportunity to weigh in on priority programs and initiatives which benefitted their Southland community and constituents, and other neighboring communities within the region.

If you were not able to attend, there’s still time to provide feedback! From now until September 13, you can still help shape the future of programs at Cook County through a community survey. The survey is available in six languages.

Grant Opportunities and Resources

• Equitable Energy Future Grant Program (Notice of Funding Opportunity) Learn more.

• OSFM Announces $4 Million in Funding for the Small Equipment Grant Program. Learn more.

• Notice of Funding Opportunity is now available for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant. Learn more.

• Find a list of DECO grant opportunities for the state of Illinois here.

• Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is accepting grant applications for green infrastructure projects, under the GIGO program. Learn more.

• Check out Will County's small business assistance resource page.

News from Community Partners

Congratulations to the Southland Recipients of the Green Region Grant Program!

ComEd has just revealed the recipients of the 2024 Green Region Grant Program! Now in its 12th year, this initiative, in partnership with Openlands, continues to support vital open space and conservation projects.

Let's extend our congratulations to Homewood Science Center, Riverdale Park District and the Village of South Holland. Learn more.

End of Summer Shred Day Hosted by Rep. William Davis

Join State Rep. Will Davis at the end of summer Shred Day is on Saturday, September 21 from 9:00am until 12:00pm at the District Office located at 1912 W. 174 Street in East Hazel Crest.

Share Your Trail Experience with Will County

Help Will County understand which trails you love and how often you visit them by completing this survey.

At the end of the survey, share where you’d like to see future trail investments on our collaborative map. Your feedback will play a vital role in guiding the County’s future investments in active transportation.

Job Postings & Requests for Proposals

• SSMMA offers a list of local job opportunities and RFPs throughout the south suburban region directly on our website.

• Municipalities and organizations can send job openings and proposals here to be publicly posted.

SPC News

Time to Get Ready for the Fall Auction!

It’s time to get vehicles ready for sale at the Surplus Vehicle and Equipment Auction on Tuesday, October 22 at America’s Auto Auction (America’s AA) in Crestwood. Don’t wait! This is the last live SPC auction of the year, so register vehicles and equipment for sale today! America’s AA offers a wide variety of convenient services to prep vehicles and garner the highest possible price.

Please note that vehicles and equipment can be listed for disposal right up to the morning of the auction day. Sell them now to get a fresh start and please keep in mind that a portion of the proceeds helps support the operations of the Conference. In addition, America’s AA hosts online sales on par with other government surplus Internet auctions. For more information, please contact staff or America’s AA Sales Executive Manager Maria Cortez, 708-389-4488 (office), 708-676-1887 (mobile) or Maria.Cortez@AmericasAutoAuction.com.

Check out the SPC September Newsletter

Have something you'd like included in our next newsletter? Email it to news@ssmma.org.