GALVA, ILLLINOIS (March 31, 2021) — The Illinois Capital Development Board has announced $1.4 million has been released for the renovation of the east-campus roofs at Black Hawk College from the state, with local matching-funds supporting a total investment of $1.8 million. The funding will help address deferred maintenance projects on the Black Hawk College campus that have been stalled due to a lack of investment by previous administrations. Made possible by Governor JB Pritzker’s bipartisan capital plan, the first in nearly a decade, the renovation work will create jobs and economic opportunities for residents in the surrounding community. CDB will oversee the project’s renovation under the protocol for state-appropriated capital projects.
“It is the duty of elected officials to provide young people with the tools and resources they need to shape their future and achieve their dreams,” said Gov Pritzker. “With funding from the Rebuild Illinois capital plan, Black Hawk College will be able to complete long-needed maintenance work and complete the east-campus roofs, further cementing its place as an educational leader in the community.”
“I am thankful to the State of Illinois for investing in the renovation of the east-campus roofs at Black Hawk College,” said CDB Executive Director Jim Underwood. “The Rebuild Illinois capital plan is essential to upgrading and improving facilities throughout the state.”
The project includes the replacement of approximately 22,250 square feet of roofing systems on the East campus buildings.
“The college deeply appreciates the state support for asset-preservation on our campus,” said Black Hawk College President Tim Wynes. “Gov Pritzker’s support for our college through these funds is key to our fulfilling our mission of providing outstanding educational services to our region and demonstrates the Governor’s commitment to higher education.”
“Today’s announcement of new roofs for the east campus of Black Hawk College is a welcomed and overdue project. As a member of the Senate Higher Education Committee, I look forward to seeing the needs of our community colleges and universities addressed through the Rebuild Illinois capital plan,” said State Senator Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills).
“The East Campus of Black Hawk College provides a unique opportunity for agriculture education to this part of the state, and I’m very thankful to see the facilities receive this needed maintenance. I can speak personally to the value of the instruction at Black Hawk, as my education there aided in the success of the Swanson family farm, now in its’ fifth generation,” remarked State Representative Daniel Swanson (R-Woodhull). “This investment is more than building infrastructure, it’s an investment in the future of Illinois’ education and workforce.”
The historic Rebuild Illinois capital plan passed with bipartisan super-majorities and will invest $45 billion in roads, bridges, railways, universities, early-childhood centers, and state facilities like the new crime lab and veterans’ homes, creating and supporting an estimated 540,000 jobs over the life of the six[1]year plan and revitalizing local economies across the state.
