Mt. Sterling Gets Federal Grant for Downtown Infrastructure

A western Illinois community is receiving $1.5 million in federal funds to revitalize its aging downtown infrastructure.

The (Quincy) Herald-Whig reports Mount Sterling plans to use the funds to make its sidewalks more handicapped-accessible. The city will also install LED lighting and update its streetscape.

The money is part of the Illinois Department of Transportation's Enhancement Program. The department awarded $36 million in federal funding to 53 projects across the state. The projects are designed to encourage travel by means other than car.

Mount Sterling will put in around $500,000 of its own money to make the project a reality. City council approved a measure earlier this year to issue bonds as a way to raise the necessary funds.