CHAMPAIGN –State Senator Scott Bennett joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to announce a combined $6 million grant through Rebuild Illinois awarded to Champaign and Rantoul to revamp their downtown regions.

“Downtown areas are special to their communities, whether it’s historic buildings, tasty restaurants, or a place for residents to hangout,” said Bennett (D- Champaign). “With this grant, downtowns are able to become even more welcoming and vibrant.”

DCEO announced a total of $106 million in capital grants awarded to revitalize 50 commercial corridors and main streets throughout Illinois. Among those 50 projects, Champaign and Rantoul have each been awarded $3 million.

“Not only are these regions adding additional value to their downtowns, they are also keeping historical aspects that have been around for decades,” Bennett said. “The Rebuild Illinois Program has been a great plan for many places in the state and has made projects, such as these in Champaign and Rantoul, possible.”

For more information or to see the full list of recipients, people can visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website.