une 28, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Madison County names blue ribbon panel and seeks financial firm to manage ARPA funding

EDWARDSVILLE — Chairman Kurt Prenzler names his “blue ribbon” panel who will oversee $51 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding and announces Madison County is requesting proposals to hire a financial firm to manage the grant monies.

“The blue ribbon panel is five individuals who are community and business leaders,” Chairman Kurt Prenzler said. “They will provide an outside voice to the county to make sure the process is transparent.”

Prenzler selected: Walter Williams, Madison County economic development coordinator; Dwight Kay, former Illinois state representative; Tom Holloway, former CEO of the BANK of Edwardsville and currently Carrollton Bank commercial banking in Edwardsville; Wendy Erhart, Scott Credit Union chief experience officer; and Gregg Korte,Korte and Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. president; to serve on the panel to work with county administration, elected officials and board members.

Prenzler said the selected firm would provide financial management services and assist with the review, collection and documentation of eligible expenses.

“These firms work with other counties and are experts,” Prenzler said. “They will make sure we adhere to the federal guidelines.”

The government places broad limits on how state and local governments can use the U.S. Department of Treasury stimulus funds. Firms have until July 13 to submit an RFP, for more information visit https://www.co.madison.il.us/ at Administrative Services>Purchasing>Bids & Proposals.  

Prenzler said the county, which received the first $25 million in funding in May, plans to invest the money in infrastructure projects for water, sewer and cybersecurity. He said the projects would include “scoring” similar to other community development projects that use CDBG funding.

The second installment is set to arrive in 2022. The county will have until Dec. 31, 2024 to allocate the funds and complete the projects by Dec. 31, 2026.

“We are already putting plans together on how the county plans to spend the money,” he said.

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