Kane County Riberboat Fund Program only hope for many

Thank goodness for the Kane County's Riverboat Fund Program. This year, it's the only hope many municipalities and social service agencies have of buying computers, replacing downtown sidewalks or laying walking paths.

With their coffers strained and drained, a growing number of agencies are relying on the money put in the fund by Elgin's Grand Victoria Riverboat Casino to fix and buy items they cannot afford. The county received more than 70 requests this month for the partial grants.

"Usually, we receive about 50 requests," said Barb Rahden, the county's special projects' coordinator. "This year, we had more. Projects still need to be done, no matter what the economy is like."

Among the requests is one from West Dundee officials who are asking for $50,000 to help pay for new bluestone pavers on downtown sidewalks. Another is from Carpentersville trustees who want about $100,000 to pave walkways on the east and west banks of the Fox River and for their Adopt-A-Block program.

"We don't have any money for capital improvement projects," said Joe Cavallaro, West Dundee village manager. "The work in the downtown area needs to be done. The bluestone pavers are more than 17 years old. They are starting to show their wear."

"We also want to continue replacing our concrete planters along Main Street."

The entire project is expected to cost $200,000, he said. If the request is not granted, village officials will have to decide how much of it they can afford.

Carpentersville officials will do the same if they don't receive the grants. Their finances aren't as tight as West Dundee's, said Village Manager Craig Anderson.

Trustees have a capital improvement fund they have been using to continue projects. Carpentersville officials also are asking for a $70,000 grant from Kane County's Community Development Program. They want that money to expand parking north of and adjacent to Carpenter Park. That project is expected to cost $140,000.

Before any of the riverboat grants are awarded, a five-person committee, made up of county board members, reviews the requests and determines their merit on education, environmental impact and economic development, Rahden said. Each year, the amount of the fund is determined by all Kane County Board members.

In the past, grants have been given to agencies such as Literacy Connection in Elgin, Habitat for Humanity, Two Rivers Head Start, the Dundee Township Historical Society, and Mooseheart. The grants range from $2,000 to $100,000.

"Committee members consider the grant request on which ones will do the most good," Rahden said. "They look for a broad spectrum."

Committee members will review the requests in March and decide which ones will be sent to the full board for consideration in June.