Monroe County, IL Economic Development Corporation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 15, 2026

Monroe County Secures $1.636 Million in Federal Funding for Maeystown Wastewater Improvements

Maeystown, IL - The Village of Maeystown is proud to announce that the village has been awarded $1,636,000 in federal funding through Community Project Funding secured by Congressman Mike Bost (IL-12).

This funding is part of a broader federal package delivering nearly $9 million to infrastructure projects across Southern Illinois, focused on improving water systems, public safety, and essential services.

The Maeystown project will support critical upgrades to the Village’s wastewater treatment facility - an essential system serving residents, local businesses, and community institutions.

Addressing Critical Infrastructure Needs
Originally constructed in 1997, Maeystown’s wastewater treatment system has faced longstanding challenges due to design modifications and environmental limitations. These issues have resulted in compliance violations with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) standards and risks to local waterways and community health.
Without intervention, the Village faces the potential of system failure or regulatory shutdown.

Project Improvements
The federally funded project will modernize and rehabilitate the wastewater treatment facility through:
• Addition of primary and secondary clarification processes
• Replacement of the recirculating sand filter system
• Installation of a polishing reactor for nitrogen removal
• Upgrades to pumps, lift station, and electrical controls
• Structural repairs to the facility, including roof and control building improvements
These improvements will ensure the system operates as originally intended, restores regulatory compliance, and protects both public health and the environment.

Leadership and Partnership
“This investment is a critical step forward in addressing aging infrastructure and ensuring safe, reliable wastewater treatment for Maeystown residents,” said Pam Poetker, Executive Director of MCILEDC. “We are grateful to Congressman Bost for advocating on behalf of our communities and recognizing the importance of infrastructure in supporting both quality of life and economic development.”

Congressman Mike Bost emphasized the regional impact of the funding, noting that these investments will “make our communities safer and healthier” while strengthening essential infrastructure across Southern Illinois.

Looking Ahead
With this funding, the Village of Maeystown will be able to move forward with long-needed improvements that will:
• Eliminate environmental compliance violations
• Protect local waterways, including Maeystown Creek
• Improve reliability for residents and businesses
• Support long-term community sustainability and growth

The Monroe County Economic Development Corporation remains committed to supporting infrastructure investments that position the region for continued economic success.

The Village of Maeystown would like to express appreciation to everyone who assisted with the effort of the project itself and funding for it.

Media Contact:
Greg Backes
Mayor
Village of Maeystown
[email protected]

Send a message to learn more

It was a great weekend in Waterloo! Thank you to everyone who supported this small town!

What a great place Waterloo is! ❤️

This weekend was packed with fun. On Friday, there was a beautiful Clydesdale downtown. Saturday brought a fantastic yearly event called Beer-B-Que. Then on Sunday, we had a classic car show downtown and a tractor show at the fairgrounds.

We may be a small town, but there is always something happening here! From local events and festivals to great restaurants, shopping, and friendly faces, Waterloo has a way of making everyone feel at home.

If you’ve ever thought about visiting, this is your sign to give Waterloo a try. You might just fall in love with our little town as much as we have. ❤️

This is such a great family event! Hats off to HTC for always being such a great supporter of our region!

Interested in starting your own business but have questions? Join us for the 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐬 workshop.

𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟎, 𝟏:𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦-𝟑:𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐧𝐧-𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫, 1740 Innovation Drive, Carbondale.
https://ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/41521

Advisors from the Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU will discuss the basics of getting started including:

- Writing a business plan
- Legal structures
- Securing a business name
- Licenses & permits
- Financing
and much more!

Register today to secure your space!

Not able to attend in person? Watch Starting Your Business in Illinois on demand at https://siu-sbdc.thinkific.com/courses/starting-your-business-in-illinois

Another great Monroe County IL Farmers Market ahead this weekend! It is another great way to support the local farmers and entrepreneurs and overall economy!

We have another fun-filled Saturday morning planned at the Monroe County Farmers Market! Tag your friends and family and let them know you'd love to catch up with them at your local farmers market.

🎶 Music by Brian McKelvey Music
👩‍🍳 Cooking Demo by Rebecca Krebel, Tasting Grace - In Home Chef
🐄 Dairy/Beef Kids Activity provided by Pasture Link Meats
🐑 Lambs for petting and feeding provided by Spare Thyme Farms
🏰 Sponsor visit and bounce house provided by Power Haus Cheer

MCILEDC is committed to supporting the next generation of workers by connecting youth and young adults with valuable employment resources, career exploration opportunities, and workforce training programs.

Whether you're a student looking for your first job, a young adult exploring career pathways, or a parent seeking guidance, there are a variety of programs available through the U.S. Department of Labor designed to help young people build skills and gain real-world experience. Opportunities include apprenticeships, Job Corps, workforce development programs, career readiness training, and employment support for youth ages 14-24.

Young workers can also learn about workplace rights, age requirements, work-hour limitations, and job safety to ensure a positive and successful employment experience. Federal labor laws generally establish age requirements and protections for workers under 18 years old.

Investing in youth employment helps strengthen our workforce pipeline, supports local businesses, and creates opportunities for future economic growth throughout Monroe County and the surrounding region.

Learn more about youth employment resources through the U.S. Department of Labor:

https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/youthlabor "Youth & Young Worker Employment"
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/youthlabor/agerequirements? "Age Requirements"

Age Requirements The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets wage, hours worked, and safety requirements for minors (individuals under age 18) working in jobs covered by the statute. The rules vary depending upon the particular age of the minor and the particular job involved. As a general rule, the FLSA sets 14 years....

Farmers are the backbone of Monroe County and communities just like ours across America. Every season, they rise before dawn, work long hours, and face countless challenges to help feed our families, fuel our economy, and preserve the rural character we all value so deeply.

Agriculture is more than crops and livestock — it supports local jobs, small businesses, transportation, equipment sales, restaurants, banks, schools, and countless other industries that rely on a strong farming community to thrive. When our farmers succeed, our communities succeed.

Beyond the economic impact, farmers are stewards of our land, caretakers of generations of tradition, and innovators shaping the future of agriculture. Their resilience, dedication, and commitment deserve recognition not just during planting and harvest seasons, but every single day.

Today, we celebrate and thank the farmers who continue to play an integral role in strengthening our local economy and sustaining the heart of our county.

Here is one of many local America 250 celebrations for you to place on your calendar for the summer months! Let's celebrate!

Join us for the America250 Community Festival on August 29, 2026 at Lincoln Park!

We’re just 4 months away from celebrating 250 years of America with a day full of community, fun, and festivities. Be sure to mark your calendar—you won’t want to miss it!

More details coming soon! 🎉

Looking for local events, business happenings, networking opportunities, community celebrations, and more across our region?

Be sure to follow MCILEDC on Instagram to stay connected with what’s happening throughout Monroe County and the surrounding area -- https://www.instagram.com/mocoecdev/

We love supporting our local communities, businesses, organizations, and event organizers by helping spread the word about exciting things happening in our region.

Hosting an event? Let us know — we’d be happy to help promote it for you!