Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan & Regional Planning Commission

01/01/2026

12/25/2025

This Christmas season, SIMAPC looks back with gratitude and ahead with confidence as we continue to build a strong future. Thank you for your support, and best wishes for the New Year.

11/11/2025

Today, we pause to honor the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of our nation’s veterans.

At SIMAPC, we recognize that the freedoms we enjoy are safeguarded by the brave men and women who have worn the uniform. Your service, resilience, and commitment to protecting our country inspire us every day.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all veterans—past and present—for your selfless contributions. May this day serve as a reminder that your sacrifices will never be forgotten, and your legacy continues to shape our future.

Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your strength.

10/01/2025

Funding opportunity through USDA Rural Development

The Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. Please see additional details via the link below.

https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program-5

09/11/2025

On this day, we remember September 11, 2001. We honor the lives lost, the bravery of first responders, and the resilience of our country. This day is a reminder of the strength we find when we come together. We will never forget

08/28/2025

Yesterday we had the privileges of attending the Lower Kaskaskia Stakeholders, Inc. meeting at the Kaskaskia River Project to tour the Jerry F. Costello Lock & Dam and learn about the Tainter Gates rehabilitation to improve lock efficiency. Each Tainter Gate is 60 x 30 Foot.

The lock has been in operation since November 9, 1973. It is 600 feet long, 84 feet wide with a lift capacity of 29 feet. It is located at the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi River.

It is great to see continued investment in our region.

08/13/2025

Many area schools are back in session this week, please take a moment to remember these few safety tips to keep our students, teachers, and bus drivers safe.

08/06/2025

New IL EPA GIGO Grant Announced

Funding for Green Infrastructure Projects Now Available from the Illinois EPA: Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities Program Offers $5Million in Funding.

For more information, visit: https://www.simapc.org/post/illinois-environmental-protection-agency

08/04/2025

To guide the Southwestern Illinois Region forward, the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy dissects the region’s demographics and economic indicators; documents the region’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; and lays out the region’s goals and priorities.
​
SIMAPC is responsible for updating and submitting a new CEDS every five years and will continue to offer communication and outreach to the region in order to take full advantage of the resources and support of the Economic Development Administration and other supporting entities.

To view the plan, please visit the SIMAPC website by clicking here: https://www.simapc.org/bettertogether

​After reviewing the plan, comments may be submitted during the 30day comment period to: [email protected].

07/24/2025

A Big Thank you to Gateway FS for hosting the Lower Kaskaskia Stakeholders, Inc. (LKSI) membership lunch meeting. It was great to learn about your new multi-modal fertilizer facility which allows for more efficient loading/unloading. It has been expanded to 500 feet in length. It is quite impressive to see the sheer size in person.

07/04/2025

"America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand."

— Harry S. Truman