Rauner Cuts Grant for Innovation Corridor in Evanston

Plans to have an “innovation corridor” in the area of Chicago Avenue and Main Street in Evanston are dashed - at least temporarily - after Gov. Bruce Rauner revoked a $1 million state grant that would have provided the city of Evanston with ultra high-speed internet.

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The city received notice within the last two months that the state canceled the grant that would have helped fund the project, which was meant to attract entrepreneurs to the area - according to the Daily Northwestern.

City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz said the grant was withdrawn earlier this year in attempts to cut the state budget.

“We were all a little saddened by it, but I think, quite honestly, we know what the state is going through,” he said. “I can’t say that we were actually surprised.”

Former Gov. Pat Quinn announced in January 2013 that the city would receive the grant in a speech at Evanston Public Library’s Chicago Avenue/Main Street branch.

more via the Daily Northwestern

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