Congressman Eric Sorensen is urging Congress to allocate $50 million for the Critical Supply Chain Site Development Grant Program in the 2026 federal budget. This initiative provides grants to help local communities get sites ready for new manufacturing projects by improving infrastructure and investing in workforce training. Sorensen emphasized the economic benefits for the Quad Cities and called the funding crucial to unlocking new job opportunities. Local business leaders echoed his sentiments, highlighting that better site readiness is essential for attracting new businesses and boosting the region’s economy. The push follows bipartisan support for the ONSHORE Act, aimed at revitalizing unused development sites.
“Business in the Quad Cities and beyond are telling me they’re ready to break ground and hire new workers thanks to the passage of my bipartisan ONSHORE Act,” said Congressman Sorensen. “This law has the potential to unlock untapped economic development, but we need to make sure the resources are there to make these new projects a reality. I’m calling on Congress to ensure we fully fund the grant program under the law, so we can help uplift communities across Illinois’ 17th district.”
“The Quad Cities is primed for investment, but site readiness is impeding growth,” said Peter Tokar, President & CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber. “Like the rest of the country, we are in need of new tools in the toolbox to meet our region’s full economic potential.”
“We applaud Congressman Sorensen and the bipartisan coalition that helped pass the Critical Supply Chain Site Development Program into law and the current bipartisan effort to deliver funding for this necessary tool,” said Ryan Sempf, Executive Director Government Affairs for the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce.
