Gov. Jim Edgar announced Monday that he has earmarked $5.8 million in grants for Illinois’ coal industry in an attempt to improve the competitiveness of Illinois coal.

The governor made the announcement at a press conference Monday in the Student Center.

The $5.8 million total is comprised of 21 grants to help improve Illinois’ coal preparation and transportation systems. It will also generate an estimated $24.9 million in additional private investments.

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These grants will help improve the Illinois coal industry’s competitiveness and preserve jobs that are crucial to the Illinois economy, Edgar said. This grant is not only for the people involved in the coal industry but for all of Illinois.

This marks the second round of grants for coal-mining infrastructure since Edgar unveiled the multi-million-dollar Illinois Coal Marketing Campaign in October 1996.

One of the needs is getting coal to the market in a more efficient way, Edgar said.

Illinois faces heavy competitors in the coal industry from West Virginia, Indiana, Virginia and Kentucky.

Taylor Pensoneau, vice president of the Illinois Coal Association, said the grant will help current efforts to stabilize the future of Illinois coal mines.

I cannot overemphasize the importance of these grants in energizing current efforts to keep coal mines open and viable in Illinois as long as possible, Pensoneau said at the conference.

Of the 13 coal companies receiving money from these grants, Freeman United Coal Mining Co. is the only Jackson County company to receive money.

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Freeman United will receive a portion of $500,000 to purchase rail from Illinois Central which will serve the Walker Creek and Fidelity Mines in Perry and Jackson Counties. The railroads will be renovated to provide service for a proposed surface mine in Southern Illinois.

Joe Angleton, District 12 president of the United Mine Workers of America, said this announcement proves Edgar to a be champion in his efforts to improve the economic welfare of the state’s coal industry.

The governor’s commitment to coal, as demonstrated by this release of state funds to improve existing Illinois mines, reconfirms his dedication to keeping the Illinois coal industry strong, Angleton said.

He’s been a champion for Southern Illinois coal, and I’ll join everyone in saying we’ll miss him.