Federal grant could help La Salle County Transit Group

Kind of like with commuter rail service, a push is still on for a countywide transit system although it’s taking awhile.

Jim Monterastelli of Horizon House and the La Salle County Transit Partnership Group told the La Salle County Board Thursday that an $850,000 federal grant is awaiting La Salle County.  He says they need to send in their official application to get the money.  The board is helping the process by agreeing to be the grant recipient since it’s for areas with 20 thousand or more population.

Monterastelli says between social service providers and hospitals, they have 58 vehicles that could provide countywide transportation.  He says Horizon House and others would also cover the 20% local match for the grant since they spend that money already driving people around.

After getting the grant, Monterastelli says his transit group would go after several more grants to keep the transportation service running.