Published on September 23, 2025 4:02 pm
Last Updated on September 23, 2025 4:02 pm
Effingham County Opportunity Foundation will receive a $1 million loan for the expansion and renovation of the Community Support Systems building in Teutopolis.
USDA Rural Development Illinois State Director Jesus Ortega said Rural Development is providing the loan to Wabash Telephone Cooperative to pass through to the Foundation. The funds will expand services for people in rural Illinois with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The project was announced earlier this year.
The loan will be used to help cover costs of building a 14,700-square-foot addition to their facility and for the renovation of a 15,600-square-foot building located at 223 North Harvester Street.
“The benefits of this project will stretch broadly by creating 12 new jobs, helping to improve the lives of people in rural Illinois who need ECOF disability services, creating a specialized space for workforce development, and much more,” Director Ortega said.
The larger and remodeled facility will better support skills development like job training, community integration training, independent living skill training, and more. Residents will receive on-site daily educational instruction and real-world community experiences in hopes of supporting disabled individuals to reach independent living and community integration. Additionally, residents will have access to, and be monitored by, a team of licensed registered nurses who will oversee the health and wellness of participating community members. Classrooms and training labs will be equipped with interactive screens to enhance educational opportunities for participants and expand access to job training platforms, telemedicine appointments, and learning modules.
CSS Executive Director Andy Kistler said the project is moving ahead, with the west end and east end of the building framed up. Kistler said the loan is interest-free and has a 10-year repayment schedule.
