ELGIN, Ill. (AP) – A northwest suburban Chicago community will receive $8 million in state money to help revitalize its urban riverfront.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780′s Michele Fiore Reports

Elgin Mayor Ed Schock says the money will enable his city to push ahead with a long-planned project along the Fox River. The hope is that the waterfront revitalization will, in turn, encourage other development.

The money comes in the form of a so called River Edge Redevelopment grant that’s part of the Illinois Jobs Now! capital program. It’s administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The River Edge Redevelopment Zone program also offers tax incentives. Elgin, Rockford, Aurora and East St. Louis have all been approved as River Edge Redevelopment Zones.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.