Illinois' senior U.S. senator is announcing that more than $19,000 is heading to central Illinois for a rural development project.

Dick Durbin is a Springfield Democrat. His office says the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded the $18,750 grant to the village of Ashmore to support water and waste infrastructure construction projects and planning. The grant is expected to fund an engineering report on costs and options for addressing deficiencies in the village's storm water drainage system.

Durbin says the investment will "help create local good paying jobs" as well as protect public health, safety and welfare.