A new regional council could boost the flow of development and tourism dollars along the Calumet River Corridor and Calumet-Sag Channel.

Five of seven adjacent municipalities already have approved the Calumet River Corridor Council and the Calumet River Corridor Economic Development Vision. Blue Island, Calumet City and the villages of Burnham, Dolton and Riverdale approved both unanimously, said Karen Hoffschmidt, South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association deputy executive director. Robbins and Calumet Park are scheduled to vote in early May.

"The river can be and should be an amenity for the communities," she said, adding that the goal is to stimulate both economic development and tourism.

The project already is starting to drive developer interest in the region, said Bert Herzog, Dolton director of economic development, and it will only grow because the land values are relatively inexpensive. The region is also a good fit for intermodal development and already has strong barge activity, he said.

"We've got rail, highways and the river," he said.

"This project is definitely helping to drive more inquiries from retailers and residential developers," said Val Williams, planning consultant for Burnham.

"Our ultimate goal is to bring in revitalization, bring in businesses that would provide jobs for local residents and property taxes for the community to make sure their services are able to enhance the quality of life for everyone that lives here," Williams said.

"We strongly support the objectives of the overall project."

The Calumet Rivers Development Project started about 18 months ago and has included many meetings with residents and business owners, Hoffschmidt said. She hopes the new council's first meeting will be by the end of June, she said.

The South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association plans to apply to the Grand Victoria Foundation to renew the grant to begin the second phase of the project. The foundation gave a $135,000 grant to start the project in October.

Calumet City Fifth Ward Alderman Gerald Tarka said it was nice that council will be funded by a grant rather than by Calumet City and the other municipalities.

"It's a long-term vision but it has to start here, start somewhere," Tarka said.