$690,500 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Southeastern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $690,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Southeastern Illinois, including $100,000 to the Harrisburg Fire Department to purchase a new fire truck.

The new truck will replace a 38 year old truck and provide more dependable fire and rescue capabilities to rural areas. The Harrisburg Fire Department is the largest fire department in a 30-mile radius, providing fire safety to 27,000 area residents.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Jim Fowler, D-Harrisburg.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $50,000 to the Village of Cypress to build a fire department.

• $45,000 to the Gallatin County Sheriff's Department to purchase a truck, car radios, and a surveillance camera.

• $40,000 to the Williamson County Agriculture Association to make improvements to the Williamson County Fairgrounds.

• $40,000 to the Lake of Egypt Fire Protection District to purchase a rescue van.

• $40,000 to the Alexander County Highway Department to purchase an excavator.

• $40,000 to the Village of Olmsted to purchase a dump truck, repair the fire station, and improve the village park.

• $35,000 to the Massac County Sheriff's Department to purchase and equip two police vehicles.

• $30,000 to the Raleigh Airport to repair the facility.

• $30,000 to the Village of Joppa to purchase safety and rescue equipment for the fire and police departments.

• $25,000 to the Cairo Southern Medical Building and Home Association to purchase a van to transport residents to and from medical treatment.

• $22,000 to the City of Mounds to make improvements to the library.

• $20,000 to the Shawnee Community College Vienna Whistlers to purchase a minivan to deliver meals to senior citizens.

• $20,000 to the Golconda Fire Department to purchase fire fighting equipment.

• $20,000 to the Williamson County Sheriff's Department to purchase a school safety van to provide school education programs.

• $20,000 to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office to purchase a squad car.

• $12,000 to the Pope County Elementary School to replace playground equipment.

• $10,000 to the each of the following school districts to purchase computer equipment:
  Cypress School District #64
  Bumcombe School District #40
  Lick Creek School District #16

• $10,000 to Marion Main Street, a not-for-profit group, to purchase and install lamp posts on Main Street.

• $10,000 to the Williamson County Fire Protection District to purchase a John Deere "Gator," water tank, and pump.

• $10,000 to the Goreville Fire Department to purchase fire gear and helmets.

• $10,000 to the Johnson County Sheriff's Department to purchase five radar units for their squad cars.

• $7,500 to the Harrisburg Community Unit School District #3 to implement a security program.

• $6,000 to the Shawnee Community College Happy Hearts Senior Centers in Cairo and Metropolis to purchase kitchen equipment.

• $5,000 to the Little Egypt Art Association to renovate their building.

• $5,000 to Hardin County Main Street, a not-for-profit organization, to organize a heritage festival. More than $13,000 will be contributed through advertising and donations.

• $5,000 to Marion Senior Citizens, a not-for-profit organization, to purchase and install electric doors for the Senior Center.

• $1,500 to the Raleigh Future Farmers of America to host an educational exhibit.

• $1,500 to the Illinois Coalition for Community Service to purchase supplies for the Cave In Rock Youth Program.

All of these projects were initiated by Fowler.