Governor Announces $5.4 Million In ITP Grants

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced nearly $5.4 million in Industrial Training Program (ITP) funds to train more than 600 new workers and upgrade the skills of over 18,000 current workers.

The grants have been awarded to 21 companies that will use the funds to train employees in 17 Illinois communities.

"The reality of the global high tech economy is that businesses need highly-skilled workers with specialized training ," Ryan said. "We've found that when companies seek to relocate or expand, an available, highly trained and educated workforce often tops their list of priorities. It is crucial that we equip our workforce with the skills necessary to succeed."

Under the State's Fiscal Year 2000 budget, ITP funding increased by $7 million, to more than $24 million. The increase allows an estimated 450 additional Illinois companies to train and provide job skills for nearly 12,000 more workers.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) administers the Industrial Training Program grants on a competitive basis. "The availability of skilled workers is driving many business decisions today," DCCA Director Pam McDonough said. "Under the leadership of Governor Ryan, Illinois is addressing the needs of business and labor and moving into the 21st Century with unlimited potential for economic growth and prosperity." A list of ITP grants is attached.

ITP GRANT RECIPIENTS

The Pillsbury Company
Geneva, Illinois
$ 173,085

Printing Industry of Illinois Association
Chicago, Illinois
$ 149,243

TransWorld Airlines
Chicago, Illinois
$ 150,000

John Deere Harvester Works
East Moline, Illinois
$1,019,750

Hanna Steel Corporation
Pekin, Illinois
$ 60,016

Nudo Products, Inc.
Springfield, Illinois
$ 37,246

Smedberg Machine Corporation
Chicago, Illinois
$ 23,674

Superior Walls of Central Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
$ 64,420

Caterpillar Inc.
Peoria, Illinois
$ 400,000

Deere & Company
Moline, Illinois
$ 405,868

Illinois Cast Metals Association
North Pekin, Illinois
$ 66,646

Internet Wagner Foundry
Decatur, Illinois
$ 30,999

Valley Industrial Association
Aurora, Illinois
$ 500,000

All Holding, Inc., dba, Automation International Inc.
Danville, Illinois
$ 99,879

Association of Illinois Electrical Cooperativesl
Springfield, Illinois
$ 99,916

NOSCO Printing Company
Gurnee & Waukegan, Illinois
$ 60,330

Spartan Light Metal Products
Sparta, Illinois
$ 145,531

The Arnold Engineering Company
Marengo, Illinois
$ 46,982

Ford Motor Company
Chicago, Illinois
$ 800,000

Rexnord Corporation
Downers Grove, Illinois
$ 77,387

Tellabs Operations, Inc.
Bolingbrook
$ 925,000