SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1,210,425 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Northwest Illinois, including $300,000 to the Village of Hampton to construct the Hampton Heritage Center.

The center will house permanent and temporary displays depicting the natural and environmental aspects of the river and also will provide meeting rooms for the public. The village is contributing $223,600.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Denny Jacobs, D-East Moline.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $200,000 to the City of Moline to purchase the necessary machinery to convert old railroad ties into wood chips.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $80,000 to the Andalusia Fire Protection District to construct a new fire station. The district is contributing $162,215.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Joel Brunsvold, D-Milan.

• $75,000 to the Prophetstown Park District to construct a recreational center. The district is contributing $575,000.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo.

• $75,000 to the Geneseo Park District to renovate and restore the Old Athletic Field. The district is contributing $65,000.
  This project was initiated by Sieben.

• $66,425 to Matherville to construct a water main extension to eliminate two existing dead-end water mains. The village is contributing $212,500.
  This project was initiated by Brunsvold and Jacobs.

• $50,000 to the Village of Atkinson to remove and replace curbs and gutters along a section of Village Boulevard.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling.

• $50,000 to Jordan Township to purchase equipment and fixtures for its new community building.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Ronald Lawfer, R-Stockton.

• $50,000 to the American Red Cross of the Quad Cities to purchase a new electrical generator. The association is contributing $25,000.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $50,000 to the following fire protection districts to purchase a thermal-imaging camera.
  $20,000 to Milledgeville
  $10,000 to Harmon
  $10,000 to Mt. Carroll
  $10,000 to Sublette
  This project was initiated by Sieben.

• $40,000 to the Moline Second Alarmers Association to purchase a new air-supply delivery vehicle.
  These projects were initiated by Brunsvold and Jacobs.

• $25,000 to the Geneseo Park District to equip a newly constructed cardio fitness addition at its community center. The district is contributing $20,000.
  This project was initiated by Sieben.

• $25,000 to the Village of Albany to make sidewalk repairs.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $25,000 to Two Rivers YMCA, Rock Island County, to purchase and install playground equipment at its child care center.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $22,000 to the Erie Police Department to equip two police cars with a new wireless network.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $20,000 to Milledgeville High School to construct an all weather track around its football field.
  This project was initiated by Sieben.

• $18,500 to the Silvis Fire Department to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $18,500 to the Cordova Fire Protection District to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $10,000 to the German Valley Fire Protection Agency to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Lawfer.

• $10,000 to the Dakota Fire Protection District to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Lawfer.