GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES $250,000 GRANT FOR CITY OF QUINCY

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced the City of Quincy has been awarded a $250,000 grant to rebuild city streets in a project aimed at allowing Kohl Grocer Company to expand. The Illinois food distributor currently employs 90 workers and plans to hire an additional 25 full-time employees after the project is complete.

"The State of Illinois is committed to forging stronger partnerships with local governments and businesses to create new jobs," Ryan said "This grant fulfills that commitment by providing Quincy with resources that not only help Kohl Grocer Company expand, but preserve the rich history of city's downtown."

The grant was made possible through Fiscal Year 1999 funding from the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs' (DCCA) Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP). Quincy will use the funds to reconstruct city streets fronting the building that Kohl plans to renovate. The grant will also be used to correct drainage problems at the site.

"CDAP grants are an important tool to help local communities afford the cost of infrastructure improvements needed to accommodate a new or expanding business. In this case, the grant will help provide adequate truck access to Kohl's renovated distribution center while enhancing the appearance of downtown Quincy," said DCCA Director Pam McDonough.

Kohl Grocery, which has been a fixture in Quincy since 1873, distributes food and supplies to schools, hospitals, retail grocery stores, restaurants, and other businesses. The company plans to expand its operations by renovating the two story brick building that it owns adjacent to its existing warehouse and distribution center. Work on the project is set to begin this summer, with the new jobs created by October 2000.

"All of the employees at Kohl Wholesale want to thank Governor George Ryan and DCCA Director Pam McDonough for this infrastructure grant," Kohl Grocer Company President Richard Ehrhart added. "Additionally, we would like to thank Quincy Mayor Chuck Scholz and Planning and Development Director Chuck Bevelheimer for their assistance with the application process."