SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $902,500 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Northwest Illinois, including $300,000 to the Village of Hampton to construct Hampton Heritage Center riverfront park. The central feature of the park will be a multi-purpose meeting facility that will house permanent and temporary displays depicting the natural and environmental aspects of the Mississippi River.

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 machinery that will convert railroad ties into chips to be used by a local plant as an energy source.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $175,000 to the Village of Warren to construct a 200,000-gallon elevated water tank. The village will contribute $345,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. I. Ronald Lawfer, R-Stockton.

• $40,000 to the Amboy Fire Department to upgrade the infrastructure of its station and parking lot. The fire protection district will contribute $26,750.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling.

• $40,000 to the Andalusia Fire Protection District to construct a new fire station in Edgington. The district will contribute $162,000.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $30,000 to the Village of Deer Grove to construct a new township building to be used for board meetings, public hearings, a polling place and community events.
  This project was initiated by Mitchell.

• $25,000 to Forrestville Valley School District 221 to construct a greenhouse facility to enhance its agricultural and FFA programs.
  This project was initiated by Lawfer.

• $22,000 to the Morrison Fire Department to purchase fire and rescue equipment. The department will contribute $22,000.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $20,000 to the Elizabeth Historical Society to renovate the Chicago Great Train Depot Museum.
  This project was initiated by Lawfer.

• $15,500 to the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities to equip a kitchen that will be used to prepare fixed site meals and operate a nutritional outreach service for community seniors.
  This project was initiated by Jacobs.

• $25,000 to the Amboy Fire Department to purchase updated turnout gear and replace outdated fire fighting equipment. The department will also purchase a thermal imaging camera for search and rescue operations.
  These projects were initiated by Mitchell.

• $10,000 to the Cedarville Fire Protection District to purchase a thermal imaging camera with a truck mount and a remote to use in search and rescue operations.
  This project was initiated by Lawfer.