Ryan: $193,100 in Illinois FIRST Projects for Southern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $193,100 in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Southern Illinois including $150,000 to the Carbondale Business Development Corporation to conduct a feasibility study to demonstrate that Carbondale is a proper location for the business expansion of Pharmacology and Toxicology Research Laboratory East, Inc.

The corporation is based in Richmond, Kentucky and specializes in AIDS and prostate cancer research. PRTL is looking to expand its operational capacity to provide a full-scale analytical laboratory and bulk production and packaging services. This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $20,000 to the Village of St. Johns to purchase new playground equipment for the village park. This project was initiated by State Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville.

• $10,000 to Oakdale Township to purchase a new dump truck. This project was initiated by Luechtefeld.

• $10,000 to the Herrin City Library for construction costs in the expansion of the library. This project was initiated by State Sen. Larry Woolard, D-Carterville.

• $3,100 to the Village of Campbell Hill to replace the windows and siding on its park building. This project was initiated by Bost.