$1.1 Million In Illinois FIRST Projects For Western Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.1 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Western Illinois, including $800,000 to the West Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging to construct a new facility in Quincy to serve as the Senior Citizens Center. The nonprofit organization provides social, advocacy and nutritional services for senior citizens in six neighboring counties.

The facility will provide the space for a commercial kitchen, adult day care programs, a craft workshop, a browsing library and a billiards room. The organization will contribute $3 million. This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Art Tenhouse, R-Liberty.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $175,000 to the Industry Fire Protection District to purchase two fire pumper trucks. The district will contribute $100,000.
  The project was initiated by State Rep. Richard P. Myers, R-Colchester.

• $50,000 to the City of Pittsfield to conduct a water treatment planning study that will enable its water plant to meet federal and state EPA mandates.

• $25,000 to the Dallas Rural Water District to purchase property for and additional well field to better serve its rural residents.

• $25,000 to the City of Griggsville to purchase fire equipment for its rural fire protection district.

• $25,000 to the Loraine Fire Protection District to purchase fire fighting equipment.
  All of these projects were initiated by Tenhouse.