The center provides a venue where small and medium-sized Illinois food companies can educate workers in food safety principles, commercialize new processes in a state-of-the-art pilot plant and obtain specialized technical assistance for the development of new industrialized processes to manufacture safe food.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $250,000 to the Illinois College of Optometry to support its "Vision of Hope" program. The organization is contributing $115,290.
  This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Margaret Smith, D-Chicago.

• $200,000 to Malcolm X College to hire administrators and to purchase computers, software and other supplies and materials for its Small Business Development Center.
  This project was initiated by Smith.

• $100,000 to the National Center for Latinos with Disabilities to provide advocacy, training, information and referral services for this targeted population and their families.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Tony Munoz, D-Chicago.

• $75,000 to Concerned Citizens, Inc., to hire personnel and to purchase office/computer equipment and supplies for Mother's House.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Arthur L. Turner, D-Chicago.

• $60,000 to the San Lucas United Church of Christ to support its social service programs.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Miguel del Valle, D-Chicago.

• $50,000 to the Chicago Park District to replace the baseball diamond backstop, sidewings, fencing and bleachers/benches at Hoyne Park.
  This project was initiated by Munoz.

• $30,000 to Chicago Public Schools to purchase security equipment for Ames Elementary School.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. William Delgado, D-Chicago.

• $30,000 to God Loves Little Children Daycare to purchase tables and chairs and play equipment.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Rickey R. Hendon, D-Chicago.

• $25,000 to Universidad Popular to expand its Community Literacy Program (COLIPRO). The organization is contributing $17,307.
  This project was initiated by Munoz.

• $20,000 to the Chicago Park District to purchase and install fencing and bleachers at Garfield Park.
  This project was initiated by Hendon.

• $20,000 to Molly's Home Daycare to expand and renovate its facility and to purchase materials, supplies and equipment.
  This project was initiated by Hendon.