$3.6 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Southwestern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $3,630,000 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Southwestern Illinois including $1.3 million to the Village of Roxana to make improvements to Wagon Wheel Road.

The project will help businesses already located along the road and is expected to attract more businesses along the newly improved road. The project also will accommodate the increased traffic flow and heavy equipment.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Evelyn M. Bowles, D-Edwardsville.

Other Illinois FIRST grants announced by Ryan:

• $500,000 to the Village of Caseyville to construct a new village hall and police station complex.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Thomas Holbrook, D-Belleville

• $450,000 to Granite City to reimburse the city for drainage improvements.
  This project was intiated by State Sen. James F. Clayborne Jr., D-Belleville.

• $250,000 to the East St. Louis Fire Department to purchase a new fire truck.
  This project was initiated by Clayborne.

• $200,000 to the Senior Citizens Service, Inc., to upgrade and remodel the Edwardsville Senior Citizen Building.
  This project was initiated by Bowles.

• $184,000 to the Village of St. Jacob to provide water to homes not connected by public water supply and to improve general water system reliability.
  This Project was initiated by State Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Troy.

• $100,000 to the City of Collinsville to construct a building for the street department.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Jay C. Hoffman, D-Collinsville.

• $65,000 to the Meadowbrook Fire Protection District for payments towards a fire truck loan and to purchase other fire and safety equipment.
  This project was initiated by Stephens.

• $55,000 to the City of Fairview Heights to purchase and install lighting equipment around an existing ball diamond. The city is contributing $75,000.
  This project was initiated by Hoffman.

• $50,000 to the Village of Bethalto to construct park pavilions and playground equipment. The community is contributing $27,000.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Steve Davis, D-Bethalto.

• $50,000 to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville to extend a waterline. The university is contributing $47,406.
  This project was initiated by Bowles.

• $50,000 to the Nature Preserve Foundation in Edwardsville to repair existing trails, and to construct and purchase kiosks, signs, benches, and storage facilities.
  This project was initiated by Bowles.

• $40,000 to the Village of East Alton to repair a culvert on Franklin Avenue.
  This project was initiated by Davis.

• $40,000 to the Brownstown Fire Protection District to purchase a tank truck and equipment.
  This project was initiated by State Rep. Kurt M. Granberg, D-Carlyle.

• $35,000 to the Signal Hill Fire Protection Association, Inc., to purchase 16 self-contained breathing apparatus.
  This project was initiated by Holbrook.

• $30,000 to Senior Service Plus, Inc., to purchase a delivery van and a two-way radio.
  This project was initiated by Davis.

• $30,000 to the Hoffman Fire Protection District to buy a fire rescue unit vehicle.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.

• $25,000 to Fairview Heights Fire Department to purchase furnishings and an exhaust system for the new fire house.
  This project was initiated by Hoffman.

• $25,000 to Nameoki Township to resurface Arlington Drive.
  This project was initiated by Davis.

• $20,000 to the Kell Fire Protection District to purchase a fire truck and to update equipment. The community is contributing $17,000.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.

• $20,000 to the St. Rose Fire Protection District to make a one time payment towards a new rescue truck and to purchase fire and safety equipment.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.

• $20,000 to the Salvation Army to purchase a new passenger van.
  This project was initiated by Granberg.

• $16,000 to the City of Fairview Heights to construct two small shelters.
  This project was initiated by Hoffman.

• $15,000 to the Wood River Fire Department to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
  This project was initiated by Davis.

• $14,000 to the City of Fairview Heights to construct a steel pavilion and to purchase other recreation equipment.
  This project was initiated by Hoffman.

• $10,000 to the Germantown Fire Protection District to update and purchase equipment.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Frank C. Watson, R-Greenville.

• $10,000 to the Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department to purchase new radio equipment.
  This project was initiated by Davis.

• $10,000 to the Hartford Fire Department to purchase a new chassis for a fire truck. The community is contributing $37,200.
  This project was initiated by Davis.

• $10,000 to the Village of Glen Carbon to purchase books for its public library.
  This project was initiated by Hoffman.