Ryan Announces $11.5 Million Loan To Finance The Alton Center Business Park

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced $11.5 million loan, through the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority to help finance the Alton Center Business Park.

"If Illinois is to be competitive, we must prove to the business community that economic development and job creation are top priorities," Ryan said. "It is important that we continue to work together and to ensure the economic success of Southwestern Illinois and the economic success of Illinois as a whole."

The money will be used to develop a multi-tenant business park, consisting of more than two million square feet of business/industrial space that could provide jobs for over 1,000 people.

The Alton Center Business Park will be constructed in the City of Alton on the former Owens-Brockway glass plant. This environmentally contaminated property has stood unused for almost 15 years and its redevelopment has been a priority for the region for the last ten years.

Governor Ryan commended the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority for there pursuit to revitalizing this area of the state. Ryan also thanked former U.S. Senator Alan Dixon for all of his hard work and dedication to the people of this area.