Governor Announces $410,000 Grant To Flora

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced that the City of Flora has been awarded a grant for $410,950 for infrastructure improvements that will benefit North American Lighting, Inc.

"Illinois is committed to doing whatever it can to promote economic growth across the state," Ryan said. "We're very pleased we can provide this type of assistance to the city of Flora in order for them to support the expansion of a significant local industry."

With the state funding, North American Lighting, Inc. will be hiring more than 40 new workers. The Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) awarded the grant through its Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP). The CDAP funds will be used to construct and expand two city-owned employee parking lots, and upgrade and relocate an electrical transformer within the city's industrial park.

North American Lighting will then add an 83,000 square foot addition to their existing facility occupying the area currently used for off-street employee parking.

"NAL is making a significant investment in upgrading its facilities in Flora," said DCCA Director Pam McDonough. "Our role is to make sure that cities and towns can meet the infrastructure needs of expanding local industries in order to keep projects moving forward and creating new job opportunities."

NAL is one of the leading suppliers of lighting assemblies for the U-S automotive industry. The upgrade of the municipal electrical transformer will accomodate the increased demand for electricity from new systems installed as part of the facility expansion.

"Through the support of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, North American Lighting expects to create over 40 new jobs while retaining the current workforce," said Flora Mayor Lewis Wolfe. "Without this grant in support of economic development these jobs might have gone outside the borders of Illinois."

"NAL, the City of Flora and the State of Illinois have had a good long term relationship," NAL President/CEO Dan Robusto commented. "We have relied upon both the City and the State to support our substantial growth through the years and they have, once again, showed their commitment to promoting increased employment in the area. We are fortunate to be involved in this mutually beneficial partnership."