Ryan: $1.3 Million in Illinois FIRST Projects for Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $1.35 million in Illinois FIRST funding for projects in Central Illinois, including $750,000 to the City of Champaign for infrastructure improvements in and around the new University of Illinois Research Park.

The improvements will include storm sewers, streets, sidewalks, signs, lighting and landscaping for the research park. The park is designed to encourage the development of new technologies and products into commercial properties.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Rep. Rick Winkel, R-Champaign.

Other Illinois FIRST projects announced by Ryan:

• $200,000 to the Village of Gifford to help build a new water treatment plant and dig a new fresh water well to serve the village's 970 residents.
  This project was initiated by State Sen. Stanley Weaver, R-Champaign.

• $130,000 to the Sangamon Valley Fire Protection District to construct a new fire station and a community meeting room in Dewey. The district will contribute $18,000.
  This project was initiated by Winkel.

• $100,000 to the Village of Mahomet to improve and repair Main Street through the village, including refurbishing sewer mains.
  This project was initiated by Winkel.

• $100,000 to Mahomet Seymour Community School District 3 to construct sidewalks and bike paths around the new Mahomet-Seymour High School.
  This project was initiated by Winkel.

• $75,000 to the Camargo Township Road District to buy a back hoe/loader and a ditcher to help maintain township roads.
  This project was initiated by Weaver.