Governor Quinn Announces $2.1 Million Investment to Improve Decatur Civic Center

DECATUR - Governor Pat Quinn today announced a capital investment of $2.1 million to modernize and upgrade the Decatur Civic Center. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"The Civic Center draws events and visitors from around the country and is key to the continued economic development of the Decatur area," Governor Quinn said. "These improvements will ensure the facility remains competitive for years to come, creating jobs and driving the local economy."

The $2.1 million investment from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to the Decatur Metropolitan Exposition Auditorium and Office Building Authority is part of Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program and is a critical part of the complete $3.2 Million Civic Center upgrade plan. The funds will support the ongoing upgrading of the 34-year-old Civic Center's infrastructure. The project will help the Civic Center stay competitive with other regional venues and continue to be a positive economic development force for central Illinois.

"This is great news, the money will go a long way in allowing us to upgrade and modernize the building for the next 30 years," Authority Board Chair David Martin said. "A lot of our mechanical systems are as old as the building and the time has come for their replacement. The funds will also allow us to upgrade the arena and theater."

"This announcement could not have come at a better time," Decatur Mayor Mike McElroy said. "Our Civic Center has an outstanding management team that will put this state investment to good use. Governor Quinn is helping our community improve a valuable asset, and we appreciate it."

The Decatur Civic Center is a multi-use entertainment facility located in the heart of Decatur. The goal of the Civic Center is to provide a wide variety of entertainment to the citizens of Decatur and surrounding areas. Activities at the Decatur Civic Center range from trade shows and live music to public ice skating. For more information, visit www.DecaturCivicCenter.org or call (217) 422-7300.

"The Decatur Civic Center is a perfect example of a valuable resource that, when kept modern, benefits local residents, visitors and the region as a whole," Senator Manar said. "This kind of strategic infrastructure investment in downstate communities puts people and businesses to work at a critical time."

The Civic Center funding is part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.