Quincy to seek grant to aid plant expansion

April 21, 2008

By Edward Husar

The city of Quincy plans to seek a $750,000 state grant to help build public infrastructure to support Prince Agri Products' new facility south of Radio Road.

A "resolution of support" for the grant application is on the agenda for tonight's Quincy City Council meeting, which begins at 7:30 in the council chambers at City Hall. A required public hearing regarding the grant application will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the same location.

If the resolution is approved, the city will seek the Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Chuck Bevelheimer, Quincy's director of planning and development, said the CDAP grant would be used to extend water and sewer services to the Prince facility, which is being expanded in the South Quincy Development Area. Bevelheimer said 41 new jobs are to be created as a result of the expansion.

Road work also would be carried out with the grant.

Also at tonight's meeting, the council is slated to hear from Holly Cain of the Quincy Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Charles Bryson Jr. of Ursa regarding the allocation of Quincy's hotel-motel tax.

The council also is slated to give a third and final reading to an ordinance declaring eight more Quincy homes as local landmarks.

The council meeting will be televised live on Channel 15 -- Comcast's public access channel.