State Investment in Innovation and Cutting Edge Jobs will Fuel Economic Growth

CARBONDALE - Governor Pat Quinn today announced an investment of $1.5 million to build an ultra high speed broadband network in Southern Illinois. The partnership between Frontier North, Inc., the City of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University and Connect SI will use the funding to build a gigabit network that will serve residents, businesses and institutions in Southern Illinois. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to drive economic growth and create jobs across Illinois.

"Ultra high-speed internet access is a key to success for the future of Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "In order to remain competitive in today's digital society, Illinois must have broadband infrastructure second to none."

The $1.5 million investment - supported by the Governor's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program - provides funding for Frontier to build a high-speed fiber optic network to Carbondale's businesses, schools, hospitals and neighborhoods. The gigabit broadband, up to 100 times faster than speeds currently available, will help recruit new business to the region and enable Southern Illinois University's scholars, innovators and entrepreneurs to connect globally. Capabilities for telemedicine and telehealth through the University's School of Medicine will also impact citizens in underserved areas in Southern Illinois and allow for faster transmission of medical records and vital information.

"The best part of the Governor's grant is that it isn't about fiber optics and lasers; it is about a world class community network built to drive jobs and new opportunities for  Carbondale and the region," Frontier Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Flynn said. "Frontier Communications couldn't be more proud to be a part of this community effort as we work every day to provide advancing broadband services across all of Southern Illinois."

"Southern Illinois has a long history as a leader in broadband," Broadband Illinois Interim Executive Director Brad Housewright said. "Through the efforts of Connect SI, Frontier and stakeholders from business and industry, we're excited to build a public-private partnership around this initiative."

Governor Quinn was also joined today by top executives and employees from Clearwave Communications, a Harrisburg company that just completed another high-speed connectivity project in Southern Illinois. The project used $11.3 million in state funds, as well as federal and private dollars, to install 751 miles of fiber in 23 counties connecting 232 community anchor institutions.

Governor Quinn has invested more than $71 million in broadband infrastructure throughout the state as part of his Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. This investment has leveraged more than $214 million in additional funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Through these projects, more than 3,000 miles of fiber optic cable has been installed, with more to come.

Today's Carbondale announcement represents the fourth major Gigabit Communities Challenge broadband infrastructure project announced since Governor Quinn took office in 2009. Supported by the Governor's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program, the Illinois Gigabit Communities Challenge sought proposals from private and public organizations to encourage promising ultra high-speed broadband deployment projects throughout Illinois. Each project must connect at least 1,000 end users to Gigabit broadband speeds.

For more information, visit www.Gigabit.Illinois.Gov

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that the Clinton Fire Department will receive a $448,153 in funding from the Department of Homeland Security's Port Security Grant Program.   This funding is competitively awarded and will be used to help replace a Fire and Rescue boat.

"We count on our firefighters and first responders to protect our families and communities," said Loebsack.  "I am pleased that the Clinton Fire Department is receiving this funding, which will ensure they have the proper equipment to respond to all disasters and allow them to continue to keep our river safe and commerce flowing."

DES MOINES, IA (08/23/2013)(readMedia)-- Warren Brothers Show Pigs of Glenwood won Champion Boar honors at the Yorkshire Show judged August 16 at the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

Zach Loppenow of Lake City, Minn., received the Reserve Champion Boar title.

Brice Conover of Baxter exhibited the Champion Gilt while Ellensohn Showpigs of Le Mars exhibited the Reserve Champion Gilt.

McCloud Farms, Inc., of Trenton, Mo., was awarded the Premier Exhibitor title. The Premier Exhibitor award is presented to the exhibitor earning the highest point total in individual breeding classes for competition.

Animals are divided according to farrowing date based on the other animals entered in the competition.

Additional results follow:

Gilts

1) Ellensohn Showpigs, Le Mars

2) Ellensohn Showpigs, Le Mars

3) Butcher Family Farm, Holstein

4) Broek Swine Genetics, Sioux Center

Gilts

1) Coppock Family Farms, Marshalltown

2) Coppock Family Farms, Marshalltown

3) Zach Loppnow, Lake City, Minn.

4) Josh Freimuth Family, Lytton

5) Larry Kastler, Woolstock

Gilts

1) Matt Rohrig, Orient

2) McCulloh Family, Camanche

3) Todd Schuler, Kim Williams and Kaiya Williams, Atlantic

4) Ver Ploeg Farms, Pella

5) LLJ Show Pigs, Unionville

6) LLJ Show Pigs, Unionville

Gilts

1) McCloud Farms, Inc., Trenton, Mo.

2) Ploeger Show Pigs, Pierson

3) Ploeger Show Pigs, Pierson

4) McCloud Farms, Inc., Trenton, Mo.

5) McCloud Farms, Inc., Trenton, Mo.

6) Matt Rohrig, Orient

7) Matt Rohrig, Orient

8) Ploeger Show Pigs, Pierson

Gilts

1) Brice Conover, Baxter

2) Todd Schuler, Kim Williams and Kaiya Williams, Atlantic

Boars

1) Broek Swine Genetics, Sioux Center

2) Mike and Cristen Clark, Runnells

3) Mike and Cristen Clark, Runnells

4) Wilton FFA, Wilton

Boars

1) Warren Brothers Show Pigs, Glenwood

2) Rock Solid Showpigs, Sioux Center

3) Loren Keppy, Durant

4) Lynch Bros., Ankeny

5) Ver Ploeg Farms, Pella

6) Ver Ploeg Farms, Pella

7) Rock Solid Showpigs, Sioux Center

Boars

1) Brice Conover, Baxter

2) Hughson Family Farm, Sumner

2) McCloud Farms, Inc., Trenton, Mo.

4) Reed Show Pigs, Ottumwa

5) Hoopy Hallow Farms, Orient

6) Hoopy Hallow Farms, Orient

Boars

1) Zach Loppnow, Lake City, Minn.

2) RAR Genetics, Aplington

"Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair. The 2013 Fair ended August 18. The 2014 Iowa State Fair is set August 7-17. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

* * *

SIOUX CITY, IA (08/23/2013)(readMedia)-- Several area residents were summer graduates of Morningside College.

The students are:

Jared Masterson, son of Dave and Maria Masterson of Bettendorf, Iowa, received a Bachelor of Arts degree and majored in business administration.

Carter Ridenour, son of Todd and Laurie Ridenour of Bettendorf, Iowa, received a Bachelor of Science degree and majored in business administration.

Morningside College is a small, private college in Sioux City, Iowa, that offers students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in a variety of disciplines, or a master's degree in education. For more information about Morningside College, visit the college's website at www.morningside.edu.

--30--