WILTON, Iowa--Wilton community leaders and friends of the library celebrated and expressed appreciation to supporters at a ceremony marking the start of construction on the new Wilton Library and Community Center on Friday, June 12th. Major contributors, fundraising campaign executive committee members, government officials and building contractors participated in the groundbreaking ceremony held at Wilton High School and the building's construction site.

"This is a big day for our community and the entire area," said Betty Cram, president of the Wilton Library Board of Trustees. "The library and community center will benefit everyone in Wilton. We wouldn't be here today without tremendous support from our donors and volunteers."

More than $3.1 million has been pledged to the $3.25 million Wilton Library and Community Center campaign goal. Funding has come from a variety of sources including a Community and Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant from the state's Vision Iowa Board and numerous area businesses, community organizations and residents.

Representatives from several donor groups spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony, Community Bank, HNI Corporation, Muscatine Community College, Gerdau Ameristeel and Wilton Candy Kitchen.

"This event signifies that the spirit of Wilton is alive and well," said Wilton Mayor Carol Wade. "We are celebrating more than just the start of a building project, we are celebrating commitment and cooperation in our community. We are celebrating our future."

Built on land donated by the city at the intersection of Cypress and Division Streets, the proposed 20,000 square-foot building will benefit schools, families, senior citizens, nonprofit groups and businesses. Plans for the joint facility include spaces in the library to gather, browse, read, study and use computers while the community center provides space for civic gatherings, commercial meetings, receptions, reunions, fine arts performances, displays, banquets and fitness activities.

The current library building was erected in 1938 and has been serving the community from its present location for more than 26 years. The small library is hot and humid in the summer, cold in the winter and lacks much-needed meeting space for activities like 4-H meetings, Boy and Girl Scouts and children's story hour. The new library will increase the amount of space and allow the library to expand programming opportunities to better prepare local youth citizens for global participation.

To make a contribution, call 563-732-2583 or download a pledge form at www.WiltonLCC.org.

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Moline, Illinois? The Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce and Genesis at Work are proud to present the 2009 State of the Community Address. This year's event will take place on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 12:00pm at the i wireless Center in Moline.

East Moline Mayor John Thodos and Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Rick Baker will deliver this year's address. Listen to the local economic factors and learn about exciting economic developments that are underway in the Quad City area. The State of the Community Address will also serve as the Chamber's Blueprint2010 update.

The Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting reservations for the 2009 State of the Community Address. The cost to attend is $15 for Illinois Quad City Chamber members and $25 for guests. Registration is through the Chamber's website at www.quadcitychamber.com or by calling (309) 757-5416.

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(ROCK ISLAND, IL) - The Royal Neighbors Foundation continues its efforts in Parkersburg, IA by sponsoring a "Remembrance & Renewal" breakfast on Monday, May 25 from 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Parkersburg Veterans Building at 205 Cemetery Street.  Iowa Governor Chet Culver will speak at this special event marking the 1-year anniversary of the F5 tornado that damaged or destroyed over 400 homes in this small Iowa town.

Royal Neighbors began their relationship with Parkersburg in October 2008 by announcing its Foundation will assist two women as they rebuild their lives after a tornado destroyed their homes.  Construction on one home began earlier this month.

"We're pleased to have the opportunity to help these women rebuild their lives after such a devastating disaster," said Judith Tshibangu, Vice President of the Royal Neighbors Foundation. "Our organization's Foundation is dedicated to changing women's lives.  In Parkersburg, we are doing this by assisting two individuals in starting over in their newly built homes."

Royal Neighbors of America is a non-profit fraternal life insurance corporation dedicated to helping women and their families for close to 115 years. It insures lives, supports women, and serves communities by offering insurance and annuity products. Its members receive valuable benefits and can participate in a variety of local volunteer activities.

The Royal Neighbors Foundation is an independent philanthropic arm of Royal Neighbors of America.  As a 501(c)(3) public charity, it was established to promote charitable and educational causes that align with the organization's mission.  Its focus is changing women's lives by supporting programs such as scholarships for women veterans and building homes.

For more information about Royal Neighbors of America and the Royal Neighbors Foundation, call (800) 627-4762, or visit www.royalneighbors.org.

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Rock Island, IL - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Rock Island District has teamed with New Orleans District and other U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offices to design and construct the greater New Orleans area Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS). This $14.3 billion project is designed to reduce storm surge risk to the greater New Orleans area and be completed in 2011.

Rock Island District opened the doors to its Rock Island New Orleans Support (RINOS) Office and will celebrate the opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 1 at 1 p.m. on Rock Island Arsenal, Building 68, third floor.

Congressman Phil Hare Joins Corps for May 1 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony  

The RINOS office is responsible for providing New Orleans District with project management, engineering, design, contracting, real estate and other support for four specific HSDRRS projects totaling nearly $1 billion of construction, and includes the world's largest interior drainage pumping station. The four projects are on the west bank of the Mississippi River in the greater New Orleans area. The Rock Island District plans to bolster its workforce by hiring more than 100 government employees and contractors in 2009, mostly engineers and scientists, to help complete the four projects and meet other increased workload requirements. Half of those will be working full-time in the RINOS office.

Recognizing that a tremendous amount of work must be completed in a very short timeframe, Corps leadership is leveraging the expertise of all six Corps Districts in the Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) and other Corps and professional organizations to include the Engineer Research and Development Center, which has a major laboratory in Champaign, Illinois associated with the University of Illinois.

A top domestic priority for the nation, the HSDRRS incorporates 350 miles of levees and floodwalls designed to reduce the risk of flooding during a storm event that has a one percent chance of occurring any given year in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina, in August 2005, flooded approximately 80 percent of New Orleans. With post-Katrina design criteria and full federal funding, the Corps is on track to provide this level of risk reduction in 2011. The RINOS office is helping the Corps meet that objective.

Col. (Ret.) Tom Hodgini, formerly the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - St. Louis District, has been chosen to lead the RINOS team. Stanley Consultants of Muscatine, Iowa, is working with New Orleans District contractor ECM-GEC JV of Metairie, Louisiana, to provide engineering support to the RINOS Office.

"We are honored to be able to provide some of our expertise in this part of the Mississippi Valley and Midwest to assist the nation in accomplishing this important mission in New Orleans," said Col. Robert Sinkler, Rock Island District Commander. "We will still be able to accomplish the New Orleans mission, complete 2008 Midwest flood recovery efforts, and meet all of our other responsibilities within the five 300-mile river basins of the Midwestern state area we serve."

For more information about the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System visit the web @ http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/hps2/

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