Du Quoin area briefs: JALC wins literacy grant; Metro East Boeing gets Navy contract
<b>JALC program wins adult literacy grant</b>
John A. Logan College and the Monroe-Randolph Regional Office of Education received part of $5.6 million in adult literacy grants awarded by Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White to help students develop and enhance their reading, math, writing and English-language skills.
"An estimated 2 million Illinois residents need adult literacy and/or English-language instruction," White said. "I am pleased to provide funding for 108 local literacy projects that will allow adult students to achieve their utmost potential in the upcoming year.
The John A. Logan College program, "JALC AVL Makes a Difference," was awarded $26,200. The Regional Office of Education got two grants, for the Monroe-Randolph Literacy Program ($30,100) and the Monroe-Randolph Literacy Program ($36,826).
<b>Metro East Boeing to build Navy aircraft</b>
Boeing has announced it will build the Navy's newest carrier-based aircraft at a new 291,000 square-foot facility at MidAmerica Airport in St. Clair County. The new facility, scheduled to begin construction later this year, initially will employ approximately 150 mechanics, engineers and support staff who will build the MQ-25 Stingray, the Navy's first operational, carrier-based unmanned aircraft. Employment at the facility could reach up to 300 with additional orders.
The new MQ-25 facility will be in addition to existing manufacturing operations at Boeing St. Clair, which produces components for the CH-47 Chinook, F/A-18 Super Hornet and other defense products.
"The Metro East region plays an essential role in our defense manufacturing industry with southern Illinoisans producing components for the CH-47 Chinook, the F/A-18 Super Hornet, and now the MQ-25 Stingray," said southern Illinois congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro). "This new Boeing facility at MidAmerica Airport will create new jobs, expand our aviation manufacturing base, and help solidify Illinois' innovative and technological leadership for years to come."