Carbondale briefs: Free firewood, Neighborhood Alliance meeting ... and more
<b>FFA students come to SIU Friday</b>
Up to 400 students from around southern Illinois are expected at the Illinois FFA Ground Zero Conference Friday and Saturday at SIU-C, one of three such regional conferences FFA is hosting at universities around the state this year. It will feature speakers, breakout sessions for students and professional development for agriculture teachers. Former FFA state officers will facilitate the sessions, including three who are current SIU students in agricultural sciences.
<b>County wins broadband grant</b>
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Broadband has awarded Jackson County an Accelerate Illinois Broadband Infrastructure Planning Program Grant, to prepare the county for broadband with the aid of American Rescue Plan funds. The Accelerate Illinois program provides selected communities with intensive technical assistance resources and programming to engage in community broadband planning and capacity building for improved broadband infrastructure. The skills and information gained through this program will provide Jackson County with a more competitive application for the Illinois Broadband Grant Program which can bring up to $5 million in broadband infrastructure.
<b>Chamber welcomes two new businesses</b>
Two Carbondale Chamber ribbon cuttings to welcome new businesses are coming up in February. The first, at noon on Feb. 3 is at Klingner & Associates P.C., 2150 W. Main St. The second is at noon on Feb. 17 at Smoothie King, 1279 E. Main St. Everyone is welcome.
<b>Free firewood from Giant City as of Feb. 1</b>
Residents of Jackson and Union counties may collect firewood for personal use from designated areas within Giant City State Park beginning Feb. 1. Site staff recently removed ash trees impacted by the emerald ash borer from the campgrounds and day-use areas of the park. Although the firewood is available for free, a permit and waiver must be completed before removing any wood. Forms are available at the park visitor center between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
<b>Neighborhood Alliance meeting will be on Zoom</b>
Carbondale's annual Neighborhood Alliance Meeting will take place beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 on Zoom, as facilitated by the Carbondale Public Library. During the first hour, neighborhoods and community organizations will provide updates for residents in attendance.
The second half of the meeting will focus on city matters. The results of the 2020 Census have made Home Rule a critical issue, and City Manager Gary Williams will explain further. Registration is available at carbondalepubliclibrary.org/register. The Neighborhood Alliance Meeting is a project of the Neighborhood Action Group, a public group that meets monthly to explore ways to improve neighborhoods and community in Carbondale. All meetings are open to the public. The next meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 2. Info: Call or leave a message at 618-549-5302 ext. 386, or email studycircles@explorecarbondale.com.