$4 million in state funding gets Times Theater renovation going

Restoration work on the historic TimesTheater in downtown Rockford has begun and will continue throughout the year, thanks in large part to $4 million in state funding State Senator Steve Stadelman helped secure.

A subsidiary of Joseph James Partners of Rockford is planning to reopen the long-shuttered former movie theater, built in 1938, as a mid-sized live performance venue with seating for 650 to 900. Total cost of the renovation is $14 million.

"If we have a strong downtown, the whole region benefits. When the Times returns to active use, it will become yet another place to go, another place to see, another gathering spot," Stadelman said. "It's another building that become an eye sore and isn't living up to its potential, but that can re-emerge as a big boost to the economy and civic pride as well."

Learn about Illinois Grocery grants in online assistance sessions starting Wednesday

The first of two online technical assistance sessions takes place this week for independently owned for-profit grocery stores, coop grocery stores and qualifying not-for-profit grocery stores to make energy-efficient equipment upgrades.

Grocers located in food-insecure communities will be given priortity for $3.5 million to be awarded statewide in grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 under the Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Grant Program. State Senator Steve Stadelman recommends the program as a way to benefit small locally owned businesses and also improve access to fresh, nutrient-dense and culturally relevant food in lower-income areas.

Potential Applicants: Independently owned for-profit grocery stores, coop grocery stores and not-for-profit grocery stores with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four existing grocery stores.

Technical Assistance Sessions: 10 a.m. Wed., Jan. 31. (TA Session - Illinois Grocery Initiative (Equipment) 420-35-3295 registration - Webex) and 2 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 8. (TA Session - Illinois Grocery Initiative (Equipment) 420-35-3295 registration - Webex)

Apply: Applications are open until 5:00 p.m. March 25. - Illinois Grocery Initiative - Equipment Upgrades (Notice of Funding Opportunity 3295-2671) 

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