A 625,000 grant has been awarded to the city of Staunton for infrastructure upgrades that will pave the way for a local business, TDS Transport Inc., to expand and create new jobs.

State Senator Andy Manar was joined by Adam Pollet, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; Staunton Mayor Craig Neuhaus; and Tom Schmidt, president of TDS Transport Inc., on Monday to announce the award and plans that will lead to the business' expansion.

The funds mad available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Development will allow the city of Staunton to install water and sewer lines and bulld a street in a location adjacent to TDS Transport Inc.

TDS Transport provides specialized transportation services to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Homeland Security and companies across the country. Headquartered in Staunton and with offices in New York, Indian and Pennsylvania, the company employs 53 workers and expects to add 13 full-time jobs upon completion of the infrastructure imporvement.