Governor JB Pritzker joined local and state leaders today to announce the grand opening of the South Central Illinois (SCI) Training & Innovation Center - bolstered by $8.6 million in grant funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The regional training center will provide career and technical training for school districts in Montgomery and Macoupin counties. 

Former State Senator Andy Manar, now a Deputy Governor, saluted Governor Pritzker for improving school funding and making SCI a possibility.  Litchfield Mayor Steve Dougherty called today's event a great example of the regional thinking in Litchfield and elsehwere. 

"It's an exciting time for jobs and economic growth across Downstate Illinois and for the first time, students here in South-Central Illinois will have access to 21st century career paths that can begin upon high school graduation," said Governor JB Pritzker. "These are the types of strategic investments that build our workers' skills to take the jobs available right now in high growth industries of the future. And most importantly, this puts Illinois at the forefront of economic progress in the nation."