Governor Pat Quinn joined with local leaders to open a rail spur aimed at helping one of the region's largest employers increase jobs.
A rail spur now connects Continental Tire in Mount Vernon to existing transportation infrastructure, and is another key to the company adding 100 jobs over the next several years.
Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley says the expansion is a true collaborative effort.
"Continental tire is an example of the strong teamwork that has been established between Continental Tire Executives, our local government officials, the JCDC, state agencies such as IDOT and DCEO, our state legislature, and our Governor in assisting in any way possible to create jobs for our region."
Governor Quinn also praised the partnership - and says it's a good example of how the state can build the economy.
"This is one of the biggest sites of employment in our whole state of Illinois, and we have done a number of things to work together with the company."
Company officials say the rail spur will allow them to bring raw materials into the plant more efficiently, and improvements to the truck routes in and out of the site are helping to get the tires to market more quickly.
