Farnham helps secure $100,000 for Carpentersville

The village of Carpentersville got an extra present this year to the tune of $100,000 in grant money, thanks in part to efforts by State Representative Keith Farnham.

The village applied for grant funds more than two years ago as it planned a renovation of Fire Station 2. The building rehab wrapped up in May but the village got an unexpected treat this month when it found out the grant funds would come through after all.

The money came from an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant, helping the village finish the project $315,000 under budget.

Fire Chief John Schuldt said the village expects to see the money within the next couple weeks.

In the scope of the almost $2 million project, the extra money didn't make or break anything, but it did help the village come in even further under budget than it expected.

“This was just a nice little addition to help put a little bit back into the reserves that the village had dipped into to fund the project,” Schuldt said.

The village added 2,100 square feet to the fire station, including a workout room, bathrooms and office space with the renovation. The money also paid for structural repairs to the building itself, which had not been renovated in more than 40 years.

Village President Ed Ritter said Carpentersville has been in the running for this money for awhile but no one was sure when, or if, the village would get it.

“With the state you're not actually sure if it's really going to happen,” Ritter said.

Farnham said he heard about the grant during his first year in office and has liked to give extra attention to police and fire. He believes funds for public safety are vital.

Like Ritter, Farnham didn't want to celebrate too soon, but said he is glad Carpentersville got the money in the end.

“It was good for the firemen, good for the people out there,” Farnham said.

Farnham said he plans to concentrate more on Carpentersville in 2011 and see where else he can help the village.