MATTOON - Lake Land College is a little closer to building a vocational and technology education center in Pana as part of an effort to offer more to the western side of the college's district.

Lake Land will receive $575,000 of initial federal funding to assist in constructing the proposed Lake Land College Western Region Advanced Technology Center in Pana. U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, said the project will be included in funding within the omnibus appropriations bill.

The $8.9 million, 24,000-square-foot satellite training and educational facility will allow the college to offer a variety of programs to businesses and individuals.

"This takes us one step closer," said Ray Rieck, Lake Land College vice president of business affairs. "We are excited about that news."

Lake Land College President Robert Luther and Pana School District Superintendent David Lett expressed their appreciation for the funding on the project. The college will be working with Pana and other high schools in that area to develop vocational and technology programs at the Pana center.

"I am extremely pleased and grateful to congressman Shimkus and Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert for their understanding of the importance of this project for helping meet the educational and economic development needs of the greater Pana area," Lett said.

Luther echoed his thanks to Shimkus and Hastert for their support in securing funding for the Western Region Center.

"This is a big first step to ensuring that Lake Land College can bring education to the doorsteps of the citizens of the western portion of the district," Luther said.

Luther said he will continue to work diligently with the Illinois Community College Board to secure state funding for the project.

About three-quarters of the funding will come from state funding for capital development projects, which will be decided in the future, Rieck said.

The college district is awaiting word on funding for different building projects. The recent veto session of the Illinois General Assembly did not result in much money for any educational projects across the state. It might be some time before Lake Land's projects are funded.

The Pana center will be similar in size to the Kluthe Center in Effingham, which has a variety of classes for students of different ages in that community, Rieck said.

Herb Meeker can be reached at hmeeker@;jg-tc.com or 238-6869.