Caterpillar Inc. will expand an excavator plant now under construction in Victoria, Texas. Caterpillar announced it will expand the 850,000 square foot excavator plant by another 200,000 square feet. The total investment for the state-of-the-art facility is $200 million.

Caterpillar Inc. will expand an excavator plant now under construction in Victoria, Texas. Caterpillar announced it will expand the 850,000 square foot excavator plant by another 200,000 square feet. The total investment for the state-of-the-art facility is $200 million.

Excavator production in Victoria is expected to begin in mid-2012. Once fully operational, the new facility will more than triple the capacity of hydraulic excavators produced by the company in the United States. Caterpillar currently produces two excavator models at a facility in Aurora where it also produces wheel loaders, soil and landfill compactors, wheel dozers and components.

Rashid receives volunteer award

Dr. Ameel Rashid of the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery at Proctor Hospital is one of two recipients to receive the fourth annual CARON Dr. Jasper G. Chen See, M.D. Volunteer Leadership Award. "Dr. Rashid is recognized internationally as a pioneer in the field of addiction medicine," said Rick Zehr, vice president at Proctor Hospital. "His 32 years of compassion for those suffering from addiction has changed the lives of over 100,000 addicts and family members," he said.

Heartland joins health information exchange

Heartland Community Clinic has joined the Central Illinois Health Information Exchange as a charter member. "We are pleased to have another central Illinois healthcare provider join our effort to make patient care better," said Dr. Gail Amundson, president and CEO of Quality Quest.

Methodist cited as community hospital

Becker's Hospital Review has named Methodist Medical Center as one of its 65 Great Community Hospitals. Methodist is being recognized for patient care, clinical quality and community outreach. For inclusion on this list, hospitals needed to have fewer than 550 patient beds and minimal teaching programs.

Peoria Public Library Receives "Business and Libraries Working Together" Grant from Illinois State Library to Help Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Peoria library to receive business grant

Peoria Public Library has been selected to receive a state business grant.

Library director Ed Szynaka said the grant will provide "business packages" that include equipment (laptop computers, DVD players, projectors, video cameras), software (planning and office functions) and training videos (office safety, sexual harassment, hostile workplace).

Szynaka said local businesses and entrepreneurs interested in working with the library on the initiative should contact the library reference department at 497-2158.

Learn about supplier requirements

A program designed to help small-business owners sell goods or services to the Rock Island Arsenal will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, July 13 at the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W. Main St.

For registration, please go to https://store.heartlandpartnership.org/catalog/edc/doing-business-rock-island-arsenal.

Pre-registration is required to accommodate seating and materials. Seating is limited, and no walk-ins will be accepted. Pre-registration deadline is Friday, July 8.