Blunt secures grant for Gillioz restoration

Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt secured a $495,000 Economic Development Initiative grant as part of a 2006 appropriation bill. It will be given to the Springfield Landmarks Preservation Trust for the theater’s revitalization.

This is the second grant Blunt has secured for the $9.7 million restoration project. He earmarked $471,200 for it last year.

The Gillioz was dedicated at a ceremony Oct. 13 after more than 15 years of renovations. Celebration events have been ongoing since Oct. 6 and continue with a Missouri State University jazz band concert at 7:30 tonight, Moon City poetry readings at 7 p.m. Thursday and a Springfield Symphony concert at 7 p.m. Friday.

For more information about upcoming events at the Gillioz, call (417) 773-6228.