BUSINESS MEMO: METROLINK FUNDING

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Federico Pena visited St. Louis and Belleville, Ill., last week to announce $50 million in mass transit grants to the Metrolink light rail system.

The funds will be used to start construction of a 17-mile extension of Metrolink from East St. Louis, Ill., to Belleville Area College, and for the purchase of light rail cars.

Rep. Jerry Costello, state and local officials attended the Illinois meeting, held at Belleville Area College.