CENTRALIA — The city of Centralia and the Castle Ridge Event Center have combined to receive nearly $8 million in state grant money as a part of Opportunity Zone grants awarded by Governor J.B. Pritzker Wednesday.

Centralia City Manager Lowell Crow says the growth of the opportunity zone is a key for future economic growth in the city.

Castle Ridge will receive $7.5 million to further expand their facility and the city is receiving $455,000 to improve the roadway leading into the Gaetti and Castle Ridge facilities.