More than 100 new workers would be welcome in any town, but they're especially welcome these days in Thomson, Illinois. After years of sitting empty, staffing is ramping up at the federal prison, and the first inmates may arrive in April.
Village president Vicky Trager says employees from the federal Bureau of Prisons began transferring to Thomson last year, and new trainees have also started joining the staff - so employment now totals about 130.
She's happy to see so many new faces in town.
She says prison employees have bought several homes in Thomson, but housing in the village is limited, so others are living in Fulton, Clinton, Savanna, and Morrison.
Trager expects there'll be some "growing pains" but is happy that after so many years of waiting, the prison is finally being put to good use.
Employment should soon reach 300, and eventually 1,000 when the Thomson prison is fully open.
