HARDIN COUNTY — Republican State Sen. Dale Fowler of Harrisburg says he is joining Hardin County officials, including the sheriff’s department, in efforts to reopen the Hardin County Work Camp as a new county detention center.

The sheriff’s department recently announced its efforts to reopen the facility as a detention center providing room for 100 inmates and employing up to 40 workers.

The Hardin County Work Camp closed in 2016 due to state budget cuts. According to Sen. Fowler, the facility was an important part of the county’s local economy providing critical jobs in the area and bringing revenue to the community.

Fowler says the push to reopen this facility is a great opportunity for Southern Illinois, creating jobs and providing a critical service to Hardin and surrounding counties.

Fowler added that the next step will be exploring process of transferring the property ownership of the Work Camp to Hardin County and utilizing this facility to bring real economic opportunities to Southern Illinois.

The senator is currently working with Southeastern Illinois College to create a business proposal on the project. The Hardin County Sheriff’s Department is working toward obtaining funding for the project at both the state and federal levels.