Atlanta TIF Project to Begin Operation

[May 09, 2014]  ATLANTA - The Atlanta Police Department Firearms Range will officially open on May 14th when an Illinois Concealed Carry Course is conducted there by Pistol Prep Academy, headquartered in Atlanta. A second Illinois Concealed Carry Course, also presented by Pistol Prep Academy, is scheduled for May 21st, with more to come this summer.

When it was first proposed several months ago, the Atlanta Police Department Firearms Range project received design and planning support from the Lincoln/Logan County Development Partnership (LLCDP). Working in conjunction with the Atlanta Police Department, the City of Atlanta, and Annette Chapman, owner and operator of the Pistol Prep Academy, the LLCDP helped put together and write the proposal to the Atlanta City Council asking for TIF support to design and build the Atlanta Police Department Firearms Range. The Atlanta City Council approved the request, but work on building the range has been delayed until recently due to inclement weather.
 

Over the past few weeks, final construction tasks including building berms, installing targets, erecting a shelter, putting up fencing to secure the range, and marking off shooting distances have been finished. With the completion of these items, the range is now ready to serve its intended purpose to further develop the economy of Atlanta and Logan County by creating and constructing a firearms range that:

• Meets the firearm training/recertification needs of the Atlanta Police Department and other area departments
   
• Attracts entrepreneurs who wish to establish a firearms training business

The Atlanta Police Department Firearms Range is located on City-owned land on a site just north of the Atlanta. The range has been designed and constructed per NRA standards and guidelines for outdoor firearm ranges. The Atlanta Police Department Firearms Range is owned and managed by the City of Atlanta. Its use is limited to area police departments and/or Illinois-certified firearms instructors. For information regarding courses offered by Pistol Prep Academy, please contact Annette Chapman at 309-830-7182.

[Text received; BILL THOMAS, LINCOLN & LOGAN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP]