ROCKFORD (WREX) -- A plan to redevelop a former Chinese restaurant on East State Street into a culinary apprenticeship program gets approval from the Rockford Planning and Development Committee.

The agreement with the Awaken Foundation would support the Awaken 815 Culinary Program. The free 8-week hospitality industry apprenticeship program will be for kids 16-24, in partnership with the College of DuPage Culinary program.

Under the agreement, instead of taking kids to COD, the Awaken Foundation will redevelop the former Imperial Palace Restaurant near the corner of East State and Fairview. The city will provide a $300,000 loan to the foundation from the East State/Alpine TIF fund.

The city will forgive $50,000 of the loan after construction is finished and another $50,000 after 100 students complete the program.

“I’m excited to see new, innovative programs like this developed in Rockford,” says Mayor Tom McNamara in a press release via email. “It’s critical for our community that we provide a variety of opportunities for our youth. This hands-on life skills program gives participants real experience and skills they can use throughout their lives.”

The agreement will be presented to the Rockford City Council next week.