Clinton Area Farmer's and Artisans Market was one of 150 farmer's markets in the state to receive a free wireless electronic banking and transaction machine.

Elizabeth Burns of the Clinton Area Farmer's and Artisan's Market says the market still needs to be approved by the USDA. They also have to go through training, but she says overall she is happy Clinton was selected. If the USDA does approve, the local farmer's market will receive a machine that accepts Link, debit and credit cards

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Personnel will be trained later this month on how to operate the machines. Burns says vendors will be reimbursed at the end of each day by the market for what was paid for through the EBT machine, and encourages people to visit the farmer's market to see how it works. She hopes the market will receive the machine in time for the Apple 'n' Pork festival.

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Lt. Governor Sheila Simon views the grant as a complete win. Sales in markets that already have the devices already have almost doubled, and Simon adds it keeps money in the state, helps people be able to buy fresh produce and helps our local economies.

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All farmers markets who receive a device will go through training on how to properly use it. The grant also covers 1 year of free service. The grant is part of Illinois' EBT wireless Project.