Command at Scott is big mover in drawdown of American troops (Belleville News-Democrat, 11/7/11)
Scott Air Force base continues to play a vital role in our nation's defense as the drawdown of American troops in Afghanistan continues. Personnel at the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command at the base work around the clock to monitor and move all the necessary equipment, ammunition, and supplies for the troops. Thus far this year, the Belleville News-Democrat reports that the base has moved more than 18.7 million tons in support of
U.S. forces and missions and tracked more than 198,000 shipping containers. Click here to view the full story.
New Centreville Manufacturing Plant means 40 new jobs for metro-east workers (Belleville News Democrat, 11/10/11)
Gov. Pat Quinn recently announced a $750,000 federal grant that will help to fund construction of a new manufacturing plant in Centreville. The creation of a new plant is positive news for the manufacturing sector as the facility is predicted to create 40 full-time jobs. According to the Belleville News Democrat, Gov. Quinn stated that this project will pave the way for future economic growth, help rejuvenate the Centreville economy and bring jobs to an underserved area. For more information, please click here.
Chestnut Health Systems starts $4 million renovation in Granite City (St. Louis Business Journal, 11/11/11)
Leadership Council member, Impact Strategies of Fairview Heights, is leading construction on a new $4 million renovation and expansion at Chestnut Health Systems in Granite City. The project will connect and renovate two existing buildings and double Chestnut Health System's size to 70,000 square feet. The St. Louis Business Journal reports the new facility is expected to provide expanded health, pharmacy, counseling, case management, crisis residential, training, and chemical dependency services. For more information, click here.
Memorial Hospital's $25 million medical building nearly complete (Belleville News Democrat, 11/14/11)
Holland Construction is wrapping up construction on the new $25 million, orthopedic and neurosciences center for fellow Leadership Council member Memorial Hospital in Belleville. The 85,000 square-foot building will house physicians who treat pain management as well as offering sports medicine, physical, occupational and hand therapy and will feature a new MRI unit. For the full story, click here.
Mulch company chooses Illinois over Missouri to consolidate (The Alton Telegraph, 11/17/11)
The Alton Telegraph is reporting that the International Mulch Co. plans to expand in the Godfrey area, retaining 21 and bringing at least 20 new jobs to the community. The Madison County Board authorized a maximum low-interest development loan of $250,000 to assist with the company's $905,000 plan to consolidate its business in Godfrey and close its current Bridgeton, Mo facility. You can find more on this story here.
New area headquarters for MITRE Corp. nearly complete at Shiloh (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 11/18/11)
As Scott Air Force Base continues to grow its impact on our region, it also brings positive developments to the surrounding community of Shiloh. Leadership Council member Contegra Construction is nearing completion on a new area headquarters building for Mitre Corp., which researches and produces new technology for the Department of Defense and other government agencies. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Mitre wanted to consolidate and move closer to the base since it is the main government installation that uses the company's services in the St. Louis area. The new $5 million building will take up about a quarter of the 20-acre development site located approximately three blocks from the base at the Interstate 64 corridor. County leaders are optimistic about future developments near the base, citing the recent Leadership Council study revealing that, in 2010 alone, outside vendors and contractors did a total of $207 million in business with Scott Air Force Base. To view the full story, please click here. 
'Great big rig': Massive 900-ton crane starts work on bridge towers (Belleville News-Democrat 11/18/11)
A massive barge-based crane is currently visible just north of downtown St. Louis where it is working on the east and west towers for the new bridge. The crane is just one more sign of the progress being made on the project, which remains on schedule for completion in early 2014. Learn more about this story here.
