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April 1, 2013


Greetings ~

 

 

I hope this first day of April finds you in good spirits. Ours certainly were high as we saw the wave of coverage that celebrated our region's win of the prestigious Abilene Trophy earlier this month. The regional spirit of support that contributed to that victory also was very much evident in recent weeks as the community stepped up to help a local entrepreneur keep her toy stores open. Other good news that caught our attention highlights expansion plans at MidAmerica Airport, details on Alton's plans for a new multi-modal transportation station and more investments in our region's infrastructure and education. Read on for all the details.

 

Have a great week!

 

Ellen

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'Love of airmen at Scott is still there': Region wins top award from Air Mobility Command (Belleville News-Democrat, March 19, 2013)

 

The St. Louis Region has been selected as the winner of the prestigious Air Mobility Command  Community Support Award for the extensive support demonstrated for the airmen of Scott Air Force Base, and their families, during 2012. Also known as the Abilene Trophy, the highly coveted award is presented annually to recognize the community which provides the finest support to an Air Mobility Command unit. The Belleville News-Democrat was one of several local media outlets to feature the news of the award, which the Leadership Council helped capture by spearheading this year's nomination and rounding up supporting information from businesses, organizations and individuals across the region.(Read more) 

 

 

St. Clair County board approves funding for MidAmerica expansions (St. Louis Business Journal, March 26, 2013)

  

Expansions by North Bay Produce and the Boeing Co. at MidAmerica Airport have been approved for funding, according to the St. Louis Business Journal. The St. Clair County board members have agreed to sell $3.7 million in bonds in order to fund the projects. North Bay will be getting an 18,000-square-foot expansion to its refrigerated warehouse. This growth is expected to provide roughly 50 jobs within the company. In the meantime, Boeing will be expanding its assembly plant at the airport and is expected to have an estimated 20-employee increase by August. (Read more)    

  

 Alton has sights set on new Amtrak station, multi-modal, mixed-used development (Illinois Business Journal, March 2013)

  

In order to make way for the new high-speed rail, Alton is working to develop a new multi-modal transportation station. According to the Illinois Business Journal, the site for the station is still being determined, but the city is hoping it will be the former Robert Wadlow Golf Course along Homer Adams Parkway. Other sites being considered for the project are the current site at 3400 College Ave. and land behind the Alton Holiday Inn. Hoping to start construction in the spring of 2014 and open the station a year later, the city has already been approved for a TIGER grant of $12.85 million. As part of the grant, the city must match 20 percent of the cost. Read more at ibjonline.com.

  

Board OKs bids for North Elementary renovation (The Alton Telegraph, March 20, 2013)

 

According to the Alton Telegraph, the Alton School Board has approved eight bid packages for the renovation of North Elementary off Godfrey Rd. North will be the last elementary school building in the district to be remodeled as part of a four-phase project that started in 2008. As part of its estimated $2.75 million renovation, North will receive new flooring, wall coverings and coatings and ceilings; renovated kitchen and gymnasium; remodeled, energy- and water-efficient restrooms; and new mechanicals. (Read more)  

   

Trio revives popular restaurant (The Alton Telegraph, March 26, 2013)

 

The Alton Telegraph reported that the former Midtown Restaurant and Lounge at 1026 East Seventh St. in Alton has reopened as the Historic Midtown Restaurant. Having originally opened in 1928, the former Midtown Restaurant closed in 2001. The new restaurant will feature both old and new recipes to bring the two restaurants into one. (Read more)

  

County awards road project (The Edwardsville Intelligencer, March 27, 2013)

 

According to the Edwardsville Intelligencer, the Madison County Board has approved a project to widen New Poag Road in Edwardsville. Leadership Council member Keller Construction Co., Inc. of Glen Carbon was awarded the project. The New Poag Road work is part of the Enclave West student apartments project that will be opening in August. Overall, the project will include the creation of a left turn lane and traffic signals with a cost $1 million. The project will be partly funded by SIUE and the Enclave developer Impact Strategies, Inc., both of which also are members of the Leadership Council. (Read more)  

 

 St. Clair County will spend millions on widening area roads (Belleville News-Democrat, March 27, 2013)

  

According to the Belleville News-Democrat, St. Clair County board members have approved the funding to widen Frank Scott Parkway East and North Green Mount Road in order to relieve congestion. Work on a three-mile stretch of North Green Mount Road will cost $10.4 million, while improvements to Frank Scott Parkway East will cost $5.5 million.(Read more)

 

Texas Roadhouse eyes site in village (The Edwardsville Intelligencer, March 28, 2013)

  

According to the Edwardsville Intelligencer, Glen Carbon may be getting a Texas Roadhouse in the near future. The village's Building and Development Committee has approved a site plan for the steakhouse. If built, the restaurant could create 180 jobs in the area. The site plan is going to be sent to the Planning and Zoning Commission for approval. If approved, the restaurant will be located at Edwardsville Crossing and could be opened by the end of the year. (Read more)

 

 

In Other News

 

 

Toy store owner looks to the future after St. Louis area rallies (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 22, 2013)

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Once Upon a Toy in Edwardsville and LagoonaMagoo in Clayton, which were both set to close in early March, have been saved from closing after customers and friends of the owner rallied to raise the needed funds to keep the stores open. A crowd-sourcing effort on Crowdtilt, a fundraising website, was started with the goal of raising $75,000 by March 15. Thanks to the efforts made, $82,450 was raised. (Read more) 

 

 

 

 

Contact Information

Ellen Krohne

 Executive Director

Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois

618-692-9745


 

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