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April 15, 2013


Greetings ~

 

 

We're pleased to lead off this edition of NewsLink with news that the State of Illinois ranked fifth among 50 states for private development in 2012, according to a national magazine's annual ranking. That's good news worth sharing, and we encourage you to pass it on. Below, you'll also find information on several other positive developments here in Southwestern Illinois that indicate both public and private investments are continuing to flow into our region.  Click through for more details on any that pique your interest.

 

Have a great week!

 

Ellen

We appreciate you sharing this email with others.  

  

 
 

Illinois ranks 5 among 50 states for private development in 2012, magazine reports (Illinois Business Journal, April 2013)

 

The April edition of the Illinois Business Journal spotlights news from Site Selection Magazine that the State of Illinois ranked 5th among the 50 states in its 2012 Governor's Cup competition. Judged based on the number of qualified projects, Illinois took 5th place with 332 projects. As stated in the article, each qualified project must be located in the private-sector, represent an investment of $1 million or more, and create 50 or more jobs or construct 20,000 square feet of new space. Leadership Council and various other state and local contacts weigh in regarding why Illinois fared well in the rankings and the ingredients in place here in Southwestern Illinois to attract more investments along these lines. Read more at ibjonline.com  

 

 

Belleville OKs plan for senior housing near cathedral (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 1, 2013)

 

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a new senior living apartment complex will be coming to Belleville. The City Council approved the construction of the $5 million Cottages at Cathedral Square development near St. Peter's Cathedral.  With construction set to begin this summer, the complex will provide affordable housing for seniors. (Read more)

 

  

Korte begins work on $2 million medical building in Highland (St. Louis Business Journal, April 12, 2013)

 Korte logo

According the St. Louis Business Journal, Leadership Council member the Korte Co. has started construction on a 17,500-square-foot medical office building that will be located in the new St. Joseph's Hospital in Highland, Ill. The $1.97 million project is scheduled to be completed by the end of August and will include physician offices, treatment rooms, exam rooms and triage facilities. (Read more

 
 

Watch the roads: $7 million in construction projects coming to the metro-east (Belleville News-Democrat, April 13, 2013)

 

The Belleville News-Democrat recently featured 13 road construction projects in Madison and St. Clair counties that are part of the Illinois Jobs Now! Capital construction program. The projects total $7.1 million.(Read More) 

 

Here's an update on 3 area bridge projects (St. Louis Business Journal, April 11, 2013)

 

The St. Louis Business Journal recently featured updates on three area bridge projects, including the new Mississippi River Bridge, connecting Illinois and Missouri. The $700 million Mississippi River Bridge is  approximately 80 percent complete, with an opening set for early 2014. (Read more)
 

 

 

Collinsville City Council talks about 'pocket parks' proposal (Belleville News-Democrat, April 8, 2013)


According to the Belleville News-Democrat, Collinsville City Council is considering the proposal of three "pocket parks."  The three parks, estimated to cost $397,000, would be located in downtown Collinsville and would fill the empty spaces left when the new Illinois 159 was built. Leadership Council member Oates Associates will serve as the project engineer and expects the parks will be completed by summer 2014.The next step for the project is to be approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation and finalized by the city. (Read more) 

 

Panel gives go-ahead to Alton sewer project (The Telegraph, April 10, 2013)

 

The City of Alton is moving forward with a project totaling just over $100,000 to replace the aged sewer line located just east of the Alton Memorial Hospital campus along the Thorpe-Cooper streets area. According to The Alton Telegraph, the city's aldermen recommended the project proceed for a final vote. The committee also recommended other measures, including a bid for the Broadway/Piasa Street area Streetscape project. (Read more)

Wood River OKs bid for water infrastructure (The Alton Telegraph, April 3, 2013)

  

The Alton Telegraph reported that Leadership Council member Korte and Luitjohan Contractors Inc.  has been approved to start construction on the water infrastructure of the Northeast Central County Public Water District.  The project will cost $108,000 and provide a 10-inch water main, interconnect and meter station. (Read more)

 

 

Tax Increment Financing in Southwestern Illinois (Illinois Business Journal, April 2013)

 

This month's Illinois Business Journal has a special section dedicated to Southwestern Illinois TIF success stories. Each article highlights the projects throughout the region that have been developed due to extensive TIF funding. Areas included are the City of Alton, Jerseyville, the Village of Sauget, Collinsville, Columbia, and the Village of Hartford.The section also includes area firms that assist municipalities in obtaining TIF funds. Read more at ibjonline.com. 

 

 

In Other News

 

Area libraries receive state grants (Belleville News-Democrat, April 3, 2013)


The Belleville News-Democrat recently reported that the 2013 Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants have been awarded to 611 of Illinois' public libraries, including 30 local libraries. Of the $11.9 million distributed among the state, over $400,000 was given to the local libraries.The grants are intended to provide libraries with funding for Internet access, reading materials, audiobooks and eBooks, interlibrary loan service and much more. (Read more)

Coalition urges new funding for state road projects (Belleville News-Democrat, April 1, 2013)


Holland Logo

According to the Belleville News-Democrat, the Transportation for Illinois Coalition is hosting meetings throughout the state to start a conversation about the gap in funding for road projects. The goal of  meetings is to find new funding sources for these projects. Leadership Council member Bruce Holland, president of Holland Construction Services, was quoted in the story and stressed the importance of infrastructure improvements as related to the economic growth of the region. Some specific projects that need funding include a new overpass along Illinois 3 and an interchange at I-255 at Davis Street Ferry. (Read more)

 

 

 

Contact Information

Ellen Krohne

 Executive Director

Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois

618-692-9745


 

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