Aug. 5, 2013

With the new school year right around the corner, we're happy to report continued new investments in our education sector. Local schools will start the year off with millions in renovations, while McKendree University looks forward to using an awarded $1.2 million state grant for their own infrastructure repairs. The Metro East also continues to move forward with transportation investments benefiting St. Louis Downtown Airport, the Port of East St. Louis, and high-speed rail. Read on for more.

Have a great week!

Ellen
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Metro-east school buildings get summer upgrades (Belleville News-Democrat, 7/13/13)

Local school districts are using summer break to improve their buildings. After more than two years, a $27.4 million overhaul of East St. Louis Senior High School is nearing completion. The extensive project that involves approximately 172,545 square feet includes renovations, additions and upgrades to the existing school. (Click here to read about other school projects.)

Director: MidAmerica Airport will soon need more employees to meet demand (The Belleville News-Democrat, 7/16/13)

St. Louis MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah is on the cusp of building enough business to need additional airport employees, according to Airport Director Tim Cantwell. Cantwell told St. Clair County Board members Tuesday the airport is succeeding and big plans are underway for its future. (Read more)

Touchette Hospital to renovate, expand ER (Belleville News-Democrat, 7/17/13)

Touchette Regional Hospital in Centreville has announced plans to reconstruct and expand its emergency room. The $2.8 million project, which is expected to begin within a month, involves renovating the hospital's emergency room and doubling the current space. (Read more)

IDOT: $1.45 billion awarded so far for high-speed rail (The Alton Telegraph, 7/24/13)

The Illinois Department of Transportation says about $1.45 billion in contracts have been awarded so far for high-speed rail construction. The (Springfield) State Journal-Register says work on the project is in its fourth season. Most of the current construction focuses on sidings and design of an automated control system. Authorities hope to have high-speed rail service between St. Louis and Chicago up and running in 2015. Trains would be able to travel up to 110 mph along most of the route. (Read more)

Alton Steel president: Sale 'right thing to do' for company (Belleville News-Democrat, 7/24/13)

The potential sale of Alton Steel is good news for the steel mill and its employees, the company's president said. The mill has set records in production since opening for business in 2003 and plans to spend $1.7 million for expansion.(Read more)

Quinn signs bill assisting Post of East St. Louis (St. Louis Business Journal, 7/29/13)
Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill last week that will free up development funds for a number of large projects in the state, including the Port of East St. Louis.

(Read more)

McKendree gets $1.2 million state grant (Belleville News-Democrat, 8/1/13)

McKendree University in Lebanon has received a $1.2 million state grant for infrastructure improvements. The cash is part of $90 million set aside this fiscal year for the Illinois Jobs Now capital construction program designed to address the needs of the state's private colleges and universities. (Read More)

Cahokia airport gets $508,000 grant for taxi lanes (Belleville News-Democrat , 8/1/13)

Metro's St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia has received $508,148 to reconstruct the taxi lane in the northwest quadrant of the airport. The project is part of the state's Illinois Jobs Now capital construction program. (Read More)

In Other News

America's Central Port aiming to take advantage of Panama Canal expansion (Illinois Business Journal, July, 2013)

America's Central Port is moving quickly to position itself to take advantage of increased shipping due to the expansion of the Panama Canal. Completion of that $5.2 billion project is projected for 2015.(Read more)

Leadership Council members associated with projects in this issue

Contact Information

Ellen Krohne, Executive Director, Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois

618-692-9745

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