Sept. 16, 2013

This edition of the Good NewsLink spotlights the national attention being given to our institutions of higher learning, positive trends in home sales and the launch of the Scott Patriot Program. Keep reading for more information on these stories and more.

Have a great week!

Ellen

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Holland building addition to Ritchie facility at Caseyville (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9/13/13)

Holland Construction Services is building a 7,200-square-foot addition to the auction building at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers local facility near the intersection of Interstate 64 and Illinois Route 157 at Caseyville. (Read More)

SIUE, McKendree make list of top colleges in the Midwest (Belleville News-Democrat, 9/10/13)

Several local universities are ranked among the best in the Midwest, according to the U.S. News and World Report's annual list of the best colleges in the country. Among all Midwestern universities, public and private, SIUE moved from No. 49 last year to No. 42 this year. Among the Midwestern public schools, it ranks No. 9. Also on the list of top regional universities: the private McKendree University in Lebanon ranked No. 68. (Read More)

Top programs at SIUE show growth (Edwardsville Intelligencer, 9/12/13)

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's undergraduate programs in the School of Engineering with 1,462 students, Nursing with 1,062 students and Pharmacy with 325 students have set record enrollments for the 2013 fall semester. (Read More)

Double-digit July home sale increases in Illinois, Madison County defy gloomy national slump (Illinois Business Journal, September 2013)

Although U.S. home sales plunged 13.4 percent in July, Illinois recorded double-digit gains. In Madison County, the news is also optimistic: home sales here, based upon closings reported in the multiple listing service, are up 15 percent for the first seven months of 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012. (Read More)

Leadership Council SWIL releases its 2013 Market Review & Investment Update (Illinois Business Journal, September 2013)

The Illinois Business Journal included a special section in its September issue featuring an abridged version of the special 30th anniversary edition of the Market Review & Investment Update. Produced by the Leadership Council as part its 30th anniversary celebration, the publication showcases just a sampling of the wealth of investment activity that has occurred in Southwestern Illinois since 1983. The council takes great pride in the fact that the organization, and many of its individual members, played a role in supporting or delivering so many of those landscape-changing projects that shaped the region over the past three decades.(Read More)

Main Street makeover nears end (Alton Telegraph, 9/10/13)

A project to rebuild North Main Street and to light the night skies above it is nearing the finish line after a year-and-a-half of work. (Read More)

In Other News

Initiative to recognize, recruit businesses to support military

(Belleville News-Democrat, 9/11/13)

Regional area chambers of commerce and the Leadership Council have introduced a new initiative called the Scott Patriot Program. The program will recognize area businesses that already provide support to local military personnel at Scott Air Force Base, through discounts and other special offers, and attempt to attract others who can also be recognized as a "Scott Patriot." (Read More)

Gateway Motorsports Park continues to make a comeback (KTVI, 9/11/13)

The sounds of racing are getting louder in Madison, Illinois, as the Gateway Motorsports Park continues a comeback. It's entering one of the biggest months it's seen in recent years. On Sept. 11, this track was part of Hot Rod Magazine's four-city drag racing tour, and in a few weeks it will host one of the biggest events in drag racing. (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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