August 17, 2015


 
Investments top the news in this edition - from another industrial speculative building announced in Edwardsville to major infrastructure investments by Ameren and Illinois American Water to the groundbreaking for the unique Hofbrauhaus complex in Belleville.  The region also announced investment in our future as the St. Louis Regional Freight District is formed at Bi-State Development.  Read on to learn about other exciting progress in Southwestern Illinois!  
 
Executive Director, Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
  
 
Gen. Everhart assumes command of AMC during Scott ceremony
(Belleville News-Democrat 8/11/2015)
Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II took the reins of the Air Mobility Command during a Tuesday morning ceremony at Scott's parade grounds.
 
New freight district head aims to move bi-state forward
(Illinois Business Journal, 8/1/15)
Mary Lamie, the former Illinois Department of Transportation Region 5 director of highways, will put her experience to good use as executive director of the new St. Louis Regional Freight District. 
Panattoni eyes $40 million industrial spec facility
(St. Louis Business Journal, 7/31/15)
Panattoni Development Co., the largest commercial developer in the St. Louis region, will soon start construction on a 769,500-square-foot industrial speculative facility in the Lakeview Commerce Center in Edwardsville.

No vacancy: Industrial space needed: 'You can't sell from an empty cart'
(St. Louis Business Journal, 7/31/15)
Terry Stieve can't recall a time when the St. Louis industrial market was at the capacity it is now.
(Read More)
 
Ameren investing $4.5 million to upgrade substations, energy delivery in East St. Louis area
(Illinois Business Journal 8/10/2015)
Ameren Illinois is investing $4.5 million in the East St. Louis area on energy infrastructure upgrades to improve the reliability and performance of its delivery systems for residential and business customers throughout southern Illinois.
 
Illinois American Water to invest $12 million in East St. Louis Water Treatment Plant
(Illinois Business Journal 7/29/2015)
Illinois American Water's Interurban District, which serves the communities of East St. Louis, Granite City, Belleville and surrounding areas, will invest approximately $12 million at the East St. Louis Water Treatment Plant to enhance operations.
 
Gateway Commerce Center: 5,000 jobs and counting
(Illinois Business Journal, 8/13/15)
Metro East warehouse complex still has room to grow.
SIUE awarded $1.5 million federal grant for East St. Louis clinic
(Illinois Business Journal, 7/30/2015)
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing has been awarded a $1.5 million, three-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. 
(Read More)
 
IDOT Studying Rail Crossings
(WBGZ, 7/31/2015)
The Illinois Department of Transportation is taking public comment on plans for three rail crossings that will be upgraded as part of the process of bringing High Speed Rail to Illinois. 
(Read More)
 
Businesses welcome coming Hofbrauhaus, hotel, complex
(Bellville News- Democrat, 8/3/15)
Business along Illinois 15 are already rolling out the red carpet in anticipation of additional profits from a large development that just broke ground along the roadway in Belleville. 
 
Alton, Godfrey see new businesses open
(Advantage News, 8/11/2015)
Congratulations to owner Aaron Gingrich of Absolute Audiology on the grand opening of his store located at 5520A Godfrey Road in Godfrey.
 
Steady Economic Growth
(WBGZ, 8/4/2015)
Illinois' economy is still steadily growing. 
(Read More)

Three new schools, other improvements await metro-east students
(Belleville News-Democrat, 8/9/2015)
School buses and parent carpools will soon be swarming three schools in the metro-east that weren't around at the end of the last school year.
(Read More)

IMPACT Strategies completes building Granite City Green Community
(Illinois Business Journal, 8/6/2015)
Construction-management firm IMPACT Strategies has completed constructing the second phase for the federally-funded Granite City Green Communities project.

Foundry holds business expo
(Advantage News, 8/13/2015)
Seven months ago, the Granite City Business Foundry was founded as a networking group to establish an economy for businesses within the Granite City community by linking municipal, entrepreneurial and community goals.

Smart Choice Auto Sales in Godfrey marks eighth anniversary with large expansion
(Riverbender, 8/6/2015)
Jason Enos has used every bit of his beginning in the car business to create an operation that has been quite successful the past eight years in Godfrey. 

SIUE programs get STEM designation
(Alton Telegraph, 8/10/2015)
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business is now the only accredited business school in the Metro East to offer both graduate and undergraduate degrees in Computer Management Information Systems (CMIS) as STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs.
 
Grafton mayor: Business to provide fresh start for fishermen, help rid area of Asian Carp
(Riverbender, 7/30/2015)
On Wednesday, Grafton Mayor Tom Thompson officially issued a business license to American Meixi Fishing Industry, Inc. 
 
Grocery store seeks to foster new businesses
(Advantage News, 8/7/2015)
Grassroots Grocery is creating entrepreneurial opportunities for its neighbors.  The store's neighbors are eligible to be vendors at Grassroots Grocery, starting their own small business.
 
Milton School to Host Microbrewery
(WBGZ, 8/12/15)
The old Milton Schoolhouse in Alton will soon add a microbrewery to its offerings.
(Read More)  
 
In Other News

Roger That: Air Mobility Command earns excellence award
(Belleville News-Democrat, 8/11/2015)
Scott Air Force Base Air Mobility Command recently received the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award from the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council Awards and Decorations Branch, for the period of Jan 1, 2012 to Dec 31, 2013, the Air Moblity Command has announced.
(Read More)

County looks to spur economic development
(Edwardsville Intelligencer, 7/28/2015)
In an effort to attract more businesses to Madison County, county officials have created a new position: Economic Development Specialist.
 
Tourism Numbers on the Rise
(WBGZ, 7/29/2015)
Tourism remains one of the biggest industries in the state of Illinois, and it keeps getting bigger. 
 
Veterans and volunteers conduct an extreme makeover for Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center
(Fox2Now, 8/1/2015)
A new playground, a new sidewalk, two new libraries plus a new brick walkway and more, all in five hours.
 
Southwestern Illinois Business Expo inaugural event draws 200 to Collinsville
(Belleville News-Democrat, 8/12/2015)
Thirty businesses and more than 200 professionals from the metro area attended the inaugural Southwestern Illinois Business Expo.
(Read More)

St. Clair County and SWIC to host government ethics training
(7/23/2015)
The St. Clair County State's Attorney Office is committed to fighting violations of public integrity and strengthening public trust in our governmental institutions.
(Read More)
 
O'Fallon nominated for 'Opportunity for Growth' Bright Ideas & Innovation Award
(Belleville News-Democrat, 7/28/2015)
The City of O'Fallon's submission, titled "Opportunity for Growth," is a nominee for the Bright Ideas and Innovation Award, which will be presented at the Illinois Municipal League (IML) Annual Conference on September 19, 2015.

New Catholic high school opening is historic for diocese
(Illinois Business Journal, 8/1/15)
In one corner of Principal Mike Scholz's modest office sits one of his most valued assets, a small, round table that he says speaks to the character of Father McGivney High School.
(Read More)

McKendree University makes 'Great College to Work For' Honor Roll
(Illinois Business Journal, 7/15/2015) 
McKendree University has made The Chronicle of Higher Education's "Great College to Work For" Honor Roll in seven categories.

OSF Healthcare System recognized for technology
(Advantage News, 7/31/2015)
OSF Healthcare System, the parent company of OSF Saint Anthony's Health Center in Alton, has been recognized as one of the nation's MOST WIRED, according to results from the 2015 Most Wired Survey conducted by Hospitals & Health Networks.
(Read More)

SIUE School of Business sponsors World IT Project during August
(Illinois Business Journal, 7/30/2015)
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business is bringing the World IT Project to St. Louis during August.
 
Journey restaurant offers spectacular menu with beautiful view
(Riverbender, 7/31/2015)
It appears the community's arms are wide open for Argosy's newest restaurant, Journey. 

Creativity in Art and Science flourishes at SIUE Art Lab
(Riverbender, 7/30/2015)
More than 70 first through 11th grade students attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's new STEAM summer camp option July 20-31.
(Read More)
 
SWIC, SIUC Team Up for Aviation Degree
(KFVS, 7/10/2015)
Southern Illinois University Carbondale will offer its Bachelor of Science degree in aviation management through off-campus classes at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville beginning August 29.
(Read More)
 
Edgar Fellows Announced
(WBGZ, 7/28/2015)
A program designed to get future state leaders working together right out of the gate is continuing its work.  The Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs has announced its 2015 class of Edgar Fellows.
 
Alton's Beall Mansion receives dual honor
(Advantage News, 8/3/2015) 
The Beall Mansion An Elegant Bed and Breakfast Inn announced Monday that it has received a 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, "which honors top-rated accommodation businesses, restaurants and attractions, as reviewed by travelers on the world's largest travel site."
(Read More)
 

Leadership Council members associated
with projects
 in this issue 
  
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 Ameren IL Logo

 
 



gateway commerce center










Belleville Chamber of Commerce




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Contact Information

Ellen Krohne, Executive Director, Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois

618-692-9745

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