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April 14, 2022

Greetings, 

There’s been no shortage of positive news for this edition of Good NewsLink with a couple of major infrastructure developments leading the headlines in recent weeks, in addition to significant investments in various sectors across the Metro East, businesses expanding in our region and more.

Contegra Construction Co. is advancing the newest large distribution facility emerging at Gateway Commerce Center in Edwardsville. The 800,000-square-foot speculative distribution warehouse is being built for EQT Exeter – a global real estate solutions provider – and is expected to be completed in the fall. Michigan-based developer Build Senior Living LLC also recently submitted a zoning application to build Hampton Manor of St. Clair County – an assisted living and memory care facility – on a 19.97-acre site at Kyle Road and Lincoln Avenue in O’Fallon. The project will cost $17-$18 million and feature 27 memory care units and 54 assisted living units, with 27 one bedrooms, 23 studios and four two bedrooms, as well as four inner courtyards for residents.

Other exciting news on the development front comes from S. M. Wilson & Co., who recently completed the new $6.8 million, 31,000-square-foot, Highland Public Safety Building. The state-of-the-art facility now houses the city’s police, fire and emergency medical services departments under one roof, in addition to a communications, reception and data center. The new facility will allow the City of Highland’s emergency services to double their capacity to meet increased demand in the future.

Also in recent weeks, a workshop and roundtable hosted by the Madison County Employment and Training Department (MCET) and St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department discussed the major role transportation and the region’s supply chain industry both play in the local economy. Combined with modern logistics, these have become major factors in job creation in southwestern Illinois with nearly 30 percent of all people working in Madison County being involved in the supply chain, including about 10,000 in Gateway Commerce Center.

Lastly, don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Leadership Council’s Annual Dinner, which will be held on Tuesday, April 19 at The Regency in O’Fallon. To secure any last minute tickets, please contact our office as soon as possible at 618-692-9745 or email office@leadershipcouncilswil.com.

Read on for more on all the other good news happening in the Metro East and have a great rest of your week!


Kyle Anderson

Kyle Anderson, MPA
Executive Director and CEO
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
104 Magnolia Drive, Ste B
Glen Carbon, IL 62034
618-692-9745 
Contegra targets fall completion of 800,000 SF distribution facility for EQT Exeter
(St. Louis Construction News & Review, 04/06/2022)
Contegra Construction Co. is advancing the newest large distribution facility emerging at Gateway Commerce Center in Edwardsville, Ill. (Read More)

New senior living facility proposed in Metro East would add to Michigan operator's St. Louis-area footprint
(St. Louis Business Journal, 04/11/2022)
A Michigan-based developer is proposing to build an 81-unit senior living facility on undeveloped land in Metro East. (Read More)

Metro East industrial facility to expand using $7M in federal tax credits
(St. Louis Business Journal, 04/11/2022)
A St. Louis-based industrial hemp fiber processor will expand its operations in Metro East after the company closed on $7 million in tax credit financing. (Read More)

S.M. Wilson & Co. Completes New Highland Public Safety Building
(RiverBender, 04/06/2022)
S. M. Wilson & Co. has completed the new $6.8 million Highland Public Safety Building in Highland, Illinois. (Read More)

Logistics fuel region's job growth
(Alton Telegraph, 04/07/2022)
Transportation has always played a major role in the economy of the Metro East and St. Louis.

Ameren turns light on new solar initiative
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2022 Issue, Page 1)
A pilot project in East St. Louis will help guide Ameren Illinois in its pursuit of solar-generated power and, perhaps, influence the career path for generations of Metro East students. (Read More)

Drone school targeted in Metro East
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2022 Issue, Page 1)
An effort seven years in the making is expected to culminate this month in announcement of a plan to establish a training school for drone users and entrepreneurs in the Metro East. (Read More)

Supply chain training program seeks participants in Metro East
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2022 Issue, Page 1)
Efforts continue to boost supply chain management in Southwestern Illinois with officials repeating their call for participation in a unique training program. (Read More)

The Korte Company has mix of projects underway in Metro East
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2022 Issue, Page 6)
The Korte Company is being kept busy on a number of projects. Here is just a look at a few of them. (Read More)

Holland Construction expanding Eckert’s operation in Belleville
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2022 Issue, Page 7)
Holland Construction Services is working on an expansion project at Eckert’s in Belleville, which will expand the popular outdoor entertainment venue by nearly 10,000 square feet. (Read More)
PCs for People help get computers in the homes of those who truly need them!

•Distributes refurbished corporate computers updated to Windows 10, with very low-cost, unlimited internet access for students, underserved populations, elderly, and veterans.

•They have connected over 450,000 people to internet and computing devices. The State of Illinois Office of Broadband has committed to facilitate the donation of 10,000 computers to PCs for People Metro East, but they have set a goal of sourcing a total of 25,000 computers in their first year in order to meet the significant need in our community, and they need our help to meet that goal.

•PCs for People is NAID AAA certified to wipe clean all data off computers and recertify them for reuse

•PC donations needed!!  

If you would like more information about how to donate computers, please contact the Leadership Council office at 618-692-9745 or office@leadershipcouncilswil.com. 
Plocher building-out site for restaurant and retail
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2022 Issue, Page 8)
The site of a former O’Fallon lumberyard is giving way to a $4 million development on 3.5 acres at 531 W. Highway 50 in O’Fallon, Ill. (Read More)

E-commerce, business expansions drive Contegra Construction work
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2022 Issue, Page 9)
Earlier this year, the St. Louis Regional Freightway noted continued strengthening of the St. Louis industrial market with supportive infrastructure spending planned to energize it even more. (Read More)

IMPACT Strategies begins renovations of hospitality suites ahead of big race
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2022 Issue, Page 10)
Fairview Heights-based IMPACT Strategies has started construction on a complete interior and exterior renovation of the Oval Tower Suites at Worldwide Technology Raceway in Madison, Ill. (Read More)

Trouw Nutrition celebrates opening of new blending center
(Illinois Business Journal, 04/05/2022)
Trouw Nutrition’s newly opened Blending Innovation Center marked its official grand opening on March 29, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a reception at Schlafly Highland Square. (Read More)

HSHS Medical Group celebrates new Orthopedic and Sports Medicine location
(Illinois Business Journal, 03/31/2022)
HSHS Medical Group cut the ribbon this month at a Chamber Business After Hours event to celebrate their new location for Orthopedic and Sports Medicine. (Read More)

MidAmerica Airport gets rent relief for tenants
(Illinois Business Journal, 04/10/2022)
Two important tenant businesses at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport that have suffered financially as result of the coronavirus pandemic are receiving funding to help them alleviate the shortfalls they experienced the last couple of years. (Read More)

Edwardsville Library marks completion of several improvements
(Illinois Business Journal, 03/30/2022)
The Edwardsville Public Library recently celebrated the completion of several building renovations with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil one of the upgrades, a new exterior sign. (Read More)

Wood River Rec Center plan moves forward
(Advantage News, 04/05/2022)
By the slimmest of margins, the Wood River City Council voted to move forward with plans to build an $11-million recreation center on the former site of the Wood River Aquatic Center Monday night.

Edwardsville CENTER Features NHL-Regulation Rink, Indoor Running Track
(St. Louis Construction News & Review, March-April 2022 Issue, Page 2)
Construction will finish in May on a state-of-the-art ice rink and one of the only 175-meter elevated competition tracks in the area at The R.P. Lumber CENTER in Edwardsville. (Read More)

Jerseyville hires planning agency for downtown growth
(Advantage News, 04/07/2022)
Jerseyville continues to see growth in its downtown business community and has been working on a master plan to guide growth. City leaders have now brought in St. Louis, Mo.-based firm PGAV Planners to help guide Jerseyville through the next steps of the process. (Read More)

Downtown Alton now a National Historic District
(Advantage News, 04/08/2022)
A segment of downtown Alton is now officially listed as part of the National Register of Historic Places. (Read More)

Former Godfrey auto lot sold to developer for new road, retail
(Illinois Business Journal, 04/11/2022)
The property of the former Halloran Auto Sales location, 5601 Godfrey Road, has been sold to St. Louis Developer, Eastland Properties. (Read More)

New owner for former power plant site
(Advantage News, 03/30/2022) 
The Dynegy Energy coal-fired power plant in East Alton shut down in June of 2016 and was demolished about a year ago. (Read More)
Southwestern Illinois Connected Communities Broadband: Access, Use & Adoption

•The Leadership Council Education Committee seeks to build long-term reliability and consistency in internet connectivity and broadband access for remote workers and e-learning for students in the SWIL region enabling further economic development and educational enhancement activities.

•Strategic Regional Planning Built on the Following Objectives:
  • Build awareness of connectivity challenges
  • Advocate for enhanced connectivity with state and federal legislators and related companies
  • Identify regional broadband and internet connectivity key priorities in Urban, Suburban, and Rural SWIL areas
  • Identify Infrastructure solution to bridge digital connectivity
  • Build regional strategic alliances to further connectivity efforts

How to get involved? Contact the Leadership Council office at 618-692-9745 or office@leadershipcouncilswil.com. Click here for more information about Broadband Funding Opportunities.
Thank you to the Leadership Council's Program Sponsors:
Madison County IL