While the Thanksgiving holiday has passed, there’s still much to be thankful for here in Southwestern Illinois, and plenty of positive news that we’re pleased to share with you in this edition of Good NewsLink.

According to Kevin Artl – president and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois – Illinois is one of the best-positioned states in the nation to take advantage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal recently passed by Congress. From the historic $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, Illinois is slated for nearly $16 billion for roads, bridges and transit projects. Having the funds to meet the federal requirements for matching funds, a series of projects could be moving pretty quickly throughout the state, in addition to a host of grant programs that Illinois will be eligible for in terms of water, lead line replacement, airport and aeronautics grants and more.

In other news, Prairie Farms Dairy recently named Matt McClelland as chief executive officer, effective Jan. 1. He is set to replace longtime CEO Ed Mullins, who decided to step down and assume an advisory role as senior executive officer, after more than 40 years with the largest dairy cooperative in the Midwest. With more than 30 years of his own experience at Prairie Farms, which was founded in Carlinville in 1938 and is now headquartered in Edwardsville, McClelland will look to build off the company’s successes and maintain a strong network of farmer members.

Also making headlines in the region, Southern Illinois University President Dan Mahony has named James T. Minor as the 10th chancellor of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Pending formal SIU Board of Trustees approval – which is slated for this Thursday – Minor will assume his duties on March 1, 2022. Most recently serving as assistant vice chancellor and senior strategist in the Office of the Chancellor at California State University, he has the vision to maintain a positive trajectory for the entire SIUE community, while also embracing the current strengths and collaborative nature of the university system.

Read on for more on these exciting stories and to catch up on all the good news happening throughout Southwestern Illinois. Have a great rest of your week!

Illinois engineering companies say the state is in a good position to take advantage of the federal infrastructure bill. (Read More)

Truck Centers Inc., a Metro East-based truck dealer group and one of the St. Louis region's largest privately held companies, has acquired a Western Star brand franchise. (Read More)

Prairie Farms Dairy recently named Matt McClelland as chief executive officer, effective Jan. 1. (Read More)

A Red Bud-based maker of coil processing equipment is expanding its global footprint with support from its 20-year relationship with the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. (Read More)

Holland Construction Services has completed the $14.6 million renovations of the former Meredith Home/Hotel Belleville, now known as Lofts on the Square, located prominently on the Public Square in Downtown Belleville. (Read More)

A five-story landmark continues to emerge as the first-ever mixed-use, for-sale luxury condominium development to take root in Edwardsville. (Read More)

The St. Clair County Public Building Commission has approved the selection of Avports, LLC, to provide aircraft rescue and firefighting, airport operations and security services for MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah. (Read More)

The Agency for Community Transit plans to distribute $2 million through a new grant program. (Read More)

Adaptive Equipment and Caregiving Corner (AE Corner), a client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has mastered assisting seniors who struggle every day to care for themselves to remain as independent as possible. (Read More)

Ameren Illinois’ success retooling a popular energy efficiency program to assist underserved customer populations earned the company recognition as Region III Innovative Energy Project of the Year by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). (Read More)

Every student in the Alton School District will get a new Chromebook at the start of the 2022-23 school year. (Read More)

Tis the season for giving, and Madison County Transit is giving the gift of free fixed-route bus rides to passengers who happen to board an MCT “Holiday Bus” throughout the month of December. (Read More)

Southern Illinois University President Dan Mahony has named James T. Minor as the 10th chancellor of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. (Read More)

A turkey/food giveaway at Lemay’s Catering at 909 East Broadway in Alton made sure many in the Alton area had turkey, trimmings, and more on Wednesday. (Read More)

More than 100 veterans received free dental care during the annual Veteran’s Care Day event hosted by the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM). (Read More)

Three new indoor pickleball courts are now available in East Alton. (Read More)