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. Earlier last week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the release of a $20.7 billion multi-year plan to improve Illinois’ roads and bridges over the next six years. This robust commitment, fueled by the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan, will reinforce Illinois’ leadership as a transportation hub and create thousands of jobs as the state seeks to spur economic growth following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbrin and Rep. Mike Bost recently announced that MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah has been awarded $12.6 million in federal grant funding to support the final phase of the airport’s terminal expansion project. The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and federal COVID-19 relief packages routed through the U.S. Department of Transportation, which will help to modernize the airport and create a safer, more efficient experience for travelers. Also in recent weeks, ground was broken on a new addition to Anderson Healthcare Goshen Campus in Edwardsville. The $20 million, 50,000-square-foot medical building will allow Anderson Medical Group to consolidate many of its primary care practices into one convenient location and house several outpatient services, including an imaging center, urgent care, lab services and outpatient rehab therapies.

The continued strength of our industrial market also remains evident with news that the developer of one of Metro East's biggest industrial parks will invest $7 million to expand one of the park's distribution centers. TriStar Properties will work to add 60,000 square feet to a 102,500-square-foot distribution center leased by Phillips 66 at 20 Gateway Commerce Center Drive East. The facility is part of TriStar's 2,300-acre Gateway Commerce Center, a logistics and bulk distribution center located on the western edge of Edwardsville. The project is the latest of several recent deals by TriStar in the Metro East – such as the planned Mid America Commerce Center in O'Fallon – and is expected to be completed in October, boosting the building's value to about $18 million.

We also want to remind you that PC’s for People is continuing to welcome, refurbish and redistribute used computers to those in need. And don’t forget we have a new Education newsletter that goes out monthly. It’s called the SWIL Education-Workforce Connection. People can sign up by clicking here or by emailing bruce@leadershipcouncilswil.com.

Continue reading for more on these exciting stories and other developments underway across the region and have a great rest of your week!

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday, May 19, the release of a six-year, $20.7 billion construction plan to improve roads and bridges throughout the state, an annual process which the Illinois Department of Transportation oversees to target infrastructure spending. (Read More)

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Anderson breaks ground on $20 million addition to Edwardsville campus 

Ground was broken Friday on a new addition to Anderson Healthcare Goshen Campus. Gathered were representatives from Anderson Healthcare, Triple Net Management, The Korte Company, and city of Edwardsville. (Read More)

Metro East distribution center to undergo $7M expansion 

The developer of one of Metro East's biggest industrial parks will invest $7 million to expand one of the park's distribution centers. (Read More)

Swansea-based construction firm to open St. Louis Office 

A Swansea, Illinois-based general contractor is doubling down on its presence in the region with a new office in St. Louis. (Read More)

IMPACT Strategies completes Ameren Illinois operating center 

Fairview Heights-based IMPACT Strategies has completed work on another project with Ameren Illinois, consisting of comprehensive exterior improvements to its Mount Clare Operating Center in Macoupin County. (Read More)

Crowe highlights more than $1.5 million for Madison County road projects 

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced the fourth $250 million installment of Rebuild Illinois grants is available for local road projects, and state Sen. Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is applauding more than $1.5 million in investments for Madison County infrastructure. (Read More)

New barge designs are moving more cargo with less space. FreightWeekSTL returned for the fourth consecutive year, with a virtual panel discussion on Monday 24 highlighting the global connectivity of the St. Louis region’s rail and inland waterway system and continuing infrastructure investment. (Read More)

State launches $6 million tourism campaign to boost post-pandemic travel 

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Illinois first state with new, special HUBZone designation 

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman Tuesday announced the expansion of HUBZone, a program that provides small businesses in low-income communities that hire low-income residents opportunities to compete in the federal marketplace. (Read More)

Center for Advanced Wound Healing opens this week at Memorial Hospital Belleville 

Memorial’s Center for Advanced Wound Healing will open on Tuesday, May 25, on the hospital’s Belleville campus. (Read More)

Livingston Pipe & Tube expands with building purchase in Staunton 

Long-standing, national steel distributor Livingston Pipe & Tube Inc. has expanded its operations in Southern Illinois by acquiring a neighboring warehouse facility in Staunton. (Read More)

Schlafly Beer plans first Illinois brewpub 

A longtime St. Louis independent craft brewery has set its sights on the company’s first physical expansion in Illinois. (Read More)

Metro East restaurant A Fine Swine BBQ to return in new form, thanks to hospitality incubator  

A popular Metro East barbecue restaurant, which closed its doors in November due to Covid-19 restrictions, will begin serving its customers again — but through a food truck and catering concept. (Read More)

RBGA Young Adults Committee honors achievements, nonprofits, businesses 

The RiverBend Growth Association’s Young Adults Committee recently held its year-end ceremony virtually. (Read More)

Law firm, bank get behind sponsorship for new Edwardsville rec center  

Edwardsville’s new ice and recreational complex, The RP Lumber CENTER, recently received another major sponsorship from two local businesses looking to support the development. (Read More)

Youth pass program offers free MCT rides during summer 

Effective Tuesday, June 1, Madison County students (ages 18 and younger) will have the opportunity to ride Madison County Transit buses for free until Labor Day, with the 2021 MCT Summer Youth Pass. (Read More)