May 11, 2021
Greetings,
The Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois Military Affairs Committee was thrilled to celebrate its win of the 2019 Air Mobility Command Community Support Award, also known as the “Abilene Trophy”, with the Abilene Military Affairs Committee from Abilene, Texas during a social held by the 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander last month. We extend our most sincere gratitude to all the communities, chambers, mayors, groups and so many others that continue to support Scott AFB and their families throughout the years and we celebrate this win with all of you!
In other exciting news, the O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce recently presented the 2020 Heritage Recognition Award to the Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA) for 75 years of continued service in the area. SIBA, a trade association for commercial contractors, originated in East St. Louis in 1945 and has since grown to approximately 500 members covering the southern 39 counties in Illinois. There's also great news from the real estate sector with homes flying off the market and sales continuing to climb for almost every county in the Metro East, according to the latest Realtor statistics.
PCs for People – the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on getting low-cost computers and affordable broadband internet into the homes of low-income individuals – recently opened a new retail/warehouse space in Belleville to coordinate computer donations for students, underserved populations, the elderly and veterans. They have been successful with this effort in many cities across the U.S. and have connected over 450,000 people to internet and computing devices to help bridge the digital divide. Deb Frazier from RASI will be teaming up with PCs for People on July 13th 2021, from 1 pm - 3 pm when they hold a Electronics Recycling. The PCs for People Collection Drive will take place in the RASI parking lot, located at 1124 Hartman Lane Shiloh, IL 62221.
We also want to remind you the Leadership Council's Economic Development team has several great speakers lined up for upcoming quarterly meetings for the ED Network, which is made up of over 80 leaders in economic growth in the Southwestern Illinois region and practitioners active in economic development roles. The Competitive Intelligence and Strategic Purpose of the ED Network is to provide economic expansion, retention training, tracking tools, address community/regional issues, build relationships through interaction among economic development professionals, promote professional growth and development through speakers and participation in activities, as well as enhance marketing communications to promote SWIL for ED attraction activities. Steve Zuber, BarberMurphy, SIOR, CCIM, Principal, and Eric Whitfield, Ameren Illinois, Manager of Economic Development are leading this effort and making great progress for our region. For more information or to register to attend the next quarterly meeting on May 19, please contact the Leadership Council office at 618-692-9745.
Finally, we're excited to report that 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.
Read on for more on these exciting stories and other developments underway across the region and have a great rest of your week!
Dr. Ronda Sauget
Ronda Sauget, D. Mgmt, MBA
Executive Director and CEO
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
104 Magnolia Drive, Ste B
Glen Carbon, IL 62034
618-692-9745
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Holland wraps up work on Carlyle High School addition
(Illinois Business Journal, 4/21/2021)
Swansea-based Holland Construction Services has completed work on a $4 million addition to Carlyle High School. ( Read More)
Gov. Pritzker Announces $15M Investment to Create Two State of the Art Manufacturing Training Academies Downstate
(Riverbender, 4/28/2021)
Funding from Bipartisan Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan Will Establish Two New, Cutting Edge Training Academies to Prepare Illinoisans for Future Jobs and Boost Investment in Downstate Communities ( Read More)
Space Force 'Guardians' At Scott Air Force Base Await Transfer To New Military Frontier
(St. Louis Public Radio, 4/14/2021)
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE — Most parts of Jaime Alvarado’s daily duties have barely changed since he officially went from being a specialist in the Air Force to a guardian in the U.S. Space Force. ( Read More)
DCEO officials see 'great work' in Riverbend
(Alton Telegraph, 4/12/2021)
EDWARDSVILLE — Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities officials got a closer look last week at some of highlights of the Metro East economy during a two-day tour. ( Read More)
Building St. Louis Awards 2021: Kaskaskia College rehabs part of student center
(St. Louis Business Journal, 4/9/2021)
FINALIST — Renovation or conversion less than $5 million
Kaskaskia College, a community college in Centralia, Illinois, with 5,500 students, last year renovated a loft in its student center. ( Read More)
St. Clair County Transit advances latest segment for trail system
(Illinois Business Journal, 4/26/2021)
The St Clair County Transit District has approved the design and construction of the St. Ellen Park Trail, a project that will consist of a 1- foot wide paved path beginning at Old Collinsville Road to St. Ellen Park. ( Read More)
Doing Economic Development at the Speed of Business Key to Cities’ Success
(BarberMurphy, 4/26/2021)
Site selectors, commercial real estate brokers and economic development professionals agree that successful development occurs when municipalities are willing to work at the speed of business. ( Read More)
Illinois EPA grant to fund wetlands project near Cahokia Creek
(Metro East Chronicle, 4/19/2021)
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John Kim announced HeartLands Conservancy will receive nearly $208,000 in Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunity (GIGO) funding to implement the Brushy Lake Wetland and Floodplain Restoration project. ( Read More)
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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 ronda@leadershipcouncilswil.com.
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PCs for People Ribbon Cutting
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Busey Bank partners with foundation for new nature play area in Edwardsville
(Illinois Business Journal, 5/3/2021)
As part of its support of sustainability, Busey Bank has partnered with the Nature Preserve Foundation for the opening of its Access Nature project at Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville. ( Read More)
VW’s loss may be partly Metro East school bus gain, as part of spending plan
(Illinois Business Journal, 4/30/2021)
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration released a revised plan for how to spend the state’s share of a multi-billion dollar Volkswagen settlement, which found the vehicle manufacturer in violation of the federal Clean Air Act. ( Read More)
Metro East home sales surge in latest numbers
(Illinois Business Journal, 4/24/2021)
Metro East home sales continued to climb, according to the latest Realtor statistics. ( Read More)
Southern Illinois Builders Association Receives Heritage Award
(St. Louis Construction News and Review, 4/28/2021)
The Southern Illinois Builders Association recently received the 2020 Heritage Recognition Award from the O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce for 75 years of continued service in the area. ( Read More)
Global accreditation program recognizes Bethalto Arboretum
(Advantage News, 4/26/2021)
The Bethalto Arboretum has been awarded Level 1 Accreditation by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and the Morton Arboretum for achieving standards of professional practice deemed important for arboreta and botanical gardens. ( Read More)
More Affordable: MCT Announces Fare Restructure, May 2021 Service Changes
(Riverbender, 4/26/2021)
GRANITE CITY - In an effort to make riding the bus easier and more affordable for its passengers, Madison County Transit (MCT) is making a series of positive changes beginning this spring. ( Read More)
Illinois American Water celebrates Earth Day with grant awards
(Advantage News, 4/22/2021)
Illinois American Water is awarding eight environmental grants focused on watershed initiatives across the state. The environmental grant recipients will receive a share of funds totaling $29,860 for community projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds. ( Read More)
Ethanol center working on converting municipal waste to biofuel
(Advantage News, 4/26/2021)
The NCERC at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is leading the way in converting municipal solid waste to biofuel through two proposals submitted for funding. ( Read More)
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SIUE Sports Schedule - May 2021
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May 7
4:00 & 6:30 PM
May 8
at Jacksonville State
6:00 PM
at Jacksonville State
1:00 & 4:30 PM
vs Belmont
1:00 PM
May 11
at Saint Louis
6:00 PM
May 13 - 15
at 2021 OVC Outdoor Track & Field Championship %
All Day
May 14
vs Murray State
6:00 PM
May 15
vs Murray State
1:00 & 4:00 PM
May 17
at Eastern Illinois
2:00 PM
May 20
at Tennessee Tech
6:00 PM
May 21
at Tennessee Tech *
1:00 PM
*Please note for video, live stats, and additional game information, you may refer to siuecougars.com.
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We Have a New Education Newsletter
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SWIL Education Workforce Connection
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In April we published the first edition of the SWIL Education Workforce Connection newsletter. This is our monthly outreach to the Education and Business communities. As the name implies, the purpose is to connect stakeholders in the world of education with stakeholders in the world of business. Click on the link below to sign up, or email Dr. Bruce McLaughlin at bruce@leadershipcouncilswil.com.
Check us out!
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PCs for People Collection Drive
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Realtor Assoc. of Southwestern IL
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PCs for People Collection Drive
RASI Parking Lot
1124 Hartman Lane
Shiloh, IL 62221
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Electronic recycling ONLY
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Thank you to the Leadership Council's Program Sponsors:
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