The view from Illinois: NGA decision 'very disappointing'
(St. Louis Business Journal, 4/4/16)
After the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's announcement last week that they favor a north St. Louis site for the agency's new $1.7 billion western headquarters, Illinois leaders reacted to what they described as "disappointing news."
NGA director approves 30-day comment extension for site selection
(Belleville News-Democrat, 4/8/16)
Cardillo's decision in response to request from U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, other Illinois lawmakers. Previous comment period had been 15 day.
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Metro East leaders vow to fight on for NextNGAWest
(Chronicle Illinois, 4/6/2016)
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) announced April 1 that the City of St. Louis has been selected as the preferred location for the agency's new, $1.7 billion NextNGAWest complex.
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St. Louis over Illinois: How NGA came to its $1.75 billion decision
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
The game's not quite over, but the home team appears to have made the best pitch.
Illinois leaders seek more time to challenge spy agency move
(KMOV, 4 4/6/2016)
A southwestern Illinois county wants more time to challenge a federal spy agency's preliminary decision to remain in St. Louis rather than relocate.
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In picking north St. Louis, NGA breaks sharply with 40 years of national intelligence practice
(Belleville News-Democrat, 4/3/16)
In previous location decisions, top U.S. spy agencies cited security and efficiency. NGA decision to locate in north St. Louis emphasizes urban renewal goals, but agency denies it was 'primary driver.'
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Capitol Land adding 120 acres in Glen Carbon
(St. Louis Business Journal, 4/8/16)
The developer behind Edwardsville Crossing, one of the largest retail projects in Edwardsville, now has another 120 acres under contract in neighboring Glen Carbon.
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Construction underway on O'Fallon sports store
(Belleville News Democrat, 4/3/2016)
Construction began three weeks ago on what soon will be a new sporting goods store in O'Fallon.
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Prairie Farms' move begins to take shape
(The Intelligencer, 4/2/2016)
The city of Edwardsville has started taking the necessary steps to facilitate the move of Prairie Farms Dairy to town.
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Fairview Heights council accepts two TIF plans
(Belleville News Democrat, 4/5/2016)
The process to create the city's fifth and sixth tax increment finance districts is underway after Fairview Heights City Council members voted Tuesday evening to accept separate redevelopment plans for neighboring areas on the city's northeast side.
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Ameren training new generation of smart workers
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
The smart grid is the next generation of technology keeping the lights on in Illinois homes and businesses, and many of the next generation of crewmen to service it are coming out of training facilities in Belleville.
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Belleville TIFs: downtown rejuvenation, Lindenwood University, Hofbrauhaus and more
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
The city of Belleville has been using tax increment financing effectively for more than 30 years. Its latest district is the $100 million development on Illinois Route 15 across from the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.
Hawthorne Animal Hospital preps for opening of new grooming, dog park, rehab facility
(Riverbender, 4/1/2016)
Both furry friends and their owners alike are eagerly anticipating the grand opening of Hawthorne Animal Hospital's brand new dog park and grooming facility, appropriately called the Dog House.
Cities have used TIF to change lives and landscape of Southwestern Illinois
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
Tax increment financing takes a beating in the press but it's proved indispensable for many cities in Southwestern Illinois, eradicating blight, creating jobs and catalyzing development.
Collinsville working on new TIF district to rejuvenate Collinsville Road area
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
The city of Collinsville is currently working on its fourth tax increment finance district. If things go as planned, the city council will vote on it this summer.
Edwardsville used TIF to rejuvenate Downtown, create jobs, spur new development of the Park Street Plaza, now under construction.
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
Over the past 23 years the city of Edwardsville has established four tax increment finance districts and each one has been a great success.
O'Fallon uses TIF to mitigate undermining and make new HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital possible
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
Ground was broken last summer on the new, $300 million HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital in O'Fallon, Ill., but it wouldn't have happened without tax increment financing, according to Ted Shekell, the city's community development director. The desired site was severely undermined.
Poettker Construction Co., McKendree Metro Rec Plex, O'Fallon, Ill.
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
Construction continues on the new McKendree Metro Rec Plex, which is the first phase of The Four Points Center, a 45-acre mixed use development.
Contegra Construction Co., Gateway East 717 Distribution Center, Edwardsville
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
Located just south of New Poag Road in Edwardsville, the Gateway East 717 Distribution Center is the first speculative warehouse structure built on the east side of Illinois 255. Construction began back in June 2015 and was substantially complete in January 2016.
IMPACT Strategies, Inc., new police headquarters, Belleville
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
With plans for completion this June, Belleville's new police headquarters will provide a centralized location within a modern facility.
Korte Company, new warehouse, America's Central Port, Madison, Ill.
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
The Korte Company has begun construction on a 126,000-square-foot design-build warehouse facility at America's Central Port in Madison, Ill. The tilt-up structure, located at the region's only full-service, public multi-modal port, will include warehouse and office space for a private tenant.
Construction Round Up
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
The Construction Round up in the April edition of the Illinois Business Journal includes a summary of the various projects local contractors are working on.
Metro East housing statistics on the rise, local Realtors say
(Illinois Business Journal, 4/6/16)
The Metro East housing market continued to make strides in the number of homes sold and the median home price in February 2016.
Adult daycare now open in Shiloh
(Belleville News Democrat, 3/28/2016)
A new adult daycare, Joe's Place, is open in Shiloh at 1032 Hartman Lane. Owner Janis Stauder talks about the loss of her father to Alzheimer's and why she opened Joe's Place.
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Pharmaceutical biochemistry field expanding
(The Intelligencer, 4/1/2016)
This week on Segue, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Greg Budzban, PhD, hosts Michael Shaw, PhD, professor of inorganic chemistry in the SIUE Department of Chemistry.
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Ameren Illinois customers may see electricity, gas rates decrease
(Belleville News-Democrat, 4/7/16)
Utility to ask for $14 million less in revenue for 2017. Savings per customer yet to be determined. Natural gas rates also expected to decrease
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Alton school awarded $2,500 Dollar General grant
(Advantage News, 4/6/16)
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded Julie Gallivan and Jan Wrischnik of West Elementary School a $2,500 grant to support youth literacy in kindergarten classrooms.
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'Freddy's' burger franchise begins construction in Shiloh
(Illinois Business Journal, 4/6/2016)
Fast-casual restaurant franchise, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, recently began construction on its newest St. Louis metro market location at 3320 Green Mount Crossing Drive, near Target in Green Mount Crossing shopping center in Shiloh.
(Read More)
Columbia aims to revamp section of main with thoughtful TIF approach
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
Columbia, Ill., is in the process of creating a new tax increment finance district in hopes of enabling an imaginative reuse of a full block of Main Street.
Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc., 11 South professional office building, Columbia, Ill.
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
Construction continues on a new five-story professional office building being developed on a 22-acre site in Columbia, Ill. Ground was broken this past October, and an opening is planned for December of this year.
Plocher Construction, medical marijuana dispensaries, Collinsville and Springfield
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
Maintaining a tight schedule and navigating state policies and regulations that had been previously unchartered, Plocher Construction has finished construction of medical marijuana dispensaries in Collinsville and Springfield.
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., Gateway Arch visitors center and museum, St. Louis
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
The grounds surrounding St. Louis' Gateway Arch will be completely transformed with the completion of the CityArchRiver project, providing an unforgettable experience for all who journey there.
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Taking juicing to the next level
(Edwardsville Intelligencer, 4/9/16)
Local trio opens new business on Main Street. Happy, healthy and whole - that's the goal of Source Juicery, a new business located on Main Street in Edwardsville that serves cold-pressed juice, all-natural smoothies and healthy food to-go.
Harbor Freight Tools moving in
(The Alton Telegraph, 4/9/16)
In less than two months, tradesmen and do-it-yourselfers will have Harbor Freight Tools as a new option where they can buy their tools, work equipment and other such goods.
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In Other News
Leadership Council SW Illinois Welcomes Three New Members To Its Board
(Construction forum St. Louis, 4/4/2016)
The Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois is pleased to announce the additions of the St. Louis office of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. and Weir Chevrolet-Buick-GMC-Ford-Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram & Weir GM-Ford-Chrysler Wholesale Parts to its growing membership base
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ILLINOISouth tourism bureau CEO Jo Kathmann to retire
(Belleville News-Democrat, 4/10/16)
Jo Kathmann took CEO post in 2002. At the time, bureau covered eight counties and was in debt
(Read More)
Hundreds attend ribbon-cutting for new hospital
(Belleville News-Democrat, 4/11/16)
Memorial Hospital East will open Tuesday. Community out in force to support hospital
(Read More)
Korte Company named contractor of year
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
During the 19th Annual Spotlight Awards, The Korte Company was named General Contracting Firm of the Year by the NAIOP Southern Nevada Chapter.
Q&A with Tony Bryan, executive director, Midwest Cyber Center of Excellence
Aegis formed a nonprofit group to serve as an umbrella organization for the center and has pledged money toward the salary of the executive director for the first two years.
Belleville
Memorial's new hospital receives $1 million gift
(St. Louis Business Journal, 4/6/2016)
The Heien family of O'Fallon, Illinois, made a $1 million gift to Memorial Hospital's new facility in Shiloh.
(Read More)
LCCC recognized by Missouri Gateway Chapter of USGBC
(Riverbender.com, 4/8/16)
Last week was a big one for Lewis and Clark Community College's sustainability efforts.
'St. Louis Currents' reaches 30th year of regional publication
(Illinois Business Journal, 4/4/2016)
The publication 'St. Louis Currents: The Fifth Edition' is now available. The 30-year-old publication started in 1986 as a way to disseminate critical essays from local St. Louis leaders on issues facing the entire region.
(Read More)
NAI DESCO moving out of Clayton HQ
(St. Louis Business Journal, 4/1/16)
NAI DESCO, one of St. Louis' largest commercial real estate firms, is set to move out of its downtown Clayton headquarters at 8235 Forsyth Blvd. and into new space on the 19th floor of the Hanley Corporate Tower, just a few blocks away at 101 S. Hanley Road.
(Read More)
Hofbräuhaus now plans fall opening in Belleville
(Belleville News-Democrat, 4/9/16)
German restaurant and brewery under construction off Illinois 15. Developers had set June 1 goal
(Read More)
SIUE's Weishaar earns prestigious Fulbright International Education Award
(Riverbender, 3/30/2016)
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Executive Director of International Affairs Mary Konya Weishaar, PhD, is one of 10 higher education professionals in the U.S. selected for a Fulbright International Education Administrator Seminar award to Japan. The U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board present the award.
(Read More)
Art Gecko Creative Studio opens in Downtown O'Fallon, Illinois
(Riverbender, 4/5/2016)
The Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is celebrating along with its clients, a mother-daughter team who has opened a creative studio in downtown O'Fallon, Ill.
(Read More)
Beall Mansion receives Yelp award
(Advantage News, 4/1/2016)
The Beall Mansion An Elegant Bed and Breakfast Inn, 407 E. 12th St., has received the 2015 People Love Us On Yelp award.
(Read More)
SIUE's Alestle wins 13 awards at State College Media Conference
(Riverbender, 3/25/2016)
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's student newspaper The Alestle earned 13 awards at the 33rd Annual Illinois College Press Association convention held Feb. 19-20 in Chicago.
(Read More)
Memorial Hospital East schedules its first patients
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
An air of anticipation greets visitors to Memorial Hospital East, where final touches are underway on a $124.6 million facility that debuts this month.
Belleville engineering firm expands to Minnesota
(St. Louis Business Journal, 3/31/2016)
Kaskaskia Engineering Group, a civil engineering and construction contracting firm based in Belleville, has opened an office in St. Paul, Minnesota, positioning itself to take advantage of billions of dollars in projects in the state.
(Read More)
SIUE's De Meo receives Paul Simon Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award
(The Telegraph, 4/3/2016)
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Cristina De Meo, professor in the Department of Chemistry in the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences, was presented the 2016 Paul Simon Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award at the Paul Simon Luncheon held Tuesday, March 29, during the 20th Annual Graduate School Spring Research Symposium.
(Read More)
Cafe coming to Bethalto's Civic Memorial High School
(The Telegraph, 4/4/2016)
Some students need a place to relax and buy a snack or beverage, and others need to develop work skills.
(Read More)
SIUE's Pelekanos receives research award
(The Intelligencer, 3/31/2016)
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's George Pelekanos, PhD, professor and undergraduate program director in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the College of Arts and Sciences, has achieved the rank of Distinguished Research Professor for his significant scholarly contributions to inverse scattering.
(Read More)
First Clover Leaf opens full-service branch in St. Louis
(Illinois Business Journal, 4/6/16)
First Clover Leaf Bank has expanded the bank's services into the St. Louis market.
(Read More)
SIUE and SIU School of Medicine Research Project earns inaugural Concept Commercialization Award
(Riverbender, 4/4/2016)
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Sohyung Cho, PhD, associate professor of industrial engineering in the School of Engineering, has received the University's inaugural Concept Commercialization Award in conjunction with a corresponding School of Medicine Concept Development Award, both aimed at supporting innovation and encouraging industry investment.
(Read More)
Edwardsville edition joins the fold
(Advantage News, 4/6/16)
Great things come in threes. The Three Stooges. Three Dog Night. A three-ring circus (as long as there are no mistreated animals, of course). A knife, fork and spoon (never a bad thing; I'm always hungry!). The Star Wars prequel trilogy (Okay, so maybe not everything that comes in threes is great).
O'Saben joins Anderson Hospital Foundation Board
(Illinois Business Journal, 4/6/2016)
The Anderson Hospital Foundation has added Joan E. O'Saben to its leadership team as a Foundation Board director.
(Read More)
Hospital foundation names new executive director
(Illinois Business Journal, 4/6/2016)
Lynn Huelsmann has joined the Anderson Hospital Foundation as its new executive director.
(Read More)
SIUE School of Pharmacy grads have top board pass rate in Illinois, Missouri
(Illinois Business Journal, 4/4/2016)
Graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's School of Pharmacy class of 2015 have exceeded both state and national averages, boasting a first-attempt board pass rate of 97.26 percent on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam.
(Read More)
St. Louis area housing market 'crazy busy'
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 4/8/16)
Multiple offers. First-day-on-the-market sales for over the asking price. A jump in the number of transactions.
(Read More)
SIUE offers online master's in adult and continuing education
(Edwardsville Intelligencer, 4/7/16)
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's new online master's program option in adult and continuing education is expanding the University's reach by offering a unique range of online courses, catered toward working individuals.
New nutrition program at SIUE offers 'taste' of culture
(Riverbender.com, 4/6/16)
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Department of Applied Health in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior now offers a bachelor's in nutrition, an academic program that places emphasis on the relationships between nutrients and human health.
Jeweler gets RBGA honor
(Advantage News, 4/5/2016)
The RiverBend Growth Association has named Goulding's Jewelers its Small Business of the Month.
(Read More)
$17,000 AND COUNTING: SIUE holds successful Relay for Life event
(Riverbender.com, 4/9/16 )
On this windy and cold Friday afternoon, 40 teams of 354 participants headed out to Ralph Korte Stadium on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to participate in the university's Relay for Lifecelebrations.
Brother, sister slowly bring luster back to Alton's historic buildings
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
Many people look at deteriorating buildings and see history in decline. Mike and Jeannine Kelly look at such structures and see history in the making.
(Read More)
IMPACT Strategies expanding local operations
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
Construction firm IMPACT Strategies, Inc. is expanding and relocating its Missouri office to the Power House Building at Union Station, 401 S. 18th Street, St. Louis.
(Read More)
Holland Construction Services, multi-family housing communities, Richmond Heights/Des Peres, Mo.
(Illinois Business Journal, April 2016)
Swansea-based Holland Construction Services is the general contractor for two large multi-family projects in St. Louis.
