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The re-authorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank is top news in this edition, which aids Southwestern Illinois employers that export as part of their business strategy to be more competitive in the international marketplace. This news will make a positive economic impact on the region along with many of the other great stories included in this issue that highlight cyberspace squadrons and ops group bringing almost 300 jobs to Scott Air Force Base, Congress reaching a deal on the 5-year transportation bill, new developments and much more.
Read below and enjoy all the great news coming out of Southwestern Illinois!
Ronda Sauget
Executive Director
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
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Leaders hail passage of transportation bill, Export-Import Bank
(Illinois Business Journal, December 2015)
Key members of Illinois federal delegation hailed passage of legislation that funds transportation programs for the next five years and reauthorize the Export-Import Bank.
(Read More)
St. Louis: Mecca for All Modes
(Inbound Logistics, November 2015)
St. Louis, Mo., remains an epicenter for all modes of transportation, which makes it ripe for future growth opportunities, according to the recent Southwestern Illinois Freight Transportation Study, overseen and released by the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois.
(Read More)
St. Clair County ups ante in high-stakes NGA competition
(Illinois Business Journal , December 2015)
Metro East officials are going all-out to lure a federal intelligence agency to Southern Illinois, doubling their offer of free land on a proposed site that was a prime contender for the same project just a decade ago.
(Read More)
America's Central Port and St. Louis' freight district: Economic boons you didn't realize were there
(St. Louis Public Radio, 12/2/15)
The forecast for 2016 in Madison County and the St. Louis region's newly-created freight district includes 9,600 feet of rail track, 1 million cubic yards of dirt and 8,000 cubic yards of concrete - and the sound of barge horns.
(Read More)
Prime position
(Advantage News, 12/12/15)
The Metro East is uniquely positioned to move goods through the country.
(Read More)
Cyberspace squadrons and ops group bringing almost 300 jobs to ScottAFB
(Belleville News-Democrat, 11/30/15)
The Air Force's efforts to turn Scott Air Force Base into a major cyber-security hub are set to launch officially Tuesday, when two newly-minted squadrons under the auspices of the Air Force Space Command are scheduled to be activated.
(Read More)
Congress reaches deal on 5-year transportation bill
(Belleville News-Democrat, 12/1/15)
The House and Senate have reached agreement on a 5-year, $281 billion transportation bill that would increase spending to address the nation's aging and congested highways and transit systems.
(Read More)
Women at work - Area leaders look to start the conversation about women in the Metro East workplace
(Alton Telegraph, 12/7/15)
Penny Wade started working at Cope Plastics in Alton nearly 30 years ago, right out of high school."
(Read More)
Computer commandos begin ops at Scott AFB
(Belleville News-Democrat, 12/6/15)
The addition of 369 jobs and three new cyberspace units at Scott Air Force Base would be a plus for the metro-east on a normal day, but it is especially fortuitous as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is considering moving to this area.
(Read More)
Hundreds awed with look inside new Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities
(RiverBender,12/4/15)
A sneak peek after Lewis and Clark Community College opened the new Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities (MJCH) Thursday night in the former Lincoln School building in Edwardsville was received with much "awe" and "anticipation" by a large crowd.
(Read More)
Study: 'Lincoln Plaza' an economic windfall
(The Alton Telegraph, 12/12/15)
Plans for further development of the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities complex come with an economic impact of $81,014,203, according to a study by two Southern Illinois University Edwardsville economy professors.
(Read More)
Illinois beats Missouri, Indiana, Ohio in small-business job growth
(Illinois Business Journal , December 2015)
It may be surprising to some but Illinois was recently ranked seventh among the nation's 20 largest states in small-business job growth. Similarly, Chicago ranked seventh among the country's 20 largest cities.
(Read More)
Rauner signs $3 billion spending bill
(Advantage News, 12/8/15)
A bill to get tax money into the hands of local governments and pay lottery winners sailed through the Senate on Monday and gained the governor's almost-immediate signature.
(Read More)
Initiative focuses on manufacturing jobs
(Advantage News, 12/13/15)
Madison County's Employment and Training Department is the best-kept secret around, according to its executive director, David Stoecklin.
(Read More)
Council makes first move to create new TIF in Fairview Heights
(Belleville News-Democrat, 12/1/15)
The Fairview Heights City Council took the first steps Tuesday night to establish a new Tax Increment Finance district in town to help bring more business to a shopping center and spark adjacent development.
(Read More)
New connector road opens in Granite City
(Advantage News, 12/11/15)
Weather forced a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony indoors, where state, county and local officials gathered to celebrate the opening of the Morrison Road connector.
(Read More)
Year-to-date Metro East home sales continue rise
(Illinois Business Journal, December 2015)
Metro East home sale statistics continued
(Read More)
Park developments a highlight of 2015
(Edwardsville Intelligencer, 12/11/15)
It's been a busy and productive year in Edwardsville.
(Read More)
More upgrades coming to Belk Park
(The Alton Telegraph, 12/13/15)
Things keep getting better for Belk Park.
(Read More)
Community gathers for splash park groundbreaking
(The Telegraph, 12/1/15)
To say Cale Garble is excited about Edwardsville's new water park would be an understatement.
(Read More)
Hofbräuhaus beer hall to open in mid-2016 in Belleville
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 11/30/15)
Hofbräuhaus is expanding its chain of beer halls with a new Belleville location set to open in mid-2016.
(Read More)
Fairview Heights company awarded Hofbräuhaus contract
(Belleville News-Democrat, 12/1/15)
Impact Strategies has been awarded the contract to develop the new Hofbräuhaus beer hall and restaurant in Belleville.
(Read More)
Saving Grace Beauty wins first round of InnovateHER contest
(Illinois Business Journal, December 2015)
Metro East resident and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduate Erica Harriss has captured first prize in the local InnovateHER Business Challenge and hopes to vie for a spot in the national competition in early 2016.
(Read More)
Metro East SBDC assists BOCO Contracting in first year of business
(Illinois Business Journal, December 2015)
Serving a military tour in Iraq is a distinction not many can claim. Returning from the war to launch a local business is yet another distinction achieved by BOCO Contracting & Construction LLC President Josh Coggins.
(Read More)
Boeing's Muilenburg calls Ex-Im renewal 'the right thing'
(St. Louis Business Journal , 12/4/15)
Boeing President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg issued a statement expressing his support for Congress' reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank for five years.
(Read More)
IMPACT Strategies building addition to Fairview Heights church
(Illinois Business Journal, December 2015)
A $3.5 million expansion of Christ United Methodist Church began in mid-October and should be wrapped up next July.
(Read More)
Glik's planning expansion at Park Plaza
(Edwardsville Intelligencer, 12/11/15)
Glik's is in the process of expanding its Edwardsville store located at 124 S. Buchanan St. in Park Plaza.
(Read More)
Illinois leaders report minor progress in state budget talks
(Belleville News-Democrat, 12/8/15)
Illinois legislative leaders said they made minor progress during a Tuesday meeting aimed at ending the state budget stalemate, including agreeing to take another shot at overhauling a public pension system that's billions in debt.
(Read More)
Professor advancing cybersecurity
(The Edwardsville Intelligencer, 12/9/15)
In a world full of computerized information and rapid advances in technology, the need for cybersecurity is paramount for both personal privacy and national security.
(Read More)
Spotlight on Southwestern Illinois: Women in Law -
(Illinois Business Journal, December 2015)
This issue of the Illinois Business Journal includes a spotlight on several female attorneys practicing at firms in the Metro East, including HeplerBroom LLC, Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, P.C., Goldenberg Heller Antognoli & Rowland, P.C., Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard, P.C., and Simmons Hanly Conroy.
(Read More)
SIU OKs $3.5 million for electrical upgrades at Edwardsville campus
(Illinois Business Journal, 12/2015)
The Southern Illinois University board of trustees has approved a contract totaling more than $3.5-million for electrical upgrades on the Edwardsville campus.
(Read More)
Roesch Inc. expanding its docks
(Belleville News-Democrat, 12/14/15)
A century-old Belleville manufacturer is expanding its operations. Porcelain enamel manufacturer Roesch Inc. is currently expanding its docks that border the railroad that crosses West Main Street near Lindenwood University to provide more storage space for orders to be shipped.
(Read More)
Another round: Happy Hop opens second shop
(Belleville News-Democrat, 12/6/15)
A Belleville home brew and wine making supplier now has opened its first shop in Madison County.
(Read More)
St. Louis oyster bar to expand to Grafton, pending license approval
(The Alton Telegraph, 12/12/15)
A well-known St. Louis oyster bar is expanding to Grafton, pending approval of business and liquor licenses by the Grafton mayor and liquor commissioner, Tom Thompson.
(Read More)
Gaming business growing
(Edwardsville Intelligencer, 12/10/15)
Eight out of 10 entrepreneurs who start a business fail within the first 18 months, but that also means two survive and not only are the owners of Realms of Gaming surviving, they are thriving.
(Read More)
In Other News
Hoffman sponsors measure to protect Granite City steel workers
(The Alton Telegraph, 12/8/15)
Hoping to protect the local economy and the jobs of thousands of Granite City Steel workers, State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is sponsoring a resolution.
(Read More)
Good Transportation Drives The Economy, Says Bi-State's CEO John Nations
(Construction Forum St. Louis, December 2015)
Transportation is often seen as a political or social issue. But its most important role is as a driver of economic development, John Nations CEO of the president and CEO of Bi-State, told the audience at Construction Forum STL's networking/speaker event
(Read More)
Firm gets $9.5 million contract for IT work on Scott AFB project
(Illinois Business Journal, December 2015)
Chameleon Integrated Services, a St. Louis-based IT services firm that in October won a $54 million bid to do work for the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency, has added another IT consulting services contract worth $9.5 million to the mix.
(Read More)
HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital earns 'A' grade for patient safety in Leapfrog scores
(Illinois Business Journal, December 2015)
The independent hospital watchdog The Leapfrog Group has rated HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital an "A" in its national ratings program, recognizing the hospital's commitment to patient safety.
(Read More)
Gateway Regional recognized as Top Performer for fifth time
(Illinois Business Journal , December 2015)
Gateway Regional Medical Center has been recognized as a 2014 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by the Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health-care organizations in the United States.
(Read More)
Organizations recognize hospital for stroke treatment
(Advantage News, 12/7/15)
The Joint Commission, in conjunction with the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, has recognized OSF Saint Anthony's Health Center with Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers.
(Read More)
Gardens at SIUE earns recognition
(The Edwardsville Intelligencer, 12/7/15)
The Gardens at SIUE was recently named one of the 50 most beautiful college arboretums in the country.
(Read More)
Q&A with Brett Barger, president of Lindenwood University-Belleville
(Illinois Business Journal, December 2015)
Lindenwood University has done an amazing job of taking a vacant, former high school and turning it into a vibrant center of higher education. How did that happen?
(Read More)
Blog recognizes downtown area
(The Edwardsville Intelligencer, 12/ 1/15)
The city of Edwardsville continues to gain recognition.
(Read More)
Media Services Department racks up awards
(AdvantageNews, 12/9/15)
Lewis and Clark Community College's Media Services department won six Medallion awards - two gold, one silver and three bronze - during the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations District 3 Awards Ceremony in November.
(Read More)
Local workNet hosting hiring events, job search workshops
(The Alton Telegraph, 12/5/15)
Job seekers are encouraged to attend several hiring events and job search workshops hosted by the Southwestern Illinois workNet Center in Wood River during the month of December.
(Read More)
First National Bank gets Superior rating
(AdvantageNews, 12/10/15)
First National Bank has earned another 5-Star Superior rating from Bauerfinancial Inc. of Coral Gables, Fla., an independent bank rating and research firm.
(Read More)
LCCC's river research center gets gold for green standards
(Illinois Business Journal, 12/2015)
The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center is officially the gold standard in sustainable building.
(Read More)
Local painting parties going national
(Belleville News-Democrat, 12/14/15)
What began as a painting party among friends has spawned a business that will soon include franchisees beyond the metro-east.
(Read More)
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Contact Information
Ronda Sauget, Executive Director, Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
618-692-9745
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