U.S. Transcom unveils Ebola isolation units for cargo planes

(News-Democrat - 1/23/15)
The U.S. Transportation Command on Friday morning introduced a new module system to evacuate patients with infectious diseases such as Ebola or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome aboard air cargo planes.

Levee fixes are on schedule, Metro East officials say

(St. Louis Post Dispatch - 1/24/15)

Metro East officials say they are on track to complete their share of Mississippi River levee improvements to meet federal accreditation requirements by year's end, a status linked to insurance rates in the area.

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Another Month of Economic Growth 

(WBGZ Radio - 1/06/15)

Illinois' monthly measure of the economy remains positive.  The Flash Index, put out by the University of Illinois' Institute of Government and Public Affairs, has moved from 106.6 in November to 106.5 in January.
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Former Edwardsville School to become Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities

(Belleville News Democrat - 1/24/15)

Political debates, academic conferences and guest lecturers from around the world ... these are just some of the ideas being discussed for the new Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities.

(Read More)

Council Paves Way for Shrine Development on Annexed Land

(Belleville News Democrat - 1/20/15)

The Belleville City Council voted on Tuesday night to create accounts in the city ledger to pave the way for approving a special business district and a tax increment financing district for a portion of newly-annexed land adjacent to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.

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Park Street Plaza among Possibilities for Edwardsville in '15

(Illinois Business Journal - 1/15)
A lawyer is moving forward on plans to build a five-story building that could become one of the tallest in the city.
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Shimkus, Bost, Davis Push Scott AFB Site for National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

(Illinois Business Journal - 1/2015)

The three congressmen representing Southern Illinois have joined in an effort to push the region's availability for a major federal intelligence agency now based in St. Louis.

(O'Fallon Progress - 1/26/15)

While many drive past ground zero for the upcoming Memorial Hospital East, whether it's Interstate 64 or Cross Street, the $124 million satellite campus is becoming more of a reality for those closest to the project's evolution.

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Port District Expands

(WBGZ Radio -  1/26/15)

An Alton lawmaker is promoting a newly created regional business district.  On January 1st, Tri-County Regional Port District became America's Central Port District and now includes even more of the Riverbend.

(Read More)

Contegra Construction Co. Completes Build-Out of 42,000SF at Alton Center Business Park

(Saint Louis Construction News and Review - 1/06/15)
Contegra Construction Co. has completed the build-out of 42,000 square feet of specialty packaging space for Advanced Outsource Solutions (AOS) at Alton Center Business Park in Alton, IL.
(Read More)

Engineering and Real Estate Firm Expands in Metro-East

(Belleville News Democrat - 1/19/15)

Full-service engineering and real estate firm Volkert Inc. has recently expanded its service in the metro-east with a second office in the area.
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Accounting Firm Expands Workforce

(Advantage News - 1/8/15)

Scheffel Boyle has announced the addition of 16 accounting professionals to its staff. From September 2014 through January, the CPA firm has expanded its workforce throughout its 10 offices to now include eight new part-time accounting interns and eight new full-time accounting professionals.

(Read More)

The Korte Co. Hires 11

(Highland News Leader - 12/23/14)

The Korte Co. has announced 11 recent hires. The Highland office added five, Las Vegas added five, and there is one new addition to the Norman, Okla. Office.

(Read More)

State unemployment rate drops to 6.2 percent

(Illinois Business Journal - 1/2015)

The Illinois unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 6.2 percent in December.

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New Home Permits Increase for Fourth Straight Year

(Advantage News - 1/14/15)
For the fourth straight year, Madison County is reporting an increase in permits for new home construction in unincorporated areas of the county.
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Pigs in a New Blanket

(Advantage News - 1/17/15)
A longtime Jerseyville meat packing company now has decided the Brighton area is "prime" for expansion.
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SWIC Board Approves Early Childhood Center Plans

(Belleville News-Democrat - 1/21/15)

Southwestern Illinois College leaders on Wednesday hired Holland Construction Services to manage construction of a new early childhood education center.

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Anderson eyes property on east edge of city

(Edwardsville Intelligencer - 1/24/15)

A proposed out-patient care facility affiliated with Anderson Hospital to be located off of Goshen Road cleared the first hurdle at a recent Edwardsville Plan Commission Meeting.

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More Improvements on Horizon in Alton

(WBGZ Radio - 12/28/14)

With a new year on the horizon, Alton's top official believes the City will be even better in 2015. Mayor Brant Walker tells the Big Z that there is a large amount of grant money available to be used to upgrade Gordon Moore and Riverview Parks.

(Read More)

Former Edwardsville School to become Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities

(Belleville News Democrat - 1/24/15)

Political debates, academic conferences and guest lecturers from around the world ... these are just some of the ideas being discussed for the new Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities.

(Read More)

Hibbett Sports to Open at Alton Square 

(STL Today - 12/31/14)

Hibbett Sports plans to open a store this coming spring at the Alton Square Mall.

(Read More)

Chris and Kendra Shields Open Family Pharmacy in North Alton

(RiverBender - 1/07/15)

Chris and Kendra Shields have opened an independent pharmacy in North Alton
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Regency Bowl Building Renovation Underway

(O'Fallon Progress - 1/08/15)
Pontoon Beach-based Tindall Construction Incorporated will complete a $2.3 million renovation of the existing Regency Bowl Building at 251 Regency Park, O'Fallon, for the new Enjoychurch.tv O'Fallon Campus.

(Read More)

Next Stop for Bethalto Landing

(WBGZ Radio - 1/08/15)
The process of developing the former Wayside Estate property along Rt. 111 in Bethalto is closer than ever to beginning, according to the manager of St. Louis Regional Airport.  
(Read More)

In Other News

Michael Riley elected president of Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois

(St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Michael Riley, president of Professional Therapy Services Inc. in the Metro East, was elected president of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois for 2015. The council is the main economic development organization in Madison and St. Clair counties.

(Read More)

The List: Largest Commercial Real Estate Firms

(St. Louis Business Journal - 1/16/15)
Top St. Louis area commercial real estate firms ranked by number of local active brokers as of Dec. 1, 2014.
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Most Admired Business Leaders 2015

(Small Business Monthly - 12/14)
Business isn't all about numbers and spreadsheets. St. Louis business owners are some of the most generous CEOs in the nation, giving financial support and their time to creating a better community. Meet some of the area's Most Admired Business Leaders, as nominated by their peers.
(Read More)

Art on the Square Retains No. 2 National Ranking

(Belleville News Democrat - 1/6/15)

Art on the Square was once again named the No. 2 art show in the nation by Art Fair SourceBook, an announcement released Tuesday afternoon stated.

(Read More)