(Illinois Business Journal, 3/9/16)
The purpose of this letter is to state my endorsement and support for the selection of the Scott Air Force Base site in St. Clair County for the relocation and expansion of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency project.
(Read More)

Defense budget request matches proposed NGA site in St. Clair County
(St. Louis Business Journal, 3/3/2016)
The U.S. Department of Defense's proposed 2017 budget includes a request to acquire land for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (NGA) new western headquarters that matches the description of a site near Scott Air Force Base.
(Read More)

You owe us' has no place in NGA decision
(Belleville News-Democrat, 3/9/16)
Let the bidding wars begin: Missouri and Illinois are throwing around incentives for the National's new western headquarters like Shriners with bags of Tootie Frooties.
(Read More)

A Conversation with Mary Lamie - St. Louis Regional Freight way Executive Director 2-9-16
(YouTube.com 2/24/2016)
After the recession ended in 2009, St. Louis firms began to hire. Almost 20,000 jobs were created in the first 18 months of the recovery.
(Learn More)

Freightway hopes to take advantage of Panama Canal expansion
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/7/2016)
Ports and rail hubs around America are gearing up for the completion of expansion of the Panama Canal, and the Southwestern Illinois area is among them.
(Read More)

Freightway moving forward
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/7/2016)
Critical pieces of strategy are falling into place for the new St. Louis Regional Freightway as officials move forward with plans to market the region as a multimodal cargo hub.
(Read More)

Allegiant Air to fly to Jacksonville from MidAmerica Airport
(Belleville News-Democrat, 3/8/16)
New destination marks fifth Florida route from county-owned airport. Route to Jacksonville would be region's only direct flight
(Read More)

Leaders say legislation enforcement would protect steel jobs
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/12/16)
The steel industry has been hit hard in recent years.  Domestic steel mills idled their total production capacity due to exports of cheap steel from China that created an oversupply of steel in U.S. markets. 
(Read More)

(Read More)

Roger That: U.S. Transportation Command wins Joint Meritorious Unit Award
(Belleville News Democrat, 3/9/2016)
Gen. Darren W. McDew, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, based at Scott Air Force Base, has presented the service members and civilians of Transcom with the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious service.
(Read More)

Higher Education: SIUE to offer environmental sciences degree
(Belleville News-Democrat, 3/1/16)
Lots of jobs available in environmental science field. McKendree hopes to attract students by challenging bigger schools.
(Read More)

LCCC sees modest enrollment increase
(The Alton Telegraph, 3/9/16)
Spring enrollment at Lewis and Clark Community College is only up by 1 percent since last year, but in the state of Illinois, that's not half bad.
  (Read More)

Best places to work: Advancement of Women Award Winner - OneSpace
(St. Louis Business Journal, 3/4/2016)
OneSpace 2015 revenue: More than $10 million. Top local executive: Stephanie Leffler, CEO. Year founded in St. Louis: 2007. Location: Swansea, Illinois
  (Read More)

Belleville developer plans new apartment complex with 22 buildings
(Belleville News Democrat, 3/7/2016)
Belleville City Council members will meet Monday night to consider a request for a special-use permit for a new apartment complex near Southwestern Illinois College.
(Read More)

BARBERMurphy Group: Demand growing for industrial and investment properties
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/7/2016)
2015 was the best year the 10-year-old BARBERMurphy Group has ever had, according to Wayne Barber, a principal of the firm. He says 2016 might be even better. With 18 licensed brokers and more than 500 active listings, the brokerage is the largest commercial Realtor in Southern Illinois.
(Read More)

NAI DESCO: Retail developers will be staking their claims in 2016
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/7/2016)
Look for real estate developers to be sowing seeds this year and retail developments to bloom in 2017, says Toby Martin, chief executive officer of NAI DESCO of the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area market.
(Read More)

New developers breathe life into moribund Caseyville subdivision
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/7/2016)
The massive Forest Lakes subdivision on Illinois Route 159 in Caseyville is being resurrected and given a new name, Tanglewood. Its new owners expect to formally kick things off with a ribbon cutting later this month.
(Read More)

IBJ Business News
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/7/2016)
Construction-management firm, IMPACT Strategies has completed two major renovation projects for Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, a $2.4 million expansion and renovation at Centreville (Ill.) Health Center, the other a $600,000 renovation of the Charleston (Ill.) Health Center.
(Read More)

Land deal expands access to new St. Elizabeth's hospital
(St. Louis Business Journal, 3/4/2016)
St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville has spent $1 million to acquire property just north of the site where it is building a $300 million replacement hospital in O'Fallon, Illinois.
(Read More)

Shiloh, SCI Engineering win merit award for Three Springs wetland mitigation project
(Belleville News Democrat, 3/1/2016)
The Village of Shiloh and SCI Engineering Inc. have received a 2016 American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Illinois Engineering Excellence Award for the mitigation project at Three Springs Park.
(Read More)

Major expansion of dining services planned at Lindenwood Belleville campus
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/3/2016)
Students arriving on the Lindenwood Belleville campus in the fall will have a dramatically new dining experience at Matt's Café, the campus' dining facility.
(Read More)

Nutrisystem opens frozen warehouse in Troy, Ill.
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/3/2016)
Nutrisystem, a national provider of weight-loss products and programs, has opened a new frozen foods warehouse at 7714 Commercial Drive in Troy, Ill.
(Read More)

Engineering firm wins award for Veterans Honor Parkway
(Belleville News Democrat, 2/29/2016)
The engineering firm responsible for the design of Highland's newest thoroughfare was recently honored for its part in part in making the new roadway a reality.
(Read More)

3D mammography now offered at St. Joseph's Hospital in Highland
(Belleville News Democrat, 3/4/2016)
HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital recently invested more than $350,000 to expand the current mammography services with advanced 3D mammography. The advanced mammogram equipment was installed in January and will begin service in early March.
(Read More)

Steel tariff decision could help Granite City in fight against imports
(St. Louis Public Radio, 3/2/2016)
The United Steelworkers union says a key trade ruling is the first step in slowing down unfairly priced imports, especially from China. It's one of several cases officials in the Metro East have been closely monitoring as they wait for U.S. Steel to decide when it might resume operations at its Granite City plant.
(Read More)

Port receives logistics award
(Advantage News 2/29/2016)
America's Central Port District was recognized at the St. Louis Regional Chamber's Arcus Awards 3 ceremony as the winner of Achievement in Logistics. 
(Read More)

Construction of third fire station in progress
(Edwardsville Intelligencer, 2/27/2016)
Filling in for Edwardsville Fire Chief Rick Welle at Monday's Public Safety meeting, Capt. James Whiteford had plenty of updates for the aldermen.
(Read More)

RASI: 2015 was a great year for real estate sales, and 2016 is expected to be even better
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/7/2016)
The year 2015 was great for residential real estate sales, according to Deb Frazier, CEO of the Realtor Association of Southwestern Illinois. Home sales were up in St. Clair, Monroe, Clinton and Randolph counties over 2014.
(Read More)

Fireside gets jump on $500 million investment fund

(St. Louis Business Journal, 3/4/2016)
Michael Bailey's Fireside Financial, a private equity firm based in Edwardsville, has launched a third real estate investment fund.
(Read More)

East Alton developing history museum
(Alton Telegraph, 3/3/2016)
that collectively tell the story of East Alton's history.
(Read More)

Retail Roundup: Recent Dollar General construction proposals bat .500
(Belleville News-Democrat, 3/13/16)
A developer with plans to build two Dollar General stores in the metro-east went 1-for-2 in recent public meetings.
(Read More)

Officials unveil 'Give 30' mentoring program for troubled youth
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/6/16)
During the 2011- 2012 school year, more than 272,000 students in Illinois' public schools were suspended.  Another 2,400 students were expelled and more than 10,000 students were arrested by law enforcement officials. 
(Read More)

The 66th Annual Belle-Scott Dinner

Belleville News-Democrat - Gallery

(Learn More)

Retired Air Force info specialist launches business with SBDC help

(Riverbender, 3/9/16)  

After 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, O'Fallon resident Dwight Dettmann was ready for a change. With the help of the Illinois Metro East Small Development Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, he made the transformation from a trained expert in information security to small business owner by launching his own handyman business.
(Read More)

  

St. Louis area's industrial market continues strong growth
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 3/11/16)
All the arrows are pointing the right way for the St. Louis region's industrial market.
(Read More)

Guess who leads the nation in employer growth? It's 'bad for business' Illinois!
(St. Louis/Southern Illinois Labor Tribune, 3/7/16)
There must be no one who has had to sit through more speeches about Illinois' "bad business climate" than Dale Stewart, executive secretary-treasurer of the Southwestern Illinois Construction and Building Trades Council.

(Read More)

Belleville Tourism director predicts good times ahead
(Belleville News-Democrat, 3/13/16)
Cathleen Lindauer is the only director the Belleville Tourism office has ever known.Tapped for the job that was created in 1991 thanks to a new hotel/motel tax in the city, she and a corps of volunteers basically have two goals: make sure visitors have a good time when they come to Belleville, and make sure they spend their money while they're here.
(Read More)

Organic brewer Old Bakery finds niche in crowded beer market
(St. Louis Business Journal, 3/11/16)
Old Bakery Beer Co. sees sustainability in its beer.
(Read More)

GRAFTON OYSTER BAR OPENS: Hagen hopes it will become tourist destination
(Riverbender, 3/9/16)
Jerseyville's Brad Hagen has had a long-time dream of opening an affiliate of the Broadway Oyster Bar & Grill in Downtown St. Louis on the Grafton riverfront and as of this week, he has made that a reality.
(Read More)

Dollar General proposed near Belleville
(Belleville News-Democrat, 3/9/16)
Project would be built along Centreville Avenue. Building estimated to cost $1.1 million to $1.2 million
(Read More)

Developer plans work for downtown buildings
(The Alton Telegraph, 3/12/16)
The Edwardsville City Council will hear a developer's proposal to work on three downtown buildings with assistance from the city's tax financing district.
(Read More)

Board OKs new break on parkway
(The Edwardsville Intelligencer, 3/12/16)
The Village of Glen Carbon approved a letter requesting a new road accessing the Sunnyside Nursery property located south of Governors' Parkway and west of Troy Road.
(Read More)

City Council expected to vote Tuesday on business district plan
(The Edwardsville Intelligencer, 3/12/16)
First proposed at the Edwardsville Finance Committee meeting on Jan. 12, the establishment of the Town Centre Business District will be voted on at Tuesday's City Council meeting.
(Read More)

Alton City Council: New business approved
(The Alton Telegraph, 3/10/16)
The Alton City Council suspended its procedural rules Wednesday to pass two ordinances to allow a man to more quickly set up his metal coating business.
(Read More)

Fresh Thyme grocery store anchoring proposed Edwardsville development
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 3/11/16)
The Fresh Thyme Farmers Market chain is planning to expand in the Metro East with a grocery store in Edwardsville.
(Read More)

Lewis & Clark leads $9 million investment in local tech company
(St. Louis Business Journal, 3/8/2016)
Lewis & Clark Ventures, the Clayton-based venture capital firm founded by Tom Hillman last year, has made its first deal: a $9 million investment into Swansea, Illinois-based OneSpace.
(Read More)

Annual horseradish confab brings growers and grinders to Collinsville
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/7/2016)
Each year in the dead of winter 50 horseradish growers and grinders come together in the "horseradish capital of the world," Collinsville, Ill. After all, nearly 80 percent of the world's horseradish is grown in the American Bottom in Madison and St. Clair counties.
(Read More)

Lebanon mayor pushing U.S. 50 bypass around community
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/7/2016)
Mayor Richard Wilken is stepping up efforts on a project that he believes will cement his town's spot on the map.
(Read More)

Time marches on City Hall
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/7/2016)
A city that can crow about plenty of new development in recent years is hoping to draw interest in one of its oldest landmarks.
(Read More)

 

In Other News

 

Holland Employee Charitable Foundation Raises $23,000 for Fontebella Maternity Home

(Holland Website, 3/3/2016)

The Holland Employee Charitable Foundation (HECF) is pleased to announce that $23,000 was raised at this year's Klondike Klassic Charity Golf Tournament thanks to the overwhelming support of Holland friends and associates including 160 golfers and over 100 sponsors.  The event was held February 27that Far Oaks Golf Club.

(Read More)

 

St. Elizabeth's Hospital donates over $7,800 worth of computer equipment to three area schools
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/9/16)
HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital recently donated $7,881 worth of computer equipment to three local schools. The hospital was able to make 55 desktop computers and nine laptops available from its current inventory as upgraded equipment was installed within the facility.
(Read More)

SIUE pharmacy pass rate tops Illinois and Missouri
(The Alton Telegraph, 3/9/16)
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 (NAPLEX). The graduates' combined score was the highest board pass rate of any program in Illinois or Missouri.
(Read More)

Scheffel Boyle's Jerseyville office recognized as Business of the Year

(Illinois Business Journal, March 2016)
The Jerseyville office of Scheffel Boyle has been recognized as the 2015 Business of the Year by the Jersey County Business Association.
(Read More)

Scott Credit Union partners with Memorial Foundation for Heart Month
(Riverbender, 3/1/2016)
Scott Credit Union recently presented a $2,000 check to representatives from Memorial Foundation in Belleville to be the official partner of activities during Memorial's celebration of National Heart Month.
(Read More)

Girl Scouts celebrate 104th anniversary, March 6-12
(Riverbender, 3/2/2016)
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will join nearly 3 million Girl Scouts throughout America in celebrating the 104th Anniversary of Girl Scouting March 6-12.
(Read More)

Pride, Incorporated celebrating 50 years
(Riverbender, 3/2/2016)
Pride, Incorporated is celebrating its' 50th year of community beautification in the Riverbend area. 
(Read More)

Fischer elected next CEO of Olin Corp.; Rupp to remain as chairman
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/1/2016)
Olin Corp. announced Friday that John E. Fischer, Olin's president and chief operating officer, has been elected by the board to succeed Joseph D. Rupp as Olin's president and chief executive officer, effective May 1.
(Read More)

SIUE School of Nursing partners with Baptist Health of Kentucky
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/1/2016)
Thanks to a new partnership with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing, Baptist Health of Kentucky nurses can obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing in as little as one year from their own homes and on their own schedule.
(Read More)

Alton-Godfrey Rotary takes great pride in celebrating 95th anniversary
(Riverbender, 3/9/2016)
The Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club marked a historic anniversary, its 95th year in existence this past week.
(Read More)

Vandalia Bus Lines named Motorcoach Operator of Year
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/10/16)
Dale and Dennis Streif of Caseyville-based Vandalia Bus Lines Inc. were honored by being named METRO Magazine's Motorcoach Operator of the Year at this year's United Motorcoach Association Expo in Atlanta in February.
(Read More)

Madison County Auditor Rick Faccin honored with MLK Humanitarian Award in Venice

(Riverbender, 3/4/2016)
Madison County Auditor Honorable Rick Faccin was recently presented the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award by the New Shining Light Community Outreach Ministry in Venice.
(Read More)

Grandpa Gang donates to community - Nearly 60 organizations receive donations from Christmas Wonderland
(The Alton Telegraph, 3/13/16)
Visitors poured into Christmas Wonderland in near record numbers in 2015 and that success means financial gifts to area organizations have increased.
(Read More)

 

Loading Dock newest bearer of RBGA honor
(Advantage News, 3/4/2016)
The RiverBend Growth Association has named The Loading Dock its Small Business of the Month.
(Read More)

Scheffel Boyle's Jerseyville office recognized as Business of the Year

(Illinois Business Journal, March 2016)
The Jerseyville office of Scheffel Boyle has been recognized as the 2015 Business of the Year by the Jersey County Business Association.
(Read More)