March 12, 2018
Greetings~
 
The past couple of weeks have been a period of great excitement for the Metro East with multiple announcements highlighting great things happening across Southwestern Illinois. Additional details have been revealed about the plans for a new Jersey County transmodal logistics facility that could employ more than 1,000 people and represent a private investment of more than $500 million. An estimated 500 workers will soon be back on the job at U.S. Steel's plant in Granite City, and the City of Alton just won a national competition, capturing a $500,000 prize and a slot to be showcased in season three of The Small Business Revolution, a program airing on Hulu. 

Below you'll also find a link to a detailed story highlighting the tremendous work completed by the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District to restore the Metro East levees to meet the 100-year flood standard. This regional success story is a testament to what we can accomplish when we all work together. 

Read on for more on these and good news about several other investments occurring in our local communities.
 
Have a great week!
Ronda Sauget, D. Mgmt, MBA
Executive Director
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
U.S. Steel to bring back 500 workers in Granite City
(Post-Dispatch, 3/7/18)
United States Steel Corporation plans on restarting one of two blast furnaces and associated steelmaking facilities in Granite City, bringing back approximately 500 workers beginning later this month. (Read More)

Granite City region rejoices in Trump's proposed steel tariff
(MetroEast Chronicle, 3/2/18)
The United States Department of Commerce (DOC) this week begins assessing a 25 percent tariff on imported steel this week - a move that is drawing praise in and around Granite City.  (Read More)

Jerseyville's Russell: Railway to rev regional economy
(Metro East Sun, 3/6/18)
Jerseyville Mayor William Russell recently lauded Kansas City Southern Railroad's (KCSR) decision to house a central facility in the heart of town, delivering manifold jobs and ultimately expected to jumpstart both the local and regional economies.  (Read More)

1,000-plus jobs in offing with new development
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/9/18)
Federal and state officials are cheering plans for a Jersey County transmodal logistics facility that could employ more than 1,000 people and represent a private investment of more than $500 million.  Mid-American International Gateway Business Park is the newly unveiled formal name of what privately has been referred to as "Project Panther."  (Read More)

IT'S A WINNER: #MyAlton: Alton takes the competition
(RiverBender, 2/27/18)
During a Facebook live stream event, hosts of The Small Business Revolution, a program airing on Hulu sponsored by the Deluxe Corporation, announced Alton had won a national vote to be showcased in season three of the show. (Read More)

The American Bottom Levee Restoration Project (2007 - 2017)
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/9/18)
The Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District has completed its work to restore the levees to meet the 100-year flood standard and has submitted documents seeking that accreditation. What follows is a look back at the history of this 10-year project.  (Read More)

Legacy Place changes name to Brightly Senior Living, set to open in Mascoutah in April
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/12/18)
St. Louis-based Cedarhurst Senior Living recently acquired four of Legacy Place's Illinois facilities located in Breese, Highland, and two in Waterloo. A new senior community - scheduled to open April 1 at 649 Legacy Place in Mascoutah, Ill. - will be owned and operated by Legacy Place's current management under the new company name of Brightly Senior Living.  (Read More)

IMPACT Strategies creates state-of-the-art facility for Ameren Illinois
(Illinois Business Journal, 3/2/18)
IMPACT Strategies teamed with Ameren Illinois to renovate the energy delivery company's 60-year-old East St. Louis regional operations facility.  A grand reopening of this facility was celebrated at a local ceremony in January.  (Read More)

Memory care facility will open this summer
(Advantage News, 3/4/18)
San Gabriel Memory Care Godfrey, the third Metro East memory care facility owned and operated by brother-and-sister team John and Carrie Dietzen, will begin welcoming residents this summer. The 34-unit, 21,000-square-foot facility at 813 Lars Hoffman Crossing, just off Illinois 255 and Godfrey Road, will serve as an assisted living community dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer's and dementia.  (Read More)

Eastgate Plaza sold, new owners planning extensive renovation
(Alton Telegraph, 3/12/18)
A watercolor mockup of a revamped Eastgate Plaza shows a hair salon, bike shop, frozen custard shop and a few restaurants with outdoor seating, just some of the types of retail businesses new owner Todd Kennedy and his ownership group hope to attract to the East Alton shopping center .  (Read More)

Madison County is set to award more than $1.35 million in Park and Recreation Grants
(Riverbender, 3/9/18)
Madison County is awarding $1.35 million in funding for various park and recreational projects in communities throughout the county.  (Read More)
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