Economic forecast calls for local freight and rail expansion

(Belleville News Democrat - 02/05/2015)

Logistics analysts and economic developers from both sides of the river are looking to coordinate a plan to expand freight and rail infrastructure.

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Belleville approves Shrine development agreement

(Belleville News Democrat - 2/17/2015)

Aldermen on Tuesday night approved a development agreement that paves the way for the city to give an Effingham firm tax breaks in exchange for developing 33 acres on Illinois 15 adjacent to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows despite vehement opposition from some council members.

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Businesses Investing in Illinois

(WBGZ Radio - 2/17/2015)

A majority of Illinois business owners and managers plan to invest in their business this year.  

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Durbin meets with Air Force chief of staff to discuss future of Scott

(Belleville News Democrat - 1/28/2015)

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., has met with Gen. Mark Welsh, Air Force chief of staff, to discuss the future of Illinois Air Force bases, including Scott Air Force Base and Air National Guard units in Springfield and Peoria.

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Attracting Business through Transportation

(WBGZ Radio - 2/13/2015)

Now that a freight study and plan has been unveiled to the public, drawing more big business to the region using that information as a selling point should follow.

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Glik's clothing chain widening Midwest footprint

(St. Louis Business Journal - 2/4/2015)

Granite City-based fashion retailer Glik's plans to expand deeper into Iowa and Michigan during the first part of this year.

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Medical marijuana grower eyeing East St. Louis for cultivation site

(Belleville News Democrat - 2/17/2015)

Progressive Treatment Solutions LLC, which won the metro-east's only state license to grow medical marijuana, is considering a site in East St. Louis for the construction of its cannabis cultivation center, according to City Manager Deletra Hudson.

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Metro-east's first medical marijuana dispensary set to open

(Belleville News-Democrat - 2/10/15)

Plans are taking shape for the region's first medicinal marijuana dispensary to open in a medical office complex next door to GCS Ball Park, the home of the Gateway Grizzlies minor league baseball team.

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Regional collaboration propels St. Louis to best cities to start a business

(Illinois Business Journal - 2/15)

Oftentimes opportunity stems from adversity. 

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Small Business Development Center to kick off second Metro East Startup Challenge

(Illinois Business Journal - 2/15)

The Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center at SIUE is planning to kick off its second annual Metro East Startup Challenge later this spring. 

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Gigabit Challenge brings three new businesses to Highland

(Illinois Business Journal - 2/15)

Highland is the only community in the region to have gigabit level Internet, and the first Highland Gigabit Challenge business plan competition produced three winners who are pleased to be moving their operations to the city. 

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Leadership Council working to promote entrepreneurship in Southwestern Illinois

(Illinois Business Journal - 2/15)

When the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois developed its strategic plan two years ago, promoting entrepreneurship ranked high on the list, according to Executive Director Ellen Krohne.

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Spotlight on Southwestern Illinois - Kaskaskia Engineering Group, Illinois Route 13 project, Carbondale to Carterville

(Illinois Business Journal - 2/15)

Along a five-mile stretch of Illinois Route 13 extending east from North Giant City Road at the edge of Carbondale to Greenbriar Road in Carterville, Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC  is completing a portion of the first stages of design on behalf of the project's lead design consultant, Crawford, Murphy, & Tilly, Inc. of Springfield.

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Spotlight on Southwestern Illinois - Louer Facility Planning, Stillwater Senior Living Community, Edwardsville

(Illinois Business Journal - 2/15)

Louer Facility Planning demonstrated its expertise in the selection of commercial furniture for the new Stillwater Senior Living community on University Drive in Edwardsville.

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Spotlight on Southwestern Illinois - Geotechnology, Inc., St. Paul's Home and Retirement Apartments, Belleville

(Illinois Business Journal - 2/15)

With a groundbreaking on a very chilly day in December 2013, work began on a $29 million expansion project to construct the new St. Paul's Home and Retirement Apartments in Belleville.

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Engineering Round-Up

(Illinois Business Journal - 2/15)

Senior complex touted as public-private partner accomplishment

(Illinois Business Journal - 2/15)

Jazz at Walter Circle is a big deal for East St. Louis. "It's changing East St. Louis in a real positive way," said Jimmie Taylor, an employee of the grocery store located on the ground floor of the building. 

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Anderson Hospital: Plans for Edwardsville site not yet decided

(Belleville News-Democrat - 2/11/15)

Anderson Hospital of Maryville has plans for the east side of Edwardsville, but nothing has been definitely decided yet.

Riverview Park Project to Restart

(WBGZ Radio - 2/12/15)

Alton will be restarting the Riverview Park redevelopment project this spring. 

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Columbia, Illinois working to create 'food hub' in Main Street area

(Illinois Business Journal - 2/15)

The city of Columbia is working to develop a local "food hub" and is hoping to have it operational sometime in 2015.

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Sports writer goes to bat for vintage baseball teams

(Illinois Business Journal - 2/15)

Last year's inaugural Metro East Startup Challenge hosted and organized by the SIUE Small Business Development Center and University Park at SIUE was won by Todd Eschman's Old Dutch Classic Bats in Swansea. The prize was $10,000.

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IN OTHER NEWS

Record Spring Enrollment at SIUE

(WBGZ Radio 2/2/2015)

Enrollment at SIUE for the spring semester is greater than ever before.  

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Olin Brass recognized by Ameren Illinois for energy efficiency efforts

(Illinois Business Journal - 02/2015)

Olin Brass, a subsidiary of Global Brass and Copper, Inc., was recognized recently by Ameren Illinois for its energy conservation efforts during a ceremony at its East Alton facility.

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Video Campaign will spread tourism bureau's message

(Illinois Business Journal - 2/15)

Alton area tourism officials will soon roll out a glitzy video campaign touting the region as a place "Where the Rivers Meet the Road." 

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Bank of Edwardsville names new president/CEO

(Illinois Business Journal- 2/15)

Kevin Powers, an executive most recently with a St. Paul, Minn.-based banking corporation, has been named as the new head of Bank of Edwardsville, to replace the retiring Thomas Holloway.

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Q & A with Steve Johnson, executive vice president of economic development at the St. Louis Regional Chamber

(Illinois Business Journal - 2/15)

IBJ: The Chamber and others have begun exploring ways to use the region's vast water supply as a means of recruiting businesses.