Regional port authority progressing on proposal to expand its territory
(Illinois Business Journal, 5/2014)

The Tri-City Regional Port Authority is seeking to expand its territory and change its name in the process. Senate Bill 499, sponsored by Sen. Bill Haine, D-Alton, would create America's Central Port District. It passed out of the state Senate April 7 and by month's end was pending before the House Rules Committee with Rep. Dan Beiser, D-Alton, as the chief sponsor.  (Read More)

Vintage baseball bat maker wins startup challenge
(St. Louis Business Journal, 5/01/14)

Old Dutch Classic Bats, a Swansea, Illinois-based startup that manufactures custom baseball bats that match historical models, was named the winner of the first-ever Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Metro East Start-Up Challenge.  For winning, Old Dutch Classic Bats, founded by Todd Eschman, will receive $10,000 in non-equity capital to help jump-start the business.  (Read More)

Jack Schmitt looks to fall opening of Wood River location
(Illinois Business Journal, 5/2014)

Though it's been months under construction, the official ground-breaking took place Wednesday for the new Jack Schmitt dealership at the intersection of Wesley Drive and Illinois Route 143 in Wood River.  (Read More)

IBJ : Industrial Leaders of Southwestern Illinois Section
(Illinois Business Journal, 4/25/14)

This section has a lot of great stories about several Leadership Council members and the fantastic things that they are accomplishing! The link to the whole article is below. Below you will find individual links to each story.

First Clover Leaf Bank  (Read More)

Lindenwood University-Belleville  (Read More)

Commerce Bank  (Read More)

Greensfelder, Hemker, & Gale P.C  (Read More)

the Bank of Edwardsville  (Read More)

BRiC Partnership  (Read More)

First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust  (Read More)

Holland Construction  (Read More)

McCarthy  (Read More)

NAI Desco  (Read More)

Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation  (Read More)

Marifian & Richter, Ltd.  (Read More)

State's 2013 tourism numbers post 4.5 percent increase The Great River Road is a popular tourist destination.  (AdVantage News, 5/2014)

Governor Pat Quinn announced that Illinois welcomed more than 103.5 million U.S. residents to the state in 2013, the largest number of domestic visitors to Illinois ever and the third consecutive year of record-breaking numbers. The 2013 total was up 4.5 percent from the prior year, and one of the strongest growth sectors in 2013 was leisure travel, up 5.7 percent from 2012.  (Read More)

Mid America Workforce Investment Board Honors Metro East Individuals For Hard Work and Determination  (Southwest Illinois News, 4/2414)

For a group of individuals who have battled challenges ranging from joblessness to homelessness, this past Thursday was a day of celebration recognizing their triumphant return to the workforce and even one individual's new role as a provider of employment for others.

(Read More)

Local Mayors Support River Shipping Program (Riverbender.com, 4/29/14)

Mayors representing the Mississippi River Cities & Town Initiative have announced a significant advance in its effort to start a container-on-barge shipping program on the River, during the Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals 2014 Annual Conference.  The program headquarters is leaving Washington, DC and relocating in St. Louis. (Read More)

Roundup: What's your biggest project? (St. Louis Business Journal, 5/02/14)

The St. Louis construction market has crawled back to stability after the recession with a variety of projects spanning multiple industries. Commercial, industrial, public and private projects make up this list of the biggest projects under construction or recently completed by area contractors. Click the link and see what's being built in your neighborhood.  (Read More)

From old strip malls come new developments in Fairview Heights

(St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 4/25/14)

New retailers are starting to fill the space left vacant by older stores that failed during the recent recession. And Mike Malloy, the Fairview Heights economic development director, is pleased. He pointed to several developments in 2013. "It not only was a good year - it was a very good year," Malloy said.  (Read More)

Entrepreneur gears historic building for his business, others
(Illinois Business Journal, 5/2014)

A local businessman is completing the first phase of renovations to a treasured downtown building that will soon become home to his business and potentially the launch pad for others.  (Read More)

Speculative construction: Large projects scarce for industrial market
(St. Louis Business Journal, 5/02/14)

Tom Felton, president of MC Industrial, is hearing about a lot of potential capital projects that client companies are mulling over, but they are still hesitant to pull the trigger on. MC Industrial, which is a portfolio company of McCarthy Holdings, is a general contractor that serves the heavy industrial market, such as power plants, refineries and manufacturing sites.  (Read More)