Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois

September 13, 2021

Greetings,

While cooler fall temperatures will soon make their way to the region, the Metro East still remains a hot spot for investment with activity in multiple sectors that we are happy to share in this edition of the Good NewsLink.

The Leadership Council is a proud sponsor of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville’s Metro East Start-Up Challenge, which recently selected 15 Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts to advance to the second round of its 8th annual competition. Round two of the Challenge will require the semifinalists to create a condensed business plan, develop financial projections and clearly define reasons why their business concept will be successful. SIUE's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will offer guidance and support to all semifinalists in the form of workshops throughout the month of September. The five winners will be announced at the Leadership Council’s November Board of Directors meeting. The Board of Directors will also extend a one-year honorary membership to the winners to assist in networking and growing their businesses.

ARPA funds are being invested across the region in multiple types of infrastructure projects. Earlier last month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed HB 253 into law, which requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to establish and implement a transportation performance program to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the state's transportation system. As part of the bipartisan ‘Rebuild Illinois’ capital plan that invests $45 billion into the state's roads, bridges, railways and other critical projects over the next six years, IDOT will also now develop a statewide highway system asset management plan with the goal of preserving and improving the conditions of highway and bridge assets and enhancing the existing system while reducing costs.

You’ll find more details on these exciting stories and various others below as we continue to round up and share all the good news occurring in our region. And stay tuned for more information on the Leadership Council’s Annual Dinner – originally planned for October 28 – that is now being rescheduled for Spring 2022. In the meantime, happy reading and have a great rest of your week!

Dr. Ronda Sauget

Ronda Sauget, D. Mgmt, MBA

Executive Director and CEO

Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois

104 Magnolia Drive, Ste B

Glen Carbon, IL 62034

618-692-9745

Visit our newly updated website!

Illinois schools to receive final $1.6 billion in pandemic relief funding

(Belleville News-Democrat, 08/30/2021)

The third and final piece of COVID pandemic relief funding is headed to Illinois schools. The U.S. Department of Education announced Friday that it had approved of Illinois’ plan to use the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) and distributed those funds. (Read More)

Airport in line for $2.3 million in federal funding

(Illinois Business Journal, 08/25/2021)

Some $2,337,313 in federal funding is coming to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah as part of the Federal Aviation Administration investment funded through the American Rescue Plan. (Read More)

Illinois announces initiative to improve infrastructure

(Edwardsville Intelligencer, 08/25/2021)

On Tuesday, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 253 into law, which requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to establish and implement a transportation performance program to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the state's transportation system. (Read More)

Granite City plans millions in stormwater, cybersecurity projects as part of federal funding

(Illinois Business Journal, 08/17/2021)

With the first round of spending of the American Rescue Plan funding, Mayor Mike Parkinson and the Granite City Council approved approximately $6.8 million for storm water prevention projects and to address cybersecurity in the city. (Read More)

These 50 St. Louis-area companies made the Inc. 5000 list this year

(St. Louis Business Journal, 08/17/2021)

The St. Louis area is well-represented on this year's Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies, with 50 area firms on the ranking. (Read More)

Energy bill could see a vote as state lawmakers return for redistricting session

(Illinois Business Journal, 08/31/2021)

SPRINGFIELD – Lawmakers will return to the Statehouse on Tuesday for what is scheduled as a one-day special session to reconsider the legislative redistricting plan they passed during the spring session. (Read More)

This southwest IL city sees population surge. Mayor credits that to ‘smart growth’

(Belleville News-Democrat, 08/25/2021)

Mayor Herb Roach credits “smart growth” as a main reason why O’Fallon has seen the greatest surge in population numbers in southern Illinois, adding 4,008 residents. (Read More)

JB Bridge overhaul planned

(Republic-Times, 08/19/2021)

Beginning next spring, Monroe Countians who work in or travel to St. Louis will see a change in their daily commute as a major “rehabilitation” project on the I-255 Jefferson Barracks Bridge commences. (Read More)

Community celebrates transformation of transit station

(Illinois Business Journal, 08/23/2021)

A colorful transit center greeted visitors Saturday, the completion of a months-long transformation effort in East St. Louis. (Read More)

National car consignment business opens hub in Fairview Heights

(Illinois Business Journal, 08/30/2021)

CarLotz, the nation’s largest consignment-to-retail used vehicle marketplace, has opened a hub to serve the St. Louis metro area at 1807 West Highway 50 in Fairview Heights. (Read More)

PCs for People help get computers in the homes of those who truly need them!

•Distributes refurbished corporate computers updated to Windows 10, with very low-cost, unlimited internet access for students, underserved populations, elderly, and veterans.

•They have connected over 450,000 people to internet and computing devices. The State of Illinois Office of Broadband has committed to facilitate the donation of 10,000 computers to PCs for People Metro East, but they have set a goal of sourcing a total of 25,000 computers in their first year in order to meet the significant need in our community, and they need our help to meet that goal.

•PCs for People is NAID AAA certified to wipe clean all data off computers and recertify them for reuse

•PC donations needed!!

If you would like more information about how to donate computers, please contact the Leadership Council office at 618-692-9745 or ronda@leadershipcouncilswil.com.

Glen Carbon gives go-ahead to business district eyed for Menards development

(Illinois Business Journal, 08/27/2021)

A long-planned business district at the site of the Foucek nursery property in Glen Carbon, targeted for a possible Menards store and other development, was given the go-ahead Tuesday. (Read More)

Alternate Office Space In East Gate Plaza Launches The Newest Networking Event East Of The Mississippi: Free Program To Educate And Grow Companies

(RiverBender, 08/30/2021)

In collaboration with Riverbender.com and community leaders, Alternate Office Space in East Alton is announcing the launch of the newest networking event. (Read More)

Metro East Business Incubator partners on free virtual services for entrepreneurs

(Illinois Business Journal, 08/27/2021)

The Metro East Business Incubator on Thursday today joined digital platform Startup Space and state and local officials to announce the launch of a free virtual hub that will link local small-business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with resources specifically curated to support their success. (Read More)

SIUE Ranked Among Top 10 Best Online Colleges In Illinois

(Riverbender, 08/19/2021)

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is among the Top 10 Best Online Colleges in Illinois, according to College Choice, a ranking and review online publication. (Read More)

Semifinalists named in Metro East Start-Up Challenge

(Illinois Business Journal, 08/30/2021)

Fifteen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 8th annual Metro East Startup Challenge. (Read More)

SIUE nursing, business degrees earn national honors

(Alton Telegraph, 08/25/2021)

College Factual has ranked the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing and School of Business among its Best Value Colleges for 2021. (Read More)

Air quality in Metro East shows improvement

(Edwardsville Intelligencer, 08/30/2021)

Progress is being made in the effort to improve air quality in the Metro East and the St. Louis region, but the battle is far from over. (Read More)

Employers sought for Jobs Plus ’21 job fair

(Illinois Business Journal, 08/26/2021)

Employers in the St. Louis Metropolitan area are invited to participate in Jobs Plus ’21 to be held on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at the Gateway Convention Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. (Read More)

AltonWorks plans update on historic district efforts

(Illinois Business Journal, 08/30/2021)

AltonWorks, the organization formed more than two years ago with the idea of transforming Downtown Alton, plans an update on its efforts. (Read More)

Celebration of Metro East area heroes will fill day Sept. 4

(Illinois Business Journal, 08/23/2021)

Planning continues for a daylong celebration of heroes to take place Sept. 4 at the raceway in Madison. (Read More)

Check out our Education Newsletter

SWIL Education Workforce Connection

In April we published the first edition of the SWIL Education Workforce Connection newsletter. This is our monthly outreach to the Education and Business communities. As the name implies, the purpose is to connect stakeholders in the world of education with stakeholders in the world of business. Click on the link below to sign up, or email Dr. Bruce McLaughlin at bruce@leadershipcouncilswil.com.

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