August 23, 2019
Greetings,
Summer may be winding down, but there’s still plenty of positive news originating in Southwestern Illinois in recent weeks that we’re excited to share with you in this edition of Good NewsLink.
A sincere congratulations to all who were recognized at the
St. Louis Business Journal’s
2019 Most Influential Business Women Awards Luncheon at America’s Center, with nearly 600 guests that gathered to celebrate this year's winners. We hope to nominate more worthy executive ladies for this prestigious award next year.
A team of experts is quickly moving forward on a plan to spend $75 million or more to transform Alton’s Downtown core into a commercial, residential and recreational community of the future. An initial plan that was first unveiled in May indicated a total rebirth of downtown Alton as a “rooftop city” with picturesque views over the Mississippi for both residential and business spaces, including renovations of long-abandoned landmarks like the Grand Theater and Stratford Hotel buildings. Over the past few weeks, both the governor and lieutenant governor have visited to help kickoff various developments, including a park outside Jacoby Arts Center and the new AltonWorks headquarters at 601 East Broadway.
Water service in the Metro East is expected to improve under Illinois American Water's plan to invest $5.3 million in system upgrades. The work includes installing over 19,200 feet of water main in Belleville, East St. Louis, Granite City, Madison and Swansea – helping to ensure adequate water pressure to homes and businesses for service and fire protection.
Continue reading on for more on these developments and exciting news related to additional investments in various other sectors in Southwestern Illinois.
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
618-692-974
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On August 2, 2019 a discussion took place at the Leadership Council Board meeting with over 100+ local business leaders regarding the Capitol Bill with Sen Christopher Belt, Sen Rachelle Crow, Sen Paul Schimpf, Rep Jay Hoffman, Rep LaToya Greenwood, Rep Monica Bristow, and Rep Charlie Meier. Also at the meeting each Senator and Representative was presented a certificate of recognition for their work with military and their families.
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Pritzker pumped for AltonWorks: $75M downtown Simmons plan cuts ribbon
(The Alton Telegraph, 07/30/2019)
ALTON — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday evening stood for a huddle of Alton city leaders and reporters gathered at the corner of Broadway and Henry, beaming with gratitude and excitement for the launch of AltonWorks, the $75M downtown revitalization investment plan courtesy of John and Jayne Simmons.
(Read More)
Illinois American installing 3.5 miles of water main in Metro East
(Illinois Business Journal, 08/06/2019)
Illinois American Water is investing over $5.3 million to enhance water service to customers in the Metro East. The work includes installing over 19,200 feet of water main in Belleville, East St. Louis, Granite City, Madison and Swansea. Much of the water main installed will be increased in size to increase water flow and pressure for improved water quality and fire protection.
(Read More)
Governor visits SIUE to sign student board-membership bill
(Illinois Business Journal, 07/30/2019)
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a new law expanding voting rights to both student members of the SIU board of trustees, during a stop at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
(Read More)
Most Influential Business Women 2019: Ronda Sauget, Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
(St. Louis Business Journal, 08/09/2019)
Ronda Sauget works to grow the economy of the Metro East and beyond. Sauget, 56, is executive director and CEO of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, where she represents a coalition of 250 board members representing a variety of industries.
(Read More)
Economic developers, retailers to convene again in Metro East
(Illinois Business Journal, August 2019 Issue - Page 1)
Economic development directors wanting to pitch their community to a large retailer have a unique chance with a planned day of activities bringing them all together this month in the Metro East.
(Read More)
Several area projects to benefit from Rebuild Illinois
(Illinois Business Journal, August 2019 Issue, Page 18)
Almost $450 million in funding will be invested in projects that will enhance the region’s freight network and support the extension of the MetroLink light rail system in St. Clair County.
(Read More)
Company investing over $700,000 in Alton water system
(Illinois Business Journal, 08/02/2019)
Illinois American Water is investing over $700,000 to enhance water service to Alton customers. The work includes replacing over 5,500 feet of water main with larger pipe to increase water flow and pressure for improved water quality and fire protection.
(Read More)
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The Leadership Council's Building Workforce 2030 program spoke to around 500 individuals on August 13, 2019 at the Granite City, IL Freshman Orientation.
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2019 Metro East Start-Up Challenge offers $20,000 in prizes
(Illinois Business Journal, 08/02/2019)
Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2019 Metro East Start-Up Challenge, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s sixth annual regional business plan competition.
(Read More)
Illinois Air National Guard opens new operations building
(Illinois Business Journal, 08/05/2019)
The Illinois Air National Guard building will house the 108th Air Refueling Squadron, the 906th Air Refueling Squadron as an active association unit, the 126th Operations Support Squadron, the Plans and Programs office, and the Command Post.
(Read More)
Officials sign agreement to complete reconstruction of Wood River Levee System
(Illinois Business Journal, 08/06/2019)
Officials have signed a partnership agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete reconstruction of the Wood River Levee System. Army Col. Bryan K. Sizemore, commander of the St. Louis District, along with Ron Carnell, president of the Wood River Drainage and Levee District and Chuck Etwert, chief supervisor of construction for the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District, signed the agreement to allow all three agencies to partner on the construction of the supplemental design deficiency corrections.
(Read More)
Jerseyville’s 1,200-acre Gateway Business Park named Illinois ‘super site’
(The Alton Telegraph, 08/06/2019)
JERSEYVILLE — The Mid-American International Gateway Business Park in rural Jersey County has been selected one of 16 Illinois’ premiere “Super Sites.”
(Read More)
Ambitious Alton revitalization plan picking up steam
(Illinois Business Journal, 08/06/2019)
A team of experts is quickly moving forward on a plan to spend $75 million or more to transform Alton’s Downtown core into a commercial, residential and recreational community of the future.Bolstered by the financial commitment of local benefactors John and Jayne Simmons, a group formed by Simmons and known as AltonWorks is working on plans and enlisting the community’s input on potential uses for the 40 or so properties that the couple has quietly acquired in the past year and a half.
(Read More)
SIUE gets $1 million for youth STEM initiative
(Illinois Business Journal, 08/07/2019)
The National Science Foundation has granted $1 million to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for the launch of a community project that will engage middle and early high school students in environmental citizen science.
(Read More)
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Thank you to the Leadership Council's Program Sponsors:
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