FinalMasthead
January 30, 2019

Greetings,
 
Even though January is coming to a close and temperatures continue to drop, we are pleased to see that things are still heating up on the region’s development front.

We continue to see coverage of last month's press conference celebrating the announcement of $95.2 million in federal money being made available for new flood prevention projects in East St. Louis. It's important to note that those funds are in addition to the $74M already invested to date by the Flood Prevention Council to bring the levees up to the 100-year standard, and with completion of that work, we want to make sure the word gets out that the American Bottom protected by the levee system is open for business.

The levees aren't the only infrastructure project in the news. In recent weeks, construction crews began to set up equipment staging for a pipeline construction project that will take place over the better part of 2019, bringing 400 to 600 union workers through Alton. Additionally, Illinois American Water’s Interurban (Metro East) District recently completed a significant investment of approximately $6.5 million to construct a 1.25-million-gallon elevated water tower located at the Metro East water treatment plant.

Several other sectors also are seeing significant activity and keeping local construction firms busy. Holland Construction Services, for example, racked up nearly $150 million in projects last year with a focus on multifamily, senior living, K-12 education and medical services. Meanwhile, individual communities such as Alton, Belleville, Edwardsville, Fairview Heights and O'Fallon are all heading into 2019 with a bright outlook.

It's a lengthy edition, but we hope you'll find it be a great way to catch up on all the good news happening throughout the Metro East. Stay warm and have a great week!

 
Dr. Ronda Sauget
 
Ronda Sauget, D. Mgmt, MBA
Executive Director
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
104 Magnolia Drive, Ste B
Glen Carbon, IL 62034
618-692-974 5 
STEM Freeburg Elem 4th Graders
The Leadership Council, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, and the 375 th Communications Group at Scott AFB partnered to teach all the 4 th grade classes at Freeburg Elementary a STEM lesson using snap-circuits. 
Holland Construction Services logs $150 million in 2018 projects
(Illinois Business Journal, January 2019 Issue)
Holland Construction Services racked up about $150 million in projects last year with a focus on multifamily, senior living, K-12 education and medical services. For 2019, the company wants to continue to expand on its multi-family work while focusing more attention on warehouse/distribution clients, according to Scott Schanuel, senior director of business development. (Read More)

O’Fallon’s ‘front door’ eyed as next generation of economic expansion
(Illinois Business Journal, 1/7/2019)
The terrain along Interstate 64, heading into O’Fallon from the east, could someday look quite different.
Vast stretches of fertile farmland could give way to warehousing and logistical operations. People accustomed to heading into town for work may instead find jobs on the outskirts. A community visited by fortune unlike almost any other in Metro East in the last 20 years could reap the benefits of more to come because of its location. (Read More)

‘100-year flood’ work done, officials celebrate Metro East Levee System
(Alton Telegraph, 12/18/2018)
GRANITE CITY — Levees up and down the river can now survive a “100-year flood” after extensive work done to the levee system in recent years, area officials touted Tuesday at a news conference held to celebrate the work. Local state and regional leaders as well as multiple stakeholders were gathered at America’s Central Port in Granite City to tout the $74 million investment that enhanced the Metro East levee system.  (Read More)

Investment of about $6.5 million ensures reliable water service
(Yahoo Finance, 1/10/2019)
Illinois American Water’s Interurban (Metro East) District recently completed a significant investment for its Metro East service area. Approximately $6.5 million was invested to construct a 1.25 million gallon elevated water tower located at the Metro East water treatment plant. The tower will be painted during warmer spring weather. (Read More)

Pipeline construction staging lands in Alton, bringing 400 to 600 jobs with it
(Alton Telegraph, 1/7/2019)
ALTON — Construction crews are beginning to set up equipment staging for a pipeline construction project that will take place over the better part of 2019. The project, nicknamed the Spire STL Pipeline, an open-access natural gas pipeline whose construction is being overseen by Michels Corporation Construction, will bring between 400 to 600 union workers through Alton.  (Read More)

New Ameren Illinois HQ, FCB Banks operations center coming to Collinsville
(Illinois Business Journal, January 2019 Issue)
The past year saw the groundbreaking for Ameren Illinois’ new corporate headquarters in Eastport Plaza in Collinsville. Upon completion of the project later this year, the new 48,000-square-foot building will house 300 employees including some jobs that will be transferred to Collinsville from Ameren’s St. Louis headquarters.  (Read More)

Fairview Heights makes busy intersection safer
(Illinois Business Journal, January 2019 Issue)
For years, drivers turning into the shopping centers across Illinois Route 159 from St. Clair Square in Fairview Heights played bumper cars as they tried to meander across several lanes of traffic to get to their destination. Now, the city has reduced the operator error factor from the motorists’ options. (Read More)

Fairview Heights continues work on shopping areas big and small
(Illinois Business Journal, January 2019 Issue)
The first part of a major streetscape, and other improvements, have Fairview Heights driving into the new year in fine fashion. State and local leaders gathered in November to mark the completion of the Phase I of Fairview Heights’ new cityscape project. The nearly $5 million project is designed to create a more distinctive streetscape to Market Place and Commerce Lane, the two perpendicular common roads serving shopping centers on the east side of Illinois 159, across from St. Clair Square. (Read More)
Southwestern Illinois Region Wins Big with $95.2M in Appropriations
for East St. Louis Flood Pr evention Project

It's important to note that those funds are in addition to the $74M already invested to date by the Flood Prevention Council to bring the levees up to the 100-year standard, and with completion of that work, we want to make sure the word gets out that the American Bottom protected by the levee system is open for business.

Progress to note in Belleville and more is ahead, mayor says
(Illinois Business Journal, January 2019 Issue)
Belleville saw many signs of progress in the past year, and Mayor Mark Eckert has a long list to cite.
“We feel like we had a very good 2018,” Eckert said of a year in which the city issued more than 100 commercial occupancy permits. One of the most significant developments was the long-anticipated opening of the Hofbrauhaus brewery/restaurant on Illinois Route 15, across for the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.  (Read More)

Building permits surge as Edwardsville enjoys continued commercial growt h
(Illinois Business Journal, January 2019 Issue)
Buoyed by major warehouse, student housing and apartment development, Edwardsville was closing in on $200 million worth of building permits at year’s end, an astonishing increase from one year before. 
Between Jan. 1, 2018, and Dec. 14, 2018, the city issued 1,274 building permits for projects totaling $199,145,462 in value — a $96,335,583 million increase over the previous fiscal year. The number was a new high.  (Read More)

Airport adds two more hangars and plans others, officials say
(Illinois Business Journal, January 2019 Issue)
St. Louis Downtown Airport retained its spot as the third-largest general aviation airport in Illinois despite a dip in the total number of takeoffs and landings in 2018. “Operations have been down nationwide due to fuel prices and overall economic factors,” Airport Director Erick Dahl said. The airport is one of five enterprises operated by Bi-State Development.  (Read More)

Alton got national attention multiple times in past year
(Illinois Business Journal, January 2019 Issue)
Alton Mayor Brant Walker is looking forward to 2019, hoping to top the stellar year the city enjoyed in 2018. “How do we follow this act up?” he said. Alton came in for three bits of recognition that led to national headlines. One was the city being picked from among 15,000 cities by the Small Business Revolution Powered by Deluxe, which led to a series of Hulu network web broadcasts featuring Alton and many of its businesses. (Read More)

Madison County Transit builds connections for workers, employers
(Illinois Business Journal, January 2019 Issue)
For more than three decades, Madison County Transit has provided a diverse array of transportation services for residents of Madison County and beyond. With bus routes, paratransit service for the elderly and disabled, a free carpool/vanpool program known as RideFinders, and the 130 miles of scenic bikeways in the MCT Trails system, MCT is enhancing the communities of Madison County and improving the quality of life.  (Read More)
 
Commissioners see growth continue at St. Louis Regional business park
(Illinois Business Journal, January 2019 Issue)
New leadership and new construction have brought a lot of energy to St. Louis Regional Airport and it’s 600-acre business park in East Alton and Bethalto. A highlight of 2018 was West Star Aviation, under the leadership of new CEO Jim Rankin, wrapping up construction of new 60,000-square-foot hangar. (Read More)

Senior living development could start construction in Glen Carbon next year
(Edwardsville Intelligencer, 1/22/2019)
GLEN CARBON — Representatives of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield and Theuvenot, Wade and Moerchen (TWM), came before the Glen Carbon Planning and Zoning Commission to request approval of a preliminary development proposal (PDP) for a large senior living development on Bouse Road. The commissioners held a public hearing on the issue Tuesday, where they voted 6-0 to recommend approval.  (Read More)

Kuna Food Service acquires Hautly Cheese business
(St. Louis Business Journal, 1/7/2019)
Kuna Food Service, one of St. Louis’ largest privately held companies, has acquired some assets of Hautly Cheese Co., a family-owned marketer and distributor of cheese and other food products.
Effective Jan. 1, Kuna acquired all Hautly branded cheeses and most of the brand’s distribution, according to Kuna owner and President Dan Bippen. (Read More)

Madison County to make $2.3 million in road improvements in Godfrey
(Riverbender.com, 1/16/19)
EDWARSDSVILLE — Madison County officials are set to approve a $2.3 million road construction project for Seiler Road in Godfrey. The County Board will vote on a resolution Wednesday night for the reconstruction of Seiler Road from Humbert Road, east 1.21 miles to approximately 460 feet west of Wenzel Road. On Jan. 10, the Transportation Committee approved awarding the contract to Stutz Excavating, Inc. of Alton, who submitted the lowest of eight bids. (Read More)

College authorizes renovations at athletic arena
(Illinois Business Journal, 1/14/19)
Lewis and Clark Community College trustees have authorized the multi-million-dollar renovation of the George Terry Arena on the Godfrey campus. The arena, built in 1993, supports the college’s athletic programs, and the renovation would improve building conditions, the college said. The total estimated budget is $2.876 million. (Read More)

In his first trip as governor, Pritzker goes to SWIC to sign executive order
(Belleville News Democrat, 1/16/19)
BELLEVILLE - Gov. J.B. Pritzker showed he is remembering downstate by making a visit to Southern Illinois his first trip outside Springfield as governor. Pritzker, of Chicago, signed an executive order on Wednesday at Southwestern Illinois College to help strengthen workforce training in the state. (Read More)

The big picture in Southwestern Illinois: There’s no mistaking progress
(Illinois Business Journal, January 2019 Issue)
Change can be good. Progress even better. And when the progress is growth, continuing and prosperous, what community doesn’t like to see change? Producing our Year in Review section each year gives me a chance to refresh myself on the goings-on in Metro East, and it allows community leaders a moment to crow over positive developments. (Read More)

HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital adds innovative technologies, new procedures
(Illinois Business Journal, January 2019 Issue)
2018 was a dynamic year for HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, winning awards in quality and safety, expanding services and announcing a new radiation oncology clinic to be built this year. Recently, St. Elizabeth’s was nationally recognized for patient safety by earning an A rating in the Fall 2018 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.  (Read More)

Joe Koeppis’ tunnel vision: Inside a quarry-turned-industrial park
(St. Louis Business Journal, 1/7/2019)
It's not always obvious what time of day it is from inside Joe Koeppis' Valmeyer, Illinois, industrial park, particularly from the vantage point of a just-loaded tractor-trailer. The closer the big rig gets to the exit of the 5 million-square-foot industrial park, which sits underground in a former limestone quarry, the more sunlight it encounters. (Read More)
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois Celebrated New Office Space with Ribbon Cutting & Open House
on December 3rd!

Our new address is:
104 Magnolia Drive, Ste B,
Glen Carbon, IL 62034
Thank you to the Leadership Council's Program Sponsors:
Madison County IL