Family-owned Company Expands in Michigan

ABMyr Industries recently announced it is expanding its Belleville, MI operation, which will create 38 new jobs by 2011. The family-owned company invested more than $2 million to build and equip a 50,000-square-foot metal fabrication, prototyping and production center within its current facility.

ABMyr Industries’ new services utilize a state-of-the-art Mitsubishi Laser Cutter, which produces computer-precision cuts, sealed edges and improved appearance. Combined with their full service metal fabrication and welding shop, ABMyr can provide metal parts assembly, rapid prototyping and production.

“Entrepreneurial firms like ABMyr Industries are diversifying and strengthening our economy,” said Van Buren Township Supervisor Cindy King.

“We are very excited about ABMyr’s continued growth and creation of new job opportunities. Their expanded presence in the Belleville area is another sign that Belleville continues to be a viable place to live and do business,” added Belleville Mayor Richard Smith.

“For over 80 years ABMyr Industries has delivered precision machined products for the automotive, agriculture, appliance, aerospace, and general manufacturing industries. We are proud to leverage this vast experience to provide custom metal fabrication services for small and large product design and manufacturing firms,” said Shane Gerkin, senior vice president of ABMyr Industries.

Coca-Cola Goes Collegiate in Kentucky

Coca-Cola Enterprises announced yesterday it will locate its new Information Technology Development Center in Louisville, KY.

The company intends to recruit from the local collegiate base for the new IT and Business Information Services (BIS) Development Center. The project is expected to create approximately 35 new full-time jobs in the community. The BIS Development Center of Louisville will be an extension of IT services provided from the system’s Atlanta group, where Coca-Cola Enterprises is headquartered.

“Coca-Cola Enterprises’ new Information Technology Development Center will be a fantastic addition to Louisville’s business community,” said Gov. Beshear. “By recruiting local college students to fill highly skilled jobs, the company is providing an incentive for students seeking career employment to stay right here in the commonwealth.”

“Louisville is an optimal location for a Development Center as it is in the same time-zone as Atlanta and it has excellent technology credentials with IT professionals available from a pool of local universities,” said Michelle Bellamy, senior director of global development for Coca-Cola Enterprises.

The 5,600-square-foot BIS Development Center, set to go live in the first quarter of 2009, will extend the BIS mission and build in-house knowledge by reducing reliance on external contractors. It will focus on new development and top-end projects.

“We’re excited about this opportunity,” said Bellamy. “We’re creating a new diverse culture filled with fresh perspectives and a keen understanding of the latest technologies. This will allow us to be more innovative and proactive toward our business needs.”

In addition to full-time opportunities, the development center will have an active internship program for students during the summer months. Students’ academic skill sets will be matched with key functions within the development center, allowing for growth and better transition after graduation.

"These high-tech jobs, with one of world's best know companies, are exactly the type of jobs we need and want in Louisville," said Mayor Jerry Abramson. "Coca-Cola has a bright future in our city."

“The ability to attract and retain critical technical and diverse talent is one of Coca-Cola Enterprises’ strategic priorities,” said Percy L. Wells, II, vice president of public affairs and communications, Coca-Cola Enterprises. “The expansion of our BIS system in Louisville demonstrates our commitment to creating a work environment conducive to professional development, growth and one that fosters creativity.”

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Coca-Cola Enterprises for tax benefits up to $730,000 under the Kentucky Jobs Development Act, an incentive program designed to increase technology and service-related employment in the commonwealth.

“We are thrilled Coca-Cola Enterprises has chosen Louisville for its Information Technology Development Center,” said Joe Reagan, president and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc.–The Metro Chamber of Commerce. “Our region has worked hard to develop a skilled workforce ready to attract and retain these kinds of new-economy jobs. We look forward to future opportunities for collaboration.”

Utah Wins eBay's Bid

eBay Inc. and the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) just announced the closing of a land sale in South Jordan City Utah where eBay will develop its first next-generation data center. The data center will include new technologies and services that will enable eBay to deliver improved capabilities to its hundreds of millions of active users across its many web sites.

The new facility will generate approximately 50 new positions at an average of 150 percent of the Salt Lake County annual median wage which may change yearly. Over a 10-year period, the new positions are expected to generate new state wages of approximately $23.7 million. New state tax revenue is expected to exceed $109 million during the same period. The facility will be the second major building within Daybreak Commerce Park, a 250-acre light industrial park that broke ground last year.

"We are pleased to formally announce our plans to build a data center in South Jordan. The new data center is part of eBay’s plans to construct next-generation advanced data centers to support business-critical technology," said Terri Jordan, vice president of operations, Marketplaces, eBay. "eBay gives its thanks to the state of Utah, South Jordan City, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah and Kennecott Land Company for their outstanding support that made this project possible."

eBay’s next generation data center will be designed and built with a focus on reducing its environmental impact. These efficiencies will be generated from a number of technologies incorporated into the mechanical and electrical systems of the facility including a water side economizer that uses outside air to cool water versus motorized chillers and variable speed drives to run fans and chillers on an on-demand basis. Additionally, rainwater will be used to supply the cooling tower and for landscape irrigation.

“Utah is very pleased that eBay has decided to build this leading edge data center in South Jordan. This decision is another vote of confidence in Utah as a ‘Best State for Business’ and its quality workforce that leads the nation,” said Jason Perry, executive director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

“The active engagement of so many groups committed to enabling eBay’s project underscores why Utah is at the top of site selection lists across the country,” said Scott Kaufmann, vice president of commercial development, Kennecott Land Company.

“South Jordan City is excited to welcome eBay Inc. as our next corporate citizen and know they will enjoy all that makes South Jordan and the State of Utah a great place to work, live, and play. We applaud eBay Inc. for being a leader in the internet business industry and their efforts to expand their scope of services in South Jordan City. Together, in partnership with Kennecott Land and the State of Utah, we welcome them as a partner with the City of South Jordan, as we build our future together,” said Brian Preece, Director of Long-term Planning and Sustainability for South Jordan City.

TN Nabs $2.5-billion Energy Investment

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber today joined with the chief executive officers of Hemlock Semiconductor and its parent company, Dow Corning, to announce Hemlock Semiconductor’s plan to locate a polycrystalline silicon manufacturing operation at the Commerce Park megasite in Clarksville, TN.

The facility, which will produce a primary component used in the manufacture of solar panels and other energy equipment, will mean an investment of $1.2 to $2.5 billion dollars by the company and the creation of 500 jobs, with the potential of employing up to 900 people within five to seven years. If plans are fully implemented, the project would become the largest announced corporate capital investment in Tennessee history.

“This announcement shows Tennessee’s commitment to becoming a significant player in the development of ‘green collar’ jobs related to clean energy technologies,” said Bredesen. “With this announcement, Hemlock Semiconductor and Dow Corning have signaled a major shift in the direction of Tennessee’s and the nation’s economies. The people of Tennessee appreciate the leadership of both companies for their confidence in our state.”

A formal announcement was issued by the companies this morning, to be followed by an announcement ceremony in Clarksville Monday afternoon on the campus of Austin Peay State University. The governor and commissioner will be joined by Hemlock President and CEO Rick Doornbos, along with the chairman, president and CEO of Dow Corning, Dr. Stephanie Burns, and U.S. Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee.

“We live in a time when a growing reliance on sustainable forms of energy is leading to growth rates of 30 percent to 40 percent annually for the solar industry,” said Kisber. “This announcement means Tennessee will play a leading role in the growth of solar technology for many years to come.”

“Tennessee’s business climate coupled with a superb site in Clarksville, a strong, productive workforce and an excellent location in proximity to our supply chain and customers made this the right decision,” said Hemlock Semiconductor President and CEO Rick Doornbos. “This investment will allow us to meet growing customer demand both in the near term and in the decades ahead.”

“The state of Tennessee and the Clarksville-Montgomery County community showed true partnership in making this project a reality,” said Dr. Stephanie Burns, chairman, president and CEO of Dow Corning. “I believe this is a watershed announcement for all of us.”

“Today’s announcement is huge and welcome good news,” said U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander. “It means a cleaner world and better jobs for Tennesseans. I congratulate Governor Bredesen and Clarksville-Montgomery County and pledge to do everything I can to help this project succeed.”

“This huge success proves that going through the diligent megasite certification process and being prepared gives a community a strong advantage,” said John Bradley, senior vice president, economic development, Tennessee Valley Authority. “The state of Tennessee, Clarksville-Montgomery County and community leaders have been working towards this day for two and a half years.”

“Hemlock Semiconductor’s investment in Clarksville and Montgomery County shows tremendous confidence in the capability of the people of this community,” said Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers. “I firmly believe Hemlock Semiconductor’s decision will have a profound effect on the local economy.”

“An excellent quality-of-life and a hard-working, productive workforce were key ingredients in convincing Hemlock Semiconductor that Clarksville is the best place for the company to expand,” said Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper. “We’re excited about the opportunity this presents for our people and excited about the future of Clarksville.”

When complete, the Clarksville facility will have the capacity to manufacture up to 10,000 metric tons of polycrystalline silicon annually but is being designed with the capability to manufacture up to 34,000 metric tons. The plant will occupy the entire 1,215 acre Commerce Park megasite and the company plans to acquire an additional 947 acres adjacent to the site for additional build-out and to provide buffer space.

In the past five years, Hemlock Semiconductor and Dow Corning have invested more than $4.5 billion dollars in new capacity. In addition to the Clarksville announcement, Hemlock Semiconductor today also announced an expansion of its existing facilities in Michigan which, when combined with the Clarksville facility, will give the company the capacity to produce 45,000 metric tons of polycrystalline silicon annually, exceeding the combined production capacity of all other manufacturers around the world.

AllianceTexas' Success Nears $34 Billion

This week's economic impact report on AllianceTexas shows a staggering overall impact total: $33.8 billion on North Texas communities. One of the most successful public-private partnerships in the United States, AllianceTexas has been in a vital economic engine for 20 years.

Approximately $100 million of combined initial investment from the city of Fort Worth, the state of Texas and the Federal Aviation Administration in AllianceTexas has yielded $6.5 billion in private investment, 29,000 jobs and more than $625.4 million in property taxes.

The $625.4 million in property taxes from AllianceTexas since 1990 has been paid to the three cities (Fort Worth, Haslet, Roanoke), two counties (Denton, Tarrant) and two school districts (Northwest, Keller) that it falls within. That number has grown significantly from the $223,000 in property taxes generated from the same area in 1990. AllianceTexas also falls within the town of Westlake, but that community does not have a municipal property tax.

From 1990-2007, AllianceTexas companies and Hillwood-related entities along Interstate 35W have paid more than $625.4 million in property taxes, including $88 million in 2007.

The companies of AllianceTexas now employ more than 29,000 workers, including 1,900 new jobs added in the past year. New companies and expansion by existing companies have accounted for the employment increase.

Daimler Financial Services Americas moved more than 500 employees into its new 160,000-square-foot office building in September. In June, Deloitte purchased 107 acres at Circle T Ranch to build a learning and leadership development center that will employ approximately 450 workers. DynCorp International expanded into 75,344 square feet in the Heritage Commons II building and now has approximately 800 employees at AllianceTexas.

On the industrial side, Cinram, which is the logistics provider for Motorola cell phones, has begun to move into its 788,000-square-foot distribution center at AllianceTexas. ENTECH, which is a leading provider of advanced solar energy technology, moved into 71,250 square feet in the Gateway 23 building, which is part of the 5-building, 1.8-million-square-foot speculative building program that Hillwood completed at Alliance in 2008.

Also in 2008, the next phase of Alliance Town Center opened. New retailers in the project include Belk Department Stores, PetSmart, Ulta Beauty, Sport Clips, RackRoom Shoes, Dress Barn, Justice Just for Girls, Rue21, EyeMasters, Mattress Firm, Which Wich, Jason’s Deli and Smoothie King. The 168,000-square-foot Sam Moon outlet is under construction and set to open in spring 2009.

Hillwood also opened its first multifamily project in AllianceTexas in 2008. The first phase of 288 units was completed in Monterra Village, which is the first 100% smoke-free apartment home community in North Texas.

In addition to the Sam Moon complex, projects currently under construction in AllianceTexas include the 50,000-square-foot expansion office building for Galderma, the 220,000-square-foot data center for Health Care Services Corp, and the 600,000-square-foot expansion office building for Fidelity Investments at its Circle T Ranch campus.

AllianceTexas consists of the Alliance Global Logistics Hub, Circle T Ranch, Heritage, Alliance Town Center, Saratoga and Monterra Village. The study also took into account the economic impact of the residential community of Park Glen, which Hillwood developed in the 1990s. AllianceTexas now houses 200 companies, including 65 from either the Fortune 500, Global 500 or Forbes list of Top Private Firms. These companies have built 29.2 million square feet and created 29,000 jobs.

Creating a "Monster" in Florence, SC

Representatives from the Florence County Economic Development Partnership, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and Red Rock Developments joined Monster officials this month to officially break ground on the career management company's new customer service facility in Florence, SC.

Monster opened a temporary facility in Florence in September and has been recruiting talent and conducting training efforts since the initial announcement in June 2008. Red Rock Developments of Columbia, SC will be the developer behind the new 75,000-square-foot facility. When the facility is complete in fall 2009, it will open with approximately 350 full-time employees, with the ability to grow staff over time. Monster has already employed over 200 agents at their temporary facility in Florence.

“We are very excited to be breaking ground on the Florence facility,” said Art O’Donnell, executive vice president, Global Customer Services, Monster. “Florence is a prosperous region that we’re confident will provide us with the smart, customer-oriented talent needed to fill a variety of positions to bring best-in-class service to our customers.”

“Monster’s decision to locate in South Carolina is another positive sign that our efforts to enhance the state’s business soil conditions are paying real dividends when it comes to attracting world-class companies and new job opportunities. Today’s groundbreaking brings with it a significant number of new jobs that will positively impact the community in the years ahead. To that end, we remain committed to continuing our efforts to improve the state’s business climate with reforms that will encourage growth and job creation throughout the state,” said Governor Mark Sanford.

“As State Senator and resident of Florence County, I’m very pleased to be a part of such a wonderful occasion and welcome another outstanding corporate citizen to our community,” said Senator Hugh K. Leatherman. “Monster establishing a significant presence in Florence continues to show that this community is open for business.”

$26-million Investment Hits North Carolina

Precor Incorporated, one of the most respected brands in fitness equipment, announced today that they will open a new Southeast manufacturing, assembly and distribution facility at Rock Creek Center in Eastern Guilford County, North Carolina. The company will invest $26.2 million and build a 225,000-square-foot, LEED-certified building to accommodate its operations. Precor plans to hire approximately 142 employees by 2011. Those employees will receive an average wage of $38,456. The facility will also be the headquarters for the Precor Strength Division.

Precor received an economic development incentive grant from Guilford County, which strengthened its decision to locate a new facility there. “This is an exciting time for Greensboro,” says Guilford County Commissioner Chairman Skip Alston. “We welcome Precor with open arms.”

Rock Creek Center is a strategic location for Precor because of the easy access to I-40/85 that the site affords. Precor also was attracted by the excellent training opportunities in welding, machining, and upholstery available through Guilford Technical Community College. “GTCC is such an integral partner in attracting Precor to the area,” says Greensboro Economic Development Alliance Chairman, Chuck Cornelio. “Guilford County has so much to offer new companies and we did everything in our power to make their location decision process as seamless as possible. We are thrilled to have a new manufacturing, assembly, and distribution center as well as a new divisional headquarters. I can’t think of a better Christmas present for Greensboro and Guilford County.”

The Greensboro Economic Development Alliance (GEDA) worked closely with Precor representatives throughout the site selection process. GEDA also recognizes the Guilford County Commissioners, the North Carolina Community College System, and the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and Duke Energy for their efforts in bringing Precor to Guilford County.

“Invest New Jersey” to reward business for creating jobs

Gov. Jon Corzine of New Jersey has signed a bill this week authorizing $120 million in business grants and tax credits, providing a $3,000 grant for every new employee they hire and keep for a year or longer.

The legislation, entitled “Invest New Jersey” and signed by the governor during a daylong forum hosted by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association on Tuesday, was fast-tracked through the state legislatures after being introduced in October, according to the Associated Press.

“My most important focus is to do everything that we can to get through this very challenging dip in our macro-economic life as easily and without as much trouble as possible,” Corzine told the association meeting, which included more than 250 business leaders.

The Invest New Jersey bill is part of a broad economic stimulus plan proposed by Corzine to help businesses and residents through the economic downturn. Another part of the plan aims to spur capital investments by awarding grants of up to seven percent of the amount invested by businesses.

The balance of the stimulus plan will authorize plan will authorize $70 million, with a maximum award of $1 million per business. Equipment and machinery buys are among the items covered.

Kansas will be site of new $450 million biodefense lab

The federal government has recommended a site in at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, for a new $450 million laboratory to study biological threats like anthrax and foot-and-mouth disease.

The Department of Homeland Security’s choice of Manhattan beat out intense competition from other sites in Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas.

DHS official revealed their decision to several lawmakers last month. According to a report in The Capital-Journal, a three-year review of applicants by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security led to a recommendation of a site in Manhattan for construction of the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility.

"The Department of Homeland Security certainly made the correct recommendation," said U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan. "Kansas stands ready to accelerate our nation’s animal disease research efforts, and we clearly have the expertise and assets to get results."

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who went to Washington to push for the project earlier this fall, said the lobbying effort paid off.

“This is great news for our state, both on the bioscience front and with the jobs that will come with this facility," she said. "It’s nice to have some good news during this challenging economic time."

The laboratory in Kansas would replace an outdated facility in New York state. Researchers would study of foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever, Japanese encephalitis, Rift Valley fever and the Hendra and Nipah viruses.

Homeland Security's final environmental impact statement, which examined the potential of six sites, pointed to Kansas as the best local for the laboratory. The decision won't be affirmed by the agency until after a 30-day comment period.

The executive summary of the impact statement noted Kansas State's strengths in term of the original evaluation criteria, proximity to existing research in the field, community acceptance, the state's willingness to provide incentives of more than $100 million and a realization the Manhattan site was "among the least expensive to construct and had among the lowest planned operation costs of all the site alternatives."

NBAF would replace a Plum Island, N.Y., complex that has hosted the federal government’s animal disease research for about 50 years.

Several farm groups have expressed concern about the risks of moving the lab to the U.S. mainland, but Homeland Security officials say it can operate safely using modern containment procedures.

The lab is expected to generate 1,500 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs. The payroll could approach $30 million annually once the project was completed in 2015.
The Kansas Legislature approved $105 million in bonds to buy land, upgrade roads, install a security fence and build a utility plant at the site on the Kansas State University campus.

University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway, who served on the state's NBAF task force, said the new facility would "be a major economic asset to our state and will boost bioscience research throughout the region, including at KU."

"When coupled with the cancer, pharmaceutical and other research taking place here, this lab will make Kansas an international center for bioscience research," Hemenway said.

Lee County, FL launches $25 million cash incentive for expanding/relocating businesses

At a time when tightening credit markets are limiting dollars for economic development, one Florida county has responded with a $25 million cash incentive fund that can provide significant capital for expansion and relocation.

Lee County, situated in the heart of Southwest Florida, has launched the FIRST (Financial Incentives for Recruiting Strategic Targets) Initiative as a negotiated, performance-based incentive to attract and grow high-value business projects.

The FIRST Initiative focuses on companies that:

• Operate within a target industry or high-impact sector as designated by Florida law;
• Create at least 75 new full-time equivalent jobs within a three-year period, paying an average wage of at least 125 percent of the Lee County annual average; and,
• Make a cumulative capital investment in an amount equal to or greater than the award amount.
The Initiative is managed by the Lee County Economic Development Office (EDO), which guides businesses through the application process, evaluates proposed projects and reports recommendations to the board of county commissioners. The board makes final decisions on all incentive applications.

“In today’s economy, it is rare for a local government to have the capability of offering cash incentives such as the FIRST Initiative,” said James W. Moore, director of the Lee County EDO. “Through prudent planning and conservative financial management, county leaders have positioned our community to have a strong competitive advantage in the recruitment of high-value employers.”

Initiative grants will be performance-based, with incentive payments based on hiring, wage and capital investment criteria. Target industries include life sciences, aviation, shared services, information technology and manufacturing.

The FIRST Initiative is among several local and state incentive programs offered through the EDO. Other opportunities include:

§ Lee County Job Opportunity Program, a cash incentive of up to $2,000 for creation of permanent full-time jobs, with additional payments for job creation within the Lee County Enterprise Zone;
§ Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund (QTI), a state tax refund designed to support creation of high-wage jobs in targeted high value-added industries; and,
§ Enterprise Zone Incentives, state tax refunds and credits paired with a local job incentive to spur capital investment and job creation in the Lee County Enterprise Zone.

For more information, contact the EDO at (800) 330-3161 or visit www.LeeCountyBusiness.com .

Investments in St. Louis Metro East approach $9.5 billion

After shattering records in 2006-2007, the development pipeline for Southwestern Illinois continued to swell over the past year, reaching a new high of more than $9.4 billion. The 2007-2008 Market Review and Investment Update – released this month by the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois - shows the total value of projects announced, under construction or completed during the reporting period ending September 30, 2008 up more than half a billion dollars over the prior year.

“In the midst of all the pessimistic news about the slow down in the economy, we’re pleased to report that developments were still moving full steam ahead in Southwestern Illinois during the past year,” notes Suzanne Butler, president of the Leadership Council, the member-based, economic development corporation that compiles the economic data for Madison and St. Clair counties. “The continuing investments across so many sectors of our economy reaffirm Southwestern Illinois’ position as a prime Midwestern development location.”

Among the highlights from this year's report:

$2.5 billion in projects were already under construction as of the end of September 2008, and $6.1 billion in additional announced projects included the multi-billion dollar investment at ConocoPhillips, which moved forward this fall.

As billions of dollars in projects move through the pipeline, the region should be poised for several years of intense construction activity. While this represents tremendous opportunities, the Leadership Council notes the level of activity will come with some challenges, including a sizeable increase in the demand for qualified laborers and greater stress on the region’s infrastructure systems and public services. Continuing to move projects through the pipeline also will be dependent upon solid support from and cooperation with local, national and international funding sources.

At $6.46 billion, industrial investments represented the largest chunk of the development pipeline. While mega projects such as those underway or planned by ConocoPhillips, U.S. Steel and Martin Aviation Group account for much of this, also noteworthy is half a billion dollars being invested in alternative energy projects, and $95 million flowing into warehousing facilities. The continued investments in both of these areas can be directly linked to the Metro East’s superior intermodal infrastructure that has firmly positioned the area as a key Midwestern distribution hub.

Commercial investments topped $1.3 billion for the second year in a row, with 87 different projects contributing to the total. Approximately $164 million of the total represents projects already completed, while two thirds of the total consists of projects under construction. Although the pipeline includes over a quarter billion dollars in projects announced, that number is down $60 million from the year prior, an indication that the commercial sector may be slowing a little as our nation’s economy continues to struggle. Collinsville and O' Fallon remain the two cities with the largest number of projects, 13 and 15 respectively, while the top five projects in terms of investment size can be found in Dupo, Collinsville, Belleville (2) and Shiloh.

Totaling $331.3 million, institutional investments posted a 63 percent increase over the prior year, the largest percentage increase among all the sectors. This sector includes hospitals, medical centers, non-profits and senior housing facilities. Over $200 million in healthcare projects alone drove the impressive increases in the institutional sector, which has seen three years of back-to-back growth.

Office investments totaled $217.7 million, climbing almost 23 percent over the prior year’s record total and representing the third consecutive year of investment growth. The year-over-year increases in office developments are seen by the Leadership Council as an important signal that the Metro East economy is continuing to evolve as the region receives more consideration as a location for back-office and regional headquarters operations. Almost $62 million in new office projects were delivered during the 12-month reporting period, a 33 percent increase in projects completed compared to the prior year. Collinsville serves as home to one-fourth of all the new office projects moving through the pipeline.

Topping out at $439 million, total investments in the educational sector remained steady over the past year. While the overall investment numbers remain strong in the educational arena, the total value of announced projects decreased by 33 percent compared to the prior period. $262 million of the projects on this year’s list are K-12 facilities, while $177 million represents investments in higher education projects. The three largest projects under construction, totaling $93 million, are K-12 projects.

Public investments (excluding transportation) soared to $648.7 million, up 56 percent from last year. This 56 percent gain was on the heels of a 45.5 percent increase the year prior, with projects again ranging from basic infrastructure improvements to recreational amenities to public safety projects. Projects at Scott Air Force Base accounted for $180 million, or more than one-quarter of the total. With over $600 million of the public projects under construction or yet to break ground, investments in this sector should continue to positively impact the local economy for years to come.

Though not counted in the project investment totals, well over a billion dollars of public sector transportation projects recently completed, announced or under construction will provide a solid foundation for continued growth throughout Southwestern Illinois.

Among the most significant transportation projects to get underway in the past year is the New Mississippi River Bridge. Also noteworthy are the recently announced plans for a $30 million harbor port facility at Tri-City Regional Port District and several million dollars of additional investments in rail improvements within the port area to better serve existing and future tenants.

While the numbers paint a very positive picture for the region, Butler states that sustaining the high level of economic activity will require that new challenges brought on by this growth and the current financial and economic conditions of the country continue to be addressed. “The Leadership Council remains confident that individuals from business, industry, government, education and labor will collaboratively address those challenges in a way that moves our region forward,” she notes.

The Metro East’s ability to respond to challenges to future growth was very much evident this past year in the tremendous progress made regarding the region’s flood protection systems. “Within a year of learning that FEMA considered the Metro East Levee systems deficient, a robust reconstruction plan is in the works and supported by a dedicated funding source,” notes Patrick McKeehan, executive director of the Leadership Council. “This will help to ensure that the work is completed in a timely manner so our levees continue to protect lives and property and enable developers to continue investing with confidence in our region.”

The Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois is a member-based, economic development corporation representing Madison and St. Clair counties. The Council works to attract/retain jobs and stimulate capital investment through its coalition of leaders in business, industry, labor, education and government.