Local Business Headlines
AMICSTL, Project MFG host 2026 Additive Manufacturing Competition
Triad High School, Freeburg High School and Althoff Catholic High School advance to compete in national championship On Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center St. Louis (AMICSTL) partnered with Project MFG to host a regional Additive Manufacturing Competition bringing together 12 high school teams from across the St. Louis region. Held at…
Read MoreIllinois American Water invests more than $280M in 2025 statewide infrastructure upgrades
Illinois American Water invested more than $280 million in upgrades and improvements to water and wastewater systems in 2025 throughout its service area across Illinois, “demonstrating its ongoing commitment to high-quality service,” an official announcement noted. “Delivering safe, clean and reliable water and wastewater service requires consistent, proactive investment in our systems,” said Rebecca Losli,…
Read MoreManufacturers, business groups, organized labor ask to ICC halt natural gas phase-out
Looming energy shortage highlights importance of natural gas; eliminating key generation source would harm economic investment, community well-being The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) and a coalition of nearly two dozen businesses and labor groups including the International Union of Operating Engineers filed a petition on Feb. 24, 2026, with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) seeking…
Read More2025 was a year of celebration, recognition, distinction for OSF Saint Anthony’s
Marked by 100-year legacy, recognizing environmental stewardship, and multiple awards for clinical excellence Even though 2025 is fading in the rearview mirror, OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center is still beaming with pride and humility in comprehending the milestones and benchmarks that the previous calendar year brought to its health care Ministry in the Riverbend…
Read MoreIRMA launches Illinois’ first retail apprenticeship program
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) has announced the launch of the Illinois Retail Leaders Apprenticeship Program, which provides retail education, real-world training, and industry exposure to aspiring retailers. The first program of its kind in the state of Illinois, the curriculum is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the evolving retail industry,…
Read MoreFeb. 25 rally at state capitol to support Article V Convention of States
The Convention of States Action (CoS Action) is hosting a rally in the Rotunda of the State Capitol in Springfield from 12 Noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, to continue to build support for an Article V Convention of States in Illinois. The event will bring together citizens, volunteers, and bi-partisan leaders…
Read MoreSouthwestern Illinois College, McKendree University partner to create seamless agribusiness transfer pathway
Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) has announced a new partnership with McKendree University that will provide students with a seamless pathway to earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Agribusiness beginning Fall 2026. Through this partnership, students will complete their first two years of agriculture-related coursework at SWIC before transferring directly to McKendree University to complete…
Read MoreThe Salvation Army of Madison County, Community Hope Center partner to support unhoused
Shared campus will serve the community with dignity, compassion The Salvation Army of Madison County has announced a step toward providing key support to the unhoused community, in partnership with the Community Hope Center. The two organizations are creating a shared campus and unified space where the most marginalized neighbors facing housing instability can access…
Read MorePreparing for the next wave of franchise mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
By LUKE RHYNER, Managing Director of Franchise Finance, UMB Bank After two years of subdued activity, the franchise M&A market is entering an opportune window for prepared operators. Valuations have recalibrated, operators have rebuilt liquidity, and buyer demand in the 10- to100-unit segment is showing renewed momentum. Recent, well-publicized transactions demonstrate that deal flow is returning, including…
Read MoreBad managers drive turnover: 56 percent say they left primarily because of one
44 percent say they’ve been yelled at by a manager and 28 percent report being brought to tears at work New survey data from Monster® shows that the relationships shaping workplace culture in 2026 are less about office chemistry and more about how employees are treated by their managers day to day. According to Monster’s…
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