Local Business Headlines
New Year relief: New funds available for Ameren customers
Ameren encourages customers to apply for energy bill assistance in 2026 Ameren is reminding residential customers across Illinois and Missouri that a wide range of resources remain available to support qualifying households with their energy bills in 2026. In addition to programs funded by the company, Ameren partners with United Way of Greater St. Louis,…
Read MoreSchnucks customers, company donate over $180K to The Salvation Army
Schnuck Markets Inc. and The Salvation Army recently announced that Schnucks customers and the company donated a total of $181,677 to The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign through the most recent Round Up at the Register. Schnucks customers had the option to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with 100 percent of…
Read MoreGov. Pritzker signs historic Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act
Bill will lower monthly utility bills for working families while strengthening grid; bill expected to save Illinois consumers $13.4 billion over the next two decades Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined elected officials and advocates to sign the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), SB 25, marking a historic measure to lower utility bills for…
Read MoreSierra Club of Illinois to present views on data centers on Jan. 13
The Sierra Club’s local speaker’s series continues on Tuesday evening, Jan. 13, 2026, at Old Bakery Beer Co., 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton. The program runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., is open to the public and is free to attend. Attendees are welcome to come early and enjoy a meal from the venue prior to…
Read MoreHRIF provided $50M for New Markets Tax Credits
Allocation matches highest amount given to STL Partnership subsidiary Heartland Regional Investment Fund LLC (HRIF), a subsidiary of St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership), was recently allocated $50 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) through the U.S. Department of the Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). This matches the largest allocation…
Read MoreCommentary: Illinois state spending balloons as state economy stagnates
At least 49 tax hikes under Gov. J.B. Pritzker have driven state spending to record highs, even as Illinois’ economic growth has lagged the U.S. By RAVI MISHRA Illinois Policy Institute Illinois lawmakers frequently boast about economic growth and development, yet Illinois has posted one of the slowest gross domestic product growth rates in the nation while…
Read MoreReinhardt Construction, S. M. Wilson complete Columbia Area Career Center expansion, renovation
The innovative facility includes a student enterprise center, innovation hub and large community center that also serves as a storm shelter Columbia Public Schools and the Joint Venture team of Reinhardt Construction LLC and S. M. Wilson & Co. recently celebrated the completion of the 27,000-square-foot addition and 35,000-square-foot renovation to the Columbia Area Career…
Read MoreIllinois named top state for workforce development
Illinois places No. 3 nationally and No. 1 regionally for workforce development in new Site Selection Magazine rankings, Chicago region ranks as top 5 tech hub. Site Selection ranks Illinois No. 3 nationally and No. 1 regionally for workforce development, a testament to the state’s large, diverse, and skilled talent pool, cutting-edge training programs, and smart investments. The leading economic development publication based its rankings on…
Read MoreCorporation for Public Broadcasting board votes to dissolve organization
After 58 years of service, closure comes following Congressional defunding, marking new era for public media The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress to steward the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting, announced that its board of directors has voted to dissolve the organization after 58 years of service…
Read MoreSouthern Illinois Builders Association awards scholarships
The Southern Illinois Builders Association began offering scholarships in 2012, and since then has awarded 169 scholarships totaling approximately $330,399.93. Members of the SIBA Education Committee recently selected the following individuals to receive scholarship checks: Shaelyn Borowiak, Aviston, Ill.; Samuel Denny; Columbia, Ill.; Gibson Fager, Murphysboro, Ill.; Chase Fallert, Bloomsdale, Mo.; Addison Gansauer, Carlyle,…
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