Commentary

By DAVID STOECKLIN and RICK STUBBLEFIELD    The manufacturing sector has long been a mainstay of our nation’s and our region’s economy. More than 16,000 individuals earn their living working at one of the top 50 manufacturing operations in Southwestern Illinois, and smaller manufacturers account for many more jobs. A study recently commissioned by the Leadership…

By ALAN J. DUNSTAN    When the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) announced it was looking for sites in the greater St. Louis area to construct a new, advanced technology facility, Chairman Mark Kern and members of the St. Clair County Board stepped up and submitted an excellent proposal for a 182-acre site adjacent to Scott…

By MIKE RILEY     This past June, Congress abruptly chose not to reauthorize funding for the (U.S.) Export-Import Bank, a decision with far-reaching implications for manufacturers across the country and right here in Southwestern Illinois.    In 2014, the little-known Export-Import Bank supported $27.5 billion in U.S. exports, which the U.S. Chamber indicates supported 164,000 American…