Illinois Southwest Region

Major Employers and Headquarters

Higher Education

• Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (consistently ranked among best regional colleges in the Midwest)
• McKendree University
• Kaskaskia College
• Southwestern Illinois College
• Greenville College
• Lewis and Clark Community College

Unique Facts

• Population 700,000; 273,100+ Workforce
• Located within 500 miles of one-third of nation’s population
• Since 2000, over 8,700 businesses were created and employ over 45,700 in well-paying jobs
• Robust multimodal connectivity via rail, road, river and air
• Interstates 40, 55, 64, 70, 255, and 270 run through the region
• America’s Central Port transports more than $1.1B in freight annually
• 6 Class-1 railroads; 2 multimodal harbors

Region Specific Assistance

Tracey Glenn
Southwest Region Manager
217-622-3242
tracey.glenn@illinois.gov

The Illinois Department of Commerce is Your One-Stop Resource

• Site Selection
• Customized Workforce Training
• Regional & Local Collaboration
• Expedited Permitting, Licensing & Other Approvals
• Connection to Key Stakeholders and Civic & Business Partners
• Potential Financial Support
• And more!