Companies Taking Notice
As businesses seek to be closer to their customers to minimize shipping costs and supply chain disruptions, Southern Illinois is garnering a lot of attention. Southern Illinois has long been considered a hidden gem, and companies are taking notice of the region’s centralized location, robust transportation offerings and diverse site selection inventory. The region has become a hub for automotive parts manufacturers, food and beverage manufacturing, agribusiness and even aviation.
“Close proximity to various regional interstates provides a strategic advantage for the efficient delivery to customers from various regions. The location has proven to be perfect for Aisin’s logistics operation, in a time when supply chain management is critical.”
-Bill Cox, Aisin Illinois senior vice president of administration
Continental Tire operates the company’s largest plant in North America in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Japanese car part manufacturer Aisin just completed a 463,000-square-foot logistics center in Marion, Illinois. Italian cable manufacturer, Prysmian Group, is expanding its Du Quoin, Illinois plant to double its production of medium voltage transmission cable. Texas-based Manner Polymers, a manufacturer of plastic compounds, is building a new 80,000-square-foot, 100 percent solar-powered facility in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Servicing the aviation industry, Crucial MRO moved to its new 80,000 square foot hangar at Southern Illinois Airport in Murphysboro, with additional expansion expected later this year. These are just a few examples of the many companies that have experienced firsthand what Southern Illinois has to offer.
Room to Grow: 17-County Site Inventory
Southern Illinois offers a vast inventory of available industrial sites for development. With large acreage, greenfields, existing buildings, and transportation infrastructure to match, Southern Illinois’ 17-county approach to business development positions it to accommodate projects big and small.
R4 Advantage: Unmatched Transportation Network
Southern Illinois boasts a robust transportation network that
facilitates seamless connectivity and efficient movement of goods, with 80% of the U.S. population within a two-day trucking distance. In Southern Illinois, we like to call it the “R4 Advantage,” with an abundance of access to Rivers Roads, Rail, and Runways.
Rivers: The region is strategically located, with 80 percent of all inland barge traffic passing through Southern Illinois via the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. These waterways have historically been crucial for trade and continue to offer significant logistical advantages.
Roads:
Sprawling out like spokes on a bicycle wheel, three interstate highways, I-57, I-64 and I-24, all come together in Southern Illinois. Averaging more than 15,000 trucks per day, these highways form a vital freight corridor for north-south and east-west traffic, linking Southern
Illinois to eight major cities within five hours or less.
Rail: Much like the highways, Southern Illinois is where the nation’s railroads are intertwined with five Class I railways switching in the region, efficiently moving commodities from all regions of the U.S. along with Canada and Mexico.
Runways: Recognized as the third-busiest airport in Illinois, Southern Illinois Airport (SIA) houses 20 companies on the field including its newest, Crucial MRO. With additional acreage for development and Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s nationally recognized aviation program on-site, SIA is poised for continued growth. Paired with the region’s eight general aviation airports and Veterans Airport, with daily jet service to Chicago O’Hare, Southern Illinois’ runways offer a unique competitive advantage.
“Our competitors are in the bigger markets, such as Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles, and we can do the same work on the same aircraft in an area that’s 40 percent cheaper to live.”
-Wes Perkins, Crucial Aviation vice president
Southern Illinois is still a hidden gem, but it’s getting more attention every day. With its unparalleled transportation network, the region provides businesses with exceptional logistical advantages. Coupled with a favorable business environment
and cost efficiencies, Southern Illinois is not just a location but a strategic asset for growth and success.