Southern Illinois recently welcomed national site selection consultants for a high-impact Familiarization Tour hosted by Southern Illinois Now (SI Now) in partnership with Ameren Illinois and the Site Selectors Guild. From October 28–30, the three-day event highlighted the region’s strategic advantages, workforce innovation, and quality of life, positioning Southern Illinois as a premier destination for business investment and expansion.

The event kicked off with a welcome reception at the inaugural Gateway to Growth event, hosted by SIU System President Dan Mahony and First Lady Laura Mahony at the SIU Stone Center. University leaders, state and regional partners, and business executives gathered to celebrate Southern Illinois’ collaborative spirit and economic momentum.

Over the course of the tour, consultants explored the 17-county region, engaging with more than 100 business, education, and community partners. Highlights included:

• Site discussions showcasing rail-served, interstate-adjacent, development-ready properties.

• Logistics and manufacturing hubs, including Aisin Distribution Center, REDCO Industrial Park, and Continental and Milano Railway Logistics—the only private rail yard in the U.S. connected to four Class I railroads.

• Southern Illinois Airport tour, featuring Crucial MRO’s centralized U.S. operations and SIU Carbondale’s nationally recognized aviation and automotive programs.

• Workforce innovation showcases, including Rend Lake College’s Southern Illinois Manufacturing Academy “Manufacturer for a Day” experience and SIU’s Gower Translational Research Center, including BioLaunch and the iFERM Hub.

• Quality of life experiences, such as wine tasting at Walker’s Bluff Wine Cave and a private dinner at Ruthie’s at the Walker's Bluff Casino Resort & Spa, highlighting the region’s outdoor economy and tourism growth.

The tour concluded with a public report-out session at Kokopelli Golf Club, where consultants shared impressions and strategic recommendations with regional leaders.

“This forum was a powerful opportunity to demonstrate the strength of our regional partnerships combined with Southern Illinois’ R4 Advantage—Rivers, Roads, Rail, and Runways—and our commitment to inclusive workforce development,” said SI Now Executive Director Deb Barnett. “We’re proud to have hosted such a dynamic group in collaboration with Ameren Illinois and look forward to the partnerships and investments this tour will inspire.”

Ameren Illinois Chairman and President Lenny Singh noted, “Economic development is highly competitive and the winners cannot afford to be reactive. Bringing the nation's leading site consultants to Southern Illinois to meet with local partners and experience firsthand our communities, infrastructure, and universities will give us a strategic advantage in the race to attract companies and jobs, and build stronger local economies.”

Other state and regional leaders emphasized Southern Illinois’ appeal:

• Christy George, President and CEO, Illinois EDC: “Southern Illinois’ core business assets—a robust logistics network, powerful workforce, and excellent schools—combined with welcoming, diverse, and affordable communities and a beautiful landscape, make it a great place to live, work, and play.”

• Kristin Richards, Director, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO): “Welcoming industry professionals from near and far while showcasing our greatest assets will help encourage businesses to locate and expand in Illinois—the premier destination we call home.”

• SIU System President Dan Mahony: “Our campuses are anchors for regional growth. When businesses choose to locate near our campuses, everyone benefits—our communities, faculty, staff, and students.”

Southern Illinois is centrally located in one of Business Facilities’ Top Logistics Hubs of 2025, bordered by two major rivers, served by five Class I railroads, and home to ten airports. With a thriving outdoor economy, innovative education pipelines, and a collaborative regional approach, the area is primed for transformative growth.