Kevin Beckemeyer

“My wife Jeannie and I have lived in Southern Illinois (Marion) for the past twenty-two years and love it here! The people of the region are very friendly, and we have built many relationships over the years. We have excellent access to outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, hunting, boating, and fishing. Within a few a few minutes’ drive from our home we can witness breathtaking views of the Shawnee National Forrest. Also, over twenty wineries in the region to enjoy great wine with friends, and family! We also have easy access to four Junior Colleges, and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in the region for educational and cultural activities. Also, great access to many healthcare care providers.”

Rodney Cabaness

"I was born and raised in Southern Illinois and am proud to call it home today. Not only is it a great place to live and raise a family, but it has also been an amazing place to operate our businesses. We have had several companies across the country and no other locations have proven to be as rewarding as the ones located right here in Southern Illinois."

Michelle Sirles

"My husband Wayne and I feel blessed to live, work and operate our multi-generational family business in Southern Illinois. We are centrally located with close proximity to several major metropolitan cities which allows for easy accessibility to additional business opportunities as well as an array of cultural experiences. Our centennial operation has thrived in Southern Illinois for 148 years! The incredible natural beauty, along with stellar healthcare and education systems in Southern Illinois ensure our family will be here to enjoy all aspects of this area for many generations to come.

Amy Mills

“Southern Illinois is a fabulous place in which to live and conduct business. There’s a tremendous opportunity to forge strong professional relationships that are so important in running a successful company. Over the years, we’ve built a strong network of suppliers, professional services, and trusted colleagues to whom we turn on a daily basis. Our region’s enterprises form a unique ecosystem and we thrive on lifting one another up. We make it a point to shine a spotlight on the advantages we have in Southern Illinois. What’s good for one of us is good for all of us.” 

Joshua Stafford

"SI Now not only understands the approach in reaching across 17 counties in order to ensure this region continues to grow in success, but also has put real action to the task. Being a native of Southern Illinois - born and raised with roots back to the founder of Johnson County being my great, great, great, great, great grandfather - I have been able to experience much of what it has to offer. From world class vistas such as Garden of Gods to geological treasures such as Heron Pond and Jackson Falls, the recreational and scenic wonders are not only unlimited, but awe-inspiring and majestic."

Jennifer Olson

"Economic Development efforts start with a love for southern Illinois and a passion for making things better for current residents and future generations. Business and community leaders, along with elected officials, develop and execute comprehensive regional plans to ensure economic growth. Strategies include supporting the growth and success of existing companies and pursuing new businesses. Intended outcomes are growing the population, increasing the labor force, reducing the wage gap, and growing high-wage jobs. Together, we can make great strides towards our common goals."

John Antes

"I chose to come to Southern Illinois for a few reasons. First, the people that I met here. They are very warm are welcoming. They invite you into their family and for a new person moving to the area, you don't feel like you're from the outside. They take you and make you a part of the family very quickly. Next, the way the community works together. It creates a lot of opportunities in health care for us to do things and advance things that other smaller communities may not ever have the opportunity to do."

John Dosier

“It’s rewarding to see meaningful collaboration across all of Southern Illinois from individuals who are passionately vested in our future. Attracting new businesses could mean new jobs and opportunities for upward economic mobility or could simply provide new leisure or recreation opportunities – all of which would improve overall well-being and quality of life.”

Carolin Harvey

"We have a very diverse population. People from all around the world live in Carbondale. On a daily basis, you meet different people. You meet people from different countries, different cultures, different everything. You name it, and we have it here in Carbondale or in Southern Illinois."

Thanet Natisri

"We came from Bangkok with 14 million people. It would take three hours to get to work. Then, we came to Marion and it’s just totally a different setting in which to live. It’s easy to go everywhere. It’s just so convenient. Everything we needed is here. That’s why we decided to stay here and have a family. We have really put our future and base in Southern Illinois."

Dave Severin

“Southern Illinois is where I grew up, where I raised my family, and where I myself run a small business. Southern Illinois is home to world-class educational facilities, major manufacturing and production industries, and the best health care available. I am proud to serve an area with such amazing natural beauty and an abundance of natural resources. The potential for our region is unlimited. As State Representative, there's no better place in my mind to call home than Southern Illinois!”

Tom Welge

"Our family has being doing business in southern Illinois since 1895. The region is rich in agricultural resources, provides a skilled and committed workforce, and benefits from leadership at the local and regional level that is forward thinking and proactive. Southern Illinois offers wonderful recreational opportunities, fun and historic adventures, and a strong educational system."

Carolyn Quinn

"Since expanding my business to Southern Illinois, everyone in the community has offered to do all they can to support us. The warm welcome I received from the community instantly made my team and me feel at home. The community and resources available have exceeded my expectations at every turn. Southern Illinois understands the harmony that comes from business and community rowing in the same direction and how mutually powerful that focus can be."

Terri Bryant

"I’m proud to represent deep southern Illinois as Senator of the Illinois 58th Senate district. Deep southern Illinois is truly the heart of the heartland. The area features the 7th busiest inland port in the U.S. at Port Kaskaskia; the world’s largest trap shooting event at the World Shooting Complex in Sparta; and a world class university system with its flagship campus in Carbondale. The district is home to the Shawnee National Forest and a multitude of lakes and state parks. For a cultural experience you can’t beat Cedarhurst Center for the Arts in Mt. Vernon. It just doesn’t get any better than southern Illinois."

Dale Fowler

"I’ve proudly called Southern Illinois my home for my entire life, raising my family and forging a career here in the region. The area is the ultimate tourist destination, with visitors coming from all over to enjoy the multitude of state parks, shopping destinations, historic attractions and outdoor recreational spots. Beyond our local attractions, Southern Illinois is also home to some of the most innovative, exceptional, and diverse businesses in Illinois. We have a number institutions of higher education, we are in the process of developing a river port at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, and efforts are moving forward to revitalize the Golconda Job Corps Center. Those of us who live in Southern Illinois are humble people, but we definitely know there is so much here that makes us Southern Illinois proud!”

Michael Tison

“Developing a regional message and task force designed to be supportive of our local efforts in Saline County is long overdue. SI Now will stress economic and workforce development and remind us of the wonderful, positive experiences associated with living in Southern Illinois as a great place to work, play and raise a family.”

Tony Iriti

“Regionalism in economic development shows the total strength of a geographic area. Mt. Vernon is the northern-most county; we not only have our strengths but can also draw on the assets of Carbondale and Marion, as well. If one county succeeds, we all win. The stronger we are as a region helps us compete for projects with other larger jurisdictions. We can draw on amenities and workforce within a one-hour drive time.”

Dutch Doelitzsch

“As a long time business person who has been involved in economic development for many years, I understand the importance of bringing together leaders in business, education, manufacturing, healthcare, and industry to facilitate growth in Southern Illinois by breaking down barriers between communities and establishing meaningful dialogues to focus on the most important initiatives. The SI Now region has many established entities who are directly involved in solicitation of job growth and betterment of our communities. SI Now’s mission is not to duplicate, but rather to effectively support those efforts through the substantial regional reach and influence of its membership."

Bill Cox

"Marion's 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."

Celia Robertson

"People come here from Chicago and St. Louis and they cannot believe what their dollar can buy here compared to the bigger cities."

Gregory Sprehe

"There are a lot of resources for businesses like ours in this area. One of the benefits of being located in Southern Illinois is our workforce. They're very motivated, hardworking, honest."

Keith Dickens

“Access to Southern Illinois’ many resources, including top notch business training and support organizations like Man-Tra-Con and the Delta Regional Authority, have furthered Pepsi MidAmerica’s success. Additionally, Southern Illinois University and our local community colleges provide outstanding technology training, CDL training, and other career development courses that have equipped our employees with the skills they need to be successful. We also maintain a strong relationship with the City of Marion which has supported our business growth.

Southern Illinois is centrally located near several major Midwestern cities and has excellent roads for transportation which makes it an ideal location for our business.”

Jeff Gleim

“Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an economic engine and valuable partner in the region. The area is home to nearly 40,000 proud alumni, enthusiastic to apply what they learned on campus to help advance the region. As a major source of innovative solutions, research, and creative thinking, SIUC is proud to serve Southern Illinois.”

Greg Cook

“Southern Illinois is a “hidden gem” as a place to locate your business or home! Located within the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, Southern Illinois has been compared to the Fertile Crescent of Egypt. The Shawnee National Forest and its many incredible rock formations and vistas place outdoor adventures right in your backyard. The quality of life and cost of living are as good as it gets and with the intersection of major transportation corridors, Southern Illinois is efficiently linked to St Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis and Nashville.”

Robert May

"I think the cost of doing business here is much cheaper than you'll see in other communities, especially when you look at the price of commercial buildings and the things like that, it's just easier to do that down here versus the metropolitan areas."

Brian Croft

"Where else can you go where you can go fishing, hunting, rock climbing, and mountain biking, paddling, all within 45 minutes? When I talk to people about coming to Southern Illinois, do you want affordable homes, we have them. Do you want access to outdoor opportunities, we have them. Do you want a great small-town community where you go to the store and you see people, we have that. We also have the amenities of a lot of larger places with access to the interstate, with access to the university, so we have the best of both worlds."