The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce will host a joint mayors’ legislative breakfast on April 7.
Edwardsville Mayor Hal Patton and Glen Carbon Mayor Robert Jackstadt will update the business community on 2015 commercial and residential building permits, sales tax revenues and infrastructure projects.
“This breakfast serves as a 'state of the city and village' address to our business leaders,” Desiree Bennyhoff, president and CEO of the Chamber told the Record. “It is also an opportunity for our mayors to share announcements of expected developments.”
Topics of interest will include the status of a comprehensive plan, growth projections and other area news. Both mayors also are expected to address the I-55 corridor plan. This plan is guiding land development along the eastern edge of both communities using a $135,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation. Both Edwardsville and Glen Carbon have joined Madison County and The Alliance, which serves as project manager, to develop a strategic plan that will enable smart growth for the region.
In his 2015 address, Patton discussed the planned public safety facility, fire station and spray and play park.
Assessed valuation in the city has risen year over year since 2011, with the largest spike between 2013 and 2014. Sales tax also has risen over the same period.
From 2014 to 2015, the Village of Glen Carbon experienced a rise in the number of residential building permits, but a fall in the number of commercial building permits. However, the village added key buildings like the Gateway Urgent Care Facility and the Father McGivney High School.
Last year the mayor addressed the water system improvements, the sewer project and the SRMS Transportation and Roadway Maintenance Plan.
“I expect 2016 to bring additional investment and continued growth in our market," Bennyhoff said.
The Chamber of Commerce has hosted the annual event for more than a decade. It is planned by the government affairs committee of the Edwardsville Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce and is sponsored by IMPACT Strategies, Inc., a commercial builder serving the St. Louis metropolitan area.
More than 150 business leaders are expected to attend the event, including representatives of small businesses, large regional employers and elected or appointed officials.
Although most of the attendees will be business leaders, members of the public are welcome to attend as long as they first RSVP with the Chamber.
It will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in the N.O. Nelson Leclaire Room in Edwardsville.