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CARBONDALE, Ill. \u2014 The SIU Foundation, SIU Alumni Association, Southern Illinois Now (SI Now), the City of Carbondale, Carbondale Main Street and the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce are partnering to launch Salukis Build Here, a new initiative encouraging alumni to start, relocate or expand their businesses in Southern Illinois.<\/p>\n
The partnership will be formalized with a signing ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Alumni Association Courtyard Tent outside Woody Hall.<\/p>\n
\u201cSalukis Build Here celebrates the success of alumni-owned businesses already thriving in Carbondale and across Southern Illinois,\u201d said Matt Kupec, SIU Foundation CEO. \u201cWe\u2019re inviting more Salukis to come back\u2014or start here\u2014to grow their ventures with the support of the university and local partners. Together, we\u2019re building businesses, strengthening Carbondale and growing the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
The initiative builds on the momentum of alumni entrepreneurs who have established successful businesses locally and seeks to encourage others nationwide to consider Southern Illinois as a prime location.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery Saluki carries memories of their time at SIU, and those memories include more than just life on campus,\u201d said Molly Hudgins, SIU Alumni Association executive director. \u201cWhen alumni choose to return, invest and make their lives in this region, they not only reignite those memories, but they create opportunities for the next generation. Southern Illinois and SIU are stronger together, and this partnership reflects a commitment that will fuel continued growth and opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBy building on alumni-owned businesses, we\u2019re not just celebrating success \u2014 we\u2019re creating an invitation for other Salukis to choose Southern Illinois when starting, relocating or expanding a business,\u201d said Deb Barnett, SI Now executive director. \u201cWhen Salukis succeed, Southern Illinois succeeds. This is the perfect time to invest, build and belong in Carbondale and throughout Southern Illinois.\u201d<\/p>\n
Southern Illinois offers a business-friendly environment with flexible zoning, incentives for new and expanding businesses, and state and local support. Carbondale resources include:<\/p>\n
\u201cCarbondale is proud to partner with SIU and our local organizations on Salukis Build Here,\u201d said Stan Reno, Carbondale City Manager. \u201cWe\u2019re committed to providing the resources, incentives and supportive environment that help alumni-owned businesses thrive. When alumni choose Carbondale, they invest not only in their own future but also in the future of our City.\u201d<\/p>\n
Statewide programs also provide benefits, such as:<\/p>\n
\u201cDowntown Carbondale is full of opportunity, and alumni entrepreneurs are a big part of that story,\u201d said Matt Collinsworth, Carbondale Main Street executive director. \u201cThrough this partnership, we hope to welcome even more Salukis who want to grow their businesses here while adding to the energy, culture and community spirit of our Main Street district.\u201d<\/p>\n
The initiative will culminate in a community celebration<\/a> at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Hangar 9. The open-house event will feature alumni-owned businesses, food and beverage vendors, testimonials from Saluki entrepreneurs and networking opportunities with alumni, local business owners and community leaders.<\/p>\n \u201cOur chamber exists to strengthen and support local businesses, and this initiative aligns perfectly with that mission,\u201d said William Lo, Carbondale Chamber of Commerce executive director. \u201cBy connecting alumni with the resources they need, Salukis Build Here will create jobs, boost our economy and highlight Southern Illinois as a place where business and community succeed together.\u201d<\/p>\n The timing leads into SIU\u2019s Homecoming weekend. On Friday, Oct. 24, Carbondale will shut down the Strip for a Halloween street festival featuring food trucks, vendor booths, games and live music. On Saturday, Oct. 25, the SIU Alumni Association and the Carbondale in the \u201980s and \u201990s BEER Group will host the largest Homecoming tailgate on Salukis Row ahead of SIU\u2019s football matchup against the University of Northern Iowa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CARBONDALE, Ill. \u2014 The SIU Foundation, SIU Alumni Association, Southern Illinois Now (SI Now), the City of Carbondale, Carbondale Main Street and the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce are partnering to launch Salukis Build Here, a new initiative encouraging alumni to start, relocate or expand their businesses in Southern Illinois. The partnership will be formalized with … Continue reading Salukis Build Here: SIU Alumni Invited to Launch, Grow Businesses in Southern Illinois<\/span>