Southern Illinois (WSIL) — Southern Illinois is being recognized as a top-tier logistics hub, highlighting its strategic importance in the nation’s supply chain.
Businesses Facilities Magazine features the region as a confluence of infrastructure and ongoing development.
Southern Illinois boasts an extensive transportation network that includes major interstates like Interstate 57 and Interstate 24, extensive rail lines, and its prime position along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. Multimodal transportation allows goods to transition between trucks, trains, barges, and planes, reducing costs and transit times for businesses.
Dr. Deb Barnett, Executive Director of SI Now, emphasized the significance of this development.
“There’s been a lot of focus on supply chain and supply chain logistics and companies really looking at how they can get to their customers faster,” Barnett said. “Southern Illinois really is becoming a key part of their strategy and on their radar even more.”
Officials noted that Southern Illinois’ geographic location and continuous investment in infrastructure projects have driven this recognition. This development is expected to bring increased investment, job creation, and a surge in related industries to the region.
Manner Polymers, based in McKinney, Texas, chose to expand its operations to Southern Illinois to serve a Midwest client base.
“It’s always beneficial to find where we position a plant or manufacturing facility between the source of your raw materials and your customer,” said Vice President of Sales, Sean Walker.
Production on their first two extruders at the Mt. Vernon facility is set to begin in July, with four more by the end of the year. The building, completed in December 2024, includes rooftop solar panels, a 15-acre solar array, and a rail spur to be completed in the fourth quarter.
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