Southern Business Journal

outhern

USINESS URNAL

December 2015

southern

BUSINESS JOURNAL “ONE REGION,

ONE VISION”

REGION,ONE VISION”

RELOCATING? Regional advantages of Southern Illinois PAGE 5

INSIDE

Directory of Advertisers John A. Logan College ...........11

DECEMBER 2015 BEING THE BOSS

DOUG KIMMEL, AIRPORT DIRECTOR FOR THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT IN MARION

PAGE 4

ON THE COVER

THE INTERVIEW

SEED HERE STUDIO WAS FORCE BEHIND IOWA’S CREATIVE CORRIDOR

PAGE 12

BEHIND THE HEADLINES

Pepsi MidAmerica ................ 16 Raymond James Financial Services ..................6

RELOCATING? WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE REGIONAL ADVANTAGES OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

TALKING ABOUT LAND? IT’S ALWAYS UP AND DOWN

SIU Credit Union .....................9

THE LIST

BOOKS TO READ ON LEADERSHIP AND SUCCESS

BOOK REVIEW

Southern Illinois Healthcare ..8

PAGES 5-6

10 REGIONAL ADVANTAGES FOR SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

PAGE 7

YOUR OPINION

TWO ANSWER THE QUESTION: WHAT ROLE HAS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER PLAYED IN YOUR LIFE?

PAGE 10

REAL ESTATE

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PROFILE FOR DECEMBER

PAGE 12

PAGE 13

PAGE 13

Southern Illinois University .. 14

PUBLIC RECORD

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS BANKRUPTCIES AND BUILDING PERMITS

PAGE 15

southern

BUSINESS JOURNAL “ONE REGION,ONE VISION”

Williamson County Airport ... 15

southern

BUSINESS JOURNAL “ONE REGION,

ONE VISION”

The Southern Business Journal is a publication of The Southern Illinoisan. Contact us via mail at 710 N. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901, or at P.O. Box 2108, Carbondale, IL 62903. Also reach us on the Web at www.sbj.biz and via email at SBJ@thesouthern.com. The Journal is published 12 times per year monthly and distributed by The Southern Illinoisan and www.thesouthern. com. Copyright 2015 by The Southern Illinoisan, all rights reserved. A subscription may be obtained by calling 618-529-5454 or 618-9973356, or by visiting our website.

Publisher John Pfeifer 618-351-5038 Design and Layout Rhonda May 618-351-5077

FROM THE

PUBLISHER

‘Prime’ local shopping

A

s has become the norm, I spent an extended Thanksgiving holiday in Maryland visiting my kids. The early morning portion of these visits follows a familiar theme: I exit my son’s townhouse at 6:30 while others are still comatose, swipe his copy of the Washington Post from the porch and run off to Starbucks for an hour. Not a bad way to ease into a day off.

I made it through the main news section stories last Wednesday and flipped over to the back page: not surprisingly, a full-page, full-color ad. I suspected an ad, likely for a department or electronics superstore. What I saw was an ad for Amazon.

I suppose that I shouldn’t have been surprised; Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos purchased the Washington Post more than two years ago. It was only a matter of time before his day job and his hobby melded together.

Until my kids moved east, I foolishly assumed that the areas surrounding Baltimore and D.C. were non-stop malls and strip malls. Wrong. The “towns” in the outlying suburbs – particularly downtown Ellicott City – are charming and offer a wealth of local shopping options. I wonder what organizers of their “Shop Local” campaign thought and mumbled under their breath when they saw the Post’s Amazon ad.

Fast forward to the following Monday. In the first hour of my first day back I encountered a local store owner who mused about online shoppers who eventually came to their store for their “price match’. I was quick to point out that he was describing me. Naturally, this phenomenon erodes margins for local business owners; I’m just not certain what they consider a better alternative.

35 years ago, Ted Levitt wrote a piece for the Harvard Business Review entitled “Differentiation – of Anything”. Long before the internet, much less Amazon; back when local shopping was close to all there was, Levitt wrote this: “When a prospect no longer needs the help that converted him into a customer, he becomes free to shop around for things he values more than that help. Often this is price.”

How prophetic.

I wrote a column a few weeks back about a wonderful Saturday holiday “shop local” experience that my wife and I had; one in which the atmosphere of the shops enhanced the products being sold. I did not write about my Amazon Prime membership, but I have one and I think I get my money’s worth.

I buy commodities on Amazon: movies, K-Cup refills and stuff I need fast and cheap.

I shop local when I can find unique products or services, or when I can enjoy a shopping experience that lifts that product or service above commodity status.

To the extent that we continue to elevate our customer’s shopping experiences, “Shop Local” campaigns will continue to flourish.

JOHN PFEIFER | PUBLISHER, SBJ

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL DECEMBER 2015 PAGE 3

BEING

THE BOSS

DOUGLAS KIMMEL

Williamson County Regional Airport Director

INTERVIEW CONDUCTED, CONDENSED BY THE SOUTHERN

Q. What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

A. My first job was working in the Pro

Shop at Jackson County Country Club through my high school years. As a kid, I played a lot of golf and it was a job I really wanted, so a lot of time was spent hanging around the golf course and getting to know everyone and the work that was done. So I think more than anything I learned that if you show an interest in something, and dedicate yourself to learning and doing your best you’ll succeed.

Q. Did you have a mentor early in your career?

A. My mentor throughout my life and

career has been my Dad who continues to be the person I have the utmost respect and admiration for. His early career was as a pilot in the Air Force, and the pictures and memorabilia from those days is undoubtedly where my interest in aviation began.

Q. What is the biggest management lesson you’ve learned in your years as a leader?

A. That the word “I” should rarely be used. It’s not about what knowledge “I” possess, or the things “I” can do. Personal ability is a prerequisite to success.

It’s to be expected. The greatest accomplishments any organization can achieve contain the word “we.”

Doug Kimmel, director for the Williamson County Regional Airport in Marion.

BYRON HETZLER, THE SOUTHERN

Q. What do you look for when you hire someone? Are there key interview questions that you ask?

A. The most frequent hiring we do at the

going on. If I have a choice between stu- Q. What career advice would you dents, those who have learned and shown give to a new college graduate? an interest are selected.

A. “Welcome to day 1. Yes, you’ve just Q. What is your morning routine?

Q. What is the best way to improve completed a long, difficult process and How do you prepare yourself for have every right to be proud of your airport is for airport internships through employee morale? accomplishment, but that too is a prethe day the SIU Aviation program. During those A. Listen and show appreciation. Two sim- requisite to the journey you’re about to interviews, I like to ask students to A. On the best of mornings, I take time ple, yet very important things. Encourage take. You still have to earn every step describe what they know about the airto walk or jog, read a daily devotional, employee input and communication, and along the way.” Equally as important: port and how it is operated.

The answers play a little guitar, help get the kids off “Don’t be surprised with the twists and show a great deal about what the student truly listen with the intent to understand to school, and arrive at work ready to be has learned in school and how accurately their perspective when you get it. Take the turns the path may take, or if the direcengaged with whatever the day brings. time to hold staff meetings, provide the tion changes entirely. It does so more they can apply it to what goes on in the On mornings when any or all of that resources they need to do their jobs, celoften than not, but through a positive doesn’t happen, I still appreciate and rely industry. It also shows just how much ebrate birthdays, chat over coffee, and say, attitude, perseverance, and prayer things time they have taken to research and upon the importance of those things in my daily life. Coffee helps. learn about our airport and what we have “Thank you,” when a job is done well. have a way of working out.”

PAGE 4 DECEMBER 2015 SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

ON THE

COVER

RELOCATING?

Regional advantages of Southern Illinois

DUSTIN DUNCAN THE SOUTHERN

What does Southern Illinois have to offer to surrounding developers or companies looking to relocate?

Southern Illinois is the home to beautiful national park lands, a research-first university and a healthcare system that is expanding and growing with each passing year. Doing business can be easier in the bottom half of the state, along with the cost of land and an educated workforce waiting for jobs to fill.

There are two airports, one which is used for commercial flights and the other for hangar space, a training facility and home to one of the state’s medical marijuana cultivation facilities.

Other features involve active port districts, rail transportation, cheaper cost of living, easy access to interstates and only a few hours away from several different major metropolitan cities.

There is a lot for Southern Illinoisans to be proud of when thinking about what the region has to offer.

A charter aircraft taxis at the Williamson County Regional Airport last month.

BYRON HETZLER, THE SOUTHERN

Healthcare

Southern Illinois Healthcare and Heartland Regional Medical Center are two of the major healthcare models in the region. Franklin Hospital in Benton has been featured in healthcare publications in the past.

Phil Schaefer, vice president physician and ambulatory services for SIH, said the key to a great healthcare model is bringing in the right physicians.

“I think the area is very deceiving,” he said. “If you look at Southern Illinois on the map, the totality of the area doesn’t present the same scenario that you see once you get here.”

He said SIH is successful in getting high-qualified physicians to relocate to the area once they come to visit the area. Cost of living, Southern Illinois University, and the advantages offered in terms of education, social and culture activities are all contributors to recruitment.

“It is a good place to raise kids,” Schaefer said. “All of those things go together to make it an area that makes it attractive for

physicians.”

He said nothing attracts good physicians like other good, highly qualified physicians.

“Physicians want to work with colleagues they respect, people they enjoy being with and folks that will support each other as a team while caring for a patient,” he said.

Schaefer said there are many procedures happening in Southern Illinois that patients wouldn’t necessary expect for a rural area. He said there is a trained cancer surgeon that is doing complex cancer surgeries, including on the pancreas.

“That is the type of thing that in the past, patients would have had to drive to St. Louis for,” he said.

There is also an electrophysiologist, and

physicians in the catheterization laboratory that are performing procedures to correct abnormal rhythms in the heart, Schaefer said.

Another rarity to Southern Illinois, according to Schaefer is a vascular surgeon who recently did the first awake carotid endarterectomy. That involves opening up a carotid artery and taking our blockages, but the procedure happened while the patient was awake and was too sick to tolerate anesthesia.

“These are all things that come from having very talented physicians who are trained in major medical centers all over the country,” Schaefer said.

He said the procedures give patients the option to stay local for complex procedures. But, they aren’t going to stick

around Southern Illinois just because of ease; they’re going to stay because they are assured they are going to get the same level of care.

Ease of Business and educated workforce

Interim Carbondale City Manager Gary Williams said Southern Illinois presents advantages to small business owner or developer wanting to get started.

He said, in general, setting up a business can be easy in the region because of the advantages of the SIU Small Business Development Center, working with local governments and making the right connections to move processes along.

SEE RELOCATING / PAGE 6

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL DECEMBER 2015 PAGE 5

COVER

STORY

RELOCATING FROM PAGE 5

“I think those things are easy,” Williams said.

Constructing a new building, developing new property, remodeling new buildings or anything that requires city approval building, planning or zoning perspective can be “exceptionally” easy here, he said.

“Most urban markets are far more cumbersome,” he said. “Entitlements alone for a development in the Chicagoland areas could take two years to get.”

For example, Williams said, a commercial building such as IHOP, can get through planning review in Carbondale in about two weeks, but in a metropolitan city, that same process could take about 6 to 9 months, maybe longer depending on the amount of backlog.

Williams admitted there are few setbacks for the region, especially when attempting to land major retail stores because of the lack of traffic. Those businesses want to know there is a growing population, abundance of traffic and that

there is an availability of customers.

Although Southern Illinois has an educated workforce ready to fill open jobs, Williams said the attractiveness of that to businesses is dependent on the type of industry.

“The junior college system is usually the education system that is more attractive to manufacturing companies,” he said. “Whereas a research university, the focus is much broader, and is on educating students and preparing them for graduate work or professional degrees.”

However, Williams said there is a lot of research that suggests having a research university in a community is a

“When businesses are trying to bring in a client or hire new employees from out of town, the ability to have them fly directly into our region and know we have that connection to the outside world, instead of having to be driven from Missouri, Tennessee or Indiana to get here is paramount,” Kimmel said. “It is hours, it’s money, it’s connectivity that any region should be able to offer.”

Cape Air offers six round-trip daily flights Monday through Friday and then three each on Saturday and Sunday to St. Louis. Kimmel said the tickets are $49 great amenity.

“It acts as a magnet to draw people from one-way, and the ticket price is the same the outside, and typically communities with regardless of time of purchase.

He said the airport plays a vital role in a research university, especially in a rural region, those cities tend to grow faster than the community, and if the airport is successful, the community within should comparable cities without a university.” reflect that success.

Airports, rail “When you have a growing, vibrant region such as Southern Illinois, this faciland port transportation‌ ity is really a component of the region’s Doug Kimmel, Williamson County Regional Airport director, said the Marion- transportation infrastructure that should be realizing the same things, and planning based airport offers a few different benand developing to accommodate those efits to the region, including commercial things,” Kimmel said. air service.

The airport is in the middle of conHe said from a business standpoint, the structing what will be a $60 million project significance can be easily seen.

Harrisburg 37 South Main Street (618) 253-4444 Michael P. Tison Senior Financial Advisor

Marion 1201 Tower Square (618) 993-3513

www.TisonWealthManagement.com Disclaimer: Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Tison Wealth Management is a separate entity from WFAFN.

THE LIST for a new terminal at the airport.

Kimmel said the project has generally more than 100 construction jobs as of November.

He said phase one of the terminal should be complete by early 2016, which involves the exterior construction. Airport officials are hopeful phase two, meaning the inside of the building, can be finished by September 2016. Kimmel said he would like to have a Veteran’s Day opening in 2016.

On the tracks, Southern Illinois offers direct routes to Chicago, by way of Amtrak. There are two different routes leaving Carbondale each day and another route each day that heads to New Orleans.

There is concern that the state budget could cut some of those services, but there has been no word from the state about the status of those conversations regarding rail service.

Richard Harnish, executive director of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association, said high-speed rail is something that could greatly benefit the region.

“People need to continue to tell their people in Springfield that they want their trains to be faster and more often,” he said. “What we have today is nowhere close to high speed.”

Harnish said the organization is attempting to convince the state to build a high-speed line from Chicago to Champaign, and then split it off to Indiana and Springfield areas. He said the trains would travel about 200 miles an hour.

“We imagine some of those trains continuing down south to the Carbondale region,” he said.

Waters in Southern Illinois are managed by the ports district, which are set up by state statute, but by their nature, are an economic development entity, said Ed Weilbacher, general manager of the Kaskaskia Regional Port District.

“We help facilitate transportation by rail or water and keep materials from have to be transported on the roads, which in turn, helps diminish wearand-tear on local highways and interstates. Sometime trucks can carry hundreds of pounds of materials,” he said.

Weilbacher said there are 230 jobs directly correlated to the rivers government by the Kaskaskia Port District itself. There are several more spinoff jobs connected to that.

10 regional advantages for Southern Illinois

Airports: Southern Illinois has a few airports with a lot of activity.

Interstates and Highways: There are plenty of routes to take you around the region.

Rail: Amtrak plays a huge role in transporting residents in and out of the region.

‌Proximity to metro cities: Southern Illinois residents can get to St. Louis in about an hour Rivers: Port districts along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers contribute to economic development. and a half, Nashville in three, Chicago in six.

Healthcare: Southern Illinois Healthcare, along with a few others, are major players in the healthcare game in the region.

Available land: Entrepreneurs looking to invest or start a business have opportunities throughout Southern Illinois with the amount of land for sale.

Educated workforce: Southern Illinois is home to a research-first university that provides loads of educated people ready to work after graduation. There are several junior colleges providing technical training throughout the region as well.

Cost of living: The median income is $33,479 in Jackson County and $43,125 in Williamson County, according to the U.S. Census. The median income for the state is $56,797.

Ease of doing business: Interim Carbondale City Manager Gary Williams said there are fewer hoops to jump through to start a business.

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL DECEMBER 2015 PAGE 7

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Southern Business Journal December 2015 Page 9

YOUR

OPINION

What role has the Mississippi River played in your life?

O

ver the years, I have come to know “the bottoms” as my second home, for I spend more waking hours next to the Mighty Mississippi than I do my actual house, which is nestled safely in the hills of Cobden. After years of studying the river, I cannot deny my feelings are ambivalent toward the river.

I realize that without the river, I would not be teaching at Shawnee. The school district is supported by farmers who take advantage of the rich, fertile soil of the floodplain, a direct byproduct of the river, and I know that some of my students will one day replace those farmers in the fields, continuing the family tradition. Along with this, comes the beauty of the bottomlands, where waterfowl gathering annually create an awe-inspiring sight.

But I have reservations about celebrating the river’s gifts because I also know its destructive nature. The poet Sarah Josepha Hale likened the Mississippi to the Greek wrestler Antaeus, always rising from the fall, and now it seems it rises more frequently. When you know that even a small break in a levee will change the life of your entire school, it does make for some sleepless nights. During the flood of 2011, I found myself going after school to a local landscape business to assist in filling sandbags because a sand boil was rapidly JAMIE deteriorating the levee. When I arrived, NASH-MAYBERRY there were a dozen of my students and some of their parents. To say that there was a sense of urgency would be an understatement, for when the tornado siren went off because of an approaching storm, we simply shoveled faster, and I asked a parent if we could run over to her house if we saw a funnel. Meanwhile, the school secretary kept calling me with updates on the radar so that we could work until the very last possible minute. I would go on to sandbag two other times that same year, and school would be cancelled for five days due to flood waters over roadways, as well as the fear that a levee in Grand Tower might not hold.

I sandbagged again in the summer of 2013. I saw a huge increase in current and former students, which made me feel like our “save the levees project” was increasing their sense of urgency, and thereby creating conflicting conclusions in that the danger created by the river presents a prime opportunity for a lesson in civic activism among my students.

JAMIE NASH-MAYBERRY IS A SOCIAL SCIENCE TEACHER IN HER 7TH YEAR OF TEACHING AT SHAWNEE HIGH SCHOOL IN WOLF LAKE, ILLINOIS AND LEADS AN ONGOING PROJECT WITH HER STUDENTS TO SAVE THE DETERIORATING LEVEES THAT PROTECT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI.

PAGE 10 DECEMBER 2015 SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

H

aving the river so close to me plays an important role on my life. I would not be who I am today without the river.

I live right where the Big Muddy River flows into the Mississippi River. I live about 400 feet from the river. I have to drive on the levee in order to get to and from my house. My family is big on outdoor activities, especially hunting. We love deer, duck, and turkey hunting. The river plays a very important role when it comes to hunting. The river helps supply the deer and turkey with a water source, and it is also well isolated. There is a decent amount of wild game on the river, which also allows people to trap. When it comes to duck hunting the river also helps us in different ways.

The ducks follow the Mississippi River when they migrate hence the name Mississippi Flyway. Also it gives ducks a place to feed and rest. The river also allows us to fish so we can have fish frys with the family. Not only is it good for hunting but enjoying the day, whether it be hiking, riding 4-wheelers, or camping. It is very beautiful and lets you enjoy nature.

My family also farms and when it is harvest time the river also allows for them to truck the grain about 20 minutes away to Bunge. The river allows for easy access in loading barges and getting the grain wherever it needs to go.

The river does not always benefit my ABBEY LIVESAY family and me. We struggle with the flood waters all the time. When the water rises and gets on the side of the levee, the water is higher than my house. When the river comes up, the seep water gets really bad. We cannot mow the majority of our yard and our driveway gets saturated, so we have to limit how much we drive on it. When the water reaches a certain height we move out because it gets really dangerous. It’s scary thinking how everything could be wiped out and we would not be able to rebuild our home due to the floodplain insurance rules. Also, it ruins crops for the farmers. They always have to worry about where the water is seeping at in their fields and whether they are going to have to replant. This previous year some farmers had to replant their plants.

In conclusion, living by the river has its ups and downs, but I would not have it any other way. We chose to live in the bottoms and I am sure glad we did.

ABBEY LIVESAY IS A JUNIOR AT SHAWNEE HIGH SCHOOL AND HAS LIVED IN WOLF LAKE HER WHOLE LIFE. ‌

Interested in

growing your business– and expanding your customer base?

Consider government contracting and the Illinois Procurement

Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at John A. Logan College.

The PTAC provides free support to small businesses interested in marketing their products and services to federal, state, and local government agencies.

• Free customized computerized bid matching • Registrations – we take our clients through all steps needed as required by the State of Illinois and the federal government to be an approved vendor • Certifications – WBE, MBE, SDB, 8A, SDVOSB, DBE, HUBZone, WOSB, EDWOSB • Bid proposal assistance • Market Research • Procurement Histories

For more information on how the PTAC can assist your business, 618-985-3741 or email ptac@jalc.edu

John A. Logan College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, or gender orientation.

Southern Business Journal December 2015 Page 11

THE

INTERVIEW

Seed Here Studio was force behind Iowa’s Creative Corridor DUSTIN DUNCAN THE SOUTHERN‌

‌A stretch of counties near Iowa City and Cedar Rapids in Iowa were having trouble identifying themselves and how it wanted to brand after a massive flood in 2008.

From this massive disaster came the Iowa Creative Corridor. The corridor in Eastern Iowa is anchored by the crossroads of Interstates 80 and 380, WEST and includes the seven counties of Linn, Johnson, Benton, Jones, Iowa, Cedar and Washington.

One of the entities helping in the creator of the branding movement was Seed Here Studio. The company, founded by Amanda West and Andy Stoll, helped seek out talented and creative people in Iowa to bring them together and help build relationship and collaborate with each other.

And, over the course of a year or so, it turned into a business, West said.

“It was mostly a community building process with a LLC being the vehicle for doing the work,” she said.

West said an easy way to understand Seed Here Studio is that it is a company that designs and produces media events and programs that foster innovation in communities.

One of her examples of that in action is the creative corridor project.

“When the region came out with the new shared identity, name and logo, a lot of people didn’t really relate to it,” West said. “They didn’t feel like it was creative place or they were a creative person.”

While seeking talented individuals within the corridor’s proximity, the company profiled the people it found to show there were creative minds in the area.

“There were so many stories that you couldn’t deny that creative possibility in our region,” West said.

While this was happening after the flood, there were also several economic development experts coming to Iowa to share their opinions about how the region could move forward.

West said there was $1 billion in public funds available for redevelopment — and that didn’t include private donations.

“It was a perfect time to really infuse a creative and entrepreneurial spirit into the community and we knew how to help — especially young people — get excited about the possibility of what they build from their own ideas,” she said.

West said the corridor project really brought to the forefront the need for the different communities to come together as one, instead of focusing on their separate needs.

She said the economic development specialists were saying that eastern Iowa was an incredible place and there was a lot of to work with, but the individual municipalities weren’t working together and not celebrating what was there.

“So they took that to heart,” West said.

She said the region began working with a branding organization from Nashville, Tennessee, to find a common identity for the region as it started to rebuild. Part of the discussions found that the region was an economic entity with all of its parts combined, although it was commonly thought about in that way.

“But, if we could recognize that we are one place, then imagine how much likely were are to be a player statewide, and even more importantly, nationally and globally,” West said.

She said as the world moves to be more driven by cities, rather than by states or countries, the individual communities in Iowa can’t compete with large metropolitan cities, but by coming together and forming an entity of 500,000 people, there are a lot more possibilities.

“So this common identity and everything it stands for is a rallying point for all of these communities to — not lose their own identity — but to be part of something bigger that gives them access to be part of what is going on in the world and the country and not just their own county,” West said.

PAGE 12 DECEMBER 2015 SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PROFILES 1210 Commercial Park Road, Metropolis‌

List price: $234,900; MLS: 322862 Three things to know: 1. Multiple revenue sources for the new owner of this unique opportunity; café and retail space 2. Modern, two-bedroom apartment upstairs with separate entrance 3. Large storage area with overhead door Realtor: Farmer & Company Real Estate, Metropolis; 618-243-3200

1037 State Highway 37, West Frankfort‌ List price: $495,000; MLS: 402492 Three things to know: 1. Earth Works has been family owned and operated for 10 years 2. Included in this sale will be the business name along with contracts and contacts for plants and trees, various pieces of equipment, rock, dirt, stone, culverts, tiling, piping, dump trucks, tractors, trailers 3. Inside is a retail area for decorations, other items Realtor: G.W. Williams Real Estate, West Frankfort; 618-937-3124

830 Walnut St., Carbondale‌ List price: $199,900; MLS: 334250 Three things to know: 1. Busy corner location with traffic count of 22,600 vehicles every day 2. This building was formerly a frozen yogurt shop and a pizza restaurant but can be adapted for retail or office use.

3. Sits just west of University Mall Realtor: RE/MAX Realty Professionals, Carbondale; 618-549-9222

6173 Bayer Road, Carterville‌

List price: $399,000; MLS: 328814 Three things to know: 1. Commercial spot on Illinois 13, in a TIF district 2. Conveniently located close to Carterville and Marion 3. More than 4,400 square feet, three overhead doors, two walk-ins Realtor: Realty Central, Carbondale; 618-457-4663

BEHIND THE

HEADLINES

Talking about land? It’s always up and down AMANDA HANCOCK THE SOUTHERN ‌

‌In Southern Illinois, everyone wants to talk about land, how to get it, and what it’s worth. At least, that’s how it goes in the office of Brett Berger, who owns a farm and commercial appraisal company based in Albion.

Most of the time, Berger says, those conversations about land have a negative spin.

“People are uneasy when it comes to land values and sales, because we keep hearing about the doom and gloom,” he said. “Right now, the market is very erratic, more so than it has been.”

While any jump in taxes or land value is noticeable, Berger said the swings have been close to 10 percent around the region over the past year.

“We like land and following what it’s doing, and overanalyzing it here,” he said.

“But it looks to be pretty even, so you can’t believe everything you hear.”

In fact, Carbondale and Marion are both showing upticks in the sales of commercial and farm real estate, according to Jerry Beasley, a real estate agent in Marion.

In both cities, more land plots and commercial properties have been sold so far this year compared to the same time frame in 2014.

For example, 12 commercial properties were sold so far this year in Marion compared to 8 last year.

“Marion is growing, it’s the hub of the region and a lot of people want to be there,” Beasley said. “One reason is most people want to be in a faster growth area, they can grow along with everything else is growing.”

While prices continue to fluctuate, it’s nowhere near a financial crisis, according to Phil Eberle, a retired professor of agriculture at Southern Illinois University.

“You have to look at owning farmland kind of like owning stock in the stock market,” he said. “Basically, we’re in a situation where it’s unknown most of the

time, and there are high points and low points, and you hope it levels off.”

To him, any sale or purchase of land in Southern Illinois is a big deal.

“It’s not something that happens everyday and it’s not easy for just anyone to buy land or buy a farm, it’s a very big capital investment,” Eberle said. “You’d almost have to get the land from a family to start out in most places or be very well off.”

According to Berger, less than 10 commercial plots or farms are sold in Marion or Carbondale each year.

“Land is a big deal here, and so is getting restaurants and big business to come here,” he said. “We’re a region that will always have to balance that.”

Book review

LINCOLN ON LEADERSHIP

BY DONALD T. PHILLIPS

The book jacket describes this book as an “insightful look at how Lincoln’s expertise in leadership transformed a nation describes how these skills can be incorporated into today’s society by following his examples and wisdom.” ‌R ECOMMENDED

BY JEFF GRUBBS, CARBONDALE POLICE

THE TIPPING POINT

BY MALCOLM GLADWELL

It is an easy read, Jeff Grubbs said. The book jackets says, “Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a small but precisely targeted push cause a fashion trend, the popularity of a new product, or a drop in the crime rate.” ‌R ECOMMENDED

BY JEFF GRUBBS, CARBONDALE POLICE

OUR ICEBERG IS MELTING

BY JOHN KOTTER

It is a clever fable that was a favorite of a good friend, Jeff Grubbs said.

The book is a tale about a penguin who has to convince others that the iceberg is melting, as an analogy for how to manage change. ‌R ECOMMENDED

BY JEFF GRUBBS, CARBONDALE POLICE CHIEF

THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE

BY STEPHEN R. COVEY

Early in my career I read Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and would still recommend that to any individual or organization, Douglas Kimmel said.

RECOMMENDED BY DOUGLAS KIMMEL, WILLIAMSON COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT DIRECTOR

THE MATHENY MANIFESTO

BY MIKE MATHENY

I recently read this book and highly recommend it to instill or renew the fundamental values and principles that are the keys to success in personal and professional life.

RECOMMENDED BY DOUGLAS KIMMEL, WILLIAMSON COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT DIRECTOR

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL DECEMBER 2015 PAGE 13

TappiNg iNTo iNTeRNaTioNaL SucceSS Want to find out how to close the deal on an international sales contract?

There is literally a whole world out there when it comes to marketing your business’ products and services. “Finding and Conquering International Sales” is our newest workshop designed to help companies tap into worldwide markets.

ThuRSday, Nov. 19

Participants will learn about assessing export readiness, finding customers, fulfilling orders from foreign buyers, shipping the order with proper documentation and getting paid as expected. Our presenter will be Elizabeth Ahern, director of United States Commercial Service in Peoria. She will review typical export process start-up scenarios and give advice as to how to proceed. She will also explain how the United States Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service can assist business owners in the international marketplace.

IllInoIS SmAll BuSInESS DEvElopmEnt CEntEr/ IntErnAtIonAl trADE CEntEr SouthErn IllInoIS unIvErSIty Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center 1740 Innovation Drive, Carbondale, Illinois

Lunch included. Registration required by Nov. 16. To register, call 618/453-3805, email mbreslin@biz.siu.edu or go online at sbdc.siu.edu. Seating is limited.

Workshop, 10:30 a.m. to noon Lunch, noon to 1 p.m.

No cost to attend. Seating is limited.

Speaker: elizabeth ahern director of united States commercial Service in peoria Page 14 December 2015 Southern Business Journal

The Illinois Small Business Development Center/International Trade Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and hosted

by Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

FINE

PRINT

Bankruptcies

Mundy St., Eldorado Kacie J. Boss, 304 E. Cole St., Du Quoin LeaAnne Eisenhut, 6200 ‌Chapter 7 Bayer Circle Apt. 21, Christopher S. and Daryl J. Carterville Banks, 272 Shedville Road, Jeffery R. and Elisha Gaertner, Golconda 1408 Knott St., Chester Lisa Dawn Followell, 1312 Carolina S. Wollever, 128 Newton Ave., Johnston City Richardson St., Sims John Franklin Planinc, 712 Catherine L. Sarginson, 151 S South Jackson St., West Hoffman Road, Murphysboro Frankfort Jeremy W. Hughes, 19367 N. Danny G. and Michelle R. County Farm Lane, Mount Masters Jr., 1933 Olmsted Vernon Road, Villa Ridge Dustin Lyle Copher, 565 Crystal A. Malcom, Rural Mallards Landing, Tunnel Hill Route 1, Box 124B, Herod Barbara A. O’Connor, 1618 Barbara J. Whitsett, 408 Peabody, Marion McFall St., Benton Justin G. Mullins, 800 N. Steven Neil Burnett, 109 S. Johnson, Marion Division St., Apt. 512, Du Todd M. Hill, 901 W. Maple St., Quoin Herrin Dustin R. Owens, 831 Poplar Clifford D. Branscum, 3060 St., Shawneetown Gilead Church Road, Michael A. Auman, 1802 Bittle Simpson Place, Room 136, Marion Ebony Ariel Bradley, 612 Wytonia C. Orr, 1308 Martin E. Campus Drive, Apt. A1, Luther King Jr. Ave., Cairo Carbondale Phillip David and Kristine Judith J. Phipps, 12564 Hafer Kay Harris, 509 W. Main, Du Road, Carterville Quoin Frank E. and Vickie L. Denise Evette Huff, 316 W. Hunsaker, 1365 Madira Way, Main, Du Quoin Carbondale Richard Charles and Amanda Zelman Barnette and Dushay Nicole Ranson, 8643 Olde Shanay Johnson, 173 Timer Road, Du Quoin Sorghum Lane, Elkville Sierra D. Hill, 1201 N. 13th, Michael J. Ross, P.O. Box 64, Herrin Makanda Eric Deon Smith, 507 Chad Allen Renner, 905 E. Lexington St., De Soto Broadway, Steeleville Norman Neil Poole, 326 S. Angela R. Schwartz, 9952 Fox Illinois, Jonesboro Hunters Road, Benton Bobby Joe and Edwina Marlin E. 408 E. Water St., Murray, 55 VFW Lane, Anna Litchfield Joey J. Deaton, 321 W. Herrin, Michelle R. Gruelle, 9923 Herrin Brian K. Hurd, 385 Lighthouse Samuel Road, Carterville Brandon M. and Leslie A. Road, Harrisburg Stone, 118 Ryan Lane No. 1, Brian Lee Spence, 12066 De Soto Prosperity Road, Apt. 4, Scott Allen Kirkendoll Jr., 111 E. Marion Main, Christopher Shannon Ray and Dana Marie Chapter 13 Morris, 408 N. Horn, West Pamela D. Wilkins, 214 Frankfort Williams St., Anna Christy Rose Norman, 703 Anitra D. Burris, 121 Second Vinewood Lane, Marion St., Mounds Charlie L. Smith, P.O. Box 11, Michele L. Dorris, Benton Ullin Robert E. and Janice L. Deborah Sue Shultz, 726 Ostrom, 2014 W. Psalm Drive,

Murphysboro Deborah J. Burford, 11541 Paulton Road, Pittsburg Adam M. and Tasha C. Gibbs, 135 Opdyke St., Chester Joshua M. and Alisha N. Turcott, 1308 Largent St., Harrisburg Gary D. King, 2517 Casey, Mount Vernon Hector and Alicia Renteria, 2701 Logan St., Mount Vernon Jeffery S. Wright, P.O. Box 2092, Herrin Eric W. McRoy, 130 U.S. Route 51, Du Quoin Russell A. Thomas, 111 Beaver St., Carterville Robert W. and Angela D. Chambers Sr., 309 W. Brewster Road, Herrin David D. and Debroah L. Mallady, 110 E. McHaney, Harrisburg Elmer L. and Betty I. Kemplen, 609 W. King St., Fairfield Josiah B. and Amber D. Banks, 1106 Follis Ave., Johnston City Gracie M. Durham, P.O. Box 203, Ullin Jeremy Jovan Wilson, 2031 Evergreen Terrace Drive, Carbondale William Roy Glidewell Jr., 301 E. Poplar, Du Quoin Barbara E. Story, 25401 Big Ben Road, Tamms Jennifer L. Miller, P.O. Box 124, Pulaski Marcus L. and LaTrina M. Barnett, P.O. Box 65, Tamms Lisa G. Mahurin, 2020 Waybridge Lane, Fenton Gary W. and Jessica M. Morris, 306 S. Fifth St., Vienna Eunice A. McClung, 108 S. McKinley St., Mounds Mary A. Bigham, 22 S. Fifth St., Mound City Aaron D. Jones, P.O. Box 291, Herrin JoAnn Eschenfelder, 401 Osborn, Apt. 1, Sparta Tillie Lorene Taylor Sigman, 2307 Gartside St., Murphysboro Carol A. Hastings, 808 W. Fifth, Johnston City Angela M. Fite, 1116 N. 20th,

Murphysboro Jeffrey Dale Allen, 6102 Saline River Road, Marion Justin R. Griffith, 2305 E. Elm, West Frankfort Michael T. Monson, 11006 Frosty Lane, Johnston City Paul A. Chamness, 5746 Mauseyville Road, Creal Springs John M. and Jennifer L. Bryson, 14984 Buckley Road, Marion John Herman Parton and Theresa Ann Rone, 14808 Old Frankfort Road, Marion Michael and Robin G. Anthony, P.O. Box 264, Colp Lyndon C. and Sandra K. Ridings Jr. 601 W. Sixth St., Benton Joseph D. Wilson, 90 Oak St., Jonesboro Gary S. Howerton, 1005 Mount Pleasant Road, Buncombe Gaye Lynn Morris, 1303 E. Ninth St., West Frankfort Jennifer M. Giacomo, 43 Hillcrest, Carbondale Christian M. Davis, 800 W. Mill St, Apt. 211A, Carbondale Kavin K. and Charlene R. Wester, 2522 College St., Mount Vernon William V. O’Brien III and Kristen L. O’Brien, P.O. Box 9, Coello Rickey K. and Tamela F. Grammer, 612 N. Ward, Benton Cody D. Cook, 409 E. Chestnut St., Anna Ibrahima Coulibaly, 209 S. Dixon Ave., Carbondale

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL DECEMBER 2015 PAGE 15

Permits

Court St., $6,000 Martha McKinney, 406 Sherry Road, $4,000 Carbondale‌ Metropolis ‌ Home Rentals, 307 S. Lynda St., Manuel Orozco, 1302 Catherine, $1,000 $9,000 Jessica Sergeev, 102 S. Rod Sheila Holmes, 1210 Ferry, Lane, $300 $1,300 Marvin Zeman, 105 N. Tower Liberty Signs, 521 Ferry, $7,500 Road, $1,600 Liberty Signs, 521 Ferry John Brunson, 1144 E. $13,500 Rendleman St., $2,500 Mount Vernon ‌ Home Rentals, 919 W. Jeremy Porter, 2421 Casey, $0 Sycamore St., $500 Carolyn Randall, 614 E. Home Rentals, 507 S. Hays Harrison, $0 Ave., $1,000 Tamara Malin in care of Al The Landings at Reed Station, Futransky, 301 Harrison, $0 2100 Reed Station Parkway, Law Office of Morris Lane $7,543,212 Harvey, 2029 Broadway, Crossfit Henosis, 500 N. $5,500 Oakland Ave., $10,000 CMH Homes Inc. (Dream Southern Development, LLC, Homes), 11884 N. Ryegrass 300 E. Main St., $23,500 Lane, $17,000 A Better Egg, LLC, 900 E. Banterra Bank, 403 S. 42nd St., Walnut St., $375,045 $400 Southern Illinois Healthcare, Ed Sanders, 701 S. 20th St., 405 W. Jackson St., $324,000 $500 Marion‌ BLT Properties, Inc., 1135 Larry Hellberg, 1700 Morgan Veterans Memorial Drive, Ave., $7,400 $150,000 Enrico Castellano, 1503 Emma Johnson, 706 Bell St., $0 Brittany Lane, $130,000 Fairfield Inn and Suites, 217 Timberline Fisheries, 201 E. Potomac, $13,000 Timberline, $250,000 Chris Kujawa, 820 Oakland, $0 Andres Rent A Space, 1200 S. Chris Kujawa, 820 Oakland, Holland St., $378,000 $15,000 Seever Home Partnership, 1712 Ronald Perjenski, 14919 N. Felts Drive, $331,870 County Farm, $21,600 Matthew Akes, 1707 Quail Run, Jerry Hughey, 1129 Bel Aire $21,000 Drive, $3,000 Paul Melvin, 1611 W. Faust St., Developmental Planning and $100,000 Services, Inc., 800 McCauley, Larry Throgmorton, 610 1/2 S. $37,000

Enjoy the ride.

Williamson County Regional Airport to Lambert International

Why drive? Instead, connect on a fast and easy flight from Marion to St. Louis.

49

$

*

from

Williamson County Regional Airport

each way including all taxes and fees

Enjoy the ride.

capeair.com

800-CAPE-AIR

*Fares are subject to availability and other conditions. Fares may change without notice, and are not guaranteed until ticketed.

One Region, One Vision

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• Fresh sandwiches made everyday • Well established locally owned company • Great marketing programs, promotions, prizes

www.pepsimidamerica.com

1-800-827-7020

Pepsi618 Page 16 December 2015 Southern Business Journal