Southwestern Illinois County Chairmen Mark A. Kern and Alan J. Dunstan established the Southwestern Illinois Trade and Investment Council Sept. 28 to increase international investment.
“We, Chairman Dunstan and I, are confident this new council will help our businesses find new markets for their products, establish stronger trade ties, contribute to the economic viability of St. Clair and Madison counties, and ultimately, create jobs for our residents,” Kern told Metro East Sun.
Half of the 25-person council members are private-sector traders, while the remaining include airport and banking representatives and freight forwarders.
“The council will help our two counties capitalize on the export of products produced or grown in our area and further strengthen our reputation as the finest distribution center in the country," Dunstan said.
The troupe of council-members, backed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, held their first meeting on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus in September.
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