GODFREY, ILL., Sept. 23, 2008... For the fifteenth year in a row, the River Bend Growth Association will host its Captains of the River Bend award luncheon to honor organizations, businesses and municipalities that are making a difference in the community, through capital investments or community support. Honorees for this year�s event will include: The City of Wood River, The Village of Bethalto, Helmkamp Construction, TheBank of Edwardsville and the Illinois Business Journal.
Nominations for the awards were reviewed by the Growth Association�s Executive Committee chaired by Kent Scheffel, Associate Vice President Community Services for Lewis & Clark Community College. In addition to the presentation of the Captains� awards, this year�s luncheon will feature a presentation on the area�s economic achievements and the tools the Growth Association is using to attract new business to the RiverBend.
The City of Wood River is being recognized for their Economic Enhancement in the RiverBend. Wood River has experienced a 10.7% increase in property valuation, making it the second year of double digit growth. Wood River reports a 5.3% increase in retail sales. In addition to acquiring and cleaning up derelict properties, the staff at City Hall works to attract businesses to the community. Recent investments in Wood River include Pitchford Funeral Home, Mallory Sports Strip Center, TheBank of Edwardsville, First Clover Leaf Bank, Federico Chrysler-Dodge, Nissan Auto, Office Max, YTB, Shop-N-Save, Midtown Theatre, Slayden Glass, Grand View subdivision, and Rock Hill Trails.
The Village of Bethalto and Mayor Steve Bryant are being recognized for Community Enhancement. Like Wood River, Bethalto has seen its share of new investment, but recently Bethalto has put special emphasis on Culp Park. The park was a former lagoon that sat vacant and unused for 25 years. Mayor Bryant and the Village Board undertook a park masterplan with emphasis on recreation, family parkland and greenspace, multi-use pathways and nature areas. The village�s green space has tripled since 2000. Bethalto Rotary Club and other civic organizations helped the village by volunteering hundreds of hours to the Park project. Making great use of the new park, Mayor Steve Bryant headed the local �Walk for Autism� event raising thousands of dollars.
Helmkamp Construction in Wood River is being recognized for their Community Enhancement and for Economic Enhancement. The company has seen a more than 20% increase in revenue from 2007 to 2008 and is expecting a 70% increase from 2008 to 2009. Employees of Helmkamp serve on various trade and non-profit organizations� boards and give more than $50,000 in cash and in-kind donations to local charitable organizations.
TheBank of Edwardsville is being honored with a Captain�s award for both their Economic Enhancement and Community Enhancement as well. They have shown their support of the community by building two new branches in the River Bend�their Bethalto facility located on Prairie and Illinois 140 and their Wood River facility on Vaughn Road. In addition to these investments, The Bank of Edwardsville employees serve numerous non-profit and civic organizations. They contribute nearly $60,000 in cash and in-kind donations to River Bend charitable organizations and events.
While the Illinois Business Journal is a relative new-comer in business, Kerry Smith and Al Ortbals are being recognized for their Economic Enhancement. Since its inception in October 2000, they have been presenting news in a concise, meaningful way to position Southwestern Illinois� business leaders as experts who speak to topics that are important and relevant to their 20,400 readers. The Illinois Business Journal reaches from Grafton to Waterloo covering all of Southwestern Illinois. One of their goals is to draw the area together through communication, strengthening Southwestern Illinois� image, identity and economy. The Illinois Business Journal has reported on the growth and accomplishments from their first headline story on Alton Center Business Park to their recent headline story on Alton Steel. The Journal is a physical and intellectual tool of economic enhancement.
�We believe it is important to shine a spotlight on companies, municipalities and organizations that are making a difference in our community, both through investments and improvements and their dedication and interest in helping the community,� said Monica Bristow, president of the River Bend Growth Association. �This is our 15th year of hosting this event and we continue to see a great offering of organizations to honor. We encourage anyone in the community who would like to hear more about the progress of our area and how these companies and municipalities are changing the face of the region to attend and show their support.�
More information on the accomplishments of these five award winners will be shared at the Captain�s of the River Bend luncheon. The Growth Association�s annual event will be held on Thurs., October 23, 2008, at the Commons on the campus of Lewis & Clark Community College. Networking will begin at 11 a.m. with a buffet lunch
