Southern Illinois – the southern third of the Land of Lincoln – is a region with a combined population of over one million and is home to large domestic and international manufacturing, agricultural, and logistic companies, including Amazon, P&G, Walgreens, Hershey, World Wide Technology, Boeing, ADM, FedEx, Phillips 66, Prairie Farms, Continental Tires, Pepsi MidAmerica, North American Lighting and Toyota Boshoku. Southern Illinois is also represented by tens of thousands of established small and mid-sized businesses, a highly-skilled workforce, abundant natural resources, and a solid transportation and distribution infrastructure network.
Illinois ranks 5th in the United States and 1st in the Midwest in total exports. The southern region contributes significantly to the state’s total of more than $60 billion in products shipped annually to more than 200 countries. Southern Illinois’ top exporting industries include industrial machinery, mining, transportation, agriculture, electronics, electrical, metals, plastics, chemicals and consumer products.
Home to World-Class Logistics Infrastructure
The region’s robust economy is supported by a world-class logistics infrastructure of natural and manmade resources that readily facilitates international trade and exports. This infrastructure moves people and products quickly and efficiently, connecting buyers and sellers from around the world.
Southern Illinois is served by the two most voluminous rivers in the U.S.: the Mississippi and the Ohio Rivers. The region’s port districts – America’s Central Port District in Granite City and Kaskaskia Regional Port District in Red Bud – together transport a value of more than $1 billion annually.
A cadre of airports regularly and conveniently facilitate southern Illinois’ active exporting climate:
- MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, adjacent to Scott Air Force Base
- St. Louis Regional Airport in East Alton
- St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia
- Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion
- Southern Illinois Airport in Murphysboro
Six Class I Railroads
Chain of Rocks Canal
St. Louis Regional Airport
Major U.S. interstate access makes exporting a reality for southern Illinois-based manufacturers. U.S. interstates I-55, I-57, I-64 and I-70 afford efficient ground transportation to ports, airports and rail.
Southern Illinois’ healthy exporting activity is further bolstered by its connection to six Class I railroads:
- BNSF Railway Co.
- Canadian National Railway Co.
- CSX Corp.
- Kansas City Southern
- Norfolk Southern Corp.
- Union Pacific Railroad
Foreign Trade Zone sites #31 in Granite City and #146 in Lawrenceville sit close to truck, rail, barge and air access, connecting companies in southern Illinois to the world and reducing import/export costs.
Connect With Us!
International buyers interested in establishing contact with southern Illinois suppliers are encouraged to do so by clicking the “Request to Connect” button and filling out the corresponding form through this easy-to-use online directory. For assistance with this directory or for additional information on southern Illinois-based suppliers, contact us at International-Trade-Center@siue.edu.
All business listings have been reviewed by the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at SIUE.
Southern Illinois exporters are encouraged to apply to become a registered member of this online directory by filling out this form.
We invite you to open another door of growth and opportunity for your business!
This online directory was made possible through Federal CARES Act funding.