SIUC students will begin to feel the ripple effects of Carbondale’s recent boom in business expansion, says City Manager Jeff Doherty.

One of the impacts of this growth for the community as a whole and the students in particular, is the job opportunities provided, Doherty said. Many retail businesses are providing the types of jobs that attract SIUC students.

Carbondale has seen several new retail businesses arrive in the area in the past year as almost 40 new businesses were established in the area.

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I think 1997 was the biggest single year for business expansion I’ve seen in the area in the 28 years I’ve lived here, said Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and provost John Jackson. It is really booming right now, its amazing how many businesses are springing up.

Among some of those businesses:Lowe’s, Barnes & Noble, Blockbuster Video, Staples and the newly opened Lonestar Steakhouse and Saloon.

Office Max and Arby’s are under construction and expected to open soon.

Doherty cited an increase in sales tax revenue and a decrease in the tax burden for residents of Carbondale as additional benefits of the economic growth.

Another general aspect of those businesses is the continuation of overall commercial developments in the community and surrounding area, Doherty said.

Doherty said though it is uncertain whether or not 1998 will bring the same growth, he is hopeful the trend will continue.

We hope, that to some degree, that the growth we are seeing is a reflection of Carbondale becoming a regional retail center, Doherty said.

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Jackson said SIUC plays a key role in the economic development in the area.

The University is, after all, the biggest economic engine in the area, Jackson said. In addition to this, dozens of area businesses have got their start at the small business incubator on campus.

He said that the University, through the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, is trying to help build up the area business sector by helping with marketing and businesses plans.

It is good for the students and the faculty to have the options and the competition provided by the new restaurants and high-scale bookstores like Barnes and Noble, Jackson said. The new job opportunities provided along with that are very important.