CARBONDALE, Ill. (WSIL) -- The Salukis Build Here initiative officially launched with a signing ceremony on Oct. 1 at the Alumni Association Courtyard Tent outside Woody Hall. The partnership aims to encourage Southern Illinois University (SIU) alumni to start, relocate, or expand businesses in Carbondale and Southern Illinois.

The initiative is a collaboration among the SIU Foundation, SIU Alumni Association, Southern Illinois Now (SI Now), the City of Carbondale, Carbondale Main Street, and the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce.

Deb Barnett, executive director of SI Now, expressed enthusiasm for the project.

“Salukis Build Here celebrates alumni-owned businesses already thriving in Carbondale and throughout Southern Illinois while extending an enthusiastic invitation for other Salukis to

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