CARBONDALE, Ill. (WSIL) -- A new initiative, Salukis Build Here, aims to inspire Southern Illinois University (SIU) alumni to start, relocate, or expand their businesses in Southern Illinois. The program is a collaborative effort by the SIU Foundation, SIU Alumni Association, Southern Illinois Now (SI Now), the City of Carbondale, Carbondale Main Street, and the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce.

The partnership will be formalized with a signing ceremony at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Alumni Association Courtyard Tent outside Woody Hall.

“Salukis Build Here celebrates the success of alumni-owned businesses already thriving in Carbondale and across Southern Illinois,” said Matt Kupec, SIU Foundation CEO. “We’re inviting more Salukis to come back—or start here—to grow their ventures

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