Midwest Community Bancshares, Inc., the bank holding company for First Southern Bank, and The Bank of Carbondale, completed a strategic alliance today, bringing two of the top community banks in southern Illinois together. As a result of the transaction, The Bank of Carbondale is now owned by Midwest Community Bancshares, Inc. and it is anticipated that it will be merged into First Southern Bank effective July 1, 2022.

“We are excited to announce that The Bank of Carbondale is now part of Midwest Community Bancshares, Inc., the bank holding company of First Southern Bank. The Bank of Carbondale and the Bleyer family have always been dedicated to the growth and well- being of the southern Illinois region. The Bank of Carbondale’s philosophy of being a locally owned community bank, with high level customer service blends very well with our own business model. Both organizations take great pride in taking care of our customers and giving back to our communities,” said John Dosier, President and CEO of First Southern Bank.

“When looking for a strategic alliance, the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of The Bank of Carbondale placed a top priority on the future of our customers and our employees. We are pleased that we are now part of Midwest Community Bancshares, Inc., the bank holding company of First Southern Bank, an organization that shares the same philosophy to Southern Illinois as The Bank of Carbondale,” said Bob Bleyer, President and CEO of The Bank of

Carbondale.

Dutch Doelitzsch, Chairman of Midwest stated, “With combined assets of over $1 Billion we have the size, strength, and security to meet the growing needs of this area.” As previously stated “We are retaining all officers and employees at The Bank of Carbondale and welcome them to our First Southern Bank team,” added Dosier.

Hovde Group, LLC acted as financial advisor and Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C. served as legal advisor to The Carbondale Investment Corporation, while Armstrong Teasdale LLP served as legal advisor to Midwest Community Bancshares, Inc.

About Midwest Community Bancshares, Inc. and First Southern Bank

Midwest Community Bancshares, Inc. is the bank holding company of First Southern Bank, an Illinois state- chartered bank headquartered in Marion, Illinois. First Southern Bank has assets of approximately $803 million as of March 31, 2022 and currently operates from various locations throughout southern Illinois. The Bank of Carbondale has assets of approximately $284 million as of March 31, 2022. To learn more about First Southern Bank, please visit our website:

https:// www.firstsouthernbank.net.

Congratulations to Doug Kimmel on his induction to the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame!  The director of the Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois since 1998, he has overseen air travel opportunities that will continue to encourage the economic possibilities for our region. 

Read about fellow honorees here: http://www.ilavhalloffame.org/spirit.htm

Did you know? 

• 11 Federal agencies set aside a percentage of their funding each year for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards to advance innovative ideas with the goal of commercialization.
• SBIR funding is awarded in three phases with the Phase I proof-of-concept funding generally between $50,000 and $250,000. 
• Through a similar program, Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding incentivizes collaborations between small businesses and university faculty.
• Rural entrepreneurs are underrepresented in SBIR-funded projects and we're looking to change that!

Join us on Wednesday, June 8th, 12-1 p.m. for a virtual SBIR 101 introductory session where you'll learn about what SBIR funding is, what support is available, and how small businesses and universities can collaborate to advance innovative ideas and research.

Register for this no cost information session here or by using the QR code below. 

Contact:       Tina Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer

                     Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois

                       P.O. Box 3092

                       Carbondale, IL 62902

                       Phone: 618-457-8877 ext. 0011

                       Email: tcarpenter@bgcsi.org

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois

Summer Programs are Here!

Gardening for the Mind, Body and Soul

Morning Program Slots are still available

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois’ all day summer program begins June 6^th through August 5^th. This summer’s program will focus on gardening, healthy habits and how to explore the natural world. There are 9 weeks of camp. We have programming available from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Our morning project-based learning program – Summer Brain Gain is from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM and lunch is included.  Fees for the morning programs is $40.00 per week. We still have slots available for the morning program – contact us now if you want to enroll your child. Morning programs include Math, Reading and Science that is project based and active learning. Morning programs are limited to youth entering 1^st grade through youth entering 8^th grade. 

Registration is available at the Carbondale location: 250 N. Springer Street and the Marion location: 2706 W. Main Street.

The afternoon program is from 11:30am to 5:30 pm, lunch and a snack is included. The afternoon program will include mindfulness, healthy habits, self-exploration in the arts, team building, STEM and recreation rotations. Membership for both the morning and afternoon programs is required. The membership fee is $20.00 for youth ages 5-13 (kindergarten through 8^th grade) and $10.00 for high school youth per year. Membership is the only fee for the afternoon program. Below is a list of the summer programs. 

June 6^th – June 10^th: Selecting the Environment: Reflection

June 13^th – June 17^th: Planting Seeds: Understanding our Foundation           

June 20^th – June 24^th :Sprouts: Who Am I?

June 27^th – July 1^st : Watching It Grow: Curiosity

July 5^th – July 8^th:    Nurture: Creating Healthy Habits

July 11^th – July 15^th: Harvest: Explore Your World

July 18^th – July 22^nd :Building the Recipes: Mindfulness

July 25^th – July 29^th: Let’s Get Cooking: Putting the Pieces Together

August 1^st – Aug 5^th: Sharing Our Bounty: Reaching our Dreams

Call now to register. Questions regarding how to call Dena at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois at (618) 457-8877 EXT. 0011 or dhaun@bgcsi.org