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Banterra Bank and Landmarks Illinois partner to preserve historic buildings in southern Illinois downtowns

Woman speaking at podium
Kevin Boucher
/
WSIU
Bonnie McDonald, President and CEO of Landmarks Illinois speaking at Marion's Town Square on Tuesday, April 26th, 2022

A partnership between Landmarks Illinois and Banterra Bank was unveiled on Tuesday at the historic downtown square in Marion. Bonnie McDonald, President and CEO of Landmarks Illinois, a non-profit that works to preserve Illinois' historic downtowns, says her group and Banterra Bank have agreed to provide 20-thousand dollars in grants to preserve historic buildings in southern Illinois. And, McDonald says the heart of any town, is the downtown.

"It is where people invest, oftentimes in new businesses, because the size and scale of the buildings is actually conducive to small businesses getting started. And that's what this grant is meant to do, start their own businesses."
Bonnie McDonald

Marion Mayor Mike Absher says when historic downtowns are well-maintained, that leads to a better experience for tourists, which can spur more economic growth. To learn more about the

"Preserve Southern Illinois Grant Program", visit: https://www.landmarks.org/landmarks-illinois-banterra-bank-preserve-southern-illinois-grant-program/

Born in Newport, Rhode Island to a military family, Kevin Boucher traveled the country and the world at a young age before his family settled in Murphysboro, Illinois in 1976. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Radio-Television at Southern Illinois University (SIU) in Carbondale and worked in commercial radio before becoming the Traffic Manager at WSIU Public Television. Boucher has since earned a Master's degree in Professional Media & Media Management Studies from SIU's College of Mass Communication & Media Arts. He is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys gardening and exploring the flora and fauna of the Shawnee National Forest and other beautiful natural areas across southern Illinois. Kevin is embarking on a new path with WSIU as the Community Engagement Producer for WSIU Radio. Look for Kevin's work on air and on line.
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