The regional branch of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Center (ITC) in Champaign-Urbana is expanding its scope. It will now offer its free services to businesses in the Decatur area as well.

Thursday marked the last meeting of the Champaign Unit 4 Tier 2 Facilities Committee, which unanimously agreed that Central High School should remain on site and expand, rather than be torn down and rebuilt. The panel didn't endorse a specific financial package for a fall bond issue that would also include additions at Centennial High School, and work on as many as four other school district buildings. 

Kraft Heinz says job losses are expected at its Champaign plant, which is losing part of its cheese production to other plants. But the company says seven other North American plants will be closed entirely.

Central Illinois may seem like an unusual place for a growing craft beer industry, but the Champaign-Urbana area has just the right ingredients.