Top Employers - inspire community magazine
From the early days in the railroad and coal industries to its current business landscape of healthcare, education, manufacturing, direct service and retail – the Greater Centralia Area has always been a hard-working community with no shortage of opportunity.
Many of the community’s largest employers reside in or around the city of Centralia, which has a reported workforce of over 16,000. Though public perception may point to a decline in job creation locally, many of these job sectors have seen growth and expansion in recent years.
The largest local employer is SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital with over 800 employees in Centralia and has long served as a pillar of the community at large. SSM Health also has hospitals in the region and St. Louis Metro Area.
Other notable healthcare or direct care facilities are Kaskaskia Workshop, Bryan Manor, and the Community Resource Center. Also included in direct care top employers with high volume of workforce include the Warren G. Murray Developmental Center and Centralia Correctional Center, which are both Illinois state run facilities.
The Greater Centralia Area’s local industry partners employ thousands across various trades – be it the manufacture of mining power supply sources at Intermountain Electronics or via crop science and soybean growth, research and distribution at Bayer.
Top manufacturers in the area round out to include Big 3 Precision Products, Swan Surfaces, and Graphic Packaging, all located in Centralia’s Industrial Park. Plus, ConAgra produces several brand-name food products and is sole producer of Duncan Hines cake, frosting, and brownie mixes internationally.
Education is among the top employers with Centralia City School District employing hundreds of teachers and staff for kindergarten through 8th grade. Plus, Kaskaskia College has hundreds of employees at the main campus and Crisp Technology Center in Centralia.
Retail also serves as a strong source of employment in the area, with various clothing, grocery, and convenience stores throughout the community. Centralia’s Walmart is easily the most prolific retailer in terms of size and employment, with 300 workers, and serves as an asset to the community through annual donations and charitable programs.
Of the businesses mentioned, several have experienced or are currently undergoing growth and expansion, creating room for a larger, stronger workforce in the Greater Centralia Area.
