February 2025 Chamber Courier by Canton Area Chamber of Commerce Canton IL

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY

The Chamber Courier

The Monthly Business Publication for the Canton Area

cANTON aREA cHAMBER OF cOMMERCE

Executive Board

President: Chad Holloway - OSF HealthCare

Vice President: Maggie Connell - Edward Jones

Treasurer: Chad Murphy - Spoon River College

Secretary: Renee Lewis - Jim Maloof Realtor

Board of Directors

Tanaya Krulac - COOK Medical

Jay Valencia - Canton High School

Jason Gumbart - Apex Seed Co.

Lacey Neal - Rock Valley Physical Therapy

Diane Bell - Di’s Boutique

Alesia Shaw - Graham Health System

Jason Elwell - EATS

Jacque Nelson - MidAmerica National Bank

Emylee Bitner - Bank of Farmington

Chase Shawgo - Ipava State Bank

Owen Spahn - ‘24/’25 Student Representative

cbobell@cantonillinois.org

Executive Director Carla Bobell

One Really BIG Party!

This is the year that the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce will be turning 100 years old and we plan to have a really big party during the Canton Chamber Annual Dinner set for Friday, February 28th.

Most years during the Chamber Annual Dinner we give out the Excellence Awards, which include Businessperson, Citizen and Educator of the Year, but not this year. This is the year we will be celebrating the rich history of the Canton Chamber, and we would love for you to join us. Everyone who attends will receive a very special gift, champagne will be at every table, an amazing guest speaker, glorious entertainment, and you will be a part of the biggest ribbon cutting ever!

As you already know, the City of Canton is beginning to celebrate its Bicentennial this year, which makes the Chamber 100-year milestone even more special. In fact, the ribbon cutting picture we plan to do the night of the Annual Chamber Dinner will hopefully go inside the next time capsule. So come be a part of historical night!

All the details and how to register for the Chamber Annual Dinner are on pages 11 and 12 of this newsletter. Either scan the QR code to make your reservations or call the Chamber office. We will be in the cafeteria at Spoon River College (lower level of Centers building), but we plan to transform the room to be ready for a celebration worthy of 100 years! We look forward to celebrating with you and your business!

WELCOME NEW MEMBER - SAVVY RETAIL

We welcome Savvy Retail, where excitement and savings come together! They are not your average discount store each week, they offer a fresh selection of brand-new items at unbeatable prices. Whether you’re shopping for home essentials, the latest gadgets, or unique treasures, there’s always something new to discover.

To stay in the loop with their latest deals and arrivals, be sure to follow and engage with their Facebook page (Savvy Retail by Beautiful Venture LLC). Inventory moves fast, so stop in often and if you spot something you love, don’t wait, it might not be there for long!

As a proud family-owned business, they are committed to providing exceptional customer service, warm smiles, and incredible deals. What began just two years ago in their garage with a single pallet of Amazon customer returns, has since grown into a bustling 12,000 sq ft store in Canton, IL. Founded by Patrick and Erin (Hahn) Jamison with the support of their extended family, friends, and kids Jocelyn (11), Kaeden (11), Kody (7), and Aria (5) Savvy Retail is a true labor of love. “We couldn't do what we do without the help of Grandma-Pat Markland or Dr. David and Angie Hahn! We love them and thank them from the bottom of our heart!” said owner Erin.

Savvy Retail holds a special place in their hearts. Erin’s thrifty nature led her to discover this business model a couple of years ago, and she knew her hometown needed a place where people could find affordable, one-of-a-kind items. Patrick took some convincing but came around and that’s how it all got started!

They source semi-truck loads of returns, shelf pulls, and overstock from top retailers like T@rget, H@me Depot, B@ss Pro, Co$tco, Am@zon, M@cy’s, W@yfair, and more. Whether you’re shopping for individual items, pallets, or even truckloads, we’ve got something for everyone. Plus, we offer affordable building materials like kitchen cabinets, vinyl flooring, and more at amazing prices.

To make your shopping experience even better, we offer free delivery in the Canton, Pekin, and Peoria areas. Go visit Savvy Retail and find the deals you’ve been waiting for!

Located at 1611 E Chestnut St in Canton

Hours: Thursday - Sunday 10 am to 6 pm

WELCOME NEW MEMBER - CROW HOLLOW

In 2016 an adorable home décor store called Crow Hollow opened its door and owner Shirley Franzoni loved owning her own small business because of the friendships she developed and the people she would meet. But today that home décor store has developed into a carefully curated collection of stylish clothing and unique accessories to suit every taste and occasion. From casual wear to special finds, they bring you quality items that make every day a little more stylish. Whether you're looking to refresh your wardrobe or find that perfect gift, Crow Hollow offers a diverse selection and has something for everyone.

Owner Shirley Franzoni is no stranger to owning her own business. Shirley said “Over the years, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to open several different businesses, each one reflecting my passion for creativity, community, and entrepreneurship.” Some of those ventures that she has been blessed to be a part of were:

The Shadow Box, Home Shows, Black Crow Candles, Blessings Primitives, Cotton Cabinet Quilt Shop, Bling It On (pop-up jewelry), Crow Nest Mercantile (bait and tackle shop), Pop-up Christmas Shop, Blessing Café, Sugar & Spice Parties, The Food Hub, Shirley’s Princess Parties, and The Game Hub.

“Each of these businesses holds a special place in my heart, and I’m so grateful for the support from my family, friends, and wonderful customers along the way. Stay tuned for more exciting things to come.” stated Shirley. This statement does not surprise us at all and we are thankful to have a wonderful entrepreneur in our community.

Tom Conklin - State Farm Insurance was established in August 2003 in Farmington, with a second location opening in Macomb in January 2018. Their office prides itself by offering a wide range of insurance products tailored to meet the needs of their clients Services include Auto, Life, Home, Farm / Crop, Business and Medicare insurance. Tom’s passion is helping customers plan for retirement and more importantly efficiently helping customers use their retirement funds to maximize their retirement lifestyle, while minimizing taxes

Tom is a graduate of Farmington High School in 1993, went on to earn his Agriculture Economic / Vocal Performance degrees from the University of Illinois in 1997. He has further distinguished himself as a Retirement Income Certified Professional, ensuring that he stays informed about the best practices and strategies for helping customers secure their financial futures.

Tom volunteers at local schools by teaching Driver's Ed classes about insurance and coaching Elmwood High School’s golf teams. He is also involved in the McDonough and Fulton County CEO programs, helping to inspire and educate young entrepreneurs. Beyond his professional commitments, Tom also enjoys a variety of activities that enhance his community engagement. He is the President of the Maple Lane Country Club, sings in St. Patrick’s Catholic church choir, serves as “King Tator” for the Farmington Rotary club and is a certified IHSA boys’ basketball official.

Tom's decision to open an insurance and financial service agency stemmed from his passion for helping people and his desire to be an integral part of his community. He believes that providing quality insurance services not only protects families and businesses but also fosters a sense of security and peace of mind.

If you're interested in learning more about the services offered or have any questions, you can reach out to Tom Conklin through the following channels: Call or Text: 309-245-4243 ~ Email: Tom@conklinsf.com

Facebook: Tom Conklin – State Farm

Be a Business Spotlight

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT - SPOON RIVER COLLEGE

A New Year and a new semester at Spoon River College! No “official” numbers yet, but we’re hoping spring enrollment numbers will mirror the fall numbers: headcount was up more than 3% compared to 2023 and nearly 5% compared to 2022, and included a surge in first-time freshmen.

Grants and gifts this past year have led the way to new training opportunities and renovations of the Vocational and Technical Education Center that included welding booths, ventilation and exhaust systems, and new tractors and trailers for the CDT program. We’re on track to implement virtual reality equipment into existing programs to aid in recruitment and instruction, and students in career and technical education programs have new scholarship opportunities available exclusively to them, especially important since these programs are typically not eligible for federal financial aid.

The college’s inclusion in the 2024-2025 cohort of Aspen-AASCU Transfer Student Success Intensive, and the selection of President Oldfield to participate in the second cohort of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship, will benefit our transfer students as they work towards their bachelor degrees and enter the workforce.

Winter sports are in full swing, and spring sports have started practicing. Bowling was added this past year with Kenny Shockency as head coach, and athletes broke both personal and academic records on the field and in the classroom, garnering recognition from the NJCAA, NFCA, and MWAC. Softball has made the jump to Division 1, and 7 of their first 12 games will be against top 10 nationally ranked teams. Go Snappers!! Schedules and rosters can be viewed at https://www.src.edu/snapper-athletics

The SRC Community Chorus celebrates 20 years of providing high quality musical experiences to community members in support of the SRC Foundation, and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Songs of the Dust Bowl,” will be presented in June in conjunction with the City of Canton, Illinois’ Bicentennial celebration. It will include narration connecting Canton’s history to the history of the Dust Bowl era.

Our Office of Community Outreach continues to offer a variety of lifelong learning opportunities, including customized workforce training. Check them out at https://www.src.edu/business-and-community.

We’ve come a long way since 1959!

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT - CUSD #66

Canton Union School District: Innovating for Student Success

Canton Union School District continues to prioritize innovation and academic excellence, creating new opportunities for students both inside and outside the classroom. One standout event this year was the 1st Annual Canton Girls Wrestling Invitational, held on January 18, 2025, at Canton High School. The event drew 152 wrestlers from 27 schools, competing on four mats in the historic Alice Ingersoll Gymnasium.

The Canton girls wrestling team had an exceptional performance, finishing 2nd overall, with eight wrestlers earning medals. Special congratulations to Chloe Hedges and Kinnley Smith, who both earned first-place titles in their divisions, showcasing the growing strength of the program. We are deeply grateful to our coaches, parents, fans, and the boys’ team for their support in making this event a success. The day was a testament to the growth of girls’ wrestling, and we look forward to hosting again next year!

In addition to athletics, Canton High School continues to expand academic opportunities. Through our partnership with Spoon River College, juniors and seniors can take advantage of the Running Start and dual credit programs. These programs allow students to earn both high school and college credits Last year, more than 40 students participated, and over the past two years, 9 students graduated from both Canton High and Spoon River College simultaneously.

The district’s commitment to student success is reflected in our academic growth. Midyear results from the STAR assessment show historic achievements. In grades 2-12, 74% of students demonstrated growth in English Language Arts (ELA), with 41.2% achieving grade-level proficiency. For math, 45% of high school students are proficient, and 74% show typical or above-average growth. Across grades K-8, 33% of students are proficient, with 34% meeting or exceeding expected growth.

Through data-driven instruction and focused learning targets, at least 70% of students have mastered their grade-level standards, demonstrating the effectiveness of our approach to fostering academic excellence.