December Chamber Courier by Canton Area Chamber of Commerce Canton IL

DECEMBER DECEMBER ISSUE ISSUE

The Chamber Courier

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

Whitney Parrish - Barnhart, Tinsman, & Parrish

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 on the Street

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

Become A Loyal Customer

If every small business owner had the opportunity to write a letter to Santa (or whoever grants Christmas wishes to business owners), they would likely all ask for the same thing more loyal customers. Sure, the ask may sound different in each form of correspondence. It may be a request for more customers, higher revenue, more reviews, and the like. But all those things boil down to loyalty. Loyal customers spend more, tell others about their experience, refer people to businesses, post to social media about businesses, and return over and over. Building a loyal customer base is better for any business in the long run over simply getting more customers

It is that time of year when the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce focuses on Shop Small. Shop Local. Support Local. Are you a loyal customer to businesses in our communities? If you are, good for you by showing continued support because you are also helping to keep our LOCAL economy thriving. If you are not sure, I encourage you to become one. Start with a few stores and build from there You will discover businesses that will then support you back when they call you up and let you know about something they will be carrying and they just know you would love it! That is what local shopping is all about.

The official shopping season kicked off with Small Business Saturday on November 30th (Saturday after Thanksgiving). Let’s keep the continued sales going in our unique shops, larger stores, and restaurants They are looking for you to become a loyal customer and I guarantee you will be glad you did because you will be granting their wish this holiday season even without writing a letter to Santa. Happy Holidays everyone and SHOP LOCAL Y’all!

Nini’s Bridal

The Canton Chamber would like to welcome a brand new bridal business to downtown Canton. Jill Sexton is the owner of Nini's Bridal located at 29 East Side Square in Canton, Illinois Nini's Bridal opened October 15, 2024 and she is not only excited to be a new resident of Canton, but to be part of the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce and this historic and vibrant community.

Jill decided to open Nini's Bridal because she wanted to open a business that was not only needed in Canton, but in surrounding areas as well. Even though her focus was on opening a business that was needed, she also wanted a career that would radiate positivity on a daily basis “To be part of the bridal community is a true blessing; it is one of the most important days in a woman's life and to be part of that is something special” stated Jill. “My family is my world and even the name Nini's came from the name my grandson calls me. This is a name I hold dear to my heart and wanted him to know he was the reason for the name of the business.”

Jill is looking forward to meeting future brides and their families when they come in to look for that very special dress.

Nini's Bridal sells wedding dresses, veils, jewelry and accessories. Jill is very proud to be the only Bridal business (stockiest) in the USA who carries British Bridal Factory dresses, which is located in London. They also work with the wonderful team at Lucci Lu. Jill shares that it is important to her that she is able to stock her store with dresses that cover a wide range of prices and sizes, all to be equally beautiful. In the near future she will be increasing her inventory to include mother of the bride dresses, and special event dresses...so stay tuned!

You can stay up to date on new arrivals and promotions by following Nini’s Bridal social media and website. Appointments can be made on the Nini’s Bridal website or give Jill a call and she will be more than happy to assist you in helping make your special wedding dress amaz

CANTON PARK DISTRICT

2024 YEAR END REVIEW

2024 has been an exciting year for the Canton Park District. We welcomed our new Executive Director, Brent Wheeler, in September. Big Creek Park Pool celebrated its 20th year! During the pool season, 20,552 people attended Swimmers enjoyed special activities, including pool parties, tot time, water aerobics, a dive-in movie, and spending time with family and friends. 4,385 patrons enjoyed various programs and events throughout the year including Youth Baseball, Movies in the Park, Lil Explorers, Jr. Master Naturalist, Dance Classes, Bingo, Monarch Migration, Fall Fest, and the Spook Trail. The Canton Bike Share made a change to the ON bike share app. Our park staff are currently working on several projects planned for 2025 to enhance the park experience for all visitors

SPOON RIVER COLLEGE

2024 YEAR END REVIEW

Since 1959, Canton Community College/Spoon River College has always been known for helping students succeed. We take very seriously our responsibility to provide a high quality, affordable education that improves the lives of our students and strengthens our communities. We are always learning how to best serve our students and our communities.

I am proud of our faculty and staff who have continued to modernize programs, enhance classroom teaching strategies, and increase support for students in order to help our students succeed This hard work has contributed to an increase of enrollment during the Fall semester of 2024. In the Spring 2024, we are able to recognize Lynn McPheeters for his substantial contribution to Spoon River College Foundation. This gift will support scholarships in career programs that do not qualify for Federal Financial Aid. This generous gift will provide a pathway for students leading to careers that so many of our local businesses need

Teams of dedicated employees from SRC and Western Illinois University have been conducting a yearlong study of the transfer process with WIU. It is important for both of our institutions to understand what transfer students need to be successful at WIU when they graduate from SRC. This study will help us better support students and increase their likelihood to complete their Bachelor’s Degree at WIU

Also, in 2024, we were fortunate to have received nearly $2 million of state and federal grants that support adding new career programs and student support services at Spoon River College. Thank you for the support of your community college, please contact us if we can assist you, and we look forward to taking you where you want to go.

CITY OF CANTON 2024 YEAR END REVIEW

In the last quarter of 2024, the City Council made some important decisions aimed at retaining and reviving buildings in our downtown area Maintaining solid historic building structures is key to a vibrant downtown, and through different circumstances, the City has come to own both the former Cardosi building at 35 East Side Square and the former Odd Fellows building at 108 N. Main Street.

The goal is to stabilize the buildings and make basic improvements in order to attract a wider range of end users who could then utilize BDD funds for further renovations. Both properties have wonderful vintage details – mosaic tile flooring, tin ceilings, hefty wood trim, hardwood floors, original stair bannisters-all for the right person to appreciate and bring new life to old spaces. Were these bold moves for our council to make? Yes, indeed. Was it the right decision? Time will tell, but the alternative would have been two more large buildings in the heart of downtown eventually falling to disrepair, and that’s just not something we could allow to happen. Keeping to the historic theme, the Opera House Plaza project is now ready to break ground. Construction contracts were awarded, demolition next door is nearly complete, and we should see dirt move soon.

Lastly, I’m happy to report that the City has approved 14 BDD or TIF agreements with local businesses since May 1. More tuckpointing, HVAC, awnings, new windows and doors, painting, roof repairs- all projects that either maintain or enhance our businesses - are getting completed because of the 1% sales tax the BDD added. Together, we are all making these improvements happen by shopping locally Let’s remember the importance of that as we head into the holiday season. Shop Canton to support Canton.

CANTON CUSD #66

2024 YEAR END REVIEW

The first semester of the 2024-25 school year has been marked by many exciting accomplishments Our continued focus on academic excellence and building a district-wide Professional Learning Community has had a positive impact on student achievement. For the third consecutive year, our students' growth on nationally normed assessments has exceeded both expectations and national averages, reflecting our commitment to high standards of education.

This commitment to academic progress will be complemented by ongoing improvements to our facilities This summer, several important upgrades are scheduled The main drive at Eastview Elementary will be repaved, along with sections of the student parking lot at Canton High School. At CHS, we will replace a deteriorated section of the roof and create a new welding classroom. Both Eastview and Westview Elementary schools will receive new carpeting in key areas, and Ingersoll Middle School will upgrade its aging air conditioning units.

As winter approaches, inclement weather may lead to school cancellations for student safety In the event of a closure, we closely monitor weather conditions and work with local agencies to make timely decisions. Families will be notified through Skylert messages, social media updates, and local media channels, including WBYS and television stations.

We remain committed to supporting our students’ success and keeping the community informed as we navigate the rest of the school year Thank you for your continued support!