chamber connection
THE GREATER BELLEVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
AUGUST 2020
ARTICLE NAME
ARTICLE NAME
ARTICLE NAME
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION
SPECIAL PARTNERS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Edmond Brown, Chairperson ELB Enterprises, Inc.
Platinum:
Memorial Regional Health Services, Inc.
Gold:
HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
Kevin Vick, Chairperson Elect Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.
Silver:
Illinois American Water Company
Bronze:
Ameren Belleville Boot Company Belleville News-Democrat Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.
Friends:
Associated Bank Auffenberg Belleville Busey Bank Commerce Bank Eckert’s Country Store and Farms Four Fountains Nursing and Rehab Gonzalez Companies, LLC Grey Eagle Distributors Homefield Energy Regions Bank Scott Credit Union Southwestern Illinois College TerraSourceGlobal The ROHO Group
Alliance:
Abbott EMS Allsup, Inc Balke Brown Transwestern Bank of Belleville Belleville Area Special Services Cooperative BOS Metro East Banking Center Breakthru Beverage Group Cannon Utility Services, LLC. Casino Queen Chelar Tool and Die CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP Cooling Concepts ELB Enterprises, Inc. Empire Comfort Systems FCB Bank First Bank FKG Oil Company Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP Holland Construction Services International Paper Jack Schmitt Chevrolet Korte & Luitjohan Lewis Rice LLC Liberty Bank Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd. McDonald’s - Burris Management, Inc. Nothing Bundt Cakes Siteman Cancer Treatment Center McKendree University National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Print Master Sam’s Club SIHF Healthcare Southern Illinois Builders Association The Esquiline of Our Lady of the Snows Walmart Willowcreek Rehab & Nursing Center
Amy Richter, First Vice Chairperson Hospice of Southern Illinois Mary Lamie, Second Vice Chairperson Bi-State Development Mike McManus, Immediate Past Chairperson Memorial Regional Health Services, Inc.
Board of Directors
Lisa Adams, Adams Publications Jeff Bair, Grimm & Gorly Florist and POUR@322 Brett Baltz, Egyptian Workspace Partners Ryan Boike, Belleville School District #118 Mayor Mark Eckert, City of Belleville Jerril Jones, Center for Racial Harmony Dan Lovekamp, Auffenburg Dealer Group of Illinois Tracy McCollum, Standard Rule Promotions Brian Mentzer, Belleville Township High School Dist #201 Kayla Mitchell, Scheffel Boyle Paula Nixon, Ameren Illinois David Nosacka, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Jessica Orelt, Allstate Insurance Scott Schanuel, Holland Construction Services Ron Stephens, Bank of Belleville Ben Wanless, Commerce Bank
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Chairman Mark Kern, St. Clair County Christine Spargur, Scott Air Force Base
CHAMBER STAFF Wendy J. Pfeil, President/CEO wpfeil@bellevillechamber.org Peggy Schifferdecker, Membership/Event Manager pschifferdecker@bellevillechamber.org Diana Goebel, Marketing & Communications Manager marketing@bellevillechamber.org Alicia Slocomb, Main Street Manager bms@bellevillechamber.org Cathleen Lindauer, Director, Belleville Tourism clindauer@bellevillechamber.org
Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce 216 East A Street, Belleville,IL 62220 Phone: (618) 233-2015 Fax: (618) 233-2077 www.bellevillechamber.org
AMBASSADORS Rebecca Boyer, Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC Justin Chapman, TheBANK of Edwardsville Lynne Clapp, Vertical Performance Terri Dambacher, CompuType IT Solutions Julie Fetters, Associated Bank Mary Jo Foerste, Community Member Cari Frick, Metro Lock and Security, Inc. Sharon Goff, Self-Employed Patty Gregory, Art on the Square Dean Hardt, City of Belleville Dennis F. Korte, Sr., Community Member Tracy McCollum, Standard Rule Promotions Dorothy Meyer, St. Clair County Mark Mueller, Mueller Furniture Al Orelt, Albert Orelt Allstate Agency Lisa Phillipson, Hospice of Southern Illinois Joy Prigge, Dieterich Bank Leslie Schmidt, Abbott EMS Loretta Stammer, Community Member Brandy Steely, Community Member Anne Thomure, Memorial Regional Health Services Jack Weck, Community Member Sheri Welch, Independent Insurance Agent Susan Wobbe, Community Member John Wunderlich, Community Member Sharon Zika, Scott Credit Union
ADVERTISE IN THIS PUBLICATION 2020 Advertising Rates Business Card: (3.5 x 2.5in)
$25 per month
1/4 Page: (3.5 x 5in)
$50 per month
1/2 Page: (7 x 5in)
$100 per month
Full Page: (7 x 10in)
$200 per month
Ads must be received by the 15th of each month, electronically in JPEG or PDF form. Please call 618-233-2015 or email marketing@bellevillechamber.org to reserve your ad space.
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January 2016
COVER STORY a message from the chamber board of directors Dear Chamber Members: Our businesses need you. Our community has seen the crippling effects of COVID-19 on small businesses nationwide. Businesses have closed. Employees have been furloughed or laid off. Events have been canceled. Nonprofits, such as the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce, have been hit especially hard. The Chamber can work remotely, but it cannot disappear. Our businesses need the Chamber for information, resources, and connections to survive. The Chamber staff has continued to provide valuable services to our members in the virtual realm during the pandemic crisis with consistent, timely and pertinent governmental action updates, professional seminars, financial support opportunities, as well as quickly adapting the Chamber’s normal connections and networking opportunities to the shutdown environment. And yet, the Chamber has also been forced to cancel various events over the past four months. We have seen revenue losses of over $50,000, and those losses will continue to increase over the next several months. With the loss of the annual Chili Cook-off revenue, the impact to the Chamber will potentially be over $100,000, accounting for approximately 35% of the Chamber’s operating budget. The Chamber needs our member’s support and continued investment in order to continue our mission of “Advancing Business, Supporting Community.” Ways to support the Chamber: · Continue your membership investment with the Chamber. · Follow our social media pages on Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter. · Engage with and share our posts and messages via social media. · Invite outside business members to events and/or to become members. · Attend online and in-person events as they allow. · Be a speaker for one of the Chamber webinars, Lunch & Learn or Young Professional events. · Sponsor or make donations to a future Chamber event. · Reach out and ask the Chamber what you can do for them! Sincerely, Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Executive Committee: Edmond Brown (Chairperson; ELB Enterprises, LLC.), Kevin Vick (Chairperson-Elect; Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.), Amy Richter (1st Vice-Chairperson; Hospice of Southern Illinois), Mary Lamie (2nd Vice-Chairperson; Bi-State Development), Mike McManus (Immediate Past Chairperson; Memorial Hospital) Board Members: Lisa Adams (Adams Publications), Jeff Bair (Grimm & Gorly Florist and POUR@322), Brett Baltz (Egyptian Workspace Partners), Ryan Boike (Belleville School District #118), Mayor Mark Eckert (City of Belleville), Jerril Jones (Center for Racial Harmony), Dan Lovekamp (Auffenburg Dealer Group of Illinois), Tracy McCollum (Standard Rule Promotions), Brian Mentzer (Belleville Township High School District #201), Kayla Mitchell (Scheffel Boyle), Paula Nixon (Ameren Illinois), David Nosacka (HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital), Jessica Orelt (Allstate Insurance), Scott Schanuel (Holland Construction Services), Ron Stephens (Bank of Belleville), Ben Wanless (Commerce Bank)
The Chamber Connection
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CHAMBER NEWS 2020 ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF CANCELED
Each year, the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce hosts one of Belleville’s premier fall festivals, the Belleville Chili Cook-off. The annual event was scheduled this year for October 9 & 10, but given the current COVID-19 pandemic and guidance given from the State of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Chamber is disappointed to announce that they will have to cancel the 2020 Chili Cook-off. “This event is a fall family favorite event,” says President and CEO of the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce, Wendy Pfeil. “We wish we were not making this announcement but the health and safety of our community is our top priority.” Many people attend the Chili Cook-off to enjoy great chili, entertainment, and other festivities, but most don’t realize that it’s the biggest fundraiser of the year for many non-profit organizations, including the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce themselves. Over half of the vendors participating at the Chili Cook-off each year are either a non-profit organization or a business raising money for a charity. 100% of the money spent at each booth would go to that vendor. In addition, attendees would vote in the People’s Choice contest for their favorite chili where 100% of the proceeds would be donated to the Community Interfaith Food Pantry in Belleville. “While this is a huge disappointment, we are still looking into ways to help promote all groups involved virtually,” states Pfeil. “The public is encouraged to follow the Belleville Chili Cook-off on Facebook to see this and other potential surprises as we move into the fall.” The Chamber does plan to go ahead with the annual Chili Chase 5k that normally happens the Saturday morning of the festival, however, it will be virtual. Attendees can find out more online at www.bellevillechili.com or follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BellevilleChiliCookoff. The Chamber does plan to have the Chili Cook-off back next year and looks forward to seeing everyone in person on October 8 & 9, 2021. The Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)6 nonprofit, membership-based organization that supports and advances business and community interests, as well as the quality of life in Belleville and surrounding communities. They were ranked the fourth largest chamber in the St. Louis area in 2019 by the St. Louis Business Journal and are the largest chamber in southern Illinois south of Springfield. To learn more about the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce, please visit their website at www.bellevillechamber.org. Page 4
January 2016
CHAMBER NEWS a message from OUR PRESIDENT/CEO, WENDY PFEIL Dear Chamber Members: Most of you may already be aware, but after lengthy discussions with our Executive Board and looking at the guidance given from the State of Illinois and IDPH and submitting an alternative plan for Chili Cook-off, it is unfortunate that the Chamber had to cancel the 2020 Chili Cook-off. However, we will still be hosting the 5K run, but it will be virtual. We encourage you to share this information and sign up to support the Chamber. During the same discussion with the E-Board, again considering all of our members’ health and safety, we have made the decision to cancel ALL in-person events for the remainder of 2020 and will have to look at the beginning of 2021 as well. This includes all committee meetings. The Chamber will make every effort to continue bringing valued Zoom meetings to our members and continue serving them in every capacity we can. Next week we will be sending a survey out to our members and encourage each of you to take 5 minutes to fill it out so we have additional guidance on how we can better serve our members during this unprecedented time. We know this is a trying time for all of our members and while we all miss the social interactions, the liability of one of our members contacting COVID-19 weighed heavily on our decision. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Wendy J Pfeil President/CEO
The Chamber Connection
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MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
Welcome
to the following businesses and organizations who joined the Chamber since March
AllState Insurance – Kevin Martin Mt. Vernon , IL 62864 (618) 899-0436 kdog.karaoke@hotmail.com
HSHS Medical Group 3051 Hollis Drive Suite 200 Springfield, IL 62704 (217) 321-9292
Athletico Physical Therapy 1915 Carlyle Ave., Suite D Belleville, IL 62221 (618) 310-0305
Julias’s $5 Jewels 9 Marcia Lynn Ct Belleville, IL 62226 (618) 250-9832 julias5jewels@yahoo.com
Beth Ortega Group at RE/MAX 1668 Windham Way O’Fallon , IL 62269 (618) 698-5497 Catholic Diocese of Belleville Cemetery Association 10101 West Main Street Belleville, IL 62223 (618) 397-0181 Dave Slimack – State Farm 5200 W. Main St. Belleville, IL 62226 (618) 233-3121 dave@slimack.com
Thank you MARCH
Liese Lumber 319 East Main Street Belleville, IL 62220-1609 (618) 234-0105 MLJ Home Care (618) 719-4564 Spectrum Business 9868 Aleppo Dr., #101 St. Louis , MO 63126 (314) 413-3919 St. Vincent DePaul Society Belleville P.O. Box 3415 Belleville, IL 62223 (618) 394-0126
to the following members for renewing their membership with the Chamber since March.
1818 Chophouse Angels of St. Clair County Archway Cooling & Heating Bass Automotive Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern IL Becker, Hoerner & Ysursa P.C. Belfor Property Restoration Bel-O Pest Solutions Car-Tech Automotive Caritas Family Solutions Carol Bartle CASA of Southwestern Illinois Clearwave Communications CliftonLarsonAllen LLP Cork Tree Creative
Copper Bend Pharmacy Creason-Edwards & Cimarolli, P.C. CTS Technology Solutions, Inc. Eckert’s Inc. Educational Concepts Unlimited Inc. Enjoychurch TV Hank’s Excavating & Landscaping, Inc. Heartlands Conservancy Hideg Pharmacy, Inc. Keils Clock Shop Kings House Retreat Center Oktoberfest Plocher Construction Company Quest Management Consultants Sonnenberg Landscaping Materials, Co. Spring Valley Dental Group
Did you know the Chamber has a members-only event calendar? Submit your event online at www.BellevilleChamber.org and click “Calendar” to see the calendar and submit your event! All events will be featured in our Weekly Friday E-blast. Page 6
January 2016
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES MARCH - CONTINUED
Kurrus Funeral Home and Cremation Services Leisure Time Pools, Lawns & Landscaping Optimist Club of Belleville R.C. Stelling Insurance Agency Saric Consulting, Inc. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Standard Rule Promotions Vintage Tea Room
APRIL
A&E Concrete All in Shipping Belleville Mechanical, Inc. BOS Metro East Banking Center Carelink of Metro East CK & L of I Country Club Community Link Edward Jones - Nuxoll Eye on Design FKG Oil Company Grimm & Gorly Florist & Gifts Hiatt Design Associates Home-Brite Ace Hardware Il State Rep. Jay Hoffman IMPACT Strategies, Inc. JEMMS, LLC K&F Electric, Inc./Franklin Mechanical, Inc. Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC Line-X of Southwest Illinois Marco’s Tavern on Main Mathis, Marifian & Richter, LLC McKendree MetroRecPlex Preferred Spine & Rehab Schaefer Automotive Scheffel Boyle Scott Credit Union SIHF Healthcare Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School State Farm Insurance - Krys Jacobs Southern Illinois Builders Association St. Clair Country Club St. Clair County Housing Authority St. Paul united Church of Christ T&S Food Services DBA Denny’s Teen Court Foundations of St. Clair County The Basic Initiative, Inc. The Weingarten, LLC TOCO NFP Union United Methodist Church Willowcreek Nursing Center
St. Clair County Super 8 Todd Hall Retreat & Conference Center Top Nutrition & Performance, LLC. Town Hall Sports, Inc. TRIKEN Consulting Villas of Holly Brook and Reflection Memory Care Violence Prevention Center Art on the Square Belleville Area Special Services Cooperative Belleville Christkendlmarkt Bria Health Services of Belleville Campbells Automotive Chestnut Health Systems Clean Rite Cleaning Company Edwards Jones - Weston Family Hospice of the Belleville Area Flynn Guymon & Garavalia Glaenzer Electric, Inc. MidAmerica St. Louis Airport Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 101 Print Master PTL Manufacturing Raymond James Robert E Wells Jr Terrace Motel & Apartments The Arcades Center LLC Town & Country Bank T.R.’s Place Inc. Whiteside School District #115
May
Adam’s Auction & Real Estate Services, Inc. Ashland Storage Center Baldree Insurance Belleville Boot Company Belleville Running Club BMO Harris Brookside Agra, LLC Brown & Crouppen Building Products Corporation Camp Ondessonk Cardinal Buick GMC Carrollton Bank Chiro-Med Clinic Clearwave Communications Community Kindness Resale Shoppe Country Financial - Maria Hazel Edward Jones - Egan Epilepsy Foundation of SW Illinois FCB Banks First Community Credit Union Frerichs Freight Lines, Inc. Garden Place Senior Living Hoernis Auto Body
June
For a complete list of our members, visit www.BellevilleChamber.org. For Membership Information, please contact Peggy at 618-233-2015 or PSchifferdecker@bellevillechamber.org
The Chamber Connection
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EVENTS AND INFORMATION
AUGUST 2020
Upcoming Chamber Events
All events will be held via Zoom and more information can be found on the Chamber’s website.
8/4 County Update with Chairman Mark Kern 8/6 Virtual Happy Hour 8/11 Coffee Cup Connections 8/13 Healthcare & CSA Committee Meeting 8/18 Board of Directors Meeting 8/19 Leadership Belleville Committee Meeting 8/19 Young Professionals Luncheon 8/27 Lunch & Learn More information and registration available online at www.bellevillechamber.org.
RSVP for events online at www.BellevilleChamber.org! Just click on the event you wish to attend and log-in. Need help? Email your RSVP to marketing@bellevillechamber.org or call 618-233-2015.
advertise in this publication! NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING CONTRACT OUT NOW
Advertise with us here in our Chamber Connection newsletter! It is distributed the last week of each month (Example: September’s newsletter will be distributed the last week of August) via email to over 1,600 Chamber individuals and posted on our website all month long. Ad Sizes & Ad Rates: Business Card (3.5”w x 2”h) $25.00 1/4 Page (3.5”w x 5”h) $50.00 1/2 Page (7.5” x 5”h) $100.00 Full Page (7.5”w x 10”h) $200.00 Artwork must be received by the 15th of the month. If the ad is not received by this date, it is not guaranteed to make that newsletter. If it is a recurring ad, the previous ad will stay in it’s place . To find out more visit our website at www.bellevillechamber.org, you can email marketing@ bellevillechamber.org, or see the contract insert in this issue.
Advertise your organization’s job opportunities for free! Post your job descriptions with your ChamberMaster log-in or call 618-233-2015 for more information.
Celebrating a new business opening, anniversary or remodel?
Celebrate with a Ribbon Cutting! Contact Peggy Schifferdecker, Membership/Event Manager, for more info. Call the Chamber Office at (618) 233-2015.
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January 2016
EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT Securing Digital Privacy is a Necessity for Today’s Industries and Governments
What if the computer network your bank uses to house your financial information was just a big puzzle with holes in it? New holes show up all the time, and while some of them might be big, glaring gaps, others are just barely perceptible cracks. What if your job was to fill those holes before a hacker does? Or what if you could change the puzzle entirely to stop the hacker in their tracks? This is day-to-day life for today’s growing number of Cyber Security and Cyber Defense professionals. With our growing digital age, managing data security has become essential to every business, financial institution, health care facility, department of government, and more. In recent years, hackers have proven how powerful their attacks can be in disrupting entire cities, hospitals, and energy plants across the country. Thus, Cyber Defense and Cyber Security jobs are in high demand in nearly all industries, both locally and throughout the world. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for information security analysts is projected to grow an impressive 32% over the next nine years. In addition to strong levels of job security, positions in Cyber Defense and Cyber Security also earn among the highest salaries, with a median pay of nearly $100,000 for information security analysts. Whether your interests lie in technology or business, McKendree University offers an innovative approach to preparing you for your ideal future in this booming career field. Choose from earning a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security or a Bachelor of Arts in Cyber Defense, each providing you with a strong foundation in different areas of the security industry. Our Cyber Security degree examines threats to digital security from a technology perspective, working with and creating the tools that secure computer network environments. Students who desire a more technical skill set that involves computer programming, encoding data, and designing firewalls may be more suited to Cyber Security. On the other hand, our Cyber Defense degree examines those same threats from a business perspective, analyzing risks and managing the overall security of an organization. McKendree students have the unique benefit of learning firsthand from professionals through internships and mentoring relationships. Our close proximity to Scott Air Force Base gives our students an advantage when it comes to experiencing Cyber Security careers in a military setting. St. Louis has also become a major hub for start-ups and offers McKendree students yet another avenue for internships in the defense industry, finance, health care, and more. In addition to our comprehensive coursework and internship opportunities, McKendree has a highly-competitive student Cyber Defense Team that offers students the opportunity to train and compete in cyber-attack simulations with other universities across the country. To learn more about our B.S. in Cyber Security and B.A. in Cyber Defense programs visit www.mckendree.edu.
The Chamber Connection
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January 2016
MEMBER UPDATES Deanna Weinacht, APRN, Now Seeing Patients at troy Medical Group Family Medicine Deanna Weinacht, APRN, now sees patients at our new HSHS Medical Group Family Medicine office in Troy, which is located at 7342 State Rt. 162. Deanna earned her Master of Science in Nursing for Family Nurse Practitioner at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Goldfarb School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri. Deanna is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Deanna is a primary care provider who cares for patients of all ages and offers a variety of services, including minor procedures, general wellness care, well-child exams, well-woman exams and chronic illness management. As an advanced practice registered nurse, Deanna is a highly trained health care professional fully capable of diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, as well as medication management. To schedule an appointment with Deanna, please call 618-343-3722.
Holland Construction Begins Renovations on Historic Lofts on the Square Project Holland Construction Services is beginning the $14.2 million renovation of the former Meredith Home/Hotel Belleville, now known as Lofts on the Square. The highly anticipated senior living project, located at 16 S. Illinois Street in Belleville, will include 47 apartments, common areas, activity spaces, a library/computer lab, an exercise room and storage facilities. The six-story building will also include 3,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space on the first floor. Holland Construction Senior Project Manager, Tim Simon, said renovating the nearly 90 year-old building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, comes with a unique set of challenges, but his team is ready to get the project moving. “We know this is a project that means so much to the entire community and the opportunity to help bring a building back to life that was built in 1931, is exciting,” said Simon. “Structurally, we expect to encounter unexpected surprises as we open up the walls, but our team excels at troubleshooting and thinking outside the box, so I think this project will challenge us in a lot of good ways.” The Southwestern Illinois Development Authority (SWIDA) and St. Holland Construction Begins Renovations on Louis-based Bywater Development Group purchased the property Historic Lofts on the Square Project. from the City of Belleville for $600,000 and are the developers on the project. SWIDA executive director Mike Lundy said their goal is to retain the building’s original interior and exterior historic character-defining elements, while re-purposing the building as residential apartments, bringing new vitality to Downtown Belleville. “This is a building that was once slated for demolition, and now has the chance to become a focal point of our city,” said Lundy. “It was very important to us that we selected a construction partner for this project that would help us find innovative ways to maintain as much of the original integrity of this building as possible and we know Holland’s team will collaborate with us to do that.” Lundy said the Lofts on the Square apartments will be available to senior citizens, 55 and older, who meet income requirements. The senior apartments will be on the second through sixth floors and the first floor will feature a restored lobby area and street-level commercial space. The project is expected to be completed by July of 2021.
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MEMBER UPDATES Local Businesses Credit Bank of Belleville’s Assistance for Making Reopening Possible Bank of Belleville has always been a community bank, and their fundamental promise of “Smaller Bank, Bigger Service, Stronger Community” has never been more important or evident than over the last several months. Since March, the bank’s team has processed $50 million in the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and other disaster relief loans, supporting local businesses struggling through the impacts of COVID-19. Loans processed provide money that will stay in the local community to help businesses survive. “Because Bank of Belleville is an SBA Preferred Lender, we were able to respond quickly adjusting our services to meet the extreme increase in demand,” said Bank of Belleville President and CEO Ron Stephens. “Our team realizes that the vitality of local businesses is essential to our community and we felt like, as a community bank, it was our duty to support them. I’m very proud of the long hours our team has put in and were even able to help some businesses when their own bank could not. We all understood that we were in this to support the businesses we know and love and help them get through this.” Rick Effinger, Owner of Effinger Garden Center, said that as soon as he learned about the government relief options, he immediately called Bank of Belleville. “I probably talked to them 10 times that week, and all different hours of the day and night,” said Effinger. “It was so comforting to know that I was able to speak directly to someone and they walked me through all of the options that were available to me. They gave me the confidence that our 40-year old business was going to survive this with their help.” Steve Bloomer, owner of Sky View Drive-In Theater in Belleville, said the PPP loan Bank of Belleville provided his business, allowed him to continue paying his 23 employees. “They were so responsive and on top of all the changes in forms and processes that were happening during that time. They helped ensure my loan request got processed in time and I had the money to pay my employees.” Since the pandemic began, Bank of Belleville has taken actions to support the community by ordering daily lunch for their team of essential workers in support of local restaurants shifting to curbside and delivery offerings. They have also initiated other relief efforts, such as providing more than 270 gift cards, totaling nearly $5,500, to local restaurants for frontline healthcare workers and purchasing “Belleville Local” shirts for their teams with funds going to support COVID-19 relief efforts. Bank of Belleville operates from its headquarters at 215 South Illinois Street in Belleville, Illinois and their commitment to client and community service is at the forefront of everything they do. The fifteen-year-old bank, which is approaching a quarter of a billion dollars in assets, serves individual and business clients throughout the Metro East. The bank currently has 49 full and part-time team members. For more information about Bank of Belleville, go to www.bankofbelleville.com.
Bank of Belleville President and CEO Giving Food Gift Cards to Staff at Memorial Care Center.
MEMBER UPDATES HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Announces return to in-person Breastfeeding and Childbirth Education Classes HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital is excited to announce the availability for in-person breastfeeding and childbirth classes for pregnant moms in the region. St. Elizabeth’s Hospital’s Women and Infants Center offers a wide range of services for mothers and infants, and the class schedule for the rest of 2020 has been set. Classes are taught by a Registered Nurse from St. Elizabeth’s Women and Infants Center and are open to any mom-to-be and their support person. According to the March of Dimes, prenatal education is an important component of supporting healthy pregnancies. Prenatal education promotes the maintenance of healthy lifestyles during pregnancy and helps expectant mothers manage stress, support a healthy diet, avoid harmful chemicals and situations, recognize warning signs and symptoms that mean something may be wrong with their pregnancy, as well as prepare for labor and delivery. Class dates are as follows: • Childbirth class dates are July 21 and July 28, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., for the Tuesday class series and the one-day class is Saturday, August 1, 2020 is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All are held in the Boardroom. Dates for the rest of 2020* are Tuesday Series #5-October 13, October 20 and October 27; Tuesday Series #6-November 3, November 10 and November 17; Saturdays-September 12, October 10, November 7 and December 5. • Breastfeeding classes will also be held in the Boardroom from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on August 6. Dates for the rest of 2020* are September 3, October 1, November 12 and December 10. Ongoing safety precautions are in place at the hospital for the safety of all. Patient temperatures will be taken, and each person will be asked additional COVID-19 related screening questions. All participants will also be required to wear a mask in the building and are asked to social distance. For more information or to sign-up for any of the classes, call (618) 234-2120, ext. 31260 or visit https://steliz.org/MedicalServices/Women-Infants-Center/Education-Programs. The St. Elizabeth’s Women and Infants Center offers high quality care throughout the birthing process. Amenities at the Center include private rooms, a C-section suite, and post-partum care, an intermediate care nursery and pediatric physicians from SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Visitor guidelines for the Women and Infants Center have recently been expanded to allow two designated visitors a day and visitors can change day to day. *Class dates may change or be cancelled based on COVID-19 activity in the region in order to adhere to state guidance and regulations that may be imposed at the time.
Blood donors needed to raise critical blood product shortages Increasing levels of activity at local hospitals and past cancellations of blood drives throughout the region have led to critically low levels of blood product supplies. Leaders from Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center (MVRBC) and HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital are calling on the public to step forward and donate at upcoming blood drives. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital is hosting two blood drives during the month of August. The first is Tuesday, August 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the other will be Wednesday, August 26 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Both drives will be held in MVRBC’s mobile donor bus which will be parked in the hospital’s parking lot at 1 St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., O’Fallon, IL. All donors MUST make an appointment, no walk-ins. To schedule a donation time, call MVRBC at 866-GIVE-BLD (866-4483253) or log on to www.bloodcenter.org and use Sponsor Code: 10155. All donors will also be required to wear a mask and present a photo ID. All donors will receive a voucher for a $10 gift card. MVRBC is taking extra precautions to keep donors safe and healthy. Anyone not feeling well, has recently been tested for COVID-19, or has been in contact with someone being tested for COVID-19, is asked not to donate at this time but reschedule for an appointment for a later date. A blood donor can give every eight weeks, or up to six times a year. All person’s age 17 and up (or 16 with a signed parental permission form) who weigh at least 110 lbs. and are in general good health meet the basic eligibility requirements for blood donation. A full list of donor eligibility guidelines may be found at http://www.bloodcenter.org/donate-blood/ donating-blood/donor-eligibility.aspx.
The Chamber Connection
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MEMBER UPDATES AgeSmart Develops Innovative Programming for Seniors AgeSmart Community Resources has developed new pilot programs allowing older adults to stay connected, interact with others, learn new things and improve their health and wellness. These programs, rolling out this summer, are being piloted in St. Clair and Madison Counties. “AgeSmart is proud to bring these pioneering programs to older adults we serve in our communities. These programs will help our seniors live more independently, keep their minds sharp, help them connect with their peers in new ways and provide healthier food choices in addition to home delivered meals. AgeSmart’s mission is to help our seniors age well their way,” said Joy Paeth, CEO of AgeSmart. New pilot programs include: Uber rides for seniors. Seniors living in the Mascoutah area can contact their Senior Center to coordinate uber rides to and from medical appointments. Call 618-566-8758 to schedule. Metro East Community Health provides community health services in the home for older adults living in the Washington Park area. This partnership between AgeSmart, Visiting Nurses of SW Illinois, SIHF, community churches, and Healthier Together provides vital healthcare services to those who are homebound. The AgeSmart Learning Channel offers older adults the ability to access online classes featuring how-to tech classes. Retired teachers will provide instruction for the interactive lessons. Adaptive Equipment Tutorials – AgeSmart is partnering with Adaptive Equipment Corner to provide step by step video instruction on how to use medical equipment to benefit seniors and their caregivers. Free counseling is now available through AgeSmart’s partnership with Chestnut Health System for those over 60. 24 hour professional clinical assistance is available for seniors and their caregivers. T-Care for caregivers. This assessment tool for caregivers provides a care plan on managing stress and anxiety levels. Care packages of fresh produce will be distributed to 800 individuals who already are receiving home delivered meals. To learn more about these programs, contact AgeSmart at 618-222-2561 or log onto AgeSmart.org. AgeSmart Community Resources is the only Area Agency on Aging serving a 7 county region in Southwest Illinois that promotes healthy aging by providing resources and information needed to age well your way. Our caring, experienced, well-trained staff positively impacts the lives of our clients, caregivers and family members by sharing vital information to ease the stress and anxiety of navigating the process of aging.
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January 2016
MEMBER UPDATES IMPACT Strategies Provides Pre-Construction & Construction Management Services for Autohaus BMW of Maplewood Redesignto COVID-19 IMPACT Strategies recently completed a full redesign of Autohaus BMW of Maplewood to be consistent with BMW’s latest showroom prototype. The sleek new design involved an expanded car delivery area, reconfigured offices, service advisory area, customer lounge, and a revamp of the showroom. Upgrades to the lighting and final finishes completed the new the look. Modern finishes and upgrades were also made to the exterior of the building including an updated façade, automatic sliding doors, and an exterior canopy for the new car delivery area. The dealership remained open during the makeover. IMPACT Strategies worked closely with Autohaus to ensure the safety of employees and customers on the premises during construction. IMPACT Strategies has been proud to partner with Autohaus on numerous occasions, including renovations to the dealership’s parking lot last summer and the construction of the $4.5 Million MINI of St. Louis facility in Maplewood. IMPACT Strategies worked with TR,i Architects on this project and the MINI of St. Louis project. IMPACT Strategies provides client-focused construction management, design/build, and general contracting services. The firm offers a full continuum of innovative design/build service capabilities including proven construction management processes and site development. IMPACT Strategies serves a regional and national client base in the Healthcare, Senior Living, Multifamily, Office, Retail, and Warehouse/Distribution markets. To learn more visit BuildwithIMPACT.com or call 618-394-8400 or 314-646-8400.
Website: www.efgreatersil.org Phone: (618) 236-2181 Contact us for more information on our full spectrum of comprehensive services including: Free Epilepsy Education, Service Coordination, Support Services, and Advocacy.
Adams Publications, Inc. Magazines, Directories, Brochures, PrograMs, Writing, eDiting & More John Wunderlich Account Manager
Adams Publications, Inc. phone: 618-410-5308 5343 Belleville Crossing St., PMB 44 john@marketplacemagazineonline.com Belleville,The Ill. 62226 www.marketplacemagazineonline.com
WriteWay
Adams Publications, Inc. 5343 Belleville Crossing St., PMB 44 Belleville, Ill. 62226
(618) 210-3626 cell; (618) 416-1839 office lisa.adams@marketplacemagazine.biz
www.marketplacemagazineonline.com
The Chamber Connection
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MEMBER UPDATES Belleville East Lancers Enhance CUP’s New HUB Nearly 15 Belleville East High School students from the Octagon Club gave their time and talent to Catholic Urban Programs (CUP), when they spent the day sprucing up its newly named HUB location in East St. Louis. CUP’s HUB, which stands for Housing, Utility Assistance and Basic Needs, at 7 Vieux Carre Dr., East St. Louis, was recently renamed in honor of long-time community leader and CUP founder Joe Hubbard. “Joe grew up in East St. Louis and has worked his entire life to assist those in-need,” said Jenn Lyke, CUP’s director of development. “We are blessed to be able to honor Joe in this way.” The students took up paint brushes and rollers to freshen the exterior of the building and Lyke said she is also working with Eagle Scouts from Belleville West High School who will build custom Incoming sophomore and Belleville East High School window boxes and shutters for the facility. Octagon Club member Owen paints Catholic Urban Program’s newly renamed HUB facility in East St. “We want create an inviting, hope-filled space for people who are Louis along with his peers. experiencing hardships, and this is an important first step to that,” said Lyke. The Octagon Club, which is co-sponsored by School Counselor Michelle Seneczyn and Special Education Teacher Judy Baldus, is a community organizational group which allows students to become volunteers in their school and community. The students volunteer for various groups to help make a positive difference throughout the community. “I feel good about doing community service to help people,” said incoming sophomore Nolan. “It’s good to give back to the community and I think it will also help me stand out when I look to apply for college in the future.” Over the last year, the students have visited nursing homes and played Bingo along with assisting at food pantries and homeless shelters. While volunteering opportunities have changed in light of the pandemic, this group continues to look for ways to give back to the community in order to keep the spirit of volunteerism alive and well. To learn more about Catholic Urban Programs, visit https://catholicurbanprograms.org/. To learn more about Belleville East High School, visit http://bths201.org/. To learn more about the City of Belleville, visit www.belleville.net.
HSHS Medical Group Awards colleague of the Month to Angie Dover HSHS Medical Group is pleased to award Angie Dover with our June Colleague of the Month Award. Angie is a medical assistant at HSHS Medical Group Primary & Specialty Care in O’Fallon, Illinois. The Colleague of the Month is chosen from nominations submitted by fellow HSHS Medical Group team members. “Angie shows she cares by always showing kindness and concern for others,” her nominator said. “She treats everyone she encounters with respect and always has a positive outlook on situations. She is often looked to in the clinic to fill in for others or pick up the slack here and there and does it without complaint. I have never seen or heard her deny a request for help from anyone. She loves to help others and is always willing to help to the best of her ability.” “The best part of my job working in family medicine is being able to make valuable connections with co-workers and patients,” Angie said. “Showing respect towards others is a reflection of one’s self, and I have instilled this value in myself. From an early age, caring for others has always been a passion of mine, so it comes naturally for me in my career. I love my job, and it’s not hard to show my joy towards others.”
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January 2016
MEMBER UPDATES City of Belleville’s Infill Redevelopment Program Elevates East ‘D’ Street Neighborhood The first property associated with the City of Belleville’s Infill Redevelopment Program is making a substantial impact on its E. ‘D’ Street neighborhood. “The building had been empty [probably] 5 or 6 years,” said Maribeth Clancy, neighborhood resident of nearly 35 years. “It was in terrible shape and falling apart before our eyes. Renovating the property is definitely good for our neighborhood. We are not interested in selling our house at this time, but if we wanted to do that, we would have had trouble. I’m sure all surrounding property values plummeted [because of the condition of that property]. We look forward to the day when we will have new neighbors.” In 2019, the duplex at 710/712 E. ‘D’ St., a vacated property inherited by the City of Belleville, was sold to Tygracon Properties in the amount of $1 under the city’s new Infill Redevelopment Program. The program seeks qualified contractors to submit plans to the City’s Economic Development Division on their intent to rehabilitate eligible properties that would otherwise be demolished. From there, the City selects the most qualified contractor for the project based on the company’s ability to manage the rehabilitation of the property, size of the investment the company intends to make, and the impact that will have on the community. Renovations began on the ‘D’ Street property in October 2019. “We have a lot of older housing stock in Belleville that is not only architecturally interesting and worthy of being saved, but through this program, we are able to get some of the properties we inherited livable and back on the tax rolls,” said Mayor Mark Eckert. “This is an economic development tool we are trying in order to redevelop current infrastructure in the city which will help to revitalize some neighborhoods. I would say the first property rehab has been received very well by residents, and it will be a good thing for all involved.” According to co-owner of Tygracon Properties Karl Gilpin, the rehab project at the duplex was a complete “gut job” which required the structure to be stripped down to its 115-year-old floor joists and masonry walls. The floors then had to be leveled, and they completely reframed the interior, modernizing the floor plan to include a half-bath on the first floor and a master bath and utility room on the second. Gilpin also said that a new roof, gutters, and windows had already been installed, and all new HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and a new sewer line are all underway. “We’re one of the few companies in town that reinvests and rehabs some of these older homes in Belleville, so we were well-prepared to work with the city to save this grand brick structure under the Infill Program, which would otherwise not be an economically viable project” said Gilpin. “You could never replace these old brick homes, or their cultural impact on the neighborhood if they were torn down. So, if they can be saved, doing these targeted projects under the Infill Program will lift up entire neighborhoods in safety, property values, and tax revenue for the city. It’s an investment for us as a business and as community members.” Upon completion of the renovation, the company will receive $10,000 from the City. “Given the cost of demolition for the structure would have been nearly $25,000, this is actually saving the City money and getting property back in livable and taxable conditions,” said Eckert. “It is common for municipal organizations to employ incentive-based economic development tools to leverage local assets, and so far, this pilot program has been successful.” The completion date for the renovations at the ‘D’ St. property is set for late summer/early Fall of this year. The finished dwelling will boast two modern duplexes that nod to the history and heritage of the 200-year-old city. To learn more about the Infill Redevelopment Program, visit https://www.belleville.net/334/Business-Assistance.
The Chamber Connection
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MEMBER UPDATES IMPACT Strategies Continues String of Developments for St. Clair County IMPACT Strategies, Inc. is providing Construction Management services on several projects for St. Clair County. Construction has been deemed as an essential industry during the COVID-19 pandemic and many of IMPACT Strategies’ projects are crucial components to infrastructure of our communities. Among these developments is the recently completed 2,200 square-foot tenant finish for CareHere; a medical facility now located in the Annex building at 19 Public Square in Belleville, IL. CareHere is projected to save St. Clair County millions of dollars in healthcare costs and will now serve as the primary healthcare provider for county employees. IMPACT Strategies is also nearing the completion of a large parking lot expansion for MidAmerica Airport (MAA) in Mascoutah, IL. This project entailed expanding the current parking lot by approximately 560 spaces increasing its total capacity to approximately 1,815 spaces, and adding a new rental car lot that includes 140 spaces. Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen, Inc. (TWM) provided civil engineering services for this project, which is set to wrap up in June. Construction is underway for St. Clair County Transit District’s (SCCTD) Alternative Transportation System (ATS). This vital service offers transportation options to seniors and individuals with disabilities. Three tenant spaces occupied by the SCCTD will be remodeled for more efficient operations. The first renovation will take place at the MetroLink Station on Sheel Street in Belleville, IL. A complete transformation of the 1,927 square foot space will include into a new open floorplan training facility. This space will also receive upgraded restrooms, automatic entry doors, and the addition of a break room. The second renovation is a 1,725 square-foot space located on the 2nd floor at the Metro garage on 47th Street in East Saint Louis, IL. The existing open floor plan will receive an overdue upgrade with new, state-of-the-art, enclosed workstations, and a large central open area for collaborative meetings. The third space is home to the Bi-State/Metro Credit Union and is also located in the 47th Street, East St. Louis building. This renovation will include the transformation of 1,427 square-feet into the new Administrative & Operations office. This interior remodel will offer a private office for the SCCTD Operations Manager, open workspace for additional operations support, a breakroom, and a new pass-through, walk-up counter at the entrance. IMPACT Strategies is working with architects at The Farnsworth Group on this project which will be completed in phases to allow the ATS operations to move seamlessly into their newly renovated spaces without disrupting their current operations and services.
Swansea Wealth Advisor Samuel Hanger named to the SWIC Foundation Board Wealth management advisor Samuel Hanger of O’Fallon has been named to the Southwestern Illinois College Foundation Board. As a board member, he will support the Foundation’s efforts to provide special educational and cultural activities that are not part of the college budget. Hanger is a graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia and has been working in the financial industry since 2013. He started his career off as an intern with Archford Capital Strategies in Swansea. From there, he became a financial services representative for Scottrade in St. Louis. Hanger returned to Archford Capital Strategies in 2015 and currently works there as a wealth management advisor. He holds a Certified Financial Planner certificate; is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary; and holds his Series 7, 66, 63 and life insurance licenses. Hanger is a member of the Gene Slay’s Girls and Boys Club of St. Louis and the Mizzou Alumni Association. He is also working towards his Chartered Financial Consultant designation. For more information about the SWIC Foundation and supporting programs at the college, contact the SWIC Foundation Executive Director Rena Thoele at 618-235-2700, ext. 5647, or rena.thoele@swic.edu.
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January 2016
CARING TOGETHER
CONNECTED
LOCALLY
RENOWNED
NATIONALLY The Memorial Network—with its hospitals and specialized Centers —has the caring employees and exceptional BJC Medical Group physicians you know and trust in the Metro East. And they’re backed by BJC HealthCare’s renowned services and technology. Together, we’re making connections to bring outstanding care to our patients in the communities we serve.
mymemorialnetwork.com The Chamber Connection
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MEMBER UPDATES Local Businesses Credit Bank of Belleville’s Assistance for Making Reopening Possible Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water Company (NYSE: AWK), has received the J.D. Power award for ranking highest in customer satisfaction among large water utilities in the Midwest according to the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction StudySM. Illinois American Water also ranked #1 in the Midwest in the 2016 study, which was the first year for the J.D. Power Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study. The study measures satisfaction among residential customers of 90 water utilities that deliver water to at least 400,000 customers and is reported in four geographic regions and two size categories: Midwest Large, Midwest Midsize, Northeast Large, Northeast Midsize, South Large, South Midsize, West Large and West Midsize. Overall satisfaction is measured by examining 33 attributes in six factors (listed in order of importance): quality and reliability; price; conservation; billing and payment; communications; and customer service. In addition to ranking #1 in the Midwest Large region, Illinois American Water also achieved the highest score in the Midwest Large region for five of the six factors measured within the 2020 study – price, conservation, billing and payment, communications and customer service. “Our employees are truly customer obsessed,” said Illinois American Water President Justin Ladner. “Everything we do centers around our customers and delivering exceptional service at a good value. This recognition is a testament to our team’s commitment and focus. We thank our customers for their feedback and for helping to recognize our team.” According to a J.D. Power news release on the study, 80 percent of customers who view their local water quality report have more confidence in their tap water. The release stated, “Water utilities are required to test the tap water and publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report to reassure their customers that it’s safe to drink. Unfortunately, only 40% of customers recall seeing or receiving this report but, when they do, 80% of them then say they drink the tap water.” Illinois American Water encourages customers to view their annual water quality reports which were recently published online at www.illinoisamwater.com. The report, which is issued for each service area, highlights the company’s commitment to providing drinking water that meets or is better than standards required by the Environmental Protection Agency. Ladner said, “Delivering safe drinking water to our customers is very personal for our entire team. Parents are serving our product to their children and counting on us to provide a safe, reliable product. We’re proud of our track record and thank our customers for the confidence they place in us.” Customers can access their water quality reports at https://amwater.com/ilaw/water-quality/waterquality-reports. For more information about the J.D. Power 2020 Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction StudySM, visit https:// www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2020-us-water-utility-residential-customersatisfaction-study.
Thank you for your Support. “Advancing Business. Supporting Community.” Page 20
January 2016
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January 2016