FEBRUARY 2025 CHAMBER NEWS
A DIGITAL LOOK AT YOUR AREA
BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Steven Brody Hello,I'm
It feels good to put January behind us and focus on February. If for no other reason than to anticipate some warmer weather.
Your Chamber Board met in January to approve the budget and review programs and services. The Board is pleased to welcome two new members, Tim Rice (TJR Designs)and Royce Lee (Kunes Auto Group). We look forward to their contributions and their willingness to serve. We also thank retiring Board member Mike Woodrum (Woodrum Ford Lincoln Toyota) for his service over the years Be on the lookout this month to receive a member survey. I have always believed in the importance of reaching out to the membership to gauge how the Chamber is doing and to solicit ideas to be a better business partner.
If you have not already been contacted about advertising in this year’s Community Guide and Business Directory, don’t worry. All members will have the opportunity of placing an advertisement to further highlight yourselves to the reader and the community. Please remember that only members in good standing are listed in the publication. Therefore, as a benefit of membership, please make sure you are current on your renewal investment with us.
The next Business After Hours will occur on February 19 at Wine Sellers. It will be held from 4:30-6pm, and as always, is only open to Chamber members as another benefit of membership. Be sure to stop by as this one is sure to be well attended.
Executive Director
Make sure you plan on attending our Annual Awards on March 20, as we will honor Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and Service Organization/Non-Profit of the Year. We will also recognize Ambassador of the Year, and our retiring Board members. This year’s festivities will be held at Park Place, so make sure you get your reservations in.
Finally, I want you to know how much I am enjoying getting out into the community to meet with Chamber members, Board members, Ambassadors, and local leaders. Enjoying the variety of lunch options has also been fun!
Please reach out to me so I can come visit with you and personally thank you for your participation and partnership with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce.
Shay Holland Hello,I'm
Stay Warm, Stay Connected This Winter
Welcome to February!
As the temperatures drop and winter sets in, it’s easy to let networking take a backseat to cozy evenings at home But the colder months offer unique opportunities to connect, grow, and keep your professional momentum going. Fun fact, I am a total indoor, homebody kind of person. So if you are like me, you may find it a little hard to be motivated when the temps are in the negatives. So let’s do this together!
Here’s how you can make the most of this season:
1. Virtual Networking Events
Many organizations host webinars, online workshops, and virtual meetups during the winter months These events allow you to connect with industry experts and leaders from the comfort of your home/office.
2. Engage on Social Media
Winter is a great time to boost your presence online Share insights, comment on posts, grab some coworkers and take to Tiktok, speak from the heart during a Facebook Live, or share a pretty picture on Instagram. No filters are required, as long as you keep it positive and put your passion into each interaction.
3. Reconnect with Your Network
Take a moment to send warm greetings or check in with old colleagues and connections. Send congratulations on a new job or thumbs up a past coworkers work photo. A simple message can reignite relationships and open doors to new opportunities
Marketing Director
4. Plan for the Year Ahead
Use this time to strategize your networking goals for the coming year. Maybe you want to meet more people in your community. Maybe this is the year you finally meet some of those email contacts face-to-face. Consider joining new groups, attending conferences, or volunteering in professional organizations It doesn’t have to be huge to be important.
Remember, staying connected is about consistency, not perfection. Even small efforts can lead to big opportunities for you.
My contact information is below and I encourage you to reach out; I promise no idea is too small and no question is too weird. That is what I, and the Macomb Area Chamber, are here for; to help you find the resources you need to be your most successful self!
Let’s make it a great moth!
MEMBER SURVEY
JANUARY RENEWALS
Thank you to our members who have continued their annual investment with us. We appreciate your support of the area business community.
Financial Advisor: Michael Eckardt
150% CLUB
The 150% Club is a voluntary membership enhancement to provide additional support to the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and it’s mission.
GENECURTIS
McDonough County Board of Directors
RICHWESTEN GREGJ. BUTLER,CPA
Dr.Matthew McClure
150% CLUB
The 150% Club is a voluntary membership enhancement to provide additional support to the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and it’s mission.
Financial Advisor
Seth Minter
KALI FOXALL
STEVE SILBERER
Evan’s Recycling
WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER
WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
January 15 - McDonough District Hospital
RIBBON CUTTING
January 15 - McDonough District Hospital (MDH)
MDH Community Pharmacy Open For Business
MACOMB, Ill – A 20-month construction project was finalized on Wednesday (January 15) when the McDonough District Hospital Community Pharmacy opened its doors
The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony in the afternoon as members of the MDH Board of Directors, administration, staff, and community leaders attended the event
“Our MDH Community Pharmacy is a project that has generated a lot of excitement Anytime you have a brand new facility construction located in a highvisibility area right in front of the hospital, people enjoy seeing the construction progress. This Pharmacy is north of $8 million dollar investment in our community, and one of the perks of our Pharmacy is all dollars spent will stay here in our community Our Community Pharmacy has generated a lot of interest from the providers on campus and people in the community who keep asking us when the opening was going to take place,” said Bill Murdock, MDH President & Chief Executive Officer. “Our vision for the Community Pharmacy is to serve not only our patients but all residents of west-central Illinois by providing outstanding customer service We’ve been saying during the construction process, building a Community Pharmacy with a Drive-Thru on the MDH campus provides a convenience to anyone who needs a prescription filled following an appointment. Patients have choices on where to have their prescriptions filled, we believe if you choose to use our Community Pharmacy you’ll be impressed and want to come back again ”
“We want to say Thank You to everyone who has called and messaged us Congratulations on the Community Pharmacy opening We appreciate all the support, especially the crowd that attended the Macomb Area Chamber ribbon cutting ceremony,” said Community Pharmacy Director Nicole Dziuba, PharmD “This is an exciting time with our doors now open to bring our high level of Pharmacy services to Macomb It was a lot of work to get to that point for a grand opening, now we want to work even harder to meet the Pharmacy needs of our patients We are thankful for the volume of patients who have already contacted us to transfer their prescriptions”
THE BUSINESS LEAD
Also available at the Community Pharmacy:
Medication synchronization to have all your prescriptions filled on the same day each month
Family member profile linking Immunizations
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MDH’s newest facility will be open seven days a week: Monday-Friday from 9 a m -9 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed from 1-1:30 p.m. for lunch on the weekends). MDH will offer free home delivery.
Medication Therapy Management counseling, including counseling on supplements and over-the-counter medications
Compounding services
Veterinary prescriptions
Prior authorization assistance
Over-the-counter items
Long Term Care Pharmacy services
Free Rx flavoring – great for many children’s medicines
Most insurance plans are accepted
The nearly 10,000 square foot building (9,845 square feet) is located just south of the Hospital’s main entrance (official address of 533 East Grant Street)
Pellentesque habitant
Local coffee business Bold Brew House has a walk-up window inside the Community Pharmacy building Coffee and select specialty drinks are available weekdays at the newly opened Bold Brew House Co. 533 (Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.).
RIBBON CUTTING
January 22 - Arnold Brothers
Arnold Brothers celebrates 65 years
THE BUSINESS LEAD
The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on January 22 to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Arnold Brothers Heating and Cooling (1729 W. Jackson St., Macomb). Serving Macomb and the surrounding areas, since January 1, 1960; Arnold Brothers has spanned three generations to provide expert furnace, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services with a staff of licensed, bonded professionals. A licensed Carrier dealer, Arnold Brothers is also a valued member of the Better Business Bureau and a proud Macomb Area Chamber member. Hours are Monday-Friday 7:30-5 pm. 24/7 emergency service is also available. For more information, call (309) 833-2852 or visit www.arnbros.com.
MEMBER NEWS
Prairie State Tractor & Martin Tractor Merge to form Heritage Tractor
llinois John Deere dealerships Prairie State Tractor and Martin Tractor have officially merged under the Heritage Tractor brand as of January 2025. With 22 locations across Illinois, this partnership strengthens their ability to provide world-class equipment, service, and support to farmers and communities for generations to come. The leadership remains the same, ensuring a smooth transition while expanding opportunities for both customers and employees.
Better Together
Updated DineSmart Experience Now Available
By joining forces, the new Heritage Tractor benefits from greater resources, expanded equipment and parts availability, and a dedicated customer resource center Customers can expect enhanced technology education, precision ag support, and expert service Employees will also see more career growth opportunities as collaboration across locations fosters innovation and professional development
With a shared mission and a strong foundation, Heritage Tractor looks forward to building lasting relationships while continuing to serve the agricultural community with excellence.
Learn more at HeritageTractor.com/Welcome-East
The McDonough County Health Department is excited to announce the relaunch of the DineSmart website, a platform that provides the public with up-to-date inspection reports for all licensed food establishments in McDonough County This interactive tool, developed in collaboration with the Western Illinois University (WIU) GIS Center, allows consumers to make informed choices about where to dine based on the most recent health inspection results
Originally launched in 2015, DineSmart has been a valuable resource for residents and visitors, enabling them to access detailed inspection reports of restaurants, retail food stores, healthcare facilities, and other establishments that serve food throughout the county. In response to upgrades in inspection recording software, and in celebration of the 50-year anniversary of the McDonough County Health Department, the website has been updated and is now live with enhanced features and improved functionality.
Users can easily search by establishment name or location, view inspection histories, and gain insight into food safety practices The McDonough County Health Department encourages all residents and visitors to take advantage of this free, user-friendly resource The new DineSmart site not only allows customers to make more informed dining decisions but also supports transparency and promotes food safety within our county’s food establishments
For more information, please contact the McDonough County Health Department at 309-837-9951 ext 2070 or visit mchdept com
OSHA releases updates on ice-related injuries
OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released new workplace updates with regard to Winter weather According to OSHA’s Injury and Illness Recordkeeping Rule, injuries from slips, trips, and falls on ice must be recorded if they occur on employer-controlled property after an employee exits their vehicle, regardless of being "on the clock " Commuting injuries offsite are not work-related, but any incident within the employer’s premises, including during breaks, is recordable. To prevent such injuries, employers should maintain clear walkways and parking areas. The Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program offers free assistance to businesses in identifying and enforcing workplace hazards.
more at worksafe.illinois.gov or contact Harry (Hap) Hileman at 217-993-2111.
How to keep it in your community. Easy and Affordable.
How can I help promote the Chamber Gift Certificate Program?
What are Chamber Gift Certificates?
The Chamber Gift Certificate Program has been in existence since the mid 1980's. We sell Gift Certificates and they can be redeemed at participating member businesses. We sell nearly $200,000 worth of certificates every year, meaning all of that money stays in our region!
Who accepts Chamber Gift Certificates?
Only Chamber members who opt in to the Chamber Gift Certificate Program can accept certificates. Any Chamber member can opt in at any time. To be added to the list of 140+ area locations, contact our office and we’ll get you on the list.
We love when our members and the community help keep it local by promoting the Chamber Gift Certificate Program:
Buy them for your employees, family, friends, teachers, etc.: Chamber Gift Certificates are a win-win since Chamber gift certificates never expire, can be purchased in any amount, and you are keeping that money right here in the Macomb area.
Tell people about them. Friends and family are always looking for gift suggestions, so why not chime in with the perfect idea?
COMMUNITY LEADERS
