July 2023 Newsletter

SHAY HOLLAND MARKETING DIRECTOR

Hello Chamber Members,

Welcome to July! We had a very adventurous end to the month. This space was originally reserved for gushing about how amazing the 2023 Chamber Golf Outing day was for all of our players, sponsors, and volunteers. We all know how that turned out, and in true 2020 style fashion, we are all finding ourselves picking up the pieces and pivoting a bit from our original plan. That's the blessing and curse of being a business professional.

Mike Tyson once said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." For many of us anymore, Plan B seems to be the new norm; the car breaks down, the kids get sick, the dog runs away, and many of us feel like we are just constantly treading water. As an office of two working moms, backed up a busy board of directors, we get it. We see you, right where you are, trying to make it all work each day.

So if you are finding yourself mourning the loss of Plan A and struggling to see a Plan B, C, D, E, F for your business; I invite you to reach out to us. Maybe you just need an advertising boost, maybe you are stuck in a career rut, maybe it's just time to get out of the rain and do some brainstorming, maybe you just need some fresh inspiration. Let's put our heads together and help you thrive, instead of just survive.

Because we are a Chamber who cares, my information is below and I encourage you to use it as many times as you need to; I promise no idea is too small or no question is too weird. That's what I, and the Macomb Area Chamber, are here for; to help you find the resources and information you need to be your best business self.

Let's make it a great month!

MEET THE DIRECTORS

MEMBER RENEWALS

150% 150% 150% CLUB CLUB CLUB

150% CLUB

The 150% Club is a voluntary membership enhancement that provides additional support to the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. Members who opt in will pay 150% of their membership dues and be recognized in our monthly newsletter and at our annual awards happy hour, plus additional recognition throughout the year on our website and social media platforms. Members are not required to join the 150% Club. The 150% Club is only included on membership renewal invoices. If you choose not to opt in, just pay the membership dues amount on your invoice. Either way, we thank you for choosing to be a Chamber member with us!

GENECURTIS

150% 150% 150% CLUB CLUB CLUB

150% CLUB

The 150% Club is a voluntary membership enhancement that provides additional support to the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. Members who opt in will pay 150% of their membership dues and be recognized in our monthly newsletter and at our annual awards happy hour, plus additional recognition throughout the year on our website and social media platforms. Members are not required to join the 150% Club. The 150% Club is only included on membership renewal invoices. If you choose not to opt in, just pay the membership dues amount on your invoice. Either way, we thank you for choosing to be a Chamber member with us!

RICHWESTEN

NEW MEMBERS

NEW MEMBERS

NEW MEMBERS

NEW MEMBERS

NEW MEMBERS

NEW MEMBERS

BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

JUNE 21 - MACOMB MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Modern Domestic Photography

The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on June 6 for Modern Domestic Photography, a custom boutique photographer specializing in documentary-style sessions that capture special moments the pressure of posing, lighting set ups, or coordinated wardrobes. Owner, Elizabeth Snyder is originally from the Quad Cities, but has recently made Macomb her home along with her husband and biggest supporter, Drew. Since Elizabeth does not have a brick-and-mortar business, her approach to photography centers on meeting her clients in their element at the location of their choice. For more information on booking a session: visit moderndomesticphotography.com or find them on Facebook/Instagram.

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Macomb Steakhouse

The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on June 14 to welcome the Macomb Steakhouse (1302 W. Jackson Street) as a recent Chamber member. The full-service restaurant features a dynamic menu of breakfast, lunch, dinner, regional favorites, dessert, and a Sunday-only salad bar, as well as a recent breakfast buffet addition Open for Mon -Sat 6 am-10 pm, Sundays 6 am-2 pm For information, call (309) 421-0339 find them on Facebook at Macomb Steakhouse.

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Graham Medical Group - Macomb

The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on June 22 to welcome Graham Medical Group - Macomb (1630 E. Jackson Street) to the local healthcare community. Open since June 5, Graham Medical Group- Macomb offers primary family medicine and specialty care, women's health, radiology, lab services, as well as a walk-in convenient care clinic. The Macomb location, one of nine regional clinics serving five counties, is currently accepting new patients. For information, call (309) 252-5191 or visit grahamhealthsystems.org

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Credit Union 1

The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on June 28 for the grand reopening of Credit Union 1 (322 W. University Drive - Macomb, Illinois). The location was formerly Western Illinois Credit Union, which merged with Credit Union 1 in August 2022. Credit Union 1 offers a full range of services including an on-site ATM, lobby and drive-thru banking, mortgages, coin counting, digital banking, and more. For information, visit creditunion1.org.

RIBBON CUTTINGS

AMBASSADORS

As the public relations arm of the Chamber, members of the Ambassadors committee represent the Chamber by hosting Business After/Before Hours, attending ribbon cuttings, and recruiting new members. Our Ambassadors enhance the image of our business community and the organization by presenting a positive and professional attitude at Chamber events and throughout their interactions with the business community. These 20+ volunteers are the ultimate Chamber cheerleaders. We are reserving this spot each month so that you can get to know each of our Ambassadors just a bit better.

SUPPORT LOCAL

What are they?

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 Macomb!

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 at (309) 837-4855 or info@macombareachamber.com.

How can I help promote the Chamber Gift Certificate Program?

We love when our members and the community help #keepitinmacomb by promoting the Chamber Gift Certificate Program. There are several ways you can do this:

Buy them for your employees, family, friends, teachers, etc.: Chamber Gift Certificates are a win-win since Chamber gift certificates never expire and happy to have a certificate to spend however they would like 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.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

YOUR LOCAL CHAMBER & COMMUNITY EVENTS:

FIND LOCAL EVENTS

Find a full range of Chamber and Chamber member events on the What's New? section of our website

STAY SOCIAL

Follow us on social media for local updates and activites.

SHARE YOUR EVENTS

Share your Chamber member events via your Chamber member information center account, on our website, or email them to us!

Events

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Marine Bank merges into Morton Community Bank

The merger of Marine Bank into Morton Community Bank was completed on June 9, 2023. The acquisition added ten locations to the footprint of Morton Community Bank All Marine Bank locations are now branded as Clock Tower Community Bank, a Division of Morton Community Bank, including banking facilities in Springfield, Chatham, Rushville, Macomb, BloomingtonNormal, and Champaign. The Clock Tower, long being regarding as a symbol of reliability, strength, and community, is the official logo of Morton Community Bank.

Marine Bank employees have the unique opportunity to become owners of the bank, through Morton Community Bank’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Officials from both banks are excited about Marine’s transition from “family-owned and operated” to “employee-owned and operated” and the continuation of providing high quality community banking services to customers and local businesses

Jon Erickson, Market President for Clock Tower Community Bank in Springfield, noted the benefit to the bank’s customers. “Marine Bank customers are accustomed to being served by community bankers. As a result of the merger, they will now be served by by community bank-owners -- and our commitment to excellence in customer service will grow even stronger.”

Andy Honegger, President of Morton Community Bank, was also optimistic about the future “Marine Bank customers will enjoy our ‘hometown’ community banking experience, with friendly, efficient banking services. Commercial customers will benefit from our talented team of lenders and treasury-management professionals, and the added size and strength of our bank ”

Morton Community Bank was organized in 1960 by a group of Morton businesspeople to better serve the community and its businesses. MCB opened its doors on August 26, 1961, with a single location in Morton and seven employees Since then, MCB has grown, with an emphasis on attracting and retaining customers by providing exceptional banking services, and by acquiring other community banks and continuing to provide such services. Since the late 1980’s, MCB has completed 23 acquisitions. Today, with the addition of Marine Bank, MCB has 55 locations in 38 communities in Central and Northwest Illinois, with 600 employees and $5.6 billion in assets.

MORTON COMMUNITY BANK CONTACT:

Andy Honegger, President 309-266-5337

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY NEWS

Purdum-Gray-Ingledue-Beck joins First Mid Insurance Group

MATTOON, IL First Mid Insurance Group (FMIG), a leading provider of insurance solutions, is pleased to announce Purdum-Gray-Ingledue-Beck (PGIB) Insurance and Investments Agency, a prominent insurance agency known for its exceptional client service and comprehensive coverage solutions, has joined FMIG The acquisition of PGIB aligns with FMIG’s commitment to expanding its market presence and increasing industry niche expertise.

“We are excited to welcome the entire PGIB team to First Mid,” said Clay Dean, CEO of First Mid Insurance Group. “Like us, PGIB has a customer and community first culture. The team of more than a dozen insurance sales and risk management experts have built a reputation for extraordinary service and a deep understanding of the insurance landscape, making them a fantastic addition to our organization.

This acquisition positions us to serve a wider range of clients and in verticals such as healthcare and hospitality, and further strengthens our capabilities to meet all our customers’ evolving needs.”

Ingledue and Beck echoed this sentiment, “We are excited to be joining the First Mid team Clients of PGIB will gain access to an expanded range of insurance and financial solutions, tailored to their unique requirements, while continuing to receive the outstanding support they have come to expect.”

The combined company brings together a team of experts across multiple insurance lines including personal, commercial, farm, hospitality, healthcare, social services, and retirement services. The team has extensive expertise in each of these sectors, allowing FMIG to deliver high-quality coverage that is personalized to each client

Both companies have a profound commitment to their communities, as well as deep roots in Illinois.

First Mid Bancshares, Inc., parent company of FMIG, was founded in Mattoon, Illinois in 1865, while PGIB was founded in Macomb, Illinois in 1926.

FMIG has been committed to helping customers with risk management solutions for over 115 years and is the largest multi-line bank-owned insurance broker in Illinois with locations in nine communities in Illinois and Missouri The team of over 80 risk management professionals collaborates to make an impact in tailored insurance and benefits solutions for over 15,000 commercial and retail clients Information: firstmidinsurance.com.

First Mid Bancshares, Inc. is the parent company of First Mid Bank & Trust, N.A., FMIG, and First Mid Wealth Management Company. First Mid is a $6.7 billion community-focused organization that provides a full-suite of financial services including banking, wealth management, brokerage, Ag services, and insurance through a sizeable network of locations throughout Illinois, Missouri, and Texas, and a loan production office in the greater Indianapolis area. Together, our First Mid team takes great pride in providing solutions and services to our customers and communities and has done so over the last 158 years More information about the Company is available on our website at firstmid com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Quality of Life Awards presented to local youth

It is with great pleasure that the Youth Task Force of the McDonough County Quality of Life Advisory Committee would like to announce their annual Youth Awards to:

From Macomb High School: Kathryn Killian-Johnson, Samantha Johnson, Celena Mangalaraj

From West Prairie High School: Madison Richmond, Macy Branch, Megan DeWeese, Skylar Hunt, Eirlyne McCurdy, Auslynn Thrapp, Taylor Phelps, Madelynn Sullivan

The Youth Advisory Committee annually recognizes youth in McDonough County that have been nominated by our citizens who have excelled and/or demonstrated an act of excellence to improve the Quality of Life in McDonough County through community service They were all recognized for excelling and demonstrating an act of excellence to improve the Quality of Life in McDonough County through service to the community

The West Prairie HS students were nominated for the following acts:

Raising money through a bake sale to buy Angel Tree gifts for children in need;

Making homemade dog toys out of old shirts and hand delivering them to the McDonough County Humane Society;

Putting together "care bags" with hygiene products and personal products for the school counselor and social worker to distribute to students in need;

Creating Valentine's buddy bags for 40 kindergarten students; C

Kathryn Killian-Johnson was nominated numerous times for raising money to pay off overdue lunch money accounts at school, volunteering at the Macomb Arts Center, and raising money for a mental health speaker at the high school.

Samantha Johnson was nominated for organizing to clean up of Argyle State Park and Blandinsville Park. She was also involved with a backpack program food drive, pet food drive, and other acts

Celena Mangalaraj was nominated for her involvement with the 4-H Macomb Bots robotics SPIN Club and the Macomb Youth Leadership Organization. She demonstrates an incredible willingness to advocate for those who don’t have a voice and articulates the struggles and needs effectively to her peers.

Nominations for these awards are opened every Spring for students in grades kindergarten through high school. Teachers, pastors, or any volunteer youth leader is eligible to submit a nomination at that time Thank you to the teachers, school counselors and non-profit organizations who recognized the contributions of these students to the local community.

The Youth Task Force of the McDonough County Quality of Life Advisory Committee wants to congratulate this year’s award winners for serving as role models for other young people who can learn from their leadership. They are all wonderful examples of improving the Quality of Life in our County through service to our community

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MDH holds groundbreaking for new pharmacy building

MACOMB, Ill – McDonough District Hospital staff, representatives from the Board of Directors, and medical staff partners took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new community Pharmacy The event took place May 24 inside the construction area near the main parking lot

MDH administration and representatives from Michuda Construction and Matthei & Colin Associates spoke about the new building, set to be completed in spring 2024

The nearly 10,000 square foot building (9,845 square feet) will be located just south of the Hospital’s main entrance

Mirroring the popularity of the current MDH Drive-Thru for lab draws and tests, MDH will use that same concept for the new Pharmacy building

Patients can utilize the enclosed Drive-Thru option to pick up their medications or walk inside during business hours all before leaving the MDH campus from their medical appointment

“We are excited with the level of service our new community pharmacy will bring to our patients, medical staff, employees and greater McDonough County community,” said MDH President/Chief Executive Officer Brian E. Dietz, FACHE. “Our pharmacy will operate as a full service clinical pharmacy with patient convenience as our top priority.”

Building a Pharmacy affiliated with the hospital means dollars spent on prescriptions will remain local, supporting MDH and McDonough County.

“We are excited to offer the patients we serve yet another convenience, offering a Drive-Thru delivery system. Patients come to our campus for medical appointments with their physicians and nurse practitioners. Why not offer them a Drive-Thru experience for all of the prescription needs, before they even leave our campus? We’ve learned from our MDH Drive-Thru Laboratory the strong value of convenient services that are weather protected and temperature controlled,” said Adrian MacGregor, Vice President for Clinical and Support Services. “Plus, our pharmacy staff will be working directly with the patients and their providers’ clinic to provide the best care coordination possible. The MDH Pharmacy project is yet another way MDH listens to our patients’ request for convenience and quality services ”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

New director named for Illinois Small Business Development Center

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - Western Illinois University, the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs (IIRA) and the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) have named Ann Friederichs, director of the Illinois SBDC WIU She succeeds James Boyd who retired March 2023

Friederichs has been assistant director of the Illinois SBDC at WIU since March 2022 She began working at WIU in May 2017 as an Illinois SBDC business advisor. Prior to coming to WIU, Friederichs was director of the Davenport School Foundation and owned her own business for 25 years.

"I look forward to continuing to be an integral part of WIU and the IIRA servicing area entrepreneurs and business owners in a 22-county area," said Friederichs "The Illinois SBDC WIU specializes in confidential, no cost, one-on-one business advising I have a passion for small business and working in collaboration with area stakeholders and resources."

The Illinois SBDC at WIU was established in 1989, helping area entrepreneurs and small business owners start, grow, accelerate and, when ready, transition out of business. The Illinois SBDC is funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U S Small Business Administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and WIU.

For more information on the Illinois SBDC, visit wiusbdc.org.

Chamber Ambassador becomes lead pastor

MACOMB, IL - Macomb Area Chamber Ambassador, Kaleb Greenlief, has taken the position of Campus Pastor at The Crossing- Macomb, a multi-site non-denominational church serving communities in Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, as well as online options

Former Macomb Campus

Pastor Ben Ellefritz has relocated t Quincy to become the Executive Pa of the Crossing's host site.

Greenlief received an associated de at Spoon River College and has bee a staff member with The Crossing- Macomb for a numbe of years, serving in youth and student leadership roles. For more information, visit thecrossing net

COMMUNITY NEWS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois Regional Council (WIRC) officials are pleased to announce they have recently promoted one of their team members to a leadership position As of June 1, Jamie Roth is the Community Services and Public Relations Director for the nonprofit agency She now directs many of the social service programs offered by WIRC and oversees marketing communications to promote services agency-wide

Roth has been with WIRC for just over five years, and previously held the role of Public Relations and Tech Support Manager In that position, she created all Agency communications and also assisted with technology issues in the office She has assisted with and coordinated several programs across various departments, including programs of the Community Services department which she now directs One notable WIRC program she has coordinated for several years is Project Santa, which helps parents to provide coats and gifts to their children during the holiday season

As the Community Services and Public Relations Director, she is now managing and marketing many important social service programs that help people in need living across five Illinois counties: Hancock; Henderson; Knox; McDonough; and Warren The programs offered tend to change from year-to-year, but they all focus on lifting eligible lowerincome households out of poverty

Funding is provided by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

WIRC is a nonprofit that helps people and communities in multiple western Illinois counties For more information about their services, find them on social media, visit their website at wirpc org, or call (309) 837-2997

Salvation

MEMBERSHIP & SPONSORSHIP

Whether you have been with the Chamber for a day or a decade; make the most of your membership with a full range of benefits and opportunities for you and your business.

Membership & Sponsorship Chamber Benefits

COMMUNITY LEADERS

The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce wishes to extend a special thank you to our community leaders, who support the Chamber and the business community via event sponsorships, marketing opportunities, volunteer hours, and more.

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