May 2024 News

CHAMBER NEWS

Hi Chamber Members,

It’s May! While I don’t have a green thumb, I love to see the result of all the hard work that gardeners put in when the blooms pop and the plants thrive from all the gray skies and muddy puddles that April brings. I guess the same can be said for our business community. Spring seems to be a time of big business announcements for our region right now. After years of anticipation, it was announced that we’re getting new retail stores in Macomb. To which, I say welcome!

It was also recently shared that iDoc Macomb will be expanding their business to a brand new 7,000 square foot building in the Macomb Business Park section of the city. To which, I say welcome.

This month, the Chamber will be lucky enough to help cut the ribbon for at least two small businesses in our area. New or not, I say welcome.

Maybe you’re seeing a theme here with me, I say welcome. It’s a common misconception that you have to be located in Macomb in order to be a Macomb Area Chamber member, but the truth is we have the privilege of serving members all over the region, the State, the Midwest, and even the country. As long as you want to pour into the good of our expanding community, I say welcome.

Maybe you are located right next door to our office, maybe you are a thousands miles away. I say, welc ome. Maybe I see you every day, maybe I’ve only ever gotten to email you, or maybe we’ve not met yet. I say welcome. Maybe you are an office of one, maybe you are one of hundreds. To you, I say welcome. Maybe you have been a Chamber member for a day, maybe for a decade. I say, welcome.

So let’s make sure you all feel welcome. If you need info, have questions, or just want to touch base, please contact me any time. No idea is too small and no question is too weird. Let’s make sure you are living your best business life together!

Let’s make it a great month!

Shay Holland

MEMBER RENEWALS

A P R I L

R E N E W A L S

Thank you to our members who have continued their annual investment with us. We appreciate your support of the local business community.

Devon Raleigh

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, plus additional digital recognition throughout the year. Members are not required to join the 150% Club. 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, plus additional digital recognition throughout the year. Members are not required to join the 150% Club. 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!

Financial Advisor: Seth Minter

KaliFoxall

CHAMBER DAY

THE STAFF OF THE MACOMB AREA CHAMBER ATTENDED CHAMBER DAY IN SPRINGFIELD PRESENTED BY THE ILLINOIS CHAMBER AND THE IACCE (ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVES.

THIS YEARLY EVENT GATHERS CHAMBER PROFESSIONALS FROM ACROSS THE STATE TO PARTNER TOGETHER TO HELP INCREASE ECONOMIC VITALITY FOR THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES AND THE ENTIRE REGION.

MacombAreaChamber2024LegislativeDay

The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held theirannual2024MacombAreaLegislativeDayin SpringfieldonApril18,2024toadvocateforlocal andregionalbusinessandcommunityresources.

Twenty area business professionals from various industriesincludingeducation,healthcare, non-profits, small businesses and more attended this day-long informational event held at the WyndhamSpringfieldCityCentre

Amanda Elliot, Chief of Staff for the Illinois Department of Human Services, presented an overview of the State’s largest agency which focusesonstreamliningaccessto servicestohelp meet basic needs, cope with illness, emergencies, andotherchallenges

The morning featured an informal networking sessionwithOmerOsman,Secretaryofthe Illinois Department of Transportation, who discussed roadways, rail, and infrastructure throughouttheregion.

The Legislative Panel included an open discussion withSen.MikeHalpin,Rep.NorineHammond,and Rep. Dan Swanson, who choose to individually address issues relevant to Macomb, McDonough CountyandIllinois

StateofIllinoisDeputyGovernorforBudget&Economy, Andy Manar, gave an informational talk on the State budget, regional spending, and the future of finances throughoutIllinois

Cameron Joost, Acting Assistant Director for the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity held a question and answer session that went topics such as broadband Internet access, small business development,andfoodsecurityinruralareas

Thelastsession introducedthenewPresident&CEOof the Illinois Chamber, Lou Sandoval, who laid out the vision and future of how the Chamber will serve its membersandbusinesesforyearstocome.

GOETZ TO JOIN MDH MEDICAL STAFF

McDonough District Hospital announces the addition of Jeffrey Goetz, MSN, ENP-BC, FNP-BC to the medical group. He will work primarily in the MDH Convenience Clinic in Macomb

Goetz has worked in walk-in clinics and urgent care clinics the past two years, and prior to that spent six years working as a nurse practitioner in the Emergency Department at Van Buren County Hospital in Iowa and Blessing Health System in Quincy.

His professional medical experience began during his time in the United States Navy as a Corpsman in an Emergency Department Following his Navy commitment he completed his paramedic training and worked in an Emergency Department and on an ambulance in Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado.

He earned his nursing degree from Excelsior College and BSN from the University of South Carolina-Spartanburg. Goetz completed his Master of Science in Nursing degree requirements from Creighton University.

The MDH Convenience Clinic in Macomb is located inside Health Services Building 2 on the MDH campus The clinic is open seven days a week for walk-in appointments. For more information call (309) 836-1700 or online at www.MDH.org.

LEXINGTON CONCORD APARTMENTS - APRIL 17

BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS

YOUTH FOR CHRIST - APRIL 22

RIBBON CUTTING

The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on April 1 to celebrate Kunes Auto Group of Macomb's renovation of their body shop and the additional expert welding education that much of their staff just completed. Lunch was catered by Feeding Forgottonia. Their skilled professionals at Kunes offer minor dent repairs, paint touch-ups, and extensive fixes, working closely with all insurance companies. To schedule service on a vehicle, call (309) 237-2921 or visit shopkunes.com

RIBBON CUTTING

The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting to welcome Bridgeway on a field trip tour to our office to learn what a Chamber of Commerce does, how we connect local businesses, events happening in the area, and more. They got to try out making a Chamber gift certificate, sign the ribbon, and they each received a Macomb keychain to take with them.

We are so grateful that this fun, dynamic group took time out to come see us, ask questions, and share their stories. We even had a special scissors holder request to be a unicorn for the occasion!

To learn more about Bridgeway's commitment to helping each individual live to their full potential, visit www.bway.org/

RIBBON CUTTING

The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on April 22 for Macomb Audiology & Hearing Aid Center, a long-standing Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce member, who recently relocated to 515 E. Grant St. within Health Services Building 2 on the McDonough District Hospital (MDH) campus. Macomb Audiology & Hearing Aid Center remains locally owned and operates independently of MDH. Dr. Christine Standard is an accredited audiologist, and proud Macomb resident, with over thirty years of experience. Specializing in medical audiology, hearing aid fittings, aural rehabilitation, and industrial audiology; Macomb Audiology and Hearing Aid Center also opened a Monmouth location in March of 2024 to better serve the regional health care community. For information: call (309) 836-5031 or visit macomb-audiology.com

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 i ith th f t id ?

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MACOMB & MCDONOUGH COUNTY

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LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET