Business Barometer

Ferrero plans $214M expansion

BLOOMINGTON — Italian chocolate maker Ferrero is planning another major expansion of its Bloomington operations, a roughly $214 million investment expected to create up to 200 new jobs over a four-year period, officials said June 13.

State Farm marks centennial

BLOOMINGTON — State Farm marked it centennial on June 7, the 145th birthday of its founder G.J. Mecherle, and looked back at a century in which it grew into the largest automobile, property and casualty insurer in North America and transformed Bloomington-Normal.

Beer Nuts launches festival

BLOOMINGTON — The inaugural BN Nuts Festival sponsored by Beer Nuts will kick off at 1 p.m. Sept. 10, pairing Bloomington’s favorite local snack brand with its newest music venue to showcase all things nuts.

Rivian plans wind turbine

NORMAL — Rivian Automotive, which builds electric vehicles, is planning to add a wind turbine to its manufacturing plant in west Normal.

Maggie Miley’s downsizes expansion

NORMAL — The expansion planned for Maggie Miley’s Irish Pub in uptown Normal is being downsized from a twostory building to a beer garden, planning commission documents show.

Heartland students place in national business skills competition

NORMAL — Three Heartland Community College students placed in the Top 10 in a national business skills competition during the Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference in July.

Rivian taxes abated

NORMAL — The town of Normal approved a $202,000 abatement for Rivian Automotive’s 2021 property taxes, concluding the terms of the company’s 2016 economic incentive agreement with the town.

Famous Dave’s closes

BLOOMINGTON — Famous Dave’s, a barbecue franchise owned by Mercedes Restaurants Inc., closed its doors for the final time May 31 after 22 years of serving the community at its Morrissey Drive location.

Ministry opens community center

BLOOMINGTON — Home Sweet Home Ministries on June 2 officially opened The Junction, a community center across the parking lot from its Shelper Center, 301 E. Oakland Ave., Bloomington, in the building that previously housed the agency’s thrift store.

Heartland Bank adds staffers

BLOOMINGTON — Heartland Bank and Trust Co. In June announced the hiring of Kurt O’Connor as operational risk director and Tammy Grasch as treasury services sales representative.

Corvette show returns to B-N

NORMAL —The Bloomington Gold Corvettes USA car show returned to its Twin City roots for its 50th annual celebration June 10-11 at Illinois State University in Normal.

CIRA to study runway

BLOOMINGTON — Central Illinois Regional Airport will use this year’s round of Airport Improvement Program funding for a design study of its smaller runway, called 11/29, and to help pay for construction for an apron and taxiway for general aviation, said CIRA Executive Director Carl Olson.

BroMenn gets $240K for surgical equipment

NORMAL — The Carle BroMenn Service Auxiliary recently presented a $240,000 check to Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal to purchase surgical equipment.

Heartland starts ag facility construction

NORMAL — Heartland Community College officials and supporters broke ground on a long-awaited $19.4 million agriculture education facility on June 28 at the Normal campus.

Kagel up for Top of the Table

NORMAL — Dennis Kagel, ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant), owner and president of Dennis Kagel Financial Services, has qualified for The 2022 Million Dollar Round Table with Top of the Table status.

NORMAL — Heartland Community College announced that Compeer Financial has donated $100,000 to further the agriculture programs at the college.

The donation is part of a $600,000 series of donations to community and technical colleges in the area served by Compeer Financial.