May Chamber Courier 2026 by Canton Area Chamber of Commerce Canton IL

xecutive Board ExecutiveBoard

President:MaggieConnell- EdwardJones

VicePresident:CadeFawcett- IpavaStateBank

Treasurer:ChadMurphy- SpoonRiverCollege

Secretary:ReneeLewis- JimMaloofRealtor

Board of Directors BoardofDirectors

TanayaKrulac- COOKMedical

JasonGumbart- ApexSeedCompany

AlesiaShaw- GrahamHealthSystem

JacqueNelson- MidAmericaNationalBank

BretteOrwig -OrwigAutoBody

DeeClark- StateFarmInsurance

SarahNottle -SalvationArmy

JulieTarvin -CantonUnionSchoolDistrict

MakaylyneeCorrea-StudentRepresentative

AsweheadintoMay,there’salotofexcitingmomentumbuildingacrossour community.OneofourbiggestupcomingeventsistheAnnualChamberGolf OutingatWee-Ma-TukCountryClubonMay15th.Thiseventcontinuestogrow eachyear,bringingtogetherlocalbusinesses,leaders,andcommunity membersforagreatdayofconnection,competition,andfun.We’reincredibly gratefulforoursponsors,teams,andvolunteerswhohelpmakethisevent possible,andwe’relookingforwardtoanotherstrongturnout.

Inadditiontothegolfouting,we’llcontinuecelebratingourmembersthrough ribboncuttingsandBusinessAfterHoursevents.Thesegatheringsgiveusthe opportunitytohighlightnewbusinesses,supportthosereinvestinginour community,andcreatemeaningfulconnectionsinarelaxedsetting.It’salways greattoseebothfamiliarandnewfacesshowingupandengaging. Mayalsobringsastrongfocusoncommunityinvolvement.Eventslike CommunityWorkDayareagreatreminderofwhatcanbeaccomplishedwhen peoplecometogetherforacommongoal.We’veseenstrongparticipation fromlocalbusinesses,organizations,andresidents,andthatcollaboration continuestomakearealimpactacrossCanton.

We’realsocontinuingtoinvestinourfuturethroughprogramsliketheYouth LeadershipAcademy,helpingdevelopthenextgenerationofleadersright hereinourcommunity.

Lookingahead,weplantobuildonthemomentumfromasuccessfulAnnual Dinnerandcontinuefindingwaystobringvaluetoourmembers,whether throughevents,promotion,ornewopportunitiestoconnectandgrow. ThankyouforyourcontinuedsupportoftheChamberandtheCanton community.

Sincerely,

SethKlinedinst ExecutiveDirector

Business AfterHours

H&WRVRepairisafamily-owned businessproudlyservingCentralIllinois withreliable,high-qualityRVrepairand maintenanceservices.Foundedin2022, thecompanybeganwithasingleservice truckandacommitmenttoproviding convenient,dependablemobilerepairs. Sincethen,H&WRVRepairhas expandedtoincludeafull-servicerepair shopwhilecontinuingtooffermobile service—bringingexpertcaredirectlyto customerswherevertheyare.

TheirteamistrainedthroughtheNationalRVTrainingAcademyandiscommitted toongoingeducationtostaycurrentintheever-evolvingRVindustry.With certifiedorin-progresscertifiedtechnicians,H&WRVRepairemphasizesquality workmanshipandcustomertrustoneveryjob.

H&WRVRepairoffersafullrangeofservicesincludingelectrical,plumbing, appliance,heatingandcooling,andaccessoryrepairs.Whetherit’saminorfixora majorrepair,theirteamhasthetoolsandexpertisetogetRVownersbackonthe roadquicklyandsafely.WhatsetsH&Wapartistheirflexibility—customerscan visittheirshoporhaverepairscompletedon-siteattheirhome,storagelot,or campsite.Thiscombinationofconvenienceandprofessionalismmakesthema trustedpartnerforRVownersacrosstheregion.

H&WRVRepairisdedicatedtohelpingcustomersenjoytheirtravelswith confidencebykeepingtheirRVsrunningattheirbest. Before After

WelcomeSweetWataCustomCabinetry

SweetWataCustomCabinetryisaCanton-basedbusinessdedicatedto transformingeverydayspacesintobeautifullycrafted,functionalenvironments. Withafocusoncustomcabinetry,theirteambringsauniqueblendof craftsmanship,creativity,andattentiontodetailtoeveryproject.Whetherit’sa modernkitchen,awarmandinvitingbathroom,orcustom-builtstorage solutions,SweetWataCabinetryworkscloselywithclientstobringtheirvisionto life.

AtthecoreofSweetWata’smissionisasimpleidea:tocreatespacesthatflowas naturallyas“sweetwater”—designedwithpurpose,builtwithcare,andmadeto enhancedailyliving.Theirworkemphasizesbothstyleandfunction,ensuring thateachdesignnotonlylooksgreatbutalsoimproveshowaspaceisused. Frominitialconcepttofinalinstallation,SweetWataCabinetryiscommittedto deliveringhigh-quality,customsolutionstailoredtoeachcustomer’sneedsand budget.Theircraftsmanshipissomethingyoucansee—andfeel—throughevery finishedpiece.

ProudtoservetheCantoncommunityandsurroundingareas,SweetWata Cabinetrycontinuestobuildareputationforreliability,creativity,and personalizedservice.Whetheryou’rerenovatingasingleroomorreimagining yourentirehome,theyarereadytohelpturnyourideasintoaspaceyou’lllove foryearstocome.

FREEOPENPARKINGFORM

Dashplaquesreservedforpre-registered entrants (byJune5) willbeheldatthegazebo until 6:00PM on June19. Unclaimedplaques

willbereleased,withremainingplaquesavailabletoday-of entrantsonafirst-come,first-servedbasis.Open(nonpaid)parkingisnotpermitteduntil 2:00PM toensure availabilityfordowntownbusinesses.Noparkingorsetup onsidewalksbefore 2:00PM, thiswillbeenforcedbythe CantonPoliceDepartmentandCruise-InCommittee. Downtownstreetswill close tolocaltrafficat 3:00PM .

SpoonRiverCollegeSpotlight

SpoonRiverCollegewillcelebratetheir65thCommencementonMay14at 6p.m.intheMidAmericaNationalBankGymnasiuminsidetheMulti-Purpose BuildingontheCantonCampus.Thisisfreeandopentothepublic. Atotalof206degreesand/orcertificateswillbeconferredforSpring2026 students,45willbeconferredforSummer2026students,and40dualcredit studentshavealsoappliedfordegreesand/orcertificates.Ofthose45dual creditstudents,11ofthemareCantonHighSchoolseniorswhowerepartof theRunningStartprogramandwhowillbereceivingboththeirhighschool andSRCdiplomas!Whatanaccomplishment!ThosestudentsareRegan Averett,ZoeKeck,MadelineMansfield,AshlynnHowarter,KolbySmith,Andy Wang,KevinNi,BryerNelson,MeghanSkiles,CindyNi,andLayneByrns(not pictured).GoLittleGiants!ThiswillbethelastcommencementforPresident CurtOldfield,whostartedasaSRCstudent,becameaninstructor,movedup toDean,andthenservedaspresidentforthepast14years.Wewishhimthe bestashemovesontoLincolnLandCommunityCollege.

Oldfieldworkedtirelesslyforthecollegeanditscommunitiesandhis accomplishmentsincludeincreasingretention,expandingworkforce developmentprogramsanddevelopingstrategicpartnerships,andleadingthe wayinconstructionoftheMulti-PurposeBuilding,baseballandsoftballfields ontheCantonCampus,anddevelopmentofthenewMacombCampus.The BoardofTrusteesareintheprocessofsearchingforthenextpresident.

RegistrationisongoingforsummerclassesthatbeginJune8,andfallclasses thatbeginAugust24.Fallseemsfarawayatthemoment,butweallknowhow fastsummergoes.Enjoyit!

CantonHighSchoolSpotlight

Astheschoolyeardrawstoaclose,ourdistrictlooksforwardtocelebrating themanyaccomplishmentsofourstudentsandstaff.Eachbuildingwillhost awardceremoniesrecognizingoutstandingachievement,includingLittle Learnersgraduationsforourpre-kindergartenstudents,aswellashonors programsatourelementaryschools,middleschool,andhighschool.

OnMay3at3:00p.m.,CantonHighSchoolwillhostitsNationalHonorSociety inductionceremonyandscholarshipawardsprogram.Inaddition, commencementexerciseswillbeheldatSpoonRiverCollegeonMay17at2:00 p.m.Thankstothecontinuedgenerosityofourcommunity,weanticipate awardingmorethan$500,000inscholarshipstograduatingseniors—a testamenttothestrongsupportourstudentsreceivefromlocalorganizations, businesses,andfamilies.

Aswetransitionintosummer,thedistrictisalsopreparingforaseriesoffacility improvementsalongsideourannualcleaningandmaintenancework.Planned projectsincluderoofreplacementatCantonHighSchool,pavingimprovements tothestudentparkinglot,andupgradesatMemorialStadium,including replacementofthemainentrancewalkwayandinstallationofanewADAaccessiblerampontheeastsideofthehomebleachers.Interiorimprovements willincludecontinuedcarpetreplacementatEastviewandWestviewElementary Schools,aswellasnewsoundsystemsatAliceIngersollGym,theCantonHigh Schoolsouthgym,andtheIngersollMiddleSchoolgym.

Wearegratefulforthecontinuedsupportofthecommunity.Haveasafeand enjoyablesummer.WelookforwardtowelcomingstudentsbackonAugust17, 2026.

CantonParkDistrictSpotlight

TheCantonParkDistrictcontinuestobuildmomentumaswemoveintoan excitingspringandsummerseasonfilledwithactivity,community involvement,andnewopportunitiesforresidents.OnApril25th,Districtstaff proudlyparticipatedintheannualCommunityWorkDay,joiningvolunteers andlocalorganizationstohelpenhanceandmaintainoursharedspaces. EventslikethishighlightthestrongsenseofcommunityinCantonandthe District’songoingcommitmenttoprovidingclean,safe,andwelcomingparks foreveryonetoenjoy.Recreationprogramsarealsorampingup,asbothAdult SoftballandYouthBaseballleaguesarekickingofftheirseasons.These programsareacornerstoneofourrecreationalofferings,bringingfamilies, friends,andteamstogetherwhilepromotingactivelifestylesandcommunity connection.Welookforwardtoanothergreatseasononthefields.Meanwhile, preparationsarewellunderwayfortheopeningoftheBigCreekParkPool openingday,scheduledforMay23,2026.Staffareactivelyworkingonhiring andtrainingseasonalemployees,aswellascompletingfinalfacility preparationstoensureasafe,fun,andenjoyableenvironmentforallvisitors throughoutthesummer.Inadditiontotheseseasonalhighlights,thedistrict continuestomakeimprovementsacrossparksandfacilities.Residentscan expectasteadystreamofprogressandenhancementsthroughoutthecoming months,withthebiggestbeingthenewall-inclusiveplaygroundthatwillbe putinatBigCreekPark.Besuretokeepwatchingforupdatesthroughoutthe summer,astherearemanyexcitingthingshappeningacrosstheCantonPark District.FollowusonFacebooktostayinformedonupcomingprograms, events,andimprovementsaswecontinuetoserveourcommunity.

GrahamHealthSystemSpotlight

Aswecontinuetogrowandstrengthenourcommitmenttoprovidinghighquality,patient-centeredcaretothecommunitiesweserve.Wearepleasedto welcomeDr.ReneeHubbardtoGrahamMedicalGroupinCanton.Shejoins GMG’sestablishedteamofexpertphysiciansandadvancedpracticemedical providers,furtherstrengtheningourcommitmenttodeliveringhigh-quality, patient-centeredcare.

Dr.Hubbardisaboard-certifiedFamilyMedicinephysicianwhoispassionate aboutdeliveringcompassionate,personalizedcaretopatientsateverystageof life—fromnewbornstoend-of-lifecare.Herapproachfocusesontreatingthe wholeperson,ensuringthateachpatientfeelsheard,respected,andsupported throughouttheirhealthcarejourney.

Withauniqueprofessionalbackgroundinfinanceandbusinessownership,Dr. Hubbardbringsawell-roundedperspectivetohermedicalpractice.After successfullyleadingmultiplebusinesses,shefeltcalledtopursuemedicineasa waytomakeadeeperimpactinthelivesofothers.Sheearnedhermedical degreefromA.T.StillUniversityandcompletedherFamilyMedicineresidencyat theUniversityofTennessee,wheresheservedasChiefResident.Inaddition,her experienceinEmergencyMedicinehasshapedherabilitytoprovidecalm, confidentcareinavarietyofsituations.

Dr.Hubbardisdedicatedtobuildingauthentic,trustingrelationshipswithher patientsthroughlisteningandmutualrespect.Shebelievesthatstrongpatientproviderpartnershipsarethefoundationforbetterhealthoutcomesandoverall well-being.

Outsideoftheclinic,Dr.Hubbardisadevotedmotherandactivememberofher church.Sheenjoysspendingtimeoutdoors,hiking,orworkingonhome

projects,andvaluesmakingmeaningfulmemorieswith familyandfriends.

“Mygoalistonotjusttreatmypatients,buttowalk alongsidethemontheirhealthjourney,”Dr.Hubbard shares.“Ilookforwardtomeetingyouandyourfamily andfeelprivilegedtobeapartofyourhealthcare journey.”

ToscheduleanappointmentwithDr.Hubbard, pleasecall309.647.0201.

SRPEDSpotlight

TheSpoonRiverPartnershipforEconomicDevelopment(SRPED)continuesto advanceworkacrossFultonCountyfocusedonbusinesssupport,community development,andlong-termgrowth.

Overthepastyear,SRPEDhasbeenengagedinhousingandcommunity developmentefforts,withseveralprojectscurrentlyinplanningand developmentphases.Thisincludesongoingcoordinationwithpartners,site evaluation,andidentifyingfundingopportunitiestosupportfuturehousing development.

SRPEDalsocontinuestoworkdirectlywithlocalbusinessesandentrepreneurs byprovidingconnectionstoresources,assistingwithexpansionefforts,and supportingnewbusinessdevelopment.

Inaddition,wehavesupportedanumberofcommunityinitiativestiedto recreation,tourism,andpublicspaces.Theseeffortsareaimedatincreasing localactivity,supportingsmallbusinesses,andenhancingoverallcommunity appeal.

Acontinuedfocushasbeenplacedonstrengtheningcollaborationacrossthe county.SRPEDisworkingwithmunicipalities,organizations,andregional partnerstoalignprioritiesandimprovecoordinationonsharedprojectsand initiatives.

Muchofthisworkisongoing,withseveraleffortsexpectedtoprogressfurtherin thecomingyear.SRPEDremainsfocusedonsupportingprojectsand partnershipsthatcontributetoeconomicstabilityandgrowthacrossFulton County.

Formoreinformationortoconnectwithourteam,pleasereachout.

TheCantonAreaChamberofCommerceiscommittedto providingqualityevents&programsforourmembersandthe community.

Weknowlargeeventsarewhatbringpeopletogetherasa communityandbringothersfromoutsideourcommunityhere toenjoyourtown.Ourgoalisthatthesesponsorship opportunitiesarehelpfulandenableyoutopositivelypromote yourbusinessthroughtheChambertothoseinourcommunity andthosewhoarevisitingoutoftown.ContacttheChamber officeforaSponsorshipsheet.