January / February 2023 Commerce Connection

Permit No. 29 Champaign, IL

Presorted Standard US Postage

C h a m pa i g n C o u n t y ’ s t ru s t e d

b u s i n e s s - to - b u s i n e s s p u b l i c at i o n

more

PAID

than

30 years

Volume3230| |Issue Issue41 Volume

A PUBLICATION OF THE CHAMPAIGN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

JANUARYJuly / FEBRUARY 2023 \ August 2022

for

COMMERCE CONNECTION

INSIDE:

PG. 12 Leadership 2.0

PG. 13 YES Program

PG. 14-15 Continuing Education

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When you need a business banking partner who can help you navigate the tough times, First Mid will be there!

Patrick Pfeifer

Commercial Lending 114 W. Church Street Champaign 217-398-0067 ppfeifer@firstmid.com

Scott Grumish

Commercial Lending

Count on our team to provide personal attention for: • Cash Flow Solutions • Traditional Financing and Lines of Credit • SBA Financing

114 W. Church Street Champaign 217-403-4435 sgrumish@firstmid.com

Johnette Mitchell

VP, Treasury Management Relationship Manager 455 N. Main Street Decatur 217-373-2136 jmitchell@firstmid.com

Look for us in these area communities: CHAMPAIGN 398-0067 | URBANA 367-8451 SAVOY 351-3526 | MAHOMET 318-3750 RANTOUL 893-8100 2

www.firstmid.com

303 West Kirby Avenue Champaign, IL 61820 P 217.359.1791 | F 217.359.1809 www.champaigncounty.org

FY23 TOP INVESTORS TOP INVESTORS SILVER Busey Carle University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign BRONZE A & R Mechanical Contractors BankChampaign, N.A. Christie Clinic First Mid Bank & Trust Fisher National Bank Health Alliance OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center Ramshaw Real Estate

IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE Illini Radio Group - MIX 94.5, WIXY 100.3, Rewind 92.5, WYXY Classic 99.1, True Oldies 97.9, Extra 92.1, Hits 99.7 Stevie Jay Broadcasting - Q96-96.1FM, US105.9, Christian FM 95.3 & ESPN 93.5 PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE NewsTalk 1400 WDWS, Lite Rock 97.5 WHMS, Classic Hits 107.9 WKIO

CHAMBER STAFF Laura Weis President & CEO LauraW@champaigncounty.org

Madeline Herrman Director of Public Policy MadelineH@champaigncounty.org

Mindy Cain Director of Workforce Readiness MindyC@champaigncounty.org

Kelsie Woelfle Director of Marketing & Events KelsieW@champaigncounty.org

Mary Fortune Bookkeeper / Office Administrator MaryF@champaigncounty.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OFFICERS Rachel Coventry

Curtis Orchard, Ltd.

Nathan Escue

Hamilton Walker’s

Laura Heiser

The Real Estate Group

Corrinne Hillard

H3 Manufacturing Group, LLC

Amie Smith

BankChampaign N.A.

Dr. Dalitso Sulamoyo

Matt Carr First Mid Bank & Trust

Champaign County Regional Planning Commission

Dr. Pamela Lau

Bill Walter

Parkland College

Chad Schumacher Colorfil

Bud Windelborn Pavlov Media, Inc.

A & R Mechanical Contractors

Andrew Weintraub Health Alliance

Kyle Emkes

Chair, Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC

Dan Hurley

First Chair, FedEx Ground R.J. Hynds Second Chair, English Brothers Company

Dan Kirby

Treasurer, CliftonLarsonAllen

Laura Weis

Secretary, Champaign County Chamber of Commerce

Tonya Horn

Past Chair, Rogards

All information contained within this publication is property of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and cannot be reproduced without prior expressed or written consent. This publication contains paid advertising; the opinions expressed in those advertisements do not reflect the views of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. For advertising information, contact Kelsie Woelfle at KelsieW@champaigncounty.org.

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Welcome to the Chamber

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>>>members who joined between November 1 - December 31, 2022 Brookfield Renewable U.S.

3619 E. 2350 North Road #2567 Armstrong, IL 61812 857.265.8298 www.brookfieldrenewableus.com Energy Management & Conservation Consultants Brookfield Renewable U.S., based in New York City, is a leading owner, operator and developer of renewable power, delivering innovative solutions that accelerate the world towards a sustainable, low-carbon future. Our diversified portfolio of hydropower, wind, solar and energy storage facilities extends across 34 states, totaling approximately 7,830 megawatts of generating capacity. With over 120 years of experience in power generation, Brookfield Renewable U.S. operates our facilities with best-in-class standards while leveraging our footprint to extend an array of economic, social and environmental benefits in surrounding communities.

We employ over eight hundred dedicated professionals in the day-to-day operations of our facilities, business and project development.

Brookfield Renewable U.S.’s generating, trading and marketing businesses are a part of Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P., (NYSE: BEP; TSX: BEP.UN), one of the world’s largest publicly traded renewable power platforms.

C.U. Auto Plaza

712 Bloomington Rd. Champaign, IL 61820 217.498.3188 www.cuautoplaza.com Automobile Dealers-Used Cars We offer an extensive range of customized solutions to help with your demands. Free Carfax & Clean Title with multiple inspections, a quality guarantee of best cars only, and you can test drive and pick up from an accessible in-town location. We have support available to help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Open hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Saturday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. We are closed on Sunday.

ECI Construction Services 805 E. Perkins Rd. Urbana, IL 61802 217.383.1066 www.eci-cs.com Contractors-General

East Central Illinois Construction Services includes TCT Construction. We pride ourselves on delivering the very best in customer service and support. We have you covered whether you are dealing with in-home remodeling or new construction with TCT Construction. Because employee, subcontractor and customer safety is important to us, ECI is proud to participate in the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Safety Management System (STEP). STEP is an annual program that allows the participant to self-evaluate their safety process using 25 key components to implement or enhance safety programs that reduce job site incidents.

Evo Café

711 S. 6th St. Champaign, IL 61820 217.328.7688 www.evocafeil.com Restaurants Evo Café is an easygoing Chinese eatery providing hot pots, special combo plates and Szechuan specialties, fruit drinks, milk, tea and slushes. Open 11:00 am – 10:00 pm daily.

Frederick & Hagle

129 W. Main St. Urbana, IL 61801 217.367.6092 www.frederickandhagle.com Attorneys Frederick & Hagle is an Urbana law firm practicing law in this community for over 40 years. Our firm was previously known as Johnson, Frank, Frederick, and Walsh. We currently have five full-time attorneys with support staff. Our attorneys only concentrate their practice on personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Dan Walsh, formerly the Sheriff of Champaign County, is of counsel to our law firm and was one of its original members. Dan primarily does real estate work.

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>>>members who joined between November 1 - December 31, 2022 FYXIT

202 E. Green St. Ste. 3 Champaign, IL 61820 217.697.4171 www.fyxit.net Computers-Service & Repair FYXIT is an I.T. support and technology repair business that provides reliable and affordable tech services to the Champaign-Urbana area. We serve local businesses with on-site I.T. services from networking to cybersecurity. We love to help companies with their I.T. needs so they can focus on what they do best. Office technology upgrades and monthly support plans are just some of our offerings. We also fix devices such as computers (Mac and Windows), iPhones and Android phones.

We solve problems like simple software issues and virus removals to more complex issues like data recovery services, broken screens, liquid damage and extensive chassis repairs. We also provide residential WiFi, networking and smart home consultations and installations. FYXIT has been serving the area since 2014. Happy clients are our priority. We are located on campus with convenient parking directly behind our building. Call or visit us today.

I Can Pass Driving School 1904 N. Bradley Ave. Champaign, IL 61820 217.904.5127 www.icanpassdrivingschool.com Educational-Retail

Founded by two professors, the school and car dealership serves adults (international students, scholars, locals) and teenagers. We have online and in-classroom courses and on-the- road-driving training (behind the wheel). All instructors are licensed and experienced, and our services are top-rated (5 stars on Google Review).

Kasa Cleaning Services Champaign, IL 61821 217.372.4764 Cleaners

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Kung Fu Tea

707 S. 6th St., Ste. 107 Champaign, IL 61820 217.552.1668 www.kungfutea.com Restaurants In its purest essence, Kung Fu is the desire for self-improvement and to expand one’s capabilities beyond all limitations. Here at Kung Fu Tea, our mission is to continuously improve our brand, beverages and customers’ lives by providing the most delicious, high-quality flavors and inspiring the community to dream big and live fearlessly.

Founded in Queens, NY, on April 30, 2010, we’re America’s largest bubble tea brand with over 350+ locations across the U.S. As one of the O.G.s of bubble tea, we maintain uncompromisingly high standards. Let’s be real. Making tea that looks good isn’t the hard part; the challenge is making tea that tastes good and presenting it innovatively. Made with the art of ‘3 T’ Kung Fu, every cup of tea is freshly brewed at the perfect temperature using premium tea leaves. The beverages we bring to the table are strong inside out — perfect for your taste buds and your Instagram stories.

Rainbow Garden

1402 S. Neil St. Champaign, IL 61820 217.819.0126 www.rainbow-garden.com Restaurants-Chinese We offer dine-in Chinese food, takeout and delivery.

Hours of operation are Sunday – Thursday, 11:00 am – 9:30 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm.

Savoy Storage Church St.

116 E. Church St. Savoy, IL 61874 217.516.3839 www.savoyselfstorage.com Storage-Household & Commercial We are open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, with other office hours by appointment.

We offer non-climate-controlled storage units ranging in size from 5 x 5 to 10 x 24 in a friendly and clean environment and outside parking spaces for camping trailers. We also have a website where our clients may reserve, pay and set up autopay for their account.

>>>members who joined between November 1 - December 31, 2022 Secure Self Storage

1808 Philo Rd. Urbana, IL 61802 217. 275.2268 www.urbanailselfstorage.com Storage-Household & Commercial We are open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm with other office hours by appointment. We offer climate-controlled storage units ranging in size from 5 x 5 to 10 x 26 in a clean and friendly facility. We have a spacious parking lot with two overhead doors for your unloading convenience, and we offer complimentary flatbed carts to use. Our clients can also go to our website and reserve, pay and sign up for autopay for their units.

Champaign County Chamber Energy Cooperative

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Ribbon Cuttings

>> held between November 1 and December 31, 2022 QC Kinetix celebrated a ribbon cutting on November 30.

QC Kinetix improves your health and quality of life with our non-surgical joint pain treatments.

Regenerative medicine utilizes natural biologics to help relieve pain in the knees, shoulders, low back, hips, hands and other joints, due to injuries, arthritis and more. We can help with pain related to arthritis, sports injury or other musculoskeletal conditions without the need for invasive surgical procedures.

Our therapies promote the regeneration of healthy tissues, relieving chronic pain so you can get back to the life you want to live. If you’re ready to get back to the life you want, make a free, consultative appointment with QC Kinetix in Champaign today.

Cup of Tea Counceling celebrated a ribbon cutting on December 5.

Cup of Tea Counseling, LLC is a virtual mental health therapy practice. The owner, Colleen Aziz, is an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a decade of experience counseling adults, couples and teenagers. My counseling specialties include working with people experiencing family and relationship conflict, career and identity issues and alcohol and drug problems.

Jet’s Pizza celebrated a ribbon cutting remodel on December 12.

Jet’s is best known for their signature square, deep-dish pizza with pizza dough and sauce prepared FRESH daily at each store. Customers can “flavorize” their crust for free from a choice of eight flavors including butter, poppy seed, parmesan, garlic, Cajun, Romano, sesame seed or Jet’s Turbo Crust®. The menu also includes salads, subs, wings, breadsticks and Jet Boats for carry out or delivery. Jet’s motto says it best: “Life is short. Eat better pizza!”

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SAVE THE DATE: 2024 BOOKING DAY MARCH 6, 2023 Beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Interested in hosting a First Friday Coffee or Business After Hours? These events give you great exposure to the business community - don’t miss your chance to host in 2024.

Reservations will be taken on a first call, first serve basis via phone call ONLY. No walk-ins, emails or early phone calls will be accepted.

To book your First Friday Coffee or Business After Hours for 2024

Call Kelsie at 217.531.4239 not the Chamber main line.

A LUXURY 55 & BETTER COMMUNITY 1 & 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS

Follow us for exclusive content and updates:

Quartz Countertops | Stainless Steel Appliances | Patio or Balcony | Fireplaces | Underground Parking Garage Free Golf at Legends Golf Course | Pickleball Court Clubhouse | Indoor Swimming Pool | AND MORE!

THELANDINGATLEGENDS.COM 4503 LEGENDS DRIVE, CHAMPAIGN | (217) 275-5771

@ccountychamber

@ccounty_chamber

Champaign County Chamber of Commerce

@ccountychamber

A Regency Multifamily Community Available for ages 55 and older. Assisted living options are not provided.

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Building Business.

Growing Wealth.

Since 1868. busey.com Member FDIC

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Spring Seminar Series The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce offers a new business seminar series this spring. Featuring seminars on exceptional customer service, social media maximization, leveraging data and the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, the Spring 2023 Business Success Seminars provide opportunities needed to expand and diversify your business. Each session will feature a guest speaker specializing in a seminar topic with tips and tricks your business can take advantage of each month. Business practices are constantly changing, but that doesn’t mean yours has to fall behind. Prioritize success and further your business education through the Chamber’s Business Success Seminar spring 2023 series. All seminars will be held at the Chamber office.

Sessions: Provide Exemplary Customer Service - February 21 | 9 am - 10 am Your customers’ and clients’ opinions matter. A positive customer experience can earn your business loyalty for life, and a customer service miss can forever keep sales away.

Led by Ginger Boas, County Extension Director for the University of Illinois Extension, this seminar will focus on how to equip your business with customer service skills to maximize customer satisfaction.

Leverage the Data Hiding in Plain Sight - March 21 | 9 am - 10 am Gaining an advantage over your competitors is critical in today’s fast-paced economy, so why not power your decision-making with transformational data to gain an edge?

Learn how to unlock advantages through data you already have, uncover data hiding in plain sight to make better data-driven decisions, and develop informed short and long-term strategies applying this data.

Maximize Your Social Media Platforms - April 18 | 10 am - 11 am In this seminar led by University of Illinois Associate Professor of Business Administration, Dr. Mark Wolters teaches you how-to maximize your presence, reach new audiences and market your business with the power of social media. Wolters, a tech-savvy individual with a YouTube channel home to more than 900,000 subscribers, will give participants tips and tricks they can start using just minutes after the seminar ends.

Prioritize Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - May 16 | 9 am - 10 am Diversity, equity and inclusion form the cornerstones of a successful business. In this seminar, learn how to create a positive workplace for your employees, embrace the diversity of your team and clients, and nurture future business leaders. University of Illinois’ Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Sean Garrick will guide businesses as they work to amplify their efforts and create an open, just and welcoming business for all.

Register now or learn more at: www.champaigncounty.org/events

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Jerris Duncan, MAPS Business Coaching

Strong teams take businesses to the next level.

Leadership 2.0 will transform good leaders and teams into GREAT leaders and teams.

Leadership 2.0 utilizes self-awareness processes to transform good leaders into great leaders.

Our program will help you understand your personality and the personality of individuals on your team, allowing you to form the most cohesive working relationships.

As a participant in the program, you will learn simple, easy-to-remember tools to strengthen capacity and improve communication, time management, influence, collaboration.

The key to content is learning to execute what you have learned, and this class teaches the execution of your new skills.

This program will take place throughout five forums beginning in March and ending in April.

This program will be held at the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce (303 W. Kirby Ave., Champaign).

“I think Leadership 2.0 is a thought-provoking and portable toolkit that I can refer to for both work and personal reasons. Jerris was a great leader - approachable, humble, and easy to get along with. I enjoyed the different activities and learned a lot about myself and how I can impact others.”

- Susan Burgstrom Program Price (for all five forums): Chamber Members: $899 • Non-Members and Guests: $1,099 Discounts applicable for multiple people from the same business.

To register go to www.champaigncounty.org/events/calendar/ Space is limited. Invest in yourself by registering today.

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HELP GROW YOUR FUTURE WORKFORCE Are you looking for extra summer staff, that’s free, to help around your office? What if you could get that extra free help AND make a big difference in the life of a teenager?

You can! YES (Youth Employment Services) is currently looking for area employers to participate as a worksite for the Summer 2023 Program: • Summer work dates will run from June 19–July 28 2023.

• YES works with Champaign Unit 4 students who are at least 14 years old to provide them with meaningful work experience they need for future dream jobs.

• Students work up to 105 hours and their pay is covered by YES (unless an employer opts to hire directly).

• All paperwork related to payroll and taxes is covered by a payroll agent with employers just responsible for verifying timecard data on payroll weeks.

• Last year YES served 107 students and had 35 employers participate.

• This year YES will serve almost double that number of students, so will need even more employers to provide students with employment opportunities.

Partnering with YES might be a good fit for your business if: • You need some extra help on projects or tasks, but aren’t able to hire additional staff.

• You want to provide exposure and better knowledge about your field to high school students who will soon be part of your talent pipeline.

• You have a desire to connect your business to the community in a meaningful way.

What YES provides: • A week of soft skills training for all students in the program prior to employment.

• An in-person spring career fair in April (date TBD), that students are required to attend, providing employers the chance to hold mini-interviews with students.

• Student matches with employers that are determined across a variety of data points, including age, prior experience, skills/interests, schedule availability, transportation access and results of the career fair interviews.

• A worksite coordinator that will be your direct liaison to the program, the student(s) and their families.

• An onboarding/orientation session for employers to go over basic expectations of the program and how best to prepare for having a high school student at your workplace.

If you are interested in participating, please complete the Employer Interest Form by March 1 at https://forms.gle/duor6A8tcVGQYJhP6 or scan the QR code.

If you have questions before deciding, please reach out to Mindy Smith, Supervisor, Youth Employment Services, at smithmi@u4sd.org.

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BY: BEN HANNAUER MARKETING & COMMUNICATION INTERN “An educated workforce is the foundation of every community and the future of every economy.” These words reassure what many already knew to be true. To have a driven and successful labor force, those who make up said workforce must be educated.

For long stretches of this country’s history, those who made up most of the workforce had no access to a base education, let alone to on-the-job education provided at work.

While those days are long gone, this impact is still felt by large and small businesses across the country.

One thing that has remained unblemished through all of this is the concept of the American dream, the pursuit of a better life for oneself and their descendants. Yet without an education, either learned in a classroom or through experience, an individual can find it extremely difficult to ascend the economic ladder in this country.

In the modern economy, employers and employees have almost unlimited resources regarding additional skills training and 14

education. It is up to the respective parties to determine what works best for them.

While the establishment and its staff share the burden of continued education, there are things that both can do to contribute to the process and make it easier on one another.

One recommendation from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) is that employers offer a bevy of accommodations and incentives for employees working while going to school. Financial or not, incentives demonstrate support for employees who may be experiencing considerable stress as they attend work and school. Additionally, retention rates spike when employees are offered additional learning opportunities. According to The Lorman Blog, a website focused on employee educational opportunities, retention rates rise 30-50 percent in companies with strong learning cultures. This retention rate is in addition to the fact that 70 percent of employees would likely leave their current job for another company known for investing in employee development and training.

Pursuing a higher standard of learning has always been paramount to those in the workforce, yet the resources to do so have only sometimes been available. Today, despite nearly endless options, only a couple maintain constant popularity.

One such avenue of continued education is the apprenticeship (also called internship), a training option popular in many trade careers. The modern-day apprenticeship represents one of the foremost opportunities for individual growth and workforce modernization in a local and state economy increasingly influenced by globalization.

Often consisting of a classroom and an on-the-job portion, apprenticeship programs provide individuals with the skills they need going forward, helping them develop hirable traits when the time comes. Businesses that host apprenticeship programs gain access to a highly skilled workforce, improve productivity and reduce employee turnover.

When combined, these exemplify symptoms of success for a thriving business and are provided by an industry-curated solution that delivers skilled employees.

Opportunities for employee growth can come through more than just the business itself. Local institutions of higher learning often give community members chances for self-improvement. These classes provide affordable and quick opportunities for employees to grow their knowledge base and return to the workforce with greater skills and knowledge.

Here in Champaign County, there is a bevy of educational opportunities, each greeting an individual with an offering of renewed hope, propelling both person and career to new heights.

The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce is just one of these invaluable resources. Employers can invest in an

employee’s journey of continued education today by checking out the opportunities at champaigncounty.org and navigating to the Workforce Development page. The resources needed to capitalize on the educational resources found throughout Champaign County.

Pursuing an education while on the job should be something that a person is rewarded for, not chastised. Incentivizing employees who continue their education and upgrade their skills may inspire others.

Allowing employees the opportunity for selfgrowth does not mean that the business has to come second. Instead, the company can become an instrument through which they grow and expand their knowledge -- thus helping the company to grow. A higherskilled workforce is an added benefit for the company.

If the current workforce skills are not meeting employers’ needs, the business community is positioned to help elevate those skills.

Encouraging employees to pursue further training does not have to burden a business; it should invigorate it. Across Illinois, there are plenty of opportunities for companies to train and educate their employees, all while coming at minimal cost for the business, forging a symbiosis between the two groups that help companies to grow and develop.

Allowing employees the opportunity for selfgrowth does not mean that the business has to come second. Instead, the company can become an instrument through which they grow and expand their knowledge.

Furthering employee education should be more than just the employee’s responsibility.

Instead, the burden of additional employee training should be shared by both employer and employee, striving to push the workforce to new heights.

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MEMBER ACCOLADES & NEWS FEHR GRAHAM Fehr Graham, a leading midwest engineering and environmental firm, announced the promotion of Michael Hansen to branch manager.

Hansen was promoted from senior project manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the firm’s Champaign office.

He will continue to serve Fehr Graham clients throughout central and southern Illinois while leading business development and marketing initiatives.

REGENCY MULTIFAMILY Regency Multifamily is excited to announce the acquisition of Hadley Village, formerly Hadley Bend Apartments, in Bloomington, Indiana. The closing took place on Thursday, January 5.

Hadley Village consists of 42 one and twobedroom apartments featuring stainless steel appliances, an in-unit washer and dryer, a patio or balcony, wood-style flooring, and vaulted ceilings on secondfloor apartments. A two-bedroom house is also located on the property. The leasing office will be located at Adams Village, another Regency Multifamily community, just a five-minute drive away. Residents at Hadley Village will also enjoy access to the ample list of community amenities at Adams Village, including a swimming pool, multi-sport game simulator, fitness center, dog park, and more.

MARTIN HOOD, LLC Martin Hood LLC is pleased to welcome Anne Dill as our director of strategy and operations. This new position will leverage Anne’s experience to provide oversight and strategic direction for the continued growth of the firm. Please join us in welcoming Anne to our team.

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CLARK DIETZ, INC. Charles ‘Chip’ Craddock, PE, CEO and President of Clark Dietz, Inc., will retire effective on January 27, 2023.

Craddock joined Clark Dietz in 1994, initially serving as staff electrical engineer and was subsequently named chief electrical engineer. He served on the board of directors since 2001, as corporate treasurer from 2002 to 2006. In 2011, Craddock was named executive vice president/ director of operations while also serving as director of mechanical and electrical engineering. In these roles he provided technical guidance and administrative leadership in the areas of project, business, and financial management of Clark Dietz. In 2017, Craddock was named chief operating officer and in 2018, he also assumed the role of president.

PEORIA CHARTER Motor Coach Industries (“MCI”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), and North America’s motor coach leader backed by reliable in-field technical expertise, 24/7 roadside assistance, and parts support, today announced that Peoria Charter Coach received the United Motorcoach Association’s (“UMA”) Environmental Leadership Award during the UMA EXPO 2023, January 11-14 in Orlando, Florida.

We want to help you share your company’s accomplishments, recent hires and good news. Email it to KelsieW@champaigncounty.org. Then look for it on our website AND in our bi-monthly publication. There is no fee to do so it’s an added feature of your membership.

Advertise in the

2023 Trends Report This publication is a valuable and popular resource for over 2,000 businesses employing over 65,000 people in the community.

Don’t miss your chance to be included in this publication - there are advertising options to fit every budget.

For more information, contact Kelsie Woelfle, Director of Marketing & Events KelsieW@champaigcounty.org 217.359.1791

LOCAL EXPERIENCE YOU LIVE HERE. WE LEND HERE. Investing in the Champaign area one home at a time.

HICKORYPOINTBANK.COM

202 WEST PARK AVENUE, CHAMPAIGN

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Tell your customers where to find you.

Customers and Sales Made Possible with Affordable, Effective Marketing Opportunities These opportunities are exclusive to chamber members.

Are you taking advantage of it?

Website Banner Ads

A banner ad on our website means that your company name, logo, product or service is seen by 150K unique visitors annually. With pricing starting at just $300, where else can you find this affordable and effective exposure for your business?

Email Blasts

Is there a new product, service or information about your business that you would like the entire Chamber membership to learn about or utilize? Through our email blast program, we’ll send an email on your behalf to our 4,000 email contacts for just $500. We’ll even throw it on our Facebook page at no additional cost. *Only ONE email blast will be sold per month on a first contact, first sold basis.

e-Connection Banner Ads

Every Monday, without fail, over 4,000 decision-makers receive our e-newsletter. People want to know what’s going on, we are a trusted source of information, so they open our e-Newsletter. That is what you want as an advertiser. Purchasing a banner ad to be placed at the top of the e-Connection gets you exposure to thousands for just $100 per week.

Website Directory Enhancements

Our website directory gets hundreds of views each day. We are like the modernday version of 411 for people trying to find a business, resource or service. An enhanced listing makes you stand out against your competitors. Turn your standard listing into an eye-catching, search engine optimized marketing tool for just $79 annually.

Commerce Connection Ads

Do you know what happens when you add magazine print to your marketing strategy? According to Magazine Networks, you get the multiplier effect.

They say, “people are 3.2 times more likely to identify the brand as one they wanted to find out more about and a 43 percent increase in their likelihood to purchase.” Our bi-monthly publication, Commerce Connection, gets mailed to all chamber members (and then some). Those chamber members employ an estimated 59,000 people.

Imagine 59,000 people looking at an ad for your competitor? The Commerce Connection is not only your B2B best bet; it is also a strong force for B2C marketing.

Do you really want to be seen? There are a variety of ad sizes available starting at just $120. Member businesses can also purchase the magazine’s cover. You get exposure before readers even open the publication.

Mailing Labels

Sometimes, when you are trying to break through the internet noise, it pays to go ‘old-school’ with good old snail mail. We have names, and we will sell them. An exclusive benefit of Chamber membership allows you to purchase mailing lists containing names and physical addresses of Chamber member businesses to enhance your B2B marketing. Two lists are available for purchase: Long list (approx. 2,000 contacts): $195 Short list (approx. 900 contacts): $125

We can help you maximize your businessto-business marketing strategies. We can put your company in front of consumers.

Most importantly, we can do it in the most affordable way to meet your budget.

Let’s do this. Contact Kelsie Woelfle at Kelsiew@champaigncounty.org or 217.359.1791.

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calendar of events Business After Hours

Thursday, February 16 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm Hosted by Atkins Golf Club at the University of Illinois 2560 S. Stone Creek Blvd.

Urbana, IL

BSS Spring 2023 Series: Provide Exemplary Customer Service Tuesday, February 21 9:00 am - 10:00 am Chamber Office

First Friday Coffee

Friday, March 3 7:30 am - 9:00 am Hosted by Kirby Wealth Management 4120 Belmont Point Champaign, IL

Business After Hours

Thursday, March 16 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm Hosted by Campus Ink 1201 W. Kenyon Rd. Urbana, IL

BSS Spring 2023 Series: Leverage the Data Hiding in Plain Sight Tuesday, March 21 9:00 am - 10:00 am Chamber Office

First Friday Coffee

Friday, April 7 7:30 am - 9:00 am Hosted by Stephens Family YMCA 2501 Fields South Dr. Champaign, IL

Fast Facts

3.6% Champaign County Unemployment Rate in November 2022

20 business licenses applied for in Champaign County in December 2022

103.3

December 2022 U of I Flash Index for Illinois

949,844

rides were taken on CUMTD in November 2022

5,724 visits to the Chamber’s website, champaigncounty.org in December 2022

16,876 number of unique searches on the

Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Online Business Directory in December 2022

2014 and 2021 The years that the Champaign County

Chamber of Commerce was named the Illinois Outstanding Chamber of the Year

For more information or to register for an event, go to www.champaigncounty.org/events/calendar/ The Chamber office is open Monday through Thursday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm and Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm PLEASE NOTE: The Chamber complies with the state mandate and asks that members follow the CDC guidelines and/or state mandate at Chamber functions. While masking is now optional, please remember that people will have different comfort levels as we return to in-person events. Handshaking and standing close may still make people uneasy. So, we ask that all participants be respectful of this. Bring your best fist bump, reconnect and enjoy.

303 W. Kirby Avenue Champaign, IL 61820 P 217.359.1791 | F 217.359.1809 www.champaigncounty.org 19

YOUR OFFICE DOESN'T HAVE TO

FEEL LIKE THIS DURING WINTER. HEATING REPAIR AVAILABLE 24/7.

217-367-4227

AR-MECH.com 711 E Kettering Park Drive Urbana, IL 61801 20