Images McLean County, IL: 2009-10

2009-10 | IMAGESMCLEAN.COM ®

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McLEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS

LEED-ING THE WAY Campus embraces, promotes eco-conscious efforts

I’LL HAVE THE CHEESE CURDS Restaurants, grocery stores cultivate farm-to-table movement

From Here to Anywhere Well-planned infrastructure yields transportation convenience

What’s s e Online Get a taste of what’s cooking at a Normal bakery

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McLEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS SENIOR EDITOR JESSY YANCEY COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, SUSAN CHAPPELL STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SHARON H. FITZGERALD, MICHAELA JACKSON DATA MANAGER CHANDRA BRADSHAW EXECUTIVE INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER MIKE ARNOLD SALES SUPPORT MANAGER CINDY HALL SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN McCORD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, J. KYLE KEENER PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT MANAGER ANNE WHITLOW CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS MELISSA BRACEWELL, KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS LEAD DESIGNER JESSICA MANNER GRAPHIC DESIGN ERICA HINES, ALISON HUNTER, JANINE MARYLAND, AMY NELSON, MARCUS SNYDER WEB IMPLEMENTATION DIRECTOR ANDY HARTLEY WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR FRANCO SCARAMUZZA WEB CONTENT MANAGER JOHN HOOD WEB PROJECT MANAGER YAMEL RUIZ WEB DESIGN CARL SCHULZ WEB PRODUCTION JENNIFER GRAVES COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN TWILA ALLEN AD TRAFFIC MARCIA MILLAR, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY

CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER V.P./SALES TODD POTTER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS V.P./CUSTOM PUBLISHING KIM NEWSOM MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS BILL McMEEKIN MANAGING EDITOR/COMMUNITY KIM MADLOM PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY SIMPSON DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR YANCEY TURTURICE IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE SALES SUPPORT RACHAEL GOLDSBERRY SALES/MARKETING COORDINATOR RACHEL MATHEIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/SALES SUPPORT KRISTY DUNCAN OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP

Sit back and enjoy a preview of McLean County amenities.

Explore its landscapes, cultural offerings, food and fun.

See its downtown, neighborhoods, parks and attractions.

Experience the history, hot spots and local happenings.

McLean County is rated L for Livability

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CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

Images McLean County is published annually

by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the McLean County Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: McLean County Chamber of Commerce 210 S. East St. • Bloomington, IL 61701 Phone: (309) 829-6344 • Fax: (309) 827-3940 www.mcleancochamber.org VISIT IMAGES McLEAN ONLINE AT IMAGESMCLEAN.COM ©Copyright 2009 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

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10

th

anniversary issue

2009-10 EDITION | VOLUME 10 ®

McLEAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS

CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S 12 FROM HERE TO ANYWHERE Bloomington-Normal’s well-planned infrastructure yields transportation convenience.

16 I’LL HAVE THE CHEESE CURDS Local food providers support the farm-to-table movement.

McLEAN COUNTY BUSINESS 24 Nurturing Small Business Private enterprise thrives in Bloomington-Normal.

28 Biz Briefs 30 Chamber Report 31 Economic Profile

D E PA R TM E NT S 20 LEED-ING THE WAY Embracing eco-friendly efforts, Heartland Community College is home to a building seeking green certification.

33 EVENTS FOR EVERY OCCASION Downtown Bloomington Association boasts a fun-filled calendar of activities.

8 Almanac: a colorful sampling of McLean County culture

20 Portfolio: people, places and events that define McLean County

35 Health & Wellness 37 Community Profile: facts, stats and important numbers to know

36 PATHWAYS TO PROFESSIONS Career training programs prepare a deep pool of qualified employees.

All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

ON THE COVER Workforce Development Center at Heartland Community College Photo by Antony Boshier

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PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

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imagesmclean.com THE DEFINITIVE RELOCATION RESOURCE

What’s Onl Online n

PICTURE PERFECT We’ve added even more of our prize-winning photography to the online gallery. To see these photos, click on Photo Gallery.

RELOCATION Considering a move to this community? We can help. Use our Relocation Tools to discover tips, including how to make your move green, advice about moving pets and help with booking movers.

VIDEOS In our Interactive section, watch quick videos by our editors and photographers featuring people, places and events.

FACTS & STATS Go online to learn even more about: • Schools • Health care • Utilities • Parks • Taxes

LOCAL FLAVOR From the simple to the sublime, the delicious offerings here are guaranteed to satisfy every appetite.

ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE Images gives readers a taste of what makes McLean County tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.”

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– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

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Locally Owned and Managed

Extensive Wine Selection

Express Lunch Debuts Mid-June

Seating for 70 in Private Dining Areas

Specialty Drinks

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Almanac

An Illinois Wesleyan University alum received the highest honor for an actor – an Academy Award nomination.

Richard Jenkins, whose diverse film and television repertoire includes Six Feet Under, Burn After Reading and Stepbrothers, earned his theater degree from Illinois Wesleyan in 1969.

In 2009, he received a best actor Oscar nod for his role in The Visitor.

Jenkins returned to the campus in fall 2008 to screen the film at the Normal Theater. The actor, who hails from DeKalb, Ill., married a fellow Illinois Wesleyan graduate.

Jenkins is next slated to star alongside Julia Roberts in the big-screen adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestselling memoir Eat, Pray, Love.

Home Sweet Homes In the face of dismal national housing trends, the Twin Cities’ real estate market offers some welcome news.

Bloomington-Normal ranked 80 out of 124 on the Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners’ 2008 list of bestperforming cities among small metros, outranking Champaign-Urbana, Decatur and Springfield. Factors in the ranking include how well cities create and sustain jobs, in addition to economic components such as wages and technology growth.

What’s more, the Bloomington market topped the 2009 Housing Predictor Top 25 list, which says that homes here will appreciate in value despite the national forecast. Economics, political influences, business development, construction and employment were taken into consideration in this study.

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What’s Online e Tour the McLean County Museum of History in a quick video at imagesmclean.com.

Lessons in Lincoln Bloomington journalist Jesse Fell played an important role in U.S. history – he encouraged Abraham Lincoln to run for the presidency.

That historic conversation took place at the Kersey Fell Law Office just outside of the former county courthouse, which is now the McLean County Museum of History.

Today, the museum is doing its own part to spread the word of the 16th president. Lincoln’s Bloomington and Normal, Illinois features a local writer and performer as the voice of the president talking about Bloomington-Normal sites that influenced Lincoln, including the law office.

In honor of Lincoln’s 200th birthday in 2009, the museum donated copies of the CD to all area schools and libraries.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF MARC FEATHERLY/ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

A Class Act

Welcome to Green Country Illinois Wesleyan University’s Minor Myers Jr. Welcome Center opened in fall 2008 as the first structure in Bloomington to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Named for a former university president, the $6 million, alumni-funded facility is centrally located on campus and features high ceilings, comfortable seating and a light-filled atrium that makes the welcome center feel, well, welcoming.

The center earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification thanks to its geothermal heating and cooling system, efficient fluorescent lighting and a traction elevator, which uses an eco-friendly small motor instead of a hydraulic pump. The geothermal system alone will save the school up to 50 percent in energy costs.

Under the Big Top Milking It Got healthy students?

Bloomington Junior High School certainly does – and it’s been nationally recognized for it.

The Got Milk? Milk Mustache Campaign contest named the junior high one of 25 America’s Healthiest Student Bodies, thanks to a student who nominated the school for its health and wellness program, athletic teams, outdoor adventure program and healthy food choices.

The nationwide campaign was launched to help promote the health benefits of drinking milk.

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Students at Illinois State University in Normal spend hours walking on stilts, eating fire and flying through the air on a trapeze – that is, if they are a part of the school’s Gamma Phi Circus.

The organization formed 80 years ago in 1929 as a fraternity devoted to physical fitness. It became a bona fide circus in the 1930s and continues to thrive today.

Circus members, mostly students, perform juggling, tumbling, clowning and acrobatic acts for road shows, exhibitions and end-of-year performances each April at Red Bird Arena Big Top. They also run a camp each summer, teaching circus skills to people of all ages.

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Almanac

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle McLean County residents know that it’s easy being green.

The highest among central Illinois counties, McLean County’s rate of recycling has increased for five consecutive years. With a recycling rate currently at 37.6, the county is getting closer to meeting its goal of recycling 40 percent of municipal solid waste.

Added recycling receptacles and city efforts to recycle old computers and electronic equipment have made it easier than ever for residents to be environmentally aware.

McLean County At A Glance POPULATION (2008 ESTIMATE) Bloomington: 72,416 Normal: 51,716 McLean County: 165,298 LOCATION McLean County is in central Illinois, midway between Chicago and St. Louis.

BEGINNINGS McLean County was named in honor of 19th-century Congressman and U.S. Sen. John McLean.

FOR MORE INFORMATION McLean County Chamber of Commerce 210 S. East St. P.O. Box 1586 Bloomington, IL 61701 Phone: (309) 829-6344 Fax: (309) 827-3940 www.mcleancochamber.org

What’s Online e Take a virtual tour of McLean County, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesmclean.com.

McLean Co. 24

Lexington

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Hudson

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Anchor

Towanda Cookesville

Normal Mc L E A N Bloomington

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Stanford Downs 51

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Saybrook

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McLean 136

Ellsworth

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Arrowsmith

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LeRoy

Fast Facts Q Bloomington is the birthplace of Steak ’n Shake.

Q McLean County produced two ambassadors to the United Nations – Adlai Stevenson II and Illinois State graduate Donald McHenry.

Q Beer Nuts Brand Snacks, founded in Bloomington in 1953, is still based there today.

Q The annual Illinois Shakespeare Festival, sponsored by Illinois State University, has been staged in Normal for more than 30 years.

Q State Farm Insurance Cos. is headquartered in Bloomington.

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From Here to

Anywhere WELL-PLANNED INFRASTRUCTURE YIELDS TRANSPORTATION CONVENIENCE

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STORY BY MICHAELA JACKSON

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On the Road The county is crisscrossed by interstates 39, 74 and 55, which connect Bloomington-Normal and the surrounding communities to Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis and other cities across the nation.

Despite its three interstates, McLean County doesn’t have the traffic congestion one might expect, Peterson says, due to strong planning and transportation upgrades in both Bloomington and Normal.

“Probably the most important thing to promote commerce is transportation and infrastructure,” says Ryan Whitehouse, government affairs director for the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. “If you don’t have a good infrastructure to deliver the goods and services, then business suffers, and also, vice versa: If you don’t have good transportation infrastructure Normal Mayor Chris Koos and City Manager Mark Peterson at the site of the multimodal transportation center

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PHOTOS BY ANTONY BOSHIER

cLean County’s thorough and accessible transportation infrastructure gets commuters where they need to be across town, around the region or beyond.

“One of the hallmarks of our community is our transportation,” says Mark Peterson, city manager for the Town of Normal.

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Despite its three interstates, McLean County has avoided traffic congestion

for the consumer to get to the stores, that’s not good for commerce, either.”

Flying High The Central Illinois Regional Airport, one of the state’s premier facilities, is served by commercial flights, including direct service to Chicago, by Delta, Northwest, AirTran and American Airlines. Free parking, wireless Internet and an impressive $14 million terminal make the airport not only convenient, but also comfortable for travelers moving about the Midwest or just passing through.

The airport is one of the fastest growing in the nation, and the new terminal building leaves room to expand.

“Whether it’s a domestic flight or you have an international destination, you can access it through the Central Illinois Regional Airport, which is right here in Bloomington-Normal,” Peterson says.

Trains of Thought The $43 million Uptown Normal Multimodal Transportation Center currently in the planning stages will corral buses and taxis to a central location for riders and feature a new, much bigger station for the city’s stop on the AmTrak Chicago-St. Louis passenger rail corridor.

Normal’s current train station is one of the busiest in Illinois, second only to Union Station in Chicago in terms of volume, and transportation leaders

expect ridership to grow by as much as 200 percent in the coming years.

Officials believe the new facility will begin operations in 2011 or 2012.

Talks are also under way to build a high-speed rail corridor between Chicago and St. Louis, and local officials are vying heavily for a stop at the coming Multimodal Transportation Center along the route.

“High-speed rail is a huge long-term economic development engine,” Whitehouse says.

If it were efficient and cost effective, he adds, Bloomington and Normal could become bedroom communities for Chicago employees: “It would take less time to jump on the train in Normal and be in downtown Chicago at Union Station than it would to commute from the west suburbs to downtown.”

Overall, McLean County’s transportation network attracts businesses and residents that need or want close access to cities like Chicago, but enjoy the quieter, less expensive life a smaller community affords.

“With economic development comes jobs and increasing tax base, and that means we in local government have more resources to provide the amenities that people like in a community,” Peterson says. “So I say economic development, but that ultimately translates into high quality of life for our residents, and it’s just a win-win for everyone.”

Passengers disembark a plane at Central Illinois Regional Airport.

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STAFF PHOTO

with strong planning and upgrades.

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By the Numbers DISTANCE TO MAJOR URBAN CENTERS

133 miles to Chicago

163 miles to St. Louis

173 miles to Indianapolis

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I’ll Have the

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Cheese Curds FRESH, LOCAL FOODS ARE ON MENUS, STORE SHELVES THROUGHOUT McLEAN COUNTY

STORY BY CAROL COWAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTONY BOSHIER

W

hen you start your meal at DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works with the Ropp Jersey Cheese Curds, hand-breaded and fried and served with roasted garlic and tomato sauce, you’re taking part in McLean County’s version of the farm-to-table movement that is sweeping the nation. The same goes for an appetizer of Ropp Jersey Cheese Curds with spicy marinara at Swingers Grille, the restaurant located at All Seasons, a Normal golf center.

The Ropps, a fifth-generation farming family, started making cheese on their 450-acre Normal farm in October 2006, and the Ropp Jersey Cheese retail store opened a month later.

The Ropps produce more than 70 types of cheese in their self-contained, USDA-certified cheese-processing facility.

“We make about 300 pounds of cheese a day,” says Ken Ropp, the operation’s manager.

“We’re in 75 locations outside our own store, including seven wineries and seven naturalfood stores. It’s grown faster than I thought.”

The timing couldn’t have been better for DESTIHL, which opened in The Shoppes at College Hills in the fall of 2007.

“Our entire concept is grounded upon handcrafted New American cuisine and handcrafted beers,” says Matt Potts, DESTIHL

What’s s e Online

Say cheese! Carol Ropp discusses her family’s business in a quick video at imagesmclean.com.

Hand-breaded Ropp Jersey Cheese Curds at DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works

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Hungry for More?

DESTIHL RESTAURANT & BREW WORKS 318 S. Towanda Ave., Normal (309) 862-2337 www.destihl.com

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GET A TASTE OF LOCAL FLAVOR AT THESE LOCATIONS:

ROPP JERSEY CHEESE 2676 Ropp Road, Normal (309) 452-3641 www.roppcheese.com

SWINGER’S GRILLE 1304 Cross Creek Drive, Normal (309) 829-5777 www.swingersgrille.com

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founder, CEO and brewmaster. “In the context of our menu, this means our food is made from scratch here at DESTIHL every day, so to use locally grown foods and other high quality, natural ingredients is an important part of who we are and what we do on a daily basis for our guests who deserve only the best.”

DESTIHL’s executive chef, Manny Martinez, creates a number of tantalizing dishes from Ropp cheeses, such as the chicken and bleu cheddar salad and the grilled stuffed pasta – filled with artichokes, kalamata olives, onion and herb cheese curds, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil.

He also gets ramps (wild leeks) from Spence Farms, sunflower and pea shoots from Stewards of the Land farmers’ co-op, and bacon from Twin Oaks Farm – all located in Fairbury, which borders McLean County.

“As a chef, it is important to support the local farmers as much as possible,” Martinez explains. “In most cases, the local farmer has a better handle on his product since it is usually in smaller batches. I am always in search of local beef, pork, chicken and maple syrup, as well as produce.”

The bounty of Illinois farms – including several from McLean County – also can be found at The Garlic Press, a kitchen and food store and café located in Uptown Normal, and a natural foods retailer in downtown Bloomington. On their shelves and menus, customers will find locally grown fruits and vegetables; eggs from local chickens; raw, local honey; locally grown and ground whole-wheat flour; and locally produced soaps.

It’s a trend with benefits all around – for farmers, consumers and the environment.

Left: Ropp Jersey Cheese products are sold at 75 locations and its on-farm retail store. Below: DESTIHL’s Executive Chef Manny Martinez and founder, CEO and brewmaster Matt Potts use local ingredients whenever possible.

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Portfolio

The Workforce Development Center at Heartland Community College

Campus LEEDs the Way HEARTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE EMBRACES, PROMOTES ECO-CONSCIOUS EFFORTS

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oing green may be a relatively new way of life in some places, but Heartland Community College has had its eye on the environment for some 16 years.

HCC was a founding member of the Illinois Community College Sustainability Network, a statewide initiative to increase energy education. The college also has a Green Institute that has been established in the campus’ Workforce Development Center atrium.

The institute supports a wide variety of campus initiatives, educational programs and community activities related to sustainability, energy conservation, renewable energy, recycling and environmental technology.

Back in 1993, HCC began a can-recycling campaign that was conducted by a student organization, and more recycling opportunities have since arisen from that effort. Today, bins for paper, cans and plastic bottles are plentiful all over campus – in all classrooms, offices and main entrances.

Receptacles for household batteries, ink jet cartridges and cell phones have also been placed in select locations.

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Meanwhile, the college’s food service department uses biodegradable plastics and recycled paper products, while the transportation department has developed bicycle and foot access paths from Constitution Trail. Every campus building features bike racks, and the HCC motorized fleet includes both E85 and hybrid vehicles.

College officials have also worked with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to develop a habitat plan for future grounds management. The HCC campus in Normal already includes native trees, prairie restoration, a 13-acre stocked pond and adjacent wetlands.

As for the Workforce Development Center where the Green Institute is headquartered, the building opened in 2006 as the first state-funded building in Illinois to seek LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. The 10,000-square-foot building has green amenities such as geothermal heating and cooling to optimize building energy performance, and ventilation units that provide 100 percent outside air supply.

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Send Your Kids to Mars tudents who visit the Challenger Learning Center can take a trip to Mars or make contact with a comet.

The center, located at Prairie Aviation Museum in Bloomington, focuses on helping students become more interested in science, math and technology through its interactive space programs.

The Voyage to Mars adventure takes students to the year 2076, when it is commonplace to visit the Red Planet.

The students have been living on Mars for two years and must direct their replacement team to arrive safely on Mars in order to continue the mission.

Rendezvous With a Comet involves a team of student scientists and engineers who serve as astronauts and mission controllers on an exploration of comets. Their goal is to plot a course to meet up with a comet and launch a probe to collect scientific data.

All programs are set up for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, with K-4 kids also participating in a Micronauts Mission and Discovery Lab. Meanwhile, students in grades 5-8 can also become flight controllers and astronauts on a number of other simulated space missions. Staff educators and space scientists develop all of the center’s programs to ensure accuracy in content.

But the Challenger Learning Center isn’t just for kids. The facility also offers teacher-training workshops to give instructors a deeper understanding of how to teach the subjects of science and mathematics.

What’s more, local businesses can sign up their employees for team-building activities that aim to strengthen problem-solving, communication and critical-thinking skills.

In fact, that’s the main goal of the center: to help create a community of scientifically minded people who prosper in a progressively informationand technology-driven world.

Schoolchildren take part in a simulated space mission at the Challenger Learning Center.

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PHOTOS BY ANTONY BOSHIER

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Same Company Same Great Service Brand New Look

ALLIED WASTE SERVICES OF BLOOMINGTON www.disposal.com 2112 W. Washington St. • Bloomington, IL 61704 (309) 827-8631

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Portfolio

Setting the Stage F

ANTONY BOSHIER

rom movies at dusk to music in the park, the Connie J. Link Amphitheater is the place to be on summer nights – and it doesn’t cost you a penny to enjoy the entertainment.

The new amphitheater in Normal, built in late 2007, opened to the public in spring 2008. So far in its short history, programming has included a Sounds of the Amphitheater summer concert series, a summer movie nights series and theatrical productions.

“This is a beautiful outdoor setting with all seating on a grass terrace in front of the stage,” says Garry Little, director of Normal Parks & Recreation, which oversees the amphitheater. “It’s a nice place where families can enjoy an evening outing during the warmweather months. And what makes everything even nicer is that the summer concert series features free admission, and the same goes for movie nights.”

Concert acts that have already appeared at the amphitheater include Hip Pocket, the Chris Chambers Band, Kevin Hart & The Vibe Tribe and the Brian Choban Jazz Quintet.

Meanwhile, movies featured on summer evenings have included The Little Mermaid and Kung Fu Panda.

“Another attractive aspect of the concert series and the movie nights is that all popcorn, soda and bottled water is sold on those evenings for only $1 per item,” Little says. “You can’t get a much better deal than that for a family. Free admission and inexpensive concessions – it’s great.”

As for theater, the venue hosts a High School Summer Series as well as a Children’s Summer Theater lineup.

“The amphitheater is located behind the Fairview Maintenance Building on South Linden and is very accessible from the Constitution Trail,” Little says. “Just bring a blanket or chairs to make your evening more comfortable on the grass terrace.

We’ll supply the entertainment, almost always for free.”

The Connie J. Link Amphitheater

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OSF St. Joseph Is All A-Twitter L

ive, from the operating room: It’s an actual operation!

OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington broadcasted a brain surgery in April 2009 via the Twitter micro-blogging service. Rachel Wakefield, marketing specialist at OSF St. Joseph, “tweeted” from inside the operating room.

“The operating room was so huge that there was never a thought of me being in the way, so I provided the tweet updates during the entire medical procedure,” Wakefield says. “I was like a baseball play-by-play writer, Twittering about shaving the patient’s head before surgery, talking about the sterile equipment being set out, the first incision, the tumor removal and the closure. It was a fascinating day for me.”

Anyone interested in following the operation updates could log on to www.twitter.com/osfstjoseph.

“The hospital also has a Facebook page where we announced that the Twittering event was about to take place, and the local Pantagraph newspaper wrote a story alerting readers about it,” Wakefield says. “But it was mostly through word-of-mouth that most of the information got out.”

Wakefield says OSF St. Joseph has become involved with social media to give more exposure to the hospital.

“We often post pictures on our Facebook page – we recently had a top violinist perform at the medical center, then posted it on Facebook,” she says.

“And by Twittering the brain surgery, many people now realize that they can get excellent medical care in McLean County rather than having to visit a hospital in Chicago or St. Louis.”

Home of the CornBelters B

atter up, beginning in May 2010.

Professional baseball will arrive in Normal when the Normal CornBelters take the field as part of the independent Frontier League, which has been around since 1993. The league features 12 professional teams that are not affiliated with Major League Baseball, with a season that runs from late May through mid-September.

Teams in the Frontier League hail from the Midwest and western Pennsylvania, operating primarily in cities not served by major- or minor-league teams. Although not part of the official minor league system, its level of play is considered equivalent to the Class A baseball level.

The Normal team will play its home games in a stadium currently under construction on the campus of Heartland Community College. The new 4,000-seat outdoor multipurpose venue will not only house the CornBelters but also

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Before the operation, the brain surgery patient signed a waiver that the procedure could go public on Twitter. His operation was a success.

“We have since done a hip replacement surgery that also was broadcast on Twitter,” says Wakefield, who also writes a hospital blog at www.osfstjoseph.blogspot.com.

“It’s these kind of projects that make my job even more interesting than it already is.”

HCC’s baseball, softball and soccer teams.

In addition, concerts, farmers markets, a winter ice rink and possibly a drive-in movie theater have all been mentioned as potential alternate uses for the new stadium.

Meanwhile, the nickname for the Normal franchise was announced in May 2009 after a naming contest drew thousands of entries from the public. The moniker CornBelters, chosen because of McLean County’s rich agricultural history, beat out four other finalists: Nutz (for Beer Nuts), Fellers (for Normal founder Jesse Fell), Camelbacks (for the eponymous bridge) and Coal Bears (for TV host Stephen Colbert).

To go along with the CornBelters theme, team officials are envisioning corn-related items to be sold at the stadium concession stands, such as corn dogs, corn chips and sweet corn, and the team is also considering growing its own sweet corn on the stadium grounds.

Officials are also pondering Corn Stalk Races at some point during each home game, in the spirit of the Sausage Race at Miller Park in Milwaukee. And as for the team mascot, the names Kernel, Niblet and Shucks have been suggested.

– Stories by Kevin Litwin

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Business

Nurturing

Small Business PRIVATE ENTERPRISE THRIVES IN BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL

STORY BY SHARON H. FITZGERALD

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hen it comes to McLean County’s economic climate, agricultural and corporate operations first spring to mind. But while those industries are indeed prosperous here, Twin Cities businesses flourish far beyond cornfields and cubicles.

For more than three decades, the small companies Fox & Hounds and The Garlic Press have kept the doors open, and that’s certainly a measure of business acumen and leadership skill. Yet the owners of both enterprises say they share the credit for their success with something else – the entrepreneurial environment of McLean County.

“The business climate in Bloomington-Normal combined has always been really, really good, and I think it’s because of

such a healthy balance of white collar and blue collar.

Bloomington-Normal has been smart in their economic development over the years, not to eliminate anything, but not to put all their eggs in one basket,” says Vicki Tilton, owner of Fox & Hounds Hair Studio and Day Spa, which is housed in a Downtown Bloomington building that’s more than a century old.

Tilton worked at the business for years before becoming its owner. In the early 1990s, she and her husband bought, renovated and moved into the historic building, where they lease residential and retail space.

When they purchased the structure, Tilton says some acquaintances were skeptical that government would be flexible enough to permit the renovations necessary. “We

“Bloomington-Normal has been smart in their economic development over the years, not to eliminate anything, but not to put all their eggs in one basket.”

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ANTONY BOSHIER

STAFF PHOTO ANTONY BOSHIER

Clockwise from top left: Ken Sprouls styles Denise Eyreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hair at Fox & Hounds in Bloomington; The Garlic Press in Uptown Normal sells kitchenware, foods, clothes, toys and more; small businesses thrive in Downtown Bloomington.

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JANET JURICH Realtor速, GRI

309-825-2078 JanetJurich@gmail.com www.JanetJurich.com

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a selection of teas, espresso drinks and madefrom-scratch baked goods in addition to deli-style sandwiches, soups and other lunch fare. The store even sells locally made jewelry, bath items and toiletries, out-of-the-ordinary toys and clothes, including the FLAX linen clothing line.

“The area, not just Normal, has gotten more cosmopolitan over the years I’ve been in business,” Bushnell says. “I understood the good Midwestern mind, but I also had traveled and lived in other places enough to understand how to go out and find newer things and spread our wings a bit. That combination was good.”

The Garlic Press and Bushnell have weathered up and down economies, as well as construction projects through the years to beautify Uptown Normal and improve traffic flow. Bushnell says those investments demonstrate local government and community support for the small businesses making a go of it in the area.

“This latest redevelopment is a very bold move,” she says of current infrastructure construction that should wrap up by the 2009 holiday shopping season. “It’s a great plan.”

More Insight These two small businesses are just a few of the locally owned shops that can attest to economic success in Bloomington-Normal.

For more information, visit these sites: McLean County Chamber of Commerce www.mcleanco chamber.org Downtown Bloomington Association www.downtown bloomington.org Uptown Normal www.uptown normal.com

ANTONY BOSHIER

found that to be so untrue. We have found the city of Bloomington to be so cooperative,” she says. “Have they made us do something that we didn’t want to do? Yeah, but nothing, nothing, that was outrageous or unreasonable.”

Offering complete hair services, body wraps, manicures and pedicures, facials, a variety of massages and waxing, Fox & Hounds averages 1,700 to 2,000 customers monthly, Tilton estimates, and celebrated its 39th year in business in July 2009.

The Garlic Press, a specialty cookware store, opened in Uptown Normal in 1974, and Dotti Bushnell bought the business two years later. She’s owned it ever since, throughout expansions that added on-site cooking classes and a popular restaurant, The Garlic Press Market Café & Bakery.

A quarterly newsletter, which Bushnell describes as “simple and personal,” helps keep the business in regular contact with its customers, announcing new items, sales and class schedules. The market café features an evolving menu incorporating seasonal, local and organic ingredients whenever possible, with

Vicki Tilton, owner of Fox & Hounds Hair Studio and Day Spa

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Business

Biz Briefs BUSINESSES – BOTH LARGE AND SMALL – THAT HELP DEFINE McLEAN COUNTY’S ECONOMIC CLIMATE

Scorecard BUSINESS AT A GLANCE

$1,742,220 Retail sales ($1,000)

$11,220 Retail sales per capita

$242,713 Accommodations and food service sales ($1,000)

10,964 Total number of firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

MARRIOTT BLOOMINGTON NORMAL HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER Biz: lodging and conference facility Buzz: The nine-story, 229-room hotel on Fell Street opened in fall 2009, with amenities such as a pool, restaurant, fitness center and concierge service. The attached 23,000-squarefoot conference center, owned by the Town of Normal, connects to the historic Normal Theater. www.marriottnormal.com 28

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DECADENCE BAKERY & PASTRIES Biz: pastry shop Buzz: French-trained chef Maria Kemp opened the Normal bakery in July 2007, crafting delicious indulgences in the form of croissants, cupcakes, cream puffs and cheesecakes. The uptown business also makes specialty cakes for events such as weddings and showers. From petit fours to pound cakes, Decadence serves a savory and sundry selection of sweets. www.decadencepastries.com MIDWEST COLLEGE OF COSMETOLOGY Biz: massage therapy and beauty school Buzz: Located at Lincoln CollegeNormal, Midwest College of Cosmetology offers training in the areas of cosmetology, nail technology, esthetics, massage therapy and instructor training, provided by its experienced faculty. Students also can pursue an associate of applied science degree at the beauty school. Walk-in customers can receive discounted day spa and salon services. www.midwestbeautycollege.com EASTLAND CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS CENTER Biz: chiropractorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office with wellness services Buzz: Eastland Chiropractic in Bloomington combines treatment of neck, back and other pain with strong prevention efforts. Its popular wellness center provides yoga, Pilates, Tai Ji and other classes, in addition to counseling on nutrition and healthy cooking. www.eastlandchiro.com LUTHER OAKS Biz: retirement community Buzz: The not-for-profit, faith-based Luther Oaks features apartment living for independent, active seniors, in addition to assisted care. A creative arts center is among the amenities at the Bloomington community, along with a barbershop, fitness center and more. Independent living residents receive a 50 percent on-site health discount, and Luther Oaks also offers assisted living care and memorysupport services. www.lutheranlifecommunities.org McLEAN COUNT Y

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Business | Chamber Report

Going to Bat for Business McLEAN COUNTY CHAMBER SUPPORTS MEMBERS THROUGH ADVOCACY, PROGRAMS

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community. In its first few months of operation, the PAC raised enough money to support five candidates in the spring 2009 local election.

“A political action committee is definitely an effective tool for Chambers to make sure that the businesses of the community are represented on an elected-official level, whether it be local or state,” Moore says. “We try to consensus-build on issues that will affect our business community at large.”

The Chamber also works in business advocacy on a legislative level, raising awareness about issues that affect a large swath of its membership. Part of that role is to speak directly to lawmakers on behalf of local businesses, acting as a collective voice for the community.

Additionally, the Chamber supports networking opportunities and provides exclusive benefits, such as member-tomember discounts, group health insurance and a leadership class also open to nonmembers.

A retooled mainstay of singles

communities is also bringing businesses together in McLean County, with winning results.

The Chamber also offers the unique SpeedNet program. “It’s kind of like speed-dating,” Moore says, “only it’s speed-networking. It gets all the personal passions out of the way and goes straight for the business, and helps people walk out the door with, say, 19 leads and/or referrals at the end.”

All of the Chamber’s programming and advocacy serves a valuable constituency of McLean County, Moore says, which ultimately benefits everyone.

“We at the Chamber certainly respect the investment they’ve made by putting their business here,” he says. “It’s our job to make sure that we take a look at that investment and find ways to help them improve upon their investment, and make it advantageous to not only keep their business here, but provide good services and meet needs for the residents of the county, as well.”

– Michaela Jackson

ANTONY BOSHIER

hen it comes to the issues that really matter, Bloomington-Normal has a powerful ally in its corner.

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce takes a hands-on approach to representing the needs of companies big and small in the Twin Cities and the surrounding communities, transitioning naturally between the roles of resource, advocate and spokesperson. “We work every day for the betterment of our community in the form of business development, member education, networking and opportunities,” says Charlie Moore, executive director of the Chamber.

The Chamber adapts readily to meet the needs of businesses as they, and the community, change and grow.

In January 2009, the Chamber launched a Political Action Committee to support local and state office candidates that back the Chamber’s initiatives and whose interests are aligned with the local business

Charlie Moore, executive director of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce

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Business | Economic Profile

McLEAN COUNTY BUSINESS CLIMATE Historically an agricultural community, the McLean County area has diversified into various business and industrial sectors, with such heavy-hitters as State Farm Insurance Co. and Beer Nuts calling the area home.

TAXES

1.5% City Sales and Use Tax

6.25% State Sales Tax

7.75% Total Sales Tax

TRANSPORTATION Central Illinois Regional Airport 3201 CIRA Drive Bloomington, IL 61704 (309) 663-7383 www.cira.com

ECONOMIC RESOURCES McLean County Chamber of Commerce 210 S. East St. Bloomington, IL 61701 (309) 829-6344 www.mcleancochamber.org

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Economic Development Council of the BloomingtonNormal Area 200 W. College Ave., Suite 402 Normal, IL 61761 (309) 452-8437 www.bnbiz.org

McLean County Regional Planning Commission 115 E. Washington St. Bloomington, IL 61701 (309) 828-4331 www.mcplan.org

Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity 3201 CIRA Drive, Suite 203 Bloomington, IL 61704 (309) 663-7528 www.illinoisbiz.biz

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

Career Link â&#x20AC;&#x201C; McLean County 207 E. Hamilton Road Bloomington, IL 61704 (309) 663-7528 www.careerlink16.com Illinois Small Business Development Center at Illinois State University College of Business Campus Box 5580 Normal, IL 61790 (309) 438-3610 www.sbdc.ilstu.edu Central Illinois SCORE 402 N. Hershey Road Bloomington, IL 61704 (309) 664-0549 www.central-illinois-score.org Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center Illinois State University 153 Turner Hall Campus Box 5100 Normal, IL 61790 (309) 438-3767 www.imecl.org

McLean County 115 E. Washington St. Bloomington, IL 61701 (309) 888-5110 www.mcleancountyil.gov City of Bloomington 109 E. Olive St. Bloomington, IL 61701 (309) 434-2509 www.cityblm.org Town of Normal 100 E. Phoenix Ave. Normal, IL 61761 (309) 454-2444 www.normal.org

MORE EO ONLINE imagesmclean.com More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

Stevenson Center for Community and Economic Development Illinois State University Campus Box 4200 Normal, IL 61790 (309) 438-7090 www.stevensoncenter.org

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Arts & Culture

Events for Every Occasion DOWNTOWN BLOOMINGTON’S ACTIVITIES KEEP THE BUSINESS DISTRICT BUZZING

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o matter the season, the reason for special events in Downtown Bloomington remains the same: “To get people involved,” says Erika Kubsch, executive director of the Downtown Bloomington Association.

“Downtown Bloomington has been around for so long, and it’s stood for so much, and we’ve seen changes,” Kubsch says. “Yet, we’re still the heart of the community, and we’re still that Main Street where people go when they want to spend time with friends and family.”

A downtown organization began in the 1970s, set in motion by “people who got together and wanted to make a difference,” she says. It morphed into an unstaffed city government commission and then broke away in 1998. That’s when the Downtown Bloomington Association was created.

Top among DBA’s events is First Friday, held, naturally, on the first Friday of each month. “It really centers around our art community,” Kubsch says. “We have a lot of galleries and studios and artists downtown, and we want to showcase those.” A walking

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tour is augmented by promotions at individual businesses and, during the warmer months, DBA hires outside entertainers, from musicians to jugglers and even fire blowers.

Downtown’s festive Once Upon a Holiday includes “living windows,” in which people act out cheerful holiday scenes in shop windows. The community’s annual holiday parade ends in downtown, bringing folks together to ring in the season. February is a sweet time for sugar lovers, when DBA sponsors Tour de Chocolat, with businesses and restaurants offering chocolate candy, drinks and desserts.

Come May, it’s time for the Tour de Metro, a downtown living tour that celebrated its seventh year in 2009. For $25, ticketholders may take a look at 13 residential lofts. “It’s a great event to show people what wonderful living options we have downtown. I don’t think a lot of people take the time to look up and imagine what’s above all these businesses,” Kubsch explains.

May also marks the anticipated launch of the farmers market, held each Saturday morning through the

end of October. About 40 vendors set up shop around the old courthouse and attract 1,500 to 2,500 consumers who are hungry for fresh, local goodies. In conjunction with the farmers market, Artists’ Alley lures shoppers to Main Street with interactive art displays and street musicians.

As a certified Main Street community, a program operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, DBA’s charge also includes downtown beautification.

That’s why the association sponsors Adopt-A-Pot. Individuals and organizations take responsibility for one of the more than 100 large planters in the downtown area, doing their part toward the greening and flowering of downtown, Kubsch says, “just out of the goodness of their hearts.”

– Sharon H. Fitzgerald

What’s Online e Experience some of McLean County’s galleries and museums in the quick videos at imagesmclean.com.

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405 South Prospect Rd. | Bloomington, Illinois 61704 New patients welcome | Hours by appointment only

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Health & Wellness

Exercising Comes Naturally McLEAN COUNTY IS A TRAILBLAZER WHEN IT COMES TO FITNESS OPPORTUNITIES

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low-tech transportation modes as opposed to typical vehicle transportation.”

No matter if the goal is to be friendly to your bank account or your major muscle groups, McLean County offers an abundance of opportunities to turn off the engine and stretch your legs – and whether you mean to or not, you’re likely to have a little fun along the way.

– Michaela Jackson

STAFF PHOTO

he fitness-conscious folks in McLean County have an advantage over joggers and cyclists elsewhere: It’s a whole lot easier to work out when exercising feels like playing outside.

Miles and miles of hiking and biking trails in and around the Twin Cities allow users to take in vastly different scenery, from bucolic prairies to wooded lakes. Eleven different trails winding through Comlara Park around Evergreen Lake soothe the eyes and stimulate the senses, even as they invigorate the body.

“It’s extremely important nowadays for any community to provide opportunities for residents to enjoy fitness activities, and that’s a goal,” says Garry Little, director for the Town of Normal’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

Beyond the lakeside, the neighborhoods of Normal and Bloomington are crisscrossed by Constitution Trail, a perennial favorite of residents and visitors alike. The trail, which runs roughly 30 miles, winds along an abandoned railroad bed with offshoots connecting neighborhoods and commercial districts.

Normal has moved aggressively to lengthen the path, adding five miles over the last several years.

“Constitution Trail is absolutely loved by the residents of Normal, and for the surrounding communities, people will drive in with their bikes strapped to the back of their vehicles to use the trails, and they’ll spend the day in the community,” Little says. “It really has become a tourist destination for a lot of communities that don’t have that type of trail system.”

The city also seeks to popularize an alternative to motorized transportation for its residents by making bicycle commuting more feasible. The establishment of a bicycle and pedestrian master plan aims to make the community friendlier to bikers and walkers.

“We already have the trail system, which is a great start, but there are other areas of the community that may not be served by the trail, and we want to make sure that as we make road improvements and sidewalk improvements that we’re very mindful of bicyclists and pedestrians and their need to travel through the community,” says Mark Peterson, city manager for the Town of Normal. “With fuel becoming more expensive, more and more people are opting to use those

A cyclist bikes along Constitution Trail.

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Education

Pathways to Professions CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS PREPARE A DEEP POOL OF QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES

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understand their needs when it comes to skill sets and competency sets, for future graduates in terms of employment. The Career Center often helps facilitate those relationships, but academic departments also work closely with employers as well, to understand what those needs are,” says Dave Ruszkowski, coordinator of employer development at the ISU Career Center.

For instance, Ruszkowski says, local accounting firms work directly with the accounting department to make sure they are in tune with current licensing and certification requirements.

Similarly, the Hart Career Center at Illinois Wesleyan University works as a liaison between students and employers to match skill sets with needs, benefiting everyone involved.

Heartland Community College in Normal recently completed a workforce development center that is dedicated to instilling students with the professional skills they need to succeed. It also works with employers on employee training and development programs.

“What we’re doing is not just workforce development in the traditional sense, getting out to those workers and getting them more knowledge, it’s backing it up as far as we can, all the way to the schools,” Davis says. “We are so extremely fortunate in our community to have the institutions of higher education that we do, that they offer the programming, not only to their direct students, but to adult learners and returning students to really enhance the skills they have.”

– Michaela Jackson

ANTONY BOSHIER

n McLean County, workforce development has a multipronged approach. The county’s four institutes of higher education – two public and two private – each play a unique role in readying workers of all ages for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

“The region, not just McLean County, but the entire region, is quite blessed, because of what we have to offer workers to either train, retrain or continue their learning is pretty remarkable,” says Brian Davis, director of education for the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. “What we’re calling ‘workforce development’ is really, to me, the broad landscape of adult learning.”

Many of the region’s educational programs, degreeseeking and otherwise, are designed especially with the working adult in mind. For example, Lincoln College in Normal offers an expedited bachelor’s degree program called the Accelerated Bridge to Education, which allows adults to earn up to 27 hours of credit in a calendar year by simply attending class one night a week in five-week chunks.

Additionally, Illinois State University has partnered with the Chamber to form a corporate MBA program, which takes a group of around 30 adults through MBA coursework in just over two years. ISU also works closely with employers, through both the on-campus Career Center and directly through academic departments, aligning educational attainment goals with industry needs to craft a graduating workforce ideally suited for work in the Central Illinois region.

“The university is engaged directly with employers to

Laurie Diekhoff, assistant director/internship coordinator at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Hart Career Center, assists Hannah Kiefer with her job search. Centers and programs across the county connect graduates to potential employers.

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Community Profile

McLEAN COUNTY SNAPSHOT Expansion Pro Body Management magazine has rated Bloomington-Normal as one of 72 metro areas with a five-star quality of life, giving the community high marks in areas such as standard of living, schools and commuting time.

EDUCATIONAL OVERVIEW The McLean County area is home to a variety of public and private schools and colleges, including Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University and Lincoln College-Normal.

CLIMATE OVERVIEW McLean County enjoys a moderate climate, with average annual snowfall around 20 inches and average summer highs in the mid-80s.

14 F January Low Temperature

31 F January High Temperature

65 F July Low Temperature

86 F July High Temperature

HEALTH CARE Medical Services Overview McLean County has two comprehensive medical centers and an assortment of specialists, ensuring almost any medical need can be met close to home.

REAL ESTATE

$145,900 Average Home Price

15.26% Home Turnover Percentage

MORE EO ONLINE imagesmclean.com More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

BroMenn Healthcare System 1304 Franklin Ave. Normal, IL 61761 (309) 268-5900 www.bromenn.org OSF St. Joseph Medical Center 2200 E. Washington St. Bloomington, IL 61701 (309) 662-3311 www.osfstjoseph.org

Janetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cakes and Catering Janet Kletz, Owner 504 GUIDO CIRCLE BLOOMINGTON, IL (309) 664-0684 TOLL-FREE: (866) 664-0614 HOURS: TUE.-SAT. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Ad Index 7 A FN I I N C .

C 2 E A S T L A N D S U IT E S H OT E L & CO N FE R E N C E C E N T E R

2 1 A L LI E D WA S T E S E RV I C E S 2 9 H E A LT H A L LI A N C E 32 B I AG G I ’ S R I S TO R A NTE ITA LIA N O

5 H E A RT L A N D CO M M U N IT Y CO L L EG E

C 4 B RO M E N N 6 H O LI DAY I N N & S U ITE S 2 9 C E FC U 32 H O R IZO N W I N D E N E R GY 2 2 C E NTR A L I L LI N O I S R EG I O N A L A I R P O RT 2 6 JA N E T J U R I C H G R I R E A LTO R 4 CO U N T RY I N S U R A N C E & FI N A N C I A L S E RV I C E S

C 3 JA N E T ’ S C A K E S & C AT E R I N G

Ad Index (cont.)

C 3 L I N CO L N CO L L EG E AT N O R M A L

2 6 OS F S T. J OS E P H S MEDICAL CENTER

3 4 RO B E RT D. H O R E N K A M P D DS

1 S TAT E FA R M I N S U R A N C E CO M PA N I E S

3 4 T H E FO E H R G RO U P

1 0 TOW N O F N O R M A L

questions answers

©2002 American Cancer Society, Inc.

8 0 0 . A C S . 2 3 4 5 / c a n c e r. o r g