JULY 2025 NEWS (1) by MacombChamber

Steven Brody Hello,I'm

Summer arrived in earnest on June 20, and what better way to celebrate than to perspire with friends and colleagues at our annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament! 27 teams descended on Harry Mussatto Golf Course on June 23rd and a fun time was had by all. Congratulations to the flight winners, hole contest winners, and everyone else who conquered the heat.

Our thanks and appreciation to Event sponsor MTC Communications, along with all our other sponsors, Ambassador volunteers, Spencer Conlin and staff at the golf course, Sodexo for a delicious breakfast, bloody mary/mimosas from Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Seth Minter, and Hy-Vee for a wonderful lunch sponsored by MidAmerica National Bank McDonough District Hospital kept our crew fed with snacks and beverages were provided by Refreshment Services Pepsi. Beverages on the course were courtesy of State Farm - Tom Conklin and Terrill Title Company, Inc Pella and Stonebridge Wealth Management golf swag items for each player. Before you hit the course, we hope you visited the Putting Green by AllState: Stacy Foxall and the Driving Range by Land of Lincoln Credit Union.

A special shout to our Showcase Tee Sponsors who added extra enjoyment with games, giveaways, food, and drink to our golfers. We are also always grateful to our friends at Woodrum for sponsoring the hole-in-one contests. We did have a hole-in-one, which resulted in Omaha Steaks for one year Alas, the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport was not claimed. We look forward to seeing everyone back again next year as we tee it up at Macomb Country Club.

Executive Director

The next Business After Hours will take place on July16 at Western Hall on the WIU Campus, hosted by WIU Athletics It will be held from 4:30-6pm, and as always, is only open to Chamber members as another benefit of membership.

I am pleased to announce that 16 have registered for the Italy trip. They will enjoy the trip of a lifetime in October, and we hope to share photos upon their return

Please note the Chamber office will close at 2pm on Friday July 11, 18, 25, and August 1. Otherwise, the office is open as usual from 9am-4pm to serve our community.

The Gift Certificate Redemption Service Charge increases from 1.50% to 1.75% as of July 1. Also, please review the newly revised Enhanced Membership Levels that are highlighted in the newsletter and consider participating as your membership comes up for renewal.

Shay and I will continue to traverse the community to stop, shop and support our localhamber members and we encourage you to do so as well. Thank you for your participation and partnership with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce

NEW ARRIVAL

Shay Holland Hello,I'm

What Summer Slow Down?

Welcome to July!

While summer often brings visions of lazy days, quiet streets, and slower schedules, that classic small-town slowdown doesn’t always apply to the business community and certainly not to your Chamber! Behind the scenes, things are still buzzing. We’re fielding calls, planning events, meeting with members, and keeping things moving...even if the pace outside feels like it’s running on lemonade and lawn chairs.

With just a mighty team of two holding down the fort, we’re juggling events, organizing community efforts, and answering your calls all while trying to squeeze in the occasional sunshine break. We may not always be at our desks, but we promise we’re still hard at work finding new ways to serve you and celebrate this amazing community.

Speaking of summer… we’re rolling out our Summer Hours on Fridays to help our staff with some very necessary little work/life balance.

While we’ll aim to be in the office as much as possible, we appreciate your patience if we’re out delivering directories, running ribbon cuttings, or catching our breath between events. Feel free to call ahead if you want to make sure we’re in!

Marketing Director

And rest assured just because it’s summer doesn’t mean we’re slowing down. We’ll be out and about holding ribbon cuttings, welcoming new members, and keeping the momentum going with Business After Hours, networking events, and of course, the return of the Downtown Summer Block Party. The calendar might say "summer break," but here at the Chamber, we’re still full speed ahead. You’ll find me buzzing around town, bringing back Shopping with Shay, with iced coffee in hand. Come follow along!

We’re proud to support a business community that shows up, pitches in, and keeps growing— even when the days get long and the temps get high. You all are amazing and we appreciate you.

Stay cool out there and I’ll see you around town!

Shay

SUMMER HOURS SUMMER HOURS

Thank you to our members who have continued their annual investment with us as we can continue our partnership for another great year. We appreciate your support of the area business community.

Gregory J. Butler, CPA

J u n e R e n e w a l s

150% CLUB 150% CLUB

The 150% Club is a voluntary membership enhancement to provide additional support to the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and it’s mission.

McDonough County Board of Directors

Dr.Matthew McClure

150% CLUB 150% CLUB

The 150% Club is a voluntary membership enhancement to provide additional support to the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce and it’s mission.

Financial

Advisor: Seth Minter

KALI FOXALL

2025 CHAMBER GOLF OUTING

JUNE 23 - HARRY MUSSATTO GOLF COURSE

The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Chamber Golf Outing on Monday, June 23, at Harry Mussatto Golf Course, drawing a sold-out crowd for one of the Chamber’s most anticipated summer events.

The outing brought together more than 100 players and community leaders for a day of golf, networking, and camaraderie Participants enjoyed a mix of traditional play and creative hole activities, including sponsor giveaways, trivia challenges, and refreshments served on the course.

Hole Contest Winners Included:

Men’s Closest to the Pin – Bill McCamant – WIU Swag Package

Men’s Longest Putt – Jon Forman - $25 Chamber Gift Certificate

Men’s Closest to the Pin in 2 Shots – Matt Lawver - $25 Domino’s Gift Card

Men’s Longest Drive – Cole Wright - $25 Chamber Gift Certificate

Women’s Closest to the Pin in 2 Shots – Jamie Cumbie - $25 Craft

Coop Gift Certificate

Women’s Longest Drive – Lauren Kane - $25 Chamber Gift Certificate

Women’s Longest Putt – Karlie Wisslead - $25 Domino’s Gift Card

Championship Flight Included:

1st Place – Seth Minter, Paul Runser, Jake Mann, Matt Lawver –Free Round of Golf +$25 Chamber Gift Certificate per person

2nd Place – Cole Wright, John Vigezzi, Dax Neiders, Tom Twaddle –Free Round of Golf +$20 Chamber Gift Certificate per person

3rd Place – Rick Severs, Nick Severs, Brodie Dacon – Free Round of Golf + $15 Chamber Gift Certificate per person

1st Flight: 1st Place – Justin Bougher, Dustin Clark, Ryan Krisher, Stephanie Hilton – Free Round of Golf + $25 Chamber Gift Certificate per person. 2nd Place – Todd Rodeffer, Scott Edwards, Mark Hendrickson, Rich Barnett – Free Round of Golf + $20 Gift Certificate per person.

3rd Place – Mike Inman, Bill McCamant – Free Round of Golf + $15 Chamber Gift Certificate per person

The Chamber extends its gratitude to all event sponsors, volunteers, and players for helping make this year’s outing such a success.

For more information about upcoming Chamber events, visit macombareachamber com/events

JUNE 23 - HARRY MUSSATTO GOLF COURSE

WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER

RIBBON CUTTING

BOUGHER, KRISHER & ASSOCIATES CELEBRATES NEW LOCATION

The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on June 4 to celebrate the recent relocation of Bougher, Krisher, Stuckart & Clark, Attorneys at Law P.C. to 32 West Side Square in Macomb, Illinois after an extensive cosmetic remodel of the interior space.

The firm provides professional legal representation in Central and West Central Illinois. From their home office in Macomb, the team proudly serves McDonough, Hancock, Henderson, Fulton, Schuyler, Warren and Knox Counties regularly, but practice all over the state of Illinois. They are a general practice firm with an emphasis on estate planning, probate, farm estates, real estate, civil litigation, and criminal law including traffic and DUI.

For more information, call (309) 833-1701 or visit bougherlaw.com.

GLASS RECYCLING COMES TO MACOMB RIBBON CUTTING

The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce joined in with the GFWC Macomb Woman’s Club, City of Macomb, IL, and several local organizations for a ribbon cutting on June 26 for the addition of a new, purple Ripple Glass recycling bin placed in the Farm King Supply, Inc. parking lot (1620 E. Jackson St.) in Macomb.

In conjunction with the Ripple Glass, a glass recycling company, the addition of the purple bin will provide additional recycling opportunities free of charge for the City of Macomb and outlying, rural areas while giving new life to glass waste in the region.

For more information, visit www.rippleglass.com

CITY OF MACOMB CELEBRATES NEW VEHICLES RIBBON CUTTING

The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on June 30 to help the City of Macomb, IL Public Transit as they celebrated the expansion of their fleet. With the addition of eight new vehicles—four medium-duty buses and four minivans—Public Transit is strengthening its commitment to providing safe, reliable transportation for our community. Vehicles were purchased with funds through the Illinois Consolidated Vehicle Procurement Program via the Federal Transit Administration and/or the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The vehicles provide On-demand response transport, offering door-to-door public transportation for the elderly, those with limited mobility, and all residents of Macomb and McDonough County. For more information, visit cityofmacomb.com/public-transportation/

NominateaLocalFirstResponder

The McDonough County Community Quality of Life (QoL) Advisory Committee will be recognizing all County First Responder Departments. The County QoL Committee is also seeking nominations for any First Responder who has contributed to maintaining or improving the Quality of Life in our County through their exceptional community volunteer efforts during the2024-2025year.

This award is for individuals who have never been a recipient of the QoL award in the past. A list of all previous recipients can be sent upon request, or click on:https://tinyurl.com/QoLawardlist

Nominators,pleaseincludeyourname,address, andtelephonenumberforverification.

Submissions should either be a one-page typed narrative as to why this person deserves this award or simply click on the link below and complete the nomination online. When submitting a typed narrative, please include the nominees full name, email, home address and phone number.Nofamilynominationswillbeaccepted.

Tosubmitelectronically,please visit https://tinyurl.com/qualitylifeaward2025 emailJohnMeixnerat:jmeixner@roe26.netorsubmitviamailto: 130SouthLafayetteStreet-Suite200-Macomb,IL61455

Deadlinetosubmitnominations:Friday,July18,2025

The awards will be presented on Tuesday, September 9 at a reception held at Western Illinois University’s Union LaMoine Room from 4:30-6 pm. The event will begin with a social at 4:30 pm and the awards presentedat5pm.Thisspecialeventwillhavea$10admission.

FormoreinformationcontacttheRegionalOfficeofEducation at309-575-3226oremailJohnMeixner:jmeixner@roe26.net

Who accepts Chamber Gift Certificates?

Keep it in your community. Easy and Affordable.

What are Chamber Gift Certificates?

The Chamber Gift Certificate Program has been in existence since the mid 1980's. We sell Gift Certificates and they can be redeemed at participating member businesses. We sell nearly $200,000 worth of certificates every year, meaning all of that money stays in our region!

Only Chamber members who opt in to the Chamber Gift Certificate Program can accept certificates. Any Chamber member can opt in at any time. To be added to the list of 140+ area locations, contact our office and we’ll get you on the list.

How can I help promote the Chamber Gift Certificate Program?

We love when our members and the community help keep it local by promoting the Chamber Gift Certificate Program:

Buy them for your employees, family, friends, teachers, etc.: Chamber Gift Certificates are a win-win since Chamber gift certificates never expire, can be purchased in any amount, and you are keeping that money right here in the Macomb area.

Tell people about them. Friends and family are always looking for gift suggestions, so why not chime in with the perfect idea?