Issuu

CHAMBERCONNECTION

UPCOMING UPCOMING UPCOMING CHAMBER CHAMBER WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

KETRA ROSELIEB CHAIRMAN - WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

JOHN MEIXNER PAST CHAIRMAN - ROE #26

BRENTNEY HICKENBOTTOM TREASURER - MIDAMEROCA NATIONAL BAN

LYNNE CAMPBELL COMMUNITY NEWS BRIEF

DUSTIN TEEL KUNES AUTO GROUP OF MACOMB

JOSH ALDEN PELLA

ALYSON STURGIS SULLIVAN TAYLOR UPTOWN

SETH MINTER EDWARD JONES

LISA WARD

MARJORIE RHOADES MACOMB SCHOOL DISTRICT #185

BLAKE SEVERS MACOMB PARK DISTRICT

JUSTIN POWERS MTC COMMUNICATIONS

LAURA LEEZER CLOCK TOWER COMMUNITY BANK

ANNE INGERSOLL BLOOM MACOMB

PATRICK OSTERMAN MCDONOUGH DISTRICT HOSPITAL

Inside our newsletter, you will find our Vision Statement, which is “To serve as an advocate for the business, professional, and educational community’s collective efforts to enhance the economic climate and quality of life for all our citizens.” Those are nice words, but how is it put into practice?

First and foremost, the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce prides itself in working alongside great partners such as the City of Macomb, Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation, the Macomb Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Downtown Development, and the Macomb Park District. We meet on a regular basis to stay connected on what we need to do to collectively promote the Macomb area.

This results in collaborative efforts such as Jobapalooza, Downtown Block Party, the City-Wide Community Calendar, and the proposed Sports Facility, just to name a few

We listen to our members when they offer suggestions for workshops. Recent workshops have focused on Human Resources, Employment Law, and Emergency Preparedness.

STEVEN BRODY

Executive Director

The Alzheimer’s Association will be presenting a workshop entitled “Brain Health & The Workplace: What Employers Need to Know.” There is still time to register for this workshop on June 10 at 8:30am at Macomb City Hall. Upcoming workshops will include How to Advocate to your elected official in July and an Active Threat workshop in August.

Networking events are an essential Chamber function. Our Annual Chamber Golf Outing is on Monday June 22 at Macomb Country Club Please contact our office to sign up your foursome and to inquire about remaining sponsorships. Don’t forget that you can choose either a morning or afternoon tee time this year!

The next Business After Hours will take place on June 17 at Bickford of Macomb It will be held from 4:30-6pm, and as always, is only open to Chamber members as another benefit of membership.

If you have been thinking about signing up for the Greece trip in October, you have until June 21 to do so.

Finally, don’t forget to support our local businesses by purchasing Chamber Gift Certificates. We are open from 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday.

Thank you for your continued participation and partnership with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. Together, great things happen!

Hi Everybody,

It’s pretty much impossible to open LinkedIn or turn on the news right now without someone screaming about AI changing the world. It’s everywhere, and frankly, it’s changing how we all do business.

So let’s be real for a second about how we’re handling it here at the Chamber.

Am I using AI to help market your business? Absolutely! I am actively embracing it as a powerful tool behind the scenes. I’m using it to clean up spreadsheets, draft basic outlines, and automate the tedious administrative stuff that used to take hours. It makes us faster and more efficient.

But I want to make one thing crystal clear:

AI is a tool, not our replacement. We’ve all dealt with those infuriating, looping customer service chatbots where the hold times make you literally want to throw your phone out the window. We are all too familiar with the “download the app” mentality of doing business in the modern world.

SHAY HOLLAND Marketing

Director

I promise you’ll never get that version of the Chamber. There is a hard line where tech stops and real life begins, and I am fiercely protecting the core values that make us an integral part of your workday:

Business After Hours: An algorithm can't clink glasses with you, introduce you to a game-changing business partner, or read the room to see who you need to meet. Networking is pure chemistry, and robots don't have it.

Ribbon Cuttings: You can't simulate the energy of a grand opening Holding those ridiculously giant scissors, watching a local business owner live out their dream, and cheering them on is a strictly human joy.

True Personalization: When you call us because you’re stressed about a local policy, or you need advice on navigating a weird business hurdle, you’re getting a real person. A person who knows your name, understands our specific community, and actually cares about your success.

I am using technology to handle the busywork specifically so I can spend more time being human with you. I’m using tech to strengthen our operations, but I’m relying on real relationships to strengthen this community.

We’re actual people and we’re in your corner. See you at the next event where the laughs and the handshakes will be 100% real.

My contact information is below and I encourage you to use it as many times as you need to; I promise no idea is too small or no question is too weird. That's what I, and the Macomb Area Chamber, are all about.

Let’s make it a great month!

MAY RENEWALS

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 and wish you much success.

GREG J. BUTLER, CPA

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.

Dr.Matthew McClure

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.

FinancialAdvisor: SethMinter

KALI FOXALL S

COMMUNITY EVENTS

CHAMBER AMBASSADORS

$40

WELCOME

COMMUNITY NEWS

MDH economic impact surpasses $20M

MACOMB, Ill. – After steadily increasing in recent years, McDonough District Hospital (MDH) has now surpassed $200 million dollars of economic impact to the local and state economy

The Illinois Health and Hospital Association released it’s report as part of the “Communities Win When Local Hospitals Are Strong” campaign.

The $202.5 million is an increase of $4.2 million from two years ago and up $15 million since 2022.

IHA’s 2026 report noted that MDH is responsible for 1,226 jobs supporting working families

Full Story: MDH.org

Crafty Coop receives small biz grant

Congratulations to The Crafty Coop, LLC on being selected as one of just 500 small businesses nationwide to receive a $20,000 grant through the Amex Shop Small® Grants Program.

The program, presented by Main Street America in partnership with American Express®, awarded more than $10 million in funding to small businesses across the country to support growth, innovation, and local community impact

Full Story: Main Street America. Information: Crafty Coop.

COMMUNITY NEWS

NCBHS welcomes new director

North Central Behavioral Health Services (NCBHS) is pleased to announce Michael Lau, PhD LCPC-IL, CMHC-UT as the new Director of Health Directions, a specialized division of the organization. For over 40 years, NCBHS has provided mental health and substance use services to more than 50,000 clients in the North Central and West Central Illinois area.

A Licensed Psychotherapist for over 30 years, Lau’s expertise has expanded the services of Health Directions to now provide psychological testing including personality, cognnitive, neuropsychological, and Law Enforcement evaluations.

With Telehealth as a viable resource, Lau and his staff are available to clients in LaSalle, Bureau, Grundy, Stark, McDonough, and Marshall Counties.

Because Health Directions takes most private insurances, they are able to help many who are seeking treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues.

Information: ncbhs.org

MACOMB BUSINESS ACADEMY

Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Graduation of 2026 MBA Class

MACOMB, IL —

The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Macomb Business Academy (MBA). The eight-week leadership program concluded on May 14 with a graduation ceremony following two months of hands-on professional development and community engagement.

The MBA was launched as a modernized successor to the long-standing Community Leadership Academy (CLA). Designed to meet the evolving needs of local professionals, the program provides emerging leaders with a comprehensive view of the institutions shaping the region.

From March through May, participants met weekly at Macomb City Hall to engage with local experts across various sectors. The curriculum focused on:

Civic Insight: Direct contact with leaders in local government, economic development, and education.

Community Pillars: In-depth sessions on agriculture, safety and crisis response, and the non-profit sector.

Leadership Growth: Personal development through team-building exercises and personality trait exploration.

The transformation from the CLA to the Macomb Business Academy allows the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce to deliver high-level information in a format that fits the schedules of today’s professionals.

For more information about the Macomb Business Academy or to inquire about future sessions, please contact vist macombareachamber.com