APRIL 2026
SEPTEMBER 2026
CHAMBER CONNECTION A DIGITAL LOOK AT YOUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY
UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS
LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS
MACOMBAREACHAMBER.COM
YOUR CHAMBER OUR VISION 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 MISSION To promote the growth and development of the Macomb Area.
OUR SERVICES Increased Visibility Networking Opportunities Business Resources Advertising & Marketing Educational Connections
OUR INFORMATION
OUR PURPOSE The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce strives to promote the development and growth of the Macomb area by serving as a resource for visitors and residents, as well as being an active voice for business and commerce. Our strong commitment to our membership and community partnerships keep Macomb and McDonough County and the forefront of business development.
(309) 837-4855 info@macombareachamber.com www.macombareachamber.com
CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KETRA ROSELIEB CHAIRMAN - WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
JUSTIN POWERS
VICE CHAIRMAN - MTC COMMUNICATIONS
JOHN MEIXNER PAST CHAIRMAN - ROE #26
SETH MINTER EDWARD JONES
SECRETARY - MACOMB PARK DISTRICT
LYNNE CAMPBELL COMMUNITY NEWS BRIEF
PATRICK OSTERMAN MCDONOUGH DISTRICT HOSPITAL
DUSTIN TEEL KUNES AUTO GROUP OF MACOMB
ALYSON STURGIS SULLIVAN TAYLOR UPTOWN
JOSH ALDEN PELLA
ANNE INGERSOLL BLOOM MACOMB
MARJORIE RHOADES MACOMB SCHOOL DISTRICT #185
BRENTNEY HICKENBOTTOM MIDAMERICA NATIONAL BANK
SETH MINTER EDWARD JONES
LAURA LEEZER CLOCK TOWER COMMUNITY BANK
LISA WARD BLUE SKY BUNGALOW, LLC.
BLAKE SEVERS
STEVEN BRODY Executive Director
The next Business After Hours will take place on September 16. This month’s hosts are our friends at Derek Zahm - State Farm. It will be held from 4:306pm, and as always, is only open to Chamber members as another benefit of membership.
The month of September reminds us that Fall is just around the corner. Labor Day always reminds me that it is time to pick the apples from the trees in my yard before they fall to the ground or are devoured by worms. September also signals that school has begun in the Macomb area. Please be sure to welcome any new Leathernecks or Snappers to town that is calling Macomb home for the next several months. The Chamber is hosting its next workshop on Thursday September 10 from 8:30-9:30 am. It is entitled “OSHA Inspections: What to Expect” and will be held at the Macomb Public Transit Center at 701 E. Pierce Street. Workshops are free for Chamber members and only $10 for non-members. A representative from the Illinois Department of Labor will be on hand to share what happens during an OSHA inspection, what documents inspectors may request, and how to prepare and avoid common violations.
Don’t forget to mark your calendar for our annual Legislative Luncheon on October 13th at Park Place. Registration information is included in the newsletter. This is one of our largest attended events of the year, and we look forward to another great turnout to meet and communicate directly with our legislators. All four of our elected officials at the state level plan to attend. Please register early as approximately 120 attended last year and we would love to surpass it. Sponsorship opportunities are also available, so please contact our office. Finally, September marks the 90 th Anniversary of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. A proclamation will be presented by the City Council at their meeting on September 14 and we will celebrate with a ribbon cutting on September 16. Feel free to join us. Whether you have been a Chamber member for 90 years or less than one year, thank you for your participation and partnership with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. It is a pleasure working with you!!!
steven@macombareachamber.com
309.837.4855
SHAY HOLLAND Marketing Director
Hi Everybody, We know. You’re busy. We are, too.
My contact information is below and I encourage you to use it as many times as you need to; I assure you 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!
And while we’d love to believe everyone is sitting down with their coffee each month, eagerly reading every word of this newsletter… we know better. So this month, we’re trying something: less. Fewer words. More useful information. Events you actually need to know about. Opportunities worth your time. Things you might otherwise miss. Because a newsletter doesn’t need to be long to be valuable. We’ll keep doing the work. You can just skim Go do your thing. We’ll be here.
shay@macombareachamber.com
309.837.4855
AUGUST 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.
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.
RICH WESTEN
Dr. Matthew McClure
NICK CURTIS
BAILEY CALE
GENE CURTIS
JUSTIN DERRY
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.
KALI FOXALL
STEVE SILBERER
THE BUSINESS LEAD
COMMUNITY EVENTS
COMMUNITY NEWS MDH awarded $4 million grant MACOMB, Ill. – McDonough District Hospital has been awarded a highly competitive four-year, nearly $4 million grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) program—the first grant of its kind received by MDH’s Obstetrics department. MDH is the only hospital in Illinois and one of just a few in the Midwest to receive the national grant, which will support efforts to strengthen rural maternity care and improve access to prenatal, delivery, postpartum and newborn services. Information: mdh.org
Before the Bell educator event a success MACOMB, Ill. - Local educators gathered on August 8 at The Penny, for the first Before the Bell, a communitysupported morning created to give educators an opportunity to connect, reflect and prepare intentionally for the beginning of the school year. Hosted by Balance Education & Wellness and Water & Stone, the event brought educators together in a relaxed environment before the demands of the new school year begin. The morning was made possible by local businesses, organizations and community members who donated food, beverages, resources, services, items and time. Information: Noelle Flynn, Balance Education & Wellness Water & Stone.
COMMUNITY NEWS Purple & Gold Gala raises $90k for WIU Athletics MACOMB, Ill. – Leatherneck Athletics hosted its 37th Annual Purple and Gold Gala on August 15, in the Western Illinois University Union Grand Ballroom, bringing together more than 300 alumni, donors, fans, coaches and friends of Leatherneck Athletics for an evening of celebration and support.
MDH names interim CEO
The evening featured a social hour, silent auction, dinner with a variety of food stations, two outstanding guest speakers with current WIU Women's Basketball Player, Kaylen Reed and former WIU Men's Basketball player mdh.org Arsenio Mims, and then a live auction. Guests Information: had the opportunity to bid on a wide range of exclusive items and experiences and enjoy a short but purposeful program prior to the live auction. The annual event raised nearly $90,000 for Leatherneck Athletics, continuing the Purple and Gold Gala's tradition as one of the department's premier fundraising events. Proceeds will help support the overall student-athlete experience and provide valuable resources. Information: GoLeathernecks.com
COMMUNITY NEWS
DIRECTORY DELIVERIES
DIRECTORY DELIVERIES
DIRECTORY DELIVERIES
RIBBON CUTTING
July 30 - Sports Corner at 124
MACOMB, Ill. – The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on July 30 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Sports Corner at 124 (124 N. Randolph St.). For three decades, Sports Corner has welcomed locals, students, and visitors to downtown Macomb. The restaurant and bar offers a full menu of gastropub fare, comfort food favorites, and rotating food/drink specials, making it a popular destination for dining, gathering with friends, and catching local and regional sporting events. Congratulations to the Sports Corner team on 30 years in business, and best wishes for continued success. For information and menu: (309) 421-0165 or follow them on Facebook/Instagram.
RIBBON CUTTING
August 3 - Busted Cup Brewery
MACOMB, ILLINOIS – The Ambassador Committee of the Macomb Area Chamber, Board of Directors, and local community leaders participated in a ribbon cutting on August 3 to celebrate the opening of The Busted Cup Brewery - Macomb (324 N. Lafayette St.). The newest business to accept Chamber Gift Certificates; the brewery features 20 taps, a selection of food options, games, and a meat market. Information: (309) 588-3247 bustedcup.com
RIBBON CUTTING
August 27 - WIU Athletics
MACOMB, IL —The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting at Western Illinois University’s Hanson Field on August 26 to mark the completion of a new synthetic turf installation ahead of the 2026 football season. The project replaces the previous turf, which had reached the end of its expected useful life. The updated field features the Rocky Head mascot logo and Ohio Valley Conference logos, with SprinTurf LLC serving as the project contractor. Funding came through Leatherneck Athletics, including support from the WIU Football Player Enhancement Fund. The Leathernecks will host six home football games this season, along with numerous Marching Leatherneck and student organization activities at Hanson Field. The new turf provides an updated playing surface for student-athletes and community events throughout the year. For more information about WIU Athletics, visit goleathernecks.com.
WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER
WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
JULY 29 - BICKFORD OF MACOMB
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
AUGUST 19 - MIDWEST INTEGRATIVE HEALTH
RESERVED
RESERVED
DOWNTOWN BLOCK PARTY
AUGUST 28 - CHANDLER PARK
AREA REAL ESTATE
QUARTERLY LOCAL MARKET UPDATE Peoria Association of Realtors | 309mls.com | 309.688.8591
AREA REAL ESTATE
QUARTERLY LOCAL MARKET UPDATE Peoria Association of Realtors | 309mls.com | 309.688.8591
$40
CHAMBER
GIFT CERTIFICATES
Looking for a gift that fits everyone and supports your community at the same time?
Chamber Gift Certificates are the perfect choice for anyone who loves to shop, dine, and experience all that our local businesses have to offer. Available at: Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce Clock Tower Community Bank First Bankers Trust Company MidAmerica National Bank United Community Bank
Fun Features: Available in any Amount Never Expire Redeemable at 140 locations Keep Dollars right in your Community
(309) 837-4855 ------ info@macombareachamber.com ------ 214 N. Lafayette St. - Macomb, IL
NEW DESIGN
OLD DESIGN GIFT CERTIFICATE UPDATE
As of July 1, the rate for gift certificate redemptions rate is now 2%. This helps cover rising material costs and ensures the future success of this long-standing local program.
MEET THE MEET THE TEAM TEAM Thank you for support and continued partnership. We are honored to get to work alongside you.
Steven Brody
Shay Holland
Executive Director
Marketing Director
214 N. Lafayette St. - Macomb, IL
309-837-4855