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APRIL MEMBER OF THE MONTH
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE APRIL MEMBER OF THE MONTH, THE THOMAS SHOP.
• Agnes Thomas established the business in 1934.
• Stacia Thomas - Falconburg recognized as one of the “Top 20
Under 40” in Effingham County.
• Kathy and Stacia have both served several terms as President
of the downtown Effingham retailers association.
• Kathy is a charter member of Sunrise Rotary.
• Recognized as “Buyer of the month” for Joan Walters
Company.
• Stacy is a facilitator for the Chamber CHOICES program.
• Kathy is American Board Certified in orthotics and prosthetics.
• ACE certified.
• Professional bra fitting and mastectomy services available.
• Presenter and host for the “Ladies Night Out”
2010 FUNFEST BED & BREAKFAST PROGRAM
The Mid America Motorworks Corvette Funfest weekend is scheduled for September 17-19 and local hotel accommodations fill up fast.
The Chamber is excited about the “Bed & Breakfast” program that was implemented last year. To ensure our guests have local lodging, the community is helping support the Corvette Funfest by opening up their homes for private rentals.
Rental registration begins April 1 and runs through July 31. Residents can logon to www.funfesthousing.com to register their home or rooms in their homes for rental purposes for the Funfest weekend only. Individuals without computer access or just looking for more information, please contact the Chamber office at 217/342.4147 or stop by and pick up the registration form and a list of frequently asked questions.
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EMPLOYEE FITNESS DAY SCHEDULED
Spring is here and the weather is getting nicer outside - It’s time to take action on that New Year’s resolution and start living that healthier lifestyle! The Chamber’s annual Employee Fitness Day will be held on Thursday, May 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The committee is very excited about the changes being planned this year beginning with a new location, new lunch options, new prizes, new speakers, and new exhilarating activities to promote a healthy lifestyle in a fun, non-competitive and informative atmosphere.
Employee Fitness Day will be held at The Theatre just walking distance from the TREC trail. Come out and visit with the many exhibitors and listen to speakers lined up to talk about nutrition, the popular Mediterranean Diet, and the 8 Colors of Fitness. Two organized walks on the TREC trail will be available for those interested, weather permitting. You will also be able to take part in some entertaining fitness activities that will be setup in the Platinum Lobby. Each participant will be provided with a FREE lite lunch and beverage.
Employers are encouraged to allow your employees additional time over their lunch hours to come out and participate in this great event. Healthy and happy employees = efficient and productive employees! Please call Tracy at the Chamber office at 217/342.4147 to make your reservation and spend your lunch hour with us!
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EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
The 2010 Employee Appreciation Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, May 7 at the Keller Convention Center. This annual event provides an opportunity for employers to express their appreciation to their support staff for helping make the business run smoothly and efficiently. Local educator and noted filmmaker, Craig Lindvahl, will be the keynote speaker and the 2010 Employee of the Year will be announced at the luncheon.
BOSSES: What a great way to thank that valued team member for their contributions to your business - Nominate that person for the 2010 Employee of the Year!
The award is given annually to an outstanding full-time employee who demonstrates a high level of professionalism and commitment to your business. Letters of nomination from employers will be accepted through Wednesday, April 21. The nomination form can be downloaded from the Chamber’s website.
Make plans now to close the office and bring the staff to this very special and entertaining event. Details and reservation information are included in this mailing. NOTE: The luncheon will be held from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. to accommodate all the special events being planned. The cost is $15 per person and tables of 6 or more can be reserved.
Nominate that OUTSTANDING employee!
Nomination FormMake your reservations today! Luncheon Reservation Form
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YBNEXT IN 2010
YBNext is off to an exciting start to 2010 and the annual membership drive is underway. Memberships run from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 and are $50 for Chamber members and $75 for non-Chamber members. This year members are able to add their spouse to their membership for only $10 more. What a great way for the both of you to get involved with your community and other professional peers .
Something new the group has incorporated this year is a “Member of the Month” program to recognize a YBNext members’ achievements and contributions to our community.
The group has also just experienced its first Board rollover and would like to Welcome the new Board Members: Matt Dasenbrock, Lisa Ikemire, and Kurt Strullmeyer.
Upcoming events include:
• Adopt - A - Highway on April 24th
• Professional Development Event - April 27th
YBNext would like to encourage local professionals between the ages of 21-45 to join this dynamic group of people. It’s a great way to grow professionally and have fun in the process! For more information or to join, please call Tracy at 217/342.4147 or visit YBNext website.
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
R. C. BUILDINGS INC.
2624 E. 475th Avenue
Mason, IL 62443
618/483.5204
Web Site
Darrell Runge, President
(Post-Frame Buildings)
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MAKING CONNECTIONS IN EFFINGHAM COUNTY
A business card display rack in the Chamber lobby provides a another great way for our members to connect with consumers. The card holder can accommodate 48 cards and slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring in your business cards and promote your business to our many visitors.
CHAMBER CONGRATULATIONS:
*Firefly Grill received the Quantum Leap award from the Illinois Bureau of Tourism.
*Dr. Peter Bonutti received the Rural Physician of Excellence Award by the Illinois Rural Health Association.
*Barbara Proctor and Drew Vaupel of Heartland Human Services both received their Clinical Professional Counselor license from the Illinois Division of Professional Regulations.
*Andy Grunloh has been named Bank President of Crossroads Bank.
MEMBER WELCOME:
*Chris Kabbes joined Crossroads Bank as Senior Vice President.
*Bonutti Clinic announced the return of Dr. Josue P. Gabriel, MD to their physician team.
*Dr. Omid Ghalambor joined St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital as Medical Director of Interventional Pain Management Services and JoBeth Geier joined as Executive Director of Fund Development.
*Linda Cain joined Evergreen Nursing & Rehabilitation as Director of Business Development.
*Northside Ford-Lincoln-Mercury welcomes Kenny Stone as Service Manager and Roy Mosley as Assistant Service Manager.
*Effingham Homes welcomes Steve Linton and Mary Burrell to their sales staff.
MEMBER MILESTONES:
*K&M Flower Shoppe - celebrates 40 years in business.
MEMBER CHANGES AND NOTES:
*Allstate Insurance moved to 603 W. Jefferson in Effingham.
*Washington Savings Bank has announced their purchase of the Effingham branch of Centrue Bank.
*Dale Carnegie Course correction: Preview Meeting will be held Thursday, April 8 with Session One on April 22.
*The American Cancer Society will conduct a Cancer Prevention Study. For more information or to participate, please call 888.604.
5888.
*IMEC is sponsoring the 2010 Human Resource Conference on April 16 at John Logan College in Carterville, IL. For more information, call 618.453.0402 or online.
*Helen Matthes Library announces the grand opening of their new Tween Space on Monday, April 12 from 4-5:30 p.m.
*Illinois State Treasurer, Alexi Giannoulias, is giving away up to $10,000 to K-8 students through the “Win Money For College” drawing. For more information or to register, visit website.
*Night Shield Children’s Shelter in West Frankfort, IL services our area and accepts individuals and sibling groups on a temporary basis until DCFS can find a permanent place for them. For more information or to receive their newsletter, contact Christina Wilcox at or call Judy Davis at 618/932.6400.
(If your company has received an industry award, is celebrating a milestone anniversary, adding new staff members, expanding its facilities or opening a new division, please forward your news to email Tracy at the Chamber. Please include a contact name and phone number.)
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FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
MAKING EFFINGHAM COUNTY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK
B“A day doesn’t pass without the Chamber directly serving your best interests either through planned programs, business recommendations or in making Effingham County a better place to live and work.”
This quote is taken from the presentation that is given to new Chamber members during our semi-annual orientation programs. We spend time with our new members telling them about the Chamber of Commerce brand; how it came into existence in the 1700s in Europe when tradesmen banded together for protection and has grown into a present-day partnership of business people working together to build a healthy economy and improve the quality of life of a community.
They learn about the early history of the Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry when a group of businessmen gathered in 1917 to develop an organization that would advance the business interests of Effingham and the surrounding area, abate trade abuses and illegitimate business practices, foster a spirit of cooperation and loyalty among citizens and promote the interests of the members.
Our new members hear about the great benefits we have to offer, the programs we produce to serve our members’ needs, and the many ways they can meet and connect with other business people through the Chamber to support and improve their businesses.
The orientation is a great way for new – and not so new - members of the Chamber to learn how to get the most out of their membership, and to learn how the Greater Effingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry is working to make Effingham County a great place to live, work, grow, play, visit, prosper and raise a family.
Please consider this your invitation to join us on Friday, April 9 at 11 a.m. at the Keller Convention Center. Then stay for the First Friday Luncheon and hear from Congressman John Shimkus on recent Capitol Hill action and what business can expect in the weeks and months ahead.
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LOCAL ADULT WELDING CLASS NEEDS EQUIPMENT
The Job Retention & Expansion Spoke of Effingham County Vision 2020 is working with Lake Land College to establish an adult welding class that would be held at Effingham High School. The college has provided a list of welding equipment needed to make this project happen and we are reaching out to the business community for assistance.
Equipment needed includes 1 MIG welder, 4 TIG welders and 3 Oxy/Acet outfits. Siemer Milling Company in Teutopolis has already donated one piece of equipment that their company is no longer using.
Businesses who have used equipment available, or would like to contribute toward the purchase of new equipment, may contact Mark Behrns, Job Retention & Expansion Spoke Chair.
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“I’m going to get to work with a local manufacturer on the Susan Harwood Training Grant as a result of your article in the March Workforce Development newsletter. Thank you again for your letter of support for this project and the article. Sometimes it’s hard for companies to understand “I’m from the government and here to help you”, so partnerships like yours help us get the word out on good things like this OSHA training.”
Lori Amerman, IMEC
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MEMBER BENEFIT - BULK MAILING PERMIT
As a Chamber member, our bulk permit number for postage is available for you to use for large mailings which will decrease your out of pocket expense. Some of the mailing guidelines have changed, please contact the Chamber for more information at 217/342.4147.
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2010 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS AS OF MARCH 31
Arrow Pest Control
Baseball Card Connection
Bike & Hike
Country Insurance & Financial Service
Dr. Margaret Merry-Niebrugge
Drs. Slusar & Hage, Ltd.
Effingham Health Center
Effingham Homes
Effingham Signs & Graphics
Frederking Construction Company
Goeckner Bros. Inc.
Howard Johnson Express Inn
JA FA Photo
Mary Kay Cosmetics - Kathy Schroeder
Pepsi Mid America
Prompt Care
Schaefer Appraisal Service
Sherwin Williams Paint Company
TGI Friday’s
The French Quarter Salon & Day Spa
Visionary Eyewear, LLC
W.E.T Pools & Spas
Wells Fargo Advisors
Witt’s Smokehouse & Deli
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Effingham, Illinois -
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC INDICATORS
JANUARY |
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2010
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2009
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CITY BUILDING PERMITS:
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Month, Commercial
Month, Residential
Year To Date, Total
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4/$ 29,500
3/$ 121,000
7/$ 150,500
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4/$ 2,180,513
4/$ 124,900
8/$ 2,305,413
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LABOR MARKET - COUNTY:
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Total Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Eff. Co. Unemploy. Rate
IL Unemployment Rate
US Unemployment Rate
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18,045
15,971
2,074
11.5%
12.2%
10.6%
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17,958
16,328
1,630
7.9%
8.7%
8.5%
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ANNUAL AVERAGE:
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2008
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2007
|
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Total Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Eff. Co. Unemploy. Rate
Illinois Unemployment Rate
US Unemployment Rate
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18,183
16,736
1,447
8.0%
10.1%
9.3%
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18,580
17,505
1,075
5.8%
6.4%
5.8%
|
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CITY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS:
|
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Total Assets - 4th Qtr.
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$831,623,627
(Total 10 Banks Reporting)
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$840,119,774
(Total 10 Banks Reporting)
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RETAIL SALES:
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City - (4th Qrt. '09)
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$155,528,784
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$152,168,328
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County - (4th Qrt. '09)
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$173,874,485
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$170,186,173
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Total Sales-City (CY 09/08)
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$579,144,437
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$634,077,560
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Total Sales-Cou.(CY 09/08)
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$651,341,734
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$709,070,900
|
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Total Sales-City (FY 09/08)
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$593,138,675
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$641,242,712
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Total Sales-Cou. (FY 09/08)
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$666,607,206
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$742,839,163
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SOURCE: Illinois Department of Revenue: www.revenue.state.il.
NOTE: We are able to obtain more up-to-date retail sales data than in the past. If you wish to obtain historical data that has not been published, call Tracy at 217/342-4147.
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