October 2025 News

OCTOBER 2025 CHAMBER NEWS

As we transition from Summer to Fall, the leaves are changing and falling to the ground. Our air conditioners will get a break from the heat, as will our power bill. Now is the time to double check your heaters and furnaces to make sure they are ready for Old Man Winter when he decides to rear his head upon us.

Thanks again to everyone who came out and enjoyed the Downtown Block Party last month at Chandler Park. The planning committee did an outstanding job, and I was especially impressed by the diversity of tables. Between retailers, restaurants, churches, businesses, and organizations, I know that everyone took away the knowledge that our community has a lot to offer (not to mention all the freebies too!).

Our annual Legislative Luncheon is coming up quickly on October 7 at Park Place. Thanks to Comcast Business for serving as our Presenting Sponsor again. We look forward to an engaging time of networking and interaction with our elected legislators.

STEVEN BRODY

Executive Director

The next Business After Hours will take place on October 15. This month’s hosts are our friends at the City of Macomb. It will be held from 4:30-6pm, and as always, is only open to Chamber members as another benefit of membership.

On October 21, the Chamber is excited to welcome Erik Christian, Principal Consultant with HR Fit, LLC, as he provides a presentation on conflict resolution in the workplace. Please refer to the flyer in the newsletter for further information and how to register. This event is free to Chamber members, and $10 for non-members.

The Chamber is committed to working with and listening to you so together we can make this area grow and thrive. By listening to you via the membership survey completed earlier this year, we are hosting presentations on conflict resolution this month and employment law at the beginning of December. We encourage your attendance and anticipate valuable information to be taken back to your workplace.

Thank you for your participation and partnership with the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce. It is a pleasure working with you!!!

Hi Everybody,

October is busy, busy. For a lot of businesses, this month is all about gearing up for the holiday season stocking shelves, hiring seasonal help, planning promotions, and trying to get ahead before things really take off in November and December. The pace picks up, and it can feel like there’s hardly a minute to breathe. We see you.

October also feels like a moment to take stock. In the middle of fall events and busy schedules, there’s space to ask, “what’s working and what isn’t?”

At the Chamber, we feel that same momentum. We’re helping businesses prepare, highlighting local events, and making sure the everyone knows what’s happening in our office and their communities. We’re updating graphics, policies, procedures, and office equipment to streamline our service to each and every one of you.

SHAY HOLLAND

Marketing Director

But alongside the flurry of activity, we’re also having the deeper conversations, the ones about challenges that don’t have quick fixes. Questions about workforce, about what growth looks like in a small town, about how to keep our community thriving while balancing the realities of time, money, and energy.

Those aren’t easy topics, but they’re necessary. Progress doesn’t come from skirting around the hard stuff. It comes from putting it on the table, listening to one another, and working through it piece by piece. That’s what I see our members doing every day, and it’s what keeps me optimistic even in the busiest seasons.

Our office is here to be a sounding board for those conversations; a safe place to bring ideas, concerns, and even frustrations. We don’t have all the answers, but we believe solutions come from listening, connecting, and tackling challenges together. Sometimes that means brainstorming new approaches, sometimes it means connecting you with someone who’s been in your shoes, and sometimes it just means giving you space to talk it out. If I can play any part in helping you to be your best business self, I invite you to email or message me at any tine.

Let’s make it a great month!

TheArtof CHAMBER WORKSHOPS CHAMBER WORKSHOPS

PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS - ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE

The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce held a free business protection workshop on September 25, 2025 with special guest speaker, Heather Calcara, Outreach Liaison at the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

The attendees learned about topics including consumer rights, common scams, practical tips on how to prevent identity theft, and ways to report fraud scams.

For information on this topic, please visit illinoisattorneygeneral.gov or email the Chamber office at info@macombareachamber.com for the full presentation.

Please watch your email and social media for future local workshops hosted by the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce.

SEPTEMBER 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.

RyanBaxter

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.

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.

COMMUNITY EVENTS COMMUNITY EVENTS

Thank you to our community partnersCity of Macomb, Western Illinois University, Spoon River College, and Macomb 185; our sponsors, participating businesses/organizations, and all who attended the 2025 Downtown Block Party. We appreciate you!

Stops with Steven

Stops with Steven

University of Illinois Extension Center for Youth & Family Solutions

WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER

MemberMoments

A spot to share your business & organization news

RothrecognizedforWIRCwork

JamieRothofMacomb,CommunityServices&PublicRelationsDirectorat WIRC-Community Action Agency, has been recognized by peers from 35 CommunityActionAgenciesacrossIllinoisforherleadershipandinnovative program development. At the 2025 Illinois Community Services Block Grant Annual Meeting in Springfield, Roth received a framed certificate of peer recognition from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’sOfficeofCommunityAssistanceforexemplifyingthespiritof excellenceincreatingandsharingnewapproaches.

KnownforinitiativeslikeTheRideForwardProject,whichprovidesbicycles and e-bikes to people with low incomes, Roth has also written a reference guidetohelpotheragencieslaunchsimilarprograms..

In2024,sheearnedherCertified CommunityActionProfessional (CCAP)certificate,oneofonlynine awardedinIllinois thatyear. “Knowingthatthesecrazy ideas Ihavearechanginglivesandseen asinnovativebymypeersis humblingandanhonor,”saidRoth, whocreditsherteamandWIRCleadershipfortheirsupport.

WIRCisanonprofitservingmultiplewesternIllinoiscounties;more informationisavailableatwirpc.orgorbycalling 309837-2997.

WIRCEnergyAssistanceProgramopensOctober1

TheWesternIllinoisRegionalCouncil(WIRC)willbegintakingapplicationsOctober1fortheLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps income-eligible households cover heating costs during the winter months. Priority groups older adults, individuals with disabilities, families with young children, and households facing disconnection or low propane supply canapplyfirst,withapplicationsopeningtoallhouseholdsNovember3.

Appointmentsarerequiredandfillquickly;callWIRC’sMacombofficeat309-837-2997or theGalesburgofficeat309-837-5115toschedule.

MemberMoments

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CHA M BER

GIFTCER T ICIFATE S

Chamber Gift Certificates Features:

Available in any amount

Never expire

Redeemable at 140+ local businesses

Keep dollars right here in our community

Available at the Following Locations:

Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce

Clock Tower Community Bank

First Bankers Trust Company

MidAmerica National Bank

Keep it in your community. Easy and Affordable.

Looking for a gift that fits everyone and supports your community at the same time?

Chamber Gift Certificates are the perfect choice for and anyone who loves to shop, dine, and experience all that the Macomb area area has to offer.

Each year, nearly $200,000 in Chamber Gift Certificates is spent at local Chamber member businesses.

Help us spread the word: Your Chamber business can opt in to accept gift certificates. Buy Chamber Gift Certificates for holidays, birthdays, thank yous, employee appreciation, and more. Tell your friends and family about them. Choose local first.

United Community Bank . Redemption fees are now 1.75% instead of 1.5%.

Gift Certificate Update

This change helps us continue providing a quality program while remaining affordable. Thank you for your support.

GRAND PRAIRIE - SEPTEMBER 17