Chamber Dateline

The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER DATELINE

APRIL 2021

Little Egypt CEO Program Hosts Local Pitch Competition

The Little Egypt CEO Program offers an entrepreneur education opportunity for local youth. Facilitated by Emily Kracht– this year-long course utilizes partnerships with local business community partners and area schools to provide an overview of business development and processes. The CEO program invite students to think outside the textbook while providing an immersive entrepreneurial experience. Here, students are invited to take risks, manage results, and learn from the outcomes.

The young CEO’s recently brought their entrepreneurial ideas to a local pitch competition held at the Chamber of Commerce. This pitch competition helped prepare students for the trade show by sharpening their elevator pitch, practicing public speaking abilities, as well as to help them refine, understand and defend their business venture. The Local Pitch Competition purpose is to not only prepare students, but also to enjoy friendly competition with their peers!

The morning of the Pitch Competition began with 3 young men ready to sell their business venture plans to 3 panel judges. Among these young business owners were Brendan Franklin with Tabletop Supply Co., Cruz Uribe with BeanX Apparel, and Kaiden Roberts with Kaiden’s Lawncare. Each of the young men had 30 seconds to pitch their business plans followed by 10 minutes of insight and questions from the panel of judges. Judges for pitch day included Chuck Lane, Centralia High School Superintendent; Malaya Downey, Assistant Executive Director for the Chamber of Commerce; and Josh Day, Electrical Engineer at EFI Solutions.

Next up for Little Egypt CEO is their Trade Show on Tuesday, April 27, 5:00pm-7:00pm in the Centralia Chamber Conference Room. This is your opportunity to see what real businesses these young entrepreneurs have created! We hope you will join us.

Also, Little Egypt CEO will be the featured presenter at the Centralia Chamber Monthly Luncheon on Wednesday, April 21, 12:00pm at Centralia Elks Lodge. Please RSVP ASAP as we are still limited to 50 in attendance. Contact 618-532-6789 or [email protected].

We look forward to seeing what these future leaders are learning about business in our community!

Chamber Board of Directors

Monica French, President Gonzalez Companies Kaskaskia College Hosts the Travis Etheridge, 1st Vice President Hank’s Lounge City of Centralia Candidates’ Forum The Insurance Alliance Emily Kracht, 2nd Vice President E. Kracht Photography Little Egypt CEO Program The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce welcomed the public to watch Rachel Wallace, Treasurer Best Western Plus Hotel the Centralia Candidates Forum online on Thursday, March 18. The forum Rosati’s Pizza and Sports Pub was hosted by Kaskaskia College and was live streamed on the KC Subway Restaurants Facebook page. Bo Baer, Director Peoples National Bank Seth Baltzell, Director We want to thank Kaskaskia College, WJBD, WIBV, The Weekly City Hope Church Publications, and The Sentinel for covering the forum. The purpose of the Richard Cary, Past President Wham & Wham Lawyers forum is to educate and inform voters on each candidates' platform and Linda Dabney, Director viewpoints before the election held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The chamber Pregnancy Care Clinic of commerce does not endorse any single candidate and all candidates will George Evans, Director received equal time. Kaskaskia College Damon Harbison, Director SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital "We are happy to partner with Kaskaskia College and utilize their Wendy Jourdan, Director technology and resources to make sure this event is available for everyone Centralia City Schools Wes Monken, Director to see. Unfortunately, with Phase 4 guidelines, we were unable to have the Monken Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Nissan public in attendance for this event," says Marcus Holland, executive director Jesus Santiago, Director of the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce. Tequila Mexican Restaurants Taco Jo’s Andrea Schwartz, Director Regions Bank Jason Wildman, Past President Bayer Crop Sciences Brad Haege, Ex-Officio / Past President 2021 Balloon Fest Chair US Bank

Chamber Staff

Marcus Holland Executive Director Malaya Downey Assistant Director

Chamber Ambassadors

Kelsey Brenneisen Alcorn Insurance Josh Day EFI Solutions John Denton Peoples National Bank Nikki Holland that looks like you The candidates for mayor are incumbent Herb Williams and challenger Thirty-One Independent Director Bryan Kuder. The two city council seats that are vacated by Howard Jones Dennis Krupp and Andre Marshall are being sought after by Jeff Castellari, Israel Rod Snow Real Estate Luberta Lytle Fontanez, Jason Hunter, Rob Jackson, and Kent Jones. LL Life Coach The event began with a short introduction by Holland, then the five city

The mission of the Greater Centralia council candidates had three minutes each to present their platform and Chamber of Commerce is to be a make an opening statement. After opening remarks, questions were selected recognized leader for our members and read by local media with each candidate allowed a one minute response. and community and to stimulate a healthy business climate through After the questions, each candidate was given two minutes for closing programs and services that statements. The same format was used for the mayoral candidates. strengthen our community as well as directly benefit our members and enhance their business success. Centralia Chamber Golf Plae Dae Friday, May 7, 2021 at Greenview Golf Club

Players and sponsors will be able to network and have an all-inclusive fun day on the golf course. This event is made possible by Plae Dae sponsors: Community Trust Bank, Insurance Alliance, Kaskaskia College, and Tequila Mexican Restaurants. Team placement and sponsorship opportunities are still available!

This year’s event is ALL-INCLUSIVE. Team’s pay a one-time cost and get to enjoy all the amenities of the golf scramble- 18-holes with cart, a gourmet sack lunch, drinks, beer, mulligans, putting contest, chance to win prizes on every hole, and top three teams win prizes! Check in is fast and no money will be needed on course.

“We’ve had a great response to this year’s scramble! The teams and sponsors have been rolling in, but there are still team slots and sponsorship opportunities available,” states Malaya Downey, assistant executive director of the Centralia Cham- ber of Commerce.

The deadline for business sponsorships is Friday, April 16. The deadline for golf team submissions is Friday, April 30.

The mission of the Chamber is to stimulate a healthy business climate through programs and services that strengthen our community as well as directly benefit our members and enhance their business success. The Centralia Chamber creates value for their members and community alike with events like Plae Dae. MEMBERSHIP LIST BY CATEGORY - APRIL 2021 - THE GREATER CENTRALIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Bank Kujawa & Batteau, PC - Kevin Batteau | Hotel Community Trust Bank (CTB) - Irvington | (618) 357-3000 Best Western Plus Centralia Hotel & Suites | (618) 249-6218 Kujawa & Batteau, PC - Kristen Schmitt | (618) 918-2559 Community Trust Bank (CTB) - Centralia | (618) 357-3000 Centralia Motel | (618) 532-7357 (618) 533-0527 Kujawa & Batteau, PC - Steven Kujawa | Holiday Inn Express - Salem Illinois | Farmer's State Bank - Centralia | (618) 532-2265 (618) 357-3000 (618) 740-0913 Farmer's State Bank of Hoffman | (618) 533-4196 Sun Loan Company | (618) 533-8983 O'Brist Properties | (618) 532-4505 Land of Lincoln Credit Union | (618) 533-1233 Taask Financial | (618) 532-7221 Midland States Bank | (618) 532-1918 Titlemax | (618) 533-3055 Individual Peoples National Bank - East | (618) 545-0901 Ainslie, Ray | (618) 495-2673 Peoples National Bank - West | (618) 548-2650 Government Langenfeld, Maryann | (618) 532-4882 Regions Bank | (618) 533-2711 Central City, Village of | (618) 532-2123 Logullo, Pam | (618) 532-1567 U.S. Bank (Equal Housing Lender) | Centralia - Assistant City Manager | Williams, Patty | (618) 533-0221 (618) 533-7100 (618) 533-7625 Centralia - City Clerk | (618) 533-7625 Industry Contractor Centralia - City Manager | (618) 533-7625 Manufacturing, Distribution, Consulting Building Improvement, Construction, Skilled Centralia - Community Development | Bayer Crop Sciences | (618) 249-8921 Labor (618) 533-7625 ConAgra Brands - Duncan Hines | (618) 533-4808 ADI - Advantage Garage Door | (618) 532-0660 Centralia - Mayor | (618) 533-7625 Donnewald Distributing Company | (618) 532-5521 Alpha and Omega Construction | (618) 792-4155 Centralia Township | (618) 532-5923 Duratech Corporation | (618) 533-8891 Bolin Enterprises | (618) 780-6852 Centralia Township Assessor | (618) 532-5000 EFI Solutions | (618) 533-1351 Centralia Rental Sales & Service, LLC | Centralia Township Highway Dept. | FastLatch, LLC | (618) 267-9111 (618) 533-4184 (618) 532-5001 Graphic Packaging | (618) 533-2721 Custom Design Builders | (618) 533-1001 Marion County Health Department | Green's Machine Shop | (618) 532-4631 Dales Independent Contracting | (618) 317-6569 (618) 532-6518 Greenville Livestock Auction, Inc. | (618) 532-3095 Depew & Owen Builders, Inc. | (618) 532-1160 Murray Center | (618) 532-1811 Hawkins Inc. | (618) 545-0266 Eddie Ross Construction | (618) 532-2989 Wamac, City of | (618) 532-1138 Heartland Coca Cola Bottling | (618) 532-1948 Erbes Gas Heating Specialists, LLC | Johnson Trucking Co | (618) 335-6642 (618) 532-8262 Healthcare Kaskaskia Workshop, Inc. | (618) 533-4423 Gonzalez Companies LLC | (618) 222-2221 Personal Care, Elderly Care, Mental Health Kell East, Inc. | (618) 533-0700 Heneghan & Associates, PC | (618) 533-6525 Advanced Surgical Technology | (618) 231-4375 KK Contracting | (618) 532-1590 Howell Paving/General Contractors | Air Evac Lifeteam | (618) 242-8019 Mid Am Building Supply | (618) 532-5265 (618) 548-8064 Berger Chiropractic Office | (618) 532-7600 Midwest Sandbags, LLC | (847) 366-6555 Industrial Mechanical Contractors, LTD | Body Shoppe / Crossfit Centralia | (618) 545-0900 Mike's Hauling | (618) 918-0252 (618) 532-4703 Centralia Manor/Centralia Estates | Mountain Valley Water | (618) 242-4763 J F Electric | (618) 533-1680 (618) 533-1200 NVent Caddy WBT Performance | (618) 918-3821 Jeff's Chem Dry | (618) 249-6755 Clarkson Eyecare | (618) 532-5531 Pepsi MidAmerica | (618) 242-6281 Johannes Construction, Inc. | (618) 533-3069 Community Resource Center - CRC | Quad County Ready Mix of Centralia | Kracht Land Improvement | (618) 532-9673 (618) 533-1391 (618) 533-4252 My Tree Service | (618) 367-0578 Crooked Creek Animal Hospital - Ken Hartman | Quality Sports Nets Inc. | (618) 533-0700 No Slip Resolution/Sure Step | (618) 713-0623 (618) 533-3042 Tune Trucking | (618) 432-5928 Robin Dee Enterprises, Inc. | (618) 532-3745 Crooked Creek Animal Hospital - Security Alarm Co | (618) 548-5768 Shawn Monken-Hartman | (618) 533-3042 Insurance Shores Builders | (618) 532-3997 DermCare & HealthCare Clinic, LLC | Alcorn Insurance Agency - Chase Alcorn | Smith Floor Solutions | (618) 267-4354 (618) 918-2566 (618) 532-7307 Southern Illinois AG Solutions, Inc. | Doctors Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | Alcorn Insurance Agency - Kelsey Brenneisen | (618) 533-0758 (618) 548-4884 (618) 532-7307 Superior Window Co. | (618) 533-6349 Dr. Krishnamoorthy Suresh MD SC | Alcorn Insurance Agency - Scott Alcorn | T & L Contracting, Inc. | (618) 533-0758 (618) 533-5500 (618) 532-7307 Tate's Plumbing, Inc. | (618) 532-2057 Dr. Matt Stedelin | (618) 532-3604 Chaney & Karch Insurance - DJ Justice | Tick Tock Energy, Inc., | (217) 994-9020 Dr. Sajjan K. Nemani MD | (618) 533-8700 (618) 532-7331 Tony's Welding Service, Inc. | (618) 532-9353 Dreamality Athletics | (618) 918-2545 Chaney & Karch Insurance - Ed and Pam Chaney | Fireside House of Centralia | (618) 532-1833 (618) 532-7331 Financial Heritage Woods | (618) 532-4590 Chaney & Karch Insurance - Todd Dobbs | Accountant, Tax Preparation, Advisor, Credit Lakeside EMS LLC | (217) 347-5367 (618) 532-7331 Union Lyons Clinical Counseling | (618) 545-0770 Country Financial | (618) 533-1453 Bills Tax Service | (618) 532-7223 Marion Eye Center | (618) 532-1997 Dimond Bros. Insurance - Brandi Gore | Centaurus Financial - Barry Krupp | Orthopaedic Center of Southern Illinois | (618) 532-5626 (618) 532-1500 (618) 731-7110 Dimond Bros. Insurance - Melissa Patton | Centaurus Financial - Christopher Krupp | Skin Care Center of Southern Illinois - (618) 532-5626 (618) 532-1500 Dr. George Nahass | (618) 244-0031 Dimond Bros. Insurance - Tom Simpson | Edward Jones - Andrea Williams | (618) 533-5611 Skin Care Center of Southern Illinois - (618) 532-5626 Edward Jones - Bronson Meyer | (618) 533-5779 Karilyn Crook, PA-C | (618) 436-5263 George Hinton Insurance | (618) 322-1700 Edward Jones - Jay Luse | (618) 532-7342 Skin Care Center of Southern Illinois - Hudson Insurance Agency, Inc. | (618) 918-3781 Edward Jones - Scott Williams | (618) 533-5611 Tina Hall, APRN | (618) 244-0031 Hudson-Gray Insurance Agency, Inc. - Lisa Hood | Fuehne & Fuehne, PC - David Fuehne, CPA | Skin Care Center of Southern Illinois - (618) 532-4724 (618) 532-1963 Trisha Schumer, BSN RN | (618) 244-0031 Hudson-Gray Insurance Agency, Inc. - Tom Gray | Fuehne & Fuehne, PC - Lisa Fuehne, CPA | Skin Care of Southern Illinois - (618) 532-4724 (618) 532-1963 Natalie Amason APRN | (618) 244-0031 Insurance Alliance - Jason Cass | (618) 532-2277 GenFed Credit Union | (618) 532-9524 SSM Health at Home and Hospice | Insurance Alliance - Travis Etheridge | Glass & Shuffett, LTD | (618) 532-5683 (618) 899-1621 (618) 532-2277 Glass & Shuffett, LTD - Bo Thomas, CPA | SSM Health Primary Care | (618) 532-9050 MidAmerica Insurance - Jordan Renth | (618) 532-5683 SSM Health St Mary's Hospital | (618) 532-6731 (618) 533-3800 Glass & Shuffett, LTD - Doug Ess, CPA | Surgery Center of Centralia | (618) 532-3110 MidAmerica Insurance - Miranda Hapner | (618) 532-5683 United Medical Response | (618) 740-0949 (618) 545-1000 Hoyt Advisors - Donna Pierce | (618) 532-2228 MidAmerica Insurance - Timothy Snyder | Hoyt Advisors - Kayla Parke | (618) 532-2228 (618) 533-3800 Hoyt Advisors - Tena Hoyt | (618) 532-2228 Prudential Insurance | (618) 533-3657 Kaskaskia Valley Credit Union | (618) 533-6681 State Farm - Ed Grist | (618) 532-1937 State Farm - Jack Graham | (618) 533-2757 WWW.CENTRAILACHAMBER.COM/DIRECTORY 618-532-6789

There are positive changes being made in planning Centralia Balloon Fest 2021 this August, and it is all because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, Centralia Balloon Fest hosted a socially distant event that was spread out across the community and featured hot air balloons taking off and landing all over town. Restaurants and retailers reported an increase in revenue that weekend compared to other weekends, which is not typically the case for the event.

“We learned a lot last year, and we cannot take it back. Balloon Fest will forever be changed due to the pandemic, but it is all for the growth of businesses and improvement to our event,” says Marcus Holland, executive director of the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce.

Regular attendees of Balloon Fest will still have a great experience with hot air balloons in the Centralia Foundation Park, with the special shapes and colorful balloons inflating for walk-up traffic and photo opportunities in the evenings. Keeping some of last year’s Balloon Fest success includes drive-through balloon glows in the community where attendees can still be able to eat in local restaurants and enjoy local activities.

Another difference noticed will be the addition of a second entertainment stage inside Centralia Foundation Park. The “Family Picnic Tent” located near the food vendors will remain with a second stage added near the “Hot Air Craft Fair.”

The Balloon Fest Steering Committee has already started meeting monthly with plans for this year and following the safety guidelines of federal and state organizations at the top of their list. Pilots, sponsors, craft vendors, and food vendors are already registering. The committee is excited to have the biggest balloon fest possible.

“We want to reiterate how positive last year’s Balloon Fest was and include how successful Balloon Fest has been for 30 years before that. This is a unique opportunity to learn something about our event that we would never had been able to take the risk to test if it weren’t for the pandemic. It reminds all of us on what we are doing as the Chamber of Commerce - we are supporting our businesses and we are supporting our community!”

Governor Prtizker’s Bridge to Phase 5 allows outdoor events like Centralia Balloon Fest to continue this year. Centralia Foundation Park is large enough to safely allow social distancing. Without knowing what the guidelines will exactly be in August, the committee is hopeful that their plans will allow big things to still happen while following safety guidelines for Centralia. Mayor Williams Presents the State of the City Address

Mayor Herb Williams presented the State of the City address on Wednesday, March 17, at Centralia Elks. There was limited attendance due to COVID-19 restrictions, but thanks to Pat Hodges we were able to live stream the presentation on his Centralia onLine Facebook page. Some key highlights reported from the State of the City address: - City of Centralia received $527,000 in Cures Act from State of Illinois - 3 Businesses received $25,000 from the Downstate Stabilization Grant - 10 Businesses received money from the local Cures Economic Support - Phase 1 of SSM Health Emergency Department renovations were completed May 2020. - Business growth from Dominos, Verizon, Intermountain Electronics, Centralia City Schools, Westside Laundry, Rosati’s Pizza, Yamato Japanese Steakhouse, Lucky Dogs, ConAgra, Advanced Surgical Technologies, Gaetti Sports Academy, and Castle Ridge (pictures below). - Centralia Police Department has been working hard with the Drug Task Force, building law enforcement partnerships, and joining various federal task forces - with 5 officers sworn to those task forces. - New Emergency Operations Center at former city hall (picture on right). - Fire Department received much needed upgrades and equipment (picture below). Mayor Williams also introduced the Interim City Manager, Forrest Langenfeld, and new Economic Development Director and Assistant City Manager, Derek Sherman. In addition to pointing out our new Assistant Director, Malaya Downey, Herb noted the increased potential with having Centralia-native professionals coming back to the community for jobs and to work on the future of our community. PRESRT STD U.S. Postage Centralia, IL Permit No. 110 210 East Broadway Centralia, IL 62801

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