July Chamber Courier 2026

The Chamber Courier

cANTON aREA cHAMBER OF cOMMERCE

bOARD OF dIRECTORS

ExecutiveBoard

Executive Board

President:MaggieConnell- EdwardJones

President: Maggie Connell - Edward Jones

Vice President: Cade Fawcett - Ipava State Bank

VicePresident:CadeFawcett- IpavaStateBank

Treasurer: Chad Murphy - Spoon River College

Treasurer:ChadMurphy- SpoonRiverCollege

Secretary: Renee Lewis - Jim Maloof Realtor

Secretary:ReneeLewis- JimMaloofRealtor

BoardofDirectors

Board of Directors

TanayaKrulac- COOKMedical

Tanaya Krulac - COOK Medical

JasonGumbart- ApexSeedCompany

Jason Gumbart - Apex Seed Company

AlesiaShaw- GrahamHealthSystem

Alesia Shaw - Graham Health System

Jacque Nelson - MidAmerica National Bank

JacqueNelson- MidAmericaNationalBank

BretteOrwig -OrwigAutoBody

Brette Orwig - Orwig Auto Body

Dee Clark - State Farm Insurance

DeeClark- StateFarmInsurance

Sarah Nottle - Salvation Army

SarahNottle -SalvationArmy

Julie Tarvin - Canton Union School District

JulieTarvin -CantonUnionSchoolDistrict

MakaylyneeCorrea-StudentRepresentative

Makaylynee Correa- Student Representative

As we turn the page to July, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped make the first half of 2026 such a success. From our Annual Dinner and Chamber Golf Outing to the 35th Annual Canton Cruise-In, these events showcased the incredible partnerships, volunteers, businesses, sponsors, and community members who continue to make Canton a community worth

AsweturnthepagetoJuly,Iwanttotakeamomenttothankeveryonewho helpedmakethefirsthalfof2026suchasuccess.FromourAnnualDinnerand ChamberGolfOutingtothe35thAnnualCantonCruise-In,theseevents showcasedtheincrediblepartnerships,volunteers,businesses,sponsors,and communitymemberswhocontinuetomakeCantonacommunityworth celebrating.

TheChamberismorethantheeventswehost.Ourmissionistostrengthenlocal businesses,fostermeaningfulconnections,andcreateopportunitiesthat encourageeconomicgrowththroughoutourcommunity.Everyribboncutting, newmember,businessexpansion,networkingevent,andcommunity partnershipcontributestothemomentumwearebuildingtogether.

Aswemoveintothesecondhalfoftheyear,ourfocusremainsonservingour memberswhilecontinuingtostrengthenrelationshipsthroughoutCanton.We arealreadylookingaheadtoupcomingevents,welcomingnewbusinesses, supportingexistingones,andworkingalongsideourlocalgovernments,schools, nonprofits,andcommunityorganizationstocontinuemovingCantonforward. Oneofthegreateststrengthsofourcommunityisthewillingnessofpeopleto stepforwardandgetinvolved.Whetheryouvolunteeratanevent,supporta localbusiness,attendaChamberfunction,orsimplyencouragesomeoneto shoplocally,youarehelpingmakeadifference.Strongcommunitiesarebuiltby peoplewhochoosetoinvestinoneanother. ThankyouforyourcontinuedsupportoftheCantonAreaChamberof Commerce.Together,wearecreatingnewopportunities,strengtheninglocal businesses,andbuildinganevenbrighterfutureforCanton. HaveasafeandhappyIndependenceDay,andthankyouforbeingpartofwhat makesourcommunitysospecial.

The Chamber is more than the events we host . Our mission is to strengthen local businesses, foster meaningful connections, and create opportunities that encourage economic growth throughout our community. Every ribbon cutting, new member, business expansion, networking event , and community partnership contributes to the momentum we are building together. As we move into the second half of the year, our focus remains on serving our members while continuing to strengthen relationships throughout Canton. We are already looking ahead to upcoming events, welcoming new businesses, supporting existing ones, and working alongside our local governments, schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to continue moving Canton forward. One of the greatest strengths of our community is the willingness of people to step forward and get involved. Whether you volunteer at an event , support a local business, attend a Chamber function, or simply encourage someone to shop locally, you are helping make a difference. Strong communities are built by people who choose to invest in one another. Thank you for your continued support of the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce. Together, we are creating new opportunities, strengthening local businesses, and building an even brighter future for Canton. Have a safe and happy Independence Day, and thank you for being part of what makes our community so special .

Sincerely,

Seth Klinedinst Executive Director

Canton Area Chamber of Commerce

SethKlinedinst ExecutiveDirector CantonAreaChamberofCommerce

CELEBRATE!!

CantonAreaChamber of Commercepresents

LUAU Party

BUSINESSAFTERHOURS

Hostedby:

Hosted by:

July16

July 16

5PMTO7PM

5PM TO 7PM

*NetworkingOpportunity

*Networking Opportunity

*FreeDrinkTickets

*Free Drink Tickets

*FreeFoodProvided

*Free Food Provided

*CoolPrizeGiveaway

*Cool Prize Giveaway

Location:

WelcomeMarkleyRealty

GorsuchRealty&AuctionisproudtojointheChamberofCommerceand continueservingourcommunitywithtrustedrealestateandauctionservices.

OwnerChadMarkleyisanativeofCentralIllinoisandagraduateofWestern IllinoisUniversity,whereheearnedaBachelorofSciencedegreebefore returningtocompleteaMaster’sinEconomics.Followinghisstudies,Chad movedtoChicagoandworkedattheChicagoMercantileExchange,wherehe discoveredapassionforcommoditytrading.Afterseveralsuccessfulyearsin thetradingworld,Chadreturnedhomeandbeganacquiringfarmland—an experiencethatsparkedhisinterestinrealestate.InJune2025,Chad purchasedGorsuchRealty&AuctionfromthelateCurtisGorsuch.Gorsuch Realtyhasbeenalong-standingandrespectedbusinessinourcommunity, andChadishonoredtocarryonitslegacyofserviceandintegrity.Markley RealtyLLC,doingbusinessasGorsuchRealty&Auction,isafull-servicereal estateandauctioncompanyservingresidential,farm,andcommercialclients. Ourexperiencedteamofsevenlicensedrealestatebrokersisdedicatedto helpingcustomersnavigateeverystepoftheirbuyingandsellingjourney.Our teamincludes:TraciMiller,TrudyStuckey,JeanineSmith,LeslieGorsuch, DougFalk,HeatherMcAdams,andHarriettEllis.Welookforwardtobuilding newrelationshipsthroughtheChamberandcontinuingtoserveour communityforyearstocome.

Gorsuch Realty & Auction is proud to join the Chamber of Commerce and continue serving our community with trusted real estate and auction services. Owner Chad Markley is a native of Central Illinois and a graduate of Western Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree before returning to complete a Master’s in Economics. Following his studies, Chad moved to Chicago and worked at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, where he discovered a passion for commodity trading. After several successful years in the trading world, Chad returned home and began acquiring farmland an experience that sparked his interest in real estate. In June 2025, Chad purchased Gorsuch Realty & Auction from the late Curtis Gorsuch. Gorsuch Realty has been a long-standing and respected business in our community, and Chad is honored to carry on its legacy of service and integrity. Markley Realty LLC, doing business as Gorsuch Realty & Auction, is a full-service real estate and auction company serving residential, farm, and commercial clients. Our experienced team of seven licensed real estate brokers is dedicated to helping customers navigate every step of their buying and selling journey. Our team includes: Traci Miller, Trudy Stuckey, Jeanine Smith, Leslie Gorsuch, Doug Falk, Heather McAdams, and Harriett Ellis. We look forward to building new relationships through the Chamber and continuing to serve our community for years to come.

chad@gotogorsuch.com www.facebook. com/gorsuchre altyandauction

647-7777

CityofCanton Spotlight

ProjectingForwardin2026

Projecting Forward in 2026

AsCantonhitsthemidyearpointof2026,Iseeourcityinvolvedinprojectsofall types,shapesandsizes.AllareservingtomoveCantonforwardinapositive direction,tomakeourcommunitysafer,stronger,andmoreprogressive. We’vebeenfollowingthegrantprojectsforalongtime,buttheyareworth mentioningbecauseoftheirmagnitude.WithassistancefromtheStateofIllinois,we arerebuildingourWastewaterTreatmentPlant.Wearebuildinganewwatermain basicallyfromWallaceParktoCountyRoad22.Wearealsoreplacingasecondround ofleadwaterservicelines.Theseprojectsstrengthenourinfrastructureandcould nothappenwithoutlargegrantsfromtheState.Afourthproject,smallerbut exciting,willbethelightingofthedowntown’shistoricTinManwatertower, complimentsofanotherIllinoisgrant.Expecttoseecompletionandlighting sometimethissummer.

As Canton hits the midyear point of 2026, I see our city involved in projects of all types, shapes and sizes. All are serving to move Canton forward in a positive direction, to make our community safer, stronger, and more progressive. We’ve been following the grant projects for a long time, but they are worth mentioning because of their magnitude. With assistance from the State of Illinois, we are rebuilding our Wastewater Treatment Plant . We are building a new water main basically from Wallace Park to County Road 22. We are also replacing a second round of lead water service lines. These projects strengthen our infrastructure and could not happen without large grants from the State. A fourth project , smaller but exciting, will be the lighting of the downtown’s historic Tin Man water tower, compliments of another Illinois grant . Expect to see completion and lighting sometime this summer.

Afifthproject,nearlydig-ready,istheextensionofthewatermainonParkPlaza Drive.Thisareahasbeenknowntohavelowwaterpressurefordecades,duetothe factthatthecurrentmaincomestoadeadend.Anewmainextensionwill“loop”the serviceandvastlyimprovethewaterpressureforresidentsinthatneighborhood. TheBusinessDevelopmentDistrictcontinuestoproduceexcitingimprovementsof allsizes,butallofferafinancialboosttothebusinessownerswhodaretodream them.NotablerecentprojectsincludeEncoreDanceAcademy’scompletestudio renovation,Brew-n-Cue’ssecondstorygolfsimulator/eventspace,andnowBigCats

A fifth project , nearly dig-ready, is the extension of the water main on Park Plaza Drive. This area has been known to have low water pressure for decades, due to the fact that the current main comes to a dead end. A new main extension will “loop” the service and vastly improve the water pressure for residents in that neighborhood. The Business Development District continues to produce exciting improvements of all sizes, but all offer a financial boost to the business owners who dare to dream them. Notable recent projects include Encore Dance Academy ’s complete studio renovation, Brew-n- Cue’s second story golf simulator/event space, and now Big Cats

Bowls rebuilding of a new facility at their current location, and the Super Wash, which has been leveled and rebuilt into a modern operation. Poised to impress, the Canton Daily Ledger building is undergoing a total refurbishing that will both honor the historic features of the structure and transform it into a fresh, current retail space.

With all this activity, it ’s hard not to be optimistic about our future here.

Bowlsrebuildingofanewfacilityattheircurrent location,andtheSuperWash,whichhasbeenleveled andrebuiltintoamodernoperation.Poisedtoimpress, theCantonDailyLedgerbuildingisundergoingatotal refurbishingthatwillbothhonorthehistoricfeatures ofthestructureandtransformitintoafresh,current retailspace. Withallthisactivity,it’shardnottobeoptimisticabout ourfuturehere.

Mayor Kent A . McDowell

Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development

SRPED

Announces New Executive Director

SRPEDAnnouncesNewExecutiveDirector

TheBoardofDirectorsoftheSpoonRiver PartnershipforEconomicDevelopment(SRPED)is pleasedtoannouncetheappointmentofJennie GroveasExecutiveDirector.

The Board of Directors of the Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development (SRPED) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennie Grove as Executive Director.

JenniehasbeenservingasInterimExecutive Directorforthepastfivemonthsandhasbeenwith SRPEDforthepasttwoyears,supportingregional initiativesfocusedoneconomicdevelopment, businesssupport,tourismgrowth,andcommunity revitalizationacrossFultonCounty.

Jennie has been serving as Interim Executive Director for the past five months and has been with SRPED for the past two years, supporting regional initiatives focused on economic development , business support , tourism growth, and community revitalization across Fulton County.

Shebringsmultipleyearsofexperienceintourismmarketing,events,and destinationpromotion,alongwithastrongunderstandingofhowvisitoractivity, place-baseddevelopment,andcommunityeventscontributetolocalbusiness revenue,jobcreation,andbroadereconomicimpact.

She brings multiple years of experience in tourism marketing, events, and destination promotion, along with a strong understanding of how visitor activity, place-based development , and community events contribute to local business revenue, job creation, and broader economic impact .

Inherinterimrole,JenniehasalreadypartneredwiththeBoardtorefinethe missionstatement,advanceanewStrategicPlan,andreassesstheorganizational rolesneededwithinthePartnership.Theseearlyeffortspositionher,andSRPED,to capitalizeonthesignificantopportunitiesaheadanddelivermeaningfulbenefits acrosstheentirecounty.

In her interim role, Jennie has already partnered with the Board to refine the mission statement , advance a new Strategic Plan, and reassess the organizational roles needed within the Partnership. These early efforts position her, and SRPED, to capitalize on the significant opportunities ahead and deliver meaningful benefits across the entire county.

Jenniewillcontinueworkingalongsidelocalbusinessowners,communityleaders, electedofficials,andregionalpartnerstoadvancecollaborativestrategiesthat supportastrong,business-friendlyenvironmentandlong-termeconomicvitality acrossFultonCounty.

Jennie will continue working alongside local business owners, community leaders, elected officials, and regional partners to advance collaborative strategies that support a strong, business-friendly environment and long-term economic vitality across Fulton County.

JennieisaFultonCountynativeandgraduateofCubaHighSchool.Sheearnedher AssociateDegreefromSpoonRiverCollegebeforecompletingherBachelor’s DegreeinRecreation,Sports,andTourismAdministrationfromWesternIllinois University.Outsideofwork,Jenniecherishestimewithherhusband,Aaron,and theirtwoyoungchildren.Asafamily,theyenjoydiscoveringnewplaces, experiencinglocalattractions,andmakingmemoriestogetherwherevertheir adventurestakethem.

Jennie is a Fulton County native and graduate of Cuba High School . She earned her Associate Degree from Spoon River College before completing her Bachelor ’s Degree in Recreation, Sports, and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University. Outside of work , Jennie cherishes time with her husband, Aaron, and their two young children. As a family, they enjoy discovering new places, experiencing local attractions, and making memories together wherever their adventures take them.

PleasejoinusincongratulatingJennieonherappointmentasExecutiveDirector.

Please join us in congratulating Jennie on her appointment as Executive Director.

Jennie Grove, Executive Director

Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development

JennieGrove,ExecutiveDirector SpoonRiverPartnershipforEconomicDevelopment

CANTONCHAMBERSPONSORSHIPS

Annual Dinner

Lead Sponsor $500

Supporting Sponsor $175

Chamber Golf Outing

Lead Sponsor $1,000

Cart Sponsor $500

Tee Sponsor $175

Canton Cruise In

Lead Sponsor $500

Supporting Sponsor $175

Women in Business Program Sponsor $175

Holiday Lightshow

Lit Display Sponsor $1500

Lead Sponsor $500

Supporting Sponsor $175

TheCantonAreaChamberofCommerceiscommittedto providingqualityevents&programsforourmembersandthe community.

Weknowlargeeventsarewhatbringpeopletogetherasa communityandbringothersfromoutsideourcommunityhere toenjoyourtown.Ourgoalisthatthesesponsorship opportunitiesarehelpfulandenableyoutopositivelypromote yourbusinessthroughtheChambertothoseinourcommunity andthosewhoarevisitingoutoftown.ContacttheChamber officeforaSponsorshipsheet.