First Quarter 2014

A MESSAGE FROMBill LawrenceChairman of the BoardMcLean County Chamber of Commerce

If you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind. In today’s business climate businesses have to stay at least one step ahead of the curve; ahead of the mar-ket; ahead of technology; and ahead of their competitors. The purpose of a Chamber of Commerce is to keep businesses informed about the news and trends that affect them and to be a resource that helps them stay one step ahead.

As the 2014 Chairman of the Board for the McLean County Chamber of Com-merce I am dedicated to seeing our local businesses thrive and making sure they understand the mission of the Chamber; to promote local commerce, advocate business perspectives, create relevant programs and establish relation-ships for business success.

I encourage each of you to take advantage of everything the Chamber has to offer. We’re continuously developing new resources to help improve your busi-ness, grow yourself as a business leader and network with others who are doing the same. Together we can lead the business community forward, staying one step ahead.

On the Cover:David Davis MansionPhoto by: Joe Horinebe.net/jhorine

ANNUAL GALA TO HONOR BUSINESS COMMUNITY’S BESTThe McLean County Chamber of Commerce’s premier event, the Annual Gala has gained notoriety in the community for its highly creative and unconven-tional atmosphere. Hosted February 1, 2014 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Bloomington, the best of the best from area businesses will mix and mingle, be recognized and make lasting memories. Boasting the highest attendance of any event, this part-networking, part-awards presentation is definitely not to be missed.

The Annual Gala culminates in the presentation of the Chamber’s six Business Excellence Awards. Judged and selected by Chamber Executives from across our state, the Micro Business (5 employees or less), Small Business (6 to 50 employ-ees) and Large Business (51 or more employees) Excellence Awards are pre-sented to member businesses that have achieved business distinctiveness and outstanding performance by providing quality personalized service to custom-ers and clients. The Non Profit Agency Excellence Award honors an outstanding local 501 (c)(3) agency that demonstrates an ability to meet special community needs, while the Green Excellence Award is presented to a member business or organization that has implemented practices in their business operations mon-itoring the environment, economy and society. Finally, the Legacy of Excellence Award celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of its recipient and is considered the most prestigious Chamber Award, recognizing an individual for their personal or business efforts, sharing their time and expertise, making the McLean County area a better place.

Please plan to join us February 1, for an entertaining evening that celebrates the accomplishments of our local businesses and community leaders. For additional details including ticket purchases and a complete list of our 2013 Business Excel-lence Award nominees please visit www.mcleancochamber.org.

2012 AWARD RECIPIENTS

Not Pictured: Great Display Company and Roger Hunt

Julie DobskiLittle Jewels Learning Center

Amy CalhounA. Renée

Jeff PrittsMarriott Hotel & Conference Center

Mark DeKeersgieter, Rick Glass, Laura FurlongMarcfirst

CHAMBER TAKES POSITION ON REDISTRICTINGThe drawing of legislative district maps for the Illinois General Assembly is a process that is repeated every ten years after a census. The census numbers represent population shifts and therefore necessitate the practice of drawing new districts. However, the redistricting process has become highly political. Maps are often drawn erratically to benefit the incumbent or the controlling party in power when redistricting occurs.

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce supports the effort to place the Illinois Independent Redis-tricting Amendment on the November 2014 ballot. The Chamber believes it will contribute to taking the emphasis off politics in the drawing of Illinois General Assembly district maps in the following manner.

• The Illinois Independent Redistricting Amendment would establish an 11 member independent citizen-based Redistricting Commission to draw state legislative maps.

• It would make state legislative districts contiguous, equal in population and non-discriminatory.

• State legislative districts would also respect the integrity of cities, towns and other local governments, as well as their social and economic interests.

• State legislative districts would not be drawn to favor any one political party or group.

By replacing the current system of the controlling political party with a bipartisan Redistricting Commis-sion, it is the hope of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce that McLean County and Illinois constitu-ents will be best served by the Illinois Independent Redistricting Amendment.

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AFFORDABLE CARE ACT DEVELOPMENTSBusiness owners have known for many years that offering healthcare benefits is a way to attract and maintain top notch employees. Group insurance plans, like those available to Chamber members through the Employ-er’s Coalition for Healthcare, Inc. (ECHI), remain a viable way for employees to comply with the Patient Protec-tion and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Delays and developments have affected elements of the law but it remains clear the ACA intends to require that most individuals are covered with at least minimum healthcare benefits through either a government sponsored plan, employer provided insurance or a plan offered through the individual market.

Website glitches and enrollment issues made it necessary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to focus on streamlining the process for individuals to apply for government sponsored insurance via the online Marketplace. Therefore HHS is directing business health insurance purchasers to rely on agents and brokers, or to buy directly from an insurance company at this time.

If your business has questions about group health insurance or needs help finding a qualified agent or broker, please contact ECHI at 309-829-1185 or brian@getechi.com.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY PAYS BIG FOR LOCAL RETAILERSNow in its fourth year, Small Business Saturday has solidified itself as one of the major shopping days of the holiday season. In the past year, awareness of Small Business Saturday, held on November 30 in 2013, has risen to 71 percent of the country – an increase of 4 percent. The end result saw independent merchants record $5.7 billion in sales on the day, which was an increase of 3.6 percent from the year before.

On a local level, seventeen members of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce participated on Small Business Saturday. Fifteen of those members posted “Hot Deal” coupons on the Chamber’s website, which received more than five hundred hits from coupon seeking shoppers.

A day to support the local businesses that build our economy and preserve our neighborhoods around the country, Small Business Saturday was created in 2010 in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: more cus-tomers. Since its inception, the initiative has gained ground with a wide swath of the population. According to American Express, more than 150 companies and 370 advocacy organizations helped spread the word of the day’s impor-tance. Another 3.3 million Facebook users liked the official page of the day, while tweets containing specific hashtags topped 350,000.

J u n e 11 – 13 , 2 014 • Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

America’s economic future depends on small businesses to drive growth, foster innovation, and create jobs. Join us to tell Congress what your business needs to succeed.

Learn more at www.uschambersummit.com.

Build connections with business leaders from across the country.

Gain valuable takeaways to succeed in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

VoiCe small businesses’ most pressing policy concerns.

10th Annual

Join the McLean County Chamber of Commerce for

Contact Todd Lowery at 309.829.1188 for details.

Advocate BroMenn Thrift Shop

Children’s Center for Dentistry

Lancaster’s

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

BEER NUTS, Inc.

Illinois House Building

neXt Professionals Giving Tree

Specs Around Town Optical Boutique

Bloomington Area Career Center

Illinois National Bank

Pinnacle Actuarial Resources

Tavern at the Parke

Bob Evans

J. Gumbo’s

PNC Bank

That’s So Sweet

NEW LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR 2014The McLean County Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with community resources to offer new programs that provide information and education to our members. The Chamber prides itself on offering education, professional development and the latest resources for business success.

This year the Chamber is pleased to offer, A Fresh Approach to Sales, a monthly program designed to help business owners, entrepreneurs and sales professionals. These classes will range in topics from buying culture, differentiation, connecting with today’s consumer and personal development ideas. Power Hour: Empowerment in Just One Hour, is a series of facilitated discussions designed to highlight issues and challenges rele-vant to business success. Topics are chosen to inspire partici-pants to be more influential in our own endeavors at work as well as in the community. Bring your lunch and join us for ideas worth sharing and take away a fresh perspective and renewed purpose.

Additionally, the Chamber is in the process of developing several online resources that will allow our members to learn at their own speed and at a time that is conducive to their busy schedules. An evolving schedule of webinars is currently available through the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and soon more online learning opportunities will be available through a partnership with web-based learning management system, Coggno.

For additional details regarding the Chamber’s learning development resources visit www.mcleancochamber.org and be sure to subscribe to our Programs and Services email updates.

Winter Calendar

600.205

ECONOMIC DASHBOARD64.3%Q3 Hotel

Occupancy Rate

53,412Q3 Passengers

Departing CIRA

$229,000YTD Average Home Price

2,412Q3 Total

Home Sales

6.9%Unemployment Rate (Oct13)

+.3% (Oct12)

Q3 Retail Sales (millions)

2203 E Empire StreetBloomington, IL 61704www.mcleancochamber.org

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #146

Bloomington, IL61701