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Partnering for Success

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The Sauk Valley is FULL of committed individuals and businesses who are doing their part to make sure that this community is taken care of. THANK YOU. We are proud to have you as members of the SVACC.

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April

Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Directors & Staff

Executive Committee President: Lance Buser

First Vice President: Claudia Sauer Second Vice President: Sheila Martinez

Treasurer: Brian Hawkins Past President: Mike Loos

Board of Directors

Terms Ends January 31, 2021 Brian Hawkins, Hawkins-Cassens Insurance

David Knie, Knie Appliance & T.V. Tim Determan, Pinney Printing

Steve Munson, The Medicine Shoppe Lance Buser, Walmart D.C. #7024

Ryan Olson, Ward Murray Pace & Johnson

Term Ends January 31, 2022 Jim Cesarek, RE/MAX Sauk Valley

Claudia Sauer, CGH Medical Center Rebecca Munoz-Ripley, YWCA of the Sauk Valley

Josh Johnson, Whiteside Area Career Center

Term Ends January 31, 2023 Mike Loos, Edward Jones Investments

Sheila Martinez, U.S. Bank Rick Turnroth, Turnroth Sign Company

Pam Fluck, Sauk Valley Bank

Staff Executive Director ~ Kris Noble

Marketing Coordinator ~ Dallas Knack

April 1 Executive Board*

April 9 Ambassadors*

April 10 HBLC*

April 14 Board of Directors*

April 15 PWN *

April 21 Ag*

*Meetings will be held virtually.

This week I was supposed to be on Spring Break. On a beach. Relaxing. Reading. Resting. Laughing with friends. As the information on the COVID-19 pandemic became more serious, with the push for social distancing followed by the State of Illinois’ Stay in Place order, it became very clear to me that Spring Break in any form was not going to happen for the Chamber World. The past two weeks have been like nothing I have ever experienced in the chamber world - sort of. The information we are receiving at a local, state, and national level is overwhelming and changing rapidly. Another incredibly different thing is getting used to building relationships while keeping socially distant!

The one thing that has continued to be the same, is how we as a community step in to help and support each other always. Individuals, businesses, organizations, have stepped up by offering financial support to those who have become unemployed. The community is supporting our healthcare workers with meals. The farming community is getting cash donations for our foodbanks and food pantries. Volunteers are delivering meals to the elderly and others who are “staying in place”. It’s what we do in the Sauk Valley, and will continue to do, as we work together to get through these uncertain times.

We have two resources that we have set up to help our members and the community:

Facebook Public Group:

Sauk Valley Area Updates- Resources for Sterling and Rock Falls

We have added a COVID 19 webpage to our website:

https://www.saukvalleyareachamber.com/covid-19-resources

Due to the current pandemic, the Manufacturing Dinner will be postponed. Once a new date has been determined, we will send out an update.

Stay well,

A Message from the Director

NEW MEMBERS

Member Update April 2020

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We would like to give special recognition to the following groups who provide extra support to the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. This extra effort and support is truly appreciated. If you have the opportunity to express your sincere appreciation to these members, please do so!

Investing over $1000 in Dues

CGH Medical Center Community State Bank Farmers National Bank - Morrison Midland States Bank Sauk Valley Bank Select Employees Credit Union Sterling Federal Bank US Bank Wahl Clipper Corp. Wal-Mart DC #7024 Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson

Allstate Insurance Agency Amazing Grace of Sterling D & E Furniture Happy Tails Humane Society Illinois American Water Lance's Plumbing Linnea & Wolf Koch Mattox Insurance Agency McDonald’s Moore Monument & Granite Co.

Plainwell Brass Sterling Commercial Roofing Sterling Moose Family Center Sterling Rock Falls Child Care The Spa At Central Park Twin Cities Homeless Shelter-PADS Wiggins Communication Technology

150% Club Members

Bargain Exterminators Blue Appraisals, LLC Brown Construction Company Cassens Drainage Central Heating & Cooling Compeer Financial Dennis Electric of Tampico, Inc. Hawkins-Cassens Insurance, LLC

Jim Prescott’s BBQ Shop Kiwanis Club of Sterling Melton Seed & Service LLC Potthoff Tax & Accounting Rock River Ready Mix Sauk Valley Foodbank Scholl Insurance Agency Schuneman Insurance Agency

Servicemaster of Sterling/Rock Falls Showplace Antiques & Treasures St. Mary's School St. Vincent DePaul Society Sterling Chevrolet Sterling Optimist Club The Cornerstone Agency, Inc. Wendler Engineering Services, Inc.

110% Club Members

MEMBER RENEWALS

Advocare Independent Distributor Best Cob LLC BEST, Inc. Blue Appraisals, Inc. Cora Physical Therapy Crescent Electric Supply Darla Rumbolz-White, Esthetician Distinctive Gardens, Inc. Goodwill Industries of Northern IL

Jim Prescott's BBQ Shop Melton Seed & Service LLC Nasos Salon Potthoff Tax & Accounting Purdue University Global Rock River Energy Services Co. Smoked on 3rd BBQ Bistro & Catering St. Vincent DePaul Society Sterling Rock Falls Jaycees

TC Electric Controls, LLC The Spa at Central Park Whiteside Area Career Center WIXN-AM, WRCV-FM, WSEY-FM

Sterling Flex Office 202 4th Ave., Sterling 815-499-7746

First Christian Church of Sterling 3400 6th Ave., Sterling 815-625-6851

ARK Building Solutions 105 S Main St Suite 1., Princeton 815-876-0916

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Congratulations to Gaumer Chiropractic

for receiving the Customer Service Award!

Thank you for providing quality care to our community members!

No twisting, No Cracking approach to chiropractic care please call

815-632-3675.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

We hope you are well during these challenging times. As directed by DCEO, Northern Illinois University is conducting a brief survey of work-based learning and apprenticeship programs in Illinois. The results of this survey may help strengthen our workforce system as the economy returns to normal. This survey is part of a response to the Apprenticeship Study Act passed by the Illinois legislature. The goal of the study is to provide a better understanding of work-based learning and apprenticeship programs, providing useful information to expand apprenticeship opportunities for employers and potential apprentices, especially those from underserved populations. The report is due to the Governor and General Assembly by June 1, 2020. To fully understand these programs in Illinois, NIU wants to hear from a wide range of stakeholders. The strength of this study depends on you. Please take 5-10 minutes to complete the study. In addition, please forward the survey link to any other people or organizations who are involved with work-based learning or apprenticeship programs. Please complete the survey by Friday, April 3rd. Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ILWBLSurvey If you have questions about the survey or the Apprenticeship Study Act, please contact Brian Richard at brichard@niu.edu.

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Chamber Ambassadors

Allie Johnston – University of Illinois Extension

Amy Tessman — Frary Lumber

Angie Delhotal— Sauk Valley College Foundation

Angie Smith – Hawkins-Cassens Insurance Agency

Beau Ebenezer—Regency Care of Sterling

Cassandra Salmon – Sauk Valley Bank

Chandra Meyer – Re/Max Sauk Valley

Christina Bystry—House in the Country

Jerry Binder—Whiteside Area Career Center

Jon Byar – Midland States Bank

Justin Wiggins—Wiggins Computing, LLC

Karen Voss – Rock River Hospice and Home

Mary White – Community State Bank

Melissa Ryan-Bergstrom – Candlelight Inn

Nick Krumbholz – Sterling Federal Bank

Nicole Bollman - CGH Medical Center

Pam Fluck – Sauk Valley Bank

Roy Dern – State Farm

Scott Sandrock—Ward Murray Pace & Johnson

Sheila Martinez – U.S. Bank

Sherry DeWalt – CGH Health Foundation

Sherry Dewalt—CGH Health Foundation

I am a health coach and Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator for the CGH

Health Foundation. The mission of the CGH Health Foundation is to

help the residents of the Sauk Valley to live healthier lives. The

Foundation provides support for people of all ages including school

based health initiatives, eyeglasses for kids and adults, and dental

exams. We provide mammograms and pap exams for women. We conduct blood

pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol screenings for the public and for workplaces. We

also fund health care scholarships and assist with the purchase of state of the art

equipment to enhance the quality of care provided to our community.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Professional Women’s Network Lunch and Learn. It was a wonderful turn out and a fun and engaging presentation. Thanks to Natalie Moeller, Moeller Myer & Associates for a very informative session.

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Ribbon Cuttings

CGH Pedis Rehab 2600 N. Locust St., Sterling 815-632-5199

Corner Gallery 2522 E Lincolnway, Sterling 815-441-3791

Halo 1500 Halo Way, Sterling 815-625-0980

From Susan Sperling at Axiom Wealth Advisors “ Axiom Wealth Advisors is a full service financial advisory firm, and we specialize in helping people build and maintain a secure retirement. My past work experiences have been within human resources and administration spanning 25 years. I bring my experiences and expertise to Axiom Wealth Advisors, where our focus is on each individual, assisting them with building security in their financial lives. Axiom Wealth Advisors handles planning for: financial, retirement, college, estate and social security. Wealth Management for: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, options and annuities as well as IRA’s, ROTH and IRA Rollovers. We are available from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. We also will make accommodations on weekends to meet by appointment. ” Call 844-44AXIOM, 815-284-9877, or visit www.axiomwealthllc.com Follow Axiom Wealth Advisors on Facebook

MEMBERS in the NEWS

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The first March half-day of Sauk Valley Community Leadership was held on March 4 at Whiteside Area Career Center. Board members Kris Noble and Kari Zimmerman planned the day which addressed the community topic; Education. A panel discussion was help and included the following professionals: Lisa Lija, Early Childhood-Open Sesame; Matt Birdsley, Director of Curriculum Sterling Public Schools; Lindsey Stumpenhorst, Principal, Challand Middle School; Ron McCord, Superintendent, Rock Falls District 301; Chris Tennyson, Assistant Superintendent Regional Office of Education #47; Sarah McFarlane, Program Director of Adult Education, SVCC. Current challenges and successful programs, as well, were presented and followed with many questions and comments from SVCLP cohorts. Josh Johnson, WACC Director, and Jerry Binder, WACC Program Developer, gave an extensive tour of the programs offered at the Career Center. Unfortunately, the second March half-day was canceled and the program is postponed indefinitely. The current class has gotten to know each other quite well and as their facilitator, I think it is safe to say that they have become friends. (Another benefit of SVCLP.) Although the future is unclear, I am hopeful that we can bring closure to our year together with a celebration of all we have learned about the Sauk Valley and our philosophies of leadership - LeAndra Hartman, Facilitator

2020 Golf Outing

Friday, June 12

The SVACC worked the WACC CEO program booth at the RFHS Career Fair. Over 250 attendees participated in this amazing event for local youth to learn about career pathways, higher education opportunities, and local workforce opportunities. Thank you Rock Falls High School for organizing and inviting us to be a part of it!

Local farmers turning grain into cash donations for local food banks and pantries. Led by two SVACC members, Jacob Brothers Farms and Rock River Lumber and Grain, area farmers came together and donated the cash from sale of the proceeds of their grain to local food banks and pantries. This project, started just two weeks ago, has already raised about $20,000.00

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For more information on CEO email Le Hartman at lhartman@wacc.cc

Written by: Evan Adami, Sterling High School The month of March has been nothing but full of surprises. To start off, we began this eventful month with the all-around successful Taste of Sauk Valley of 2020. It was nothing short of amazing. All of the caterers really completed this event for us CEO students and it wouldn’t have been possible without them. We want to thank all of those who were involved with this event once again. Triple P BBQ, The Blvd, Candlelight Inn, AirPlay Sports, Smoked on 3rd, Food, Fitness, You, Aurelios, Dave’s Coffee Cakes, The Factory, Mill Wheel Tavern, LaFamilia, Culver’s, Thicksten’s Popcorn, and Folsom’s Bakery. It truly was amazing!

A few weeks after the event we as a community were struck with the Covid-19 pandemic. Everybody’s daily life and schedules were flipped upside down suddenly. The community altered and things have been different ever since. Ranging from the closures of schools, restaurants, and businesses. This pandemic and the effects of it are still being felt and will continue into April. However, this could be a time to come together as a community and see the positives even when it seems as if there are none.

Written by: Josh Olson, Sterling High School

With all the crazy things going on in the world right now, I want to look back on a great night. Of course, I’m talking about The Taste of Sauk Valley. If you don’t know what The Taste is, it is the CEO’s class business which turns a profit for seed money to start our individual businesses. The event brought in restaurants from the area, had people from the community who tasted the restaurants’ samples. This year it was held at Deer Valley. I think it was at the best place available for us to use. You might be wondering how we made money off this event. First we sold tickets for $20 with a goal of about 400 people. Second, we did a silent auction, which was a good call and pretty simple to do. We asked people in our class to bring in baskets as well as ask their mentors for help. We made sheets for people to bid and leave phone numbers if they wanted to leave. It went smoothly and made us a quick buck. We had local entertainment there also. It really added value to the night with great background music that guests enjoyed. We had enough students in the class to run around and help pick up trash, keeping the place and running smoothly. We only had a couple of the restaurants run out of food which is a good problem in a way. There was a variety of food, so people had choices on where to eat. The event went from 5-8, but we had some people show up early and people still there as we cleaned up. Something new this year was to open the basement up for extra seating and also for alcoholic beverages. We sold 50/50 raffle tickets there. This was a little tricky as people come and go from this event. We solved the problem by having them write their name and phone number on the back so we could call if they won. At Deer Valley there are two bars upstairs one was used to sell pop and water and at the other one we handed out free lemonade. Overall, I think the event was successful. It was a very enjoyable night, we meet new people, and it was nice seeing all of our hard work payoff.

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Darla has been an esthetician for 16 years, after completing training at Hair Professionals in Sycamore and the Dermalogica Institute in Chicago. She provides a variety of services that have to do with skincare and wellness. Her services range from facial and full body waxing, custom and corrective facials, body treatments (including salt scrubs, mud wraps, aloe wraps, back treatments), eyebrow/eyelash tinting, makeup application and ear candling. “As an Esthetician, I am a specialist in skincare, but my main focus is not just healthy and glowing skin, but to ultimately leave all my clients feeling amazingly beautiful, confident, relaxed and at peace with their mind, body and spirit. Clients are always saying that they leave feeling so much better than when they came. That always makes me feel great, because that’s what I want and that’s what we all need!” To schedule an appointment, call 815-622-8000

Darla White, Licensed Esthetician at Statik Hair Studio & Day Spa

GUEST EDITORIAL

Kim Ewoldsen, Coordinator of Regional Economic Development and Interim Director of the Small Business Development Center at Sauk Valley Community College

College Driving Economic Development One Small Business at a Time

In November, I joined Sauk Valley Community College as the Coordinator of Regional Economic Development. In that role I have an opportunity to work with economic development professionals throughout our district. It is a unique opportunity creating regional opportunities for the area not just one of our communities. A few weeks ago I had the good fortune of being asked to lead the Small Business Development Center. The combination of these two efforts has enabled the college to become a leader in economic development initiatives throughout Illinois. Our goal is simple - we are the community’s college and we want people to think of Sauk first for all economic development needs. Our SBDC staff is passionate about assisting small businesses in whatever capacity they need and has several areas of expertise.

March 18 Small Business Development Centers across the United States joined forces to celebrate small business for the 4th annual SBDC Day. This largely social media push is designed to help communities recognize the impact these centers have on small, rural areas. Our center is no different than many others in that we have success stories that surround creation of new companies, new jobs, additional investment and more. There are four primary areas of service the SBDC offers: business concepts and ideas, business startups, business growth (emerging companies) and succession planning. Regardless of your needs I encourage you to reach out to the SBDC - these awesome, confidential services are no cost to you!

If you are engaged in business or economic development or want to learn more about our services please reach out to us. You can also schedule an appointment to meet with one of us and we will help you with your dreams of building or expanding your business! Remember we are the community’s college, one of our region’s greatest assets, and we can be yours too. Justin, Nancy and I look forward to welcoming you to the SBDC at Sauk Valley Community College and helping you on your journey to start, build or market your business. Please feel free to think big, start small and contact us today at 815-835-6244 or send an email to kim.s.ewoldsen@svcc.edu to learn more.

Government Affairs Update

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Complete the Census! https://2020census.gov/en.html

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