Chamber Recognizes Thirty-Eight

The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their 14^th annual Business and Community Recognition Luncheon on Thursday, October 20th at the Pekin Country Club.  The Chamber’s Member Services Committee coordinated the luncheon, which was sponsored by Savant Capital Management, Pekin Trophy House & Engraved Gifts, The Greenhouse Flower Shoppe, and Pekin Hospital.

Recognition was given to thirty-eight area businesses and organizations in the following categories:  remodeling or expansion; “green” projects or programs; new ownership or management; new business or building; additional employees; major training effort; new technology investment; major equipment investment; other improvements; and, community involvement. 

The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce also recognized Graphic Packaging International for over a century of success in Pekin.  The company was founded in 1905 by Louis Wood as the Illinois Boxboard Company.  Quaker Oats purchased the company in 1916. In 1991 Larry Field of the Field Container Corporation purchased the business and he sold the operations to Graphic Packaging International in 2008.

The business has remained essentially the same for 106 years.  They produce 100% recycled paperboard that is sold to customers like Quaker Oats and made into products you see on the store shelves every day. 

Before presenting the awards, Chamber executive director Bill Fleming told the audience of 187 people representing fifty-two local businesses and organizations that the large turnout and the large number of awards was a positive sign.

“We’re here to recognize thirty-eight businesses and organizations that have demonstrated the courage and foresight to continue to invest in our community, in spite of these uncertain economic times,” said Fleming.

The featured speaker at the luncheon was Dr. Sara Rusch, the Regional Dean at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria.  Dr. Rusch told the audience the history of the College of Medicine and the impact it has on the regional economy.

The thirty-eight businesses and organizations recognized were: 
·         353 Court, LLC (remodeling, green project, new ownership)
·         Avanti’s Dome Events & Sports Center of Pekin (remodeling, additional employees)
·         Big R of Pekin (remodeling, new management, new business, community involvement)
·         Busey Bank (new technology, green programs, community involvement)
·         Center for Prevention of Abuse (new ownership)
·         Chemtura Agrosolutions (other improvements)
·         Enviro-Safe Refrigerants (remodeling and expansion, new building, additional employees, major equipment investment)
·         Facet Computers (expansion, green programs, additional employees, new technology investment)
·         Federal Correctional Institution (green programs)
·         Goodwill of Central Illinois (expansion, new technology investment, community involvement, other improvements)
·         The Grand Victorian of Pekin (additional employees, community involvement)
·         Graphic Packaging International (community involvement)
·         Herget Bank (additional employees, new technology investment, community involvement)
·         Home Health Care Plus (community involvement)
·         iTV-3 (additional employees, new technology investment)
·         Kelley Construction (green programs, employee training, additional employees)
·         Leman Property Management (other improvements)
·         The Mattress Doctor (expansion, green programs, additional employees, major equipment investment)
·         McDaniels Marketing Communications (remodeling, major investment, other improvements)
·         Papa Murphy’s Pizza (community involvement)
·         Pekin Community Bank (remodeling and expansion, new building)
·         Pekin Hospital (remodeling, additional employees, new technology investment, other improvements)
·         Pekin Insurance (additional employees, expansion, green programs, other improvements)
·         Pekin Main Street (community involvement)
·         Pekin Riding Club (remodeling, green project)
·         Pekin Veterinary Clinic (new technology and equipment investments, other improvements)
·         Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes (new business, community involvement)
·         Professional Therapy Services (remodeling, new building)
·         Savant Capital Management (community involvement)
·         Sound Choice Hearing Clinic (remodeling and expansion, additional employees, major retraining effort, community involvement)
·         South Side Trust and Savings Bank (new business)
·         Tazewell County Children’s Advocacy Center (expansion)
·         Timbercreek Rehab and Health Care (remodeling, community involvement)
·         The Unland Companies (expansion, additional employees, community involvement)
·         Vonderheide Floor Coverings and Carpet Outlet (remodeling, new building, major retraining effort, new technology investment)
·         W.D. Boyce Council / Boy Scouts of America (expansion)
·         Women’s Center for Health (new business, green programs)
·         WTVP (technology investment, community involvement)

You can see more pictures from this event at http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber