Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

Our faculty-led, student-run Senior Consulting Projects have provided free business solutions for:  * Marketing Strategy  * Feasibility Study  * Strategic Growth Plan  * Launching a New Product or Service  * Starting a Business We are accepting applications for the Fall 2017 semester which begins on August 23rd and concludes on December 5th. Since 1972, Bradley University has provided the Senior Consulting Projects program to businesses in the central Illinois area.  In this Capstone course, majors in the Foster College of Business are given an opportunity to apply their accumulated business knowledge to a "real world" business situation at   NO COST  to you.    The student team will develop a plan of action and deliverables that will address your organizational needs and enhance your business' performance. This semester long project will focus on the f...

The new PCHS Athletic Booster Club recently celebrated their formation with a ribbon cutting in front of the column entrance at Pekin Community High School.  Representatives from the chamber, the City of Pekin, and the girls volleyball team joined school administrators and club members for the event.  You can see a few more pictures of the ribbon cutting at:  https://goo.gl/photos/QmbvSjuLPtxQGDFX6

Classy Girl Boutique 524 1/2 Court St.  Pekin, IL 61554 309-241-3841 Brigette Sullivan, Co-Owner Holly Payne, Co-Owner  Retail clothings, purses, candles and gift items.

Neighborhood House was awarded $7,500.00 in grant awards to incorporate an Art Program for the children in the Summer Meals Program and the Summer Camp Program. By adding the Art Program to the Summer Meals and Summer Camp Programs, we are providing art exposure and experiences to the children in our community who may not have access to programming this summer. This program will introduce art concepts to at least 70-100 children and display their work in an Art Show at Neighborhood House. This program has been made possible by a grant from the Fritz and Doris S. Reuling Charitable Fund through the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, the Heart of Illinois United Way Youth Committee, and No Kid Hungry Share our Strength. We are very excited to incorporate an Art Program into our youth programming this summer! For additional questions please contact: Bryna Dixon Community Outreach Director brynad@nhpeoria.org

Pekin Park District is partnering with the Larry Goodlick family to continue the tradition of providing a day of fishing fun on the lagoon. Join us with all your family to enjoy learning how to fish, showing off your skills and participating in games and winning trophies. Friday, July 28, between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. attend the information stations and get your Larry’s Casting Kids fishing license, t-shirt and goodie bag. Then on Saturday, July 29, from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., join us for the fishing derby. Fishing poles and bait are provided, but you can bring your own equipment and bait if you prefer. There is no cost, but please register by July 17, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. to make sure we have your correct t-shirt size! For more information, please call Dawn Wilde-Burgess at (309)201-4006 or dwilde@pekinparkdistrict.org.

Beginning with the fall 2017 semester, Illinois Central College will offer four degree and certificate programs designed for those who need or prefer evening classes. Each program is designed to provide students with a timeline of coursework to complete a degree or certificate by attending evening classes one or two times a week, all on the same campus. Enrollment is now available for the fall semester, which begins Mon., August 21. Students may choose from an Associate in Applied Science Degree – Business scheduled entirely on either the East Peoria or Peoria Campus, an Associate in Arts – Interdisciplinary Degree scheduled on the Peoria Campus, or an Accounting Bookkeeper Certificate scheduled on the Pekin Campus. Evening College classes are scheduled with convenience and predictability for students in mind. All classes will meet on the same night(s) of the week for the duration of the program, and all begin at 6 pm and end at 8:50 pm or earlier. In addition, some of the pro...

AT&T Custom Communications 3331 Court St.  Pekin, IL 61554 309-740-0105 Website Jack Slayer, District Manager Josh Psinas, Store Manager  Custom Communications is an award-winning National Authorized Retailer and AT&T Partner.

The City of Pekin recently installed new benches, tables and bike racks in several locations in downtown Pekin.  A small ceremony was held in the 200 block of Court Street to celebrate the improvements.  The City Planner, Katy Shackelford, and the Pekin Main Street President, Baylee Gambetti, made a few remarks before Mayor John McCabe cut the ribbon.  The event was attended by city council members, city staff, and downtown business owners.  You can see more pictures from this event at:  ht tps://goo.gl/photos/WSxGX9K9afc6uxwf8

Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pekin recently welcomed T-Mobile to Pekin with a ribbon cutting.  Owner/Manager Sid Kattom was joined by staff and customers for the picture.  T-Mobile is located in East Court Village at 3520 Court Street.  T-Mobile will cover your switching fees when you trade in your phone so you can break free from your old carrier with their costly overage charges and restrictive service contracts. It's one reason why more people switched to T-Mobile in 2016 than to any other carrier.  You can reach T-Mobile at (309) 349-3777.  You can see a couple more pictures from this event at:  https://goo.gl/photos/LmgMNASExwVcZYFR9

Hot Shots Pizza & Slots 2916 Court St.  Pekin, IL 61554 309-346-1960 Ryan Wozniak, Owner Hot Shots Pizza & Slots is your go to place for pizza and calzones and great gaming fun!

by Christina R. Green Have you ever waited a really long time for something like a movie to come out, only to be disappointed? Or maybe a friend told you how wonderful a particular city was. But when you went there it wasn’t nearly as fantastic as your imagination—and your friend—had made it out to be.   Are you worried chamber membership will turn out the same way? A lot of talk and not much value? You’re probably right. In fact, I have a feeling you’re always right. Am I right?   Here are 5 ways a chamber membership is totally overrated. 1. The Learning Resources Are Free or Nearly Free Everyone knows that business experts who are willing to give of their skills and knowledge for the cost of membership must have something up their sleeves. The fact that these chamber people want business owners in their community to be able to grow their business through educating them on pertinent topics like social media, building your own website, and mi...

Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois has been awarded $230,000 from the Department of Labor to provide training and reintegration services to homeless veterans in Central Illinois. Goodwill is the only downstate Illinois agency to receive funding through this grant, which will allow the non-profit agency to provide veterans with occupational skills training, as well as job search and placement assistance. “We are honored to be among a select group of agencies awarded these funds,” said Don Johnson, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois. “Helping these men and women find work and reintegrate back into our community is paramount.” “These are experienced and skilled individuals and it will be our job to prepare them and match them with local employers. In turn local businesses will get skilled workers and give back by supporting our veterans,” said Lori Johnson, Goodwill’s Director of Program Services. Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois also operates the ...

Andrea Baker, owner of The Parlour at 300 Broadway in Pekin, celebrated some recent improvements and enhancements with a ribbon cutting.  Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pekin of Pekin were on hand to help with the celebration.  The Parlour can be reached at 201-3365.  You can see a few more pictures from this event at:  https://goo.gl/photos/4TNTNGNu5FwP81jB8

June & July Vineyard Newsletter Summer Fun at the Vineyard, we have something for everyone! click here for our Upcoming Events Calendar Visit Our Website Concerts in the Vineyard 6/17 Jammsammich 6/24 Biscuits ...

  and     SCORE Peoria New ideas for June 2017 Make Waves With Your Business Success  Achieve greater success now and take that dream vacation later. Meet with a SCORE  mentor   today! The Megaphone of Main Street, Volume 1 ...