Posts

Showing posts from March, 2024

Illinois Central College Announces Outcomes of $14.2 Million IT Workforce Accelerator Grant

  EAST PEORIA, IL (03/27/2024) Illinois Central College (ICC) recently announced outcomes of the IT Workforce Accelerator program funded by a $14.2 million U.S. Economic Development Administration grant received by Bradley University, Eureka College, and ICC in 2022. The program allows the three schools to provide no-cost IT training to help Central Illinois residents and employees upgrade their skills and get jobs in IT. The certificates and microcredentials available were created in response to the IT training needs of over 200 local businesses, and most can be earned in less than six months. As of the end of 2023, the program had over 800 participants and exceeded the goal for credential completion by 20%. To date, over 1,300 individuals have registered for classes. The goal is to help 1,000 people get hired for IT jobs or retrained. Don Shafer, executive director of the IT Workforce Accelerator, said, "It's a collaborative effort. What's been great is the colla...

Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Hosts 76th Annual Honor America Celebration

  Press Release: For Immediate Release                 Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Hosts 76 th Annual Honor America Celebration THE PEKIN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL HOST THE 4 TH OF JULY HONOR AMERICA CELEBRATION FIREWORKS DISPLAY NEAR PEKIN MEMORIAL STADIUM ON JULY 4, 2024.   Pekin, IL- The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the continuation of the 4 th of July “Honor America Celebration” fireworks display held at Pekin Memorial Stadium this summer. The Honor America Celebration is funded by members of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, the Pekin business community, and the donations from community members.   ***Due to construction in and around Pekin Memorial Stadium, the stadium will be closed to spectators in 2024 and 2025. The Arena Parking lot will be used for VIP seating for sponsor ticket holders, wh...
  TAZEWELL COUNTY CLERK RELEASES NEW "I VOTED" STICKER FOR PEKIN BICENTENNIAL New Sticker Will Be Distributed To All Pekin Voters On Election Day PEKIN, IL: The Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds, City of Pekin, Pekin Chamber of Commence, and Pekin Bicentennial Committee will hold a Press Conference on Thursday March 14th at 10:00am in the Tazewell County Clerk's Office to announce the release of a Pekin Bicentennial "I Voted" Sticker.   All voters on Election Day receive a "I Voted" sticker at all Tazewell County Polling Locations. Voters throughout the county will notice a new "I Voted" sticker this year. But residents of Pekin will receive a special "I Voted" sticker that will commemorate this year's Pekin Bicentennial. This is the beginning of a new initiative for all communities in Tazewell County as they celebrate their bicentennials over the next several years. Upcoming releases include 2024 Pekin Bic...

Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Established Businesses Gear Up for the SmartStart Small Business Conference in Morton, IL

Image
    Morton, IL (February 29, 2024): The SmartStart Small Business Conference, a collaborative effort between SmartStart Business Development, the Morton Economic Development Council, the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Delavan, will be held April 29th, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The conference will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 616 W David St, Morton, IL.   This one-day event is designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and established small business owners in Tazewell County and surrounding communities. Attendees will have the opportunity to:   Connect and network with fellow entrepreneurs and local business leaders. Gain valuable insights through interactive workshops covering critical topics such as: Marketing strategies for attracting and retaining customers Funding your business: exploring financing options HR 101: making your first hire and managing a growing t...

Illinois Central College Awarded Grants to Improve Dual Credit Access and Enhance EMT Training with Virtual Reality Equipment

 News from Illinois Central College For more information contact: PR@icc.edu EAST PEORIA, IL (03/08/2024) Illinois Central College (ICC) recently received two grants from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) totaling $204,018 through June 30, 2025. The Access and Equity in Dual Credit Project grant awarded $149,958 to ICC to expand dual credit opportunities for high school students in Central Illinois, including Peoria Public High Schools, Pekin High School and Limestone High School. ICC will use the funds to train high school counselors and advisors, update college and career pathways and lower barriers to dual credit access for historically underserved students. The program will help more low-income students earn college credits while in high school. The Career and Technical Education Virtual Reality grant provides the College with $54,060 to purchase virtual reality equipment and software to enhance recruitment and training for EMTs and paramedics. Both careers ...