Ag Tech Connect: Beck’s Hybrids in El Paso hosted our quarterly Ag. Tech Connect this week. Beck’s Hybrids is the largest family-owned retail seed company in the U.S. Their team works hard to bring the industry’s most diverse product lineup. The El Paso facility has not only impacted the El Paso community but has impacted the entire region and state with its exceptional products and dealer networks. Attendees got a behind-the-scenes look into Beck’s Hybrids operations and learned about the unrivaled genetic diversity of the products that have been developed with genetics from top global suppliers. In addition to gaining insights into Beck’s operations in our region we heard presentations from Ag. Tech Business Founders, including Brian Kearney of Farmland Stock Exchange and Alex Chequim of DigiFarmz.
Did You Know? The next time you grab a greeting card from your local grocery store or pharmacy, there is a good chance you are staring at a Greater Peoria creation. Not the cards, but the shelving unit that holds the cards. While Hallmark is usually associated with their home in Kansas City, we have an important piece of the company right here in Metamora. Kathie, Sally, Sara and new Metamora Mayor Deb Deeb recently visited the Woodford County facility as part of our Business Retention & Expansion program. In 1947, Hallmark acquired the Metamora Packing Company (a food canning business) and established the “Metamora Fixture Operations” – Hallmark’s longest operating facility. About 40 employees work in a 300,000 square feet facility designing, manufacturing, warehousing and shipping display systems across the country. They continue to innovate and automate with the use of robotics and 3D printing. If you know of an interesting business you’d like us to meet, drop me a line.
Happy Birthday: It was a pleasure to attend the 50th anniversary of the Dirksen Congressional Center in Pekin. Senator Dirksen, of course, is widely credited for ensuring that Congress passed the landmark Civil Rights Bill of 1964. The small but mighty team at the DCC – just three people strong – are charged not only with preserving and archiving the papers of the Senator, but have also acquired the papers of former US Congresspeople LaHood, Michel, Velde Bustos, Kingzinger and Davis. Their goal is to be the central repository for Illinois political papers. The event was a nice celebration of their great work. Another hidden gem in Greater Peoria.
New Board Member: We are happy to welcome Brandon Moss to the GPEDC Board of Directors. Brandon was recently elected to the City Council in Washington. He’s also the founder and CEO of Moss Strategy, a marketing and strategic communications firm located in Peoria Heights. Board leadership is a critical component of GPEDC and I’m proud of the group of great individuals who help guide me and the staff. Welcome to Team GP, Brandon.
Made in Illinois: Congratulations to George J. Rothan Company for receiving a Made in Illinois grant of $50,000 this week. For the last 152 years (!!), this millwork company has been designing and manufacturing custom woodwork, from doors to crown moulding. They were part of the original construction of Peoria’s historic City Council Chambers and its restoration about 10 years ago. Funded by DCEO and administered by the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, the Made in Illinois Grant is awarded to Illinois-based small manufacturers committed to innovation and growth.
Upcoming Events: Check your calendars to see if you can take advantage of any of these opportunities:
- Bradley Small Business Awards: The annual celebration of our great small businesses and the people that support them will be held on August 28 from 4 – 6 pm at Bradley’s Peplow Pavillion. The event is free, but please register here.
- Career Spark: GPEDC and Junior Achievement are looking for volunteers to help with the 9th annual Career Spark on October 1-2. Learn more and sign up here.
- Big Table: If you are interested in attending the next Big Table (October 17-18), or better yet serve as a volunteer table facilitator, you can register here.
I will be on a business trip all of next week, so no Weekend Update on Friday. But we will have a lot to share when I get back! Have a two weekends.
Chris