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Lincoln/Logan
County Chamber declares cooperative business-education goal
[JULY
24, 2001] At
a recent Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce luncheon, members
were reminded of the chamber’s purpose. The chamber of commerce is
a catalyst for community progress, bringing business and
professional people together to work for the common good of Lincoln
and Logan County.
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The
program emcee was Nick Stokes of Union Planters Bank, who is
chairman of the chamber Membership Committee. Board President Todd
Lowman of Garland Gehrke Trucking presented the keynote address.
Lowman apprised the gathering of old and new business members that
this year’s emphasis is on economic development for the community.
This year the chamber has set forth a goal of working with
businesses through education. "The most challenging issue
facing employers is finding reliable employees," Lowman stated.
With this in mind the chamber has initiated a new program that works
through education to develop potential good employees.
Bobbie
Abbott says that the first step in this process was taken earlier
this year through a business breakfast meeting. They surveyed
businesses, asking what is right and working for them and what their
needs are. Using the information generated from those
questionnaires, the chamber recognized the potential of working with
educators to meet those needs. The next step is already in process
to meet those needs.
Lowman
explained that the chamber is working with Lincoln Community High
School, with what is called the Chamber Academy, to bring together
the needs of businesses and education. The chamber is coordinating
with vocational-technical and work preparatory training programs to
communicate business needs and find job internships. Internships not
only provide experience for the student and supply local businesses
with needed employees at lower training costs but also often result
in businesses gaining good long-term employees.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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[Pictured in front are Nettie Bates, WLLM; Carol
Howe, Community Living Options; Sandy Adkins and Mitzie Welsh, Dairy
Queen; Marcia Greenslate, Lincoln Park District; Linda Skeadas,
American Red Cross; Ed Stanfield, Glenn Brunk Stationers; and Shawn
Taylor, Logan Lanes. In back are Randy Belsley, Diversified
Buildings; Patrick Doolin, Integrity Data; Jim Ash, WMNW; Celeste
Rogers, Precision Products; Jim Newsome, Team Express; and
Annette Schishler, Pepsi Cola Bottlers. Big Oak Hunting Paradise and
A. Lincoln General Store & Bakery were also recognized for their
new membership status.]
After
the program is developed, the intention is to take it to the other
schools in the county.
Thirty-five
veteran members of the chamber attended the luncheon to welcome the
new members into the organization. Fifteen new businesses were
inducted at the end of the luncheon at the Restaurant at the Depot.
The ceremony recognized businesses that have joined the chamber since
the beginning of the year.
[LDN]
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Lincoln
businesses get an education
on workforce education
[JULY
23, 2001] Representatives
from Lincoln businesses had the opportunity to listen and learn
about additional training to keep their workforce current with today’s
rapidly changing technologies. State grants are available for
financial assistance with that training,
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"State
tax dollars, in the form of grants, are there to be used,"
Heartland Community College representative Melinda Harper told the
gathering. "We have about $75,000 available for workforce
training over the next year. The grants can provide financial
assistance, in the form of refunds for up to 50 percent of the
training, to an employer."
During
a Chamber of Commerce mixer Thursday evening at the local branch of
the community college, about 30 people from a wide variety of
Lincoln companies listened to three speakers from HCC Corporate
Education talk about a number of programs available to all
businesses interested in additional training of their workforce.
HCC
Corporate Education provides employee training for both individual
and company needs. They also facilitate the state grants available
to the region stretching from Lincoln to Pontiac.
Representatives
Melinda Harper and Scot Smigel explained how the program works:
Companies interested in providing additional training for their
employees contact Heartland. Heartland Corporate Education and the
employer meet to discuss general and specific training needs. They
jointly develop a training program, based on types of training
needed, when and where the training is to be done, and how long it
should take. HCC Corporate Education calculates the cost of the
desired program and identifies which grants are available for
financial assistance. Heartland also develops and executes the
training, providing expert instructors and required training
materials. After the successful completion of the program, Heartland
will give the employer a check for the agreed upon financial
assistance from the chosen grant.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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The
types of training include computer skills, industrial and technical
skills, and leadership and management training.
During
an informal question-and-answer session afterward, Bob Jeckel of
Frontier Mutual Insurance asked, "What types of training are
there? We wonder if some of our employees have skills that could be
used better in other areas."
Smigel
responded, "There are all types of training available, based on
the employers’ desires. HCC Corporate Education can do an
assessment and evaluation of employee skills."
Later,
he explained welding training and certifications to Don Bode of Bode
Welding.
The
attendees also listened to a brief presentation by Sara Baker on the
internship program at Heartland. Ms. Baker explained benefits there
are for employers using interns — the ability to plug in employees
with focused, specific skills where needed. Some companies hire
their interns full-time, thus reducing the training curve normally
associated with new employees. None in attendance had any interns
currently at their companies.
Local
companies interested in taking advantage of the training programs
and grant monies should contact Kari Oetzel, HCC Corporate Education
program assistant, at (309) 268-8803. With any questions about the
internship program, contact Sara Baker at (309) 268-8035. Additional
information can be found at the Heartland website: http://www.hcc.cc.il.us.
[Jim
Stone]
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Lincoln
Rotary Club selects new officers
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[JULY
21, 2001] The
2001-2002 executive board for the Lincoln Rotary Club was recently
installed at a regular Wednesday meeting.
[Front row: Dr. Sandra Jones of Drake Eyecare Center,
director of vocational service; Joyce Hubbard of Lincoln Community
High School, director of club service; Marty Ahrends of Academic
Development Institute, president; Back
row: Dale Meier of Meier Tax and Accounting, treasurer; Dr. Phil
Gillen of Lincoln Animal Hospital, secretary; Robert Jeckel of
Frontier Mutual Insurance, president-elect; Nick Stokes of Union
Planters Bank, director of international service; and Joe Runyon of
Habitat for Humanity; director of community service.]
Rotary meets every
Wednesday at noon at the Restaurant at the Depot.
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Corner
salon has new name, new owner
[JULY
19, 2001] A
downtown Lincoln business, Camel’s Hair’em, has changed owners
and has a new name. Paula Landess, a Lincoln native, has purchased
the hair styling business and changed the name to Cape Landing
Salon. The telephone number, 735-4247, remains the same.
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Jackie
Camel opened her salon in 1989 and moved it downtown to its current
location at 528 Broadway St. nearly three years ago. The change in
ownership provides opportunities for both Landess and Camel to
pursue their interests.
Landess
has been a licensed hairdresser for 23 years, working at Jane’s
Fashion Kurl in Lincoln for the last nine. Still working at the
salon are Camel, Linda Fisher, Rochelle Struck, Gloria Quiles,
Rochelle Johnson, Denise Costello and Julie Newsome King.
Cape
Landing will continue to be a full-service salon for families. In
addition to hair styling services it offers waxing, manicures,
pedicures, facials, body massage, and cosmetic consultation and
application. It is an Aveda Concept Salon, providing a full line of
Aveda hair, skin, body care and makeup products made from pure
flower and plant essences.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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Elaborating
on the new name, Landess noted that a cape provides a place to relax
and a landing is where one stops. "The salon provides a time of
relaxation and renewing," she explained. "Our clients will
continue to be pampered."
Landess
plans to keep the business downtown. "Being right on the square
at an intersection with traffic lights gives us great
visibility," she said. The facility is being remodeled to allow
greater privacy at the hair styling stations.
Cape
Landing is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Walk-ins
are welcome based on availability.
[News
release]
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Announcements
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 The
Chamber Report
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Chamber
calendar of events for August
[JULY
23, 2001]
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Through
Aug. 5 — Logan County Fair
Aug.
2 — Chamber board meeting, Chamber office, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Aug.
3 — Grand opening ribbon-cutting, Logan Lanes, 1700 Fifth St.,
noon
Aug.
6 — Economic Development Council, Chamber office, 5 p.m.
Aug.
9 — Government/Education Committee, Al’s Main Event, 7:30 a.m.
Aug.
10-19 — Illinois State Fair
Aug.
14 — Marketing Committee, Grapes and Grounds, 8:30 a.m.
Aug.
17 — Membership Committee, Restaurant at the Depot, 4 p.m.
Aug.
23 — Chamber mixer and festival kickoff party, Maple Ridge Care
Centre
Aug.
24-26 — Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival
Aug.
28 — Tourism board meeting, 5 p.m.
Aug.
29 — Economic Development Council, City Hall, 4:30 p.m.
Aug.
30 — Executive Committee, Blue Dog Inn, noon-1 p.m.
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The
Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst for community progress, bringing
business and professional people together to work for the common
good of Lincoln and Logan County.
Lincoln/Logan
County Chamber of Commerce
303
S. Kickapoo St., Lincoln
(217)
735-2385
Fax
(217) 735-9205
www.lincolnillinois.com
chamber@lincolnillinois.com
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Honors
& Awards
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Main
Street Corner News
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Main
Street Lincoln July calendar
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July
29 — Concert in the Park, Paul and Win Grace, 7 p.m.
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Main
Street Lincoln, 303 S. Kickapoo, Lincoln
Phone:
(217) 732-2929
Fax:
(217) 735-9205
E-mail:
manager@mainstreetlincoln.com
Website:
www.mainstreetlincoln.com
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