Why Should You Be A Member of The Princeton Chamber?

The Princeton Chamber of Commerce is a service and action organization for business as well as a community development organization. It provides a venue through which businesses can take effective action for the progress of Princeton. The Chamber’s Board of Directors and full-time staff act as a proactive voice for their membership.

The Princeton Chamber also provides a number of services to its members including business referrals, networking opportunities, co-op advertising, breakfast seminars, a gift certificate program, and a web site. In addition, there are many community development activities the Chamber is actively involved in including economic development, downtown revitalization, tourism, a community calendar, and we act as a clearinghouse of community information.

The personal and financial support of its members enables the Chamber to carry out its broad program of work to protect business, encourage continued growth, and improve the quality of life in Princeton.

A few of the things the Chamber working on today...

Women In Business - Co-Chair, Andrea Anderson (from the Zearing Child Enrichment Center) and I are working on a summer luncheon. More details will be announced as the speaker and venue are confirmed. At our January luncheon, we had just over 60 attendees, great food prepared by Kramer's Kitchen, and an inspiring presentation by Nedda Simon. Have ideas for future topics? Please share!

Bureau County Farmer's Market - The market kicks off this Saturday, May 30 at 8:30am at Darius Miller Park. Every first Tuesday of the month, there will be a cooking demonstration by Chef Monika from Chestnut Street Inn at 5:30pm and children's activities throughout the afternoon. Farmer's Market Hours: Tuesday's from 3:30pm-6:30pm and Saturday's from 8:30am - 2:00pm.

The Ambassador Golf Outing held last week was a great success. Thanks to everyone who played. We had 14 teams. Thanks also to our generous sponsors. The proceeds from the outing will help to fund the Chamber's Building Improvement Grant. All members within the city limits are eligible for this $500 matching grant. It can be used for permanent improvements to your buildings. Like more information? Click here for guidelines and application.

Princeton Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant - We've been busy writing a grant to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a Marketing Partnership Grant. If we are awarded this grant, we will be able to expand the promotion of Princeton to prospective visitors. Some of the projects included in the grant are billboard, radio, cable TV, and newspaper advertising as well as printing costs for various guides about Princeton and web site development. We hope to hear by July 1 about our award status. I'll keep you posted.

The fourth annual Kids Market is being planned for Saturday, June 13 at Soldiers & Sailors Park. The sale will run from 9:00am to noon. Young entrepreneurs are required to register by June 5 by calling the Chamber office at 815-875-2616. What is Kids Market? Princeton area children (entrepreneurs) ages 6-12 are invited to participate. If your kids have too much stuff and they'd like to turn that stuff into cash, this is the perfect opportunity. The kids bring their toys they don't play with anymore to the sale and sell them to shoppers or trade with other entrepreneurs at the market. Remember, you need to pre-register or you won't get the cool FREE t-shirt.

What's on your mind right now? If you'd like to comment on any of the topics above (or other business issues and concerns), I encourage you to do so.