Dear Chamber Members,
With the financial responsibility we are facing due to the bankruptcy of CertifiChecks, Inc., the Chamber of Commerce is moving forward on a number of options to quickly resolve the issue, one being a carnival fundraiser during Beef & Ag weekend. Our goal with the carnival is to raise funds toward the reimbursement of the outstanding CertifiChecks gift certificates that have been collected, which total $9930. In order to enhance the carnival, we are inviting your organization to participate.
The Chamber has hired a local amusement company to provide a small carnival with rides, games, and concessions for July 17-18. We’d like to invite you to add other activities that will help draw attendance to the carnival and also give your organization exposure, for instance; child safety seat demonstrations, a display to promote a non-profit organization, etc… Do you have other ideas? We’d love to hear them.
We want to add activities to compliment what has already been planned for Beef & Ag weekend. The Bureau County Cattleman’s Association will be holding their annual cookout Friday night at Soldiers & Sailors Park and Saturday at the Bureau County Fairgrounds. Citizens First National Bank will again sponsor the Decatur Park Singers on Friday night. And Festival 56 will be in full swing.
Please help the Chamber of Commerce raise the necessary funds.
Give me a call or email me with your ideas. We would greatly appreciate your involvement and are hoping that our members will support us in our efforts to resolve the CertifiChecks issue as well as provide the community with a fun weekend.
Sincerely,
Erika Robbins
Executive Director
Chamber Carnival Hours and Location:
Prouty Building parking lot
435 S. Main Street
Friday, July 17 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
$10 wristbands: unlimited rides between 4:00 pm - 8:00pm
Saturday, July 18 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm
$10 wristbands: unlimited rides between 2:00 pm - 6:00pm
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Building Improvement Grant Applications Available
The Chamber Ambassador Club and The Chamber of Commerce are offering up to $500.00 in grant funds for the purpose of repairing and improving the character of buildings located in the city of Princeton. Grants are offered to Chamber Members as one-to-one matching funds for the actual costs of qualifying projects. Funds will be offered on a first-come basis until all existing grant money is used. Although more than one project may be funded on a single property, the total of grant funds that may be obtained for a single property is limited to $500.00 in any one-year period.
The goals of the program include offering an attractive environment for visitors to Princeton, improving the business economy, adding to the pride of ownership of buildings, and generally improving the quality of life for the residents of Princeton.
In 2008, nine businesses were awarded nearly $15,000 for improvements that included roof repair, paint and drywall, new windows, and new signage. The projects that we assisted were estimated to total just over $77,000. The funds were awarded to both new start-up businesses as well as some long time Princeton business, including one not-for-profit business. For an application or more information, contact Erika at 815-875-2616, visit the Chamber web site at www.visitprinceton-il.com under the Business Development tab.
The goals of the program include offering an attractive environment for visitors to Princeton, improving the business economy, adding to the pride of ownership of buildings, and generally improving the quality of life for the residents of Princeton.
In 2008, nine businesses were awarded nearly $15,000 for improvements that included roof repair, paint and drywall, new windows, and new signage. The projects that we assisted were estimated to total just over $77,000. The funds were awarded to both new start-up businesses as well as some long time Princeton business, including one not-for-profit business. For an application or more information, contact Erika at 815-875-2616, visit the Chamber web site at www.visitprinceton-il.com under the Business Development tab.
Illinois Main Street Designation
Dear Chamber Members, June 19, 2009
We wish to notify you regarding the discontinuation of Princeton’s Main Street designation with the State of Illinois. Over the past three years, we have become increasing frustrated with the lack of support from Springfield as well as the costly demands being made on member communities just to be part of the program.
A year ago, the Chamber and Main Street Board of Directors wrote letters to the National and State Main Street offices outlining our concerns and recommendations for improvements. We have received no response. This lack of response during the past year has given us reason to focus our resources in areas we feel are more cost effective.
The discontinuation of the Main Street designation has no affect on our current programs. The only change this discontinuation will have is the removal of the posted “Illinois Main Street Community” signs on the outskirts of the city.
The mission of the Princeton Chamber of Commerce continues to be to promote the viability, continued growth and quality of life in the Princeton area. The Chamber remains committed to meeting with and working closely with the membership to offer programs and services that support our mission. A number of these programs are listed.
Member Services:
Business referrals via phone, mail and web site
Building Improvement Grant Program
Gift certificate program
Bi-monthly newsletter
Ribbon Cuttings
Networking opportunities - monthly Business After Hours and the Annual Meeting
Co-op advertising and sponsorship opportunities
Web site with a searchable membership directory
Chamber Ambassador Club
Community Development Activities:
Economic development support
Christmas Open House
Lunch In The Park
Farmer’s Market
Tourism marketing and promotion
Community calendar
Community information clearinghouse
Flower pots on Main Street
The Chamber also remains focused on developing new ideas to encourage new or expanded business, promoting Princeton as a tourist destination, and encouraging local support of our Princeton businesses.
Please feel free to give me a call at 815-875-2616 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Erika Robbins
We wish to notify you regarding the discontinuation of Princeton’s Main Street designation with the State of Illinois. Over the past three years, we have become increasing frustrated with the lack of support from Springfield as well as the costly demands being made on member communities just to be part of the program.
A year ago, the Chamber and Main Street Board of Directors wrote letters to the National and State Main Street offices outlining our concerns and recommendations for improvements. We have received no response. This lack of response during the past year has given us reason to focus our resources in areas we feel are more cost effective.
The discontinuation of the Main Street designation has no affect on our current programs. The only change this discontinuation will have is the removal of the posted “Illinois Main Street Community” signs on the outskirts of the city.
The mission of the Princeton Chamber of Commerce continues to be to promote the viability, continued growth and quality of life in the Princeton area. The Chamber remains committed to meeting with and working closely with the membership to offer programs and services that support our mission. A number of these programs are listed.
Member Services:
Business referrals via phone, mail and web site
Building Improvement Grant Program
Gift certificate program
Bi-monthly newsletter
Ribbon Cuttings
Networking opportunities - monthly Business After Hours and the Annual Meeting
Co-op advertising and sponsorship opportunities
Web site with a searchable membership directory
Chamber Ambassador Club
Community Development Activities:
Economic development support
Christmas Open House
Lunch In The Park
Farmer’s Market
Tourism marketing and promotion
Community calendar
Community information clearinghouse
Flower pots on Main Street
The Chamber also remains focused on developing new ideas to encourage new or expanded business, promoting Princeton as a tourist destination, and encouraging local support of our Princeton businesses.
Please feel free to give me a call at 815-875-2616 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Erika Robbins
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Bureau County Farmers Market Kick Off
The kick off for the Bureau County Farmers Market is this afternoon at Darius Miller Park. Activities start with a ribbon cutting at 3:00pm. There will be children's activities throughout the afternoon, a cooking demonstration with Chef Monika Sudakov from Chestnut Street Inn at 5:30pm, a live broadcast with WZOE radio, and of course fresh produce by our local producers.Strawberries, rhubarb, radishes, salad greens, and various herbs are some of the items in season right now. You'll also find baked goods and jams every week.
Remember, the Farmer's Market is open every Tuesday from 3:30pm to 6:30pm and every Saturday from 8:30am to 2:00pm.
Ground Breaking Ceremony:I was able to attend the ground breaking ceremony at Zearing Park yesterday to celebrate the beginning of the construction of the new soccer fields. Elaine Russel, Director of the Princeton Park District said that their goal for completion is summer 2010.
Congratulations to the Princeton Park District Board and Staff, the City of Princeton and all those involved in making this project happen. As Mayor Cain said during the ceremony, “This is a great project to help keep young people interested in Princeton.” I couldn’t agree more. Just goes to show you what can happen with teamwork and a shared vision. Read the full story.
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