Morton Matters Newsletter
 February 2017
In This Issue
DSA Winner
Volunteer of the Year
Pumpkin Festival Theme
Chamber 101
Welcome Board Members
Business Briefs
Best of Peoria
Meet the Candidates
Morton Businesses Featured
Morton EDC Strategy
Welcome New Members
Morton Community Foundation
Ribbon Cutting
Save the Date
February 7

February 23

February 28

February 28
Meet the Candidates
Business After Hours


February 23
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
Chamber Board Members
Jacque Austin
Paul Beckman
Brian Cross
Jamie Durdel
Nick Esser
Justin Ferrill
Barbara Heer
Craig Hilliard
Shelly Hunt, Treas.
Mary Jane Johnson
Cathy Kemp
David Mills
Tim Mueller
David Zern, Pres.
Alissa Williams, Vice Pres.
2017 Calendar
2017 150% Club
A Brush of Color
Aaron Miller, Real Estate Broker
Ackerman Family Farms
Alltrust Financial Management
Apostolic Christian Restmor
Barbara Heer, Broker
Brandon Wood Retirement Center
Carius Dairy Queen
CMFS
CORE Construction
Country Financial
Craig Barley
Crossroads Concrete
David Mills CPA LLC
David W. Kinsinger DDS
Deputy Duct, Div. of ATC Insulators
DSM-H LLC
Heartland Veterinary Clinic
em.bel.lish hair design
IT360 Inc.
JA ROECKER Architecure/Structures
Jay Fox Insurance Agency
Jm Yordy
Keach Architectural Design
Kennel Lake Sportsmen's Club
Knapp Johnson Funeral Home
Kuhl Insurance
LaFiesta Mexican Restaurant
Le Nails & Spa
Lennie's Quality Meat Shop
Lighthouse Buick GMC
Liquor Station
Littlefield & Lovell Orthodontics
Marie Fisk, Realtor
Markley's Pest Elimination
McDonald's of Morton
Merlin Birky
Mike Murphy Ford
Mike Yordy Excavation
Mohr & Kerr Engineering & Land Surveying
Morton Buildings
Morton Collision Repair
Morton Dental Center
Morton Family Dentistry
Morton Financial Services
Morton VFW
Oak Lawn Estates
PC Doctor Computer Consulting
Peoria Area Association of Realtors
Ranson & Ranson Dental
RMH Foods
Schooner's of Morton
Season's Gastropub
Stephens Electric
The Iona Group
The Prassas Co./Morton
Towne Center
The Whisler Agency
Tri County Cleaning Systems
Two Men and a Truck
Village of Morton
Villas of Holly Brook
Web Services Inc.
West Central IL Bldg & Construction Trades Council
Witzig Financial Services
Wm. Aupperle & Sons
Yinlun USA Inc.
Congratulations Steve Newhouse!
Established in 1972, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes a local citizen who has made a significant impact on the community of Morton through their leadership and volunteerism.

CONGRATULATIONS to Steve Newhouse, our 2017 Distinguished Service Award recipient! Nick Graff, 2016 DSA recipient, presented the award to Newhouse at the Chamber's Annual Meet Up on February 2 at Burroughs Farms.

Congratulations Jacque Austin!
The Morton Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes a Chamber Member who has volunteered his or her time to make Chamber programs, events, and initiatives more effective and impactful.
 
Lisa Moser, 2015 VOY recipient, announced the award recipient at our Annual Meet Up on February 2 at Burroughs Farms. CONGRATULATIONS to Jacque Austin, our 2016 Volunteer of the Year! Well deserved, Jacque!

Pumpkin Festival Theme Announced
The 2017 Pumpkin Festival theme was announced at last night's Chamber Annual Meet Up:  Das Pumpkin! 

To view the entertaining theme announcement video, starring both current and past Chamber board members, click HERE.
 
The dates for the 2017 Pumpkin Festival are September 13-16. 
 
We'd like to thank Paige Harrmann for designing this year's theme logo and Tyler Kern with Totally Kreative Video for producing the theme announcement video.
Chamber 101
chamber101
February 7
Noon - 1:00 pm
Morton Chamber of Commerce
FREE - lunch included

Make the most of your Chamber membership! This one hour, informal get together includes a review of free member services, promotional opportunities, and our events and programs.  We encourage all new members, new managers, and current members who would like a quick reminder of their member benefits to join us!
LEAP - Disaster Planning
February 28
8:00 - 9:30 am
Morton Chamber of Commerce
FREE to Chamber Members

Business owners invest a tremendous amount of time, money and resources to make their ventures successful, yet many owners fail to properly plan and prepare for disaster situations. According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, an estimated 25% of businesses do not reopen following a major disaster. You can protect your business by identifying the risks associated with natural and man-made disasters, and by creating a plan for action should a disaster strike. By keeping those plans updated, you can help ensure the survival of your business. Speaker to be announced.  
Business Briefs
The Walmart Foundation has awarded three Central Illinois organizations with grants. Among the recipients was Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, which was awarded $30,000. They will use the funds to support veterans by removing barriers to employment.
Best of Peoria Nominations
This is a chance to share Morton with the region! You can nominate Morton people, places, and things in 35 categories for the Best of Peoria presented by Peoria Magazines. Pumpkin Festival + 51 years = ideal nomination for Best Festival Category.

Nominations are open now through March 17, followed by voting on the top three in each category. Visit Best of Peoria now and submit your nominations.
MEET THE CANDIDATES 
February 28
6:00 - 8:30 pm
Bertha Frank Performing Arts Center

Voters have an opportunity to hear from candidates running for District 709 School Board and Village of Morton Board of Trustees.
 
Candidates for the upcoming election on Tuesday, April 4:
 
District 709 School Board  
Out of District one seat: David Cross
 
Six candidates running for the other 3 seats:
Kevin Austin
Barbara McMullen
Tom Neeley
Bart Rinkenberger
Aaron Seaman
Michelle Short
 
Village of Morton Trustees (3 seats open)
Tom Daab, running for re-election
Clint Leman
Ken Newman
Nate Parrot
Morton Businesses Featured at Luncheon
At the Annual EDC Investor Luncheon on January 30, hosted at Season's Gastropub, the Morton Economic Development Council shared the 2016 Make It Morton video highlighting economic impact projects along with new and expanded businesses over the last year.
 
Congratulations to Sam Parrott, recipient of the 2016 Venture Award at the luncheon.  View the Venture Award announcement video. 
Morton EDC 2017-2021 Strategy
With the foundation in place, Morton Momentum is our third five-year initiative to build and attract talented workforce, assist local business, spur capital investment, and generate enhanced revenues in Morton to benefit our community and our region.  The goal of Morton Momentum is to put Morton ahead of the curve in identifying changing business and community trends, allowing the MEDC and the Village of Morton to build on the tremendous assets of the community. 
Chamber Welcomes New Members for 2017
Free and confidential business mentoring tailored to meet the needs of the entrepreneur or small business owner.
Morton Community Foundation News
by Scott Witzig

The Morton Community Foundation will give back $40,000 as part of their annual competitive grant cycle. Community organizations can submit applications through March 10.
Ribbon Cutting at Element Building

Chamber Ambassadors held a ribbon cutting at Element Building LLC, 120 West Jefferson Street, to welcome The Jefferson Place residential and commercial tenants.