Chairman's Circle Members |
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Happenings in and around the Chamber! |
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Happy Monday!
Last week was a tough pill to swallow for many of our businesses, especially the restaurants and bars. A bright spot is that Governor Pritzker said Friday that Illinois should not expect a statewide shutdown again.
As we wrote last Monday, we urge you to follow the three W's to move our COVID-19 positivity numbers down. Washing your hands, Wearing a mask, and Watching your distance are more important than ever! Please continue to support our local businesses in a way that you are most comfortable with.
Dining Guidelines + Upcoming Event
The City of Batavia released fall/winter COVID outdoor dining guidelines. You can access them here. We are hosting a Zoom webinar on Friday, Oct. 30 for bars and restaurants to discuss outdoor dining in the winter months. Scroll down for more information and to register.
Along with Batavia MainStreet, we are calling all the restaurants to update last spring's Batavia Restaurants Delivery, Drive Thru and Curbside Pick Up document. Keep in mind that it will continue to change as these businesses update their plans. Access the Google spreadsheet here. We implore you to order out from our local restaurants to support them and keep them in business!
Reminder! State Grants are Open
New this past week, Governor Pritzker said his administration will give priority consideration to businesses in regions facing restrictions, which means Kane and DuPage Counties, among others. Applications for the second round of funding are still being accepted for the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Program. These grants will be available to all small businesses statewide that experienced losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants will be awarded and funded on a rolling basis until funding is depleted. Application details, including links to eligibility criteria is available here. We urge all of our eligible businesses to apply!
Residential Nicor Gas Assistance
A reminder...if you know of anyone struggling to pay their bills – employees, etc. – Nicor Gas has a bill payment assistance program. Bill payment assistance remains available to support Nicor Gas residential customers who have past-due balances and may be affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Here are details about programs offered by Nicor Gas to residential customers. Please share!
Many of you have been viewing Mayor Schielke’s weekly videos. You can access last week’s October 23rd video by clicking this link. In this week's video, the mayor discusses an uptick in identity theft, the difficulties our restaurants are facing, and ended the talk with his weekly look-back into Batavia history. He shared photos and stories from then presidential candidate John F. Kennedy's stop in Batavia on October 25, 1960.
As a reminder, City Council Chambers are open for early voting October 26 - 29, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Please scroll down for many upcoming events and other content. If you have news to share, remember to send it to us! We continually update our home page, bataviachamber.org when new resources and information comes out. Also, check our calendar for new events from us and the community.
Our local businesses need all of our support – please remember to shop and dine local! As always, we are now, and will be in the future, here for you.
Most sincerely,
Margaret, Patti and Shirley
Your Batavia Chamber of Commerce Staff
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We Can Do This!
New COVID-19 mitigations began on Friday, October 23 for Kane and DuPage counties. It is imperative that we work together to get Batavia (and the entire area) back to Level 4 of the Restore Illinois plan! Please continue to support our local businesses, particularly the restaurants and bars who are most impacted from these mitigations.
Read the Office of the Governor's press release here.
Read the Restore Illinois Mitigation plans here.
The City of Batavia put together this signage that you can print and post in your businesses to inform and remind. It is available to download and print here.
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Thank you to local architects Mike Kluber and Steve Vasilion for their valuable insight and ideas!
Register for this Zoom Webinar and discussion today.
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Don't miss out as Mayor Schielke takes us on his annual "tour" of the City - learn what's new and what Batavia's future holds! Virtual attendance is still available. Register here.
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Please join us as we celebrate the ground-breaking for Fox Valley Habitat's 68th home - and the first one in Batavia!
Mark your calendars and join us for the event on Wednesday, October 28 at 9 a.m. The address is 10 Independence Drive (corner of Wilson and Independence Drive), Batavia. Per IDPH guidelines, face masks are required.
Please join us as we celebrate new Chamber member 22 Creative Group with a ribbon cutting ceremony! After we cut the ribbon, tours of their amazing video studio are available. The custom-built studio, located at 1886 E. Fabyan Parkway, is available for rent, too. Per IDPH guidelines, face masks are required.
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Please join this event series!
Each week another chamber will present a different topic.
In this week's segment, you'll explore data breaches and ID theft.
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Can You Help?
The need is great this year!
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All Illinois employers are required to provide annual harassment prevention training. We are joining with the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and Valley Industrial Association to offer trainings to you. The first, on Friday, November 6, is for managers. Register for the manager training here.
The following week, on Friday, November 13, harassment prevention training is offered to employees. Register for the employee training here.
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News and Updates from Our Members |
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Participants!
You must register by November 1 to be guaranteed an event shirt!
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Heritage Woods of Batavia would like to take this opportunity to show support to the town by helping you showcase your business at their community. This free event allows a business to create a scarecrow or fall arrangement booth, advertising their business.
On Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the public is invited to drive through Heritage Woods to view the festive displays. Participants can vote for their favorite and will receive a free giveaway bag at the end. Heritage Woods of Batavia is located at 1079 E. Wilson Street.
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Award to be given at the Chamber’s annual Inspire awards recognition event in January.
September 21, 2020 - Is there a Batavia citizen who you believe exemplifies giving back to the community through outstanding service and dedication? If so, nominate them for the annual Batavia Citizen of the Year Award. The award honors extraordinary contributions to the community over the course of the recipient’s lifetime. Read the entire press release.
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The Batavia Environmental Commission is awarding local businesses each year that are taking steps to become more sustainable. If you are a business owner or know one that has been making green changes to their business, encourage them to submit an application. Last year's winner was Millcreek Early Education Center. The award is presented in January at the annual Inspire event. Click here for the application.
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It's always gift-giving season!
Purchase Chamber Bucks now and support our local businesses. If you call the office with a credit card, we will mail them out to you.
Businesses, have you received Chamber Bucks?
Bring them to the Chamber office for reimbursement.
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Upcoming Business & Community Events |
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Batavia Chamber of Commerce | (630) 879-7134 | Shirley@BataviaChamber.org |www.BataviaChamber.org |
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