Chairman's Circle Members |
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Happenings in and around the Chamber! |
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Welcome to Our New Member!
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Happy Monday!
COVID-19 vaccinations seem to be the hot topic on everyone's mind this past week. Last Friday, Governor Pritzker announced the state-wide move to begin vaccinating the 3.2 million Illinoisans who qualify under 1B, including frontline workers and those age 65 and over. The state plans to have eligible residents receive a vaccine at a Illinois National Guard-assisted site, or at a site operated by a local health department or partner pharmacy.
One Washington Place Project
The City of Batavia now has a website to update the public about the One Washington Place project. You can learn more about the apartment complex and keep up-to-date as construction commences. Businesses and property owners adjacent to the project are invited to attend a kickoff informational meeting on Monday, Feb. 1 at 9:30 a.m. Visit the business page on the website for more information.
Could Indoor Dining Open Soon?
Region 8 (Kane and DuPage counties) is currently in Tier 2 mitigations. Last week we told you about the changes to the resurgence mitigations. If Region 8 can move to Tier 1 mitigations, limited indoor dining can return. As neighboring regions move to Tier 1, we are hopeful that we will move to it this week as well!
Reminder! PPP Information
Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the Paycheck Protection Program was reopened. First draw and second draw applications are available for businesses who wish to apply for the PPP. Information about this and other available relief options can be found on the SBA website. It is expected that these funds will go quickly, much as they did when the first round was opened last year.
Lazarus House Needs
Our nonprofit spotlight at last Wednesday's virtual Net-Working It! was Lazarus House. Julie Purcell, executive director, updated us on their operation during COVID-19 and mentioned several items they are in need of. These are individual soft-soap dispensers (not the refill jugs), men's flip flops, and 12-ounce coffee cups with lids. We have a bin in our lobby if you'd like to donate any of these items.
Many of you have been viewing Mayor Schielke’s weekly videos; here is the link to watch the Friday, Jan. 22nd recording. In it, he talks about COVID-19 vaccines and also returns to highlighting Batavia history. Watch it to learn more about an out-of-this-world significance of the corner of Batavia Avenue and Wilson Street.
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.
Scroll down for our new events and other content, including the announcement of the 2020 Ole Award winners! The Inspire Scholarships are now open for applications. More information is below. Please share...
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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Last Thursday, seven Batavia businesses were named recipients of the 2020 Ole Award. Businesses who had final city permits by September 1, 2020 were eligible. One other business will receive a Green Ole Award, the second year for this award.
Additionally, Michelle (Mike) Burke was named Ambassador of the Year for the Batavia Chamber of Commerce. All recipients will be honored at the Inspire 2021: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us! event, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 20.
A committee of Batavia Chamber members, along with representation from the City of Batavia and Batavia Chamber staff, evaluate all Batavia businesses who meet the final permit timing qualifications. If no one on the committee is familiar with the improvements and/or new construction, a visit to the candidate is made, along with qualifying conversations. After deliberation, the committee selects those businesses whose investment and confidence in Batavia stands out as the year’s Ole Award winners.
The Ole honorees for 2020 and the appropriate category for their award are:
- New Construction – Industrial: Cratos, LLC., builder, 1850 E. Fabyan Parkway
- Remodeling – Industrial: Cast Aluminum Solutions Research and Development Technical Center, 1250 Douglas Road
- Remodeling – Industrial: Midwest Industrial Funds/Second City Prints, 1020 Olympic Drive
- Remodeling – Industrial: SD Wheel, 1300 S. River Street
- New Construction – Commercial: The Boardwalk Shops (City of Batavia and Batavia MainStreet), 114 E. Wilson Street
- Remodeling – Commercial: Oak & Swine, 107 E. Wilson Street
- Remodeling – Commercial: Six + Cypress, 103 E. Wilson Street
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We are pleased to announce that seniors at Batavia Public School District 101 can now apply for one of the four Inspire Scholarships! The four scholarships are:
- Inspiring Entrepreneurship
- Inspiring Women in Business
- Inspiring Career & Technical Achievers
- Inspiring Contributors to a Batavia Chamber Business
Applications are due on Friday, April 30. Applications are available via this link. Please share this information!
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Support our Batavia restaurants.
This friendly "competition" continues!
Support this week's featured restaurants (below) by ordering carryout from them. Make certain you let the restaurant know what side of town you are from for tracking purposes. Keep up with the latest by joining the We Side with Batavia Restaurants Facebook group.
Don't cook. Carry Out. Eat well. And...have fun!
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Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
Share Your News...
2021 is a great time to try new activities, benefits or utilize marketing opportunities with the Batavia Chamber of Commerce! We know our businesses have news to share and stories to tell. So...take advantage of posting your news releases to our website. Once they are approved, they flow out to our social media sites and we share those received the following week in our Weekly Digest. It is one of the many benefits every Batavia Chamber of Commerce member receives - so take advantage of it! If you need help, email Shirley@bataviachamber.org, it would be our pleasure to assist you.
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We've launched a series of educational Boot Camp sessions, along with our fellow chamber partners! Join us each Thursday at 9 a.m. for a new topic. This week, we'll explore best practices for our businesses on Google - definitely important if you want to be found online. Register for the this week's event today!
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What is in store for COVID-19 vaccinations?
Learn the latest from the Kane County Health Department this Thursday, January 28.
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Join us for the first Ribbon Cutting of 2021! |
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We are excited to celebrate the opening of SOMA Studio's beautiful new location at 103 E. Wilson Street, on the second floor above Six + Cypress!
SOMA offers a variety of yoga classes for all levels and ages. The Ribbon Cutting is part of a full day of grand opening activities for SOMA Studio.
Per IDPH guidelines, face masks are required.
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News and Updates from Our Members |
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A group of residents at Covenant Living at the Holmstad decided to use their talents in the woodshop and built 20 desks for students who continue to attend classes remotely in the community. The six men working on this project spent about four weeks cutting, assembling and staining the desks made out of pine.
The senior living community contacted the Batavia United Way and asked for its help in finding homes for the desks. The organization worked with contacts within BPS 101 and recently each desk has been donated to a student who is experiencing challenges at home or financial hardships. Read the entire press release.
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These Covenant Living at the Holmstad residents helped local students by donating 20 handcrafted desks. From left to right are Joe Whatley, Dave Anderson, Dave Nelson, Ron Hecht, Delton Clark and Randy Johnson. |
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Upcoming Business & Community Events |
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Connect with our community partners! Sign up for their e-newsletters:
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