
April 20, 2018
April New Members Wild Trillium Sharon Kay Corn Join Date: 04/03/2018 Terminix Eric Haney Website Join Date: 04/17/2018 Benton First United Methodist Church Join Date: 04/20/2018 April is Prevent Child Abuse Month Think about the children in your life. Whether you’re thinking of your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or friend’s child, you want them to always feel safe and secure. Help kids feel safe by teaching them that the choices they make about their bodies deserve to be respected. Healthy Communications with Kids Flyer Opioid Epidemic & Your Business The United States is in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic. Opioids (including prescription and illicit opioids) killed more than 33,000 Americans in 2015—which is nearly quadruple the number from 2000. Learn how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to protect individuals and families—including your employees and your business—from this dangerous problem. FOUR CRITICAL CHALLENGES FACING EMPLOYERS Remembering Richard Hart We would like to remember Richard Hart, former President of the Benton Area Chamber of Commerce and Rend Lake Water Festival Committee member, who passed away March 12th. Full Obituary Southern Illinois Made Expo this July! Are you a business who would like to spotlight your locally made items? Register now! Chamber members enjoy a booth discount - prices start at $50!! Call 618-438-2121 for more details or register online! Day Camp @ Camp Manitowa ChamberNation Tutorials Are you interested in making the most of your ChamberNation membership portal? Contact the chamber office for an on-=site tutorial or check out the HelpDesk portal for step-by-step instructions. Share Your News! Do you have a special announcement or product you would like to showcase? Let us know so we can share it with everyone! Email the chamber office information and a picture! New Opportunities! Are you looking for new employment or volunteer opportunities? Check out the Chamber Opportunity Board! Start a new chapter in your community! Generation Books Generations of Memories Books are available for purchase at the Chamber Office, Flowers by Dave, Heartland Office Supply, and the Buzz. Pick up yours today! Contact Us! Benton/West City Area Chamber of Commerce 211 N. Main St. Benton, IL 62812 P.O. Box 574 Benton, IL 62812 618-438-2121 info@bentonwestcitychamber.com www.BentonWestCityChamber.com	2018 Rend Lake Water Festival: May 2 - 5 The Rend Lake Water Festival will be here in less than TWO weeks. The banners are our in our community and flyers are starting to go around. Don't miss out on the fun activities we have planned for this year's event! Register for the Business Scavenger Hunt, be part of the parade, or set up a booth in Capitol Park on Saturday! Event Information April Chamber Business After Hours: Heritage Woods As part of Supportive Living Week, join the chamber for this month's Business After Hours at Heritage Woods in Benton. Enjoy food stations, live entertainment, activities. Tax Reform Business Impact Survey Provided by the US Chamber With tax day upon us, we are already seeing a significant boost in our economy as a result of the tax reform package signed into law in December. As you know, the legislation passed in December: 1. Lowers tax rates for all Americans 2. Nearly doubles the standard deduction 3. Doubles the Child Tax Credit to $2,000 4. Provides more fairness and simplicity 5. Provides relief from Obamacare These important changes have led many employers to provide pay increases for their employees, and others to reinvest in their operations. The U.S. Chamber is tracking these investments on ourTax Relief Across America Map, which was also highlighted in a tax reform toolkit released last week by House Republicans. If you or your chamber members have a story to tell, please click here toshare. We want to hear from employers of all sizes, whether it be the two-person start-up that is now hiring a third employee, the manufacturer that is buying new equipment, or the service provider that’s expanding. For more information on how tax reform is positively impacting small businesses around the country,please click here. Global Energy Institute Releases 2017 Electricity Price Map Below is the latest version of the annual U.S. electricity price map. Using the most recent full year of data available from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the map gives insight into what electricity costs across the country. As always, the map shows that there are stark differences from state to state. While the energy mix available will play a large role in state electricity prices, energy-limiting policies in some states act to artificially elevate prices, making the price of electricity much more burdensome for consumers and businesses. See where your state ranks, and compare it to the national average below. See more at: https://www.globalenergyinstitute.org/average-electricity-retail-prices-map Chamber / Rotary Golf Scramble:June 15 The 2018 Chamber / Rotary Golf Scramble is a great day out on the links with friends to kick off the Father's Day weekend. Be part of the event through sponsorship, goodies in the registration bags, or play in the scramble!! Learn more here! Golf Scramble Event Information Half of the teams are reserved, don't miss out to join in the fun! Team Registration Childcare Assistance Resources Too many low- to moderate-income, working parents are going without the child care help for which they qualify. Many might not know of its availability. Others might be aware of it, but wary after two years of turmoil related to the state’s budget impasse and sharp cuts in eligibility – cuts that ReadyNation and a bipartisan group of legislators and allies helped to reverse last August. So, to help increase working parents’ awareness of the child care program, we’ve developed a one-page flyer you can find at this link. It briefly describes the services available, and notes where parents can call or check online to see if they are eligible to participate. If you are an employer or manager, please consider: Posting this flyer in break rooms Including it with “onboarding” materials for new hires Sharing it with human resources execs Publicizing it in employee newsletters Member Events 3rd Friday Music at Pheasant Hollow Winery 04/20/2018 Pheasant Hollow Winery 14931 IL-37 Whittington, IL 62897 Live Well Be Well: 6 Week Chronic Disease Workshop 04/20/2018 Franklin Hospital 201 Bailey Lane Benton, IL 62812 Nicole Cole Book Signing 04/21/2018 Benton Public Library 502 South Main Benton, IL 62812 Benton City Council Meeting 04/23/2018 Benton City Hall 1403 South Main St. Benton, IL 62812 It's a Colorful Life: Kick Off & Balloon Launch 04/23/2018 Heritage Woods of Benton 1305 Bailey Lane Benton, IL 62812 Knit and Crochet @ the Library 04/24/2018 Benton Public Library 502 South Main Benton, IL 62812 It's a Colorful Life: Floral Arrangement 04/24/2018 Heritage Woods of Benton 1305 Bailey Lane Benton, IL 62812 Story Time at the Library 04/25/2018 Benton Public Library 502 S Main St. Benton, IL 62812 Chamber Business After Hours: Heritage Woods 04/25/2018 Heritage Woods of Benton 1305 Bailey Lane Benton, IL 62812 Blood Drive at the Library 04/25/2018 Benton Public Library 502 South Main Benton, IL 62812 It's a Colorful Life: Chair Yoga and Open House 04/25/2018 Heritage Woods of Benton 1305 Bailey Lane Benton, IL 62812 Ground Breaking: Urgent Care and WORKCare Clinic 04/25/2018 Groundbreaking Location 2804 East Outer Drive Marion, IL Rend Lake College Culinary Arts Showcase 04/26/2018- 04/27/2018 RLC Student Center, Ina Campus 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway Ina, IL 62846 Stun Gun Personal Protection Class 04/26/2018 Extreme Exigency Shooting Park 9911 River Bend Road Benton, IL 62812 It's a Colorful Life: Live Music 04/26/2018 Live Well Be Well: 6 Week Chronic Disease Workshop 04/27/2018 Franklin Hospital 201 Bailey Lane Benton, IL 62812 Health Trivia 04/27/2018 Heritage Woods of Benton 1305 Bailey Lane Benton , IL 62898 First United Methodist Church Spring Fling 04/27/2018 First United Methodist Church 203 W Church St Benton, IL 62812 It's a Colorful Life: Tree & Flower Planting 04/27/2018 The Hamilton Homicide 04/28/2018 Pheasant Hollow Winery 14931 IL-37 Whittington, IL 62897 Blue Ridge Tractor Open House 04/28/2018 Blue Ridge Tractors 12150 Blue Ridge Drive Benton, IL 62812 Hands Around the Courthouse 04/30/2018 Benton Public Square Benton, IL 62812 Events in the Community Check out other community activities and submit events here!
Chamber E-Newsletter - April 20, 2018