McHenry Market Pulse: April 2016

CONGRATULATIONS TO FOLLETT CORPORATION

Follett Corporation, http://follett.com/, with two locations in the City of McHenry Corporate Center, acquired Baker & Taylor, LLC. Baker and Taylor is the leading distributor of books, video and music to public libraries and other institutions. Follett Corporation and Baker and Taylor have combined sales exceeding $3.6 billion, and this acquisition will allow librarians, educators and students ubiquitous access to the most complete and physical and digital content anywhere. Follett is Corporation headquartered in Westchester, IL and employs more than 1,000 people in the City of McHenry. Please check out #bettertogether and click on the video at www.follett.com/bakerandtaylor to learn more.

Follett is the international leader in providing educational/technological services using print and digital content serving all levels of education, pre-k through higher education, operating 1,200 campus stores and more than 1,600 virtual stores. Thank you to Follett Corporation for operating your business in the City of McHenry!

MCHENRY GARDEN CLUB CONTAINER GARDEN GALA

On April 26 at 7:00 p.m. the McHenry Garden Club will hold their annual Garden Club Container Garden Gala at McHenry High School West Campus. McHenry Garden Club has done numerous community beautification projects in the City of McHenry and provides scholarships. Please attend this wonderful event! Thank you to McHenry Garden Club for contributing to the beautification of the City of McHenry and giving back to the community!

VETERANS EVENTS

COMCAST CARES DAY APRIL 30, 2016

On April 30, 2016 Comcast employees, families, friends and anyone interested will be volunteering their time and giving back to two organizations in the City of McHenry. Volunteers will complete landscaping, painting and cleaning at the McHenry VFW Post 4600, 3002 Illinois Route 120 and cleaning, wall patching, painting, building shelves and landscaping at GiGi’s Playhouse, 5404 W Elm Street (Illinois Route 120) in McHenry. Anyone interested in assisting in either project can register at www.comcastinthecommunity.com or contact Joan Sage at 815.980.3815 or Joan_Sage@comcast.com. T-shirts and lunch will be provided to all registered volunteers. This is the 15^th year for Comcast Cares Day. Please come out and volunteer if you can! Thank you to Comcast and all volunteers to taking time and giving back to our community!

THANK YOU TO ALL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS WHICH HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TO GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY AND/OR LOCATE THEIR BUSINESS AND/OR EXPAND IN THE CITY OF MCHENRY…EVERY ONE CONTRIBUTES!!!!!

Please help us keep our community vibrant and strong to the greatest extent practical for businesses, residents and visitors alike! The City Council is continually evaluating ways to assist in promoting business, tourism, community events and service! Economic development is an ongoing effort the City is committed to and is a community-wide effort. At the end of the day the entire community and everyone who is a part of it benefits!

Douglas P. Martin

Director of Economic Development

City of McHenry

333 S Green Street

McHenry, IL 60050

815.363.2110 (d)

815.363.2173 (f)

815.790.4752 (c)

dmartin@ci.mchenry.il.us

www.ci.mchenry.il.us

http://www.ci.mchenry.il.us/departments/development/economic.html

McHenry Market Pulse

CONGRATULATIONS TO CHAIN O’ LAKES BREWING COMPANY AND FOLLETT SOLUTIONS

McHenry County Living recently surveyed its readers and Chain O’ Lakes Brewing Company, located at 3425 Pearl Street, was named as one of the top five breweries in McHenry County. To read more click on this link: http://mchenrycountyliving.com/best-brewery/. Congratulations to Chain O’ Lakes Brewing Company!

Follett Corporation, http://follett.com/, located at 1340 Ridgeview Drive and 1391 Corporate Drive, in the City of McHenry Corporate Center, recently acquired ClassBook from a retailer based in New York. Follett Virtual Campus is Follett’s online bookstore division. Follett is headquartered in Westchester, IL and employs more than 1,000 people in the City of McHenry.

They are the international leader in providing educational/technological services using print and digital content serving all levels of education, Pre-K through higher education, operating 1,200 campus stores and more than 1,600 virtual stores. For more click on the following link: http://www.nwherald.com/2016/02/23/follett-acquires-online-textbook-retailer-classbook/axgej9j/?__xsl=/print.xsl.

Additionally, Nader Qaimari-Follett Executive Vice President and General Manager of Follett School Solutions, was appointed to the EdNET 2016 Industry Advisory Board. The board consists of industry executives which plan and program events for an annual conference on education. At the conference businesses can learn the most recent trends and newest developments on marketing, technology and funding opportunities for pre-K-12 organizations. http://www.nwherald.com/2016/02/25/follett-school-solutions-executive-named-to-education-industry-panel/a40p0cc. Thank you to Follett Corporation for operating your business in the City of McHenry!

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE OPENS AT 903 FRONT STREET

Have you seen the new Habitat for Humanity Restore at 903 Front Street? They recently opened their doors after completing extensive exterior and interior renovations. Who would guess the building at 903 Front used be an automobile dealership? Habitat for Humanity ReStores are not-for-profit operations relying on donated items. The Restores carry furniture, appliances, home accessories and building materials at affordable prices. Thank you to Habitat for Humanity ReStore for opening a business in the City of McHenry!

Habitat for Humanity ReStore 903 Front Street McHenry

MECC ALTE EXPANDING

A building permit was submitted by Mecc Alte, located at 1229 Adams Drive in Adams Commercial Centre Business Park, to construct a 19,000 square foot building addition. Mecc Alte produces and supplies synchronous alternators. To learn more about Mecc Alte please click on the following link: http://www.meccalte.com/. Thank you to Mecc Alte for operating and expanding your business in the City of McHenry!

THE PAINTED FOX

I attended the McHenry Are Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting at The Painted Fox, a new business located at 3819-2 Main Street, which is immediately east of Front Street on the south side of Main Street. The store features numerous hand-crafted items, various artwork pieces and a vast selection of some very eclectic merchandise. I would highly recommend you stop in and check it out. Thank you to The Painted Fox for opening in the City of McHenry!

The Painted Fox 3819-2 Main Street McHenry

STARBUCKS DRIVE-THRU COMING SOON

Starbucks submitted a permit to buildout their new location at 2318 N Richmond Road (former Oberweis location). Their existing location, 2210 N Richmond Road (building immediately to the south), will remain open until construction is completed, and the new location will feature a drive-thru and limited beer and wine service. This is part of Starbucks new branding and will certainly compliment their existing business operation. Thank you to Starbucks for investing and expanding your business operation in the City of McHenry!

PEARL STREET/LINCOLN ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS

The City of McHenry and Public Works Director Jon Schmitt applied for and received $1.5 million dollars in Surface Transportation Policy (STP) funds awarded by the McHenry County Council of Mayors. The funding will be utilized for engineering and construction for intersection capacity improvements for on-street bicycle lanes between Illinois Route 31 and the Fox River; an off-street bicycle path between the Fox River and Chapel Hill Road; sidewalk improvements to conform with the latest accessibility guidelines, curb and gutter replacement, bridge deck rehabilitation and pavement removal and replacement. Also included in the project is the extension of thirty-five sanitary sewer stubs from the sanitary sewer main under Lincoln Road to service future connections for homeowners not currently utilizing City sewer. A spring 2017 construction start is anticipated.

PRESENTATION AT HEARTLAND REALTOR ORGANIZATION

I recently spoke at The Heartland Realtor Organization in Crystal Lake. As stated on their website: “The Organization takes great pride in being a member driven not-for-profit trade association providing products and services to over 1,000 REALTOR® members and over 100 Affiliate members.” I always jump at the chance to speak at organizations such as this because it allows me to promote the City of McHenry and all the good things which occurred last year, are continuing this year and future plans the City is working on. Here is a link to the presentation: Heartland Power Point.pdf.

THANK YOU TO ALL EXISTING BUSINESSES WHICH HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TO LOCATE THEIR BUSINESS, EXPAND THEIR BUSINESS AND KEEP THEIR BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF MCHENRY AND WE CERTAINLY WELCOME OTHERS TO CONSIDER DOING THE SAME!!! EVERY ONE COUNTS!!!

CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION…EVERY ONE CONTRIBUTES!!!!!