CENTRALIA CHAMBER LOOKS OPTIMISTICALLY TO FUTURE AT ANNUAL DINNER
The keynote speaker at the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce ‘Love Our Community’ annual dinner painted a positive picture for the region.
Ted Macon hit upon this year’s chamber theme of Inspire Community.
“When we all work together, I believe that is what truly inspires progress and inspires connections,” Macon said. “It forces us to acknowledge that all of our communities, while separate, are irrevocably interwoven and interdependent on each other.”
Macon says as a lifelong Centralia resident he has always heard about the good old days.
“I truly believe with what’s happening right now in this city and in our communities, that these will one day be referred to as the good old days. I would encourage all of you just to keep doing what you’re doing. Keep working together, keep collaborating, keep investing, keep hiring and mentoring, and really show the world what is possible when a community loves itself enough to dream big.”
2025 Chamber President Wes Monken said he was super excited about downtown redevelopment that is resulting in new businesses and much needed housing.
“Centralia’s a good place, and it’s heading in a great direction,” Monken said. “There are so many wins in Centralia that I can’t list them all. Centralia has momentum, and for this I’m grateful. Thanks for attending, and all you do to make Centralia a great place to live, dine, shop, and raise a family.”
Outgoing President Rachel Wallace noted business investments were more than just money but also time and attitude.
“It takes a team to accomplish the goals of any city,” Wallace said. “It also takes passion, dedication against the naysayers, and a desire to be around after all of the accolades have died down. The best contribution we can make after the money is our time and our attitudes. There are always going to be people who do not want you to succeed or would rather bash success than appreciate the hard work that goes into it. It’s our job, as the backbone of the city, to raise up the attitudes and the culture that is Centralia.”
The chamber board also honored three outgoing board members Wendy Jordan of the Centralia City Schools, Retired from Pregnancy Care Center Linda Dabney and Damon Harbinson of SSM Health.
The Centralia Chamber also honored four Partners in Progress. They are Intermountain Electronics for its rapid growth, The Fleeman family on the 20th Anniversary of the Body Shop and now renovation of the former Green Grill downtown into three retail businesses, upstairs apartments, and the eventual reopening of the Green Grill. The Kretzer family was honored for their Hoyleton Bar and Grill along with the new Locust Street Pub in Centralia. The Rueter family has constructed two new laundromats along with other investments. The Macz Funeral Homes were recognized for their service in Centralia, Odin, Patoka and Sandoval. As part of her presentation, Traci Macz presented a $1,000 check from a Matthews Award Grant to the Southern Illinois Dream Center operated by City Hope Church in Centralia that helps the less fortunate with clothing and food.
Article taken from WBJD.
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