Quality of Life: Education - inspire community magazine
In Southern Illinois, area grade schools feed into a municipal or township high school. There are also opportunities for local families to seek private schooling from Pre-K through grade 12. All schools are connected through the Regional Office of Education.
Since education is a major component of individual success and quality of life, connecting students with the business community is a priority for the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce’s mission.
“Rural America faces a problem of ‘brain drain.’ This is not unique to our community. By highlighting good-paying and rewarding careers in our community, we hope to change the perspective - and highlight that students can be successful here. Plus, there is opportunity for skilled workers or entrepreneurs to own their own business and be very successful in our community,” said Marcus Holland, director of the Centralia Chamber of Commerce.
Each year the chamber of commerce works with area schools - public and private - to present higher education opportunities and career paths for real jobs in our community. They also present to educators at the regional teacher’s conferences and local teacher workshops.
“We have seen an increase in young people owning businesses that are unique to our community,” adds Holland. “They are adding to our quality of life - and providing for their families!”