Naturally McHenry County looking to launch a Bloody Mary Trail!

Written on January 28, 2025.

Who serves up your favorite Bloody Mary in McHenry County?

If you’re a Bloody Mary enthusiast, our friends at Naturally McHenry County want your help in creating its latest trail showcasing our local businesses.

Naturally McHenry County is looking to launch a Bloody Mary Trail, which is similar to its awesome Craft Beverage Trail, Coffee and Tea Trail, and its Tacos, Tamales and Tortas Trail. And they have a simple question they’re asking people who love the classic lunchtime cocktail: Who do you think serves up the best Bloody Mary in the county?

Comment on Naturally McHenry County‘s social media posts with your answer (click here for Facebook and here for Instagram), and be sure to tag your favorite establishment. And if you know other people who love a good brunch Bloody Mary, be sure to tag them, too.

While you’re at it. check out the Coffee and Tea, and Tacos, Tamales and Tortas trails by clicking here and here – and get ready as the Craft Beverage Trail gets set to return for its 2025 season!

Illinois announces $7 million in tech incubator grants

On Friday, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $7 million in funding for the Tech Incubator Enhancement Grants Program.

The program supports entrepreneurship in key growth industries such as AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and more. The grant funding seeks to strengthen Illinois’ technology network by increasing the resilience of existing technology incubators, and fostering innovation, collaboration and resilience.

Qualified entities can apply for grants between $10,000 and $3 million, and applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Monday, March 17. Click here to learn more.

Input sought for CDBG, HOME funding priorities

The McHenry County Community Development Division needs your input to prioritize how its federal housing funding is allocated.

The division is in the process of drafting its new Consolidated 5-Year Plan to help shape the future of our communities. You can help by taking a moment to complete a survey to share your priorities for the county‘s federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and Housing Investment Partnership (HOME) grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Your input is vital in guiding these allocations. Community Development is looking for participation from county residents and stakeholder agencies – the community member survey can be found here, and the stakeholder survey here.

If you prefer a PDF version of the survey, click here; printed versions also can be picked up at the Community Development Office, 667 Ware Road, Suite 208, Woodstock.

IEPA offering rebates for new electric vehicle owners

If you just purchased an electric vehicle, or you’re thinking of buying one soon, we want you to know that that the application cycle for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s EV Rebate program is now open.

Through Wednesday, April 30, Illinois residents who purchase a new or used all-electric vehicle from an Illinois licensed dealer may be eligible for a $4,000 rebate for an EV, and a $1,500 rebate for the purchase of an all-electric motorcycle. Rebate applications must be submitted within 90 days of vehicle purchase.

Funding is limited, and low-income applicants will be given given priority for rebates. Timely submittal of an application will improve the chance of receiving a rebate. Also, the rebate program is limited to individuals – businesses and local governments are not eligible.

Click here to learn more and apply.

Sixth annual Deputy Keltner memorial blood drive a success

Once again, donors from across McHenry County answered the call to honor the memory of fallen McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputy Keltner by donating blood.

The Red Cross collected 221 pints of blood last Saturday at the sixth annual Jake Keltner Memorial Blue Blood Drive, held Jan. 11 at the Sage YMCA in Crystal Lake. Because one unit of blood can save up to three people, that’s up to 663 lives that can be saved by the generous donors.

Bad winter weather has forced the cancellation of hundreds of blood drives – the Red Cross told organizers that they’re very thankful that McHenry County stepped up to the plate and made this year’s drive happen.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to honor Deputy Keltner’s memory by helping others. If you missed it, you can donate blood any time of the year, and the need is always great – visit www.redcrossblood.org to find sites and times near you and schedule a donation.

The virtual link is live for the 2025 Insider Guide

A few weeks ago, when we informed you that Naturally McHenry County‘s amazing 2025 Insider Guide was available, we said we’d let you know when the link to the virtual version was live.

Well, we’re people of our word – and here it i s.

The annual Insider Guide showcases the best of McHenry County‘s seasonal events, annual festivals, agritourism, theater and entertainment venues, fine dining and drinking, shopping and much more! It’s a catalog of the year-round fun you can have here, in the palm of your hand.

If you prefer a physical copy, you can click the link and request one, or pick them up at a number of local businesses – they’re free!

We hope you found this newsletter informative. If you’re not a subscriber, click here to join the McHenry County Government Constant Contact list.

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What is McH Thrive?

McH Thrive is a collaborative initiative being implemented by McHenry County and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) in partnership with the McHenry County community, including cities and villages, businesses and residents.