Comcast Newsmakers highlight Advance McHenry County program…. and more County news

Through our collaboration with McHenry County, we will continue to share important information on services, programs to help our citizens, and events in our county through Resume McHenry County updates.

Please take a moment to scroll down to see new advancements this week as we move forward in McHenry County. If MCEDC can be of any help, please call. Forward this email to your friends and family to help get the word out!

Comcast Newsmakers highlight Advance McHenry County program

The groundbreaking Advance McHenry County program to invest American Rescue Plan Act funding directly into our communities was featured on a recent episode of Comcast Newsmakers!

The Comcast program, which highlights leaders and innovators who tackle issues facing communities across the nation, interviewed County Administrator Peter Austin about Advance McHenry County and the good it’s done.

You can watch the 5-minute interview by clicking here or on the photo, and be sure to visit mchenrycountyil.gov/advance to learn more about Advance McHenry County.

MCRide hours expanding for 2023, rates remaining same

McHenry County and Pace’s awesome dial-a-ride service will get more awesome in 2023!

Effective Jan. 1, MCRide’s service hours will expand to 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily (except major holidays) – those new hours will last through the new year.

Better yet, the fare for trips is remaining the same! The base fare will remain at $1.50 for seniors and people with disabilities, and $3 for all other riders, with a 25-cents-per-mile charge after the first five miles. Up to two children ages 7 and younger travel for free with a fee-paying adult rider.

Seniors and individuals with disabilities can reserve their trips up to seven days in advance; the general public can reserve their trips two days in advance. Scheduling a ride is as easy and affordable; call 800-451-4599 (or use 711 for the Illinois Relay Service) to schedule a ride. Click here to learn more about MCRide and how easy it is to schedule trips.

Enrollment for MCC spring semester is open

The new year is a time of new beginnings, new opportunities, and of course, new year’s resolutions.

If you’re looking to better yourself in 2023, why not enroll at McHenry County College?

Enrollment is open for spring semester – they offer weekday and Saturday classes, and online degree options, so you can attend when it’s convenient for you.

Click here to get more information and apply!

You can support the MCEDC through Amazon Smile

Did you know you can support the McHenry County Economic Development Corp. whenever you shop on Amazon?

The MCEDC Foundation, which support’s the corporation’s mission to leverage McHenry County’s many strenghts to encourage economic development, is enrolled in AmazonSmile, which donates a percentage of sales to the nonprofit of your choice.

All you have to do is go to smile.amazon.com before you begin shopping and select “MCEDC Foundation” for the agency to receive donations from eligible purchases.

People in Need Forum returns to MCC on January 28

McHenry County College’s annual People in Need Forum will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28.

The annual forum, free to the public, showcases the many resources and services available to county residents needing assistance.

Exhibitors and speakers will cover issues such as immigration, senior care, caregiver resources, food insecurity, mental health, employment and many more. Besides helping people seeking assistance, the forum is an excellent resource and networking opportunity for social service agencies, faith-based organizations, civic groups, law enforcement, elected officials and others.

Agencies that wish to have a table at the forum can visit mchenry.edu/pin to register. Registration is not required for attendees, but it is encouraged, and people who wish to volunteer to help at the forum can do so through the website. The webpage also contains a downloadable PDF, in English and Spanish, of the most current directory of local resources.

Visit Naturally McHenry County for ways to ring in 2023

It’s hard to believe that we’ll be officially saying goodbye to 2022 at the end of the week.

If you don’t have plans, a great place to start looking for interesting and fun ways to ring in 2023 locally, and to support our local businesses, is through our good friends at Naturally McHenry County!

Check out their great Events Calendar by clicking here for New Year’s Eve celebration ideas, as well as thousands of wonderful places and activities to keep you and your family entertained all year long!