County business is ready to Rise and Thrive!

Check out the Rise and Thrive video series debut!

McHenry County is a great place to start or expand a business, and McHenry County Government and the McHenry County Economic Development Corp. have teamed up to help spread the word about our unmatched business climate and the opportunities for success that it offers.

County Board Chairman Mike Buehler and EDC Executive Director Mark Piekos introduce the series in the debut video, which you can watch above. Subsequent videos will be released soon that focus on our tourism sector, manufacturing, education and workforce training, and transportation infrastructure.

We’ll feature each video as they drop, so make sure you open your McH Thrive e-newsletter when it pops in your inbox every Tuesday!

Main Street Fest returns to downtown Cary

Main Street Fest returns to downtown this Saturday and Sunday, promising a weekend of great food, music and games.

Local restaurants and area food trucks will be selling mouth-watering cuisine, and on Saturday afternoon, the Cary-Grove Rotary will be holding its annual Craft Beer Festival featuring more than 20 craft brews and ciders. And with a baggo tournament, an arts show, children’s games and more, it’s fun for the entire family!

The event takes place from 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, but tasting tickets are required for the Craft Beer Festival (click here to purchase them).

To learn more about the events and vendors, click here.

McHenry County is your home for fall fun

It’s time to hit the apple orchards for fresh fruit and cider (and those apple cider donuts), navigate corn mazes, hit McHenry County’s trails as our conservation areas blaze with reds, oranges and yellows, pick that perfect Halloween pumpkin to carve, and so much more.

Once again, our friends at Naturally McHenry County have compiled a great list of autumn fun. Check it out by clicking here, and be sure to check the Naturally McHenry County Events Calendar for even more fall activities.

If you don’t want to miss a thing, be sure to download Naturally McHenry County’s free app to put everything McHenry County has to offer in the palm of your hand; click here to download from Google Play and click here for the Apple App Store.

Huntley moving forward with a business incubator

Huntley is progressing with its plan to open a business incubator.

The Village Board last month voted 6-0 to request architecture and design services to convert the village-owned Hackett House into “The Grove on Main,” featuring three indoor shops and seven satellite shops.

When it opens in late 2025, Huntley will join McHenry and Woodstock as municipalities that have embraced the concept of giving startup businesses a taste of how to run a brick-and-mortar site. According to the National Association of Business Incubators, 87% of incubated businesses are still open after five years, and 84% stay in the area where they started.

If you’re interested in learning more, or getting updates as the project develops, click here to sign up for the Huntley business incubator email list.

Manufacturing and Trades Expo returns to McHenry High School

If you’re a high school student considering pursuing a career in manufacturing, the trades, industry, or health care, mark your calendar for Wednesday, Oct. 2.

McHenry Community High School’s MTI Career Expo takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the McHenry High School Center for Science, Technology and Industry, 4724 W. Crystal Lake Road.

The event is open to all area high school students and their parents. Admission is free, and no pre-registration is necessary. Just bring an open mind and questions!

The expo gives young people and their parents a chance to meet local industry representatives and learn about career paths, and educational opportunities, for those who are interested in pursuing those high-demand vocations.

Cary Park District hosts Fall-A-Palooza

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Lions Park, 1200 Silver Lake Road. Family-friendly activities include hayrides, crafts, pony rides, a petting zoo, and more!

Admission is $13 per child age 3 and older, and $9 per child ages one to two – adults and children younger than one get in free.

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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.