McH Thrive – You won’t want to miss this issue!

McH THRIVE Update!

Resume McHenry County becomes McH THRIVE!

With the end of the state and federal COVID-19 states of emergency, it’s time to stop talking about resuming life as normal and dedicate it to moving ahead, together, better than before.

We deserve the opportunity that lies before us… our manufacturers and small businesses, our workforce, our tourism industry, our agriculture and agritourism sectors and our economic development agencies and chambers of commerce… all of us deserve the opportunity to THRIVE!

Thank you for reading and subscribing to the new McH THRIVE! You can help us continue to grow by forwarding this email to people who you think would enjoy it. They can subscribe by visiting McHenryCountyIL.gov/social.com or on social media.

Rotational manufacturing internship celebrates second year

Students joined McHenry County, its partners, and local manufacturers at McHenry County College to celebrate another successful summer of the Manufacturing Pathways Rotational Internship Program.

The August 31 event commemorated the second year of the program, which partners high-school students interested in pursuing manufacturing careers with local manufacturers offering paid internships. Eighty-nine students worked this summer with 22 host companies, and seven of them were subsequently hired full-time.

A $717,300 grant helped launch the program, which has become one of the crown jewels of the Advance McHenry County initiative, which invested millions of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief funding into programs that directly benefit the community.

Next summer will mark the third and final year of the program, and applications to participate will be available in early 2024. Click here to learn more about the program and learn how eligible students can apply.

New law expands business mass-transit benefit mandate

A new law taking effect January 1 requires certain businesses to offer the RTA Transit Benefit Fare Program to employees.

Businesses that employ 50 or more people, and are located within a mile of fixed-route transit services (such as a Metra station or Pace bus stop) must offer the program, which allows employees to withhold up to $300 in pre-tax wages each month to purchase transit fare. The employer can see a benefit in a projected payroll tax savings of about 8% per participating employee.

If you’re not sure whether your business falls under the mandate, you can find an interactive map of the coverage area by clicking here. Businesses can learn more, and sign up, by visiting www.mytransitbenefit.com.

It’s apple orchard season!

Fall is just around the corner – a fact welcomed by some, and mourned by others who don’t want summer to end.

But regardless of your feelings on the change of season, the thought of walking through sunny orchards to pick ripe, juicy apples and smell freshly fried apple-cider doughnuts should bring a smile to everyone’s face.

McHenry County is home to some of the best you-pick apple orchards in the state, with every variety you can imagine, and probably more than a few you never heard of. And with all sorts of family-friendly activities, a visit to a McHenry County orchard is so much more than picking apples.

As always, our friends at Naturally McHenry County have a great list of family orchards to pack your baskets full of apples, cider, and other home-grown goodness. Click here to check it out, and be sure to check before your visit to see which varieties are available and which need more time.

MCC Job and Internship Fair returns October 11

If you’re looking for a job or an internship, save October 11 on your calendar for the next McHenry County College Job and Internship Fair.

The event, free to the public, takes place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the college, located at 8900 Route 14, in Crystal Lake. Attendees can connect with local employers seeking full-time and part-time employees, as well as interns and temporary workers.

Whether you’re seeking full-time or part-time work, or an internship, dress to impress and bring copies of your resume. Organizers are also encouraging attendees to create a free account on the MCC Hire a Scot job website, which you can find here. Also, if your wardrobe is a little lean on professional attire, don’t worry – MCC can help you with that, too. Click here to learn more.

McHenry County is your Oktoberfest happy place

Contrary to its name, the vast majority of Oktoberfest takes place in September. But you’re not reading this article for a history lesson, are you?

As regular McH Thrive readers know, McHenry County is home to awesome local (and award-winning!) brewpubs. And if a trip to Munich doesn’t fit your budget, you can’t go wrong celebrating Oktoberfest right here.

If you’re looking to celebrate this highest of beer lovers’ holidays, visit the Events Calendar for Naturally McHenry County for a lost of local Oktoberfest events – and check out their list of local brewpubs by clicking here.

Groundhog Day corn maze opens at All Seasons

How fitting is is that a Woodstock institution like All Seasons Orchard pays homage to the classic film that put Woodstock on the map?

All Seasons is celebrating its 30th birthday this year – and it was 30 years ago that the movie Groundhog Day, filmed in Woodstock, was released. So the orchard designed its corn maze this year to pay homage to the film.

The maze’s design features Woodstock Willie, the mascot for the city’s annual Groundhog Days celebration. And speaking of mascots, if you visit All Seasons and see a large red apple walking around, that’s Oodles, the orchard’s new mascot, so be sure to stop and say hello and get a picture.

Check out everything All Seasons has to offer by visiting its webpage, and you can learn more about the corn maze and purchase tickets by clicking here.

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.