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New interchange will boost business… and other important updates in the County

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Resume McHenry County Update!
Through our collaboration with McHenry County, we will continue to share important information on stimulus programs, COVID-19 updates, and where the county is opening up through Resume McHenry County Updates.
Please take a moment to scroll down to see new advancements this week as more and more are opening up 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!

 

Working together to market our burgeoning craft beer/liquor industry

McHenry County is home to breweries and distilleries that make great craft beer and great craft liquor.
So, it only makes sense that Naturally McHenry County would bring them together to craft a collaborative campaign to bring more attention to our local libations.
Naturally McHenry County is meeting this week with brewers and distillers to brainstorm potential marketing and branding events, like the Hikes and Hops concept that pairs county hiking trails with nearby breweries.
You don’t have to wait until you see what they come up with to sample their wares – click here for a list of local craft breweries and distilleries to visit.

 

Marengo-Union Chamber looking to future with new interchange

The Marengo-Union Chamber of Commerce in 2020 celebrated 50 years of representing its local business community.
As for what the future holds, the chamber is very much looking forward to the new members, and the new business and revenue, that the full interchange at I-90 and Route 23 will bring.
“I’m very excited for it,” said Executive Director Colleen Helfers, who has held the position since 2014. “I do believe it’s going to bring a lot of people into our wonderful town.”
The chamber boasts more than 150 members. It welcomed two new members in February, and will be having a ribbon cutting for another, a Mexican restaurant, on Cinco de Mayo.
Helfers said the chamber is particularly proud of its annual scholarship awards for Marengo/Union students who are related to Armed Forces members and veterans. The scholarship amount has grown over the past decade from $500 to $5,000, funded through the popular Hometown Heroes program honoring area veterans and active-duty personnel with downtown banners.
You can learn more about the Marengo-Union Chamber by visiting www.marengo-union.com, and by following them on Facebook.

 

MCC/Workforce Network team up for healthcare career workshop

Are you, or someone you know, interested in pursuing a career in the lucrative and high-demand field of healthcare?
The McHenry County Workforce Network and McHenry County College are teaming up to hold a virtual workshop for people wanting to pursue careers in medicine, nursing, physical therapy, dentistry, and other medical-related fields.
Click here to register for the free workshop, which takes place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 8. Attendees will learn potential career paths, their required skills and credentials, and the experience employers are seeking.
For more information, contact MCC Events and Outreach Coordinator Katie Gaskill at kgaskill@mchenry.edu or call 815-479-7571.

 

Affordable housing gets Advance McHenry County funding

Three Advance McHenry County grants awarded this month by the County Board will help create new opportunities for affordable housing:
·    The Housing Opportunity Development Corp. will receive $800,000 to assist with the development of 54 units of new affordable housing in downtown McHenry, which will stimulate the economy and help develop the Main Street corridor.
·     Home of the Sparrow was awarded $414,000 to acquire a two- to three-unit property in McHenry to expand its Subsidized Apartment/Supporting Housing program, which offers supported living for low-income people and families exiting homelessness and housing insecurity.
·    The McHenry County Housing Authority will receive $467,500 to help finance the purchase of a new facility to accommodate additional staff required to administer grants.
Click here to read more about the grants, and visit www.mchenrycountyil.gov/advance to learn more about Advance McHenry County, a groundbreaking program to invest tens of millions of dollars in federal COVID-19 recovery funding into projects that directly benefit the community.

 

Mark your calendars for the MCCD Conservation Congress

If you want to have a say in how the McHenry County Conservation District protects open space and utilizes its public lands, mark your calendars for its upcoming Conservation Congress.
The Conservation Congress takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, at the McHenry County College Luecht Conference Center.
The congress provides members of the community, and delegates from area organizations and civic groups, a formal process by which they can propose or advocate for actions that MCCD can take to protect and conserve our natural resources, and provide compatible education and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
The Congress will be followed up with four round-table discussions throughout April. If you want to sign up to attend the Congress or the discussions, click here.

 

Warm weather means farm weather!

While farming and agritourism in McHenry County is a year-round endeavor (visit our awesome indoor winter farmer’s markets if you don’t believe us), it really blooms with the spring thaw.
From buying fresh produce – and picking your own – to tractor rides, fun activities for the kids, or even simply taking a scenic drive to check out the barn quilts scattered on barn sides across the county, there are activities for everyone to enjoy.
If you’re curious as to when your favorite farm attractions will be opening, or if you’re looking for some new ones to try out, our friends at Naturally McHenry County have compiled a list you can check out by visiting www.visitmchenrycounty.com/farm.

 
We hope we got your attention. We need your help reaching more McHenry County residents and businesses to share this important information about the COVID-19 response and connect them with vital resources.
Please take these four steps:
1. Share/forward to your email/newsletter contacts.
2. Post information to your website.
3. Follow us on social media (see below); share our posts with your followers.
4. If you are not on the McHenry County Constant Contact list, please subscribe here

 

Follow McHenry County Government On Social Media

Staying connected and informed is more important now than ever! Follow McHenry County on social media for regular updates on COVID-19 in our region, resources to help you navigate the pandemic, safety tips and more!

 

What is Resume McHenry County?

Resume McHenry County 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. The goal is to ensure a successful reopening of our economy so that we can return to our lifestyles safely and responsibly.