State Unemployment Rate Reaches Lowest Level Since 2008

CICERO - As Illinois' unemployment rate fell to its lowest point in more than five years, Governor Pat Quinn today visited an innovative and growing local manufacturer, United Gasket Corporation, to discuss the state's ongoing economic recovery from the worst recession since the Great Depression. Illinois' unemployment rate has dropped to 7.9 percent - its lowest level in more than five years and lower than when the Governor took office. Today's event is part of the Governor's commitment to driving Illinois' economy forward.

"Illinois is making a comeback," Governor Quinn said. "Today's news that unemployment has fallen to its lowest level since 2008 is further proof that our economy is expanding and creating jobs. Companies like United Gasket Corporation are hiring, small companies are being created and larger companies are growing and adding more workers."

"While we know we have much more work to do to create more jobs and growth in Illinois, this is good news and we must continue driving our economy forward," the Governor said.

The Illinois unemployment rate hit a new five-year low in April when it fell to 7.9 percent, according to data released earlier today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. More people working pushed the rate down 0.5 points, the lowest rate since December 2008 and largest monthly decline in the history of this data series that began in 1976.

Since taking office and inheriting decades of mismanagement, the Governor has enacted worker's compensation reform and unemployment insurance reform to make Illinois a better place to do business, in addition to major fiscal reforms such as pension reform and Medicaid restructuring that are restoring fiscal stability to Illinois. Today Governor Quinn is pushing a new tax cut for businesses that provide job training. By lowering the cost to train workers, this will make it easier for businesses to create new jobs and ensure workers have the skills to drive a 21st century economy.

The Governor is also proposing to reduce the fee to establish a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) by more than 90 percent, from $500 to $39 - the lowest in the nation. Formation as an LLC encourages entrepreneurs to invest their time and money into viable business enterprises. Reducing the filing fee to $39 would make it easier for small businesses to start and grow in Illinois.

United Gasket Corporation is an innovative Illinois company that has reported double-digit percentage growth in revenue and profit for each of the last three years. The manufacturer of custom die cut parts for automobiles and other industries currently employs 90 people, but expects that number to increase by 10 to 15 percent in the next six months.

"We are thrilled with the support we have received from the state for job training and to improve our production," United Gasket President Mark Pahios said. "The resources here have helped us develop business in Mexico and China. We are working hard to send Illinois products into those markets."

United Gasket has received about $20,000 in state job-training grants over the last decade for services accessed through University of Illinois Business Innovation Services. The company has invested in lean manufacturing techniques to take out unneeded costs and push into new markets overseas.

Governor Quinn said the company's commitment points to a need for state government to adopt a responsible budget that supports Illinois' core strengths in the global economy - its education, workforce training and transportation systems.

For more information on doing business in Illinois, visit illinois.gov/dceo.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

LeClaire Vacation Rentals - Scott Gelande, Owner - Offering rental of a furnished 2 bedroom home on the banks of the Mississippi River. Enjoy our River Cottage while basking in the activities that surround our river town! Enjoy shopping, fishing, and bring your boat for a day on the water! Then relax for a barbeque on the patio and watch the River flow by! www.leclairevacationrentals.com

Dennis and Trina Gendron are now the owners of McDonald's in LeClaire!  Congratulations, and welcome!

Nathan and Elyce Billany are new to LeClaire and have joined as individuals!  Welcome!

CALENDAR

May 16^th - Wide River Winery LeClaire - Music on the Mississippi Jordan Danielsen, 5-8 p.m.

May 16^th - Bierstube Karaoke 9pm-1am

May 17^th - Go Fish "Kick off to Summer" Party! Live music by Keep off the Grass on the outdoor patio from 7-11pm. Princeton.

May 17^th - Trivia Night Benefiting the LeClaire Lions Club LeClaire Civic Club. Doors open 6:30pm; game starts 7pm. $10 per person.  Bring your own, or purchase refreshments.

May 18th - Faithful Pilot Spring Wine Tasting 3-5 p.m. $15.00 per person

May 19th - Economic Development Meeting - City Hall - 8:00 a.m.

May 19th - Faithful Pilot VINO VASO A glass to paint and to drink.  $40.00 per person. Wine glass, cheese, crackers, one complimentary glass of wine, and painting! 6:00 p.m. Reservations -Vino Vaso's Facebook page.

May 20^th - First Presbyterian Church of LeClaire - Women's Mini-Retreat 9:30 am to 12 noon, cost $6.Call Pastor Melody, 563-381-7777.

May 23^rd - Wide River Winery LeClaire - Music on the Mississippi Olivia Dvorak, 5-8 p.m.

May 23^rd - Bierstube - Live Music The Old 57's 9pm-1am

May 24^th - Bierstube Karaoke 9pm-1am

May 26th - Faithful Pilot Closed for Memorial Day

May 27^th - The Riverboat Twilight will begin the 2014 Cruise Season. Cruises will depart every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday through the end of October.

May 30^th - Wide River Winery LeClaire - Music on the Mississippi Pieces of Candy, 5-8 p.m.

May 30^th - Bierstube Karaoke 9pm-1am

Save the Date

June 6^th - First Friday in LeClaire 5-8 p.m.

June 15^th - Bier Stube - Fathers' Day Brunch - 10am-1pm

June 21^st - Buffalo Bill Museum - Annual John Boesch Memorial Golf Outing 8 a.m. Clinic with Golf Pro Matt Boesch. Shotgun Start 9 a.m. Olathea Golf Course, LeClaire IA.  $65/person, includes cart and lunch. Hole prizes, Silent Auction. Don't golf? Join us for lunch $7! Call the museum today to reserve your place in this annual fundraiser! 563-289-5580.

Serving the Community and Beyond

First Children's Finance and Scott County Kids will recognize Kiddie Karrasel Academy of LeClaire in celebration of the accomplishments of the child care businesses participating in the Scott County Growth Fund Program. Other local schools, preschools and day care centers will also be honored at Isle of Capri on May 6^th by invitation only. Congratulations Kiddie Karrasel Academy!

FYI

The LeClaire Tourism Board is now seeking applications for individuals interested in filling an upcoming vacancy on the Tourism Board representing retail. Board applications are available at City Hall during regular business hours or may be downloaded from the City's website (home page, left-hand side). For this upcoming vacancy consideration, completed applications and any accompanying information must be received at City Hall no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2014. Any and all applications timely received will be reviewed by the Board and a decision will be made on June 2, 2014. Board position to begin on July 1, 2014. If anyone has any questions or if you need further information, please feel free to contact Cindy Bruhn at info@visitleclaire.com.

LeClaire Information Center Volunteers Needed! Contact Cindy Bruhn at info@visitleclaire.com or 563-650-7963 to volunteer.

The Riverboat Twilight will begin the 2014 Cruise Season May 27th.  Cruises will depart every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday through the end of October.  It is with honor and pleasure that the Twilight has called LeClaire her home port for the past 27 years.  Over the years we have had the unique opportunity of introducing 140,000 plus visitors to the many wonderful shops, restaurants and attractions the City of LeClaire has to offer. We look forward to another successful season.

Riverbend Signworks The latest version of The Updater (by the Riverbend Business Strategists) is now published.  This edition is all about FEEDBACK.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Your-customers-said------WHAT-.html?soid=1111968629442&aid=InpQkNZG6vY

August 10^th - LeClaire Community Night, Modern Woodman Ball Park. Game time 5:00pm, River Bandits/Beloit Snappers. Mayor Bob Scannell will throw first pitch! A night to celebrate businesses and folks of Leclaire. Awards or special on-field recognition can be done followed by short video on mega-tron highlighting special places and faces in LeClaire filmed the week before. Businesses or groups interested in participating may contact Amanda Henzen, Account Executive and Director of Merchandise 563.333.2729 amandah@riverbandits.com

Visit the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce website www.leclairechamber.com and see us on Facebook!

If you would like to attend a Chamber Board Meeting in order to present a topic, please contact the Board in advance at LeClaireChamber@gmail.com in order to be included an upcoming agenda. Board Meetings are held the 4^th Tuesday of each month.

PROPERTY LISTINGS

Commercial Property Available - 1295 and 1297 Eagle Ridge Road, LeClaire, Iowa. Please call: Mike Burke - Mel Foster Co. mburke@melforsterco.com, Mobile: 563-349-2705, Direct: 563-823-5272

Commercial Space for Sale or Lease/Purchase - 204 Jones St. - Call 563-370-2386 for more information. Will show by appointment. Commercially zoned only.

Park Run Apartments/Newbury Living complex - 1, 2, & 3 Bedrooms Available - 1701 Iowa Drive, LeClaire, Iowa 52753. 1 BR, 2 BR or 3 BR unit. Call (563) 289-5159 more information today!

LeClaire Events Coming Up!

May-Oct - Farmer's Market - Every Saturday, 3-6 p.m. on the LeClaire Levee

June 6-7 - City Wide Garage Sales

June 21 - Buffalo Bill Museum Golf Outing - Olathea Golf Course

August 2 - 27^th Annual Heartland British Auto Fest

August 7-9 - Tug Fest

October 12- Apple Fest

December - Christmas in LeClaire

Chamber Networking Events - Everyone Welcome!

June 10th - Go Fish - evening 5:30-7pm

July 8th - Big Dave and Holly's - lunch - noon

August 12th - McDonald's - breakfast 8:00am

September 9th - Steventon's - evening 5:30 -7pm

October 14th - Faithful Pilot - lunch- noon

November 11th - Bier Stube - lunch - noon

December 9th - Subway - lunch - noon

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad, along with the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, announced today the members of the Governor's Council on National Service in Iowa.  This council was established by Executive Order 84 to make recommendations on how to expand volunteer opportunities and national service for Iowans both here in Iowa and across the country.

The members represent a variety of public and private organizations with the common goal of identifying existing and new policy which would support service opportunities, develop public-private partnerships to encourage volunteerism and streamline the certification process for qualified agencies, among other goals as established by the council.

The members of the council include :

Chair- Director Donna Harvey, Denver

Co-Chair- President David Maxwell, Des Moines

Tiffany Tauscheck, Clive

Leah Rodenberg, Marion

Ali Wilson, Ottumwa

Douglas Elam, Cedar Rapids

Ryan Wise, Des Moines

Richard Leopold, Des Moines

Jon Kruse, Storm Lake

Emily Shields, Des Moines

Robin Habeger, Urbandale

Lori Smith, Indianola

Barbara Mittman, Nevada

Michelle Balek, Dubuque

Vicki Hover-Williamson, Des Moines

The council will report its final recommendations as of February 1, 2015, or upon the completion of its work.  The members of this council are not Senate confirmed and will not receive compensation for their service.

Rock Island, IL - Julianne Hardy and a Modern Woodmen Youth Service Club are hosting a bake sale on Monday, May 19 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Walgreens, Eastern Avenue and East Kimberly Road in Davenport. All funds will be matched up to $500 by Modern Woodmen of America and proceeds will benefit Christian Care in Rock Island.