Chamber 2013 Networking Events - Everyone welcome to attend!

October 10 - Steventon's - 5:30-7:30 p.m. - Join us on the deck!

November - Faithful Pilot - date and time tbd

December 10 - Hungry Hobo - lunch - noon

CALENDAR

September 6^th-22^nd - The 2nd Annual East West Riverfest A 17-day celebration of the arts, culture and heritage offerings that thrive in the Quad Cities and along the Mississippi River. Over 380 events will take place at various theaters, music venues, galleries, historic sites, parks, libraries, and attractions on both sides of the river in the Quad Cities. Enjoy visual, literary and performing arts.  Celebrate with world-class festivals and events. Visit exhibits, take a tour, ride on a riverboat, attend lectures, and participate in workshops. The entire East West Riverfest Event Guide can be viewed online at eastwestriverfest.com, or a printed guide is available at the LeClaire Information Center, 122. N. Cody Road, or can be requested through the website to be sent by mail or by calling the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-747-7800.

September 20th - Live Music at Wide River Winery 5-8pm featuring 'Pieces of Candy' - 106 N. Cody Road  www.wideriverwinery.com

Olathea Golf Course - 9 am. $60 dollars per person, 4 person best ball.  Food, prizes, and supporting a great Cause. Please Call Olathea to sign up @ 563-289-(golf) 4653

September 21^st - Twilight Riverboat Dinner Cruise Sponsored by LeClaire Chamber of Commerce - Grandma Swain's Roast Beef Dinner - $40 per person - Cash Bar - Board at 4:30pm - Cruise from 5-8pm - Tickets available at First Central State Bank, Vern Spring, or Dayle Hall - 563-340-0862.  A few tickets might be available through September 20!

September 22^nd - Reusable Usables Family Yoga - 3:30-4:30 PM Taught by Yoga master Jennifer Vondracek and Executive Director of YogaG.   Family yoga will be held once a month for families with children ages 2 & up. No experience necessary.  Bring a water bottle and a towel or yoga mat. PLEASE RSVP 1 day prior via email or sign up at parents sign in station. Family Yoga teaches simple routines, games and partner poses the whole family will love. Fee: $5 donation per family of 4

September 25^th - Workshop - Reassessing Risk in Your Portfolio 12:00pm. Eric Johannes, Charles Schwab, 5345 Elmore Ave #300, Davenport, IA 52807. Please R.S.V.P 563-275-3659.

September 27^th - Live Music at Wide River Winery 5-8pm featuring 'Patchy Fog' - 106 N. Cody Road  www.wideriverwinery.com

September 27^th - Divine Goddesses! Reusable Usables This is a class to let your inner Goddess soar as you learn how to paint and apply found objects, ephemera, laces, fabric, almost anything to a 16x20  canvas with your own goddess picture as the subject.  Emphasis is on letting yourself create without judgment as there is no right or wrong when we open ourselves up to create.  All materials provided.  Just bring your Divine Goddess!  6:30-8:30 pm. Cost: $25 (all materials and appetizers provided) BYOB

Save the Date

October 10^th - The LeClaire Fire Department Annual Fire Prevention Open House at the Fire Station (corner of Jones and 15th) 6pm to 8pm. Please stop up and see the fire prevention posters designed by the students (K-4) from Bridgeview and Cody Schools. We will also have other interesting and informative displays, fire truck rides and they very popular LCFD popcorn!

October 13^{th -} LeClaire Lions Club presents "Apple Fest on the River" 11:00am-4:00pm.

Apples, Childrens Activities, Jump House, Variety of Vendors, Homemade Pies, Cupcakes, Cake Pops, Kettle Korn, Pumpkins, Specialty popcorn, Crepes, Copper Jewelry, Hand made Canoes, QC Antique Car Club, Garden Art and MUCH  MORE!!!!!!!!

October 15^th - Asbury United Methodist Church is hosting a "Partnering to EmPOWER" fundraising event for Winnie's Place. ALL booth fees will go to Winnie's Place. Vendors will also agree to donate 9% of their sales to Winnies Place, which corresponds to the statistic that every 9 seconds, a woman is abused. Interested vendors are asked to contact Heidi Lubben at hjlubben@aol.com for more details.

October 16^th -Buffalo Bill Museum Fundraiser Dinner at Crane & Pelican Cafe Storytellers will be entertaining guests with ghost stories, period dress is encouraged, and the menu is incredible!  A three-course dinner ($40 per person) is choice of salmon, roast beef or pasta w/meat balls and sauce.  Send your reservation and payment to: Buffalo Bil Museum, PO Box 284, LeClaire IA 52753. Don't delay!  Don't miss it!!

FYI

"Something NEW" at the LeClaire Civic Club - BUNCO! Every third Tuesday from10:00 AM through 12:30PM!  Call Debbie for details - 563-289-4458.

The LeClaire Chamber Website and our Facebook page are currently being updated and revised. Watch for the new website to be up and running soon, visit us again soon on Facebook, and in the meantime, thank you for your patience! 

Buffalo Bill Museum is open until 5pm daily. Hours are 9am to 5pm Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays 12noon to 5pm. A reminder: group discounts are available for tour groups, clubs/reunions, and school groups. Call the museum at 563-289-5580 for details!

"LIKE" the LeClaire Chamber of Commerce on FaceBook Visit the chamber's Face Book page and discover a great source of news, business announcements, events, and other information that is updated frequently. It's a useful source of updated information for all members and non-members!

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

Primitive Cottage is collecting food for the Princeton Presbyterian Church's Food Pantry which is in great need of food donations. They have helped alot of people, and now they need our help.  Donations can be dropped off at Primitive Cottage in LeClaire. Please check the expiration date on items because anything that has expired can't be given away.

First Presbyterian Church of LeClaire Meals for Seniors at the church every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 noon. Good food and a time to visit with others. Please call 563-289-3646 and make a reservation 2 days in advance.

LeClaire 2013 Events Calendar:

First Fridays each month 5:00-8:00 P.M.

October 6th - Dogtoberfest at Bier Stube

October 13th - AppleFest - see info above!

October 24th - HalloWine

October 26th - Witches Walk Costume Contest and Parade

December 6-8 - Christmas in LeClaire

Family Nights at the LeClaire Rec Center: Details at www.leclairereccenter.com

www.LeClaireChamber.com and visit the Chamber on FaceBook!

Rock Island, IL, September 24th - Chick-fil-A is hosting a spirit night that will benefit Christian Care on September 24, from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.. Bring in your spirit night invitation and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Christian Care to support the services that they offer to so many in the Quad Cities community.  Chick-fil-A is located at 2945 East 53 Davenport.  To get your invitation stop by Christian Care or call Lindsey at 309-786-5734.

Christian Care's services are available in the Quad Cities to a growing number of homeless men and abused women and children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Through their two facilities?a domestic violence shelter for abused women and children and a rescue mission for homeless men?they provide safe shelter, nutritious meals, clothing, counseling, referrals and guidance to anyone in need. They serve homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, veterans, men and women coming out of prison, and the mentally ill. Their vision is to transform the lives of those they serve by providing their residents with an opportunity to start a new, more
productive life.

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2013 - Agriculture Secretary Vilsack today announced loans to help finance the construction of broadband networks in rural Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon and South Dakota. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today's announcement is one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy.

"Rural Americans need full access high-speed telecommunications services," Vilsack said. "Broadband allows rural communities to tap into critical health care and social services systems. It also helps even the playing field in education, and gives small-town businesses a chance to compete globally. As part of the Obama Administration's goal to improve infrastructure, we will continue to fund projects that expand broadband service in rural areas."

Today's funding announcement will provide almost $40 million from USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to install fiber networks to improve telecommunications capability in the three recipients' service areas. USDA's Telecommunications Loan Program finances infrastructure that enables access to a seamless, nationwide telecommunications network.

The following recipients have been selected to receive telecommunications loan financing. The funding is contingent upon the recipients meeting the terms of the loan agreements.

Iowa

• Keystone-Farmers Cooperative Telephone Company will receive a $7.6 million loan to upgrade its plant and complete a Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to help meet the current and future data needs of its customers in Benton and Tama counties.

Oregon

• Colton Telephone Company will receive a $7.3 million loan to complete an FTTP network to provide enhanced broadband services for its customers.

South Dakota and Minnesota

• Interstate Telecommunications Company, Inc. will receive a $24.9 million loan to upgrade its plant and complete an FTTP network to provide enhanced broadband services for its customers.

Since the start of the Obama Administration, USDA has funded 557 projects in 48 states through $6.1 billion in telecommunications loan financing. Secretary Vilsack noted that today's funding announcement is another reminder of the importance of USDA programs for rural America. A comprehensive new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill would further expand the rural economy - and he said that's just one reason why Congress must get a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill done as soon as possible.

President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA's investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users)

Total of 94 New Jobs Created in Northern Illinois

MACHESNEY PARK - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that several Rockford area businesses are expanding, creating 94 jobs in the manufacturing and health care industries in northern Illinois. Manufacturing firms Curtis Metal Finishing Company and HMC Products Inc. joined medical billing company Practice Velocity, LLC at its headquarters in Machesney Park to talk about the new facilities that will bring new jobs and economic growth to the region. The announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"These thriving businesses need additional space for their expanding workforce, and they recognize that there is no better place to grow than in Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "These expansions are creating good-paying jobs, providing work for the construction trade and attracting additional investment to the region."

Practice Velocity is investing $5 million to turn a vacant department store into office space, creating 75 new jobs as demand for its medical billing software and server capacity grows. The new jobs - which increase the company's workforce by 33 percent - will include software engineers, billing specialists, administrative personnel and other professionals. Practice Velocity currently employs 228 workers.

"In the 10 years we have called northern Illinois home, Practice Velocity has grown from just a handful of employees to a company of more than 200," Practice Velocity CEO David Stern, MD, CPC said. "We are excited about our company's future and how we can continue contributing to the economic growth of this community."

Curtis Metal Finishing, an applicator of industrial coatings, is adding 27,000 square feet of plant space to an existing 93,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on North Alpine Road in Machesney Park. The family-owned company is investing $4 million in the expansion, which includes cutting edge equipment for a new line of surface finishing materials. The expansion will create 14 new jobs, boosting the firm's Illinois workforce of 60 by 23 percent.

"We are committed to growing our business in Illinois," Curtis Metal Finishing Company Vice President and General Manager Kurt Hoensheid said. "We've been operating our business in Illinois for 20 years and rely on the region's skilled workforce and easy access to transportation to support our company as demand for our products grows."

HMC Products' expansion comes as the manufacturer of packaging machines needs more space to accommodate new orders. Currently the company is located in a 44,000-square-foot building in Eastrock Industrial Park and rents space in another building within the park. The company is moving into a new 90,000-square-foot facility at The Park 90 Corporate Center at the corner of Interstate 90 and Highway 173, adding five new jobs to its workforce of 34 employees - a 15 percent increase. Their total investment is $5 million and includes plant wide air conditioning, a new paint booth system, a new customer training room and an additional three acres of expansion potential.

"We are excited to grow in Illinois and be a part of the future growth of the Northern Illinois area," HMC Products President David Kreissler said. "The close proximity to I-90 and Rockford will assist attracting the highly skilled employees our company requires."

All three companies will be eligible for tax credits under the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) program, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The tax credits, based on job creation, can be used against corporate income taxes to be paid for up to 10 years. Curtis Metal Finishing is also eligible for an Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) grant to keep its workforce trained in current technologies. Practice Velocity is also eligible for an ETIP grant, an Emerging Technologies grant and a loan through the federally funded Advantage Illinois program.

Under Governor Quinn's leadership, the state of Illinois has worked diligently to identify and recruit companies with the potential to bring jobs and economic growth to Illinois. The state has added 244,300 private sector jobs since January 2010, when job growth returned to Illinois following a two-year period of declines during the recession.

For more information on why Illinois is the right place for business, visit Illinoisbiz.biz.

About Practice Velocity LLC

Practice Velocity, LLC develops software for medical record keeping, practice management and organization, primarily for urgent care facilities. It was founded in 2002 by three urgent care physicians who realized there was a need for an electronic means of organizing patient flow, billing records and information storage. More than 850 clinics throughout the United States currently use Practice Velocity products. For more information, visit practicevelocity.com.

About Curtis Metal Finishing Co.

Curtis Metal Finishing Co. was formed in 1963 and continues to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Commercial Steel Treating Corp. Both companies service fastener manufactures in the automotive, military and construction industries throughout the Midwest. As one of the largest bulk metal finishing operations in the United States, Curtis specializes in the application of engineered coatings on fasteners and small stampings. For more information, visit curtismetal.com.

About HMC Products Inc.

HMC Products designs and manufactures packaging machinery, as well as case cutters for the distribution industry and ships their products worldwide. HMC's customers include companies in the snack food, food, cosmetic, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and household goods industries. In addition to office, inventory, engineering, and assembly staff, HMC employs skilled machinists to operate their 15 CNC machining centers as well as several conventional mills.  For more information, visit hmcproducts.com.