Board awards $2,000 to Effingham County Chamber for Trade Skills and Manufacturing Day

The Effingham County Board approved a $2,000 sponsorship to the Effingham County Chamber to support Trade Skills and Manufacturing Day, an event the county has sponsored at the presenting level in prior years. Katie Custer, president and CEO of the Effingham County Chamber, told the board the event — set for Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Effingham Event Center, the day before National Manufacturing Day — typically draws 300–350 students from across the county and partners with Lakeland College and Eastern Illinois University to provide certificate and career-pathway information. "This is an event that we've been doing for over 10 years in the community to encourage children or students to stay in the area for manufacturing jobs, skills, trades," Custer said. Tim Ellis moved to fund the Chamber request at the $2,000 level; Mike Buzzard seconded. A roll-call vote recorded all members present voting yes (Norbert Saltwiedle, Josh Douthit, Tim Ellis, Dave Campbell, Chris Keller, Mike Buzzard, Doug McCain, Sandy Rich and Jeremy Daeters). The motion carried. Board members noted the sponsorship was accounted for in the county budget. Custer said the chamber is partnering with CEFS and the Army recruiting office this year to broaden the event’s reach and to show training and credential options for students not following a traditional college track. The board took no further action beyond approving the sponsorship; event planning will continue with Chamber staff and its partners.