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Chamber outlines Startup Starved Rock initiative and Debate Days plans, including parade and possible gubernatorial event
Summary
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce presented Startup Starved Rock Lunch & Learn sessions to encourage entrepreneurship and plans for Debate Days in August — including a Lincoln-Douglas reenactment, parade, and a potential gubernatorial candidate event that organizers say could attract regional or national coverage.
At the March 18 meeting, Jay McCracken, representing the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce, outlined the Startup Starved Rock Initiative and updates to summer event planning.
McCracken said Lunch & Learn sessions will target business owners, property owners and realtors to encourage filling vacant downtown storefronts, followed by a second session for aspiring entrepreneurs. He identified partners including Illinois Valley Community College and local property owners and said chamber leadership and business development partners will coordinate the initiative.
McCracken also reviewed upcoming Chamber events, including a Business After Hours on March 26, a Chamber Annual Dinner celebrating the Chamber’s 110th anniversary, and a Farmers Market returning May 30 through mid-October. He updated the board on Debate Days planning for August 2026, listing a Lincoln-Douglas debate reenactment, old-fashioned fair activities and a parade coordinated by board member Rich Crum. McCracken said organizers are optimistic the event could draw regional and possibly national media attention and noted a potential gubernatorial candidate debate being discussed as part of the schedule.
Board members discussed cross-promotional opportunities and parade logistics.
