Channahon State of the Village Address draws great crowd

CHANNAHON – The Channahon Minooka Chamber and the Village of Channahon partnered again this year to bring the State of the Village address to the business community March 7.

The annual event was held at the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon and had about 120 people attend, including numerous Grundy and Will County elected officials.

“The State of the Village address brings the village and the business community together to celebrate all of the accomplishments from the past year, as well as to hear what Channahon has planned for the future. Being knowledgeable about your community’s growth and development better prepares business owners for their own futures,” said Christina Van Yperen, executive director for the Channahon Minooka Chamber and Grundy County Chamber.

Mayor Missey Moorman Schumacher highlighted each village department and their part in making Channahon the evolving community it is.

Channahon went from the sixth “Safest City” from the National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2017 to the second safest for 2018, Schumacher told the crowd crediting the work of the Channahon Police Department and its community policing philosophy. As part of this recognition, Officer Dustin Carlson was named Officer of the Year.

The village also gave out a Business of the Year Award to Chamber member Big Bash Restaurants, owned by John Mathias, and includes two restaurants in Channahon – Big Fish Grille and Pesciolino Osteria. Mathias spoke briefly while accepting the award and credited his staff for the success of his restaurants.

This year’s Citizen of the Year Award was given to Tina Lentz, an active volunteer in the community.

The Grundy County Chamber will partner next with the Village of Minooka for a State of the Village Address with Mayor Pat Brennan at 11:30 a.m. on April 4 at Minooka Village Hall, 121 McEvilly Road, Minooka. The luncheon is $30 to attend and registration is required in advance. Call 815-942-0113 or visit grundychamber.com to register.