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Manito Area
Chamber of Commerce
celebrates 25th Anniversary |
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Charter members of the Manito Area
Chamber of Commerce: |
The featured speaker was Dorothy
Kreiling, retiring board member charter member. |
Vice President Mark Meyer presents
Dorothy a plaque/clock commemorating her years of dedicated
service.
Lee Lacey presents Dorothy a copy of
the Proclamation from the Village Board and Mayor Sondag
declaring January 21, 2010 as Dorothy Kreiling Appreciation day. |
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What did the
Chamber do in 2009?
Annual Meeting: Jan.
2009 John Means-Mason City Entrepreneur
Pekin Business Expo: met people and handed out 200 bags
Community Business Directory: Susan Grossmayer/Rosemary Palmer
Town-Wide Rummage Sale Spring and Fall
Welcome Wagon: Gifts to new residents: Rosemary Palmer
Popcorn Festival: Sponsored Basket Auction
Manned the popcorn booth
Christmas2009: sold 2009 Christmas Ornament
New Business Ribbon-Cutting: Windmill Estates & Full House
Designs
Chamber Chatter each month
Set up Chamber Board Member Contacts for all Chamber members
Participated in Pekin Chamber Expo, January, 2009
Hosted and guided various tour groups in Manito
Supported University of Illinois Cooperative Extension
Supported Business Network luncheons, Chair Ellen Lee
What Will the Chamber Do in 2010?
Encourage “Buy in
Manito” to residents
Set up Chamber Board Member Contacts for all Chamber members
with e-mail notices and board minutes each month
Complete e-mail addresses for al l Chamber members
Sell discounted Manito Money at various times
Print updated Phone Directory
Revise and print Manito brochures
Participate in Popcorn Festival
Purchase TV time to promote Manito
Erect new welcome sign at South Entrance to Manito
Revise By-Laws
Assist hometown business members and encourage new business
Support tourism
Maintain presence at various community events
Support University of Illinois Cooperative Extension
Support Quarterly lunches for business networking
Support businesses and their development
Christmas: Sell Manito Ornaments |
Welcome to the Village of Manito,
Illinois
The Village of Manito was surveyed and platted in
1858. It consisted of 110 acres. From its inception, the railroad played
an important part in the growth of Manito. A depot, post office, and
other private enterprises soon formed a "Main Street" in town that over
the years was the commercial center of Manito.
Manito is now a progressive community with a
population of 1,733. The original "main Street" still exists and houses
many new and progressive businesses. Also, a new "Commercial Marketing"
area has grown up along Adams Street or the Manito Blacktop that
includes a bank, savings and loan, grocery, general stores, churches,
service stations and more.
Manito is primarily an agricultural community. Most
of the business in the Village is in some way related to agriculture.
The diverse soil in the area leads to a broad range of crops and farming
methods. To the North and East of Manito are several thousand acres of
peat that is so rich that at one time in the Village's history it was
dried, processed and bagged. The Dirt Factory can still be seen off in
the distance. To the North, West and South of Manito lies sand. Sand is ideal for the
growing of melons and Christmas trees which, over the years, have brought
some notoriety to the area. Irrigation has been available in the area since the 1950's with center
pivots starting in the early 60's with 110 ft. deep wells pumping
1000 gallons of water per minute. Irrigation has enhanced
agriculture in the area by tapping into the aquifer which flows beneath
the area. Today, because of modern farming techniques, scientific
fertilization and irrigation, some marginal land has been brought into
full production.
Great schools, recreation facilities, hunting and
fishing areas, civic organizations, friendly neighbors and hometown
pride make Manito a great place to live and raise a family.
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