Dear Members:
Yours truly joined hundreds of elected officials, City of Elmhurst staffers, business leaders and residents at the official dedication of First Responders Memorial sculpture and plaza outside Fire Station No. 2. on September 11—23 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks starting in New York.
Elmhurst artist Jason Peot’s sculpture features two skeleton-like structures connected by a piece of rail from New York’s metropolitan rail system recovered beneath the fallen Twin Towers.
Stories Behing the Songs
“Stories Behind the Songs,” the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187’s Fifth Annual Military Benefit, featuring five Nashville country songwriters, will return to the Normandy Banquet Room on Saturday, October 19, from 6 to 10 p.m. The doors open at 5:45 p.m.
Click HERE to purchase tickets online via TicketLeap at a cost of $125 per person ($150 at the door), which includes an open bar and food donated by Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria and Golden Boy Barbecue. Sponsorship opportunities at the Platinum ($2K), Gold ($1K) and Silver ($500) levels are available.
This year’s quartet of Nashville songwriters features the multiple Grammy-winning Frank Myers, whose cadre of hit country songs include I Swear (John Michael Montgomery), My Front Porch Looking In (Lonestar), I’m Already There (Lonestar), You and I (Eddie Rabbit/Crystal Gayle) and so many more.
Joining Myers are Brett Jones and newcomers Sarah Darling, Jeff Dayton and Billy Montana, along with Kate Butler, who will open the night by singing the National Anthem.
Live auction items include a private concert performance by Myers and a guitar autographed by all of the songwriters.
Downtown Apartment Tax Benefits
The three luxury apartment complexes in downtown Elmhurst have generated more than $2.8 million in annual property taxes, without much of an economic cost to the public school system, park district and library district, according to a report discussed at the City of Elmhurst Economic Development Commission’s (EEDC) September 27 meeting at Elmhurst City Hall.
The Flynn Elmhurst (212 units), Dowtown Elmhurst 255 (192 units) and The Marke of Elmhurst (164 units) generated annual property taxes of more than $1M, $930K and $845K, respectively, while increasing Elmhurst City Centre’s residential population by some 1,200 people.
The expectation is that the newly-opened Vyne of Haven (200 units) will generate a similar amount in property taxes in the coming year.
The residential density of the trio of apartment complexes is approximately 183 people per acre (6.55 acres total), as compared to just 17 people per acre for single-family residential housing.
B2B Expo
Thanks to all of the sponsors, exhibitors, presenters and attendees who participated in the Business-to-Business Expo at Elm West Banquets on September 26.
Networking on the 9s
Thanks to all of the sponsors, golfers, luncheon attendees and volunteers who participated in “Networking on the 9s,” our Chamber’s 76th Annual Golf Outing at Sugar Creek Golf Course in Villa Park on September 20, including guests from the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce.
Congratulations to Eva Sanchez of See Your House Right Here on receiving the 2024 Good Works Award during lunch for her contributions as a member of the ECCI Board of Directors, Chamber Ambassador, Golf Outing Beverage Co-Sponsor and golfer.
Buck-A-Duck Raffle
During 2024, a single Buck-A-Duck winner will split the pot collected at each of our Chamber’s monthly networking events and other selected events.
Donna Erickson of Alisun Business Printing won $34 at the September 11 Membership Breakfast hosted by Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187, while staffer Katie B. of host Ella’s Italian Pub won $35 from the September 6 Business After Hours.
Happy Anniversary
Five members are celebrating their Chamber anniversaries in October as follows: 20 years—Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot Foundation; 15 years—Huntington Learning Center and Villa Park Office Equipment; 10 years—Elmhurst Crossing – Brixmor Property Group; and 5 years—EJ Equipment.
New Member
The following seven businesses and one not-for-profit organization joined our Chamber in September: Anthony Erangey with Your Home Group at Baird & Warner, GreenState Credit Union, Keller Williams Premiere Properties, Lane Veterinary, Lightville, Literacy DuPage, Sherah Grose Photography and The ARG Team at @Properties.
Reactivated Member
GreenMan Theatre Troupe reactivated its membership in September after a four-year hiatus
Courtesy Members
As part of September’s Chamber of Commerce Month promotions, the following five businesses signed up for three-month courtesy memberships: College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, Gabriel Exiner Agency – Farmers Insurance, Kings Landscape Design, Schooley Mitchell and The Pet Lady.
Dropped Members
The Chamber dropped 10 members in September as follows: Bartlett Wealth Management, CarmieCakes Bakery, Courtyard by Marriott, Elmhurst Youth Baseball, Dara Agruss Design, Duly Health and Care, Hello Donut, Khadia Michel – Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, Messiah Lutheran Church and Westside Children’s Therapy.