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ECDA TO HOST BUSINESS WORKSHOP ON ACCESSING RESOURCES KANKAKEE, IL (May 23, 2023) – The Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA) will hold a Small Business Workshop on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM at the ECDA Office (200 E Court Street, Suite 410, Kankakee). This English-language workshop will provide an…

Investor Spotlight: STARadio STARadio STARadio is one of the premier radio groups in the Midwest serving communities in and around Kankakee and Quincy, Illinois. They serve as far as Hannibal, Missouri and have stations in Great Falls, Montana. Their staff members love hearing stories from people in the community. They even have a show called…

Ambassador Spotlight: Shlinda Trudeau Shlinda Trudeau Shlinda Trudeau is the Director of Administration and self-professed #2 Cheerleader at Clove Alliance. Before being named Director of Administration in 2022, Shlinda was Clove’s office coordinator and was responsible for answering phone calls, client check-in, and other administrative assistant duties for nine years. She currently leads and oversees the…

Board Member Spotlight: Rob Warmbir Rob Warmbir Rob Warmbir is the Board Vice Chair of the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce, and owner of RW Property Services which specializes in farmland management, real estate, and auctions. Rob grew up on a grain and livestock operation in Clifton, IL. This is the area in which he…

Kankakee Regional Land Bank Authorizes the Hiring of Dr. Reverend Montele Crawford as Executive Director The Board of Directors for the Kankakee Regional Land Bank Authority (KRLBA) has authorized the hiring of an executive director to lead the organization. Reverend Dr. Montele Crawford was selected after a nationwide search. Crawford is the Senior Pastor at…

Mental Health Panelist – Caitlin Garstkiewicz Caitlin Garstkiewicz – I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to mental health care and advocacy. I deeply value community, inclusion, and the celebration of diversity. I have worked in mental health since 2012, and since have worked in a multitude of mental health settings and roles, including…

Mental Health Panel Keynote Speaker – Aaron Clark Aaron Clark was born and raised in Kankakee and attended Kankakee schools. After high school he lived in Atlanta for 16 years where began his life as a community activist. He returned to Kankakee in 2005 as a leader in racial harmony, empowering youth and young adults,…

Partner Spotlight – Aqua Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, has been protecting and providing Earth’s most essential resource for over 135 years. The water and wastewater infrastructure crisis in the United States means that many communities struggle with dirty, dangerous water – that’s why Aqua partners with communities to be part of the solution. Guided…

Mental Health Panelist – Lynette Blasingame Lynette A. Blasingame, JD is an experienced and dynamic HR Professional with over 15 years’ experience. She partners with business leaders as a strategic thinker to help leaders accomplish short and long-term goals. Her problem-solving ability helps employers ensure legal compliance, reduce risk, increase employee retention and engagement in…

Mental Health Panelist – Tracey Noe Slach Tracey Noe Slach is the Executive Director of Clove Alliance, formally KC-CASA, based in Kankakee, IL.  She has served as Executive Director since July of 2014.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with majors in Marketing and Management from Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) in Bourbonnais,…