Champaign County Economic Development Corporation

05/21/2026

Episode 91: It’s in the “Meat Mail”

Whether you’re looking for something to grill for Memorial Day weekend or a special cut that you can’t find at the grocery store, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Meat & Egg Sales Room is the destination you need to know about. Carly & Terri chat with Elli to learn about the academics and science behind the storefront to discover what students are learning and how they shape the future of the food industry.

Stay tuned in for ideas on how to spend your Memorial Day Weekend in and around the Champaign-Urbana area at chambanaproud.com or wherever you podcast.

https://chambanaproud.podbean.com/e/episode-91-it-s-in-the-meat-mail/

This episode is sponsored by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and supported by Busey Bank.

05/20/2026

Headed to CMI for a pickup or drop-off? Please don’t leave vehicles unattended at the curb. Instead, take advantage of FREE parking for less than two hours, making arrivals and departures easier for everyone. Thanks for helping us keep traffic flowing!

05/12/2026

Welcome to the team, Lauren — we're thrilled to have you on board!

The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce Lauren Gramly as its new Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Gramly as the Director of our SBDC,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “Lauren brings a unique combination of small business experience, nonprofit leadership, and deep community connections that make her exceptionally well-suited for this role. Her passion for supporting entrepreneurs, building partnerships, and strengthening our local business ecosystem aligns perfectly with the mission of the SBDC. She will be a tremendous resource for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs throughout Champaign County and central Illinois.”

Read more: https://cusbdc.org/news/lauren-gramly-named-director-of-illinois-small-business-development-center-at-champaign-county-edc/

05/12/2026

Our friends at the SBDC are hosting a Digital Marketing Essentials workshop in June: https://cusbdc.org/event/workshop-digital-marketing-essentials/

Join us for our next training session, Digital Marketing Essentials, on June 11 with Clanin Creative! This workshop will provide you with the tools and techniques to strengthen your digital marketing strategies. For more information + to register (no cost to attend): https://cusbdc.org/event/workshop-digital-marketing-essentials/

05/07/2026

On today's episode of Chambana Proud, Jordan & Terri sit down with The Land Connection's Executive Director, Jacquelyn Evers! The three chat about farm trainings, education, and resources to help first-generation farmers, and how they make local ingredients accessible for all: https://www.chambanaproud.com

Thanks to Krannert Center for the Performing Arts for sponsoring the podcast and to Busey Bank for their support.

05/06/2026

“Combe's decision to expand operations in Rantoul reaffirms the company’s strong commitment to the community and underscores the region’s strengths,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director of the Champaign County EDC. “This project highlights Rantoul’s role as a manufacturing hub in Champaign County and spurs job creation, advancing long-term economic stability and workforce growth in the region. We're proud Combe's personal care products are made in Champaign County.”

The State of Illinois' support will help bring new jobs and economic vitality to East Central Illinois as Combe expands and retains its manufacturing operations in Rantoul.

Read more – https://bit.ly/42lUMUZ

05/04/2026

May 4-8 is Economic Development Week & for generations, economic development has created opportunity and strengthened communities across the world. This week, we reflect on that legacy while focusing on the growth, innovation, and resilience that will define the next 100 years.

04/30/2026

Sit down with Jordan and Terri on today's episode of Chambana Proud to find out what's happening this weekend — a plant sale, live music, Agave Fest, independent films, and a ballet: https://www.chambanaproud.com

Thanks to Krannert Center for the Performing Arts for sponsoring the podcast and to Busey Bank for the support.

04/30/2026

Today is the last day to complete the Urbana, Illinois Housing Needs Study. The goal of the Urbana Housing Needs Study is to provide essential data, analysis, and input from residents, developers, and businesses in the City of Urbana related to housing needs, development, and affordability. This information will help guide future planning and policy decisions for the City of Urbana: https://ccrpc.gitlab.io/urbana-housing/

04/29/2026

Check out the City of Champaign's new website: champaignil.gov

Introducing Champaign’s New and Improved City Website!

The City of Champaign is proud to unveil its newly redesigned website, created to make it easier for residents, businesses, and visitors to find information, access services, and stay informed about what’s happening in the community.

As one of the City’s most important communication tools, the website plays a key role in connecting the community to services and information. The refreshed site features a modern look, streamlined navigation, and enhanced accessibility tools to ensure a more inclusive and user-friendly experience for everyone. This update reflects Champaign’s ongoing commitment to improving digital access and delivering high-quality service.

Visit the new website at champaignil.gov today and explore all it has to offer!