Thank you! Special thanks to our members who generously took part in this year’s Festival of Lights on Saturday!!

Illinois waterways contribute to more than 1.7 million jobs and $102.5 billion in wages, according to a report released by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Foundation about the Illinois River’s impact on the economy. 

<Mt. Vernon> Benton/West City Area Chamber of Commerce members will now be able to join chamber members from 14 other Southern Illinois chambers in securing bulk electricity and natural gas rates for the commercial electric and natural gas accounts. Benton/West City Area Chamber of Commerce joins the existing purchasing group comprised of Jefferson County, Marion, West Frankfort, Carbondale, Carterville, Centralia, Salem, Herrin, Murphysboro and others.

Festival of Lights Return to Benton Square
Benton, Illinois – November 30, 2015 – Sleigh bells ring, are you listenin’? In the lane, snow is glistenin.’
A beautiful site, we’re happy tonight, walking round at the 2015 Festival of Lights. The Festival of Lights will be returning to the Benton Public Square on December 4th and 5th.

November marks the beginning of a partnership between the Benton – West City Area Chamber of Commerce and AGE.  We will be offering an informational meet and greet with AGE on December 1st from 5-8pm at the chamber office at 211 North Main Benton, but if you have additional questions, please contact Rob Wielt at 618-231-4904 on your businesses’ potential savings and how it can benefit the chamber.

The November business of the month is MidCountry Bank. They are located at 605 West Main in Benton. We sat down with Branch Manager, Theresa Hampton, to learn more about the bank and their deep community roots.

The October 2015 business of the month is CASA of Franklin County. CASA has been serving the Franklin County area since 1998. We sat down with CASA’s Executive Director, Mariah Hayes to learn a little more about what they do and how the community can be more involved.

Golf Scramble Registration Deadline Extended
Benton, Illinois – September 9 2015 – Looking for a great day out on the links with friends? Openings are still available for individual players and teams at the Dave Atchison Memorial Golf Scramble on Thursday, Sept 24 at the Benton Country Club.