Great River Economic Development Foundation

10/21/2026

🍺🥨 Taste of Hancock County: Oktoberfest Edition! 🥨🍺
The Warsaw Chamber of Commerce and Hancock County Economic invites you to Ralston Park in Warsaw on Saturday, October 24, from 11 AM–3 PM for an afternoon of delicious local food, German-inspired drinks, live music, family fun, and local vendors!

🎶 German music • 🍻 Tastings • 🥨 Oktoberfest favorites • 🏆 People's Choice voting • 🎪 Family activities

Come hungry, bring your friends, and taste your way through Hancock County!

10/19/2026

🎃👻 Trick or Treat in The District is back! 👻🎃
Bring the family to The District on Saturday, October 24, from 10 AM–1 PM for a fun-filled day of trick-or-treating!

📍 Start at First Mid Bank & Trust Plaza (7th & Maine) for check-in and event information.
✨ 40+ businesses & organizations will be participating!
🚗 Trunk or Treat will be back at First Mid Bank Plaza.
🎃 Look for Teal Pumpkin stops offering non-food treats.
☕ Parents can grab a free cup of drip coffee at The Pour Haus.
🍎 Visit Washington Park for the final Quincy Farmers Market of the season—and more treats!
👜 Kids, don’t forget to bring your own trick-or-treat bags!

Come dressed in your favorite costume and enjoy a spooktacular day in Downtown Quincy!

10/16/2026

Great communities grow through great people and that starts with you.

Do you know someone looking for their next career opportunity or a place to put down roots? Invite them to discover everything Adams County has to offer through Quincy's Calling.

Whether it's a friend, family member, former coworker, or professional connection, your referral could lead to their next great opportunity—and earn you up to $500 as a thank-you when they relocate and begin working in the area.

Help us welcome new talent, strengthen our workforce, and grow the community we’re proud to call home.

Learn more and submit your referral: http://www.quincyscalling.com/recruitment-bonus

10/14/2026

🥞 Politics & Pancakes with Adams County Board Chair Bret Austin!

Join us for good conversation, a great breakfast, and an opportunity to hear what’s ahead for Adams County! We’re excited to welcome Adams County Board Chair Bret Austin to share the latest updates, key developments, and goals shaping our County’s future.

📅 Date: November 12
⏰ Time: 8:00 A.M.
📍 Location: The 501, 501 Hampshire Street, Quincy

Politics and Pancakes is part of a regular series connecting our members directly with local, state, and federal officials.

⚠️ Registration is required: https://business.quincychamber.org/events/Details/politics-and-pancakes-1947595?sourceTypeId=Hub

10/12/2026

⛸️ There's more than one way to be part of The Rink team!
We're hiring seasonal, part-time employees for the upcoming season.
😊 Customer Experience Team
Perfect for someone who enjoys working with people! Help with admissions, skate rentals, concessions, customer service and keeping The Rink welcoming for every guest.

❄️ Ice Maintenance Technician
Prefer working behind the scenes? Help us maintain a safe, smooth skating surface throughout the season. No previous ice-maintenance experience required — training is provided.

Evening, weekend, holiday and school-break availability is important for our seasonal team.

➡️ Apply: browncountyil.org/work-at-the-rink
Please share and help us find some great people to join us this winter!

10/07/2026

🌾 Have an idea to strengthen your rural Illinois community?
The Illinois Farm Bureau Rural Development Grant Program has $120,000 available for projects that support economic development and quality of life across rural Illinois.

Funding can support projects focused on business development, housing, healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, emergency services, fresh food access, and more. 💚

📅 Applications accepted through December 1
Important: Contact your county Farm Bureau to discuss your project and receive the application link before applying.

👉 Learn more: https://www.ilfb.org/meaningful-development/community-development/ifb-rural-development-grant-program

10/06/2026

The Rink is about more than ice skating. ❤️

It's families spending time together. Kids learning to skate. Friends meeting Uptown. Visitors discovering Mt. Sterling. Dinner at a local restaurant. A little Christmas shopping. And memories that become traditions.

The Rink helps bring people together while creating activity throughout Uptown Mt. Sterling.

We can't wait to do it again this winter. ⛸️❄️

📅 November 27 – January 10

10/05/2026

🚀 Ready to take your business to the next level?

GREDF is launching Year Two of ScaleUp and Secure program, an investment opportunity connecting entrepreneurs in Adams and Hancock counties with the capital, resources, and support needed to grow.

💡 Innovative idea?
📈 Scalable business model?
💰 Ready for investment?

Learn more & apply: gredf.org/scaleup-and-secure

Great River Economic Development Foundation exists to maintain and improve the economic vitality of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to our communities.

10/02/2026

🏭 Connecting students to the future of manufacturing!

Today, approximately 250 high school juniors and seniors participated in 2026 Tri-State MakerFest as part of National Manufacturing Month.

Students explored local manufacturing facilities and the JWCC Workforce Development Center, learning about careers in manufacturing, logistics and the skilled trades while connecting with employers, educators and training opportunities.

MakerFest brings together GREDF, John Wood Community College and QAVTC to connect students with local career opportunities.

👏 Thanks to all the students, educators, employers and partners who made the day possible!

09/30/2026

📢 Calling All Adams County Employers!
ONE MONTH LEFT TO REGISTER for Jobs in the Gym!

Join us on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Quincy Senior High School to connect with local juniors and seniors exploring part-time jobs, full-time careers, internships, apprenticeships, and summer employment.

Showcase your organization, build your future workforce, and inspire the next generation of local talent!
✅ FREE to participate
🍽️ Lunch provided
📅 Registration closes October 30, 2026 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-n6NwJg3uBySjxlScBv3h4OgBzPjkAdhjFz6kYRUoKKxDzA/viewform?usp=dialog

Don’t miss your chance to connect with local talent—register your business today!