The Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Meeting at Twisted Tree Music Hall on March 21. Three annual awards were announced at the meeting.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – UNDER 25 EMPLOYEES
Jones Meat & Locker
Jones Meat & Locker started in 1943 when Paul and Rose Jones began butchering hogs and cattle for their local farmer friends. The first location of the meat processing plant was in the back garage and basement of their home on Sandusky Road, just north of Jacksonville, Illinois.
By the early 1960s, Paul and Rose’s son, Charlie, and his wife Doris, had become an integral part of the business. Soon after, the state inspection guidelines became too strict to keep the business on Sandusky Road and the Joneses bought the Morgan County Meat Locker, located on State Street, on the east edge of Jacksonville. As the business grew, additional space was needed, so, in 1977, Jones Meat & Locker built an addition on the building to accommodate the need. In 1992, the third generation of Joneses, Terry, and his wife Marcy, took over the business.
Since then, the Joneses have expanded their line of products to include consumer friendly meat products — brats, kabobs, pork BBQ, Italian beef and burgoo to name a few. They serve approximately 300 local farmers by processing around 2,000 cattle and hogs annually for the farmers’ customers. Other farmers have their animals processed to offer those products at farmers markets. More products from local farmers are also offered in Jones Meat & Locker’s retail space, further diversifying their product offerings. Supplying meat products to local restaurants and annually processing 1,000 deer for local hunters has been another addition to providing locally sourced meat to the community.
Jones Meat & Locker process deer for hunters from across the nation, encouraging these visitors to explore Jacksonville and support local businesses. Hunters that no longer need their deer are encouraged to help with the donation to local food pantries. The business’ surplus inventory is donated to local soup kitchens and food pantries. Home delivery to local customers who are unable to drive is also offered.
Fundraising efforts for local nonprofits are also very important to the Jones family. They help local smaller communities, non-profit agencies, churches, and more by giving a discount or donating beef and pork products. For over five decades, they have worked with local 4-H Clubs and FFA students to train them in meat judging competitions and to help them learn more about different agricultural industries.
Owners Terry and Marcy Jones are heavily involved in the Jacksonville community, serving on many boards and committees including Kiwanis, Rotary, District #117, Jacksonville School Foundation, Elm City Center, Prairie Council on Aging, Morgan County Fair, Prairieland United Way and First Presbyterian Church and the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Terry Jones, president of Jones Meat & Locker, is a past president of the Illinois Association of Meat Processors and has served as a member of their board of directors for many years. Jones is also a recipient of the Jacksonville High School FFA Chapter Honorary FFA Degree, the National FFA Organization Honorary Chapter Degree, 2019 Jacksonville Agri-Industry Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the prestigious University of Illinois Sleeter Bull Award.
Over the years, Jones Meat & Locker has won a plethora of awards for their meat products, most recently grand champion jerky at the Governor’s Sale of Champions at the Illinois State Fair.
The Joneses have successfully owned a family business in Jacksonville for over 80 years, contributing products, money and manpower to Jacksonville and west-central Illinois. Their dedication to supplying excellent food products to its residents and visitors while supporting other local businesses and charitable organizations make them a deserving recipient for the Small Business of the Year award. Accepting the award was Terry Jones.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – 25 OR MORE EMPLOYEES
Nestlé USA
The 2023 Large Business of the Year has been in Jacksonville since 1970 and employs 175 people while producing Coffee mate powder creamer for all of the United States and other small markets.
Besides making an important economic impact in the Jacksonville area, Nestlé USA makes a commitment to its community. Their ongoing emphasis on sustainability and environmental initiatives concentrate on recycling with zero waste to landfill and coordinated efforts with the City on water usage and recycling. Nestle’ Jacksonville holds an annual Veterans Day ceremony, and was a major sponsor of the Jacksonville Festival of Lights in 2023.
Employees donate through the annual Nesgiving campaign to Central IL Food Bank, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Prairieland United Way. Nestle also donates to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, Westfair Christan Academy, Citizens Police Academy, PAWS and Morgan County Animal Control and various silent auctions and fundraisers.
Nestle is a proud partner with Illinois School for the Deaf in the Chamber’s Business Education Partnership program and employees attend events and support local Jacksonville businesses.
We salute Nestlé USA for over 50 years of success and support in the Jacksonville area and look forward to the next 50 years! Caryl Sanders, plant manager, accepted the 2023 Business of the Year award.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Alvin Eades Center, Inc.
This year’s Not-for-Profit Business of the Year has served the Jacksonville community for 40 years by providing residential care for individuals with developmental disabilities who are Deaf or have a communication disorder.
The Eades Foundation was established by David and Jane Eades of Champaign, with the purchase of a five-acre tract of land located on West Superior Avenue. This land was intended for creating a living environment for adults who are deaf and have additional disabilities that prevent them from living independently in the community. The Center was opened in 1984 when an 8-bed Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) for women was built on Superior Avenue.
Alvin Eades, David’s father, supplied the funds necessary to establish this program for the purpose of caring for his granddaughter, who still resides at the facility. Jacksonville was chosen as the site for the unique home because of the large deaf population already in existence here, the community’s acceptance of the deaf and the presence of several professional people with special skills relating to the deaf.
As the need for this type of facility grew, a second home was built in 1993. A 16 bed Intermediate Care Facility (ICF/DD) for Men, is located at 1000A W. Michigan Ave. The residents who reside at the Alvin Eades Center are supported by Direct Support Staff, who are on duty 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. The staff assist with resident care, meals, activities, and medical concerns. They also ensure the residents stay active with in-home and community activities.
Community activities include bowling at The Bowl Inn, attending the Prairieland Steam Show, going to the movies, and to the races. Other outings consist of dining out and shopping locally. The agency continues to be involved with the Jacksonville community through volunteer members serving on our Board of Directors. The Eades Foundation also provided the land for the construction of the Jacksonville Community Center for the Deaf adjacent to the women’s home. The Alvin Eades Center, Inc. continues to draw families to Jacksonville with our distinct admissions criteria of providing residential services to adults who are deaf and/or have a communication disorder and have additional disabilities. We salute their 40 years of service to our community.
Director Breanna Martinez accepted the award.
