#Veterans, Development, Elevate Programs

Happy New Year 2020

Cross County Entrepreneur

Elevate is busy getting ready for the New Year. As we look forward, we want to thank all our supporters who have made Elevate CCIC, Inc. a reality. 

We are gearing up to be a hub of rural innovation for East Central Illinois. Our projected opening date will be early February 2020. With the development of Elevate, we aim to add to the positive growth already happening in our area.

Elevate is adding to this by continuing to develop relationships with existing entities from around the U.S. 

Our newest network partner is Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation, also known as Rural LISC. Rural LISC is one of the country’s largest organizations supporting projects to revitalize communities and bring greater economic opportunity to residents. They invest in affordable housing, better schools, safer streets, growing businesses and programs that connect people with financial opportunities. 

They provide the capital, strategy, and know-how to local partners to get this done.

Elevate CCIC, Inc. is proud to call Rural LISC our network partner. 

As Elevate CCIC, Inc., we will work with our area residents to create jobs and prepare residents to succeed in those jobs through our partners, supporters, and established institutions in the area. 

Through organizations such as Code Platoon, we aim to bring needed coding classes that work with regional veterans who desire to learn how to code. 

Through Lake Land College, full members of Elevate who are qualified may receive a tuition waiver for a 27-credit hour business development certificate. Also, through Lake Land, Elevate will provide access to Esri data and maps to support members with the tools they need to make data-driven decisions.  

We are proud to call Lake Land College, our partner. 

We are working to advance the entrepreneurial spirit in Coles County by supporting the development of the citizens and area together with our sponsors, collaborators, and partners.

We are grateful for all who have supported the idea and development of Elevate. Elevate is possible because of the continued support of individuals, the community, and innovative organizations.

Thank you all, and Happy New Year.

Uncategorized

Consolidated Communications is providing fiber-optic gigabit-speed internet.

Cross County Entrepreneur

We want to thank Consolidated Communications for being a supporter of Rural Communities and providing fiber-optic gigabit-speed internet access for Elevate CCIC, Inc.

Both Elevate and Consolidated Communications is passionate about making sure your data and private information is safe. 

“Consolidated Communications is a broadband service provider that services mostly rural areas.” Said, Bob Udell, President and COO  

Bob Udell stated, “We provide broadband to consumers, commercial customers, and even connections to wireless towers. We service everyone in the community and leverage these common assists to help rural communities connect to the internet.  We are passionate about living, working, playing, and raising the economic development in these communities.”

Matthew Daneman stated, “Numerous Americans don’t have access to Broadband, and fiber is often looked at to a solution in a lot of communities.”

 Mr. Udell, ” Fiber is the backbone of communications services. We are expanding that network and believe 5G will drive the additional fiber development.  But serving the end-user will take a mix of technologies that will solve connection challenges in rural America. This will raise the economic development prospect of these rural communities.”

Check out the full video here.

Consolidate Communications is very involved within the communities it services, and that is seen within Coles County and Elevate CCIC, Inc. 

When complete, Elevate is going to be a place where members can have secure 24/7 access to the fastest internet around.

We are excited that Consolidated Communications has partnered with Elevate CCIC, Inc. in providing fiber optic gigabit-speed internet for our center and participating in the development of the local economy.

If you do any business online or need consistent secure reliable internet, Elevate is your one stop shop for all your needs. Small and large rooms as well as conference rooms are available to rent.

If you would like more information please contact us today.

Uncategorized

Consider Giving to Elevate CCIC, Inc. today Tuesday December 3rd, 2019

Cross County Entrepreneur

Today is Giving Tuesday…

Elevate is working to create an environment where co-workers, small businesses, and individuals with the entrepreneurial spirit can obtain the resources to help them succeed. In Rural America, we often get left behind, but not anymore, with the support of the community Elevate is already becoming a success. With further support from individuals like you, Elevate will become a place where innovation can prosper, and ideas can become a reality.

Please Consider Donating today to help move Coles County and East Central Illinois forward by supporting us on this Giving Tuesday, 12/3/2019.

Donate Now

Please share this with others.

Let’s work together to build a brighter future.

Thank you.

Development, Elevate Programs

We are Thankful for our Community and Supporters.

Cross County Entrepreneur

Development of Elevate CCIC, INC. (Elevate)

The Development of Elevate has been a community-wide engagement from the beginning. Because of the support of the community, our dream has become a reality. We are well on our way to become a regional hub of entrepreneurship and business innovation. Our space will be a place where ideas can collide, and innovation can prosper.

If you are a Innovator, entrepreneur, remote worker, have an at-home business, or need assistance in starting your business venture, we are your one-stop location for all your needs. Conference rooms will be available to rent as well. Please see the membership plans for more information.

Be sure to stay tuned for our grand opening. Late January 2020.

Phase 1-

We are utilizing unused space provided by Rural King Americas Farm and Home Store in the Cross-County Mall to fully realize our dream of becoming a regional hub of innovation and entrepreneurship. With the help of the community, we won the Illinois Impact Challenge organized by Google.org which is providing the funds to develop our space. We later applied for and received a USDA grant which will provide the equipment for our center. Thank you again to all the community members who have made this possible. 

Before:

October 2019

During

We are re-purposing the space in the mall for a more inviting feel. With open space to work, private offices, conference rooms to rent, gigabit-speed internet access provided by Consolidated Communications, and open 24/7. When complete there will be a place for everyone at Elevate. We believe this mixture of collaborative zones will increase productivity, whether you work alone or together.

November 2019

Progress

The development of Elevate has been nonstop since we started. We are working on completing our space by January 2020, and our board is fully engaged in making sure Elevate CCIC, Inc. is here for years to come.

Tour of the Space by Elevate CCIC, Inc. Board members

We are developing many connections to local, regional, country, and global partners. We are striving to do our best for those who utilize our space while providing access to resources to those who need it. Our programs such as ClassE, the Lake Land College Initiative, which will offer a tuition waiver for a 27 credit hour Business Development Certificate  for qualified full members of Elevate, and offering services from Code Platoon are just a few of the programs that we are providing in our space. Please see the about section for more information.

Phase 3

We are currently in phase 3, which is fundraising for a three-year operational budget. We are halfway there but still need your help. Please consider donating for giving Tuesday and contribute what you can today.

Donate Now

Follow our blog, Facebook, twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date on the development of Elevate.

We are grateful for our supporters and our community here in Coles County and beyond.

Thank you.

#Veterans

Veterans Opportunities

Cross County Entrepreneur

Elevate is a proud supporter of our Veterans.

One way that we are working to support our area veterans is through our partnership with Code Platoon to offer their remote services in our center when we open in January 2020. 

Code Platoon is a nonprofit coding Bootcamp for veterans and military spouses. The program is full-time for 14 weeks, where students learn software development skills. Training is available in-person through their Chicago classroom or remotely. Please visit codeplatoon.org for more information and to apply today! 

They are currently Accepting Applications for the next cohort, which are due by midnight on Sunday, January 26th, 2020. Just 10 weeks away.  Scholarships are available through Code Platoon. https://www.codeplatoon.org/scholarships/

As Elevate, we are working to create an atmosphere which spurs innovation and entrepreneurship. Veterans or military spouses who are accepted into the program can now meet with other classmates who are also doing the class remotely at our center. 

Please visit https://www.codeplatoon.org/apply-now/ for more information. 

We are looking forward to supporting our community in all aspects of business development, entrepreneurship, and innovation. 

For more information on Elevate and its programs, please contact us today. 

#veterans #veteransday #Elevate217

Uncategorized

ClassE Teacher opportunity.

Cross County Entrepreneur

CLASSE Job Description for posting

Entrepreneurship Teacher Opening

Elevate is the new home of ClassE. Coles County High School entrepreneurship class where students learn how to start and run a business. We are currently looking for a new Entrepreneurship Teacher. Please see blow for Job description.

Job Description

Responsible for coordination, instruction, and implementation of Entrepreneurship curriculum for Coles County ClassE.  Set-up guest speakers, business tours and in class instruction.  Work with students to recruit students and promote class to civic organizations.  Create a weekly newsletter to highlight class work and promote activities.

Qualified candidates will have knowledge of Coles County Businesses and have personal entrepreneurial experience.  Must be organized and have excellent communication skills.  Experience working with high school aged students preferred.  Candidate must have a valid Teaching License in Business Education or a minimum of 60 college credits with 2000 work hours in Entrepreneurship/Business Management.

Position requires 1.5 hours of classroom instruction per day and time as needed outside of class during the school year.

A detailed job description and application can be found at www.eiefes.k12.il.us. Contact Laura Sullivan with questions and to apply:

Laura Sullivan

lsullivan@eiefes.k12.il.us

217-258-6283

#ClassE #Elevate217 #Colescounty

Elevate Programs

Join us for our second Livestream Event Offered by Google.

Cross County Entrepreneur

National Veteran Small Business Week Livestream Workshop

Join us as we celebrate National Veteran Small Business Week with a Livestream focused on supporting the growth of veteran-led businesses. During this workshop, you will be introduced to key features of Google My Business that help connect businesses with local customers, promote special offers, and grow brand awareness

When: November 5th 2019 from 11 am- 12 noon

Where: Mattoon Public Library 1600 Charleston Ave, Mattoon, IL

Elevate is an official Grow with Google Partner and is the only location in East Central Illinois providing these opportunities to businesses in the area.  As we develop our center we are looking forward to bringing entrepreneurs together to learn and grow as a community. 

Please be sure to follow us on social media as we continue to construct our center in the Corss-County Mall, Located in Mattoon, Illinois.  

Anticipated completion January 2020

Please RSVP Here

If you would like to create your plan please do so here.

Create your Plan

We’re proud to celebrate and support veteran-led businesses. Join us for a viewing party during National Veterans Small Business Week for a free #GrowWithGoogle livestream that can help you grow your #VetBiz