The Benton-West City Area Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of business, education, and the quality of life in our communities.
Our objectives are:
- to advance the agricultural, industrial, commercial, and civic welfare of the Benton, Illinois area
- to aid in the conservation and advancement of the business and professional interests of the area
- to foster and encourage the development of said area
Chamber Board meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 8 a.m. All meetings take place at the Chamber Office located in the Antique Auto Museum, 211 North Main in Benton. These meetings are open to the public.
Quaterly Luncheon/Meetings are held offering a variety of topics of interest to businesses in the area. The meal begins at 11:30 a.m. and the guest speaker begins shortly after noon. Meetings are usually adjourned at 1:00 p.m. These gatherings allow both members and nonmembers a chance to hear timely and informative topics discussed, as well as a chance to connect with others who are interested in improving and expanding business in the area, whether it be through better service or production methods. Locations vary, and will be announced in this newsletter in advance of date.
The Chamber provides community activities such as the Rend Lake Water Festival and Parade each spring. In the summer, we help by supporting the "Taste of Freedom Festival" at Rend Lake. In the autumn, the Chamber hosts both a Golf Scramble and an Annual Rend Lake Car Show, which brings many visitors to our community. In time for the holidays, we light up the downtown with holiday lights, and sponsor a Christmas Decorating Contest for area residents. We also take part in the Adopt-A-Highway clean up program and assist with Benton Clean & Green's financial needs. Each spring, we give a Student Chamber of Commerce scholarship to a worthy graduating senior. We also participate in the Career Prep program at the local high school by employing a student in our office during the school term.
