LEWISTOWN, Ill. - Business ownership can be a taunting undertaking. So much more goes into running a successful business than just providing a much-needed service or amazing product. Learning all the business requirements, resources available, and how best to prioritize the steps is what can help every entrepreneur build a solid foundation.
University of Illinois Extension Community & Economic Development (CED) program and the Lewistown Chamber of Commerce are working together to form a new club designed to support local start up entrepreneurs.
The Lewistown Community Entrepreneur Club will provide monthly programming support on topics relevant to starting a business. The first meeting will be on Monday, November 9, 2026, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Fulton County Farm Bureau. The 2026-2027 Club meetings will be held for 12 months on the second Monday of each month. The local Fulton County Farm Bureau is providing space to host the meetings in their second-floor boardroom and refreshments.
Local Extension CED Educator Richard Proffer says, “it is a concept being implemented around the country to support budding entrepreneurs in a low-key conversational fashion. Members of the club will be able to discuss their ideas openly and receive support from area resource agencies like Illinois Extension, Lewistown Chamber, the local Small Business Development Centers and other economic development groups.”
Each meeting will have a guest speaker related to that meeting’s topic. The chamber expressed their interest in such a program because it will help support local start ups while supporting the local economy. The chamber realizes many Lewistown residents have great ideas for new businesses and this program will help them in developing their idea further.
Some topics already being investigated include bank relationships, how to record transactions correctly, small business software, and other professional services like insurance needs and legal advice.
The club is limited to ten members, who can commit to attend at least nine of the twelve monthly meetings. The participation rule is to encourage active participation among the members to help them gain the full benefit. Participation is open to all, but priority will be given to Lewistown residents, and then Fulton County residents since the discussions will focus on local needs.
To apply for the event, go to go.illinois.edu/EntrepreneurClub and complete the form. Registration closes on Monday, November 2, 2026.
For more details, questions or for special accommodations, please contact Richard Proffer at rproffer@illinois.edu.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.