The premier business networking and community engagement organization in the area!
The purpose of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic programs designed to strengthen and expand the income potential of all businesses and organizations. We strive to help advance the general welfare and prosperity of the Manhattan area, its citizens and all of the business community.
The Manhattan Chamber actively supports the community by awarding annual scholarships to Lincoln-Way West High School students and hosting a variety of events throughout the year, including the Annual Ladies Night Out and Letters to Santa programs.
The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce has been working to put together a great year for our business owners as well as the community we serve. In 2021 the Manhattan Chamber was awarded the Best Business to Business Service in the Best of Lincoln-Way Readers’ Choice Awards. This year we are striving to help promote our local businesses through in person networking events, business-based community events and social media.
.jpg)
To support the needs of the Chamber, the following individuals have dedicated their time and expertise to provide leadership to the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
.jpg)
Sweet Swirls Bakery
Christine Whitmer is the owner of Sweet Swirls Bakery and a current resident of Manhattan since April of 2019. She started her home based bakery over 9 years ago to be able to stay at home with her 3 kids and still be active in their lives and help with school activities and sports. Since starting her business as a part time at home job, it has grown to a full time job with many customers from Manhattan and surrounding towns all enjoying homemade cakes, cookies, and more. She is also involved in Icing Smiles which is an organization that creates cakes for children and their siblings that are terminally ill at no charge for the family. Christine stays busy with her kids through helping at school parties, watching her son play baseball with Manhattan Park District, all things theater with her daughter at Lincoln Way West, and attending Manhattan events. Christine and her family have loved living in Manhattan, spending time with new friends and neighbors they have met since they moved here and look forward to the positive growth of the town. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce, she is hoping to be more involved in the community and local businesses and continue to have growth not only in her business but the town.
.jpg)
Kid Country Childcare
Donna Naleway is the owner of Kid Country Childcare which opened in Manhattan in 2002. Donna is proud of the top-quality childcare services offered at Kid Country. The center is a Silver Circle of Quality childcare center through the State of Illinois' ExceleRate program, a designation that was earned and well-deserved by everyone involved with Kid Country. Donna grew up in rural Manhattan and raised her own two sons in our community as well. She has been a Chamber member since 2002 and looks forward to helping the greater business community through her work as a Chamber director.
_(2).jpg)
First Bank of Manhattan
Donna Bateman is the Deposit Products Marketing Manager at First Bank of Manhattan. With over 30 years of banking experience, she can assist you with all of your banking needs. In her spare time, she is a tax preparer and the treasurer for the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
.jpg)
D.Marie.Photography
Dana Skwirut has been a resident of Manhattan for 21 years. She and her husband Ben have three kids, all active in Manhattan and Lincoln-Way West schools, sports, and activities. Dana has been a chamber member for 6 years, and opened her photography studio in Manhattan in November of 2020. She loves having her small business in the same great town she’s raising a family in, and looks forward to connecting with other local business owners and photographers.
.jpg)
Manhattan Family Chiropractic
Kristy Byers has enjoyed living and serving in Manhattan since 2011. As a small business owner, she has always tried to be as active as possible in the community by hosting and sponsoring local events such as Sip of Summer Concert Series, Moms Night Out, Irish Fest and 5k, St. Joseph’s Pints and Pork Challenge, and the Labor Day Fireworks. Additionally, her business helps sponsor the Counting Stars in their St. Jude run to Peoria and the Illinois Celtic baseball team. Kristy is also very active in the Park District and serves on the Park Board, which she enjoys very much. She has always been very family and community oriented and strives to continue to grow as a professional. Kristy enjoys meeting new people and building relationships with those who share common interests in helping businesses thrive.
.jpg)
Nick Fellers State Farm
Hi! I’m Marie Fellers, I am a mom, wife and insurance professional. My husband Nick Fellers and I own the State Farm office in town. We’ve been in business for 7 years now. We live here in town with our son and our Golden Retriever, Finn.This is my first year serving on the board of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce as a director. I am looking forward to getting to know local residents and business owners within this amazing community. Hope to see you soon!
.jpg)
Freedom Family Chiropractic
>>>
.jpg)
Village of Manhattan
>>>
.jpg)
Mandie Wade has lived in Manhattan since 2001 and has been a part of many local organizations including: Manhattan Woman's Club, Manhattan 114 PTO, and Manhattan Girl Scouts. She has been the Chamber Admin since 2020. She enjoys participating in many of the events offered around town with her husband and daughters. In her spare time she enjoys crafting and teaching crafting to others.
