The students are finishing up their $1 businesses and are working with Mattoon in Motion's Robust Committee to give suggestions to a proposed business incubator/co-work space. Londyn Fultz is showing his Pinterest page to the committee.

December 9-10th the students will be heading to Chicago for a trip to WeWorks, another co-work space and to have some fun.
Schedule (at Lifespan Center if not stated)

Mon., 12/3 - Incubator/Co-work Space Focus Group w/Tiffany Phillips
Tues., 12/4 - Tour of First Mid w/ Megan McElwee, 1421 Charleston Ave., Mattoon
Wed., 12/5 - Branding and Logos w/Patty Peterson of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Ctr.
Thurs., 12/6 - Tour of Conagra w/ Pat Shaughnessy (formerly Pinnacle Foods) 3801 Dewitt Ave., Mattoon
Fri., 12/7- Prepping for Chicago
Sunday-Monday 12/9-10 - CHICAGO
ClassE is open and the public is welcome.
Coles-Moultrie Electric Coop
Sam Adair of Coles-Moultrie Electric Coop had an interesting candy and cup scenario to teach the students about the differences between a nonprofit cooperative and a "for profit" business. He explained that any profits in a coop are credited back to its members. They provide internet services and sell generators to help their rural customers. Geographic Information Systems and technology are very important to managing their business.
Learning About Lean and CI
It's always a fun day when we learn lean and Kaizan continuous improvement methods by having our own candy wrapping production line. After three rounds, the students learned the benefits of open communication, revising the line for the most efficiency, goal-setting and quality control.
Running the City Business

Scott Smith, Charleston City Administrator, talked about all of the services that the city provides (water, sewer, police, fire, roads, recreation, tourism, library). He oversees a $25 million dollar budget and uses technology to untether himself from his desk. Using iPads, phone and programs such as Outlook, Dropbox and GIS data, he can pull up information from the cloud and work anywhere.
Time to Recruit for ClassE FY'20

Do you know someone that would love to learn by doing and would like to take ClassE? Students are asking prospective students to join us on tours for the months of December and January. If you have a Sophomore or Junior student, grandchild or friend in Coles County that would like to take the class, have them talk to their guidance counselor or email me at [email protected].
Investor Spotlight - FIRST MID



First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. was started back in 1865 and is headquartered in Mattoon, Illinois. Since the beginning of its existence, the bank has since grown into a $3.2 billion community-focused organization. First Mid provides its financial services in 41 Illinois and Missouri communities and a loan production office in the Indianapolis, Indiana area. They currently employ around 700 hardworking men and women.

First Mid prides themselves on spectacular personal service as well as getting the results that their customers want. They provide the following services to their customers: Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, Insurance, Agricultural Services, and Wealth Management.
The company works hard to provide the communities in which they operate with the best results they can achieve. For over 150 years, their mission of providing the best service as well as the best results has never changed.