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[email protected] / May 21, 2026

Recommendation for UIS Insurance & Investments

To whom it may concern,

I am pleased to recommend UIS Insurance & Investments for its long-standing commitment to providing dependable insurance, financial, and risk management solutions for individuals, families, and businesses. With more than 100 years of experience, the company has built a strong reputation for professionalism, responsive customer service, and trusted guidance throughout Ohio.

It offers a wide range of services, including personal insurance, commercial coverage, employee benefits, life insurance, retirement planning, and financial services. By partnering with top-rated insurance providers, it is able to offer flexible and competitive options tailored to each client’s needs. It works closely with clients to identify risks, provide customized coverage solutions, and help protect what matters most.

What makes it stand out is its relationship-driven approach and commitment to treating clients with honesty, respect, and personalized care. The company emphasizes strong community involvement, ethical business practices, and long-term client relationships. The knowledgeable advisors take time to understand each client’s goals while providing clear guidance and dependable support throughout the process.

I highly recommend UIS Insurance & Investments for its professionalism, reliability, and dedication to helping clients protect their businesses, finances, families, and future with confidence.

Sincerely,

Joe Gilmer
Business Optimization Specialist
Schooley Mitchell

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[email protected] / May 21, 2026

Spotlight for Heartland Community College

Heartland Community College: Growing With Purpose, Serving with Impact

At Heartland Community College, growth is more than a milestone. It is central to the institution’s identity. Established in 1990, after rapid population expansion in Central Illinois pushed nearby colleges to capacity, Heartland began in a small mall plaza. From those humble beginnings, it has grown into a full campus serving thousands of students and remains the youngest community college in Illinois.

“We are a comprehensive community college,” says Noah Lamb, Vice President for Finance and Administration. “We place tremendous value on the community aspect of our mission.” That commitment is reflected in the breadth of its offerings. Heartland provides associate degree programs and career-ready certifications, along with a robust non-credit division featuring professional development, personal enrichment, and continuing education courses.

Lamb’s own journey reflects the transformative power of higher education. A first-generation college student from rural Kentucky, he began as a music education major before discovering his passion through a student job in a university finance office. Today, he oversees finance, human resources, information technology, facilities, campus safety, risk management, and athletics, serving as both CFO and COO. Still, some of his favorite moments happen outside the boardroom. Meeting regularly with the student government association allows him to hear feedback firsthand. “It’s a great way to hear directly from the community we serve,” he says.

Whether serving a recent high school graduate, a working adult pursuing new credentials, or a community member exploring a personal interest, Lamb says the goal is simple: “Just a wide range of opportunities for everyone within our community, and well beyond that.”

Despite its relative youth, the college continues to expand enrollment, donor support, and regional partnerships. Lamb and the college’s president often refer to it as “the premier community college in Illinois,” a phrase he believes is supported by the pride he sees in students each day. “We continue to grow across multiple areas,” he says, pointing not only to academic programs but also to community advocacy and engagement.

Looking ahead, Lamb believes Heartland’s future depends on adaptability. “We can’t just stick with what worked in 1990,” he says. “We have to continue to evolve and meet students where they are.” For him, that evolution is not only about growth in size, but growth in impact, ensuring the college remains a vital, accessible pathway to opportunity for generations to come.

Visit Heartland Community College’s website to learn more.
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[email protected] / May 21, 2026

Check Out Agave & Rye

If you are looking for a bold dining experience, check out Agave & Rye! A vibrant, art-filled atmosphere delivers its own unique vibe, blending creative flavors and high-energy ambiance for a truly unforgettable night out!

/ May 18, 2026

Matching your business with the right internet solution

Since so much of today’s business happens online, it’s clear that choosing the right internet service provider is more important than ever. Things like internet speed, data management, how often outages happen, and how quickly issues are resolved all need to be taken into consideration. Choosing the right internet provider is important, but so is selecting the right type of internet, as businesses often require faster, more reliable service than standard residential internet can provide.  After all, time is money, and even small disruptions can quickly add up and have an impact on your bottom line. 

What is business internet? 

Business internet is a high-performance broadband solution built to support the higher demands of companies and organizations.  When compared to residential internet, the internet solution you choose should support all the services your business relies on to function effectively.  

What you need to consider. 

There are nearly 3,000 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the United States alone, which makes choosing one for your business all the more challenging.  Factors such as bandwidth, speed, uptime/reliability, customer support, and security are imperative to take into consideration when making a selection. For reference, your bandwidth needs will increase with the more employees your business has working on-premises using that network.   

Business internet service types. 

Along with choosing a provider, you will need to go through all the options the provider offers and compare the specs to find what’s right for your business. The different options include: 

  • Dial-up: slow speed, an outdated option 
  • Satellite: still being researched/developed, ideal for remote businesses 
  • Digital subscriber line (DSL): considered an aging option, reasonably reliable 
  • Fixed wireless: designed for outdoor use, ideal for rural areas 
  • Cellular: ideal for retail businesses using point-of-sale systems 
  • Cable: baseline for sufficient download speeds, this option has been the gold standard the last 10 years 
  • Fiber-optic: if available, this is the most reliable and fastest option on the market today 

How do you know what’s right for you? 

The internet plan you choose entirely depends on the type of organization you have. Some aspects you’ll need to account for are size/number of employees, your location/location of the provider itself, the tasks you will need the internet usage for, and your budget. For example, if your company is small with only a few employees using the internet for certain tasks and high speed is not imperative, DSL or cable internet might be easier on your budget. However, if you have a moderate or large company with a sizeable number of employees using the internet for numerous tasks where speed and reliability are crucial, fiber internet would be the better option if it fits in the budget and is available in your area. 

Follow the steps below to find the right plan for your business: 

  1. Determine the speed you require – take into account the number of devices with internet access as well as the tasks employees are performing with those devices. 
  2. Decide how reliable your connection needs to be – if your business relies heavily on the internet for a multitude of your services/duties, it’s safe to assume reliability is a must for your business. 
  3. Check what providers are available in your area – if your business is in a rural area, finding a provider might be more restrictive. 
  4. Do your research and compare prices of the plans available to you – conduct a thorough analysis on the specs and cost of each option to find which one is best for your bottom line. 
  5. Consult fellow business owners and/or read reviews and ratings of each provider – online reviews are helpful, but inquiring with your peers may give you more insight.  

Why it matters. 

While it may not be an obvious concern initially, choosing the wrong internet solution for your business could have a severe impact on your organization as a whole. Today, it is almost guaranteed some (if not most) of your business functions occur online, making the internet imperative for running your business successfully – are you choosing the right one?  

[email protected] / May 16, 2026

Featured Client Fortner

Located in Columbus, Ohio, Fortner is a family-owned business with over ninety years of experience. It is one of Ohio’s largest furniture and upholstery companies, specializing in custom furniture, restoration, and reupholstery.