Client Spotlight: Coles Together Annual Meeting '25
- Cassie Yoder
- Jun 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 13
Celebrating Growth, Vision & Leadership in Coles County
At Cass Concepts, we have the privilege of capturing moments that matter—and Coles Together’s 2025 Annual Meeting was exactly that.
Held earlier this year, the meeting brought together community leaders, industry partners, educators, and developers for a shared purpose: to reflect on the momentum of Coles County and outline a bold vision for what’s next.
A Look Inside the Meeting
Led by Board Chair Doug Abolt, the event opened with a reminder of how far Coles County has come—and how much opportunity lies ahead. Financial updates shared by Blake Pierce reflected the positive outcomes of RISE and ARPA grants, reinforcing Coles Together’s mission of fostering strategic growth through infrastructure, investment, and industry collaboration.
President & CEO Rhonda Sager highlighted the national spotlight Coles County is gaining—especially among tertiary markets. With Charleston and Mattoon recently earning a spot on Site Selection Magazine’s list of top U.S. micro markets, and features in Trade & Industry Development and national podcasts, Coles County is proving it’s ready to compete—and win—on a national level.
Major updates included:
A $200M investment in the Emerald Acres Sports Complex and walkable commercial space by Rural King
Infrastructure and hangar upgrades at the Coles County Airport
A community introduction to Kingspan Insulated Panels, a global manufacturer now rooted in Mattoon
A powerful workforce development panel featuring leaders from Lakeland College, Charleston High School, Rural King, Homestead Installation, and The Lift
A Community Committed to Collaboration
From high school internship growth to youth apprenticeships and workforce pipelines, one clear theme echoed throughout the meeting: Coles County is building intentional partnerships that prioritize long-term community success.
At Cass Concepts, we’re proud to support organizations like Coles Together that are paving the way with clarity, purpose, and progress—and we’re grateful to help tell their story.
👉 Watch the full recap video.
See how local leaders are shaping the future of economic development in Central Illinois
See What Coles Together Had to Say
Want a closer look at the day from Coles Together’s perspective? In their recent post, Coles Together shared their gratitude for the many sponsors, partners, and attendees who made the event possible—including Earthrise Energy, NextEra Energy Resources, Apex Clean Energy, Midwest Roofing, Rural King, and Sarah Bush Lincoln.
👉 Read their full recap here: Coles Together Facebook Post
