It's Your Business I U-Haul construction moves along

Email business news to Jana Wiersema at jwiersema@news-gazette.com .

As college students move back to the Champaign-Urbana area for classes, construction continues on U-Haul’s new five-story facility at 306 E. University Ave. The business hopes to have the project finished before the end of the semester.

U-Haul Company of Southern Illinois President Kevin Barringer said the goal is for completion in mid- to late November.

“Currently, we have the major steel up and are working to complete the exterior of the building as well as the indoor self-storage units,” he said.

The project includes 1,500 self-storage units and a U-Box warehouse.

A 33-year-old U-Haul building at the site was torn down in fall 2023 to make way for the new facility, and 15 employees were temporarily relocated to another U-Haul facility at 2020 Glenn Park Drive, Champaign.

“This location will offer U-Haul Truck Share 24/7, climate-controlled self-storage, and our U-Box mobile storage program,” Barringer said. “With this new edition, we are looking forward to serving students and residents alike with the trusted self-move and self-storage services we have to offer.”

New café to open soon

Yummy Future, a combination coffee shop and tech startup featuring a robotic barista, hopes to open its second location at 401 Green St. in Champaign in September, according to co-founder Garrett Yan.

Business bootcamp

Registration is open for Monticello Bootcamp, a small business development program operated by the village of Monticello in partnership with Monticello Main Street and the Monticello Area Chamber. Callie Jo McFarland, director of community development for the village, said the program will be held at the Livingston Center on Tuesdays (6 to 9 p.m.) from Sept. 3 to Oct. 8, except for Oct. 1, which participants have off.

Information and a registration link are available at monticellobootcamp.com. The deadline to register is Sept. 2, but McFarland said that latecomers are also accepted, and there is no cap on the number of participants.

Classes “are free for everyone and open to anyone,” organizers said.

McFarland said one of the biggest benefits to participants is that they walk away with information that can help them confidently decide whether or not to move forward with their business ideas.

Additionally, participants have the opportunity to apply for a New Business Grant or an Existing Business Booster Grant if they so choose.

The bootcamp also provides a wealth of networking opportunities for participants, McFarland said.

“Because this program is not exclusive to Monticello or even Piatt County, we have grown the entrepreneurial network of participants (and professional contacts) to 8 counties including Piatt, and over 200 participating entrepreneurs,” she said.

“Some have moved forward with their business, others haven’t... and that’s perfectly fine. That is what the program is intended to do- to put entrepreneurs in the position to stop and think ‘Maybe now isn’t the best time,’ or ‘I can do this!’ confidently.”

Marathon theme unveiled

Registration is now open for the 2025 Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon, as well as the half marathon, 10K, 5K, one-mile, marathon relay, youth run and multi-event challenges.

Race weekend begins April 24, with the marathon taking place April 26.

Organizers have announced that the 2025 theme for race weekend is “Tradition and Triumph.” Information and a registration link are available at illinoismarathon.com.

More information is available at volo.net/exf, and a service map is available at volo.net/internet.

Agricultural co-op to purchase propane supplier

Premier Cooperative, an Illinois farmer-owned co-op with headquarters in Champaign, has announced plans to purchase Philo-based Progressive Propane.

The two businesses expect to finalize the agreement later this month, and Progressive’s entire staff will become employees of Premier, co-op officials said. That includes manager Tim Grubb.

“The stellar reputation that Progressive has is a testament to the work Tim Grubb and his staff have done for many years,” said Premier CEO Tim Hughes. “Having him lead our Propane business going forward is a terrific opportunity and a win for everyone involved. We are very thankful to Mike and Mikki Pierce for trusting Premier to carry on the great company they founded.”