The McLean County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 2021 Legacy of Excellence Honoree Jim Shirk, Managing Director of local snack manufacturer, BEER NUTS®. Considered the most prestigious Chamber award, the Legacy of Excellence is bestowed upon an individual who, through their personal or business efforts, has made significant contributions to make McLean County a better place. Jim will be recognized at the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Gala on Saturday, February 5, 2022. The Gala also features a presentation of the annual Business Excellence Awards that honor member businesses, agencies, and individuals who have shown outstanding performance, quality customer service, and business distinctiveness.
About Jim Shirk:
For his entire career, Jim Shirk has been a key contributor to making McLean County a better place to live. He has been building his legacy though the continuation and growth of their local calling card business and product line, BEER NUTS® Brand Snacks, the creation of other businesses in real estate and agriculture, and the development of the Shirk Family Foundation for the benefit of McLean County.
Following Law School at the University of Illinois and a year practicing law in Chicago, Jim and his wife Linda returned to Bloomington-Normal to drive the continued growth of the business his father started when he was a child. While at the helm of BEER NUTS, Jim was also an active entrepreneur investing in other businesses within the community. Along with partners, he is responsible for developing Winter Green, Summer Field, and Spring Ridge subdivisions, The Foundry development, and many other commercial properties around town. Jim was an investor in two local cable companies and served on the Board of Directors of Mutual Funds at State Farm for 29 years. Additionally, Jim is responsible for the growth and perpetuation of Shirk Farms as an agriculture entity focused exclusively on investing in McLean County.
Jim’s community involvement is extensive over the years. He served on the Board of Directors for the McLean County Chamber of Commerce including a term as the Chairman. Jim served on the Board of Trustees at Illinois Wesleyan University for over three decades and has been involved in various foundation boards at Illinois State University. Jim’s most recent and exciting involvement has been on the building committee at the YMCA after spending years on the Board and pushing the new construction project along for over twenty years.
Jim’s proudest contribution to the community is the Shirk Family Foundation. By providing grants to local institutions, the Foundation seeks to promote the programs and initiatives that support the arts, education, athletic excellence, leadership, and spiritual growth. This has resulted in contributions exceeding $20 million in McLean County for several organizations.
Business Excellence Award Finalists:
The Business Excellence Awards honor member businesses, agencies and individuals that have shown outstanding performance, quality customer service, and business distinctiveness. The awards are broken up into five categories:
Micro Business
– Carl’s Pro Band
– Majestic Interior Design
– Moxii Marketing Solutions
– OhmFit Activewear
– Scritchlow Enterprises
Small Business
– Grove Street Bakery
– Heartland Foot & Ankle Associates
– K-9 Country Club
– Kickapoo Drilling Co.
– Tarvin’s Culligan Water Conditioning
Large Business
– Bridgestone
– CEFCU
– Meyer Capel
– Westminster Village
– Wilber Group
New & Emerging Business
– Ancho & Agave
– CRAFTED Commons
– Mid America Insurance, a division of Ledgestone Associates
– Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling
– VisionPoint Eye Center
Nonprofit
– Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal
– Habitat for Humanity McLean County
– Heartland Head Start
– Project Oz
– The Salvation Army
Recipients will be announced at the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Gala on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at the Illinois State University Brown Ballroom. Tickets to the Gala are $150 per person and may be purchased at www.mcleancochamber.org or by calling (309) 829-1188.
