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Donors & Supporters

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Donors & Supporters

The Greater Freeport Partnership could not do the work we do reinforcing and promoting Freeport and Stephenson County without the support of many organizations, businesses and individuals. That support comes in many styles and levels.  Thank you to all our private partners who support our work. In this part of our website, we want to recognize those whose backing make what we do possible.

Partnership Level Members

Some companies and organizations voluntarily provide additional support above and beyond normal membership levels. They do so to invest in the Greater Freeport Partnership’s work in workforce development, economic development, business services, tourism, downtown development and more.

Find a complete list of our members in our membership directory.

Volunteers

From organizing committees to workers at events, volunteers provide the brain and muscle power to make our events a success. From our volunteer board of directors to the Partnership Ambassadors to the set-up and clean-up crews at our events, volunteers are essential to what we do. To join a Partnership committee, please contact 815-233-1350.

Marketing Committee

Mike Marten
Josh Elliott
Lance Ferguson
Carolyn Mitchell
Christy Sosnowski
Erica Winters
Chloe Zuberbuhler
Kaitlyn McNutt
Mackenzie Blair

Downtown Event Committee Chairs

Tim Connors, Arctic Ale & Art Walk Co-Chair
Jaime Elliott, Arctic Ale & Art Walk Co-Chair
Casey Rettenmeier, Pretzel City Winefest Chair
Kris Cuplin, Music on Chicago Co-Chair
Mark Green, Music on Chicago Co-Chair
Erik Zuberbuhler, Mistletoe Walk Co-Chair
Kate Henmueller, Mistletoe Walk Co-Chair

Event Sponsors

Some companies and organizations voluntarily provide additional support above and beyond normal membership levels. They do so to invest in the Greater The Greater Freeport Partnership would like to thank our event sponsors who help cover costs to make more affordable events and activities for attendees.  If you are interested in helping to bring one of these events to our residents and visitors, contact kgentz@greaterfreeport.com.

 

Key Industries

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Healthcare

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Construction, Plumbing, Heating, & Service

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Private Label Food Manufacturing

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Blog Feed

Greater Freeport Partnership Receives $18,500 State Tourism Marketing Grant to Promote Freeport and Stephenson County September 30, 2026 STEPHENSON COUNTY, IL —The Greater Freeport Partnership has been awarded an $18,500 Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), providing additional resources to promote Freeport and Stephenson County as a destination for outdoor travel, events, and overnight visitors. Tourism remains an important driver of economic development in Stephenson County, supporting jobs, generating tax […]
Stephenson County Tourism Direct Spending Reaches $56.3 Million in 2025, Up 9.3 Percent September 10, 2026 freeport il, Stephenson County STEPHENSON COUNTY — Tourism continues to be a significant economic driver for Stephenson County, with visitors generating $56 million in direct spending in 2025—a 9.3 percent increase over 2024. The growth in visitor spending supported more than 350 direct hospitality jobs throughout Stephenson County, benefiting local restaurants, retailers, lodging properties, attractions and other tourism-related businesses. The strong performance follows continued […]
A Stronger Economy Starts with a Welcoming Community June 30, 2026 In business, we understand a simple truth: growth depends on people. Talent, entrepreneurs, and investment follow opportunity—but just as importantly, they follow communities where they feel they can belong.  Across Illinois, that idea is not just a value—it’s a strategy for economic growth. Communities that are welcoming to newcomers and open to people with different backgrounds are consistently positioned to compete more effectively for jobs, investment, […]
Downtown Freeport Celebrates Successful Launch of “The Great Pretzel Bite” During Pretzel Fest May 13, 2026 FREEPORT — Downtown Freeport made history on April 25 as community members gathered for the inaugural Great Pretzel Bite, a new signature event held during the Greater Freeport Partnership’s annual Pretzel Fest celebration. A total of 216 participants joined together in downtown Freeport to simultaneously take a bite of their pretzels, officially establishing the benchmark for future Great Pretzel Bite […]