Henry County loan fund approves two business projects

A Coal Valley machine shop and a new massage and wellness center in Colona have been approved for loans through the Henry County Rural Revolving Loan Fund Program, the RRLF fund administrator announced. 

Henry County Economic Development Director Jim Kelly, who also oversees the RRLF program as its loan administrator, said the Henry County Board is partnering with BankORION on two business expansions.

Revolute Machine, LLC

Revolute Machine LLC, Coal Valley, will automate its production with the purchase of a new $250,000 Trinity pallet delivery system. The Henry County Board recently a $75,000 loan from the RRLF in partnership with BankORION. 

Revolute will retain its current three employees and create three additional full-time jobs with the project.

Owners Brad Goddard and Lisa McDowell’s roots in the family machine shop go back to the late 1990s. While the business has grown significantly, the new equipment will allow it to extend run times into the overnight and weekend hours.

The company also plans to continue growing sales and hiring additional employees focused on more technically advanced areas. For example, engineering and programming. The former LMB Machine LLC recently adopted the new Revolute name to match its manufacturing profile.

Midwest Massage & Wellness

The City of Colona soon will welcome Midwest Massage Therapy & Wellness Center LLC. The business is owned by Jennifer Fecht. It will relocate from its Geneseo location into the Stonebridge addition on Route 6. The Henry County Board partnered with BankORION and the Small Business Administration to help fund the project, utilizing RRLF, according to a news release. 

Ms. Fecht says the many new services offered will include membership options, expanded red light therapy, a therapy salt room, expanded weight loss programs, additional massage therapy rooms as well as a massage therapy school in the near future. 

In addition to her current four employees, she plans to create 12 new additional positions at the center. The Colona location also is expected to draw new customers from the entire region. The building is in its final stages of construction. It is anticipated to hold a grand opening in mid-spring.

The Henry County RRLF operates two separate funds. It has made 95 loans totaling $6.1 million from its legacy fund, and 35 loans totaling $1.2 million from its economic development fund. In return, the loans have helped create and retain a combined 1,498 jobs in the county. The RRLF monies are available to any new or existing business within Henry County. 

For more information, contact Jim Kelly at the Henry County Courthouse at (309) 937-3410.