Jonamac Orchard named DeKalb Chamber’s 2024 Business of the Year

DeKALB – Jonamac Orchard, 19412 Shabbona Road, has been named the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Business of the Year.

During the Chamber’s annual Celebration Dinner Thursday, the owners and operators of the Malta-based orchard accepted the honor and recognition.

“We’re pleased,” said Kevin McArtor, one of Jonamac Orchard’s owners. “I’m not prepared for this. We weren’t expecting this.”

McArtor said he’s flattered by the award bestowed upon the orchard.

“We love what we do for people‚“ McArtor said. ”We love having the place that people can come to enjoy the fall season and be happy."

Other finalists for 2024 Business of the Year were Complete Fence, Ellwood Steak and Fish House, Heartland Bank and Trust and Tom Sparks Auto.

Also at the event, Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County was recognized with the Nonprofit Organization Award.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County Executive Director Kim McIver said she will cherish this award.

“I feel like this is my Oscars moment,” McIver said.

McIver said having been bestowed with this honor was personal for her.

“The reason I fight so hard for Habitat is because of my mom,” McIver said. “My mom, who is a single mom, showed me that when you work hard, good things happen. That if I put my mind to it, I could change the world. Today is the second anniversary of her passing. I know that she’s here today, and she would be so incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished during my 2 1/2 years here.”

Other finalists for the 2025 Nonprofit Organization Award were Barb City Manor, Kishwaukee United Way, Rooted for Good and Tails Humane Society.

The Chamber also named Bradley Hoey its Ambassador of the Year, and inducted two honorees into its 2024 Hall of Fame: Hoey, special projects manager for the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Warren E. Osenberg, a former DeKalb Chamber president, who received the Pioneer Award posthumously.

Hoey expressed his appreciation of the community.

“I’m just very, very fortunate and blessed to be a part of this community, to be embraced by this community from the time that I came in here,” Hoey said.

Hoey is credited not only with producing promotional videos for NIU athletics, but also playing a role in marketing projects and community outreach.

Hoey said he has a theory about why he feels a strong sense of belonging to the community.

“Maybe I dipped my toe,” Hoey said, jokingly. “Maybe I was actually baptized in the water of Kishwaukee I would say. But perhaps I was. I’ve always loved it here.”