QUINCY (WGEM) – The Adams County Bicentennial Commission announced Tuesday a special initiative to recognize businesses that have proven themselves to be successful.

On Memorial Day weekend in 2025, businesses that have been in business in Adams County for 150 years or more will be honored with commemorative signs to celebrate their lasting legacy and contributions to the community’s history.

“This initiative is a tribute to the resilience and longevity of the businesses that have shaped the economic landscape of Adams County,” said Joi Cuartero Austin, senior program officer for Main Street America and a member of the Bicentennial Commission’s executive committee. “These businesses not only represent stability and continuity, but they also embody the entrepreneurial spirit that has moved our community forward.”

Businesses eligible for recognition include those that have been in continuous operation in Adams County since 1875 or earlier, regardless of name changes due to mergers or acquisitions.

The Bicentennial Commission invites community members to contribute information about other qualified businesses that may have been overlooked. To ensure they are included in the recognition ceremony, interested parties are asked to contact the Adams County 200 Executive Committee at [email protected].

The committee has already identified businesses such as The Quincy Herald-Whig, Knapheide Manufacturing, Duker and Haugh Funeral Home and Blessing Hospital, underscoring the diversity and historical significance of Adams County’s commercial heritage.

“We are thrilled to be able to recognize some of Adams County’s rich business diversity,” commented Kyle Moore, President/CEO of the Great River Economic Development Foundation. “This initiative not only honors our past, but also highlights the continued economic vitality and community spirit that characterize Adams County today.”

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