BenGil Business
Peace Corp Fellow allied with Grow Gillespie for community development efforts
A 28-year-old Peace Corps Fellow from Western Illinois University has moved to Gillespie to begin an 11-month internship to bolster community and economic development efforts undertaken by Grow Gillespie, the local volunteer group focused on Gillespie’s economic growth.
“What I’m going to be doing is help them get on the path to achieve their long-term goals and short-term goals, too,” said Ethan Fogg, a WIU graduate student in Community and Economic Development. “I can offer assistance with the benefit of my experience and, in return, I also learn from people like Dan (Fisher) and Renee (Katich) who have a wealth of knowledge to impart.”
Born and raised in Sumner, Wash., a small community of about 10,000 residents near Seattle, Fogg earned his bachelor’s degree in Latin American and Caribbean studies from the University of Washington in Seattle. He also studied teaching English as a second language for six months in Brazil before returning to Washington to complete his teaching certification.
Upon becoming a Peace Corps volunteer in 2017, he was sent to Mozambique, in part because of his fluency in speaking Portuguese. There he was involved primarily in teaching English to local residents, but he also worked with nutritional programs—primarily encouraging planting and cultivating moringa trees. Moringa trees, Fogg said, “is sort of a super-food,” cultivated for its seed pods, leaves and roots.
He completed two years of volunteer service in Mozambique in September 2019 after which he spent a couple of months backpacking in the surrounding country. Upon returning to the United States, he made the decision to become a Peace Corps Fellow concentrating on community and economic development.
“I had no idea I wanted to do any kind of development work until I got into the Peace Corps,” Fogg said.
That decision brought him to Western Illinois University, Macomb. “They had a really good Peace Corps Fellows program,” he said, which emphasized community and economic development.
Fogg’s 11-month tenure in Gillespie will earn him three hours of academic credit toward his graduate degree in community and economic development, Prior to his assignment to Gillespie, Fogg said he completed a one-year graduate assistantship with the WIU Regional Council and Community Action Agency, a university program that provides development assistance to rural communities. In that role, Fogg said he gained experience in writing applications for Community Assistance block grants, USDA Rural Development grants and grants authorized under the federal CARES program for COVID-19 recovery.
WIU’s Peace Corps Fellows program began in 1994. Managed by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs and with funding from USDA and Americorps, the program pairs Peace Corps Fellows with Illinois communities on the basis of the student’s area of study and the community’s needs. “I was put here with Grow Gillespie because I’m studying community and economic development,” Fogg said.
The Gillespie City Council voted unanimously in November to participate in the program and to share the $5,000 cost with Grow Gillespie.
Fogg said that because of COVID-19 restrictions, he has not been able to meet many of the Gillespie residents and business owners with whom he will be working. He said he has been able to talk to some business owners to introduce them to using GoogleMaps and other Google applications to grow their businesses. “I’m trying to increase their knowledge of how they can use some of the analytical tools that are supplied by Google for free,” he said.
“I see a lot of potential here,” Fogg said, “and the level of involvement from the community is a very good thing to see.”
Among his first projects for Grow Gillespie and the City of Gillespie is developing an environmental impact study for Grow Gillespie’s proposed Streetscape program. The ambitious program includes aesthetic improvements to the downtown business district, reconfiguring parking spaces, and the addition of trees and green areas. The city recently was approved for a state grant to fund the development.
“I simply love the Streetscape program,” Fogg said. Completing the environmental study is a first step that must be completed before the development begins. That study will include developing soil maps and impact statements regarding such things as endangered species. Fogg said his secondary post-graduate work Geographic Information System Analysis will aid him in completing the study.
While he remains in Gillespie, Fogg’s work will be directed by a five-member advisory council comprised of city council members and Grow Gillespie participants.
Comments
Gillespie Methodist Church is thrilled to announce the arrival of Logan and Jacey Zepp as their new ministerial team. The couple, relocating from Paint Lick, Kentucky, will begin their pastoral journey with the church on Sunday, October 5, 2025.
About the Zepps
Logan Zepp hails from Elma, Washington, where he grew up with three brothers in a family involved in agriculture, a livestock feed business, and logging. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business from the University of Idaho in 2017 and is recognized as the Washington State FFA Champion in Public Speaking and an FFA American Farmer Degree recipient. During the summer of 2020, Logan completed a UMC internship at a church in Richmond, Kentucky, where he felt God’s calling to ministry. He subsequently pursued theological studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and is on track to graduate with a Master of Divinity in spring 2026.
Jacey Zepp was born and raised in West Salem, Illinois, alongside three brothers and one sister. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Oakland City University in 2020. Jacey participated in a UMC internship at a church in Shiloh, Illinois, where she felt the stir of God’s calling. She moved to Wilmore, Kentucky in fall 2020 to study at Asbury Theological Seminary and completed her Master of Divinity in summer 2024.
The couple met in fall 2022 at Asbury through a mutual friend and began dating in February 2023 during the Asbury Revival. They were married in April 2024. Logan and Jacey share a love of reading, watching movies, and playing board games. Logan enjoys kayaking and woodworking.
Their family also includes two beloved pets: Lucy, a lively one-year-old Golden Retriever, and Minnie, a four-and-a-half-month-old Newfoundland puppy who’s growing quickly. Zeppelin, a six-year-old brown tabby cat, rules the household with snacks and a fondness for sleeping at the end of the couple’s bed. Zeppelin accompanied Jacey to Kentucky during her Asbury years and served as her “mini roommate.”
Ministry Focus and Vision
Logan and Jacey approach their co-pastoral ministry with a shared commitment to spreading the Gospel, fostering a life of faith within the church family and broader community, and growing Gillespie Methodist Church’s children’s and youth programs. They look forward to building strong connections with parishioners, supporting families, and collaborating with church leadership to nurture spiritual growth and vibrant worship.
Pastoral Role and Engagement
Logan and Jacey are excited to serve as co-pastors and to minister alongside one another as they minister to the congregation and community. They anticipate opportunities to nurture faith formation, outreach, and service, and to be closer to Jacey’s family in southern Illinois.
All are invited to join in welcoming Logan and Jacey as they begin this new chapter in ministry. Gillespie Methodist Church is a welcoming faith community committed to worship, discipleship, service, and outreach. The church seeks to embody the love of Jesus in its programs, partnerships, and daily life, inspiring believers of all ages to grow in faith and compassion.
Comments
BenGil Business
Local Shell stations support Macoupin Center for Developmentally Disabled through The Giving Pump
Consumers fueling up with designated pump at their local Shell stations will support Macoupin Center for the Developmentally Disabled, at no extra cost
Carlinville-based J.F. Boente & Sons is collaborating with Shell for The Giving Pump to drive positive change by giving back to the Macoupin Center for the Developmentally Disabled (MCDD), a local nonprofit supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Starting September 1st and running through October 31st, a portion of the purchases made by consumers who use the designated pump at four Shell stations across Macoupin County, including Gillespie, will be donated by J.F. Boente & Sons to support MCDD.
The Giving Pump will be specially marked with purple signage at participating Shell gas stations to inspire consumers to support this charity when fueling up. With no additional cost when filling up, it’s easy to participate in the program.
MCDD is a Carlinville-based nonprofit day learning center that serves developmentally disabled adults in and around Macoupin County. Now in its 70th year, the center helps students achieve a more fulfilling life by fostering personal autonomy through education, transportation, food security, and fellowship.
“If you come here, you’re not leaving in a bad mood, “said Kimberly Wing, Development Coordinator at MCDD. “The love our students have for their friends and our staff at MCDD is so powerful, and the support we receive from Boente through The Giving Pump will help to expand our school and welcome new friends into the MCDD family.”
J.F. Boente and Sons is a fourth generation Shell wholesaler founded nearly 100 years ago in Carlinville. For President David Boente, supporting MCDD is deeply meaningful.
“I’m the fifth of nine children, and my sister Judy was a child with down syndrome,” said Boente. “Back then, there was a serious shortage of support for kids like her, so MCDD was transformative. Judy learned life skills and made life-long friends in a safe place that felt like a second home to her. It means just as much to the students there today, so drivers at our Giving Pumps should know that these fill ups make a real difference right here in Carlinville.”
This year, nearly 6,500 Shell stations across the US are participating in this two-month Giving Pump initiative to support 400 local charities. Since 2021, Shell wholesalers and retailers have donated to and supported over 750 charities through The Giving Pump. Those looking to find a participating station can visit shell.us/givingpump.
Visit shell.us/givingpump to find additional program details, participating sites and content on local charities. Follow @ShellStationsUS on Instagram to keep up with the latest news.
Comments
BenGil Business
Gillespie launches “BizBuzz Bootcamp” to spark small business growth in Macoupin County
The City of Gillespie, in partnership with local communities and Best Business Assistance, LLC, is proud to announce the launch of the BizBuzz Bootcamp, a dynamic new program designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners in Macoupin County start, strengthen, and grow their businesses.
Funded through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) Energy Transition Community Grant Program (ETCG), the initiative is part of a broader regional response to the 2020 closure of the Shay #1 Mine. The ETCG program was created to help Illinois communities facing coal mine and power plant closures by investing in economic revitalization, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community resilience. Gillespie and its regional partners are using these funds to create new opportunities for residents, and the BizBuzz Bootcamp is a cornerstone of that effort.
“The City of Gillespie and our partners are proud to be leading the way in creating a small business–friendly culture in Macoupin County,” said Dan Fisher, president of Grow Gillespie. “The BizBuzz Bootcamp shows that even in the face of economic transition, our communities are ready to invest in entrepreneurs who bring energy, creativity, and long-term growth potential.”
Launching in October 2025, the BizBuzz Bootcamp will deliver a comprehensive series of workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions covering the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Participants will gain:
- Business Planning Skills – how to create, refine, and implement a professional business plan.
- Legal and Structural Guidance – understanding business structures, registration, and compliance requirements.
- Financial Foundations – hands-on training in cash flow management, tax readiness, and financial projections.
- Marketing and Branding – both digital and local strategies to reach customers effectively.
- Pitching and Public Speaking – learning how to confidently present business ideas to investors, lenders, and community leaders.
- Networking Opportunities – direct access to bankers, insurance agents, attorneys, and local officials who are essential to business success.
The program culminates in a public pitch showcase, where participants will present their businesses to a panel of community and business leaders. Winners will receive recognition, mentoring, and potential seed funding support. There is no cost for enrollment, and stipends are available to support participants.
The BizBuzz Bootcamp is designed for individuals who are in the early stages of developing a business idea, operating a new venture, or seeking to expand an existing business. Participants should be ready to commit time, effort, and creativity to completing the program.
Preference will be given to applicants who reside in, operate a business in, or plan to start a business in Gillespie or one of its CEJA partner communities: Village of East Gillespie, City of Benld, Village of Eagarville, City of Staunton, Gillespie Public Library, Benld Public Library, Gillespie Township, Cahokia Township, Gillespie CUSD #7, North Mac CUSD #34, Gillespie-Benld Area Ambulance Service, Village of Royal Lakes, City of Bunker Hill, Village of Mt. Clare, and Brushy Mound Township.
“Small towns thrive when small businesses thrive,” Fisher added. “The BizBuzz Bootcamp is an invitation to entrepreneurs—whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow—to build your future here in Macoupin County. We’re committed to giving you the support and tools you need to succeed.”
“This program is about unlocking ideas and giving entrepreneurs the confidence and tools to succeed,” said Marti Wieland, MPA, owner of Best Business Assistance, LLC and program lead. “From business plans to financial projections to pitching, BizBuzz is designed to take participants from concept to action in a supportive and practical way.”
By training and supporting entrepreneurs, the BizBuzz Bootcamp directly advances the goals of the Energy Transition Community Grant: replacing lost economic activity from mine closures with new, sustainable businesses; creating opportunities for local residents; and ensuring that small towns in Macoupin County remain vibrant, attractive places to live and work. This initiative signals Gillespie and its partners’ commitment to economic renewal through entrepreneurship, showing that even in transition, the region is charting a path toward long-term prosperity.
Seats are limited. Applications are due by October 1, 2025. Apply now at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMWUOzI5FyMJtBJtU7BZ-4bJDWcFB_F8HWiagxcPkDtSNLdQ/viewform.
