Heartland Media Group is moving downtown (soon)!

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NOKOMIS — Illinois operations for a Nokomis-based business will be moving to downtown Nokomis next month.

Heartland Media Group of Central Illinois & Eastern Missouri, founded in 2022 by Jake Leonard, will be moving its Illinois operations downtown on November 1 in rented space at the back of 107 W. State St., the former Nokomis Medical Clinic.

In addition to daily operations for Heartland Newsfeed, Leonard hopes to start print jobs as early as January through the group’s Illinois Heartland Press division.

“When the Free Press-Progress used to have its own office in Nokomis, print jobs were quite common,” Leonard said. “Now they’re having to drive 20 to 25 minutes to Pana, Hillsboro, or Taylorville to get them done. I’m hoping to get crucial equipment for these operations by the new year.”

Heartland Media Group also operates the Internet radio stations Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network and Revolution Radio, and its standalone podcast network Heartland Newsfeed Podcast Network through its Heartland Digital division.

“Having a more physical location will allow us to inform the general public in the Nokomis area to know what we are up to outside of Heartland Newsfeed,” Leonard adds.

The company also handles media sales through its Provision Media Group division.

The group is also an authorized delivery partner for the Amazon Hub program. Details are being worked out for customers to be able to pick up their packages sometime after moving in.

“Allowing customers to drop by to pick up their packages on-site will be helpful,” Leonard said. “Having the ability to be on the road less while maintaining a commercial presence will be appreciated.”

The company has been based at 800 Capps Ave. since its inception, but Leonard states that the limited space does not allow for much to be done.

“It was due time to make that next step,” Leonard stated. “Thanks to Ryan Follis, this dream of having a space of my own will be coming true next month.”

Follis purchased the building earlier this year from the Pana Community Hospital Foundation (PCHF), but county records do not reflect financial information. He sold the former Miles Ford property to PCHF for $149,000. PCHF plans to build a new clinic at that location, but the current timeline is unknown.

“I’ve always hoped that someone would buy commercial space downtown like this and make it almost like a shared workplace,” said Leonard. “And that is what exactly is being done with the variety of businesses coming under one roof.”

Heartland Internet Media Networks also to move in

Not much is known about the other businesses moving in, but another one of Leonard’s businesses, Heartland Internet Media Networks, a tech firm, will be moving in next door. Heartland Internet Media Networks offers a variety of tech services and is in the process of being acquired by Harrisburg, PA-based Dynamacore in an attempt to secure Nokomis as its Midwestern headquarters.

“That was something that was discussed a few years ago when we were gradually recovering from the COVID pandemic,” Leonard said. “Matt Heckman is a great guy who I’ve known for years, and we discussed this in some great detail over dinner. Two years later, I would still love for this opportunity to move forward now that we have a space.”

The business will remain in place even after the acquisition is complete.

Heartland Media Group will be based in Suite 3, while Heartland Internet Media Networks will be based in Suite 4, both toward the rear of the building. Customers will be able to park along State Street with some backup parking as needed on the west side of Nokomis Christian Missions.

Leonard will have more information on operating hours closer to the move-in date. The corporate headquarters will remain at 800 Capps Ave. for some time after the move.

For more Montgomery County (IL) news, follow Ben Cox on Twitter @Cox4Liberty, and Heartland Newsfeed @HLNF_Bulletin on Twitter.

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Cox is a broadcast media and journalism veteran currently working as news director for WLDS/WEAI in Jacksonville, Ill. He is also chairman of the Morgan County Libertarian Party.