Heartland Community College kicks off COUNTRY Financial® Trail project

Leadership from Heartland Community College and COUNTRY Financial joined together to break ground on a project that will expand the Constitution Trail in Normal around the College’s Birky Pond. 

The mile-long COUNTRY Financial Trail will include access from the Constitution Trail at Raab Road, the Heartland campus at Vermillion Way, and the Corn Crib parking lot. It will circle Birky Pond and border the newly restored prairie. 

The project will include a bird watching blind, gazebo, and pond overlook in addition to the new walking and running trail bordered by native prairie. 

“COUNTRY has been a part of the Bloomington community since the 1950s, when our corporate headquarters were relocated here from Chicago. We are committed to helping local organizations build a thriving community where our employees, their families, and neighbors can lead fulfilling lives,” said Jim Jacobs, CEO at COUNTRY Financial. “The COUNTRY Financial Trail will provide opportunities for those in our community to gather, connect, and experience nature.” 

In addition to contributing to the trail project, COUNTRY also supports the COUNTRY Financial Scholars program (now in its fourth year) at Heartland Community College, which provides scholarship assistance, mentorship, and technology support to high school students in McLean County. COUNTRY and Heartland also partnered to create a Claims Apprenticeship program to connect local talent with claims roles at COUNTRY. 

“This commitment from COUNTRY to create this community space, alongside a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is an example of a public/private partnership that serves a mutual goal to enrich lives in the communities we serve,” said Heartland President Keith Cornille. “This new trail, surrounded by 13 acres of restored prairie and wildlife found in and around Birky pond, will benefit Heartland students, community members, and visitors. We look forward to stepping onto the trail later this year, and for many years to come.”