By SCOTT THOMPSON
Illinois Correspondent

FARMER CITY, Ill. — Central Illinois Ag recently celebrated the grand opening of its new store near Farmer City, Ill.

The Illinois agribusiness company’s new store is located on route 150, east of Farmer City, replacing its former location, which was downtown.

“This new site allows us to expand and grow - as well as increasing the services we can offer our customers,” said owner Michael Schmidt.

“We now can sell and service bigger equipment to handle the growing demands of larger farms.”

Central Illinois Ag also has developed an Autoguidance network for customers who are looking to add RTK to their farm. They also sell and install all levels of guidance on all makes and models of equipment.

More than 350 people attended the open house including three executives from Case IH: President Randy Baker, Vice President John Kotez and Director of Marketing Jim Walker.

Central Illinois Ag also has dealerships in Pekin, Clinton and the main store in Atlanta, Ill.

The company traces its history to a blacksmith shop founded in Atlanta in 1898 by Richard Schmidt, Michael Schmidt’s great-great grandfather. The family has been in the farm machinery business ever since.

As well as the complete Case-IH line, Central Illinois Ag also carries Kinze, New Holland, Bush Hog, Brent, J&M, Toro, Dixie Chopper, Cub Cadet and more.

Schmidt said he would like to invite the public to visit its new Central Illinois Ag store in Farmer City location. The store’s Autoguidance specialist is Tim Dawson.