For its July 2025 Small Business of the Month recipient, the RiverBend Growth Association has chosen to recognize McKee’s Land Management.
Located in Godfrey, what began as a small landscaping business started by a young teen couple who needed a little cash for gas and to get into the football games was known as “Corey and Tori Landscaping” back then. “Unofficially” the company has been around for over 16 years now.
It is still owned by that same couple today. “Well, years later now, she’s my wife,” says owner Corey McKee about his partner in life and business. “Therefore, we’re both McKees. And our services have changed and grown to so much more than just landscaping, hence the creation of ‘McKee’s Land Management’.”
McKee’s serves communities and customers across Jersey, Macoupin, Madison and St. Clair counties. Services provided include septic system installation and repair, land clearing and brush removal, driveway grading and culvert installation, lawn seeding and erosion control, as well as material hauling and excavating. The company also provides underground utility location services and ICF foundation installation.
“We have made so many changes in the last two years,” McKee continues. “I’ve gotten my septic license and my CDL. And we have added so much new equipment including several sizes of excavators, a skid steer, and a dump truck as well as several attachments for these and smaller scale equipment.
“At this time, we have not made any staffing changes, but I am almost to the point of hiring help,” he further notes. Meanwhile, Corey McKee completes training as needed to be sure he stays up on all the current industry codes, and when the time comes that McKee’s takes on added employees, those team members will be provided with the same ongoing training opportunities.
One of the things that McKee points out that makes the business unique and successful is its existence as a one-stop shop. “There’s no middle man,” he explains. “If you call, you’ll talk to me, the owner and the man with his boots on the ground all in one. I’ll be the one you talk to from start to finish.”
And when it comes to facing operational challenges along the way, McKee notes, “Mother Nature certainly hasn’t been on my side this year, but we’re trekking through it!”
Serving the community is at the core of what makes trekking through it all worthwhile for McKee’s Land Management.
“I actually get to help those in my community on a first-hand basis,” Corey says. “And this last year, we have been blessed to be able to really give back.”
McKee’s was able to “adopt” four children from the Walmart Angel Tree “and give them a great Christmas,” he shares. “We put up stadium lights at our son’s football field to make night practices possible, and safer. And we were also able to donate to a raffle that supports local breast cancer patients.
“I just want to thank all of my customers who have decided to go with a small business and choose McKee’s Land Management over the last few years,” Corey adds. “I couldn’t do it without y’all!”
For more information about McKee’s Land Management, call (618) 746-8049 or visit online at https://mckeesland.com/. You can also find and follow them on Facebook (@McKee’s Land Management).
The RiverBend Growth Association is the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization for the 11 communities known as the Riverbend. For more information about the Growth Association, visit www.growthassociation.com or call (618) 467-2280.
RBGA’s Small Business of the Month Committee recognizes a different member business each month for its outstanding efforts and leadership in the community. Committee members include Brenda Eardley, Vicki Hake, Lacey Isringhausen, Amy Roady, Martha Schultz, Erin Spain, and Alexis Weller.
To learn more about membership in the RiverBend Growth Association and the Small Business of the Month recognition, visit the RBGA website or call their Godfrey office.