Prince William Chamber Holds Legislative Kick-Off, December 16; Oxford and Lafayette County Chamber Makes Plans for 2016 Leadership Lafayette Program; Grand Rapids chamber concern: Switch data center tax break bills clear committee, head to Michigan House; Chamber interest: Notre Dame's research effort may be approaching watershed; Palatine chamber leader Mindy Phillips joins Arlington Heights chamber; Frankfort Area Chamber Collaboration: City,County Launch a new Online Calendar; Trees on Parade this weekend in Twin Lakes; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories

Good Morning Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!

Prince William Chamber Holds Legislative Kick-Off, December 16

State Legislators Talk Policy Priorities, Business Concerns

The Prince William Chamber of Commerce hosts the Prince William delegation to the Virginia General Assembly during its annual “Legislative Kick-Off” breakfast on Wednesday, December 16, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Old Hickory Golf Club, 11921 Chanceford Drive near County Center.   The entire business community is invited to meet with elected officials before they head to Richmond for the 2016 legislative session.   Attendance at this event is open to all businesses in the region.

“There is incredible economic opportunity in the Prince William region.  It is vitally important that the small business community remains engaged in the policy making process and aware of changes in Richmond that could potentially impact their industry.  Our region has one of the most influential delegations to the General Assembly and we are excited to share our 2016 legislative priorities with them,” said Brendon Shaw, Prince William Chamber of Commerce Director of Government Relations.

To date, Senator George Barker, Senator-Elect Scott Surovell, Delegate Scott Lingamfelter and Delegate Richard Anderson have confirmed plans to attend.  All members of the Prince William delegation to Virginia’s General Assembly have been invited.  Additionally, the Chamber will present the delegation with its 2016 Public Policy Agenda.  A copy will be made available at pwchamberadvocate.org following the event.

Cost is $30 for Chamber members, $45 for non-members and includes breakfast.  Pre-register online at pwchamber.org.  The Presenting Sponsor is Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC); the Framework Sponsor is Compton and Duling, LC, Attorneys at Law; and Transurban is the Chamber’s Advocacy Vision Partner, supporting the Chamber’s comprehensive efforts to foster economic opportunity and a high quality of life in our region.   To learn more about these efforts, or the Legislative Kick-off event, Contact:  Andrea Whaley, Director of Marketing & Communications, visit pwchamber.org or call 703.368.6600.  

Oxford and Lafayette County Chamber Makes Plans for 2016 Leadership Lafayette Program

-Leadership Lafayette 2016 Class Call for Applications

Oxford, Miss.—Emerging community leaders of Oxford and Lafayette County once again have an opportunity to participate in the annual Leadership Lafayette program presented by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce.
The nine-month program, beginning in January 2016, is a series of training sessions and activities, designed for emerging community leaders. It is intended to assure the continuity of leadership in Lafayette-Oxford-University community and assist already established community leaders, who seek more effective ways to contribute to the community. In addition to the sessions, class members will also participate in a community based project.
“Leadership Lafayette is a great opportunity for community leaders to engage in their community through networking, education and group projects. Each session is coordinated by alumni of the program who put considerable thought into making each year the best it can be,” said Torie Marion White, Leadership Lafayette Program Chair.
The objectives of the program include identifying potential community leaders, developing individual leadership potential, acquiring knowledge about community and current issues in Lafayette County, creating dialogue and rapport among participants and current leaders, and promoting a sense of "community" through shared efforts benefiting the local community.

Each month will involve an all day session from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. These sessions are packed with information about Oxford and Lafayette County and the needs of the community. Participants will acquire knowledge about current issues that surround them, as well as focused leadership training.
Leadership Lafayette participants will be selected by a steering committee on the basis of completed applications received by Friday, December 11, 2015. Preference will be given to candidates who, in addition to their potential for leadership, would contribute to the overall diversity and strength of the class and have available time to commit to the program and future community service. Program participation is limited to 25. The program requires a tuition fee of $350 upon acceptance.

-Interested Individuals can acquire an application at www.oxfordms.com
-Application Deadline is Friday, December 11, 2015

Contact: Pam Swain • Vice President • Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce
299 Jackson Avenue West • Post Office Box 147 • Oxford, Mississippi 38655

662.234.4651 • FAX 662.234.4655 • pam@oxfordms.com • www.oxfordms.com

Grand Rapids chamber concern: Switch data center tax break bills clear committee, head to Michigan House

 The Michigan House Tax Policy committee on Wednesday advanced legislation that would provide large tax breaks to cloud-computing data center companies, including a Nevada-based firm that plans to open a Grand Rapids campus if the package is signed into law.

Three House bills, approved in a series of 8-5 votes that blurred party lines, would exempt data centers from state sales, use and personal property taxes. As amended, local governments would have to sign off on any property tax reduction.

"We're trying to change tax code that was created 100 years ago and make sure it's really a basis for what the economy is nowadays," said committee chair Jeff Farrington, R-Utica. "We have a digital economy, we have a service-based economy, and our tax code is really one that's set up from products from the 1930s and 1940s."

The legislation was inspired by Switch, which operates two major data centers in Nevada and wants to convert the old Steelcase "pyramid" building in West Michigan to a new two-million-square foot campus serving the eastern United States. The company estimates that it, and co-located companies that lease its servers, would invest a combined $5 billion and create at least 1,000 Michigan jobs in the next 10 years.

But those plans are contingent upon passage of the tax break bills, which the company says will create a "level playing field" with other states.

As approved Wednesday, the legislation also would apply to the 40 or so data centers that already operate in the state, costing the state $20 million to $30 million a year in tax revenue, according to the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency.

Switch and co-located businesses at its new Grand Rapids campus might save hundreds of millions a year in sales, use and property taxes, according to a Senate Fiscal Agency analysis of similar bills introduced in the upper chamber.

Supporters say the bills will spur economic development in the West Michigan region and around the state.

"If we don't do it, they're going to go elsewhere," said Andy Johnson, of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, which supports the bills. "That's really the reality right now." Read more: M LIVE

Chamber interest: Notre Dame's research effort may be approaching watershed

SOUTH BEND — A decade ago, upon becoming president of the University of Notre Dame, the Rev. John Jenkins declared his goal to create “one of the pre-eminent research institutions in the world.”

Today, with university research spawning several companies in South Bend and intellectual property continuing to rise on campus, it looks like Jenkins’ vision might be reaching a watershed moment.

Two buildings are nearing completion at Ignition Park, the state-certified technology park south of downtown, where firms working in fields such as computer hardware and molecular diagnostics will aim for the next stage in their growth. One of the buildings also will house the Notre Dame Turbomachinery Facility — a $36 million laboratory that includes General Electric among its partners.

“I think there’s almost a palpable feeling around campus that Notre Dame finds itself right on the cusp,” said Richard Cox, director of the university’s Office of Technology Transfer.

Notre Dame spent about $70 million on research in 2005, the year Jenkins became the university’s president. Now, that number is approaching $200 million annually. The amount of intellectual property generated on campus — as measured by new inventions, patents and licensing agreements — has increased steadily over the past 10 years as well.

During the university’s 2015 fiscal year, which began in July 2014 and ended in June 2015, faculty and staff reported 78 inventions, received 21 patents and entered into 17 licensing agreements allowing their technology to be used. The numbers in each of those categories have more than doubled compared with where they were in 2009.

Jeff Rea, president and CEO of the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce, said Notre Dame’s focus on research and commercialization will help the local economy as well. Universities worldwide are increasingly being looked at as economic drivers and centers of innovation that can lead to new businesses and attract skilled workers.

“It’s just the start, but it’s a tremendous start,” he said of Notre Dame’s progress. “To have partners like GE in the aerospace field really sets a framework for future opportunities as well.” Read more: South Bend Tribune

Palatine chamber leader Mindy Phillips joins Arlington Heights chamber

Mindy Phillips is leaving her post as director of the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce to join the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce starting in January.

Phillips will be the associate director for the Arlington Heights chamber.

According to a news release, her role will be "to enhance and develop fundraising opportunities, grow the chamber's donor and volunteer base, and to increase the value of membership connection programs to retain and attract new members."

Phillips spent six years working in fundraising, volunteer and event management with the American Cancer Society, and 10 years with the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce, according to the Arlington Heights chamber.

At the Palatine chamber, she worked to increase membership and corporate sponsorships, and brought the Young Entrepreneur Academy to the community.

"She has been both a friend and colleague of mine for 10 years," said Jon Ridler, executive director of the Arlington Heights chamber. said. "Mindy was my first choice to expand our chamber team which will help us reach greater goals and successes for our members and the economic development of Arlington Heights." Source: Daily Herald

Frankfort Area Chamber Collaboration: City,County Launch a new Online Calendar 


Franklin County residents now have a new local resource online to stay connected to what’s happening at local government, businesses, civic groups and entertainment venues.

The Frankfort/Franklin County Community Calendar (www.fkycalendar.com) offers one-stop access to view events hosted by several participating agencies.

“Information for the calendar is supplied by the City, County, Downtown Frankfort, Inc., the Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Capital Development Corporation and the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourism Commission,” Frankfort Community Relations and Grants Manager Rebecca Hall said.

According to Hall, the calendar was created after members of the organizations attended a presentation by Kim Huston of the Nelson County Economic Development Agency in Bardstown.

“City of Frankfort IT Manager Bobby Ripy and Franklin County Internet and Technology Coordinator Andrew Tippett were given the task to move the project forward in September,” she said. “After much input from contributing organizations the calendar is currently live and being populated with Frankfort and Franklin County events.”

The calendar is sponsored by the City of Frankfort and Franklin County Fiscal Court. Read more: State Journal


Trees on Parade this weekend in Twin Lakes

The village will usher in the holiday season this weekend with its 10th annual Trees on Parade and holiday shopping event.

Marilyn Trongeau, executive director of the Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association, said there will be about 20 crafters and vendors at the annual bazaar, set against the backdrop of 15 decorated trees.

“It is just a warm, inviting atmosphere,” Trongeau said.

The event, sponsored by Allied Plastics, will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Parish, 701 Lake Ave., Twin Lakes.

Admission is $2 for ages 12 and older; $1 for children ages 4-11; children under 4 are free and includes an entry for the door prize — a 10-inch, quad-core tablet.

Highlights of the event include the tree and gingerbread house decorating contests, appearances by Santa Claus throughout the two-day festival and the lighting of the village tree at Central Park, adjacent to the TLCBA office on Main Street at 5:30 p.m. Friday night.

“The Wilmot High School Choir will sing prior to the tree lighting,” Trongeau said, adding that the local Boy Scouts will sell hot cocoa ad cookies at the park. Read more: Kenosha News

      
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Lo Guides and Custom Maps 


Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.

Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. More information: Town Square Publications

Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. To request your publication proposal, Click here