Good morning Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!
Chamber interest: Just released - Chicago Fed Survey of Business Conditions
Survey shows growth continued at a modest pace in January and early February
The Chicago Fed Survey of Business Conditions (CFSBC) Activity Index edged down to –19 from –17, suggesting that growth in economic activity continued at a modest pace in January and early February. The CFSBC Manufacturing Activity Index rose to –7 from –18, while the CFSBC Non-manufacturing Activity Index declined to –25 from –16.
• Respondents’ outlooks for the U.S. economy for the next six to 12 months deteriorated, and turned pessimistic. Those respondents with pessimistic outlooks cited financial market volatility and heightened uncertainty about the pace of growth in the U.S. and abroad. Those with optimistic outlooks highlighted continuing improvement in the labor market.
• The pace of current hiring slowed some, but respondents’ expectations for the pace of hiring over the next six to 12 months improved. Both hiring indexes remained negative.
• The pace of current capital spending increased slightly, and respondents’ expectations for the pace of capital spending over the next six to 12 months also improved. However, both capital spending indexes remained negative. Read more in the report.
New Arrival: New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Richmond Chamber news: 'Snapshot' to track regional social, economic indicators
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| Kim Scheeler, Richmond Chamber |
It takes four, you see, one to change the bulb and three to talk about how great the old one was.
That well-worn bit about the city, however, maybe losing its aptness, said John Martin, president and CEO of the Southeastern Institute of Research, and one of several speakers at Friday morning’s rollout of the Capital Region Collaborative’s “RVA Snapshot” at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College’s Workforce Development and Conference Center on East Parham Road.
“I have seen Richmond transformed in the past two or three years,” said Martin, also a member of the research council at Richmond’s Future, a nonprofit think tank.“Our infatuation is not about the past, it’s about the future.”
The snapshot, which tracks key pieces of economic and social data for the region, is intended to allow the Richmond area to gauge itself against peer cities like Austin, Texas; Hartford, Conn.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Louisville, Ky.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Raleigh, N.C.; and track progress in areas such as education, job creation, workforce preparation, social stability, health, transportation and quality-of-life measures.
For comparison purposes, the project uses the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area to define the region, including the counties of Amelia, Caroline, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, King William, New Kent, Powhatan, Prince George and Sussex; the cities of Richmond, Hopewell, Petersburg and Colonial Heights; and the towns of Ashland and Bowling Green.
A sampling of the data points and comparisons:
- A little more than 45 percent of Richmond-area 3- and 4-year-olds are enrolled in public or private preschool, as compared with 40 percent in Memphis, 53 percent in Raleigh and 67 percent in Hartford.
- Average annual wages, adjusted for cost of living, in the Richmond area are $51,229, compared with $49,013 in Jacksonville and $57,237 in Memphis.
- The Richmond region has 148 companies with 500 or more employers, just under Hartford, which has 150, and well above Raleigh, which has 98.
- About 15 percent of Richmond-area workers are employed in industries related to science, technology, engineering, math and health care, compared with the nearly 22 percent in Austin, 20 percent in Raleigh and nearly 14 percent in Memphis.
- There are nearly 180 deaths from heart disease per 100,000 people in the Richmond area, more than double Austin’s rate, which is about 88 deaths per 100,000 people.
- Only 31 percent of working-age residents in the Richmond region are near a mass transit stop. In Louisville, 60 percent are near a stop.
- There are 232.2 incidents of violent crime in the Richmond area per 100,000 people, compared with 1,033.5 in Memphis.
“This is a very good snapshot of where we are right now,” said Kim Scheeler, president and CEO of the Greater Richmond Chamber, speaking to a standing-room only crowd that included local elected officials, including several potential Richmond mayoral candidates, and representatives from nonprofits and businesses, among others. “The really important part is the action teams and the engagement that starts now.” Read more: Richmond Times Dispatch
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| Blake Wilson, MEC |
The state chamber of commerce group didn't specify a funding mechanism, but rather provided 10 options of taxes and fee increases to fund new revenue for road and bridge improvements in the state.
During an appearance before a joint meeting of the House Transportation and Senate Transportation committees, DEC President Blake Wilson said it is for the lawmakers to decide funding. .
In December, a task force of the Mississippi Economic Council, which is known as the state chamber of commerce, unveiled its infrastructure funding plan calling for the $375 million a year more in spending for roads and bridge repair and maintenance with 20 percent of that money, $75 million, allocated for local work.
"We started this process about 18 months ago; a lot of effort went into it to come back with a reasonable plan," said MEC Executive Vice President Scott Waller.
Waller said the plan doesn't fully fund all needs, but it gets the state headed in the right direction to make real progress. Read more: Clarion-Ledger
#Bestchamber Practices: Muskegon-Lakeshore Chamber 110% Chamber Supporters
This year, we asked Chamber members to support the Chamber 110%. These optional donations will contribute to the success of Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber Foundation projects such as the Watch Muskegon Image Campaign, community beautification, Silent Observer and more.
This 110% investment means more working capital for projects. And it signifies the trust our members have in the Chamber’s ability to deliver and serve. Read more: Muskegon-Lakeshore Chamber
Christian County Chamber recognizes businesses in 14 Categories
Jennifer Diaz couldn’t talk about her family without choking back some tears Tuesday morning when she stood before a crowd at the James E. Bruce Convention Center.
Diaz, whose Four Seasons catering business
received the Chamber of Commerce’s Food Services Award, was thinking of her late grandmother, Bettie Markley.
received the Chamber of Commerce’s Food Services Award, was thinking of her late grandmother, Bettie Markley.
“She was a confirmed believer in the chamber,” Diaz said after the chamber’s Compass Awards banquet concluded.
Markley had been a chamber diplomat, one of the volunteers who helps out with events and promotes the chamber’s mission. When Diaz moved back to Kentucky with her husband to start the catering business on the grounds of her mother Melissa Jones’ bed and breakfast, it was Markley who got her connected with the community.
Diaz joined the chamber and served a lunch for the diplomats that her grandmother helped organized. It was the introduction she needed to get the business rolling.
“It all started with Nana,” Diaz said.
Four Seasons was one of 14 businesses recognized during the banquet.
Here’s the full list of honorees and the people who presented the awards. Read more: Kentucky New Era
MMAC - COSBE 2016 Future 50 Awards - Apply Today
You’ve planted the seeds for your business success. Now it’s time to harvest the rewards.
We’re searching for outstanding local businesses for the
MMAC|COSBE 2016 Future 50 Award Winners!
MMAC|COSBE 2016 Future 50 Award Winners!
If your company meets four basic criteria, please take a few minutes to complete this application and put your company in the running for the 2016 Future 50.
This is not a popularity contest.
There is no subjective committee of judges. Your company’s growth numbers may earn you a coveted place on the Future 50 list.DEADLINE: Friday, April 1, 2016. Winners will be notified in June.
If you have any questions, please contact ALEXIS DEBLITZ at (414) 287.4130.
There is no subjective committee of judges. Your company’s growth numbers may earn you a coveted place on the Future 50 list.DEADLINE: Friday, April 1, 2016. Winners will be notified in June.
If you have any questions, please contact ALEXIS DEBLITZ at (414) 287.4130.
MMAC/COSBE began the Future 50 program to recognize the outstanding achievements of local, fast-growing entrepreneurs.
WHY APPLY?
As an award winner, you’ll be recognized for your outstanding business achievements to the metro Milwaukee business community. You’ll also be able to network with other highly successful metro Milwaukee business owners at three events hosted in your honor:
As a 2016 winner, you’ll also receive:
Ivy Tech, Elkhart Chamber of Commerce to host informatics networking session
Ivy Tech Community College and the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce will host a Biz-Ness After Hours session focusing on the computing and informatics program
GOSHEN — Ivy Tech Community College and the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce will host a Biz-Ness After Hours session focusing on the computing and informatics program from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Community Center at the Elkhart County campus, 22531 C.R. 18, Goshen.
The session aims to offer students, the community and employers more information about the computing and informatics programs at Ivy Tech in addition to providing networking opportunities and recognizing the campus chapter of the Kappa Beta Delta International Honor Society, a business fraternity.
The event will feature Jayme Mitchell, assistant professor in the computing and informatics program, presenting highlights of the program and a recent graduate and current student in the program will speak about their experiences. Tours of the data center also will be available.
No registration is required, but those planning on attending may register at www.elkhart.org.
Carbondale chamber of commerce hands out awards at annual banquet
The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce hosted its 99th annual banquet Friday evening at Southern Illinois University.
The evening consisted of chamber president Steve Falat emotionally passing the leadership of the chamber to Melissa Lewis, the president-elect.
The night also consisted of an Olympic theme with each award winner receiving a medal, along with the commemorative plaque that is given.
Seven awards were given out Friday in front of a crowd of more than 400 people.
The award ceremony kicked off with the citizen of the year award being given to Mark “Skip” Cosgrove.
Cosgrove is a former volunteer softball coach at SIU, and he was influential in bring the Traveling Vietnam Wall to Carbondale in 2015.
“I try to do things that contribute back to the community in some form or fashion," Cosgrove said. “Whether it be working with Toys for Tots and providing a Christmas present or two or three to children in need or working with local veterans.”
The business of the year award was handed to Carbondale’s first licensed distillery Grand River Spirits.
”I am shocked,” Curtis Baird, one of the founders of the distillery said. “We are still very much a work in progress.”
Distillery Co-owner Karen Binder said receiving the awards shows that the distillery has a product and a service that not only Carbondale residents can enjoy, but the rest of Southern Illinois and the state. Read more: The Southern
Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Custom Maps
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