Michigan, Flint & Genesee See Uptick in Tourism Spending; Jennifer Olson named President and CEO of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce; Dubuque trio of businesses opens within blocks of each other, hope to build success together; Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2018-2019 Business Directory and Resource Guide; Indianapolis Public Schools to ask for $52 million from taxpayers for school safety on November ballot; New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce Community Map; Berry Global plans $16.5M investment at Bowling Green facility; Oceans Springs Chamber: Red, White, And Blueberry Festival; TIF money could fix Janesville's housing shortage, developers say; Hundreds discuss future, competitiveness of Virginia energy at annual chamber conference; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

Happy Friday, #ChamberWorld! Have a GREAT weekend!


Michigan, Flint & Genesee See Uptick in Tourism Spending

In May, Michigan tourism officials and members of the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan (TICOM) gathered at Flint’s Capitol Theatre to highlight the economic impact of travel to the state of Michigan.

The event – hosted by the Flint & Genesee Convention and Visitors Bureau – was part of the 35^th annual National Travel and Tourism Week, which unites communities across the country to celebrate what travel means to American jobs, economic growth and personal well-being.

According to a study by Tourism Economics, visitor spending in Michigan grew by 3 percent in 2016 to reach $23.7 billion. That spending generated $40.7 billion in total business sales as visitor dollars flowed through the state’s economy. A total of 337,900 jobs, with income of $11.6 billion, were sustained by the traveler economy in Michigan in 2016.

Similar trends are occuring in Genesee County, where visitor spending has increased every year since 2012. In fact, the county generated $133 million in tourism spending in 2017 alone.

During the recent event, Flint & Genesee CVB Director Brandon Morgan shared that hotel occupancy was up 11.5 percent in the first quarter of 2018, which Smith Travel Research attributes to improved perception of the region and increased corporate/weekday travel.

That’s good news for Flint & Genesee, where the hospitality industry, including accommodations and food service, accounts for nearly 10 percent of all jobs.

Looking forward, major events include Back to the Bricks, which attracts 500,000 car enthusiasts to the community each year; HAP Crim Festival of Races, which draws around 55,000 visitors; and the Ally Challenge, a new PGA Tour Champions event expected to draw 50,000 visitors.

To read more about the TICOM event, click here. 

To learn more about events and attractions in Flint and Genesee County, check out the Explore Flint & Genesee Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and blog.  


Jennifer Olson named President and CEO of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce

Carbondale, Illinois – The Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce have voted to accept the recommendation of the Search Committee to hire Jennifer Olson as the President and CEO of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Olson has been serving as the Interim Director since March 19. Prior to joining the Chamber, Jennifer had a 15-year career in Commercial Banking, primarily based out of Carbondale. Before banking, Jennifer spent five years as Marketing Director for University Mall. “We are pleased to have Jennifer lead the Chamber, her Business background combined with her extensive knowledge of Public Relations, Marketing, and Special Events is sure to be an asset,” said Shane Carsrud, Chairman of the Board of Directors. In addition to the position as President and CEO, Ms. Olson serves on several committees and boards for various organizations. Most notable, Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwell recently asked Jennifer to Chair the Regional Advisory Council to the Delta Leadership Network of the DRA. Sent on behalf of The Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and the Search Committee

http://www.carbondalechamber.com/ Phone: (618) 549-2146 Dubuque trio of businesses opens within blocks of each other, hope to build success together A trio of new businesses is hoping to build on success in downtown Dubuque. The businesses - Oolong, Hops and Rye, and Frosted and Filled - are in an area that isn't associated with other popular parts of the downtown area, such as Main Street. Oolong is on 11th St. between Iowa and Main, Hops and Rye is at the corner of Locust and 11th, and Frosted and Filled is just down the block from Hops and Rye. The business owners all have similar reasons for choosing this area. Oolong owner Ken Lin said it's being downtown that he likes. Lin said it's because there are, "a lot of business around here. We have a lot of breweries, Jubeck is right next door, then 7 Hills down there {in the Millwork District}, L May here {on Main St.}, the warehouse district. It's a great location." His restaurant specializes in Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Lin believes he's offering something that no other restaurant has. "I’m the only one that has ramen noodle, Phở, and you know a lot of stuff people probably never had before, but they’re really supporting," he said. Lin's restaurant sits between the Millwork District and Main St., and he believes he serves as a bridge between the two spaces. "It needs connection. So I think I’m a good fit for that connection" Lin stated. Just a couple blocks up from Lin on Locust is Hops and Rye, a speakeasy themed restaurant and bar. Owners Teri and Brian Schulz, like Lin, chose this area because of nearby development. "The Millwork District has been built up, two hotels are going up down the street," Teri Schulz explained. They believe they're leading the way in developing the next big economic center. Brian Schulz said, "down the other end of Main St. it's kind of full already and I think it's going to work it's way this way." The Schulzs hope other businesses and people follow their lead. Teri Schulz said, "the more businesses that creep up around us or come up around us, the better for all of the community and the better for all of the businesses.” The third new business in the area is Frosted and Filled, a bakery that sells cupcakes and cheesecake. Owner Paula Esser said she enjoys being next to other new businesses and all of the customers that they bring to the neighborhood. "With Hops and Rye just a few steps away, the great shops on Main St. behind us, all the people employed in the area, and the library across the street we see such a wide variety of guests popping in for a sweet treat," Esser said. "We just love that!" Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Molly Grover said the development is following a trend in Dubuque. "Not only are we seeing it in downtown, we’re seeing that all across the community especially in restaurants, and it’s a really exciting time. I think I counted over the past two years about two dozen restaurants that have opened in our community," she said. “It creates a variety of diverse options for our residents to enjoy. It’s also great for tourists to take advantage of as well.” Read more: KCRG News Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2018-2019 Business Directory and Resource Guide The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2018-2019 Business Directory and Resource Guide is available at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber today! Thanks to Bob McKenna, Suzy Johnson and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together! Virginia Peninsula Chamber 2018/2019 Business Directory & Resource Guide Town Square Publications  (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633. Indianapolis Public Schools to ask for $52 million from taxpayers for school safety on November ballot

Indianapolis Public Schools is moving ahead with one of its plans to ask Indy homeowners to agree to a tax hike to support city schools.

The capital referendum now will allow the district to raise $52 million for school safety projects and maintenance instead of $200 million they were initially going to ask for. 

Under the new plan, someone who owns a home valued at more than $123,000 would see their taxes go up about $16 each year. 

The $52 million would be used for capital expenses including 2,500 retrofitted doors, new lighting and strengthening windows with a special film and fire safety improvements across the district. 

The district is still working with the Indy Chamber on what it will request as part of its operating referendum which will help with teacher salaries. That additional figure will likely increase the proposed tax hike. 

Those numbers could be available by the end of June or early July. Read more: RTV 6

New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce Community Map 

New Castle-Henry County Chamber map

The New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Map is available at the New Castle-Henry County Chamber today! Thanks to Missy Modesitt, Mary Campbell and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

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. 

Berry Global plans $16.5M investment at Bowling Green facility

Plastics manufacturer will upgrade Warren County operations, creating 20 full-time jobs

Berry Global Inc., a plastics provider for various industries, will create 20 full-time jobs as it invests nearly $16.5 million in new production lines at its Williamette Lane facility in Bowling Green, Gov. Matt Bevin announced today.

“Berry Global has made a name for itself during more than three decades of success at facilities across Kentucky,” Gov. Bevin said. “It is great news that the company has chosen its existing Warren County location for this product line expansion. We are grateful for Berry’s continued commitment to the commonwealth.”

As part of the project, Berry Global will install two blown film extrusion lines at its existing facility in Bowling Green. The expansion comes in response to new and expanding business opportunities and will increase the company’s printed film production.

“We are extremely pleased to expand production at our Bowling Green facility,” said Curt Begle, president of Berry’s Engineered Materials Division. “We extend our sincere appreciation to the community, local officials and the state for their ongoing support of our growth initiatives.”

Berry Global’s world headquarters is located in Evansville, Ind. Since its founding in 1967, Berry has grown to employ over 23,000 people and serve more than 19,000 customers across 135 locations worldwide. Berry operates eight facilities in Kentucky, including operations in Augusta, Danville, Franklin, Louisville, Madisonville, Nicholasville and two facilities in Bowling Green.

Sen. Mike Wilson, of Bowling Green, said the commonwealth is becoming all the more attractive to businesses.

“Berry Global’s expansion here in Bowling Green demonstrates Kentucky’s improving economy with its growth and job creation,” Sen. Wilson said. “I look forward to the continued success of this company in Warren County and congratulate Berry Global on this newest expansion.”

Rep. Jim DeCesare, of Bowling Green, said the company has a strong presence in the region.

“Berry Global is a huge employer in the Bowling Green area,” Rep. DeCesare said. “I’m pleased that the company is continuing to help our region grow by creating new jobs.”

Bowling Green Mayor Bruce Wilkerson said the company’s expanded presence will have a positive impact on the community.

“Berry Global’s business partnership has been invaluable to the success of our community,” Mayor Wilkerson said. “On behalf of the city of Bowling Green, I congratulate them on this project and look forward to their future here and the impact they will continue to have on our community.”

Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon noted Berry Global’s strong reputation in the region.

“For over 30 years, Berry Global has been a part of our community,” Judge-Executive Buchanon said. “We are excited to celebrate their growing opportunities and look forward to many more years of success, both here in Warren County and beyond.”

Ron Bunch, president and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, said the company is building on its already strong presence in Kentucky.

“Berry Global has a rich history of manufacturing superior products all over the world,” Bunch said. “Three of Berry’s eight Kentucky locations are located in southcentral Kentucky, where they employ over 600 people. We appreciate the continued support of our community and look forward to their growth and prosperity.” Read more: Lane Report

Oceans Springs Chamber: Red, White, And Blueberry Festival

Ocean Springs was in the Fourth of July spirit with their 13th annual Red, White, and Blueberry Festival on Saturday.

The Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce partnered up with the Ocean Springs Fresh Market to bring local berry growers to the festival.

Blueberry bushes, drinks, and plants were available for everyone to enjoy. If blueberries didn’t bring you to downtown Ocean Springs, they had free ice cream that was topped with blueberries or strawberries.

The festival’s attendance this year was at an all-time high as the community came together just in time to kick off the summer. Cynthia Dobbs-Sutton with the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce said, “It’s definitely an exciting day. We feel like we have had more people here than we ever have. It’s really just that time of year for families and everyone to come out and enjoy the community. This is where we kind of celebrate the start of that with the Red, White, and Blueberry Festival.”

Blueberries weren’t the only delicious treats on the menu as cooking demonstrations from the new Gulf Coast Grill Restaurant were also available. Read more: WXXV 25


TIF money could fix Janesville's housing shortage, developers say

To solve Janesville’s housing shortage, two real estate developers encouraged the city to consider using tax increment financing to spark new residential activity.

That suggestion was one of the biggest takeaways from Wednesday’s community housing and development forum. The city and Forward Janesville co-sponsored the event at the Pontiac Convention Center.

The forum, which drew about 75 people, explored the city’s need for multiple types of housing. It included a small-group brainstorming session, but when the event ran long, organizers decided to table the groups’ sharing of ideas for another date.

During an opening panel, Hovde Properties President Mike Slavish said developers are disinclined to build here because rents are so low. In downtown Madison, where Hovde is based, rents run between $2 and $2.50 per square foot.

In Janesville, that number is about 87 cents. But construction costs are generally the same between the cities, so it’s tough for developers to see a return on their investment—unless they’re receiving some sort of public incentive, he said.

Slavish proposed a pay-as-you-go TIF deal. The landowner would pay taxes, and the municipality would return a percentage of that payment, he said.

In Waunakee, Hovde negotiated a deal in which the city returned 85 percent of the project’s tax payment in the first decade after construction, and then 65 percent in years 11 through 20, Slavish said.

“The great thing about that is the municipality spends none of their own money. The developer pays them, and then they kick back a portion of that,” he said. “It’s really a pretty simple structure. It’s utilized by a lot of communities throughout the state of Wisconsin.”

In a particularly strong statement, Brent Dahlstrom of the Iowa-based Echo Development Group said his company likely wouldn’t consider building in a market if that municipality wasn’t willing to provide a financial break. Read more: Gazette Extra

Hundreds discuss future, competitiveness of Virginia energy at annual chamber conference

Hundreds of people came together in downtown Richmond Wednesday to talk about the future of energy in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce held its eighth annual Virginia Energy Conference at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The theme was "Energy's Role in a Competitive Commonwealth." 

Chamber President and CEO Barry DuVal said consumers, large manufacturers, producers and policy makers were all present.

He said it's an important time for the industry. 

The conference kicked off with a panel discussion about energy policy in Virginia. 

"There's a new governor that's taken over the Commonwealth. That governor has a responsibility of putting forth an energy plan. We have members of the General Assembly that just passed an important piece of legislation this year for energy in the Commonwealth. The governor signed that bill to put it into practice," said DuVal. 

DuVal said the legislation will lower rates, diversify energy production and move Virginia toward more renewable energies.Read more: ABC 8 NEWS

Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

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. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications

Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your chamber publication or map proposal, contact Town Square Chamber Proposal