Eric Kranz Appointed Executive Director of Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce; Congresswoman Bustos Discusses Regional Economic Priorities with Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce; New Online Business Tools From the SBA; New Council Aimed at Unifying Voices of Omaha-Area Manufacturers; Why Chambers Need to be Involved in Government Affairs...

(Lawrenceburg, IN) – Mark Banschbach, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Kranz as its new Executive Director. Serving as the Chamber’s Executive Director, Kranz brings a renewed emphasis to professionally serve the needs of the Chamber’s nearly 350 members through a variety of business development, education and counseling services that specifically target local business retention and growth. Source: Indiana Chamber Executives Association website Congresswoman Bustos Discusses Regional Economic Priorities with Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce ... Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) met with members from the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce to discuss regional economic priorities.  “I was pleased to meet with leaders from across the Quad Cities today to discuss ways we can continue to work together to create jobs, boost our economy and strengthen collaboration across our region,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “I look forward to continuing to fight for the economic well-being of all our communities as we work together to make our region an even better place to live, work and raise a family.” At the meeting, Bustos talked about her regional economic priorities that include replacing the functionally obsolete I-74 bridge across the Mississippi River, strengthening the Rock Island Arsenal to ensure a steady workload continues in times of peace and war, pushing for passenger rail service for the region including Amtrak service between the Quad Cities and Chicago, opening up Thomson Prison, improving the aging locks and dams along the Mississippi River, and helping to bring the new Digital Manufacturing Innovation Institute to Illinois. Read more: The Aledo Times Record New Online Business Tools From the SBA The Small Business Administration (SBA) has a Total of 128 Online Courses, Videos & Chat Sessions to Help Start or Grow Your Small Business: Starting a business Managing a business Financing Marketing Government Contracting For Details: http://www.sba.gov/tools/sba-learning-center New Council Aimed at Unifying Voices of Omaha-Area Manufacturers How much do manufacturers worry about government regulations and the people who enforce them? Enough that an executive from one Omaha manufacturer, after pointedly airing his grievances at a forum Monday, didn't want his name or his company's name reported for fear of getting targeted by those same government regulators. Read more: Omaha World Herald Why Chambers Need to be Involved in Government Affairs... •Public policy affects your members •Elected officials need to hear from you as the “voice of business” •Your members can’t accomplish alone what they can together •If you don’t, someone else will;  and the #1 reason  Fulfill your Mission Statement: •Voice for business •Promote economic growth and development •Advocate for the business community -Cholly Smith, U.S. Chamber of Commerce