Top 7 things overheard: Head of Michigan Chamber of Commerce, state Sen. Mike Green pay visit to Bay City; Stephen Bell selected as new president and CEO of Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance, chamber; Politically Speaking: Missouri Chamber Chief Mehan Upbeat On Transportation Tax Prospects; Chamber news: Oklahoma Tax-free weekend begins Friday; Hutchinson Chamber News: Hutch ahead of development curve, construction official says; Chamber Partnership: PROGRESS: Recognizing the many businesses in the Waseca area; Green Bay Chamber: Wage, benefit study participants sought; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership)

Top 7 things overheard: Head of Michigan Chamber of Commerce, state Sen. Mike Green pay visit to Bay City

For Rich Studley, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, his visit to Bay City this week was a chance to see the town in a fresh light.
"I came in last night to stay at the Doubletree," he told a room full of business and local government leaders at an event held Thursday, July 24, at Old City Hall restaurant, 814 Saginaw St. "The hotel is full, the parking lot is more than full. There are buses, there are cars on the sidewalk … there's a festival downtown.
"Gov. Snyder talks a lot about Michigan being the comeback state," he continued. "I think we're going to have to nominate Bay City for being the comeback city." Read more: M Live

Stephen Bell selected as new president and CEO of Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance, chamber

A nationwide search has ended with Stephen Bell being selected the new president and CEO of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce. Although Bell was offered and accepted the position Tuesday, a final vote was needed before the announcement could be made public Wednesday afternoon. Bell was one of three finalists selected and brought to Clark County Sunday evening. Read more: Stuttgard Daily Leader

Politically Speaking: Missouri Chamber Chief Mehan Upbeat On Transportation Tax Prospects

Now based in Jefferson City, Mehan grew up in St. Louis, graduating from St. Louis University High. He worked on several GOP campaigns and had a job with Washington University when the state chamber came knocking in 1995 to offer him a position -- just weeks before his wedding. Three years later, Mehan was elevated to the chamber's top post as chief executive and president. He has held that now for 16 years. More information: St Louis Public Radio

 

Chamber news: Oklahoma Tax-free weekend begins Friday

It’s been seven years since Oklahoma legislators passed the tax-free holiday to keep shoppers in Oklahoma. Beginning at midnight Friday, the tax-free weekend returns to Oklahoma and is set to conclude at midnight Aug. 3. The Duncan Chamber of Commerce and Industry hopes Duncan retailers will benefit from the three-day event.

“Their sales are usually a little higher,” Chris Deal, chamber president, said. “It gets them in the mind to go back to school. It’s a good thing for our community and our state.” - See more at: Duncan Banner

 

Hutchinson Chamber News: Hutch ahead of development curve, construction official says

Hutchinson and several parts of Kansas are experiencing a building boom, a Chamber of Commerce luncheon audience was told Wednesday, because of a pent up demand as facilities in various industries age and an aggressive stance by local officials in getting projects approved and a trained workforce developed.
“It’s a perfect storm of construction,” said J.R. Robl, business development and marketing manager at Hutton Construction Corp., Wichita, sponsor of the luncheon at the Hutchinson Town Club. “Commercial, residential, retail and industrial are all doing well. I can tell you it’s the busiest we’ve been in the last 10 years. We’re having trouble finding enough employees.” Read more: Hutchnews.com

Chamber Partnership: PROGRESS: Recognizing the many businesses in the Waseca area

Grow Minnesota! – Assisting businesses in the Waseca Area and Statewide. Businesses across Minnesota continue to benefit from the personalized assistance of Grow Minnesota!, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce program coordinated with nearly 70 local chambers of commerce and economic development organizations. The statewide program is dedicated to retaining, assisting and growing Minnesota companies. Waseca Chamber has partnered in this program since 2007. Read more: Waseca County News

Green Bay Chamber: Wage, benefit study participants sought

Advance, the economic development program of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, is seeking participants for the Northeast Wisconsin Chambers Coalition Wage & Benefit Study. Results will provide up-to-date data for companies on a local basis. Read more: Green Bay Press-Gazette

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership)

“Leaders are not, as we are often led to think, people who go along with huge crowds following them. Leaders are people who go their own way without caring, or even looking to see, whether anyone is following them. “Leadership qualities” are not the qualities that enable people to attract followers, but those that enable them to do without them. They include, at the very least, courage, endurance, patience, humor, flexibility, resourcefulness, stubbornness, a keen sense of reality, and the ability to keep a cool and clear head, even when things are going badly. True leaders, in short, do not make people into followers, but into other leaders.” ~ John Holt

Forbes 37/50