Chicagoland Chamber Local Initiative highlight: CASE – Chicago Anchors for a Strong Economy; Chamber future: Labor shortage is major concern across Nebraska; Chamber heart: Bikers invade Northern Wisconsin for annual Tomahawk Fall Ride for MDA; Minneapolis Regional Chamber Event - Small Business University: Taking the Fear Out of Exporting; Tweet of the Day: St. Louis Regional Chamber; Training funds and tax fairness legislation returned to Missouri employers; Chamber issue: Work sharing gains support as alternative to layoffs in Indiana; Chamber Directory or Map; Muskegon Chamber collaboration: Grand Valley State University names director of energy incubator; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Attitude)

Chicagoland Chamber Local Initiative highlight: CASE – Chicago Anchors for a Strong Economy

 

Chicago Anchors for a Strong Economy (CASE) is a network of Chicago’s leading “anchor” institutions – hospitals, universities, cultural institutions, corporations, and others – committed to putting their purchasing power to work to accelerate growth. CASE will create economic opportunities for local suppliers by fostering strategic relationships with anchor institutions and equipping them with the necessary tools to successfully compete for contracts where needed.

Chicago is home to many major institutions and corporations that require a strong base of goods and service suppliers, from paper and pens to legal services and technology. Creating a strong business-to-business supplier network locally not only supports the success of these institutions, but also strengthens the economy, making the region a more attractive place to do business. Firms providing business goods and services are located throughout the Chicago-area’s neighborhoods. Focusing on the high volume of business-to-business transactions at major institutions can help strengthen local firms, increase community and neighborhood vitality, generate jobs, and help grow the regional economy.

Apply to CASE

Chamber future: Labor shortage is major concern across Nebraska

Statistics presented this week by Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry officials won’t surprise Tom Bernstein Jr. The president of Torin Products Inc. and president-elect of the Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA) knows firsthand how difficult it is to find qualified, ambitious employees looking to work in the manufacturing industry.

“We always struggle to find help,” said Bernstein, who will become the PMPA’s first Nebraska-based president when he officially assumes the position next month. Read more: Columbus Telegram

Chamber heart: Bikers invade Northern Wisconsin for annual Tomahawk Fall Ride for MDA

The Northwoods will turn into a roaring rally for charity this weekend as the Tomahawk Ride for MDA returns today.
The annual event draws tourists from around the world to take a trip to central and Northern Wisconsin. Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce director Tamra Anderson says bikers are already here. "People are rolling into town, they've been rolling in since last Saturday. Over the next several days we'll have anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 people invading our area. Lots of good times, lots of rides, lots of fundraising for MDA, food, music." Read more: WBHL News

 

Minneapolis Regional Chamber Event - Small Business University: Taking the Fear Out of Exporting

Date: September 25, 2014

Time: 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Did you know that 95% of the world?s consumers are located outside of the United States? How would your business benefit from tapping into these new markets?

Selling your products outside of the country might seem scary but it is easier than you think, and there are a lot of resources to help get you started.

Come enjoy breakfast and hear from Monica McFarlane Scott, Senior International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service Minnesota.  She will share tips and strategies for successfully entering global markets, as well as take time to answer your business-specific questions. Read more & register: Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce

Tweet of the Day: St. Louis Regional Chamber

STL Regional Chamber ‏@STLRegChamber 19m

The most valuable resource is information. As distribution costs move to 0, the best for one becomes available to all. @BlairLevin #FiberSTL

Expand

Training funds and tax fairness legislation returned to Missouri employers

The Missouri General Assembly has voted to protect Missouri employers, returning vital training funds and protections for employers in tax court.

Lawmakers voted to override Gov. Nixon’s veto of more than 50 line items in the state budget, including $900,000 to the Missouri Works job-training program.  Missouri Works provides customized training resources and assistance to existing businesses and start-ups through a partnership with Missouri Community Colleges and other local educational agencies.

The Missouri Chamber strongly supported returning these funds to our employers,” said Missouri Chamber President and CEO Daniel P. Mehan.  “These are proven programs and vitally important to the employers that depend upon this training.” Read more: Missouri Chamber

Chamber issue: Work sharing gains support as alternative to layoffs in Indiana

Support may be growing in the Indiana Legislature for a program that lets employers cut worker hours instead of cutting their jobs.

During a hearing Tuesday, lobbyists for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and AFL-CIO urged the concept as a way to keep skilled workers on the job and mitigate the damage of an economic downturn.

At least 27 states have implemented similar programs, known as “work-sharing,” which are credited for reducing the number of workers unemployed during the 2008 recession. Republican Gov. Mike Pence opposes the idea. But the legislative study committee’s conservative chairman, Rep. Dave Ober, R-Albion, said he’ll push for a bill next session. Read more: News and Tribune

Chamber Directory or Map

Get a free estimate for a chamber map, community profile or membership directory. Call John Dussman at (800)-600-0134 x239 or email jdussman.vp@villageprofilemail.com. If your chamber has 500 members or more, please ask about our no-cost option.

Muskegon Chamber collaboration: Grand Valley State University names director of energy incubator

The manager of operations of GVSU’s Pew Campus and regional centers is returning to his hometown to lead the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center.

Grand Valley State University said last week that it has named Kevin Ricco to the director role at the center in Muskegon, effective Sept. 22. Ricco succeeds T. Arnold Boezaart, who’s retiring at the end of October after serving as director since 2009.

The center, known as MAREC, opened in 2003 to drive economic development in the area through the advancement of alternative and renewable resources. The business incubator and educational center is a collaboration by several organizations: GVSU, city of Muskegon, Michigan Economic Development Corp., Muskegon Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Public Service Commission, Muskegon Area First, Muskegon Community College and Community Foundation for Muskegon County.

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Attitude)

“When I wake up in the morning, I plan for a good day. My anticipation attracts positive experiences to me.”

~Louise L. Hay

emilyssongs.com