Kansas City Chamber's Leadership Exchange: Startup 'expats' share why they left KC; Chamber business: Why are things going so well in South Dakota? Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce recognized as an outstanding chamber in Michigan; Chamber Success Story: Hot Springs Business Expands, Adds More Jobs; Illinois Chamber Benefits Exchange; Chamber Event: 11th Monster Madness at Mills set for Oct. 28;

Kansas City Chamber's Leadership Exchange: Startup 'expats' share why they left KC

Silicon Valley sparkles with entrepreneurism, and its tech industry is unrivaled in the U.S. Through the years, it has crafted a magic formula for success.
But what's the secret?
More than 110 Kansas City business and civic leaders traveled to the San Francisco Bay Area to find out. The September trip was part of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce's 12th-annual Leadership Exchange. One event included a panel of "Heartland startup expats" who left the Kansas City area for Silicon Valley. Read more: Kansas City Business Journal

Chamber business:  Why are things going so well in South Dakota?

Let’s consider:
First, the cost of doing business in South Dakota is low. The U. S. Department of Commerce says our costs – utilities, occupancy, transportation and other costs are reasonably low for businesses – only 88 percent of the U.S. average. Other states like California, Hawaii, New York and New Jersey are all over 112 percent of the national average.

Businesses also have an advantage here because the tax burden is low. We have no corporate income tax, no personal income tax, no business inventory tax, no personal property tax and no inheritance tax. This creates a more favorable environment for growth by putting more money in the pockets of our businesses and workers.

Our reasonable regulatory climate also makes us business-friendly. Earlier this year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce named South Dakota’s business climate as best in the nation. We don’t make things unnecessarily burdensome for our entrepreneurs. We know things shouldn’t be overcomplicated for job-creators who are trying to know and obey the laws. Read more:  Black Hills Pioneer


Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce recognized as an outstanding chamber in Michigan

The Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce was recognized with a 2014 Outstanding Chamber of Commerce Award by the The Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals at the association’s conference in Muskegon, Oct. 2.
“The Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce received this award based on its accomplishments in leadership and governance, financial stewardship, business advocacy and member programming,” said Bob Thomas, Director for the Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals.Read more: The Oakland Press

Chamber Success Story:  Hot Springs Business Expands, Adds More Jobs

Window Source, a part of the third largest window retailer in the nation, announced expansion of its local operation.

With the help of the Hot Springs Metro Partnership, Window Source entered into an agreement to purchase its new Hot Springs facility from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). 

Since the purchase of the new facility, Window Source has already doubled their staff with plans to continue adding jobs over the next five years. 

“All of this could not have been accomplished without the help of the state of Arkansas and everyone involved, from the AEDC, Hot Springs Metro Partnership and Greater Hot Springs Chamber Of Commerce,” said Shaun Keefe, owner of Window Source. Read more: ArkansasMatters.com

Illinois Chamber Benefits Exchange

Flexible Benefit Service Corporation (Flex) has launched a private health insurance exchange powered by InsureXSolutions® for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. The new Illinois Chamber Benefits Exchange offers a solution to help small businesses assist their employees in connecting with the best health insurance options that meet their unique needs in one centralized private marketplace.  The Benefits Exchange will give employees and individual consumers, including self-employed individuals, the ability to shop and compare health plans, get up-to-date information on the healthcare law and seek expert assistance from licensed insurance professionals.
The Illinois Chamber Benefits Exchange helps small business employees meet ACA mandates. According to ACA regulation, businesses with less than 50 employees are not required to provide health insurance for employees. Instead, employees of these smaller businesses are legally required to obtain their own health insurance plans by 2014. Individuals specifically need coverage by March 31, 2014, in order to avoid ACA penalties. See more at: Illinois Chamber

Chamber Event: 11th Monster Madness at Mills set for Oct. 28

The 11^th annual Monster Madness at Mills, an outdoor Halloween event with activities for kids of all ages put on by the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce, the Boys and Girls Club of Bryant and the Bryant Parks Department will be held one night only on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at Mills Park, 1003 Mills Park Road.
At 6 p.m., “the real Monster Madness at Mills fun begins,” said Chairperson Carlton Billingsley. Trick or treating between business/candidate booths begins at 6 p.m. Munchkinland, which will feature inflatables, ghouls and pumpkins tic tac toe toss and other games, will cost $3 ticket for the armband for Munchkinland for all evening. Read more: Bryant Daily

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Attittude)

"Everyone who is successful must have dreamed of something" - Native American proverb