Fort Smith Chamber Top 10 Initiatives
The Top 10 Initiatives were chosen by the Board of Directors from a list of initiatives and deemed the most critical for the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. Each initiative is driven by a division, who is working hard to make great strides in these initiatives.- 1. Create a Business Retention and Expansion Program
Economic Development Division
- 2. Facilitate an Economic Development Funds Campaign
Economic Development Division
Missouri Chamber recognition: Empowered workers boost Boehringer
The slogan “Value through innovation” holds great meaning for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.
The animal pharmaceutical firm has invested heavily in research and development to capture a sizable piece of the global market. The philosophy also has influenced the work environment at Boehringer. With an emphasis on “hands-off” leadership, employees are encouraged to make decisions on their own and given the freedom to explore new ideas, explains CEO Dr. Albrecht Kissel.
Only six businesses in the state were selected for the recognition in the inaugural competition by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Harrison County Chamber Initiative: Mauckport High Speed Internet Center Opens Rural Community Connects
Q Wireless partnered with the Chamber of Commerce of Harrison County and the Harrison County Economic Development Corporation to make the application for the $782,000 project to construct a high speed internet center with 10 computer stations to serve the Mauckport, Indiana Community. Of the total cost, Q Wireless LLC, the Chamber of Commerce and the HCEDC shared in matching funds of $147,920. The project also includes funding for the expansion of high speed internet infrastructure to provide residential internet service in Mauckport and the surrounding areas. The Director of the HCEDC, Darrell Voelker said " in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, the expansion of high speed internet has been a priority for at least 10 years and while some progress has been made, we have a lot more to do. Clearly, this part of Harrison County had little hope for this type of service without the efforts of Q Wireless LLC and the financial support from the USDA." We are pleased to support this cause and applaud the Chamber for taking the lead, Voelker added.
"Since opening the Mauckport High Speed Internet Center we have witnessed community members making good use of the facility, from connecting to family across the country, to applying for employment via the internet, and for our youngest users gaming and homework.," said Lisa Long, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Harrison County. "It has been particularly interesting to see multi-generational use of the center and how the generations are interacting with each other to teach new skills and values," continued Long. Read more: Harrison County Chamber
Dodge named Fuse Duluth Person of the Year
Tiersa Dodge, an intern architect with DSGW Architects, has been selected as the Fuse Duluth Person of the Year. A division of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, Fuse focuses on providing resources, connecting and recruiting young talent. The person of the year award honors someone who has contributed to Fuse Duluth’s mission and leadership. Read more: Business North
Kansas Regional technical education center another step closer to reality
A regional technical education center for Southeast Kansas is one step closer to reality.On Thursday, the Pittsburg Education Foundation announced the purchase of a building owned by Vinylplex at 1301 E. 27th Terrace. It currently houses Fort Scott Community College carpentry, masonry and woodworking courses.
The regional center, more than two years in the making, was buoyed this summer by $1.3 million in private and city funding, which helped pay for the building. The $890,000 purchase will help multiple schools in Southeast Kansas provide technical education training to students in areas such as welding, masonry and construction, with the opportunity of expanding programming in that location in coming years to include culinary arts, HVAC, nursing, auto technician training and more. The next step in the creation of what will be called the Southeast Kansas Career Technical Education Center of Crawford County will be for a committee to work on plans for the expansion and begin the bid process for the work. The committee will be comprised of a representative from each of the five core school districts involved since the beginning — Pittsburg, Frontenac, Northeast-Arma, Girard, and Southeast-Cherokee — as well as leaders in the trades community. Officials associated with the project say there's a dire need for more robust workforce training in Crawford and Cherokee County. "This is, I would say, the most crucial need," said Blake Benson, who heads up the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the community's economic development efforts. Read more: Joplin Globe
Alexandria has top three retail 'pull factor' in Minnesota
Regional residents and tourists are coming to Alexandria to shop, making it one of the top three statewide for its "pull factor" for similar-sized cities.
Alexandria's taxable retail and service sales increased 12.7 percent between 2009 and 2012, reaching a total of about $324 million, making the central Minnesota city of 13,000 one of the top regional non-metro shopping hubs in the state and continuing the city's retail boom.
General merchandise stores were reportedly the largest taxable sales contributors in the local economy, making up about 31 percent of all taxable sales.
The largest increase in sales was in the building materials category, which totaled about $63 million in 2012.
The retail trade analysis was released by the University of Minnesota Extension Service using data from the Minnesota Department of Revenue sales tax information.
"The way I would interpret this study is positive," said Coni McKay, executive director of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
"Although the Department of Revenue sales tax collection reports are always two years behind due to timing of collections and reporting, I believe that the local retail environment has gotten stronger since 2012 here in the Alexandria Lakes area," McKay said. Read more: TwinCities.com
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