Governors of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Join Forces to Recruit Workforce
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, and South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard may be competitive in most situations, but all three recognize that one of the greatest challenges facing their respective states is workforce recruitment. While typically border states compete for business, these three states have joined forces in the tri-state metro region known as Siouxland to address workforce recruitment. All three states rank in the top 10 for the lowest unemployment numbers in the country. Nebraska and South Dakota are tied for 2nd at 3.6% and Iowa ranks 9th at 4.6%, proof of strong economies.
These
three states have a history of cooperation on regional economic
development issues as evidenced by the three Governors coming together
for the Tri-State Governors' Conference every two years. During these
conferences, the Governors discuss regional issues such as economic
development, infrastructure improvements, healthcare, and workforce
readiness.
"The
Siouxland economy is strong. Good jobs are available and quality of
life amenities are plentiful. In addition, the cost of living is low,
making Siouxland an affordable place to live." said Barbara Sloniker,
Executive Vice President of The Siouxland Initiative. "We need to let
the rest of the country know about the excellent opportunities in the
tri-state area."
All three Governors have expressed that they are willing to do live interviews.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Barbara Sloniker
Executive Vice President
The Siouxland Initiative
101 Pierce Street
Sioux City, Iowa 51101 712.255.7903 - bsloniker@siouxlandchamber.com
www.siouxlandchamber.com @SiouxlndChamber
St. Joseph chamber event: Shields channels NFL lessons into work career
Former Kansas City Chief Will Shields took lessons from the gridiron with him while gradually easing into the business world.Mr. Shields, who was an NFL offensive guard for 14 seasons, delivered the keynote address Tuesday during the eighth annual Small Business Summit at Missouri Western State University’s Fulkerson Center. The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce and Steven L. Craig School of Business at Western hosted the event. Read more: St. Joseph News-Press
Indiana Chamber Unveils Top 7 Legislative Priorities for 2015
Providing relief to small business personal property tax filers and the development of a statewide publicly-funded preschool program headline the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Top 7 priorities for the 2015 session.
These key objectives were announced at the organization’s annual Central Indiana Legislative Preview in Indianapolis today.
The Indiana Chamber proposes exempting the bottom half of all business personal property tax filers from having to go through the process. This group, while approximately 150,000 strong, pays only 1% of the total tax collected. The organization’s president and CEO, Kevin Brinegar, says the math simply doesn’t add up for the businesses or local governments to make it worthwhile.
“These small businesses have to do extensive inventory on their machinery and equipment, and then prepare and file the tax return. That usually means they have to hire someone to guide them in this effort. All for a tax that, in the end, amounts to between $10 and $50 for most small businesses,” he explains.
“For local government, it’s a similar story: People have to process all of these tax returns and audit a portion of them. That takes time, costs money and diverts attention from other more productive activities.” Read more: Indiana Chamber
Oklahoma's South Grand Lake Chamber celebrates 2014: Harwood recognized for efforts, leadership
Joe Harwood, long-time Grand Lake proponent and owner of Arrowhead Boats, and Cherokee and Arrowhead Yacht Clubs, was recognized with the 2014 Barbara Conner Achievement Award during the South Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce 2014 winter banquet, held Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Cherokee Yacht Club.
The award, which was established in 2013, honors the late Barbara Conner, who chamber officials say, was "instrumental in guiding the chamber from a rural, sleepy organization to one of the largest and most influential in the state." Read more: GrandLakeNews.com
Minnesota Chamber Statewide Policy Tour to stop in Jackson
The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce will host a meeting at AGCO’s Jackson campus on Nov. 19 as part of its biannual Statewide Policy Tour. The series of roundtable discussions focuses on the everyday challenges local businesses face as well as feedback on the Minnesota Chamber’s legislative priorities. Jackson is one of 14 stops statewide this fall. Read more: Jackson County Pilot
Business owners, others in Willmar gauge effect of Sonshine’s move to Wisconsin
Local businesses and others were gauging the likely financial loss that will result from the move by the annual Sonshine music festival from Willmar to Somerset, Wisconsin, next year.Sonshine organizers said the Christian music festival, which started in Willmar in 1982, is moving because the Somerset Amphitheater, located on the Apple River about 35 minutes from the Twin Cities, is a permanent festival facility with capacity for 35,000 attendees and permanent amenities needed to host the event. Over the years, Sonshine has drawn as many as 20,000 people to Willmar, but in recent years the festival has not drawn enough attendees to be financially sustainable.
Sonshine’s economic impact on Willmar is estimated by the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Willmar Lakes Convention and Visitors Bureau at $1 million to $1.5 million. In the middle of summer, that’s a lot of money, said Chamber President Ken Warner. Read more: West Central Tribune
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