Kansas City Chamber is searching for next Small Business of the Year; Illinois Chamber issue: Schock visits Peoria Lock and Dam; Muskegon Chamber Outlook: Chambers expect increased capital investment, new projects leading 2015; Meredith Rea named East Mississippi Business Development Corporation Chamber of Commerce manager; Kyndle CEO Brad Schneider and Kyndle Vice President of Economic Development Donna Crooks, CEcD were both recently appointed to positions on the boards of directors for a pair of state organizations; Rogers-Lowell Chamber Good News: Wachter Inc Invests $2 Million To Expand Its Lowell, Arkansas, Manufacturing Center; Chamber challenge: Nebraska’s unemployment rate at 3.1 percent in November; Iowa's at 4.3 percent; Chamber report: Immigrants Make Big Contributions to Minnesota Economy, Study says; North Platte Chamber issue: Government agency charges post office $7,500/month rent; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Attitude)

Kansas City Chamber is searching for next Small Business of the Year

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is once again searching for the next Small Business of the Year. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 6.
"The application process launches us into several exciting months of activities during the 2015 Small Business Celebration as we recognize the small business sector and the impact these organizations are having on Kansas City and our economy as a whole," Chamber President and CEO Jim Heeter said in a release. Read more: Kansas City Business Journal

Illinois Chamber issue: Schock visits Peoria Lock and Dam

Politicians and industry leaders converged on the Peoria Lock and Dam on Friday to celebrate a new funding mechanism to help drive the local farming economy and U.S. exports globally.

U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock, who this month helped push HR 647 through the House by a 404-17 vote, hosted a news conference Friday. The bill, if passed as expected by the Senate and signed by President Barack Obama, would increase taxes on diesel fuel used to power barges, from 20 cents to 29 cents. The hike would increase funding for operations and maintenance of locks and dams on the country’s inland waterways — a job creator for craftsmen and a benefit to the agriculture and mining industries.

Illinois waterways transport 100 million tons of product each year, said Todd Maisch, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, translating to $6.4 billion into the state’s economy.

“That’s absolutely vital. It puts people to work; it makes the economy work,” Maisch said. Read more: Pekin Daily Times

The Outlook: Three Michigan chambers expect increased capital investment, new projects leading 2015 

While talent development and some legislative reforms may prove to be challenges, West Michigan chambers of commerce executives feel confident looking ahead to 2015 as they project increased business investment in their individual communities.

For Muskegon, leaders are optimistic about “a lot of strategic growth” among member businesses “that’s a little different than in the past,” said Cindy Larsen, president of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce.

“People are being very thoughtful with investment,” she said.

Whereas companies have been slow to invest during the recovery, some businesses are now beginning to spend with more confidence by making strategic investments in facilities, technology and talent, Larsen said.

- See more at: http://mibiz.com/item/22104-chambers-expect-increased-capital-investment,-new-projects-leading-2015#sthash.ZMJmAvkZ.dpuf

See more at: MI BIZ

Meredith Rea named East Mississippi Business Development Corporation Chamber of Commerce manager

The East Mississippi Business Development Corporation (EMBDC) announced that Meredith Rea has been named the manager of the Chamber of Commerce. She joined the EMBDC as public relations coordinator in 2010. During that time Rea coordinated events, managed all communications and marketing, and served in various other capacities.
    As the Chamber of Commerce manager, Rea will manage Leadership Lauderdale, ambassadors, member services, Business Before and After Hours, and various other programs of the EMBDC Chamber. She is in the process of completing her Institute for Organization Management certification.
     “Meredith has proven herself as a leader, providing invaluable organizational skills and being active with our volunteer base. She continues to promote growth and help forge a new direction with our membership,” said EMBDC Chairman Bob Luke.      Rea’s community involvement includes leadership and volunteer roles with Young Professionals of Meridian, Meridian Main Street, and Meridian Little Theatre. She is a member of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi – Meridian, Mississippi Economic Development Council, and a Leadership Lauderdale alumni. Read more: The Meridian Star

Kyndle CEO Brad Schneider and Kyndle Vice President of Economic Development Donna Crooks, CEcD were both recently appointed to positions on the boards of directors for a pair of state organizations

Schneider was reelected as Treasurer of Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives. KCCE is the state's professional association for local chambers of commerce staff members. This is Schneider's second term on KCCE's executive committee and his fifth year on KCCE's board. He is in his first year as CEO of Kyndle after spending the previous five years as president of the former Henderson-Henderson County Chamber of Commerce. Read more: SurfKY.com

Rogers-Lowell Chamber Good News: Wachter Inc Invests $2 Million To Expand Its Lowell, Arkansas, Manufacturing Center

Wachter Inc., a leading national provider of electrical, data, communications, automation and other building systems, is expanding its facility in Lowell, Arkansas. The company plans to invest $2 million in the expansion and add 20 new jobs, bringing total employment at the facility to 260.

The expansion of the Lowell facility is necessary due to Wachter’s continued growth, both locally and nationally, over the years, Arkansas Economic Development officials said.

“Wachter’s decision to expand this facility is a testament to the quality of work produced by the company’s existing employees in Lowell,” said Grant Tennille, Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “We appreciate Wachter’s continued commitment to growing and investing in Arkansas.”

“It is always great to see a business be able to announce expansions and new hiring,” said Raymond Burns, President/CEO of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. “Wachter is a great company that does some truly amazing things. Read more: Area Development

Chamber challenge: Nebraska’s unemployment rate at 3.1 percent in November; Iowa's at 4.3 percent

The number of unemployed Nebraskans and the state’s unemployment rate both plunged in November to levels not seen since early 2008, as the state saw near-record employment with monthly job gains led by the trade, transportation and utilities industry.
Unemployment fell to 3.1 percent, down from 3.4 percent in October and from 3.7 percent a year ago, according to preliminary figures released Friday by the Nebraska Department of Labor.

Iowa’s rate, meanwhile, fell to 4.3 percent from 4.5 percent in October. The figure was up slightly from 4.2 percent a year ago and ranks 10th nationwide.
Nebraska’s rate was not as low as the state record 2.2 percent in 1998 but was the second-lowest rate among states and a level economists consider “full employment.” Read more: Omaha World-Herald

Chamber report: Immigrants Make Big Contributions to Minnesota Economy, Study says

Immigration is always a divisive debate and a new, non-partisan study shows its benefits for Minnesota.
It shows new numbers about how immigrants are contributing to the state's economy.
Sharing African recipes, with up to 600 customers a day in the West Bank and Cedar Riverside communities; It's what makes this Minneapolis small business owner Abdirahman Kahin proud.
"Our positive impact into the economy, and to the labor, and into a lot of aspects of life," Kahin said. He's glad to see those are some of the results from a new study out on Immigrant Contributions to Minnesota's Economy.
Sarah Radosevich is a Policy Research Analyst with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Radosevich is part of the Minnesota Business Immigration Coalition, which helped author the report. "We found that immigrant purchasing power more like $7.7 billion a year," Radosevich said. The study also found they contributed more than $22 billion to the state's GDP. And more than $1 billion in state and local taxes. Radosevich said it's good for the state's economy. Read more: KSTP TV

North Platte Chamber issue: Government agency charges post office $7,500/month rent

The postal service currently pays $91,000 a year to lease space in the downtown federal building for a post office, Chamber of Commerce President John Hale said Friday.

Hale appeared on the Mugs in the Morning talk show with Rick Windham on KODY radio.

Citing a report in the North Platte Telegraph newspaper, Hale said that amount of rent equates to $15 per square foot – “easily twice as much” as an average rental rate for commercial retail space in North Platte.    

The postal service, citing financial trouble, wants to move the post office counter and 1,000 post office boxes, to its mail processing center on the east edge of North Platte. The move prompted an outcry from business and community leaders, in part because it gave abrupt notice shortly before Christmas time, without a public hearing. Read more: North Platte Bulletin

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Attitude)

“Hold on to what is good, Even if it's a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe, Even if it's a tree that stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do, Even if it's a long way from here. Hold on to your life, Even if it's easier to let go. Hold on to my hand, Even if someday I'll be gone away from you.”

~A Pueblo Indian