Wisconsin business leaders optimistic about state, national economy
A strong majority of Wisconsin business leaders expected the
state and national economies to grow in the next six months, with more
than half also planning to hire for their own companies, according to
the latest member survey from Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.
At
the same time, the semiannual poll by the state’s largest business
lobby found companies continuing to report having trouble finding the
right needed workers, with increased employee health care costs and
“excessive regulation” also listed as top concerns.
But
overall, and compared to responses from WMC’s last two surveys in June
2014 and January 2014, the mood of respondents was noticeably more
upbeat.
“Optimism has been building slowly since 2011,”
WMC president and CEO Kurt Bauer said. “But this is clearly the most
positive our members have been about the future since 2009, the low
watermark for the (full-membership) survey since we started it back in
2001.
Read more: Wisconsin State Journal
Business coalition calls for 'focused' funding on Northern Virginia transportation projects
A coalition of Northern Virginia business organizations has signed a compact calling for a regional effort to solve transportation inertia, with “focused and leveraged” funding of large-scale projects.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Coalition, a group of 20 business organizations, called on the state and regional transportation agencies to invest in projects that will move the greatest number of people, reduce congestion, increase reliability, promote economic development and enhance regional security.
The signatories expressed dissatisfaction with the current mechanism for funding projects in Northern Virginia, which partially relies on returning to localities a share of funding proportional to their contributions through taxation.
Such a method “impedes the region’s ability to address its most important regional transportation needs,” the group’s resolution notes. Read more: InsideNoVA
Bay Area Chamber of Commerce President Michael Seward on career, chamber's future
Vision and optimism.
That's what friends and colleagues say they'll remember about Michael Seward after he steps down from his role as president and CEO of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
"He kept having, you know, new visions of things we could be doing, not to be stagnant, to grow and still keep our Bay City personality," said JoEllen Strieter, vice president of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
"(He'll be remembered) for his smiling face, his positive attitude and for being very proud of Bay City," she added. "He knows everyone and he can have a conversation with everyone. He likes to walk the downtown streets just to say 'Hi' to people so they know he's here. He doesn't hide in his office."
Candace Bales, executive director of the Bay City Downtown Development Authority and Downtown Management Board, said Seward has been a mentor to her. Read more: M LIVE
The Greater Greenwood Chamber Board of Directors has voted to endorse the State Road 37 corridor from Martinsville north to Interstate 465 in Indianapolis as the final route for section six of the Southwest Indiana Interstate 69 expansion project.
This SR 37 corridor is the same route INDOT originally recommended in December 2003, and the same route the Federal Highway Administration approved in March 2004.
Indiana is positioned within a day’s truck drive to 75% of the US and Canadian population. We understand, and have already seen the effects of, interstate connectivity as an important economic driver to both our state and local economies. It is a widely accepted economic development principle that interstates drive new investment and new jobs.
We believe the I-69 expansion is a unique infrastructure opportunity that will translate into new economic investment and new jobs for the Johnson and Southern Marion County economies; investment and jobs that we would not otherwise be afforded. Read more: Greater Greenwood Chamber
Bryant Area (Arkansas) Chamber’s 42nd Winter Banquet set for Jan. 29
The 42nd annual Winter Banquet and Silent Auction on Thursday, Jan. 29 at The Center at Bishop is a showcase of the stars in the community. Instead of a featured speaker, the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce will feature people who have shown outstanding service to the community. The event sponsored by Landers Auto of Saline County, begins with Silent Auction at 6 p.m., with dinner to follow.
“All our attendees will be stars that night along with the Community Commitment winners,” noted Rae Ann Fields, Chamber Director. “Everyone will feel like a star as they enter on the Red Carpet and the paparazzi takes photos.”
Community Commitment Award recipients were nominated by Chamber members and then selected by out-of-town committees from other chambers to ensure no bias in the selection. They review the nominators’ notes and the nominee’s information that they turn in on themselves, their companies or organization.
“We have 31 active nominations. We are excited to have that many nominated,” said Fields. “That speaks volumes about how many committed, wonderful people and companies we have here.” Read more: Bryant Daily
Harlan (Kentucky) Chamber hears about youth programs
The Harlan Chamber of Commerce hosted an informational program to discuss youth and technology services, including the Rogers Scholars and Rogers Explorers, at a recent meeting held at the Portal Family Pizzeria in Harlan.
Delaney Stephens, community liaison and youth programs coordinator for the Center for Rural Development, spoke about the programs which are available to promising Kentucky students.
Stephens said the program was mainly for eighth- and 10th-grade students in the region and these educational programs are available to students from all districts in Harlan County.
Rogers Scholars is a one-week camp for upcoming 11th-grade students interested in developing a network of friends and mentors across the region. The deadline to participate in this program is Jan. 31. Rogers Explorers is an opportunity for upcoming ninth-grade students to spend three days and two nights at some of Kentucky’s top colleges and universities. Read more: HarlanDaily.com
University of Iowa, Iowa Western partner in support of small businesses
The University of Iowa and Iowa Western Community College invited Council Bluffs’ business community to celebrate the institutions’ new collaboration to support small businesses.
UI Partners will offer information technology solutions to small- and medium-sized businesses without their own IT departments while offering Iowa Western students the opportunity to gain real-world skills and experience.
“We are very happy to come out and celebrate today,” Sue Diercks, president of the Cee Bee Ambassadors, said to kick off Tuesday morning’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Read more: Omaha.com
Jackson County (Mississippi) Chamber Spotlight: Sun Suites of Gautier offers a home away from home
- Why did you go into business? We went into business to provide those with travel needs in Jackson County the very best option in extended-stay hotels through Sun Suites Extended Stay Hotels' local Sun Suites of Gautier.
- What do you offer your customers? All of our rooms come with standard amenities, such as full kitchens equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, two-burner stovetop and also a coffee maker. We provide pots, pans, dishes and utensils at no additional charge. We offer accommodating living areas with comfortable beds, clean bathrooms, 24-hour laundry facilities, weekly housekeeping service and towel exchange. At Sun Suites of Gautier we offer daily, weekly and monthly rates. These amenities will help you save money on your stay—making Sun Suites the best value in extended stays.
- What are your hours of operation? Our hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday through Saturday. You also can book online 24/7 through http://www.sunsuites.com/hotel/extended-stay-hotel-gautier-ms.
- Why did you choose Jackson County? Jackson County is one the most industrialized counties in Mississippi—poised to continue growth and development. The community in Jackson County has been warm and welcoming, and we are pleased to now call ourselves part of it. Extended stay hotels offer the options needed for the industrial, retail, medical, academic, construction, insurance, restaurant training and leisure travel industries. At Sun Suites of Gautier we offer amenities and long term lower rates that will be a fantastic fit for these growing commercial areas in Jackson County. Read more: GulfLive.com
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