Chamber interest: Virginia, D.C. and Maryland must learn to work together
The 2015 Virginia General Assembly session has convened with the economy very much on the minds of our legislators.
For
a long time, Virginia’s political leaders did not have to worry about
the economic performance of Northern Virginia. The region was, for the
most part, self-sufficient. Tax dollars flowed from Northern Virginia to
Richmond and on to the rest of the state because of the massive amounts
of federal government spending. Northern Virginia was the undisputed
economic engine of the commonwealth.
However, that engine and those of our regional partners in Maryland and the District are now sputtering. Read more: Washington Post
Our top five Legislative Priorities for 2015 are:
by Mayor Shaun McLaughlin - Below is the text of a speech (slightly altered) I
gave to the Mississippi Mills Chamber of Commerce on January 21. It
describes my goals for economic development.
I will start with some myth busting. You will often hear the old taxation truism that if you increase your industrial commercial assessment, it reduces residential taxes. There is no direct connection and no guarantee. Carleton Place and Perth both have an industrial commercial assessment percentage about four times greater than our meager rate of 4.2%. Are their local residential taxes less? In CP, the residential tax rate is 39% more than ours. In Perth, it is 85% more.
Why? You have to look at how much “wealth” the industrial-commercial assessment brings with it.
If the assessment comes from malls and big-box stores, it brings subsistence, not wealth. It does not pay employees enough money to buy a house and engage fully in their local economy.
We need a mix of jobs—lower tier, mid tier and upper tier. Our town is doing reasonably well in the first two categories. Read more: The Millstone
Last fall, we had several members submit applications for the Healthy Workplace Award. These members have set great example for us to follow and we will be sharing some of their program, tips, and ideas this week as well!
The Healthy Workplace
Awards will be given out this Friday, February 6th at First Friday
Breakfast.
Canton has become only the second Michigan community forging a new digital marketing platform, Save Local Now, designed to give an economic boost to local businesses.
The effort allows Canton Chamber of Commerce members to offer discounts, snag potential customers using search engines Google and Bing, announce promotions and holiday hours, broaden their email marketing campaigns and create their own digital profiles – all in one place.
"We're really excited about it," chamber President Thomas Paden said Wednesday, using his State of the Chamber address as a springboard for Save Local Now.
The service – free and exclusively for chamber members – has iPhone and Android apps making it even easier for businesses and shoppers to connect. It also can be accessed through www.cantonchamber.com and www.savelocalnow.com. Read more: Hometown Life
The state’s business leaders are more optimistic about Wisconsin and the national economy than at any time since the end of the Great Recession, according to a semi-annual survey conducted by the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, also known as the state chamber of commerce.
That is good news for Wisconsin.
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Of the 308 business executives who completed the
survey, 81 percent say Wisconsin’s economy will sees moderate growth in
the next six months, while 4.5 percent said the state will experience
good growth. Twelve percent said growth will be flat and no one
indicated the economy would decline.
With that great news, how do Waterloo and Marshall jump on the bandwagon for economic development? Earlier this month the new city clerk in Waterloo informed the council he contacted several businesses with an invitation to come to the community, with no takers. Marshall is also seeking new development for the village. How do small communities get the economic development they need to survive? Read more: The Courier
Chamber Tweet of the Day: Indy Chamber
Indy Chamber @IndyChamber
2 hours ago
KapStone Container Corporation, an award-winning producer of corrugated and paper packaging, today announced plans to expand their operations at their Bowling Green, Kentucky plant. The project is expected to bring an investment of $4.5 million and the addition of up to 30 new jobs to South Central Kentucky and will consist of the addition of new machinery and equipment and facility upgrades in order to increase production.
“Today’s announcement is a demonstration that KapStone Container continues to build on its growth as a leading national manufacturer in its field,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’ve worked hard with our community partners to make southcentral Kentucky attractive to businesses, and that work is paying off. I’m proud of the new jobs and such a significant investment here in Bowling Green.”
KapStone Container is a subsidiary of KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation. The company is a leading producer of unbleached Kraft paper and corrugated packaging products.
The KapStone Bowling Green plant offers a broad range of products and services and specializes in all types of corrugated packaging. The AIB certified plant is a full line box plant that has served the greater Kentucky and Tennessee market since 2001. In 2013, the Bowling Green facility received the prestigious Fibre Box Association (FBA) Safety Excellence Award. Read more: Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Leadership):
"Opportunity favors the prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur
- Interstate 69
- Urban Core Development
- Evansville Regional Airport
- NeuMED: the Multi-Institution Academic Health Science Research Center
- Quality of Place
Chamber news: Economic directions for Mississippi Mills
I will start with some myth busting. You will often hear the old taxation truism that if you increase your industrial commercial assessment, it reduces residential taxes. There is no direct connection and no guarantee. Carleton Place and Perth both have an industrial commercial assessment percentage about four times greater than our meager rate of 4.2%. Are their local residential taxes less? In CP, the residential tax rate is 39% more than ours. In Perth, it is 85% more.
Why? You have to look at how much “wealth” the industrial-commercial assessment brings with it.
If the assessment comes from malls and big-box stores, it brings subsistence, not wealth. It does not pay employees enough money to buy a house and engage fully in their local economy.
We need a mix of jobs—lower tier, mid tier and upper tier. Our town is doing reasonably well in the first two categories. Read more: The Millstone
Fort Smith (Arkansas) Chamber: Welcome to Wellness Week 2015!
Today is Day 2 of a week of activities to promote
healthy workplace initiatives, brought to you by the Chamber of Commerce and
our Healthcare Committee. There are many ways, both large and small, that you
can help improve the health and wellness of your employees and associates. Each
day, we will publish an E-Catalyst on a different wellness topic.
Last fall, we had several members submit applications for the Healthy Workplace Award. These members have set great example for us to follow and we will be sharing some of their program, tips, and ideas this week as well!
Canton (Michigan) Chamber blazes digital marketing trail
Canton has become only the second Michigan community forging a new digital marketing platform, Save Local Now, designed to give an economic boost to local businesses.
The effort allows Canton Chamber of Commerce members to offer discounts, snag potential customers using search engines Google and Bing, announce promotions and holiday hours, broaden their email marketing campaigns and create their own digital profiles – all in one place.
"We're really excited about it," chamber President Thomas Paden said Wednesday, using his State of the Chamber address as a springboard for Save Local Now.
The service – free and exclusively for chamber members – has iPhone and Android apps making it even easier for businesses and shoppers to connect. It also can be accessed through www.cantonchamber.com and www.savelocalnow.com. Read more: Hometown Life
WMC survey: Our view: Wisconsin business leaders optimistic
The state’s business leaders are more optimistic about Wisconsin and the national economy than at any time since the end of the Great Recession, according to a semi-annual survey conducted by the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, also known as the state chamber of commerce.
That is good news for Wisconsin.
With that great news, how do Waterloo and Marshall jump on the bandwagon for economic development? Earlier this month the new city clerk in Waterloo informed the council he contacted several businesses with an invitation to come to the community, with no takers. Marshall is also seeking new development for the village. How do small communities get the economic development they need to survive? Read more: The Courier
Chamber Tweet of the Day: Indy Chamber
Indy Chamber
David Lewis of @EliLillyCo: we as a region are in a "war for talent," talent attraction is of vital importance
Elgin (Illinois) chamber touts accomplishments
Things are looking up for Elgin's economy, Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce officials said at their annual meeting Tuesday.
The chamber earned accreditation
by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last year, joining 213 chambers -- out
of more than 7,000 -- across the country, said event emcee Rick Jakle,
owner of Fox Valley Broadcasting.
Accreditation is earned by
demonstrating excellence in programming and eliciting positive changes
in the community, Jakle said at the luncheon at Grand Victoria Casino.
The chamber, which is celebrating
is 107th anniversary, held 93 events and programs last year for its 600
or so members. Chamber staff members also worked individually with
chamber members on a variety of things, including marketing, utility
issues, overcoming regulation hurdles and promoting ribbon cuttings and
groundbreakings, Jakle said. Read more: Daily Herald
Chamber great news: KapStone Container Corporation to Expand Operations in Bowling Green, Kentucky
KapStone Container Corporation, an award-winning producer of corrugated and paper packaging, today announced plans to expand their operations at their Bowling Green, Kentucky plant. The project is expected to bring an investment of $4.5 million and the addition of up to 30 new jobs to South Central Kentucky and will consist of the addition of new machinery and equipment and facility upgrades in order to increase production.
“Today’s announcement is a demonstration that KapStone Container continues to build on its growth as a leading national manufacturer in its field,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’ve worked hard with our community partners to make southcentral Kentucky attractive to businesses, and that work is paying off. I’m proud of the new jobs and such a significant investment here in Bowling Green.”
KapStone Container is a subsidiary of KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation. The company is a leading producer of unbleached Kraft paper and corrugated packaging products.
The KapStone Bowling Green plant offers a broad range of products and services and specializes in all types of corrugated packaging. The AIB certified plant is a full line box plant that has served the greater Kentucky and Tennessee market since 2001. In 2013, the Bowling Green facility received the prestigious Fibre Box Association (FBA) Safety Excellence Award. Read more: Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Leadership):
"Opportunity favors the prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur
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