Good morning Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!
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Michigan Chamber Of Commerce Announces 2015-2016 Legislative Priorities/Agenda For Job Creation And Business Growth
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today announced legislative priorities for 2015-2016. These priorities were developed by the Chamber's policy committees with input from over 500 business leaders from across the state and were unanimously approved on January 27, 2015 by the Michigan Chamber's 84-member Board of Directors.
"The Michigan Chamber represents over 6,700 job providers throughout the state who are strongly committed to moving Michigan forward by advancing this agenda to further improve Michigan's economic competitiveness," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley.
"The Chamber's legislative priorities for 2015-2016 are intended to
focus lawmakers' attention on public policy initiatives to encourage job
creation and business growth."
"Michigan Chamber members and staff will continue to play a constructive role in shaping Michigan's future," noted Jim Holcomb,
Senior Vice President for Business Advocacy & General Counsel for
the Michigan Chamber. "We are dedicated to an economic future that
includes more and better jobs for Michigan
families; more efficient state and local government for taxpayers; and
stronger communities with a better quality of life for every resident of
the Great Lakes State." Read more: Michigan Chamber
The state’s infrastructure, cuts to public education and mandatory drug testing for public aid recipients were issues raised at Friday morning’s Legislative Breakfast in Beloit.
Hosted by the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce at the Ironworks Hotel, the event featured a discussion by State Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, and State Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, on Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget. After giving their thoughts on the budget, the legislators fielded questions submitted by the audience.
Nass and Loudenbeck said they are concerned about proposed funding cuts to K-12 education. Nass said he tends to “prefer people to programs,” even if it means spending a little less on transportation and infrastructure.
One audience member questioned how reducing funding to public schools — by $150 per student — helps prepare Wisconsin kids to enter an increasingly high-tech workforce. Nass said money which becomes available in April needs to be directed, in large part, to K-12 education. Read more: Beloit Daily News
The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated a year of success at last night’s Annual Dinner at the Sloan Convention Center, where more than 600 local business leaders, regional partners and special guests were treated to a unique twist on the traditional annual dinner.
This year the Chamber celebrated 80 years of Chamber success. With the completion of The Leader In Me Investment campaign and another record-breaking year in economic development, there were many great things to talk about. The Chamber would like to offer special thanks to Charles M. Moore Insurance Agency for their title sponsorship that made the event possible.
Judge Steve Wilson served as the emcee of the event, leading the audience through several fun videos and speakers that showcased the many accomplishments of 2014. Through a partnership with WKU Public Broadcasting, 10 top broadcasting students worked closely with President’s Club sponsors to create the videos. In a special twist this year, three of the WKU sponsors will be awarded scholarships based on votes received through an online video contest. Read more: Bowling Green Chamber
Conway Corporation Marketing Coordinator Beth McCullough earned the IOM recognition from the Institute for Organization Management last month after completing 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management.
The Institute program has been fostering individual growth and education since 1921, making it one of the oldest and most regarded programs in nonprofit management in the country.
“I’m proud to work for a company that provides quality, reliable services for our customers and recognizes the value of personal and professional development for its employees,” McCullough said. “Institute provides one of the most comprehensive workforce development curricula available in an ever-changing business climate and motivates me to dream big for our company and our community.” Read more: Log Cabin Democrat
Chamber Tweet of the Day: Jackson County Mississippi Chamber
Colonial Heights (Virginia) Chamber Stakeholder: City takes first steps toward strategic plan to build business
What’s so special about Glenview?
The Glenview Chamber of Commerce Community Photo Contest invites all amateur photographers to help us answer that question with a compelling image. It could be a favorite street corner, a joyful event, a beautiful winter scene—whatever makes you love our hometown.
Each photo submitted has the chance to be used in various Chamber publications, as well as the Chamber website. If you were going to welcome visitors to town, what would you tell them about? The small-town, Midwestern neighborliness? The way everyone shows up for Summer Fest? And what would you show them? The gazebo in Jackson Park? The train stop at dawn? Grab your camera and become a guide in your hometown AND win!
Top prize: $100 and publication Read more: Patch.com
Bipartisan legislation designed to lower the tax burden on small businesses was introduced Monday by Reps. Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Ron Kind (D-WI).
The bill, titled America’s Small Business Tax Relief Act, would make some existing small business expensing practices permanent. The hope is that this policy would assist in developing stability in the early stages of the small business cycle.
“It’s been proven that members of both parties can unite around this issue and pass this critical legislation,” Tiberi said. “It would provide predictability for small business owners by making permanent a small business expensing measure that’s been part of the tax code since the 1950s. Employers have told me over and over that this measure reduces compliance costs for small businesses, reduces the cost of capital, and improves cash flow allowing them to invest, expand and create jobs.”
For many of the last four years, rules regarding expenses that are outlined in Section 179 of the tax code permitted small business owners, farmers and ranchers to immediately deduct up to $500,000 in investments that were used for property, equipment and computer software as opposed to them being required to depreciate those costs over time. Over the years, however, the deduction limit has varied. For 2015, the limit was reduced to $25,000. Read more: Ripon Advance
Beloit Chamber Legislative Breakfast - Wisconsin Legislators: Changes may occur on budget
The state’s infrastructure, cuts to public education and mandatory drug testing for public aid recipients were issues raised at Friday morning’s Legislative Breakfast in Beloit.
Hosted by the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce at the Ironworks Hotel, the event featured a discussion by State Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, and State Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, on Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget. After giving their thoughts on the budget, the legislators fielded questions submitted by the audience.
Nass and Loudenbeck said they are concerned about proposed funding cuts to K-12 education. Nass said he tends to “prefer people to programs,” even if it means spending a little less on transportation and infrastructure.
One audience member questioned how reducing funding to public schools — by $150 per student — helps prepare Wisconsin kids to enter an increasingly high-tech workforce. Nass said money which becomes available in April needs to be directed, in large part, to K-12 education. Read more: Beloit Daily News
Bowling Green (Kentucky) Chamber Celebrates Success at Annual Dinner and Announces Video Contest
The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated a year of success at last night’s Annual Dinner at the Sloan Convention Center, where more than 600 local business leaders, regional partners and special guests were treated to a unique twist on the traditional annual dinner.
This year the Chamber celebrated 80 years of Chamber success. With the completion of The Leader In Me Investment campaign and another record-breaking year in economic development, there were many great things to talk about. The Chamber would like to offer special thanks to Charles M. Moore Insurance Agency for their title sponsorship that made the event possible.
Judge Steve Wilson served as the emcee of the event, leading the audience through several fun videos and speakers that showcased the many accomplishments of 2014. Through a partnership with WKU Public Broadcasting, 10 top broadcasting students worked closely with President’s Club sponsors to create the videos. In a special twist this year, three of the WKU sponsors will be awarded scholarships based on votes received through an online video contest. Read more: Bowling Green Chamber
Chamber news: Conway Corporation Marketing Coordinator Beth McCullough earns IOM recognition from U.S. Chamber
Conway Corporation Marketing Coordinator Beth McCullough earned the IOM recognition from the Institute for Organization Management last month after completing 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management.
The Institute program has been fostering individual growth and education since 1921, making it one of the oldest and most regarded programs in nonprofit management in the country.
“I’m proud to work for a company that provides quality, reliable services for our customers and recognizes the value of personal and professional development for its employees,” McCullough said. “Institute provides one of the most comprehensive workforce development curricula available in an ever-changing business climate and motivates me to dream big for our company and our community.” Read more: Log Cabin Democrat
Chamber Tweet of the Day: Jackson County Mississippi Chamber
gulflive.com
Small Business Grant applications are available online for Chamber of Commerce members | http://ow.ly/B8u9I
Crossroads
Regional Chamber of Commerce is looking for Fine Arts Artists to join the
New “Fine Arts Lane” during the 2015 Food & Arts Festival!
Friday, June 19 ~ 11am-11pm & Saturday,
June 20 ~ 11am-11pm
The Annual Arts & Crafts
Festival will once again join the popular food festival, the Taste of the
Region. Over 50 Fine Art Artists and Arts & Crafters will take over around
the Old Lake County Courthouse in downtown Crown Point. 30 restaurants &
caterers will serve up their specialties on the surrounding streets. A
kid’s area, live musical entertainment & beer garden are all part of the
fun!
Visit
www.crossroadschamber.org for details. If
you would like to participate in the New Fine Arts Lane, please call
Farren at 219.769.8180.
Colonial Heights (Virginia) Chamber Stakeholder: City takes first steps toward strategic plan to build business
The city is gearing up a plan to revamp economic development
by making Colonial Heights an even more desirable place to live, shop, play and
invest. Karen Epps, director of economic development, outlined a year-long
timeline of forming a strategic plan during the council’s annual retreat last
month. The annual retreat is a tool to outline the city’s priorities for the
year and beyond.
During the Jan. 15 meeting, Epps explained to councilors
that the strategic economic development plan has to involve all stakeholders
— city officials, business owners and residents — to move the city
forward economically.
Over the next couple of months, the first steps of the plan
are to be executed by council crafting a vision statement for the direction of
the plan. The city is also working to reach out to more economic stakeholders
for their input in crafting the plan. Potential stakeholders identified include
the Economic Development Authority, the Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce,
Virginia State University, Fort Lee and others. Read more: The Progress-IndexGlenview (Illinois) Chamber Holding Photo Contest
What’s so special about Glenview?
The Glenview Chamber of Commerce Community Photo Contest invites all amateur photographers to help us answer that question with a compelling image. It could be a favorite street corner, a joyful event, a beautiful winter scene—whatever makes you love our hometown.
Each photo submitted has the chance to be used in various Chamber publications, as well as the Chamber website. If you were going to welcome visitors to town, what would you tell them about? The small-town, Midwestern neighborliness? The way everyone shows up for Summer Fest? And what would you show them? The gazebo in Jackson Park? The train stop at dawn? Grab your camera and become a guide in your hometown AND win!
Top prize: $100 and publication Read more: Patch.com
U.S. Chamber interest: Tiberi-Kind bill to lock in small business tax relief
Bipartisan legislation designed to lower the tax burden on small businesses was introduced Monday by Reps. Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Ron Kind (D-WI).
The bill, titled America’s Small Business Tax Relief Act, would make some existing small business expensing practices permanent. The hope is that this policy would assist in developing stability in the early stages of the small business cycle.
“It’s been proven that members of both parties can unite around this issue and pass this critical legislation,” Tiberi said. “It would provide predictability for small business owners by making permanent a small business expensing measure that’s been part of the tax code since the 1950s. Employers have told me over and over that this measure reduces compliance costs for small businesses, reduces the cost of capital, and improves cash flow allowing them to invest, expand and create jobs.”
For many of the last four years, rules regarding expenses that are outlined in Section 179 of the tax code permitted small business owners, farmers and ranchers to immediately deduct up to $500,000 in investments that were used for property, equipment and computer software as opposed to them being required to depreciate those costs over time. Over the years, however, the deduction limit has varied. For 2015, the limit was reduced to $25,000. Read more: Ripon Advance
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude)
"For
success, attitude is equally as important as ability.” --- Walter Scott
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