Greater Williamsburg Chamber: Economic Growth continues to be Most Important Public Policy Issue for Alliance Member; Best Chamber Practices: Craft Food Workshop – a joint Dandelion Foods and Mississippi Mills Chamber workshop April 2; Indy Chamber idea: Maker-space movement touches down in Indy; Eau Claire (Wisconsin) Chamber event: Refresh Live Leadership Simulcast; Chamber interest: Legislators back bill for Arkansas state police; Western Chicagoland Suburbs Welcome Two-Time ‘Shark Tanker,’ Dave Alwan to Multi-Chamber Event; The Chamber Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg Business Assistance Programs: Economic Development; Georgetown/South County Chamber Best Chamber Practices: Leadership Scott County; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude)

Good morning Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!

Greater Williamsburg Chamber: Economic  Growth continues to be Most Important Public Policy Issue for Alliance Members

The Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance released results for their 2015 Economic Outlook Survey today.  The survey, completed by 94 area businesses, about 12% of membership, marks the sixth year for collecting the data from Alliance member businesses.

Economic growth remains the top public policy issue for the respondents followed by tourism and the attraction of new businesses. Some differences in public policy issues from the previous year included transportation, housing cost, and heath care. There is slightly less concern with transportation, 28% to 20%, possibly because the expansion of Interstate 64 is gearing up to happen. There is more concern for housing costs and availability, from 17% last year to 35% this year. Health care has become less of a concern, 45% to 23%.

This year, 34% of members plan to expand their business this year, 96% plan to stay here in Williamsburg and not relocate, and 38% anticipate increasing their employment level. Other good news includes 69% of members expect that their business revenues will increase in the coming year. This is up from the 63% last year. In a new question this year, the Alliance asked what may be the cause of increased revenues. Forty two percent of business members expect the higher business revenues to be a result of increased marketing, 30% believe the increase comes from increased demand, and 27% believe general market improvement.

In the coming year, 63% of business members believe their expenditures will increase coming from higher marketing expenditures, development of new products, and higher compensation for existing employees. Fifty two percent of businesses predict these expenditures will lead to an increase in profits.

The Alliance conducts the membership economic outlook survey annually and shares the data with area municipal leaders to convey the changes in economic outlook of area businesses.

 

Best Chamber Practices: Craft Food Workshop – a joint Dandelion Foods and Mississippi Mills Chamber workshop April 2

Dandelion Foods and the Mississippi Mills Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce a new workshop series aimed at individuals and businesses looking to start, grow and expand their craft food business.

The Business of Craft Foods will aim to help local food entrepreneurs transform their passion for food into artisan & value-added food businesses. Through a series of expert speakers, panel discussions and networking opportunities, these sessions will offer participants critical and time saving information needed to launch a successful food business.

The kick-off event will feature a showcase presentations from successful food entrepreneurs, including Janet Campbell, owner and founder of Mrs. McGarrigle’s Fine Mustard, Equator Coffee Roasters’ owner Craig Hall, an overview of business resources from Susan Fournier of Valley Heartland, a panel discussion as well as more to be announced.  Subsequent sessions will include topics such as Laws, Labeling, and Marketing Strategies; Developing Your Business Plan & Financing Strategies; and Building Your Brand and Getting to Market. Read more: The Millstone

Indy Chamber idea: Maker-space movement touches down in Indy

The corner of Brookside Avenue and 10th Street, just off Massachusetts Avenue, could soon be the center of what city planners hope is a model to address industrial blight.

By fall, the site should be home to the city’s first “maker space”—a collaborative area where artisans have access to industrial tools and programming—housed in 30,000 square feet at the 539,000-square-foot Circle City Industrial Complex.

Named after the “maker movement,” similar spaces have emerged across the country. The Indy space will anchor the latest phase of redevelopment for the sprawling 1920s building, which was built as an automobile-fan factory but is now home to a variety of users ranging from industrial to artistic.

Teagen Development Inc., the building’s new owner, and Riley Area Development Corp. plan to renovate the south end of CCIC—a portion that is roughly 120,000 square feet.

The maker space will take up about a quarter of that, with the rest allotted for retailers, restaurants, offices and studios. The overall project is expected to cost $5 million. Read more: Indianapolis Business Journal

 

 

 

Eau Claire (Wisconsin) Chamber event: Refresh Live Leadership Simulcast

Wednesday, April 15, 2015 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Chippewa Valley Technical College
620 W Clairemont Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701

Back for its sixth year, the Refresh Leadership Live Simulcast brings a distinguished lineup of inspirational speakers directly to you. Each specifically chosen for their proven expertise and extraordinary accomplishments, this year’s speakers will share their insight on how to lead your business, inspire your team and live an influential life. The simulcast will be broadcast live from California to Chippewa Valley Technical College’s Business Education Center.
The 2015 Refresh Leadership Live Simulcast speakers include:
• Daymond John, CEO of FUBU and Shark Branding, and Co-Star on ABC's “Shark Tank”
• Dan Aykroyd, Actor, Comedian, Screenwriter, Musician, Businessman … Ghostbuster
• Liz Murray, Motivational Speaker and Bestselling author
This half-day event was designed with leaders like you in mind. Join us to learn about the power of great leadership, be motivated to reach your full potential and have a few laughs along the way. Read more: Eau Claire Chamber

Rogers-Lowell  & Bentonville-Bella Vista Chamber interest: Legislators back bill for Arkansas state police

Money for a new headquarters for Arkansas State Police Troop L is close to approval in the state Legislature, lawmakers said at a forum Saturday.
"As far as regional issues go, this might be the most important one for us in this legislative session," said Sen. Jon Woods, R-Springdale.
Woods was among lawmakers speaking at a forum hosted by the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bentonville-Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce on Saturday morning at Northwest Arkansas Community College.
In 2011, state police bought 25 acres in Lowell for the facility. The agency had been trying since 2005 to buy land to build a new regional headquarters. Read more: Arkansas Online

Western Chicagoland Suburbs Welcome Two-Time ‘Shark Tanker,’ Dave Alwan to Multi-Chamber Event

The cattleman from Peoria will have a second chance on Shark Tank this week. If you miss it, your second chance to see him will be on Thursday, March 26^th, 2015 at the Multi-Chamber Spring Luncheon at Bobaks Signature Events in Woodridge Illinois.  Entrepreneur Dave Alwan of Echo Valley Meats Inc. will speak about opening up his own business and the trials and tribulations on his path to success, and of course, his two experiences on SHARK TANK. The event also features a business expo prior to the keynote; forty businesses from all over the region will be on display from 10:30 – 2:00. 

Dave auditioned for the ABC TV show Shark Tank during Season 4.  Though he didn’t secure a deal, the “sharks” liked his meat products, authenticity, and enthusiasm.  Not getting the Shark Tank deal still brought Dave Alwan many successes. After the show, online sales at Echo Valley Meats Inc. increased over 600%. Dave has also been asked to speak at many colleges, universities, corporations, and organizations across the country. Dave’s story of hard work and his common-sense approach to life and business will uplift and inspire you.

“Dave Alwan has a great story to tell; dreaming the big picture while taking calculated risks and hard work has been Dave’s formula for success. This is a [don’t miss] event, Dave is a motivational speaker to whom we can all relate. This event also provides an opportunity for phenomenal networking,” said Laura Crawford, President & CEO of Chamber630. 

Eighteen chamber of commerce organizations are participating in this event. Please visit www.chamber630.com; tickets are $35 each and seating is limited.

The Chamber Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg Business Assistance Programs: Economic Development

The Chamber is the center of economic development services and programs in Northwest Ottawa County. We coordinate the area’s strategic planning process, provide data and contacts to potential new businesses and act as the primary marketer of the community to the outside world. We have also developed solid relationships with neighboring communities through the West Michigan Economic Development Coalition and have brought educators and employers together through our Business Education Partnerships programs.
Our focus is retaining and growing our existing businesses by bringing the resources they need to stay competitive in today’s global economy. We administer U.S. Small Business Administration 504 Loan funds, provide small business counseling and facilitate communication among local municipalities and the business community. We create opportunities for businesses to network with potential customers and peers and oversee an extensive training and workforce development initiative. When a business has needs outside The Chamber’s list of services, we refer them to the appropriate agency or person who can best help them to move forward.
Contact David Miller, Vice President Economic Development at 616.846.3153 for more information on any of the following. Read more: The Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg


Georgetown/South County Chamber Best Chamber Practices: Leadership Scott County

 

Created in 1991, more than 400 community leaders have participated in the Leadership Scott County Program.  Monthly sessions (August – May) consisting of local history, education, government, agriculture, economics, health care and public services provide participants the background knowledge of our community while developing leadership skills.

With the formation of the Leadership Development Committee in 2004, the Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce has taken a lead role in the overview of the Leadership Scott County Program.  This committee will be responsible to ensure the consistency of the program mission from class to class.

View the Leadership Scott County Video.


Leadership Scott County
Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce
160 E. Main St.
Georgetown, KY 40324
Phone: (502) 863-5424Fax: (502) 863-5756  Contact Name: Laura Green  Or email: laura@gtown.org


Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude) 

As you cannot do what you want, want what you can do.”

Leonardo da Vinci