Richmond Chamber InterCity Visit Wrap-up: Strong leadership, strong business support key to Nashville success
Greater Richmond Chamber President Kim Scheeler closed strong, wrapping up the chamber’s annual three-day InterCity Visit with a stern set of marching orders for the 160 or so civic, government and business leaders who had come along.
“What we keep hearing every year is about strong leaders,” said Scheeler, referencing a constant theme in 23 years of such visits. “What we’re not giving attention to is, those leaders have strong support.
“We have to be the people who
help the leaders. We can’t just sit back and expect someone else to do
it. We can’t be content with good enough. Let’s figure out what the
obstacles are and find solutions to removing them.”
In eight sessions leading up to
Scheeler’s speech — and the tone, tenor and forcefulness caught many in
the room off guard — the group heard from Nashville leaders who spoke of
the power of strong regional leadership and how the city’s business
community helped make it possible. Read more: Richmond Times-Dispatch
Just off West Sunflower Road in Cleveland, Miss., past Walter Sillers Coliseum, where Delta State University's basketball teams speed across the court, there's a site that celebrates an entirely different kind of competition. It may not be ready just yet, but it's closer than ever.
The natural skin care products made in a downtown Sheboygan shop have made their way into the swag bags given to celebrities at last year’s Emmy Awards, the 2015 Golden Globe Awards and next, the MTV Movie Awards on April 12.
“I feel excited that our increased exposure allows our products to be in the hands of people all over the United States whether they’re a celebrity or not, but of course I can’t help but feel a little giddy over the idea that a celebrity would have my lip balm in their pocket,” said Caitlin Brotz, owner of Olivü 426, which also makes natural home products like room spray and soy candles.
In 2003, Brotz began making lip balm and whipped lotion that would help heal her boyfriend, who was badly burned while building a wood chip snowmobile track.
After obtaining her entrepreneurship certification from Collin County Community College in Texas and a business degree from Lakeland College in Sheboygan County, Brotz founded Olivü 426 in 2006, at the age of 23.
It is located in a 2,100-square-foot space, with the main floor used for the store, the basement used for raw material storage and the recently acquired upstairs space used for the production area.
Brotz named it Olivü 426 because many of her products contain olive oil, and Olivü sounds like “I love you.” The 426 is a tribute to her boyfriend, who died in a 2005 car accident. It was his snowmobile racing number.
“I don’t think a lot of people thought I’d be around in a year or two, including probably myself, but I was,” she said. Read more: BizTimes.com
Economic developers from across the state gathered in Chicago this weekend.
Little Rock, Jonesboro, Helena-West Helena, Fort Smith, Paragould, Hot Springs, Conway and Arkadelphia were among the towns represented. Joining them were five staff members from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
What drew so many of the state's business recruiters to Chicago? Were they closing a deal on some top-secret project? Persuading a major corporation to move its headquarters to Arkansas?
Not quite.
They were at the United Center to attend the Big Ten basketball championship semifinals.
The commission rented a suite for the Saturday afternoon session and was using the tournament as a way to interact with site location consultants.
As interim Executive Director Danny Games explained to the commission during its monthly meeting, Chicago is regarded as a hub for site selectors. Building relationships with folks in that line of work is important, and Games estimated 20 representatives from 12 firms were planning to attend.
This isn't the first trip of this nature for the commission. Spokesman Scott Hardin said the organization has previously rented suites at the Southeastern Conference football championship in Atlanta and hosted consultants in suites to watch the Cubs in Chicago and the Yankees in New York.
In attendance over Saturday were the Arkadelphia Alliance, Conway Development Corp., Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, Entergy, Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, Great River Economic Development Foundation (Blytheville), Helena Harbor, Hot Springs Metro Partnership, Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, Maumelle Chamber of Commerce, Metro Little Rock Alliance, Oklahoma Gas and Electric, and the Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce. Read more: Arkansas Online
The Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce’s re-branding committee plans to ask for as much as $30,000 from both city and county governments over the next three years to help fund its efforts to better market the community.
They’re taking their message to other stakeholders, as well, asking for buy-in on a comprehensive initiative to create a logo and subsequent plan, which they hope will be a lynchpin for economic development.
Mike Feldman, chairman of the re-branding committee, says the Chamber hopes to finalize a contract with an outside marketing agency that specializes in branding communities, so work on the campaign can begin as early as next month.
The agency has branded at least seven capital cities, Feldman said, but the firm requires an initial $41,000 to begin work on the initial stages of the campaign. The name of the marketing firm hasn’t been released pending the finalization of a contract, but Feldman says they pitched the best and least expensive proposal of five agencies that submitted bids.
“It’s one of those rare occurrences you get exactly what you wanted at the cheapest price,” he said. Read more: The State-Journal
There was no need for over-sized scissors to cut the ribbon at the new Ivy Tech Community College training facility — a semi-truck drove through the ribbon instead, commemorating of the opening of the facility.
"This is such an exciting day for the city of La Porte and I've been looking forward to this opportunity for quite sometime," said La Porte Mayor Blair Milo, who was on hand for the occasion.
Marci Duro announces retirement from Illinois Valley Area chamber of commerce
Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development executive director Marci Duro has announced she is retiring. Duro told IVAC board members her retirement would be effective in April, or until her replacement is up-to-speed to ensure an easy transition.
“We knew it was coming because she committed to five years, although we hoped it would be later this year,” said board chairman Scott Stavrakas, vice president of sales and marketing for the NewsTribune. Read more: News-Tribune
A new designation in Wexford County will hopefully lead to many things, including growth for all of its businesses, industries and communities.
Cleveland (Mississippi) Chamber inspiration: Follow the Gold-Record Road: Creating the Grammy Museum® Mississippi
Just off West Sunflower Road in Cleveland, Miss., past Walter Sillers Coliseum, where Delta State University's basketball teams speed across the court, there's a site that celebrates an entirely different kind of competition. It may not be ready just yet, but it's closer than ever.
#Take
a walk toward the university's Darrell Foreman Golf Course. Instead of
flags demarking golf holes, you'll find metal girders reaching two
stories up. The course has changed shape, allowing for a 4.2-acre
construction site. Workers from local firm Eley Barkley Engineering and
Architecture and Jackson firm Dale Partners Architects alternate in
activity, pushing toward an ever-impending deadline.
#While
the uninitiated might pass the upturned earth and steel structure
without much thought, many residents of Cleveland know what it will
become. It's the site of the future Grammy Museum® Mississippi, and come
this fall, it will be one of the state's biggest attractions.
#When
Mayor Billy Nowell and the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce decided to
develop a music museum in 2009, they approached Allan Hammons of Hammons
& Associates advertising firm. They'd seen Hammons' vision at work
when he helped design and coordinate the construction of the B.B. King
Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola when he was its
interim executive director. They'd also seen how that museum boosted
Indianola's economy since its 2008 opening. Read more: Jackson Free-PressChamber retailer of the Year: Sheboygan shop makes skin care products used in celebrity swag bags
The natural skin care products made in a downtown Sheboygan shop have made their way into the swag bags given to celebrities at last year’s Emmy Awards, the 2015 Golden Globe Awards and next, the MTV Movie Awards on April 12.
“I feel excited that our increased exposure allows our products to be in the hands of people all over the United States whether they’re a celebrity or not, but of course I can’t help but feel a little giddy over the idea that a celebrity would have my lip balm in their pocket,” said Caitlin Brotz, owner of Olivü 426, which also makes natural home products like room spray and soy candles.
In 2003, Brotz began making lip balm and whipped lotion that would help heal her boyfriend, who was badly burned while building a wood chip snowmobile track.
After obtaining her entrepreneurship certification from Collin County Community College in Texas and a business degree from Lakeland College in Sheboygan County, Brotz founded Olivü 426 in 2006, at the age of 23.
It is located in a 2,100-square-foot space, with the main floor used for the store, the basement used for raw material storage and the recently acquired upstairs space used for the production area.
Brotz named it Olivü 426 because many of her products contain olive oil, and Olivü sounds like “I love you.” The 426 is a tribute to her boyfriend, who died in a 2005 car accident. It was his snowmobile racing number.
“I don’t think a lot of people thought I’d be around in a year or two, including probably myself, but I was,” she said. Read more: BizTimes.com
Arkansas, local economic boosters woo site consultants at Big Ten tourney
Economic developers from across the state gathered in Chicago this weekend.
Little Rock, Jonesboro, Helena-West Helena, Fort Smith, Paragould, Hot Springs, Conway and Arkadelphia were among the towns represented. Joining them were five staff members from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
What drew so many of the state's business recruiters to Chicago? Were they closing a deal on some top-secret project? Persuading a major corporation to move its headquarters to Arkansas?
Not quite.
They were at the United Center to attend the Big Ten basketball championship semifinals.
The commission rented a suite for the Saturday afternoon session and was using the tournament as a way to interact with site location consultants.
As interim Executive Director Danny Games explained to the commission during its monthly meeting, Chicago is regarded as a hub for site selectors. Building relationships with folks in that line of work is important, and Games estimated 20 representatives from 12 firms were planning to attend.
This isn't the first trip of this nature for the commission. Spokesman Scott Hardin said the organization has previously rented suites at the Southeastern Conference football championship in Atlanta and hosted consultants in suites to watch the Cubs in Chicago and the Yankees in New York.
In attendance over Saturday were the Arkadelphia Alliance, Conway Development Corp., Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, Entergy, Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, Great River Economic Development Foundation (Blytheville), Helena Harbor, Hot Springs Metro Partnership, Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, Maumelle Chamber of Commerce, Metro Little Rock Alliance, Oklahoma Gas and Electric, and the Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce. Read more: Arkansas Online
County, city will be asked to stand behind Frankfort Area Chamber re-branding efforts
The Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce’s re-branding committee plans to ask for as much as $30,000 from both city and county governments over the next three years to help fund its efforts to better market the community.
They’re taking their message to other stakeholders, as well, asking for buy-in on a comprehensive initiative to create a logo and subsequent plan, which they hope will be a lynchpin for economic development.
Mike Feldman, chairman of the re-branding committee, says the Chamber hopes to finalize a contract with an outside marketing agency that specializes in branding communities, so work on the campaign can begin as early as next month.
The agency has branded at least seven capital cities, Feldman said, but the firm requires an initial $41,000 to begin work on the initial stages of the campaign. The name of the marketing firm hasn’t been released pending the finalization of a contract, but Feldman says they pitched the best and least expensive proposal of five agencies that submitted bids.
“It’s one of those rare occurrences you get exactly what you wanted at the cheapest price,” he said. Read more: The State-Journal
Chamber delight : La Porte Ivy Tech facility opens
There was no need for over-sized scissors to cut the ribbon at the new Ivy Tech Community College training facility — a semi-truck drove through the ribbon instead, commemorating of the opening of the facility.
"This is such an exciting day for the city of La Porte and I've been looking forward to this opportunity for quite sometime," said La Porte Mayor Blair Milo, who was on hand for the occasion.
Milo spoke before the ribbon was
snapped in two by the 18-wheeler. She was joined by Mike Seitz of the
Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce, Ivy Tech Community College
Chancellor Dr. Thomas Coley and Rick Soria, president of Ivy Tech of
Michigan City. Read more: HeraldArgus.com
Marci Duro announces retirement from Illinois Valley Area chamber of commerce
Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development executive director Marci Duro has announced she is retiring. Duro told IVAC board members her retirement would be effective in April, or until her replacement is up-to-speed to ensure an easy transition.
“We knew it was coming because she committed to five years, although we hoped it would be later this year,” said board chairman Scott Stavrakas, vice president of sales and marketing for the NewsTribune. Read more: News-Tribune
Chamber news: Wexford Co. becomes 13th in state to earn Connected Broadband Certification
A new designation in Wexford County will hopefully lead to many things, including growth for all of its businesses, industries and communities.
Spurring that potential growth will be technology, and in particular
access, to things like the Internet. On Friday, community stakeholders
and leaders within the county came together at the Student Center of
Baker College of Cadillac to celebrate the county being recognized as a
certified Connected Community.
The Connected Community Engagement Program, facilitated by Connect
Michigan, supports the development of a comprehensive strategy for
building a connected community by reviewing the technology landscape,
developing regional partnerships, establishing local teams and
conducting a thorough community assessment of broadband access,
adoption, and use.
Wexford County Administrator Ken Hinton said the county, city of
Cadillac and Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce were the three local
power players, along with Connect Michigan, involved in the process
that started about two to three years ago. He also said formulation of a
community technology plan could cost tens of thousands of dollars, but
to get the certification through the program cost nothing. Read more: Cadillac News
Village of Mundelein (Illinois) 2015 Community Map
Our newest publication, the Village of Mundelein 2015 Community Map is available at Mundelein Village Hall today! Thanks to Tami Schafernak and Michael Flynn for their help in putting this together!
For further information about how Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's map or gloss publication needs, please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Village of Mundelein (Illinois) 2015 Community Map
Our newest publication, the Village of Mundelein 2015 Community Map is available at Mundelein Village Hall today! Thanks to Tami Schafernak and Michael Flynn for their help in putting this together!
For further information about how Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's map or gloss publication needs, please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Famous Chamber of Commerce
Quotation: Greatest Lesson You Teach:
“Time is not money - money is money” - Pat MulQueeny, President/CEO - Eden Prairie (MN) Chamber of Commerce
--- (Source: www.chambermentor.com)
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