Thursday, April 30, 2015

Deadline Monday for nominations for the 44th Annual Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber Citizen of the Year Honoree; Chamber news: Top Ten U.S. BEST Places to Start A Business #9. Fort Wayne, Indiana; Grand Rapids Area Chamber on the May 5 Michigan Election: What you need to know; Chamber delight: Hyatt Place set to open May 13 at Western Kentucky University; Chamber news: Grain-dealing service to add 120 Conway jobs; Plainfield Chamber: Learn About Cloud Computer at Lunch and Learn Series May 7; Greater Warrenton Chamber immigration event features U.S. chamber expert; Rhinelander Area Chamber event: Hodag Hops & Vines features local beers, wines; Famous Chamber of Commerce: (Attitude)

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


Deadline Monday for nominations for the 44th Annual Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber Citizen of the Year Honoree



The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for 2015 Citizen of the Year for the Oxford/Lafayette County/University community. 
Each year since 1972, the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce has sought to recognize individuals who have made positive contributions to Oxford, Lafayette County and the University of Mississippi as its Citizen of the Year.
If you know of someone who has benefited and made a direct, lasting impact on our community through volunteer service, please help to recognize them by submitting their name as a nominee for 44th Annual Citizen of the Year.  A completed nomination form, a typewritten biography of the individual and three nomination letters are required for each nomination. 
Last year’s honoree for Citizen of the Year was Max Hipp. For a complete list of past recipients go to www.oxfordms.com.


Chamber news: Top Ten U.S. BEST Places to Start A Business #9. Fort Wayne, Indiana


As Indiana’s second-largest city, Fort Wayne has a low cost of living, family-friendly neighborhoods and a vibrant downtown. Local businesses here include The Olive Twist, an olive oil and balsamic vinegar boutique, and Pure Movement Pilates, a pilates studio. Businesses can join Greater Fort Wayne Inc. to get listed in its business directory, attend networking events and get business referrals. The city also has a step-by-step guide to starting a business in Fort Wayne.

Read more: Nerd Wallet

Grand Rapids Area Chamber on the May 5 Michigan Election: What you need to know

Where to Vote & What is on the Ballot

The May 5 Election is next week and voters across the state will decide the fate of  Proposal 1, the most significant attempt at a long-term road funding solution in years. Depending on your community, you might also encounter additional proposals on your ballot.

Before you walk into the voters booth, be sure to visit the Michigan Voter Information Center to find your polling location and a sample ballot.


Know Before You Vote

Following extensive discussion with members, the Chamber Board of Directors has come out in support of Prop 1 and considers it the best opportunity we have to repair our roads and boost the economy. Poor roads directly affect our local businesses as we move goods and services to our customers. It also affects you and your employees on daily commutes to and from work, as well as activities like running errands, going to church, shopping, etc.

The objective of Proposal 1 is to return Michigan’s crumbling infrastructure to a state of good repair. The proposal would do this by raising an estimated $1.2 billion for transportation and $1.7 billion overall.

As you may know, Proposal 1 will raise the sales tax a penny on the dollar to provide the funds we need and give taxpayers three strong guarantees:

  • Every penny you pay at the pump in state taxes will go to transportation.
  • All dollars in the school aid fund will go to K-12 schools and community colleges.
  • Roads will be better built because of stronger warranties that require construction companies to stand behind their work, at the state and local level.
Proposal 1 is our best chance to ensure safe and effective roads in Michigan. As the cost of maintaining roads and building bridges increases, Michigan is running out of time to find a solution. The Chamber urges you to share this message with employees, colleagues, and stakeholders. Let's fix Michigan's roads!



If you have any questions on Proposal 1, please contact Joshua Lunger at 616.771.0336

 

Chamber delight: Hyatt Place set to open May 13 at Western Kentucky University



Douglas E. Artusio said this morning that when the luxury hotel Hyatt Place opens May 13 in Bowling Green adjacent to the Augenstein Alumni Center, a message will be sent to the rest of Kentucky and the nation.
“You are who you associate with,” Artusio said after the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Western Kentucky University’s alumni center, yards from the hotel. 
Artusio, chairman and chief executive officer of hotel development company Dellisart of Roswell, Ga., announced the opening date of Hyatt Place at the breakfast, noting that around 100 people were working to put finishing touches on the hotel. The grand opening event for Hyatt Place will be at 10:30 a.m. June 2, he said.
Hyatt Place is Artusio’s second hotel in Bowling Green. He previously opened Staybridge Suites, an extended stay hotel at 680 Campbell Lane, which is near WKU’s Knicely Conference Center. Read more: BGdailynews.com 





Chamber news: Grain-dealing service to add Conway jobs

Grainster plans 120 hires, says city’s Net speed a draw

Grainster, a matchmaking service for grain buyers and sellers, has received an influx of money from investors and plans to hire 120 people in Conway this year and another 100 within two years.The company will need employees with expertise in banking, programming, marketing and other professional fields.

"We're just some country boys from Arkansas with an idea," said Cotton Rohrscheib, the company's chief operating officer. "So it's really been a Cinderella story." About 10 people are on Grainster's launch team, Rohrscheib said. Layne Fortenberry is chief executive of the company. Earlier this month, Crissy Fortenberry, Layne Fortenberry's wife, was named president. Grainster chose Conway, in part, because of the availability of gigabit Internet -- which is more than 200 times faster than the average Arkansan's connection -- and because of a partnership with the University of Central Arkansas.

"We haven't solidified the deal or location yet, but we decided to base our operation in Conway due to the data district announcement that they recently made," Rohrscheib said. "We'll be ramping up in a few months, and we're already taking applications on our website."

Jamie Gates, executive vice president of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, said the hope is to attract more tech companies to the area. Read more: Arkansas Online

 

Plainfield Chamber: Learn About Cloud Computer at Lunch and Learn Series May 7


The public and local business owners are invited to learn about cloud computing and more at an upcoming "Strictly Business Lunch and Learn" program at the Plainfield Public Library on Thursday, May 7 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Library's large meeting room, 15025 S. Illinois St. in Plainfield.
Paul Rak from PJR Computing will lead the session as he teaches the basics of cloud computing and describes how it can be a great tool to enhance a business. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch. Drinks and desserts will be provided.
This program is in partnership with the Plainfield Public Library District and the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, or to register, visit the Library's online calendar at www.plainfieldpubliclibrary.org or call 815-327-2515. Read more: Chicago Tribune


Greater Warrenton Chamber immigration event features U.S. chamber expert


An immigration seminar will take place Tuesday night, April 28, at Lord Fairfax Community College just south of Warrenton.
“Fact vs. Fiction: Unmasking the Truth About Immigrants in Virginia’s Work Force” will run from 7 to 9 p.m. in “The Barn” at LFCC.
Jon Baselice, director of immigration policy with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., will deliver the keynote address.
Mr. Baselice joined the U.S. chamber last year. He previously worked as a legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)
Local business and community leaders also will participate in the discussion and a question-and-answer session.
LFCC, the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Warrenton Chamber of Commerce, the Blue Ridge Immigration Law Center, BB&T and the Virginia Interfaith Center will sponsor the event. Read more: FauquierNow.com


Rhinelander Area Chamber event: Hodag Hops & Vines features local beers, wines

People in the Northwoods got the chance to sample a variety of beer, wine, and food at the fifth annual Hodag Hops & Vines event in Rhinelander on Saturday.
Many different breweries from around Wisconsin and the Midwest had a presence at the event, which was sponsored by the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dana DeMet says the chamber relies on volunteers to help present all the different beers and wines.

"We have volunteers who are able to come in if the breweries themselves aren't able to be represented, then we get volunteers from different organizations, like our sponsors, or just local volunteers who like to pour the beer," he said. "Our brewers provide info cards and everything that they need for them, so they can be a little bit knowledgeable about the beer." Read more: WJFW 12







Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: 


(Attitude)

“Fate and self-help share equally in shaping our destiny.” --- Indian Proverb


 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.