Indiana has best Midwest business climate, chamber says; Rochester Regional Chamber: Leadership Greater Rochester; Falls Church chamber luncheon: Saslaw, Simon Report on Virginia Economic Bounce; Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber event: Bryan Hayes Brings Summer Sunset Series to a Close This Sunday; State won’t be able to just fund its way out of pension crisis, Kentucky Chamber explains on KET; Greater Beloit Chamber Executive Timothy Dutter: Wisconsin needs Export-Import Bank for international sales; Chamber excitement: Galesburg Ranked Among Top 20 Small Cities in the Nation; Free mixer set for Monday night hosted by Venture Center, Little Rock Chamber

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

Indiana has best Midwest business climate, chamber says

Indiana has the best business climate in the Midwest and sixth best in the nation, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce says.
But the state still faces major challenges to future growth — the fallout from the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a perception of violent crime and a lack of entrepreneurism, the business group said Thursday in its Indiana Vision 2025 report.
Indiana has improved in 33 "raw" metrics out of a total of 59, said Kevin Brinegar, president and CEO of Indiana Chamber of Commerce. That includes "significant improvements" in reading and math in the 4th and 8th grades, he said.
There's a different story for higher education, he said. The state is mired at 45th nationwide for the number of its residents with associate's degrees and 42nd for those with bachelor's degrees.
Cameron Carter, the chamber's vice president of economic development policy, said the state has worked to increase entrepreneurial activity, but overall growth remains low with the state ranking in the bottom fifth in that category. Read more: Indy Star

Rochester Regional Chamber: Leadership Greater Rochester

The mission of the Leadership Greater Rochester Program is to build a broad-based network of community leaders who enhance their leadership abilities and skills through continuing education, shared perspectives and community involvement in order to enable them to work toward solutions in the public interest. LRG offers area businesses or relocations a chance to become acquainted with the communities and a variety of regional leaders, and employees to make connections and continue their involvement in our area's unique history, needs and activities.

Download the PDF application linked below or contact the Chamber office at 248-651-6700 or info@rrc-mi.com for more detail on joining this year's Leadership Greater Rochester class which begins September 2015.
 

Leadership Greater Rochester 2015-2016 Class Application

Read more: Rochester Regional Chamber

Falls Church chamber luncheon: Saslaw, Simon Report on Virginia Economic Bounce

The $422 million surplus over expectations in the $20 billion Virginia state budget reflects a combination of a mild economic recovery here, in spite of federal government spending cuts, but also the aggressive pro-business efforts of Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Falls Church’s State Senator Richard Saslaw told the monthly luncheon of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce here Tuesday.
Saslaw, the veteran Democrats’ leader in the state senate, and State Del. Marcus Simon, completing his first term, provided a comprehensive briefing to the Chamber members present, and noted that despite a lopsided Republican control of the State House of Delegates and marginal control of the State Senate, McAuliffe’s aggressive pro-business efforts and sharp veto pen have put the state in a better place than when he took office 17 months ago.
“This governor has done more in 17 months to bring new business to Virginia than the last three governors combined have been able to do,” Saslaw said of McAuliffe’s seemingly tireless efforts to bring new commerce here.
“He works 24 hours a day,” Saslaw mused. “He fell off a horse he was riding on a business trip to Africa, and didn’t realize until he got back and was making business deal-related phone calls that he had a pain in the side that turned out to be seven cracked ribs. He went in the hospital for surgery that night and he started sending out e-mails from his hospital bed at four in the morning.” Read more: Falls Church News-Press

Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber event: Bryan Hayes Brings Summer Sunset Series to a Close This Sunday

This Sunday evening brings a close to the annual Summer Sunset Series during the month of June. As a Blues musician, Bryan Hayes will take the Grove stage for a free concert beginning at 7 pm.
Hayes is from just up I-55 in Memphis, Tennessee. His self-published songs describe his own personal feelings, and you can really hear the lyrics come to life in “Let’s Ride,” “Small Town Amazing Grace” and “Father Down the Line.”
Throughout this month, different departments on campus and the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber and Economic Development Foundation have brought these  entertainers to the community and university. Read more: HottyToddy.com

 

State won’t be able to just fund its way out of pension crisis, Kentucky Chamber explains on KET

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce noted Monday on KET that examining projections for the state’s woefully underfunded retirement systems shows that funding alone will not solve the pension problems and additional reforms will have to play a role in any fix in order to shore up the systems.
Kentucky Education Television’s “Kentucky Tonight” host Bill Goodman hosted state Sen. Joe Bowen of Owensboro and state Rep. Brent Yonts of Greenville, co-chairs of the Public Pension Oversight Board, Jason Bailey, executive director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy and Kentucky Chamber Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Bryan Sunderland on Monday night to discuss the woes facing the state’s retirement systems.
The Kentucky Chamber has expressed the urgency needed to address the persistent problems in the Kentucky Retirement System (KRS) and the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System (KTRS), noting that the funding woes are the most significant financial threat to the state.
After years of underfunding KRS by governors and legislators coupled with economic downturn, less than stellar investment returns and changing landscape in retirement ages and life spans of retirees hurting both systems, the state has found itself with a dangerous shortfall in the retirement systems and a debate over how to fix the problems through funding, reforms, or a combination of both. Read more: Kentucky Chamber

Greater Beloit Chamber Executive Timothy Dutter: Wisconsin needs Export-Import Bank for international sales

Nearly 26,000 Wisconsin jobs are directly tied to a federal agency called the Export-Import Bank.
But these jobs will soon be put in jeopardy. The bank is set to shut down at the end of June unless Congress steps in.
Founded in 1934, the Export-Import Bank offers insurance and credit guarantees to American businesses dealing in markets overseas. The bank also provides low-interest loans to foreign companies looking to purchase U.S.-made products.
Without the bank, many of the Wisconsin businesses and jobs that rely on Export-Import Bank financing would suffer dire economic consequences.
Now, it’s up to Wisconsin lawmakers to push for a quick renewal of the bank and ensure that our local business community continues to receive the support it needs to flourish in the international market. Read more: Madison.com



Chamber excitement: Galesburg Ranked Among Top 20 Small Cities in the Nation

NerdWallet, a consumer advocacy website, recently conducted a study to find the best small cities in the nation – and Galesburg ranked 18th.

To find the best communities for individuals and families alike, NerdWallet evaluated over 1,300 cities with fewer than 75,000 residents and examined the following variables:

·         Affordability

·         Economic health

·         Quality of life

Galesburg’s place among America’s top 20 small cities was supported by its high quality of life and affordability metrics. This thriving community includes a diverse job market and a progressive economic development focus for business owners. Galesburg has a low unemployment rate of just 4.8%, and the city remains affordable, with a median home value of $70,700 and median monthly rent of $569. Workers enjoy an average workweek of 36.5 hours and a short commute of just 15 minutes, leaving ample time to enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities found nearby.

The full report can be seen at http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/cities/best-small-cities-america-2015/. For more information about NerdWallet, visit nerdwallet.com/cities.

Free mixer set for Monday night hosted by Venture Center, Little Rock Chamber

The Venture Center announced that it is co-hosting a casual mixer with the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce to celebrate Little Rock as a developing technology center.
Attracting and retaining knowledge-based, technical talent in Little Rock is a key goal of the Chamber as well as the Venture Center, so the event will also include a high-energy speed mixer to allow participants to connect.
Local technology companies, along with professional, technical talent and technology startups will be represented at the event.
Attendees will engage in a spirited Q&A with Little Rock real estate developers Jimmy Moses and Rett Tucker. Read more: THV11

Little Rock chosen as one of ten great Southern downtowns – big and small – that are worth a visit; Northern Kentucky Chamber head disappointed that no gubernatorial debates taking place in northern, eastern or western Kentucky; Arlington Chamber beats fundraising goal; Ten Best Places to Start a Business in Illinois --- #4-#6; Bridgeman Chamber interest: Lake Michigan Wine Festival This Weekend; Beaver Dam chamber honored by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce; Linton-Stockton Chamber interest: American Pickers are coming to Indiana; Monroe County Chamber assistance: United Furniture Industries Locates Distribution Hub In Wren, Mississippi;

Little Rock chosen as one of ten great Southern downtowns – big and small – that are worth a visit

A downtown is the heart of a city. A great downtown is the heartbeat of a city, where residents and visitors come together to experience the art, architecture, food and culture that makes that community unique.

Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock’s history has certainly captured the world stage in recent years for two particular markers: the opening of the Clinton Library, housing the papers and items belonging to President William J. Clinton, and the anniversary of the Little Rock Nine and their attempt to enter Central High School in 1957. The two attractions draw thousands of visitors from around the world.
Some of the “can't miss” things to do in Little Rock are in the River Market area. The Old State House (the current Capitol Building is downtown, too) and Heifer International call this area home. The Historic Arkansas Museum is located there as well. Visitors to La Petit Roche Plaza at Riverfront Park can even see the little rock the city is named after. Downtown also hosts the Arkansas Arts Center and the MacArthur Museum of Military History.



See more:  Southern Business & Development

Northern Kentucky Chamber head disappointed that no gubernatorial debates taking place in northern, eastern or western Kentucky

Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President and former Secretary of State Trey Grayson is unhappy that there will be no gubernatorial debates held in northern Kentucky.
It was announced that Democratic gubernatorial nominee Attorney General Jack Conway and GOP nominee Matt Bevin will participate in five debates beginning this Friday at the County Judge-Executives/Magistrates Conference in Louisville.
The gubernatorial candidates are also scheduled to meet at Kentucky Farm Bureau’s “Measure the Candidates” event July 23; a debate hosted by WAVE-TV and AARP at Centre College Oct. 6; a forum held by WLKY-TV, WKYT-TV and the Kentucky League of Women Voters at Eastern Kentucky University Oct. 25; and Kentucky Educational Television’s “Kentucky Tonight” Oct. 26.
Conway and Bevin will also attend the Fancy Farm picnic Aug. 1.
House Majority Caucus Chairwoman Sannie Overly, Conway’s running mate, will debate Republican lieutenant governor nominee Jenean Hampton on “Kentucky Tonight” Oct. 19.
Grayson feels that it’s important to appear in all regions of the state because different areas have different issues which results in different questions during the debates. Read more: myCN2.com

  

Arlington Chamber beats fundraising goal

Final figures are not yet in, but the Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s 2015 capital campaign appears to be a record-beater.
The “Opportunity Works” campaign brought in $261,859 in cash and pledges as of June 18, above its goal of $252,015.

As of June 18, the three highest producers in the campaign have been David Shooshan of TMI Inc.; Kevin Shooshan of the Shooshan Co.; and Bob Hawthorne of United Bank.

Top producers are eligible to participate in a “victory trip” to St. Thomas in October. Read more: Inside NOVA

 

 Ten Best Places to Start a Business in Illinois --- #4-#6

Climate of collaboration

The collaborative spirit boosts the business climate, which is especially strong in the suburbs and small communities surrounding Chicago. Entrepreneurs’ attitudes toward business also helps, Rosa says.
“We’re more interested in commerce, business and revenue production than probably either coast that’s in this Internet world, where it’s important to grow rapidly without much regard to business models,” Rosa says.
With Chicago area businesses placing a greater focus on the fundamentals, he says, “some of the businesses we create seem to be more sustainable.” The state is home to major company headquarters, making it great for B2B companies, Rosa adds.
Illinois, especially Chicago, has a number of universities, which are a source of entrepreneurial talent. Many graduates used to relocate to the West Coast, but Rosa says more are choosing to stay in Illinois and start businesses.

NerdWallet’s analysis

NerdWallet analyzed 285 places in Illinois, each with a population of at least 5,000. We calculated the overall score for every location based on the city’s business climate and economic health using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Learn more about our methodology at the end of this article.

Key takeaways

Chicago suburbs win. The 10 top places on our list are in northern Illinois, with all but one, Peru, clustered around Chicago. Almost all of the top spots are in suburban Chicago, located from 15 to 30 miles from downtown.
Smaller communities succeed. Five of the top 10 places on our list have populations under 10,000. The municipality with the largest population, Elk Grove Village, is home to just over 33,000 people.

Best places to start a business in Illinois

 4. Countryside

Countryside is the second-smallest town in the top 10 by population (a little fewer than 6,000 residents), but it has the second-highest number of businesses with paid employees (53%). The Countryside Business Association, a nonprofit, member-based organization, aims to foster a great business environment in the area and help local businesses connect with the community. Countryside, in Cook County, is one of eight communities that participate in the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, another resource to help businesses collaborate and grow. Countryside is also the second-most affordable town among those in the top 10 spots, with a median monthly housing cost of $955.

5. Peru

Peru is the only city in the top 10 outside of the Chicago area — about 100 miles from the Windy City. Since it’s far from Chicago, housing is the most affordable of our top 10 places (the median monthly housing cost is $702). Peru also has the largest number of businesses with paid employees (61%). Peru and nearby LaSalle are in the Illinois Valley, and businesses in the region have access to resources and development opportunities through the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development.

6. Deerfield

About 25 miles north of Chicago, Deerfield is where Walgreens, Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, the Baxter health care company and other large companies are headquartered. Deerfield businesses can access networking and growth opportunities through the DBR Chamber of Commerce, which also supports the communities of Bannockburn and Riverwoods. The average median income in Deerfield is the fourth highest of the top 10, at nearly $103,000. Read more: Nerd Wallet

Bridgeman Chamber interest: Lake Michigan Wine Festival This Weekend

A wide variety of southwest Michigan wines will be front and center this weekend at the Lake Michigan Wine Festival in Bridgman. The event is celebrating its tenth year, and Calli Berg, with the Bridgman Chamber of Commerce, says that the fun this Saturday will include live entertainment from five bands, beer, mingling, and of course, the wines. Read more: WSJM.com

Beaver Dam chamber honored by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

The Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently received a plaque commemorating their efforts to make Beaver Dam one of the first Future Wisconsin cities.
The Future Wisconsin Project is an effort started in 2014 by the WMC Foundation and the WMC to create a comprehensive 20-year plan for Wisconsin that will address such things as quality of life, economic development and workforce.
WMC Foundation President Jim Morgan provided the chamber board with a brief update on Future Wisconsin Project progress, then presented the board with the plaque. Read more: WiscNews.com

 

 

Linton-Stockton Chamber interest: American Pickers are coming to Indiana

The History Channel television show American Pickers will be coming to Indiana July 6 through 19, and have asked area chambers of commerce for their help to guide hosts Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz to locations that have antiques and collectibles.
On Wednesday afternoon, Executive Director of the Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce Cheryl Hamilton was contacted by Cineflix Productions, the production company that produces American Pickers.
"They will be in Eastern Illinois/Western Indiana July 6-19 and are looking for places to film. They are asking us to help spread the word," Hamilton said.
Hamilton added that the American Pickers are looking for locations that have a large collection and great characters.
"He stressed folks who have an accumulation of items in buildings, barns, basements, etc. Wouldn't it be great if they located someone in Greene County to visit?"Read more: Green County Daily World

 

Monroe County Chamber assistance: United Furniture Industries Locates Distribution Hub In Wren, Mississippi

An upholstered furniture manufacturer that is the exclusive U.S. manufacturer of Simmons Upholstery, United Furniture Industries is locating distribution operations in the former Lane Furniture distribution facility in Wren, Mississippi.

The project will create 50 new jobs at the Wren location, as well as 50 new manufacturing jobs throughout United Furniture’s Amory, Nettleton, and Okolona, Mississippi, facilities. United Furniture currently maintains operations in several Mississippi locations, including Amory, Hatley, Nettleton, Okolona, Vardaman and Verona. The company employs more than 2,000 workers throughout these locations.

“United is proud of its presence in Northeast Mississippi and looks forward to this expansion and growing its footprint in Monroe County,” said United Furniture COO Doug Hanby. “The purchase of the 500,000-square-foot Wren Distribution Center will allow United to expand manufacturing operations across Monroe, Chickasaw and Lee counties.” Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the project for infrastructure improvements. Tennessee Valley Authority also provided assistance.

“United Furniture is a valued business partner to the state of Mississippi and continues to demonstrate its commitment to the state and the communities in which it is located through new investment and job creation,” Governor Phil Bryant said. “The company is truly a shining example of the growth and success companies enjoy in Mississippi, and I thank the United Furniture team for locating these operations in Wren and providing new job opportunities for the region’s workforce.”

“This expansion by United Furniture marks the company’s second this year, and it will be the company’s seventh facility in Northeast Mississippi. That speaks volumes about the people found in Mississippi, and it demonstrates to the world that we have the business environment and productive workforce needed for success in today’s global economy,” said MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough. “MDA is grateful for the teamwork of Tennessee Valley Authority, the Monroe County Board of Supervisors, and the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, which assisted United Furniture in choosing to locate these distribution operations in Wren.” Read more: Area Development

 

 

Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce earning state, regional recognition; Indiana Chamber leaders visit area, discuss Vision 2025 report card;Kentucky Chamber Study shows employment exceeding pre-recession level; Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce honors local business, industry leaders; Fort Smith Regional Event: U.S. Rep Steve Womack: Federal Programs On Road To Insolvency; Midland (Michigan) promotions, employment announcements from the Chamber... Chamber partner: Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Positively Impacting Bottom Line for Businesses; Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce seeks new part-time executive director

Happy Friday, Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!

Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce earning state, regional recognition

The Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce/Main Street has been racking up awards and accolades of late.
Last week, the chamber was the winner of the Best Special Event award during the annual Mississippi Main Street Association awards luncheon in Jackson.
The chamber was honored for its "Snow Day" event, held on January 8. Chamber personnel turned the parking lot at the L&N Depot in downtown Ocean Springs into a snow village, complete with real snow and characters from the Disney movie "Frozen."
Children spent the day making snow angels, having snow ball fights and building snowmen.
"This year's award winners reflect the commitment of many individuals and groups who champion what Main Street is all about - developing the heart of our communities, our historic downtowns, and enhancing quality of life for everyone," said MMSA Executive Director Bob Wilson.
Other accolades earned by the Ocean Springs chamber of late include recognition of the Peter Anderson Festival -- staged annually by the chamber in downtown Ocean Springs -- as one of the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 events.
The festival annually draws in excess of 120,000 people to Ocean Springs for the two-day event and, according to a study by the John C. Stennis Institute for Government and Community Development, has an economic impact of $23 million on the local economy.
In addition, the Mississippi State University Extension Service has chosen the Ocean Springs chamber to be spotlighted as an example of how to methodically create sustainable community development and establishing the community as a tourism destination.
The Ocean Springs chamber will be featured in a "toolkit" MSU is developing to provide to other communities seeking information on best practices for community and tourism development. Read more: GulfLive.com

Indiana Chamber leaders visit area, discuss Vision 2025 report card

Members of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce were in Fort Wayne Monday to meet with business, community, and education leaders, and talk about results from the Vision 2025 report card.
Released last week, the report card compares Indiana's standing and progress in a series of metrics to the other 49 states.
Out of 59 metrics, Indiana improved its ranking in 28 and remained the same in 12.
One strong point includes the state's ability to attract new business.
"We've always been strong in that area. Since we unveiled the plan, we've gotten stronger. Our business climate, as ranked by COO magazine ranks sixth best in the entire United States, number one in the Midwest, and the only state in the Midwest in the top 10 states nationally. Indiana is a place where businesses want to locate to, and in GM's case, expand," said Kevin Brinegar, president and CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Read more: 21 Alive

Kentucky Chamber Study shows employment exceeding pre-recession level

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce recently released an analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Quarterly Census of Employment Wages. The analysis, conducted by the Chamber’s Senior Economic Advisor Dr. Paul Coomes, shows Kentucky’s statewide employment level, for the first time, is now back up above the pre-recession level. Click here to download the study.
Overall, the study shows that Kentucky as a whole has added jobs at a rate of 7.5 percent, on par with the national average. The Lexington, Louisville and Bowling Green-Hopkinsville areas had job growth rates above the national average. All areas except the Paducah-Purchase Region continued to add manufacturing jobs, with five regions growing faster than U.S. manufacturing as a whole.
The largest amount of job growth statewide happened in just two Kentucky counties with 45 percent of the growth coming from Jefferson and Fayette, according to Coomes. In percentage terms,, the greatest growth was in Bullitt County—just south of Louisville—as its wage and salary job base grew by 40 percent (from 15,900 to 22,300 jobs) over the last five years. Read more: Kentucky Chamber

Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce honors local business, industry leaders

The Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce its annual Economic Development Outlook Breakfast at the Holiday Inn Staunton Conference Center on Wednesday.
The Chamber presented awards to three area business and industry leaders, and this year renamed the awards in memory of Dennis Burnett, the former economic development director in Augusta County and former executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, who passed away last year.
Three years ago, the Chamber created the Community Excellence awards as part of the breakfast; adding momentum to the Virginia Chamber’s Blueprint Virginia. The state program, facilitated by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce in 2013, was a comprehensive effort to provide business leadership, direction and long- range economic development planning for Virginia. Burnett was the first recipient of this award. Read more: Augusta Free Press

Fort Smith Regional Event: U.S. Rep Steve Womack: Federal Programs On Road To Insolvency

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, said he is willing to risk his political future to make what could be some unpopular decisions that solve a number of serious economic issues that require long-term solutions.

Several instrumental government programs that aid the nation’s health and infrastructure institutions are headed down a path of insolvency by the year 2032 with about $800 billion in interest on debt alone by 2025, he told the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce Friday.

“Autopilot” spending for government programs like social security, Medicare and Medicaid exceeds all revenue projections for the early 2030s. And the Highway Trust Fund, which pays for 70 percent of road projects in Arkansas, is in a continual state of short-term patchwork repair.

“We’re indeed facing a ticking time bomb,” Womack said. “I think the single most domestic threat facing America today is its inability to solve for those particular problems, and Congress is going to have to come up with solutions for them and they’re not going to be politically doable for a lot of people.”

The chamber held its monthly First Friday Breakfast at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Womack has represented Arkansas’ Third Congressional District since 2011.

- See more at: Times Record

Midland (Michigan) promotions, employment announcements from the Chamber...

The Midland Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes four new staff members.
• Stephanie Kolodziejski is the Farmers Market master. Kolodziejski is responsible for all the on-site management of the Midland Area Farmers Market.
• Melissa Eigner is a program specialist. She has a bachelor's degree in communications and public relations from Michigan State University.
• Diana Butler is the director of membership. Butler has an extensive background in community relations, sales, management, nonprofit work and event planning.
• Amy Berry is a part-time information resource specialist. Her responsibilities include all front-line customer service relations with chamber members and the general public, as well as coordination of office manager duties. Read more: M LIVE

Chamber partner: Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Positively Impacting Bottom Line for Businesses

For nearly the last five summers the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have been getting families together for evenings of family fun. The team is part of the Northwoods League which is comprised of teams of the top college players from the Midwest and across the nation.
But there are more benefits than just getting the family together.
“When people are coming into town for the games, they're eating at local restaurants, they're staying at the local hotels, and checking out different areas, gasoline, everything is always affected by anytime there's a huge event going on anywhere,” Rafters General Manager, John Fanta.
Fanta said the community has been very supportive and they want to invest in their community, team, and facilities. "We've tried to improve the stadium in some capacity each season we've been here,” he said.
Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce President said partnerships with the team have benefited area nonprofits organizations.
"They support our nonprofit community also and that's what's really important is their partnerships that they give other nonprofits the opportunity to make money, to provide impact, to show off their programs, they are just a great community partner,” explained Melissa Riechert. Read more: WSAW.com

Paxton Area (Illinois) Chamber of Commerce seeks new part-time executive director

The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is searching for a new part-time executive director.
Executive Director Kristina Phelan is resigning, and the chamber is accepting resumes through Friday, June 26, for candidates interested in filling her role.
The executive director position is for 10 hours a week. It involves maintaining the chamber’s office on Market Street, planning chamber events and continuing the chamber’s vision to support local business.
Applicants must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, email, social media and marketing. Knowledge of Microsoft Publisher is a plus. Excellent customer service skills are required. The applicant also must possess leadership skills, be a self-starter and be comfortable working alone.
Cover letters and resumes can be sent to: Andy Hudson, c/o Chamber Hiring Committee, P.O. Box 70, Paxton, IL 60957. More: Paxton Record

La Porte Chamber Awarded 5 Stars from U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Chamber partnership: Planning group for Hopewell/Prince George area focuses on drawing tourists; Chamber event: Swedish Days fills Geneva (Illinois) with music, entertainment; 200,000 expected to attend; North Little Rock Chamber partnership: Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame Announces Inaugural Inductees, including Hilary Rodham Clinton; Lieutenant governor candidates to speak in Paducah Chamber forum; Ford Motor Company Executive Vice President John Fleming to Speak at Upcoming Chamber Luncheon; Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Survey shows worker shortage getting worse, holding back economy; Jackson Chamber sponsor: Air Force band to perform at Mississippi Museum of Art; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership)

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

La Porte Chamber Awarded 5 Stars from U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Good news! The Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that after a comprehensive self-review, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded us with 5-Star Accreditation. "This prestigious honor puts us among the top 1% of chambers nationwide," stated Michael B. Seitz, IOM President of the Chamber. This rating demonstrates the high commitment from our board of directors and staff to provide excellence in our program of work and services to our members.
Highlights included:
-The chamber continued to do an excellent job of recognizing its volunteers for their efforts on behalf of the chamber.
-The chamber has created a comprehensive Personnel and Administrative Policy Manual. It was also recognized for its practice of providing additional funds to staff through HSA contributions.
-The chamber achieved a perfect score in the Communications and Facilities sections.
This past year, the staff and the board of Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce spent countless hours completing the Accreditation process. Our task: demonstrate competency in 9 core areas ranging from finance to facilities. The result of our hard-work is evidenced by this impressive rating. "We should all be extraordinarily proud of this milestone achievement. It was a true team effort, but special recognition should go to Vice President Rita Mrozinski for her countless hours and contributions she made to the accreditation process that led us to achieve the 5 star rating," said Seitz. Read more: La Porte County Life

Chamber partnership: Planning group for Hopewell/Prince George area focuses on drawing tourists

Members of a tourism planning group for the Hopewell/Prince George area are unanimous on the need for a river-front development that would be a draw for tourists. The decision came after taking a series of three tourism development workshops facilitated by the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber and the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
“These DRIVE Tourism workshops helped us to focus on the assets we have and those we need to develop to succeed in a competitive travel and tourism market,” said Becky McDonough, CEO of the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber.
McDonough referenced Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s recent announcement that Virginia’s tourism revenues reached $22.4 billion in 2014 – a 4.1 percent increase over 2013. Tourism supported 216,000 jobs and $1.5 billion in state and local revenue last year. Local statistics for 2014 are not yet available.
The Hopewell/Prince George community, which held its third workshop on June 11, is the ninth locality to complete the DRIVE Tourism workshops in 2015. More than 50 individuals from local groups in Hopewell/Prince George and the surrounding region completed homework and attended the three-session workshops. The individuals represented local government administration, economic development and recreation and parks; local historical societies; entertainment, real estate and hospitality sectors; the Hopewell Downtown Partnership; Appomattox Regional Library System; Petersburg Area Regional Tourism (PART); Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR); VSU students; elected officials; as well as area residents and students. Read more: Progress-Index

Chamber event: Swedish Days fills Geneva (Illinois) with music, entertainment; 200,000 expected to attend

Swedish Days, one of the biggest festivals in the Fox Valley, will return for its 66th year featuring its usual lineup of crafting events, historical tours and live music.

The six-day festival opens Tuesday, June 23 and runs through Sunday, June 28.

One of the main events taking place earlier in the week is the Geneva's Got Talent Semi-Finals, set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24. Twenty contestants will take their turn onstage in the hopes of advancing to the finals and winning a $1,000 cash prize.

Talents will span a variety of genres and styles, including vocalists, musicians, pianists, dancers and bands.

The competition is presented in partnership between the Geneva Park District and the Geneva Chamber of Commerce. The partnership came in hopes to revitalize a fading battle of the bands competition and merge it with the chamber's existing talent competition. Read more: Daily Herald

North Little Rock Chamber partnership: Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame Announces Inaugural Inductees, including Hilary Rodham Clinton

The Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame on Monday announced its inaugural 11 inductees, including four historic figures and one organization.
The nonprofit organization, born out of a partnership between the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas Business Publishing Group of Little Rock, will honor the group during a ceremony Aug. 27 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.
The first class of contemporary inductees are:

• Mary Ann Ritter Arnold, the first woman mayor of Marked Tree and the former president of agribusiness and communications firm E. Ritter & Co.
• Betty Bumpers, former Arkansas first lady who led a statewide immunization program for childhood vaccinations.
• Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Arkansas first lady, first lady of the U.S., U.S. senator from New York, and U.S. Secretary of State.
• Dr. Mary Good, founding dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Arkansas Little Rock, and former under secretary for technology for the Technology Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce.
• Johnelle Hunt, co-founder of publicly traded J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. of Lowell, one of the largest transportation and logistics providers.
• Dr. Edith Irby Jones, medical doctor, educator, philanthropist who was the first African American to attend and graduate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
• Alice Walton, founder and board chairman of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.

Historic inductees are:

• Daisy Bates, civil rights activist, writer and publisher who played a leading role in the desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock.
• Hattie Caraway, the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
• Hester Davis, a leader in the development of cultural resources management legislation and programs who blazed a trail for women in archeology.
• Roberta Fulbright, a prominent Fayetteville business leader and former publisher of the Northwest Arkansas Times who championed the University of Arkansas, fought corruption and advocated for women’s equality.

The AWHOF also chose to honor one organization, the Women’s Emergency Committee to Open Our Schools (WEC), a Civil Rights-era committee formed in Little Rock in response to Gov. Orval Faubus’ efforts to close the city’s four public high schools.
A selection committee chose the women from 73 nominees based on their contributions to the state and their respective fields. Nan Snow, president of the AWHOF board, announced the class during a news conference on the steps of the state Capitol. Read more: Arkansas Business

Lieutenant governor candidates to speak in Paducah Chamber forum

Both candidates for Kentucky lieutenant governor will participate in a candidate forum in Paducah on Oct. 1, the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday.
The chamber said it will move its monthly breakfast to a luncheon for the forum. The Power in Partnership luncheon will be held in the Julian Carroll Convention Center, with a buffet beginning at 11:30 a.m. and the Chamber program beginning around noon.
“We are thrilled to be able to host this event so voters in western Kentucky will have the opportunity to meet these two candidates,” Paducah Chamber President Sandra Wilson said in Tuesday's announcement. “Our local citizens are eager to hear their thoughts on issues important to our community and the state.”
Republican nominee Jenean Hampton and Democratic nominee State Rep. Sannie Overly will each make opening comments before a question and answer session with a local media panel, and concluding remarks by each candidate. Read more: WPSDlocal6.com


Ford Motor Company Executive Vice President John Fleming to Speak at Upcoming Chamber Luncheon

John Fleming, Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs at Ford Motor Company will be joining the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce as the guest speaker at the Chamber’s upcoming Business Builder Series. The luncheon will take place on Wednesday, July 15, beginning at 11:00 am at The Henry, An Autograph Collection Hotel, located at 300 Town Center Drive, in Dearborn. Fleming is the third speaker for the Chamber’s 2015 Business Builder Series, a Chamber program designed to help local businesses and community leaders grow and enhance their organizational goals. Speakers this year have included the mayors of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, and a prestigious panel of area executives joining in a U.S. Chamber sponsored discussion of women in business leadership. Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley is scheduled to wrap up the 2015 series at the 4^th Quarter event in October. For More Information, Contact: Ron Hinrichs, Director of Events & Media Relations Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce -Tel: 313-584-6100E-mail: rhinrichs@dearbornareachamber.org

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Survey shows worker shortage getting worse, holding back economy

The shortage of qualified and/or willing workers is getting worse and is holding back Wisconsin's economy, according to a semi-annual survey conducted by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state chamber of commerce. The survey of 306 top business executives also shows concern about rising health care costs on the eve of full implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act.

Seventy percent of survey respondents reported having trouble hiring employees, up from 64 percent in January and 53 percent a year ago. A lack of qualified applicants was the top reason given at 52 percent. Thirty-two percent say they are having trouble finding employees for all levels and fields.
Labor shortage was the No. 1 concern of business leaders when asked two separate questions on what is the top public policy issue facing Wisconsin (26 percent) and what is the top concern facing your company (27 percent). Health care affordability was second for both questions, but it was the top response when executives were asked to identify "what one thing state government could do to help your business." Twenty-eight percent said "make health care costs more affordable," 25 percent said "reduce/reform regulations" and 21 percent said "reduce taxes." Read more: BizTimes.com

Jackson Chamber sponsor: Air Force band to perform at Mississippi Museum of Art

The City of Jackson, along with numerous other sponsors, will host the Independence Day Weekend First of July Celebration featuring the United States Air Force West Concert Band Performance at 6 p.m. July 1 at the Mississippi Museum of Art's Art Garden.
Also performing will be Cade Chapel Voices of Love. The event will be free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase via food trucks. The rain location will be Thalia Mara Hall Performance Center.
Formed in 1941, The United States Air Force Band is the Air Force's premier musical organization. Each member is proud to represent all Airmen, whose selfless service and sacrifices ensure the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America.
"The Jackson CVB is excited about the opportunity to partner with other agencies to produce this exciting event in Jackson," said Rickey Thigpen, executive vice president for the Jackson Convention and Visitor's Bureau. "This activity and others like it strengthens the quality of life for our citizens and enhances Jackson as a true visitor destination."
Sponsors of the event include the city of Jackson, the Jackson Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the Mississippi Museum of Art, Visit Mississippi, the Greater Jackson Arts Council, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, the Mississippi National Guard, and Downtown Partners. Read more: Hattiesburg American

 
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership) -

The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born - that there is a genetic factor to leadership. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born. —Warren Bennis