Christian County (Kentucky) Chamber narrows search for CEO to 3 candidates; Chamber interest: Leadership Gulf Coast's alumni breakfast slated for July 14; Hometown Festival Days: A letter from Sue Reed, Crossroads Regional Chamber President and CEO; Chamber innovation: Art coming to Richmond bike racks; Chamber business: Arkansas Governor Hutchinson leads delegation to Paris Air Show, German steel conference; Chamber interest: Shodeen Homes begins selling upscale residences in downtown Geneva; Boscobel (Wisconsin) Chamber receives state tourism grant; Clarkston, Michigan chamber: - Notable residents; Famous chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Kindness)

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

Christian County (Kentucky) Chamber narrows search for CEO to 3 candidates

Three finalists are in the running to become the next president and CEO of the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, and a final decision could come as early as next week.

Sixteen candidates were in the first round of interviews, with three making their way to the final phase. Chamber board chairman Frank Field said the names of the candidates cannot be revealed at this time or if the candidates are local or within the chamber. Read more: Kentucky New Era

Chamber interest: Leadership Gulf Coast's alumni breakfast slated for July 14

The Leadership Gulf Coast Alumni Affair will be held July 14 at the IP Casino Resort Spa. 
Since its inception in 1988, Leadership Gulf Coast has graduated more than 900 leaders.
The goal of the program is to help participants understand challenges and opportunities in our community and create a communication network between present and emerging leaders that are dedicated to the improvement of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
This year's alumni event will feature guest speaker Gerald Blessey, the city of Biloxi's attorney, who will speak on the importance of broadband as an innovation driver.
Doors open at 7:30 a.m., and the program begins at 8 a.m.
"Leadership Gulf Coast boasts decades of graduating outstanding business and community leaders across the Mississippi Gulf Coast," said Cindy Duvall, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Leadership Gulf Coast.
"Our goal in creating the alumni association is to keep past participants engaged and to raise money for scholarships and program development," she said.
Tickets for the event are $30, which includes breakfast.
Tables and sponsorships are also available. Read more: GulfLive.com

Hometown Festival Days: A letter from Sue Reed, Crossroads Regional Chamber President and CEO

Dear Neighbor,
In recognition of the diverse cultural, social and business environments that come together at the Crossroads of America, we invite you to join us as we celebrate Hometown Festival Days in downtown Crown Point, the hub of Lake County.
Spanning two weekends, this festive kick-off to summer brings together vendors and restaurants from across the region for your enjoyment. The fun gets started June 12-13 with a traditional Corn Roast plus some exciting new events and continues June 19-20 with a grand Food and Arts Festival on the square.
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost six years since a Joint Merger Task Force with members from the Greater Crown Point Chamber of Commerce and Merrillville Chamber of Commerce convened and, after careful consideration of the pros and cons, recommended the formation of the Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Today, the Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce continues to work for the betterment of Northwest Indiana businesses and communities by promoting economic development, quality business practices, a voice public policy and civic pride. Read more: NWI Times 

Chamber innovation: Art coming to Richmond bike racks

Dozens of artists carrying 53-pound metal plates will descend on the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts today from 9 a.m. to noon in preparation for a fête of Richmond’s latest public art project.
Myriad hues and mediums adorn the aluminum frames designed by a Virginia Commonwealth University student and cast locally at OK Foundry for installation on 30 bike racks scattered across the city.

As welding students at Richmond’s Center for Workforce Innovation begin assembling the racks this week, the Go Bike! art commissioned to adorn them will be erected for temporary display at the museum.

The exhibit is scheduled to open Wednesday and run through July 6. Project pieces were commissioned by the Greater Richmond Chamber with financial support from sponsors Altria, Dominion and Bon Secours.

“With the entire world looking to Richmond this September during the 2015 world cycling championship, we wanted to showcase the city’s creative spirit,” said Chrystal Neal, vice president of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurism at the chamber. Read more: Richmond.com

Chamber business: Arkansas Governor Hutchinson leads delegation to Paris Air Show, German steel conference

Gov. Asa Hutchinson will depart Saturday for the world’s largest airshow in Paris and a side trip to Germany where he and a delegation of state economic development and business officials hope to make new aerospace and steel industry contacts, and bring back new jobs prospects back to Arkansas.
“The purpose of this (trip) is to market Arkansas,” Hutchinson told a roomful of reporters at a “pen and pad” meeting on Thursday at the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock. “It is very important that the governor of this state competes with other states in bringing business to state and showcasing Arkansas and talking about what we are doing in the steel industry and aero-defense, agriculture, and as well as in the retail world.”
“My hope as governor over the course of the next four years is to not to make just one of these trips, but a number of these trips to various venues to market this state.”
In a question from Talk Business & Politics, Hutchinson said there are some possible economic development prospects that will be discussed with business executives during the upcoming European trade mission.
“There are some opportunities close at hand that this trip can bear upon, as well as simply planting seeds and cultivating the soil for future developments." Read more: The City Wire

Chamber interest: Shodeen Homes begins selling upscale residences in downtown Geneva

Shodeen Homes recently opened sales at Seventh Street Terrace Townhomes, a community of six upscale residences located at the northeast corner of Seventh and James Streets in the heart of downtown Geneva.

Geneva's Mayor, Kevin Burns, praised the Seventh Street Terrace Townhomes: "A successful redevelopment project should capture the character and energy of the community and Shodeen Homes has once again succeeded."

Prices range from $414,900 to $459,900 and include a finished lower level.

"It will be rewarding to see the progress at James Street and Seventh Street as this project will fit nicely into the neighborhood," said Jean Gaines, President of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce. "We like to see a local company at work, especially one with a record of reviving areas and bringing new families into town. This location makes it easy to shop and dine all within walking distance."
Read more: Daily Herald

Boscobel (Wisconsin) Chamber receives state tourism grant

The Boscobel Chamber of Commerce recently received a $22,300 Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism to promote Boscobel and surrounding communities on the Lower Wisconsin Riverway as Wisconsin’s Outdoor Recreation Destination.
Over the past several months, the Boscobel Chamber of Commerce has been working with the Developers and the City on the concept of rebranding the community as Wisconsin’s Outdoor Recreation Destination. This rebranding concept allows Boscobel to promote the scenic beauty and wide array of outdoor recreation activities residents and visitors can enjoy in the Boscobel area. The JEM Grant will greatly leverage Chamber resources to proceed with the promotion aspect of the rebranding process and improve the ways in which the community is marketed to visitors and potential businesses.
“We live in a special place. Boscobel and the surrounding area has scenic beauty and outdoor recreation options that can’t be beat,” says Tom Richter, Chamber President. “As we look to most effectively market our community, we need to highlight all of our strengths and not just limit ourselves to a few things. Sometimes as residents we take for granted the natural resources we have around us that visitors will drive miles to come experience and enjoy.” Read more: swNEWS4u.com

Clarkston, Michigan chamber: - Notable residents

• Dan Dickerson, Detroit Tigers broadcaster
• Henry Ford, who maintained a summer home and weekend cottage on Main Street. The building still stands today. Ford also owned a mill which operated on the water from what is now called "Mill Pond" in Clarkston. This building still exists in part but has been modernized into a small mall which includes art galleries and office space. He also paid to have the original city sewer system built.
• Kid Rock, musician
• David Simko, former NASCAR Cup Series driver
• Dane Fife, Michigan State assistant basketball coach
• Valerie Bertinelli, actress
• Daniel Travis, actor
• Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Kindness)

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. - Mark Twain