The Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts Annual Economic Development Outlook Breakfast; West Suburban (Illinois) Chamber: The Breakthrough Challenge; Fluor VP Talks Company History, PGDP Clean-Up Safety at Paducah Chamber Breakfast; Best Chamber practices: Olive Branch Chamber (Mississippi) Demographics Page: Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce holds annual Farmers Appreciation Dinner; El Dorado Chamber of Commerce: Radio remote broadcast; Charlevoix Chamber update: Summer programming begins soon; Chamber Testimonials: The Columbus Area (Indiana) chamber; #ChamberMonday - Famous Chamber of Commerce Thoughts & Facts:

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

The Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts Annual Economic Development Outlook Breakfast

The Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Economic Development Outlook Breakfast at the Holiday Inn Staunton Conference Center. This year was very special as the Chamber's awards were renamed the Dennis Burnett Community Excellence Awards in his memory and for his business principles that touched everyone he met both locally and statewide.  Three years ago, the Chamber created these 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. Fittingly so, Dennis was the first recipient of this award.  These awards recognize the achievements of extraordinary individuals in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County who have established and consistently executed measurable success in one of the Blueprint Virginia's economic drivers. Fittingly so, Dennis was one of the first recipients of this award. The Chamber chose Daikin Applied in Verona to design the trophies because of their working relationship with Dennis.  It is their tradition to work  with an area manufacturer to create an “economic development masterpiece” trophy from parts that represent products they develop locally. Dennis was instrumental in Daikin’s 9.2 expansion as Director for the Shenandoah Valley Partnership.The trophies were made of “Heavy metal” two dimensional depiction of a Daikin Applied chiller product .  Designed, cut out, fabricated, welded, mounted, and painted by manufacturing engineering, quality engineering and shop floor skilled labor employees. The winners recognized were :

Christina Cain, Executive Director, Staunton Community Development Fund

Frank Root, Founder & President of Countryside Service Co

Devon Anders, President and Terry Cunningham, Business Development Manager- Interchange Group

The keynote speaker was Liz Povar, Vice President for Business Expansion at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Liz was a close colleague of Dennis' and knew his commitment to his community, the region, the state and especially economic development. In keeping with the long term business strategy of Blueprint Virginia, Liz discussed  Virginia's competitive position in the global economy with concentration on the economic drivers: Workforce Readiness & Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The program also featured a panel discussion on economic growth in Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County and International Trade from the area Economic Development Directors. More info: Greater Augusta Regional Chamber

West Suburban (Illinois) Chamber of Commerce & Industry: The Breakthrough Challenge

The Breakthrough Challenge program is for the small business owner with a desire to thrive not just survive. Combining structured education with a proven business coaching process, you'll create and execute a growth plan to propel your business to the next level.
Sponsored by FNBC Bank & Trust, powered by Suite Spotte Coworking, advocated by Burcor Properties and the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the 12 month program challenges passionate, growth-minded, local small business owners to accelerate their business potential.

Who will benefit from the program?
The Breakthrough Challenge
program is designed for the local small business owner who has survived the
start-up phase of their business and has achieved profitability. However, they find themselves stuck without the know-how, skills, or connections to position themselves for substantial growth.
Specifically,eligibility in The Breakthrough Challenge is intended for:
The local business professional with 50% or more ownership in their business, and whose business:
o Has been operating for 18 months or more.
o Has generated revenues of $100,000 or more in 2014.
o Was profitable in 2014, and continues to generate a profit.
o Is willing to commit to
the requirements of the program and to attend
monthly, half-day, sessions over a 12-month period. Get more information: First National Bank of La Grange

Fluor VP Talks Company History, PGDP Clean-Up Safety at Paducah Chamber Breakfast

An official with the company tasked with clean-up at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant site says Fluor Federal Services is bringing years of experience in the nuclear field to the Paducah community.
Thomas D’Agostino is Fluor’s senior vice president of strategic planning and development. He spoke Thursday morning at the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce’s Power in Partnership Breakfast.
“The history of Fluor and government dates back to the earliest days of the Manhattan Project and we had a significant role in Tennessee helping build the Oak Ridge Reservation there," D'Agostino said. "With respect to the clean-up work that we’re involved in here as well as other parts of the country, we’ve been doing that for well over 20 years.”
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded Fluor the $420 million contract for deactivation and decommission of the former uranium enrichment facility. That contract takes the clean-up process through 2017. As the work ramps up at the plant, D’Agostino says Fluor’s number one priority is safety. Read more: WKMS 91.3 FM

Best Chamber practices: Olive Branch Chamber (Mississippi)  Demographics Page:

Population

View detailed information for Olive Branch
Population of Olive Branch - 34,512
Population of DeSoto County - 154,748
Median Age - 34.2
Average Household Income - $56,525
Median Property Value - $157,900

Destinations

Downtown Memphis - 20 minutes
Memphis International Airport - 15 minutes
Tunica Casinos - 30 minutes

Climate

Average Annual high temperature - 72.5
Normal high temperature for July - 92.3
Average annual low temperature - 49.1
Normal low temperature for January - 30.9
Average annual precipitation - 55.93 inches

Interesting Facts

"2011 Fastest Growing City in the US"
- Bloomberg Business Week
CNN Money "Best Places to Live"
- Top 100 for 2 Years
"Best Places to Retire"
-US News & World Report

Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce holds annual Farmers Appreciation Dinner

An annual dinner, nearly 50 years running, celebrates the contributions local farmers make to the economy every day.
Wednesday night was the 43th annual Farmers Appreciation Dinner.
It was held at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds from 6 until 8:30pm, and was put on by the Chippewa Valley Chamber of Commerce.
They say agriculture is a major contributor to the area that, for the most part, goes unseen.
"It is a major industry, and I don’t think we say thank you often enough as a community”, says Mike Jordan, President of the Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce. “We don’t get out into the fields and into their work areas like we do with other businesses in the community so this is an opportunity to do that." Read more: WEAU.com

El Dorado Chamber of Commerce: Radio remote broadcast

No lunch plans today? Join Pat Walker WX from Arkansas Today from 11:45AM - 12:45PM at Oil Heritage Park (E. Cedar, right across from the Rialto) in El Dorado as we broadcast Arkansas Today live! Grab a lunch and picnic with us at the newly renovated Oil Heritage Park, created by the 1 cent Economic Development Tax as part of El Dorado Festivals & Events, Entertainment District initiative.

Charlevoix Chamber update: Summer programming begins soon

Alison Hubbard is the president of the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce.

Since April of 2014, I have been the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce president. I grew up in Charlevoix, left the area after college and returned about four years ago. I spent those years away in New York, Boston, Montana and Vail developing essential skills that assist me daily as my role as chamber president. I have been married for 11 years, to my husband, Fritz. We have two children, Ole and Paige. We are an active family, you will find us skiing in the winter and swimming and biking in the summer, enjoying all the things Northern Michigan has to offer. Fritz and I love a project and have been working to remodel our home for the past few years.

I'm writing a monthly column for the Charlevoix Courier and look forward to keeping residents informed about what we do in Charlevoix County. The Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization with more than 440 business and individual members, and growing strong. Our mission is to support commerce and provide leadership to enhance the quality of life. Read more: Petoskey News

Chamber Testimonials: The Columbus Area (Indiana) chamber

The Chamber is like a business family

My husband and I recently relocated to Columbus.  Becoming a Chamber member has made the transition smoother with all of the connections.  Everyone I’ve met through networking events genuinely wants me to succeed.  It’s nice to be a part of such a supportive group of fellow business owners. Brandi Legge, White River Running Company Inc. 



#ChamberMonday - Famous Chamber of Commerce Thoughts & Facts:

…another brought the first movie producer to southern California: still another was the moving force behind the largest concrete structure in the world; while one more first brought up the proposal for a flexible monetary system that became the Federal Reserve Bank.

- Chris Mead, The Magicians of Main Street, America and its Chambers of Commerce from 1768-1945