Best Places to Start a Business in Indiana (#4-#10)
Indiana’s economy is fueled by the automotive, manufacturing and agricultural industries, but the state is also a diverse one that encourages entrepreneurship, particularly among its younger residents, according to Robert Schuttler, professor of business and economics at Marian University in Indianapolis.“Over the past 10 years, I’ve seen a marked increase in entrepreneurship as a professional pursuit among students,” Schuttler says. “Indiana is a good place for business creativity and development.”
Indiana’s economy grew twice as fast as the rest of the country in 2010 and put up similar results in the next three years, according to a report by the Indiana Business Review. The Hoosier State offers businesses numerous resources, including 10 Small Business Development Centers throughout the state, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Business Ownership Initiative, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and more.
NerdWallet’s analysis
NerdWallet analyzed 99 places in Indiana, each with a population of at least 5,000 and at least 500 businesses. 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
Top cities are highly entrepreneurial. The top 10 cities to start a business in Indiana have an average of 10.47 businesses per 100 people, above the statewide average of 8.48, which means business owners are more concentrated in these cities.Lower housing costs. On average, the top 10 cities have a median monthly housing cost of $727, which is lower than the statewide average median monthly cost of $819.
City size doesn’t matter. Cities ranking in the top 10 have average populations of 10,967, while 7,245 people, on average, live in the top three cities. These population figures are far lower than the statewide average of 36,524.
Best places to start a business in Indiana (#4-#10)
(From yesterday's blog):1. Bluffton
2. Monticello
3. Batesville
4. Auburn
Auburn takes the fourth spot on our list due to its high percentage of businesses with paid employees (50.84%, which tops our list), a high average revenue per business ($1.43 million) and reasonable median monthly housing costs of $701. Auburn businesses are served by the DeKalb Chamber Partnership, which works to promote and enhance local business through networking, marketing, training and advocacy, and the Downtown Auburn Business Association, which sponsors and supports numerous community events throughout the year in downtown Auburn.5. Warsaw
Warsaw ranks as the fifth-best place to start a business in Indiana, and the average revenue per business of $4.72 million is the third highest in our study. Although it had an 8.4% unemployment rate in the 2013 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, the city benefits from 10.02 businesses per 100 people, a high number on our list. Warsaw says it is the “Orthopedic Manufacturing Capital of the World” as the city is home to three major orthopedics companies: Zimmer, Biomet and DePuy. Other major employers include Tecomet, Medtronic and the Pierceton-based Paragon Medical. Warsaw businesses are served by the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, whose members enjoy a variety of benefits.6. Decatur
Decatur doesn’t dominate in any one category, but puts in a solid performance across the board: 42.11% of businesses have paid employees, businesses have a high average revenue of $2.33 million and residents benefit from a low cost of living, with median monthly housing costs of $683. Decatur is home to the Adams Memorial Hospital, which opened a new facility in 2005 and employs 500 people, and Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, which designs and sells high-performance automobile parts. Local businesses can turn to the Decatur Chamber of Commerce for networking and advertising opportunities.7. Clarksville
Located on the border of Indiana and Kentucky, Clarksville has the largest population of the top 10 cities in our survey at 21,734. The city scores well in three categories: average revenue per business ($1.95 million), percentage of businesses with paid employees (45.16%) and its unemployment rate of 4.2%. Here, One Southern Indiana serves as both a chamber of commerce and economic development center for local businesses and aims to provide clients with “business intelligence, advocacy, connections and innovation solutions” to support local business expansion. Major employers in the nearby city of Louisville include Ford, General Electric, Humana Inc. and KentuckyOne Health.8. Rensselaer
Rensselaer, with the second-lowest population in the top 10, scores well due to its low monthly housing costs of $660, low unemployment rate of 3.2% and the high percentage of businesses at 38.01% with paid employees. The city is home to Saint Joseph’s College, a private Catholic liberal arts college. The closest ISBDC office is in West Lafayette.9. Jasper
Jasper benefits from high average revenue per business at $2.28 million, and low monthly housing costs of $740 and an unemployment rate at 3.7%. The city is 78 miles west of Louisville, Kentucky, and 120 miles south of downtown Indianapolis. Major employers include Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center and Kimball International. ISBDC offices are about an hour away in Evansville and Bedford. The Jasper Chamber of Commerce offers workshops, seminars and networking opportunities for small businesses.10. Angola
Angola has a high number of businesses per 100 people (12.44) and one of the lowest median monthly housing costs on the list at $671. The city is home to Trine University, a private institution with undergraduate enrollment of about 2,000 and a main campus that covers 450 acres. The Angola Area Chamber of Commerce provides local business owners with networking and marketing opportunities, education and information resources, plus other benefits and services.Nerd Wallet
Kentucky chamber employment study: Bowling Green-Hopkinsville at top
Kentucky’s statewide employment level
is now above pre-recession levels, and Hopkinsville is among regions in
the state with the highest growth rate in total jobs, according to a
study released by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
The
study divided up the state into nine economic regions. Hopkinsville was
grouped together with Bowling Green to make up the Bowling
Green-Hopkinsville region. Read more: Kentucky New Era
Chamber to honor four Fredericksburg-area 'local legends'
The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce will honor four local business leaders who are retiring during its second annual “Local Legends” event next month.
This year’s honorees are University of Mary Washington President Rick Hurley, Stafford County Sheriff Charles Jett, Rappahannock Goodwill Industries CEO Woody Van Valkenburgh and PermaTreat Pest Control CEO and Wilson Real Estate owner Joe Wilson.
The celebration will be held at noon on July 30 at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center.
“This is a way to recognize the
business careers and community contributions of the honorees,” said
Whitney Watts, chamber director of membership. “They are our local
legends.”
Van Valkenburgh has been the CEO
and president of Rappahannock Goodwill Industries for 33 years. He
started with the predecessor organization, Rappahannock Rehabilitation
Facility.
Under his leadership, RGI has
expanded stores, become one of the region’s top employers and moved its
headquarters to an 80,000-square-foot building, the former Gallahan’s
Furniture location in Massaponax. Read more: Fredericksburg.com
The promotions will better position the MMAC to address growing membership demands and investment, according to a press release.
Steve Bass has been promoted to senior vice president, governmental affairs and public policy, after serving as vice president of governmental affairs for the MMAC. Bass, who has a background in gubernatorial and legislative leadership, heads an expanding governmental affairs team that represents MMAC membership at regional, state and federal levels. His promotion will help the association better advocate on public policy issues relevant to southeastern Wisconsin businesses.
Julie Granger, formerly vice president of communications, has been named senior vice president. In her new role, she will guide the MMAC’s communications, marketing, programming and special events. She will also have responsibility over the MMAC’s World Trade Association and the Council of Small Business Executives.
Corry Jo Biddle has been promoted to vice president of community affairs, following her run as executive director of FUEL Milwaukee. FUEL is an extension of the MMAC that acts as a community engagement group for young professionals, new Milwaukee residents and others in the business community. Biddle will remain at the helm of FUEL while also functioning as the head contact for The Business Council, a network comprised of ethnically diverse business leaders. Her new position will also have her representing the MMAC across the community to promote its goal of “raising economic prosperity,” according to the press release issued by the association. Read more: BizTimes.com
Chamber best practice: You won’t become a Good Morning Schaumburg 5 by staying at home!
Monthly, our Chairman Ben Olson randomly picks 5 members at Good Morning Schaumburg to briefly introduce from the podium. These are members if you don't currently know, take the time to meet them. Past GMS 5’s are below.
Meet May's GMS 5:
Juli Langelund with Minuteman Press
Katie Berganske-Frank with AmCheck Schaumburg
Keith Evans with Key Financial Insurance Agency, Inc.
Terry Parke with Northwest Suburban Council
Jonathan Schoenberg with North Shore Photo Booth
Meet April's GMS 5:
MaryBeth Saylor with Chick-fil-A at Schaumburg
Jaime Leyva with Fox Valley Glass
Trustee George Dunham with the Village of Schaumburg
Raymond Horn with Meltzer, Purtill & Stelle LLC
Sheila Quirk-Bailey with William Rainey Harper College
More info: Schaumburg Business Association
State Sen. David Parker (R-Olive Branch) has announced two proposals he is asking public support for in the upcoming legislative session in January.
Parker on Wednesday joined four other state legislators who represent the Olive Branch area in Jackson during the monthly Olive Branch Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Whispering Woods Hotel and Conference Center.
Parker, state Sen. Chris Massey (R-Nesbit), state Rep. Wanda Jennings (R-Southaven), state Rep. Forrest Hamilton (R-Olive Branch) and state Rep. Bill Kincade (R-Byhalia) all gave brief statements about their work in Jackson during the monthly gathering.
The Olive Branch Republican used his time to say that he would work to ensure the $1.5 billion in settlement money from British Petroleum, or BP, earmarked for Mississippi, be spread across the state, instead of being concentrated along the Gulf Coast. Read more: DeSoto Times
Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce promotes three to management team
The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce is
bolstering its management team with three staff promotions, announced
on Tuesday.
The promotions will better position the MMAC to address growing membership demands and investment, according to a press release.
Steve Bass has been promoted to senior vice president, governmental affairs and public policy, after serving as vice president of governmental affairs for the MMAC. Bass, who has a background in gubernatorial and legislative leadership, heads an expanding governmental affairs team that represents MMAC membership at regional, state and federal levels. His promotion will help the association better advocate on public policy issues relevant to southeastern Wisconsin businesses.
Julie Granger, formerly vice president of communications, has been named senior vice president. In her new role, she will guide the MMAC’s communications, marketing, programming and special events. She will also have responsibility over the MMAC’s World Trade Association and the Council of Small Business Executives.
Corry Jo Biddle has been promoted to vice president of community affairs, following her run as executive director of FUEL Milwaukee. FUEL is an extension of the MMAC that acts as a community engagement group for young professionals, new Milwaukee residents and others in the business community. Biddle will remain at the helm of FUEL while also functioning as the head contact for The Business Council, a network comprised of ethnically diverse business leaders. Her new position will also have her representing the MMAC across the community to promote its goal of “raising economic prosperity,” according to the press release issued by the association. Read more: BizTimes.com
Chamber best practice: You won’t become a Good Morning Schaumburg 5 by staying at home!
Monthly, our Chairman Ben Olson randomly picks 5 members at Good Morning Schaumburg to briefly introduce from the podium. These are members if you don't currently know, take the time to meet them. Past GMS 5’s are below.
Meet May's GMS 5:
Juli Langelund with Minuteman Press
Katie Berganske-Frank with AmCheck Schaumburg
Keith Evans with Key Financial Insurance Agency, Inc.
Terry Parke with Northwest Suburban Council
Jonathan Schoenberg with North Shore Photo Booth
Meet April's GMS 5:
MaryBeth Saylor with Chick-fil-A at Schaumburg
Jaime Leyva with Fox Valley Glass
Trustee George Dunham with the Village of Schaumburg
Raymond Horn with Meltzer, Purtill & Stelle LLC
Sheila Quirk-Bailey with William Rainey Harper College
More info: Schaumburg Business Association
Chamber interest: BP award, tax rebate among Parker proposals at Olive Branch chamber luncheon
State Sen. David Parker (R-Olive Branch) has announced two proposals he is asking public support for in the upcoming legislative session in January.
Parker on Wednesday joined four other state legislators who represent the Olive Branch area in Jackson during the monthly Olive Branch Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Whispering Woods Hotel and Conference Center.
Parker, state Sen. Chris Massey (R-Nesbit), state Rep. Wanda Jennings (R-Southaven), state Rep. Forrest Hamilton (R-Olive Branch) and state Rep. Bill Kincade (R-Byhalia) all gave brief statements about their work in Jackson during the monthly gathering.
The Olive Branch Republican used his time to say that he would work to ensure the $1.5 billion in settlement money from British Petroleum, or BP, earmarked for Mississippi, be spread across the state, instead of being concentrated along the Gulf Coast. Read more: DeSoto Times
Chamber event: About 90 versions of Uncle Sam visit Sault Michigan
People filled the streets in Sault Michigan this July Fourth for the 2015 Independence Day parade.
It was the second year the parade was held in the morning as it was moved from its previous evening time slot mostly to accommodate families with younger children - and families certainly were present.
Boy Scouts were seen handing out cloth American flags, Girl Scouts lined the streets, and people set up their “spots” along the main route which weaved through the streets from Sault High School, passing downtown on Ashmun Street and Portage Avenue, then finally ending in a “quiet zone” on Magazine St. designed to have no music or honking for those with sensitive hearing.
The Sault Area Commerce also set up an activities tent for afterwards where there was water dunking, an inflatable climbing and sliding castle, and various arts and crafts vendors.
There was around 90 floats participating from various organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lake State Superior University, The Regional Inclusive Community Coalition (EUP RICC), along with many other local churches, schools, clubs, and businesses – basically whoever wanted to pay the $10 registration fee.
The theme of the floats (a theme was used this year to try and challenge people’s creativity) was “Uncle Sam” and many of the near 90 floats included an Uncle Sam costumed person or image.
Even though this massive parade happened in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario's sister city, just over the river, there was not a visible Canadian presence at this weekend event.
“We’d love to have more Canadians come over for the parade,” says organizer Joshua Billington with the Chamber of Commerce who puts on the parade. Read more: Sootoday.com
Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey
RULE #104 Take
down awards after five years :(
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