Chamber interest: Best Places to Start a Business in Indiana (#1-#3)
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
1. Bluffton
The northeastern Indiana city of 9,616 has the second-highest average revenue per business on the list, and its 1,003 businesses have an average revenue of $5.06 million. Bluffton residents benefit from affordable housing: With a median monthly housing cost of $571, Bluffton ranked as the second-most affordable place for housing of all of the locations we analyzed. The city also has a high percentage of businesses with paid employees (36.39%) and businesses per 100 people (10.43). Local businesses are served by the Wells County Chamber of Commerce, which provides workforce development, networking and marketing opportunities through numerous events and programs throughout the year. The ISBDC, Indiana Small Business Development Center, has a nearby office in Fort Wayne.2. Monticello
With a population of just 5,367, Monticello is the smallest city on the list, but it has the third-highest number of businesses per 100 people (14.27) and at 47.13%, the second-highest percentage of businesses with paid employees. Monticello is home to Lake Shafer, Lake Freeman and the Indiana Beach Amusement Resort, making the city an attractive tourist destination. Small businesses are supported by the Greater Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.3. Batesville
Located 46 miles west of Cincinnati and 67 miles southeast of Indianapolis, the city of Batesville takes the third spot on the list with the second-highest number of businesses per 100 people (14.99) and the second-lowest unemployment rate of 2.9%, which is well below both the state and the national unemployment rates. Residents also enjoy a median annual income of $44,820, which is the highest in the top 10. Batesville is home to two major employers: the Batesville Casket Co. and Hill-Rom, a health care equipment company. The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce represents over 300 local businesses and provides programs and activities for its members. Read more: Nerd WalletChristian County Chamber Announces New President/CEO
The Christian County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the hiring of Ms. Kelli Pendleton as the new President/CEO. Pendleton holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Auburn University. She previously worked at the Christian County Chamber of Commerce as the Director of Military Affairs from 2010-2012.
Frank Field, Chair for the Christian County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, offered the following comment, "We are very excited to have Kelli join our Chamber as the next President/CEO. She has been a part of this community for 12 years, and we know she is dedicated to the growth and improvement of Christian County. We are pleased to have someone such as Kelli agreeing to lead this important community agency."
Pendleton lives in Pembroke with her husband Michael and daughter. Her first official day with the Chamber will be Monday, July 13, 2015.
Pendleton shared, "I am excited to return to the Christian County Chamber of Commerce as its President/CEO. We as a community are engaged in exciting times and to have the opportunity to lead the Chamber through them is an extreme honor. It is my goal to build upon our past growth by working with our community's leaders and citizens to continue growing our economic landscape and quality of life." She continued, "Our Chamber team will work tirelessly to ensure our Chamber of Commerce is a place where businesses can come together, share ideas, create visions and implement plans for the future. To work with our incoming board chair, Janet Calhoun, throughout my first year at the helm is a "best case scenario" and it provides me with the highest sense of optimism for our chamber's future." Read more: Christian County Chamber
Chamber interest: Marshfield (Wisconsin) business incubator sought
As the city seeks to attract people downtown through the proposed Second Street corridor project, another economic development effort could soon be under way: a business incubator.
"We have a lot of people who have ideas for businesses," City Council member Ed Wagner said.
On Thursday, Wagner plans to ask the city's Economic Development Board to conduct an assessment identifying the demand for and possible locations of an incubator in Marshfield.
Incubators aim to help entrepreneurs start and grow their companies by providing relatively cheap spaces to operate and training programs in business management. There were more than 1,250 business incubators in the United States as of 2012, according to the most recent data available from the National Business Incubation Association. Read more: MarshfieldNewsHerald.com
Women sweep 2015 Eastern Shore Virginia Chamber awards
Jenny O'Neill was named 2015 Citizen of the Year and T and W Block co-owner Genevieve Switzer was named Small Business Person of the Year at the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, held Wednesday, June 24, at the Eastern Shore Yacht and Country Club.
Last year's small business person of the year recipient, Blake Johnson of the Island House Restaurant, nominated Switzer for the honor and presented her with the award.
"Genevieve is a pillar in our community who is continually promoting local businesses," he said in his nomination letter, calling Switzer "a woman working in a man's industry."
"It's probably one of the easiest nomination letters I've ever written," Johnson said.
Switzer, in addition to her business accomplishments, has been crucial in helping Johnson with the restaurant's annual oyster roast for charity, which in the last two years has resulted in more than $61,000 being raised for the Wounded Warrior Project and the Navy Seal Foundation.
In accepting the award, she credited her success to the support of family, friends and fellow business owners, "and to my father who taught me it really doesn't matter if you're a girl — you can do whatever you want to do." Read more: delmarvaNOW.com
Illinois Valley Chamber and Economic Development names Joni Hunt new executive director
The Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development (IVAC) has announced that Joni Hunt is joining the organization as executive director. Hunt will be starting her position on July 1. She replaces Marci Duro who retired in June after leading the organization for the past five years.
Hunt is originally from Metamora and attended Eureka College. She received certification in professional community economic development by the Community Development Council in 2014. She has served on numerous boards and organizations including being a founding member of the Princeton Chamber of Commerce Retail Development Group, he Western Illinois Amtrak Coalition and the Illinois River Road Executive Board.
In her new role, Hunt will be leading IVAC into a very exciting time. IVAC is at the forefront of efforts to strengthen and grow the region. She will be working closely with the new Economic Development Corporation of North Central Illinois to help bring new industry and jobs growth to the area. She will also be responsible for the continued growth of IVAC’s membership and ensuring that IVAC is delivering the essential services our members count on. Read more: BCRnews.com
Mississippi Gulf Coast chamber Lunch helps entrepreneurs develop leads
A Leads Lunch will be held July 10 at 11:30 a.m. at Knight Nonprofit Center, 11975 Seaway Road.
The event is open to Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce members and is limited to one person per specific business category and 25 total participants. The cost is $20 and includes lunch/
RSVP: Dhiana@mscoastchamber.com.
Cuban Chamber of Commerce opens in Troy, Michigan
The Cuban Chamber of Commerce has chosen Troy, Michigan, as its third location and national headquarters.
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dana McAllister says the choice was a natural fit because of affinities between Detroit and Havana, a significant presence of Cuban-Americans in Michigan, and support from the Oakland County government and city of Troy.
The Chamber will network with Michigan businesses that would like to trade with Cuba, following re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Last week, the two countries announced re-opening of embassies for the first time in over 50 years. McAllister says there are already some opportunities for business relations in areas such as agricultural products, medical equipment and supplies, and alternative energy. Learn More: Michigan Radio
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Gratitude)
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." Willam Arthur Ward
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