Charlottesville Regional Chamber supports CATEC strategic plan; MMAC excitement: Assembly passes Bucks Arena Deal; Chamber Event: 14th annual Geneva Arts Fair; KYNDLE Chamber (Kentucky) news: 4-Star Industrial Park Designated As AT&T Fiber Ready; Duneland Chamber of Commerce honors members; Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce announced its new hires and promotions; Bowman leaves role as Hillsdale director;

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

Charlottesville Regional Chamber supports CATEC strategic plan


The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce today announced that, the Chamber Board of Directors approved a Chamber Resolution in support of the Charlottesville – Albemarle Technical Education Center strategic plan, partnership with Piedmont Virginia Community College; “innovative development of career pathways;” and, “a comprehensive review of the facilities needed to support the career pathways to include consideration of a joint use CATEC-PVCC technical education center.

A copy of the Chamber Board of Directors’ resolution, approved on Tuesday, is attached.

The Chamber support comes after nearly 18-months of involvement with the CATEC strategic planning process; review of by the Chamber Economic & Government Affairs Committee; presentations by Albemarle Schools Superintendent Dr. Pamela Moran and Charlottesville Schools Superintendent Dr. Rosa Atkins, to both the Committee and Chamber Board; and, discussions with several Albemarle County Supervisors and Charlottesville City Counselors.  Kristina Hofmann, Esq. of Payne & Hodous, Vice Chairwoman for Economic Vitality of the Chamber Board also serves as Chairwoman of the Chamber Economic & Government Affairs Committee. Read more: Charlottesville Tomorrow

MMAC excitement: Assembly passes Bucks Arena Deal

The state Assembly today gave final legislative approval to a public funding package for a new downtown Milwaukee sports and entertainment arena.  The arena proposal passed on a bi-partisan vote of 52-34.

"Today’s vote is a great example of individuals from every corner of Wisconsin putting aside regional and political differences and working together for the benefit of the entire state,” said Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) President Tim Sheehy.  “I want to especially commend Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) for their leadership in making today a great bi-partisan step forward toward making Wisconsin a more attractive place to create jobs.”

The state Senate approved the project two weeks ago.

The package splits the public cost between the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Center District and the state of Wisconsin.   An additional $250 million for the project will be provided by the current and former owners of the Milwaukee Bucks.

The project now moves to the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County elected leaders for final approval. Read more: CBS 58

Chamber Event: 14th annual Geneva Arts Fair 

On Saturday and Sunday, art enthusiasts can enjoy a relaxing weekend strolling down Third Street and perusing various art displays during the 14th annual Geneva Arts Fair.

Voted “one of the best 200 art festivals nationwide” by Sunshine Artist Magazine in 2014, the Geneva Arts Fair this year will be designed as an interactive gallery, allowing visitors the chance to view different art mediums from more than 150 artists from around the country. Drawings, sculptures and handcrafted jewelry will be some of the features and mediums at the event.
“You can always find something at the art fair in a price point that you’re looking for,” said Laura Rush, communications manager for the Geneva Chamber of Commerce. “You can always find something, even if art is not your forte.” Read more : Kane County Chronicle

KYNDLE Chamber (Kentucky) news: 4-Star Industrial Park Designated As AT&T Fiber Ready

As part of AT&T's continuing efforts to drive economic development and investment in Kentucky, AT&T* and representatives from Kyndle today announced that the 4-Star Industrial Park in Robards, Kentucky has been designated AT&T Fiber Ready. The 4-Star Industrial Park is the first park in Kentucky to receive the designation.

"AT&T is investing to deliver high-speed Internet in urban and rural areas all across Kentucky using the latest wired and wireless technologies, and we are proud to highlight the 4-Star Industrial Park as one of many places across the Commonwealth where AT&T's fiber infrastructure is in place and ready to help local businesses drive job creation," said Hood Harris, president of AT&T Kentucky. "I'm proud of the work our AT&T Kentucky employees are doing to deploy fiber-based infrastructure that delivers high-speed Internet access that Kentuckians want and need, and I am grateful that policymakers across the Commonwealth are increasingly embracing positive and pro-business policies that encourage businesses of all types to invest here."

In today's world, connectivity is vital to new employers and businesses of every type.

The AT&T Fiber Ready designation helps economic development leaders more effectively position their communities for site selection by emphasizing the availability of high-speed, fiber-based services. 

"This designation and our work with AT&T will help us raise awareness about the infrastructure and benefits of 4-Star Industrial Park with prospective industries and site selection consultants around the world," said Brad Schneider, CEO of Kyndle, the lead economic development agency for Henderson, McLean, Union and Webster counties in Northwest Kentucky. "Kentucky's economy is headed in the right direction, in large part because of the leadership of our elected officials. Their focus on smart policies and economic development are vital to our work to strengthen local economies and increase opportunities for job creation." Read more: PRNewswire.com

Duneland Chamber of Commerce honors members

Members of the Duneland Chamber of Commerce met Wednesday for the annual State of the Chamber Community Awards Luncheon.

Maura Durham, executive director of the chamber, said that the event, at the Spa Banquet Center in Porter, was a way to "give out awards to some richly deserving people in our community and hear a little bit about what makes us tick at the chamber."

Mike Hogan, chamber board secretary, provided information on the state of the chamber, including that membership continues to grow with 437 members, including 100 new members obtained through new member events.

Hogan also presented the "Putting Duneland on the Map" award to Lakeside Wealth Management for being ranked 6th on a list of the top places to work in Indiana by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, among other criteria such as involvement in not-for-profit organizations.

The award for Business Renovation was presented by Christy Jarka of the Duneland School Board to Precision Dental Center and their eco-friendly improvements. Read more: Chicago Tribune



Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce announced its new hires and promotions
Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce announced its new hires and promotions: Aisa Templeton, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was named the membership development manager; Dhiana Skrmetti of Biloxi was named the programming coordinator and military liason; and Angelique Gilliard of Long Beach was named the customer service specialist. Templeton earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from Louisiana State University. Skrmetti began her career in community relations after graduating from Biloxi High School. Angelique Gilliard is a former member administrative specialist for the Marine Corps, and she is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. Read more: Sun-Herald

• Bowman leaves role as Hillsdale director

Christine Bowman, executive director of the Hillsdale County Chamber of Commerce, will be leaving the chamber after nearly three years as director.

The news was announced in a press release Thursday morning.

Bowman’s last day with the chamber will be July 31. Randy Yagiela, a member of the board of trustees, will be taking over for Bowman on an interim basis beginning Aug. 1, while the board searches for a new director.

Bowman joined the chamber in an interim role in September 2012, before being hired as the executive director in January 2013.

“Christine is an amazing leader,” Terry Rummel, board president, said. “She was able to do what many said could not be done with our chamber.

“She truly revitalized the service aspect of our chamber and brought about new ideas, policies and a spirit of cooperation to strengthen our position in the community,” he added. Read more: Hillsdale Daily News