Chamber issue: Indiana spending $9M on one-stop business portal
The first step in starting a new business is having a big idea.
Then comes the paperwork.
A new state project hopes to ease those bureaucratic burdens for Indiana businesses.
The Secretary of State’s office is getting ready to launch an online portal called Business OneStop, which it says will streamline businesses' interactions with state government. Instead of having to visit multiple agencies, businesses will go to just one website to register their companies, submit required annual reporting, learn about new laws and even pay their taxes.
The $9 million project is being built with small business owners in mind—especially first-timers and those with small staffs.
“We want it to be less confusing, less stressful and have less delays,” said Secretary of State Connie Lawson. “Small businesses who are doing it all themselves will see a large benefit.”
Christy Gillenwater, president and CEO of the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce in Evansville, said that’s the group that needs the most help.
“They may have never had to navigate these waterways before,” Gillenwater said. “For many, it feels daunting and overwhelming.”
The state hopes the system, which is being built by Connecticut-based PCC Technology Group, reduces inefficiencies between state agencies and increases compliance—from paying taxes and fees on time to submitting paperwork to the right place. Read more: IBJ.com
Chamber Live Chat...Looking for things to do in Northern Michigan, including Mackinac Island?
Have you been up north this summer?
What about Mackinac Island?
I've been fortunate to visit several times this year, and each time I'm in awe of the natural beauty, as well as the hospitality. Everyone is so nice and helpful.
So, today I have enlisted a couple of tourism professionals to offer some things you can do now through Labor Day weekend, as well as answer some general questions about their regions.
Paul Beachnau is the executive director at the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce, and he grew up on the trails, rivers and adventures of Northern Michigan. If you have a question about the area, he'll be able to answer it. He is also a member of the Otsego County Board of Commissioners.
Alison Abraham is assistant director of Mackinac Island Tourism, and I met her when she used to work in Marquette. She'll be able to answer questions about things you can do on the Island, which has the Fudge Festival this weekend. Read more: M LIVE
Kentucky Arts Council seeks community partners for Etsy program
Stanton woodworker Eugene King already does a robust wholesale business, selling his wooden kitchen utensils to shops in 31 states. He wanted to expand his operation, though, to include online retail customers.
Thanks to a recent workshop sponsored by the Kentucky Arts Council, Hazard Community & Technical College and the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED), King is ready to sell to the global online retail market.
Etsy, whose members reported $1.93 billion in gross merchandise sales in 2014, is an online marketplace where people around the world buy and sell unique goods. Craft Entrepreneurship is a program that equips people with the knowledge and skills to start Etsy businesses and earn extra income through their craft. The arts council wants to recruit new partners to present this workshop in communities across the Commonwealth.
King was one of five graduates of the state’s first Craft Entrepreneurship Program held weekly throughout June at Hazard Community & Technical College.
Largely self-taught, King has been making wooden kitchen tools all his life. He was adjudicated into the Kentucky Crafted program in 2002, but he admits he still had a lot to learn heading into the Etsy workshop. Read more: Floyd County Times
Barb LaMue new Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation vice president of Economic and Community Development
#Bestchamber pracitices: Cary Grove Area Chamber- Chamber University
Barb LaMue is the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s new vice president of Economic and Community Development.
LaMue, who had been a sector development manager and a regional account manager for WEDC, has 18 years of economic development experience in Wisconsin. Before joining WEDC in January 2012, she was the executive director of Centergy Inc., a regional economic development organization serving five counties in central Wisconsin.
LaMue also has served as the vice president of economic development of the Greater Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and the executive director of the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Read more:Madison.comFor VACCE award winner Nancy Pool, Accolades keep coming
Members of the Leadership Halifax County group gathered around a downtown South Boston bench Monday morning to surprise former Halifax County Chamber of Commerce President Nancy Pool with a bench being named in her honor. Participating in the presentation were Dale Harris of Huber Engineered Woods; Vashon Canty of Southern Virginia Higher Education Center; Pam Taylor of Southside Virginia Community College; Mitzi McCormick of Halifax County Chamber of Commerce; Patricia Ricketts of ABB; Ellen McCormick of BB&T; Alyssa Gavitt of ABB; Brandon Scearce of Nationwide Insurance; Nancy Pool; Ken Buckley of Virginia Lottery; Joe Heath of Blue Ridge Beverage; Betty Adams of Southern Virginia Higher Education Center; Michael Watson and Janet Collins of Fairfield Inn and Suites; Adam Layman of Staunton River State Park; Aaron Porterfield of Huber Engineered Woods; and Ryland Clark of ABB.
Pool served as chamber president for 35 years before retiring earlier this year.
Prior to her retirement, Pool was lauded for her distinguished career with the county chamber, and then last week in Roanoke she was recognized by the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives when they presented her with the Lifetime Achievement Award during their annual meeting at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center.
The “Lifetime Achievement Award,” created by the past presidents of VACCE, honors a colleague who, throughout his or her career, has made significant contributions to the advancement of the chamber profession as well as to VACCE.
Timothy Hulbert, IOM, president and CEO of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, presented Pool with the award saying, “Nancy has been a consummate chamber professional throughout her distinguished career, and we are delighted she has received this prestigious recognition. It is well deserved.” Read more: The Gazette-Virginian
Members of the Leadership Halifax County group gathered around a downtown South Boston bench Monday morning to surprise former Halifax County Chamber of Commerce President Nancy Pool with a bench being named in her honor. Participating in the presentation were Dale Harris of Huber Engineered Woods; Vashon Canty of Southern Virginia Higher Education Center; Pam Taylor of Southside Virginia Community College; Mitzi McCormick of Halifax County Chamber of Commerce; Patricia Ricketts of ABB; Ellen McCormick of BB&T; Alyssa Gavitt of ABB; Brandon Scearce of Nationwide Insurance; Nancy Pool; Ken Buckley of Virginia Lottery; Joe Heath of Blue Ridge Beverage; Betty Adams of Southern Virginia Higher Education Center; Michael Watson and Janet Collins of Fairfield Inn and Suites; Adam Layman of Staunton River State Park; Aaron Porterfield of Huber Engineered Woods; and Ryland Clark of ABB.
Pool served as chamber president for 35 years before retiring earlier this year.
Prior to her retirement, Pool was lauded for her distinguished career with the county chamber, and then last week in Roanoke she was recognized by the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives when they presented her with the Lifetime Achievement Award during their annual meeting at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center.
The “Lifetime Achievement Award,” created by the past presidents of VACCE, honors a colleague who, throughout his or her career, has made significant contributions to the advancement of the chamber profession as well as to VACCE.
Timothy Hulbert, IOM, president and CEO of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, presented Pool with the award saying, “Nancy has been a consummate chamber professional throughout her distinguished career, and we are delighted she has received this prestigious recognition. It is well deserved.” Read more: The Gazette-Virginian
#Bestchamber pracitices: Cary Grove Area Chamber- Chamber University
3 Critical Tips to Accelerate Your Business Promotions
Join us for this interactive luncheon session and a discussion on your business promotional readiness, visibility and recognition. You'll take away a better understanding of how to find out what your customers want and how to connect with them. A pre-event handout will be available to get the most out of the session - register today to receive your copy.
Janice Means worked 14 years as a Senior Managing Consultant at IBM. She received her MBA from Governors University in 1990. She currently is president of EmbroidMe of Crystal Lake. Janice speaks on a variety of business topics including business strategy, marketing and entrepreneurship. Get more information: Cary Grove Chamber
Chamber Best Practices: The Alliance in Corinth, Mississippi: Economic Development
Alcorn County is a great place for business.Contact us to visit an available site or building or to learn more.
Join us for this interactive luncheon session and a discussion on your business promotional readiness, visibility and recognition. You'll take away a better understanding of how to find out what your customers want and how to connect with them. A pre-event handout will be available to get the most out of the session - register today to receive your copy.
Janice Means worked 14 years as a Senior Managing Consultant at IBM. She received her MBA from Governors University in 1990. She currently is president of EmbroidMe of Crystal Lake. Janice speaks on a variety of business topics including business strategy, marketing and entrepreneurship. Get more information: Cary Grove Chamber
Chamber Best Practices: The Alliance in Corinth, Mississippi: Economic Development
City of Corinth and Alcorn County, MS
Alcorn County is a great place for business.Contact us to visit an available site or building or to learn more.Easy Rail, Highway, and Air Transportation
- Two state and two U.S. highways converge in Corinth, making truck travel easy and accessible.
- Three railroads/rail lines pass through the city of Corinth, which has a marshalling yard.
- Air transportation is quick and easy with three airports — one international, one regional, and one private — within 100 miles.
- Port access to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway is within 25 miles of Corinth.
Experienced Work Force
- Alcorn County has a labor force of 16,119 workers, with 87.88% employment.
- The average manufacturing wage is $37,917.
State and Local Incentives and Tax Breaks
- Workforce training programs are available through community colleges, WIN Job Centers, and the local career and technology center.
- Financial incentives for infrastructure development, tax breaks, and more are available through TVA, the state of Mississippi, and local government.
- University outreach programs to support business and industry are available.
Specialized Industry
Alcorn County has the infrastructure, skilled workers, economic incentives, and proximity to suppliers that specifically support the industries of
- automobile parts producers
- health care providers
- plastic manufacturers
- wholesale trade and distribution providers
- the tourism industry.
The TAP Alliance
Tishomingo, Alcorn, and Prentiss counties in northeast Mississippi have created the TAP Alliance to unify their economic development efforts. The organization’s primary objective is to undertake projects at a regional scale that will benefit all three adjacent counties. Efforts may range from joint marketing campaigns to specific industrial recruitment projects.
Commitment to a regional approach increases the area’s appeal to industries seeking sites for new facilities. Working together and drawing upon assistance from the Tennessee Valley Authority, the three counties can offer greater opportunities and resources than any of them working individually.
The TAP Alliance board of directors comprises two representatives from the Board of Supervisors in each county and one representative from each county’s largest municipality. Read more: The Alliance
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