Chamber interest: Indiana move would save employers $327 million; Chamber awards: Kenosha Area Business Excellence Awards Cocktail Reception; Chamber interest: Make a difference in Wheaton with food collection, park cleanup; Four Flags Area Chamber: Exposing Greatness; Oxford - LaFayette County Artist To Give Away Signed Copies Of Jake Gibbs Poster; George Mason president speaks to Fauquier Chamber; November Power in Partnership to feature A Salute to Education and KCTCS President Dr. Jay Box; Town Square Publications Chamber Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Lo Guides and Custom Maps;

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

      

Chamber interest: Indiana move would save employers $327 million

Indiana is expected to pay off a federal unemployment loan to relieve businesses from shouldering another year of penalties that are projected to reach $327 million next year.

A committee staffed with state lawmakers and a budget leader authorized a plan Friday for the state to pay off the $250 million loan with an advance from the state’s general fund.

The state must pay off the loan by early November so that businesses can avoid paying penalties in 2016 because of the debt. Those penalties are projected at $126 per employee, an increase from $105 this year.

The loan dates to 2008, when the state had to begin borrowing from the federal government to meet unemployment demands as the recession took hold.

Several lawmakers, including the Indiana House’s top Republican, lauded the committee’s action Friday. But the decision ultimately lies with Gov. Mike Pence, who has said his administration is exploring paying off the loan to provide “tax relief for job creators.”

When asked for comment Friday, the governor's office would only say "stay tuned" for more information.

House Speaker Brian Bosma, an Indianapolis Republican, said the state’s ability to pay off the federal loan will save money for Hoosier employers.

"This move is the right decision as we look to maintain Indiana's favorable business climate and keep our historic jobs numbers growing,” Bosma said in a statement.

Material presented to the committee by the state Department of Workforce Development stated that Pence would make a decision by the end of the month. Statements sent by several lawmakers Friday indicated the state would move forward to pay off the loan.

The head of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce said the organization is looking forward to final approval by Pence. Read more: Indy Star

Chamber awards: Kenosha Area Business Excellence Awards Cocktail Reception

Kenosha area professionals toasted the success of the 2015 Kenosha County Business Excellence Awards winners during a cocktail reception on Wednesday. The awards, presented by the Kenosha Area Business Alliance and the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce, recognize top-performing companies and business leaders in Kenosha County. Winners will be honored during an awards program on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Read more: BizTimes.com

Chamber interest: Make a difference in Wheaton with food collection, park cleanup

Saturday marks Make a Difference Day in Wheaton, but organizers are hoping it will inspire residents to volunteer in the city year-round.

"It's getting the word out, not just for one day of doing something good, but to get people involved in volunteering," said Bill Gilbertson, a member of the city's community relations commission.

Kerry O'Brien, executive director of the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce, said the city started celebrating the nationwide Make a Difference Day seven years ago. The biggest communitywide effort to make a difference each year has been the Stuff-A-Truck event, an attempt to fill trucks with 40,000 pounds of food to be delivered to the People's Resource Center.

"We emphasize that it be nutritious food, stuff you want to feed your own family," O'Brien said.

Schools, churches and about 40 chamber businesses have been collecting nonperishable food donations for about six weeks. Volunteers will be going to all the collection locations this weekend to pick up the boxes and place them in a truck that will be stationed outside the Wheaton Public Library.

Anyone who still wants to make a donation is welcome to stop by the east parking lot at the library between 10 a.m. and noon Saturday to drop off items. Read more: Daily Herald

Four Flags Area Chamber: Exposing Greatness

The Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce is about Building A Better Community for Business. Every year we collaborate with The Leader Publication, Lake Michigan College, The Bucahanan Area Chamber of Commerce, and United Federal Credit Union to present EXPOsing Greatness business expo.  The EXPO showcases Michiana's best and brightest businesses.  Come network and find info on local products and services.  Sample delicious food provided by local schools cullinary programs.  Meet local business professionals, make new connections and reunite with old friends. Come one, come all.

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Chamber connection: Oxford - LaFayette County Artist To Give Away Signed Copies Of Jake Gibbs Poster

Rosie Vassallo, a local graphic designer and artist, will be giving away 250 Jake Gibbs posters at the Allen Samuels Tent in the Grove this Saturday before the Texas A&M game.

The poster is a watercolor wash with graphics added to it. Vassallo will be signing these and they will be free to fans. The Allen Samuels tent will be by the Walk of Champions in the Grove, closer to University Drive than the union.

Jake Gibbs played Ole Miss Football and Baseball, and Ole Miss Athletics is honoring his legacy by adding his name to the new Letterwinner Walk. According to Ole Miss Athletics, the new Jake Gibbs Letterwinner Walk will honor every Ole Miss athlete who ever earned a letter competing for Ole Miss and will also be a part of the Walk of Champions, which will connect to the new entrance to Vaught Hemingway Stadium’s north end zone.

Gibbs lead Ole Miss to a pair of national titles and was the Rebels’ quarterback from 1958-60. He played baseball professionally and later coached Ole Miss baseball. The new Letterwinner walk will be unveiled October 2016.

Vassallo is originally a native of San Antonio, Texas. She has a B.A. in Advertising Design from Texas Christian University. She is married to Steve Vassallo, and currently is an administrative assistant for the Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and director of the Oxford-Lafayette Retiree Attraction program. Read more: Hotty Toddy

George Mason president speaks to Fauquier Chamber

President of George Mason University, Ángel Cabrera, spoke about the college’s commitment to growing the Virginia economy at a Fauquier Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week.

Cabrera outlined the ways that GMU impacts the region. The university is the largest in the commonwealth with 34,000 students and produces the most career-ready graduates in the state. It also employs 16,000 people, pumps $1.5 billion into the economy and creates enterprise opportunities for entrepreneurs.

“George Mason University is committed to working with business communities,” said Miles Friedman, director of the Fauquier County Economic Development Department, before Cabrera’s speech. 

Friedman cited the Mason Enterprise Center in Warrenton as an example of the school’s involvement with the local economy. Read more: Fauquier.com

November Power in Partnership to feature A Salute to Education and KCTCS President Dr. Jay Box

October 26, 2015 --- The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce monthly Power in Partnership breakfast will feature the annual “Salute to Education” on Thursday, November 5.  The featured speaker is Dr. Jay Box, President of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).  The doors open at 6:45 a.m. for viewing of the school displays and the breakfast program begins at 7:30 a.m. The event is held at the Julian Carroll Convention Center and Baptist Health Paducah is the sponsor.

Local schools participating include Paducah Public Schools, McCracken County Public Schools, St. Mary School System, Community Christian Academy, Paducah Area Technical School and PATCH representing home school students.  The schools will have displays about their accomplishments with students representing each school in attendance.

In January of this year, Dr. Box became President of KCTCS, a state wide system of 16 colleges, including West Kentucky Community and Technical College.  The KCTCS system is nationally recognized as the premier community college system in the nation.  A Texas native, President Box came to Kentucky in 2002 when he was named President of Hazard Community and Technical College. He worked there until 2007, when he became vice president for administrative systems for KCTCS, and in 2009, he became chancellor. 

Here are the details:

·         When: Thursday, November 5, doors open early for viewing of displays, program begins at 7:30 a.m. 

·         Where: Julian Carroll Convention Center

·         Speaker: Dr. Jay Box, President of Kentucky Community and Technical College System   

·         Displays:  Local schools and students will have displays with students participating

·         Cost: $15

·         Sponsor:  Baptist Health Paducah

For more information contact; Sandra Wilson at (270) 443-1746.

Town Square Publications Chamber Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Lo Guides and Custom Maps 

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