Chamber interest: Indiana to pay off unemployment debt ahead of schedule
Indiana is set to pay off early the $250 million remaining on its unemployment insurance debt to the federal government, a move that will save Hoosier businesses $327 million in penalties next year.
Gov. Mike Pence announced Thursday the state will borrow from its $2.1 billion budget reserve to eliminate the debt incurred when unemployment payments spiked during the 2008-09 Great Recession and the long-underfunded Indiana unemployment trust fund couldn't keep up.
Since 2011, the federal government has assessed Hoosier businesses an annually increasing per-employee penalty to speed repayment of the state's unemployment debt, which at one time totaled more than $2 billion.
This year, companies are paying a $105 per-employee penalty, on top of their annual $42 per-employee federal unemployment insurance premium.
The penalty is scheduled to increase to $126 per employee if the state still owes money on Nov. 10. Read more: NWITimes.com
Richmond Regional Planning District Commission appoints new executive director
Martha Shickle on Thursday was named the new executive director of the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission.
Shickle currently holds the same position with the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission, where she manages general operations, strategic planning and program development. She replaces Robert A. Crum Jr., who recently left the RRPDC to lead the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
RRPDC’s director of planning, Barbara V. Jacocks, has served as interim executive director since June.
Shickle, who will be paid $115,000 a year, said in a statement that she is “thrilled to join the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission” and appreciates the opportunity “to build upon the many exciting projects striving to improve the quality of life” throughout the greater metro Richmond metro.
“The Richmond region is a growing and vibrant community and I look forward to rolling up my sleeves to advance the community’s goals and priorities,” Shickle said.
RRPDC Chairman David Williams, a member of the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors, called Shickle “the right leader at the right time” to direct the commission during this “period of great progress in the Richmond region.” Read more: Richmond Times Dispatch
John Casper, Oshkosh Chamber: Manufacturing key to economy, standard of living
Manufacturing has been the cornerstone of our national, state and local economy and is central to the creation and retention of good paying jobs, providing a good standard of living to families. A strong manufacturing industry is fundamental to our prosperity. Wisconsin’s manufacturing sector is responsible for more than $55 billion worth of economic output. With more than 450,000 manufacturing jobs, the state’s manufacturing job concentration is 87 percent above the national average. This has led the State of Wisconsin to proclaim October as Manufacturing Month.
In Wisconsin and Oshkosh, we are responsible for the production of many products that are sold throughout the U.S. and around the world. However, a lot of people think we no longer make anything in this country. A common misconception is making the rounds that manufacturing is vanishing. This perception may be based on consumers’ daily observation of foreign-made products visible on store shelves. But the facts do not support this pessimistic view. The manufacturing sector is alive and well.
Consider the following points:
Manufacturing supports millions of other jobs in the United States. More than 1 in 7 U.S. private sector jobs depend on manufacturing. Manufacturers in Wisconsin employ 15.8 percent of the workforce. In Oshkosh, that percentage is even greater with 24 percent of workers employed in manufacturing.
Manufacturing drives innovation. Manufacturers account for 70 percent of all private-sector R&D in this country. Read more: TheNorthwestern.com
Geneva chamber names Wood Award recipient
At its annual dinner Thursday night, the Geneva Chamber of Commerce bestowed its most prestigious award of the year to Gordon “Gordie” Hard, an insurance man whose volunteerism has been felt throughout the community.
In a chamber news release, his wife stated he “genuinely enjoys” helping people in the community.
“Through hard work and tenacity he has been very blessed and is always looking for a way to give back,” Kathleen Hard stated. “He is willing to volunteer for whatever he can, whenever he can.”
Gordon Hard received the Wood Award, which recognizes those who have made significant community contributions in business, education, youth involvement, civic organizations, art, recreation, charity or government.
“You got me,” Gordon Hard told those gathered at Eagle Brook Country Club after a lengthy introduction.
Gordon Hard is the owner and president of the Valley Insurance Agency in Geneva and a longtime member of the chamber’s Board of Directors, for which he served as chairman from 1988 to 1998.
He also has held leadership positions with the Rotary Club of Geneva, which he joined in 1984.
Geneva Chamber of Commerce President Jean Gaines described Gordon Hard as one of the most positive people she knows.
“He is committed to the groups he supports, like the chamber and Rotary, and his enthusiasm never seems to waiver,” Gaines stated in a news release.
“We appreciate his support, his sense of humor and his easy laugh. He has made quiet contributions to the success of the chamber, and he is always open to a new idea.”
The chamber also honored Martha Sanchez of State Street Jewelers, who was named the Geneva Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year. Read more: Kane County Chronicle
“Through hard work and tenacity he has been very blessed and is always looking for a way to give back,” Kathleen Hard stated. “He is willing to volunteer for whatever he can, whenever he can.”
Gordon Hard received the Wood Award, which recognizes those who have made significant community contributions in business, education, youth involvement, civic organizations, art, recreation, charity or government.
“You got me,” Gordon Hard told those gathered at Eagle Brook Country Club after a lengthy introduction.
Gordon Hard is the owner and president of the Valley Insurance Agency in Geneva and a longtime member of the chamber’s Board of Directors, for which he served as chairman from 1988 to 1998.
He also has held leadership positions with the Rotary Club of Geneva, which he joined in 1984.
Geneva Chamber of Commerce President Jean Gaines described Gordon Hard as one of the most positive people she knows.
“He is committed to the groups he supports, like the chamber and Rotary, and his enthusiasm never seems to waiver,” Gaines stated in a news release.
“We appreciate his support, his sense of humor and his easy laugh. He has made quiet contributions to the success of the chamber, and he is always open to a new idea.”
The chamber also honored Martha Sanchez of State Street Jewelers, who was named the Geneva Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year. Read more: Kane County Chronicle
Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce to host membership drive
Even after 120 years, the Warren County-Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce still strives to improve the quality of life in the community.
But still, they’re looking to do more with more, and that’s why they’re extending an open invitation for membership.
The Chamber will hold its annual membership drive Tuesday at the Chamber of Commerce building, 2020 Mission 66, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., said Maggie Dimmette, a chamber member who is on the membership drive committee.
“This year, the event will be staged as a telethon,” she said. “We are attempting to crate an air of excitement or urgency to join.”
Chamber members will be set up at work stations making calls to prospective members throughout the day, Dimmette said. See more at: Vicksburg Post
Chamber recognition: Employees drive successes at Dart in Lansing
Dart Container President Jim Lammers recognizes something about the food-service packaging business he’s been part of for 29 years: success is more about people than plastics or styrofoam.
“You could have great technology, innovation, and capital, but if you don’t have great people I don’t think you’ll have sustained success as a company,” he said. To that end, the Mason-headquartered business is focused on building a culture that attracts and retains talent, whether that’s clearly communicated expectations and goals — or a walkable campus.
Dart Container is being recognized by the Lansing Regional Chamber for its headquarters expansion and distribution facility in Mason. It’s also receiving a nod for its 2012 Solo Cup acquisition, which meant more than 400 new jobs in Mason.
Describe the headquarters expansion and the vision behind that.
The 100,000-square foot distribution facility is a new-build distribution center. We also built a new office building on campus, we significantly renovated an existing office building, and we enlarged and renovated another existing building. And that building, in addition to offices has — new to us — a cafeteria and a fitness center. And we’ve also made our campus even more pedestrian-friendly. Having a nice campus with different amenities (coupled with financial stability and opportunities for career growth), we feel put us in a strong position to attract, develop, and provide great career opportunities to people. We very strongly believe that our biggest competitive advantage is our people. Read more: Lansing State Journal
Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Names Scott Sedmak VP of Public Affairs and Communications
The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday named Scott Sedmak VP of Public Affairs and Communications.
Sedmak will develop and manage public affairs and business advocacy for the Chamber, as well as the organization’s communications and marketing initiatives. He also will assist the Chamber’s 1,400-plus members in a variety of areas.
Prior to joining the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Sedmak was corporate communications manager at Axcess Financial. He also managed the company’s charitable relationships and worked with chambers of commerce across the country on policy issues.
“Scott is a smart communicator who has a unique balance of both private sector and public policy experience,” said Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President Trey Grayson, in a statement. “He is well-regarded in Frankfort and within Northern Kentucky. Scott will bring a lot to the Chamber with his ability to bridge the gap between the business community and policymakers.” Read more: O'Dwyers
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles
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