Virginia Peninsula Chamber to identify business environment challenges
The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce wants to identify ways to make it easier to do business on the Peninsula.
"We're really focused on the bottom line of the business community," Peninsula Chamber CEO Mike Kuhns said Monday.
The chamber is analyzing business data it purchased and is investing $30,000 in a six-year project for the economics department at Christopher Newport University to survey local businesses and conduct focus groups to find out various challenges the Peninsula's 12,000 businesses are facing. The comprehensive study will kick off in January.
"We're looking at getting into the weeds; getting down, taking that data and growing programs from the bottom up — demand-based versus top-down," Kuhns said.
The study, focused on small businesses, will not only look at what rules and regulations might make it hard to develop a business, but also workforce and community challenges — like transportation or infrastructure — the whole environment, including perceptions, Kuhns said.
The return on investment for the chamber's 1,400 business and public members is in making connections and getting the resources to achieve their goals, Kuhns said. This past year for instance, the chamber offered its first "Small Business Training Blitz" with 13 seminars on topics like cyber security, marketing and employee engagement.
In 2015, the chamber hosted 109 events that attracted 10,576 attendees...Read more: Daily Press
Chamber concern: State Leaders Talk Kentucky Teachers' Pension Solutions, To No Avail
If state leaders are closer to solving the crisis in the Kentucky teachers’ pension system, they’re not showing it.
The system has 54 percent of the money it needs to make future payouts, a situation that has been a keen point of focus for state leaders in recent years.
On Tuesday, a bipartisan task force of legislators and advocacy group leaders was supposed to present a menu of ideas for addressing the teachers’ pension problem.
But few concrete solutions came out of the meeting, with a familiar line being drawn over whether to borrow money to shore up the system.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo, a Prestonsburg Democrat, said bonds should have a role in fixing the system.
“I haven’t heard any alternatives, if anybody else has got any other suggestions,” Stumbo said.
He said any solution has to come up with money to add to the system.
“The old saying is if you want to have rabbit stew, the first ingredient is the rabbit,” he said.
“Well, there’s no rabbit in this report. The first ingredient has got to be addressing the unfunded liability.”
Led by Stumbo, the state House passed a bill earlier this year that would have authorized a $3.3 billion bond for the pension system. That bill failed in the state Senate, with Republicans saying that bonding amounted to passing the problem to future generations, who would ultimately be responsible for paying the debt.
The task force has been meeting since this summer.
Owensboro Republican Sen. Joe Bowen still opposes bonding as a solution for the pension crisis.
“My position on bonding has not changed,” Bowen said on Tuesday. “I’ve not wavered one iota on the value or the validity of bonding. I absolutely do not think that should be any part of resolving this issue.”
Teachers’ pension system leaders say the state will need to pay $520 million — about 5 percent of the state’s total annual resources — to maintain current funding levels. That’s up from $380 million that the state paid this year.
Incoming Gov. Matt Bevin has proposed moving all future pension holders — both teachers and state employees, who fall under an even retirement system — onto a 401(k)-style plan that wouldn’t provide them with guaranteed rates of returns.
Jason Bailey, executive director of the think tank Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, criticized that plan.
“The big part of the solution to this is to find more money and put it into the system,” he said. “That big question is sort of the elephant in the room and it still hasn’t been answered as to how that’s going to be done.”
Negotiations over how to fix the pension systems went down to the wire during this year’s legislative session, ultimately failing in the final hours.
Dave Adkisson, president of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, strongly urged legislators on Tuesday to come up with a solution early in the session to help take the politics out of the issue. Read more: WKMS
State House Abandoned Common Sense In Rush To Approve $1.98 Billion Health Insurance Tax Increase On Individuals And Business, Says Michigan Chamber Of Commerce
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today issued the following statement in response to State House passage of House Bill 5105 (Pscholka) – a $1.98 billion tax increase on individuals and business purchasing health insurance.
"Michigan is the only state in the country that imposes a penalty tax on individuals and businesses that purchase health insurance," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. "Under current law, the state health insurance claims assessment ("HICA" tax) is scheduled to end on December 31, 2017. By extending this tax another seven years and nine months, the State House in effect imposed nearly $2 billion in additional taxes on individuals and business."
"The sole purpose of this $2 billion money grab is to increase the size and cost of state government to pay for social welfare programs," added Studley. "We are extremely disappointed that Republicans in the State House would abandon common sense and conservative principles to hastily pass this anti-taxpayer and anti-business bill."
"Today, the State House voted to put the HICA tax on auto pilot through the 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024 general elections," continued Studley. "This self-serving attempt to escape legislative accountability for a massive increase in government spending is an insult to taxpayers, job providers and voters across the state." Read more:
"We strongly urge the Michigan Senate to oppose and kill this giant tax hike," Studley concluded. Read more: Michigan Chamber
Mississippi Economic Council hopes to spell out state's transportation issues
While much of the talk leading up to the 2016 session has centered on the possibility of legislators considering tax cuts, an effort to increase taxes might also be in the works.
Later this month -- on Dec. 18 -- the influential Mississippi Economic Council will release a transportation plan for the state. While little has been made public about the plan to this point, many believe additional revenue will be required to address the transportation and infrastructure needs expected to be cited in the MEC plan.
Scott Waller, executive vice president of MEC, said the goals are "to identify the problems and identify the options to address the problems. That is what we will be talking about on the 18th."
Some legislators believe to pay for the many transportation needs in the state -- both on the state and local levels -- will take additional revenue.
"There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow to pay for this," said Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville. "We need a plan, and we need a way to pay for it." Read more: Sun-Herald
Elkhart Chamber Event: Indiana Toll Road looking for bounce back year in 2016
After declaring bankruptcy in 2014 and getting a new partner in 2015, the Indiana Toll Road hopes 2016 is the year to get back on its feet.
"Right now it's a lot of paperwork and behind the sceneswork
," Amber Kettring, PR Manager for the Indiana Toll Road said. "Plans and strategy. We've been doing this for months now and have been really busy doing pre-work. In 2016 the actual work will begin. In January, we hope to demolish the Fremont Plaza and the pavement project in the spring as well."
," Amber Kettring, PR Manager for the Indiana Toll Road said. "Plans and strategy. We've been doing this for months now and have been really busy doing pre-work. In 2016 the actual work will begin. In January, we hope to demolish the Fremont Plaza and the pavement project in the spring as well."
The Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce held an annual breakfast Thursday to hear from the Toll Road about its upcoming investment. The Indiana Toll Road Concession Company is investing $260 million over the next five years to rehab the toll road. The big three portions of that are the Toll Plazas, which they're investing $30 million into renovating, resurfacing the roads to make them smoother and safer for drivers and also technological upgrades to help with safety and efficiency.
and also technological upgrades to help with safety and efficiency.
"We're going to be providing a safer, more efficient transportation corridor," Rick Fedder, COO of the Indiana Toll Road said. "We're very, very focused on the safety of not only our employees but our customers and first responders. We want to make sure we have the technology and use the technology to make sure we are decreasing the number of incidents on the toll road and increasing safety awareness as well." Read more: WNDU
transportation corridor," Rick Fedder, COO of the Indiana Toll Road said. "We're very, very focused on the safety of not only our employees but our customers and first responders. We want to make sure we have the technology and use the technology to make sure we are decreasing the number of incidents on the toll road and increasing safety awareness as well." Read more: WNDUTaste of the good life: Greater Beloit Chamber event pleases palates
The more than 200 guests to Beloit’s first Taste of the Chamber event were treated to a grand feast of bite-sized proportions.
When not mixing and mingling, attendees were munching their way through samples of pulled pork, Cuban sandwiches, Italian beef, reuben soup, cheese cake bites, beer and other delicacies. Balancing wee plates and itty bitty forks, the enthusiastic eaters were able to try the very best of Beloit cuisine.
Held at the Eclipse Center Wednesday evening, the Taste featured not only beer and food samples, but plenty of networking opportunities, good cheer and music by the band Gary.
“It’s a great first event. The parking lot is full, and the band is great,” said guest Elizabeth Horvath.
“This is a cool event. This is what we do in Chi-town,” said Ron Whitley.
“It’s a great way to get a taste of everything in one area,” said Selina Quinn. “It’s a great opportunity for the local businesses to showcase their offerings.”
Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tim Dutter said the event attracted more than 200 people and was an opportunity for restaurants to show the community what they can offer. Although any new activity is a risk, he said the Taste was definitely a success and will be offered again next year. Dutter said the event had a layout conducive to networking and was held at an opportune time, in December when people are eager to get out. Read more: Beloit Daily News
Chamber Chat: Getting ready for Christmas in Geneva
I am sure you are all aware that there are exactly 17 days until Christmas – and 16 actual get-ready days. Blink and it’s December. Seems like I was just writing about celebrating 66 years of Swedish Days.
So, have you taken a cue from the jolly old elf? You made a list, checked it twice and still discovered there are presents to buy and wrap, food to buy, relatives to entertain, and don’t forget to visit Santa. Ho, ho hopefully Geneva can help make that list smaller with these ideas and even give you back some “me” time.
Downtown Geneva still is dressed in holiday finery and – through Dec. 23 – many businesses are offering customer-friendly shopping hours. Stroll along the streets and discover the treasures of more than 100 specialty shops, with gifts for every person on your list (including last-minute hostess gifts). Don’t forget you also can find all the items you may need for a celebration at your own home. Look for a banner outside of the shops that are open late – until 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and until 4 p.m. Sunday – for customer convenience. All month long, many merchants are offering special events, too. View the calendar at genevachamber.com.
Thinking about leaving the cooking (and cleanup) to someone else? There are restaurants and caterers that will gladly welcome you. Visit the dining section of our website. Read more: Kane County Chronicle
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