Chamber Executive Wisconsin Digest 
December, 2015

Happy New Year, Chamber World! 2016 is going to be your best year ever!

Chamber issue: Beloit businesses urge Walker to find funds for 39/90 work

Members of the Beloit business community are urging Gov. Scott Walker to find a way to pay for the I-39/90 project.

In a timeline sent out last month by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, major construction is delayed until 2019. Previously that work was scheduled to begin in spring 2017.

The I-39/90 expansion project extends approximately 45 miles, along Interstate 39/90 from the Illinois state line to Madison. As part of the project all lanes will be widened to three to four lanes from Beloit to Madison. Currently, it’s only two lanes in each direction, although there are some parts near Madison where it is extended to three lanes. The project is estimated to cost nearly $900 million.

"Across the state, Chambers of Commerce are calling for transportation funding to rebuild our infrastructure here in Wisconsin. Why? Because it has a direct impact on businesses, tourism and our image and branding. Businesses need the assurance that their products can travel to market safely and quickly. It’s estimated that visitors spend over $1 billion each year in Dane and Rock counties on food, lodging and shopping. Moreover, right now it’s one of the first things that you notice when driving in from Illinois, the fact that the highway goes from three lanes into two … that and the fact that it needs to be redone. Not to mention the interchanges; the one for Milwaukee Road is practically a death trap,” said Tim Dutter, executive director of the Greater Beloit Chamber, in an email. Read more: Beloit Daily News

Janesville City Council passes 2016 budget, ditches downtown coordinator idea 

The city of Janesville will not create a full-time job to lead efforts to revive the downtown, but it will devote an extra $50,000 to make sure things get done—with private-sector support.

The council Monday formally adopted its 2016 city budget. But before doing so, council members decided against funding a downtown revitalization coordinator after a majority voted to include it in the preliminary budget several weeks ago.

The council also decided to defund a part-time “emergency management program manager” position that City Manager Mark Freitag lobbied for heavily.

The 2016 budget will result in an $89 increase in city taxes and fees for the average Janesville homeowner.

Once estimated at $102,000, the downtown coordinator position would have cost the city $97,000, officials said Monday. But rather than fund that, the council decided to set aside $50,000 to pay for grant-writing specialists or consultations as needed.

Private business leaders who attended Monday's meeting pledged to contribute matching dollars to those efforts. John Beckord, president of Forward Janesville, proposed the chosen model during a public hearing portion of the meeting. See more at: Gazette Extra

 

New chamber director hired in Green Lake

Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce officials didn’t search far for their new director. Monday, it was announced the new director is Liane Walsh, who took over as interim director following the sudden departure of Denise Hibbitts in late June. Hibbitts had held the position for just one year. Read more: Ripon Press

 

Kenosha Area Chamber looks to expand school-business partnership

The Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce, in an attempt to expose more students to business and career opportunities, is expanding its after-school Business and Education Partners Program to include more businesses and students.

AT&T is continuing its support of BEPP with a $5,000 donation to fund the program for the upcoming spring semester. The grant is through the AT&T Wisconsin Innovation & Investment Award program.

Originally established to connect Kenosha County high school freshmen to institutions of higher learning and local manufacturing businesses, the program will be expanded to include all high school grades.

BEPP offers students an opportunity to participate in a five-week program where they work on projects and learn about local colleges and manufacturing companies. Read more: Kenosha News

Door County heart: Baileys Harbor Community Association Dinner benefits Sturgeon Bay woman

The Baileys Harbor Community Association is using its community Thanksgiving Dinner to raise funds for a Sturgeon Bay woman with cancer.

The fifth annual Baileys Harbor Community Thanksgiving Dinner is being used as a fundraiser for Tasha Ustianowski, 40, a single mother diagnosed with synovial sarcoma over the summer.

Ustianowski found a lump on the back of her leg last December. After doing some research, she concluded it was a baker's cyst and nothing to worry about. The lump continued to get worse, and in June she went to the doctor. The doctor also thought it was a cyst but ordered an MRI as a precaution. The lump turned out to be a possible mass and a second scan was done. Eventually Ustianowski was advised make an appointment at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.

Since her diagnosis she has been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. The treatments are in an effort to shrink the tumor ahead of surgery.

Each chemo treatment causes her to miss about a week of work and recovery from surgery is expected to take about eight weeks, Ustianowski said. There are risks of complications from the surgery. Read more: Green Bay Press-Gazette

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: (Holiday Reading)

The Answer - Grow Any Business, Achieve Financial Freedom, and Live an Extraordinary Life

By John Assaraf and Murray Smith

A key team member behind The Secret and his business partner offer the specific tools and mental strategies to help readers leap ahead in any career or business venture and achieve major financial success. In this visionary work, New York Times bestselling author John Assaraf and business guru Murray Smith reinvent the business book for the twenty-first century. Two of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world, they combine forces to bring their special insights and techniques together in a revolutionary guide for success in the modern business environment. 

Assaraf and Smith know how to minimize risk and maximize success, and The Answer provides a framework for sharing their wisdom, experience, and skills with the millions of people who want to accomplish their own dreams in life. Using cutting-edge research into brain science and quantum physics, they show how readers can actually rewire their brains for success and create the kind of extraordinary lives they want. By teaching readers how to attract and use newly discovered "uncommon" senses to achieve business success, the authors demonstrate the beliefs, habits, thoughts, and actions that they have used to build eighteen multimillion-dollar companies. 

Any reader who follows this step-by-step process to build his or her career will experience an enormous life transformation and reach an exceptional level of living. - See more at: Simon & Schuster

MMAC report: Area economic indicators improved in October

Sixteen of 23 indicators showed gains in MMAC report

In October, 16 of 23 economic indicators tracked in the MMAC report showed improvement compared to year-ago levels. That was the highest number of positive indicators since May and was an improvement from just 12 positive indicators in the September report.

“The aggregate total of positive indicators for October marked a measure of recovery from the relatively weak totals recorded in recent months,” said Bret Mayborne, the MMAC’s economic research director. “October’s positive trends was led by consistent job gains and lower unemployment rates.”

Nonfarm employment numbered 865,700 in October, the metro area’s highest job total posted in over seven years (since December, 2007). Employment rose at a 1.2 percent pace vs. year-ago levels, up from September’s revised 0.7 percent gain (vs. September, 2014).

Metro Milwaukee’s seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate fell one percentage point from year-ago levels, to 4.2 percent in October. Milwaukee’s rate ranks lower than the 4.8 percent national rate but higher than Wisconsin’s 3.6 percent rate. Read more: Biz Times

East Troy Chamber presentation: Ring in the holidays aboard Santa Train Dec. 5

Limited tickets are now available for children of all ages who would like to ride in special passenger trolley cars that will follow the East Troy Electric Railroad’s Santa Train on Saturday, Dec. 5, when it makes its annual journey into town.

Presented by the East Troy Electric Railroad in conjunction with the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce and Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Center, the lighted four-car train will travel down the century-old interurban trolley line between Mukwonago and East Troy.

Spectators, who aren’t aboard the train, can catch a glimpse of Santa along Highway ES. The train will stop briefly at the following crossings:

·         5:30 p.m., train departs at The Elegant Farmer

·         5:45 p.m., Army Lake Road — Army Lake Camp

·         6 p.m., St. Peter’s Road

·         6:15 p.m., Byrnes Street

·         6:25 p.m., Division Street

·         6:30 p.m., Santa arrives on Village Square via East Troy Fire Department truck

The heated passenger trolley will begin boarding at 5 p.m. at The Elegant Farmer, depart at 5:30 p.m. and follow the Santa Train to East Troy. Riders will be able to walk to the historic village square to watch Santa light the Bob Barutha Memorial Christmas tree. The return trip will depart the East Troy depot at 8 p.m.

Tickets for the special ride, which must be purchased in advance, are available for $10 each at the East Troy Chamber Office, 2894 Main St. (on the Village Square) and the Mukwonago Chamber Office, 100 Atkinson St. For more information, call 262-642-3770 or 262-363-7758. Read more: Journal Times

Trees on Parade this weekend in Twin Lakes

The village will usher in the holiday season this weekend with its 10th annual Trees on Parade and holiday shopping event.

Marilyn Trongeau, executive director of the Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association, said there will be about 20 crafters and vendors at the annual bazaar, set against the backdrop of 15 decorated trees.

“It is just a warm, inviting atmosphere,” Trongeau said.

The event, sponsored by Allied Plastics, will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Parish, 701 Lake Ave., Twin Lakes.

Admission is $2 for ages 12 and older; $1 for children ages 4-11; children under 4 are free and includes an entry for the door prize — a 10-inch, quad-core tablet.

Highlights of the event include the tree and gingerbread house decorating contests, appearances by Santa Claus throughout the two-day festival and the lighting of the village tree at Central Park, adjacent to the TLCBA office on Main Street at 5:30 p.m. Friday night.

“The Wilmot High School Choir will sing prior to the tree lighting,” Trongeau said, adding that the local Boy Scouts will sell hot cocoa ad cookies at the park. Read more: Kenosha News

Fox Cities Chamber announces business awards

The Fox Cities Chamber will honor the following winners of The Event: Celebrating Business Awards 2015 at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, 333 W. College Ave.

The Event awards program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in operating businesses as well as leadership in the community.

Business Hall of Fame Inductees: John Bergstrom, chairman and CEO, Bergstrom Corp.; and Richard “Dick” Bergstrom, vice chairman Bergstrom Corp. Awarded to individuals who have demonstrated personal and business success, business leaders who have gained recognition and honor for outstanding achievement in their industry and who have been dedicated to the economic vitality of the community, and are role models for future generations.

The Gus A. Zuehlke Distinguished Service Award: Jon Stellmacher, retired senior vice president, Thrivent Financial. This award is named in honor of Gus A. Zuehlke, a past chairman of the board of the Fox Cities Chamber, and recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions through leadership in business and service during his/her years as a Chamber member. The recipient of this award will have a $5,000 award/grant donated to the charitable organization of his/her choice.

Joyce Bytof Exceptional Mentor Award: Tony Busch, managing member, Priora Cash Flow Management LLC. Awarded to an individual who is proactive in the advancement of others by sharing time, talent and business experience for the purposes of promoting growth and opportunity in the Fox Cities. Read more: Post Crescent

Taste 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 recipient: Rhinelander Tourism & Marketing Committee allots $6,575 in grants

The Rhinelander Tourism & Marketing Committee on Wednesday approved allocating $6,575 in winter grants to 13 non-profit organizations in the community. The grants support programs and projects that will bring overnight visitors to the area.

The grants appropriated were:

• $275 to Northwoods Nordic Ski Club for promoting winter sports at Heal Creek
• $300 to Leathernecks of the North for its Fourth of July parade
• $300 to Northwoods Nordic Ski Club for maintaining its website
• $300 to WXPR Public Radio for its 2015-16 concert series
• $400 to Oneida County ATV Association for printing membership and maps flyers and trail patrol cards
• $400 to the Oneida County Fair for a petting zoo
• $400 to W.I.L.D. Hodag Mini-Triathlon for advertising
• $500 to the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce for promoting Ho-Drags on Ice
• $500 to YMCA of the Northwoods for marketing the Hodag Run
• $600 to ArtStart Inc. for producing and distributing its annual exhibitions and events brochure and rack card advertisement
• $700 to Rhinelander Ice Arena for a new website to promote tournaments and other activities
• $900 to Hodag Sno-Trails Inc. for publishing the 2016 snowmobile trail map
• $1,000 to the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce for promoting the Boom Lake Log Jam
The community grant program is funded through room tax collected by the city and the town of Pelican. Read more: RiverNewsOnline.com

Important National Chamber People notes:

Columbus, Ohio Chamber CEO Michael Dalby stepping down - Chairman John McEwan said it was Dalby who elected to step down and that the Chamber has begun the process to find a successor, first locally and then nationally, if need be. Read more: Columbus Business First

 Chamber hero: Ocean Springs' MS Miller retires with accolades, tears --- There were tears and hugs and accolades and more tears, hugs, smiles and a toast to the woman whose name is synonymous with Ocean Springs. Read more: Sun Herald

Top Three Daily Postings in the last month at Midwest Chamber of Commerce blog – click to go there or Google search “Midwest Chamber of Commerce blog”

St. Joseph County Chamber News: South Bend, Indian... Dec 3, 2015	140
Prince William Chamber Holds Legislative Kick-Off,... Dec 8, 2015	131
Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Ide... Nov 24, 2015	121

Last Month’s Stories

Beloit Chamber interest: Group rallies around Riverside Project  Beloit Daily News

MMAC initiative: It's time for a lakefront cultural campus – Opinion Journal Sentinel

John Casper, Oshkosh Chamber: Manufacturing key to economy, standard of living TheNorthwestern.com

WMC support: Wisconsin Assembly passes civil service changes TwinCities.com

Sheboygan Chamber President Betsy Alles: Not your grandfather’s chamber Sheboygan Press

Chamber awards: Kenosha Area Business Excellence Awards Cocktail Reception BizTimes.com

2015 Twin Lakes (Wisconsin) Chamber Gala coverage annual gala 

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal

WMC: Teaming up to tackle worker shortage Chippewa Herald

Chamber Chuckle - Wacky Wednesday Weirdest Chamber Requests

I have to go the hospital, who will cat sit for me?

Milton Chamber ribbon cutting: Lillians store becomes Pene Jenta Boutique HNGNews.org

Sheboygan County Chamber Tourism nets Platinum MarCom award Sheboygan Press

If you would like delivery of a 2016 chamber directory, community profile or map in May/June of 2016, please contact me at your earliest convenience, or  Click here

Best,

John Dussman

Midwest Sales Manager