Lansing Regional Chamber Education Initiative: Michigan’s $37.1 billion insurance sector could draw more industry players to state; Michael Seitz: La Porte Chamber fully supports HB 1001; Aurora Regional Chamber: Join Us for the Regional Economic Pulse Lunch on March 16; Chamber enthusiasm: Janesville's entire downtown could become a TIF district; The Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance invites Chamber and Community Members to a Beachfront Vacation in Costa del Sol, Spain; Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide; Chamber news: Sign up for Natchez Color Dash; Northern Kentucky’s Jordan named Director of Special Projects for Education and Workforce Cabinet; Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps;

Happy Friday Chamber World! Have a GREAT weekend!

Lansing Regional Chamber Education Initiative: Michigan’s $37.1 billion insurance sector could draw more industry players to state

Tim Daman, Lansing
Regional Chamber

A statewide analysis of the insurance industry’s $37.1 billion economic impact provides a basis to lure more players to Michigan, as well as highlights the need for training new talent to replace an aging workforce.

The insurance industry directly employs 41,000 people in Michigan and overall supports 114,000 jobs directly and indirectly, according to the analysis by the Anderson Economic Group of East Lansing.

But an aging workforce requires insurance companies, agents and educators to work even more collaboratively to attract and train young talent to replace people who will retire over the next decade.

“The insurance industry has a very aging population,” Michigan Association of Insurance Agents CEO Bev Barney said during a recent legislative hearing on the insurance industry’s economic footprint in the state. “We know we need young people and new blood (coming) into our industry, and that training does not happen overnight.”

Barney cited an association study that indicated as much as 55 percent of the industry’s workforce in Michigan may retire in the next four to seven years. Other reports cited during the legislative hearing from the Insurance Institute of Michigan estimate that 40 percent of the insurance professionals will reach retirement age within the next decade.

Either way, that will create 45,000 to 63,000 job vacancies in the years ahead, making talent recruitment and training a big issue for an industry that today’s younger generation doesn’t view as particularly glamourous, Barney said.

“What we like to tease in the insurance industry is we don’t look very sexy. Our industry is not attractive to young people,” Barney said. “Until they’re in it and see what we do and how we serve, they’ve not thought of insurance.”

Barney was among the speakers to address a joint meeting of two state House and Senate committees to review the Anderson Economic Group study on the industry’s presence in the state.

The study found that property and casualty carriers in Michigan collectively paid $3 billion in wages in 2014 and together spent another $3.3 billion on goods and services. Carriers two years ago also paid $13 billion in commissions to agents across the state and $50 billion in insurance claims, as well as $500 million in state and local taxes, according to the analysis.

BROAD IMPACT

In grooming new talent, both Barney and Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Tim Daman offered a number of examples where carriers, schools and universities collaborate to introduce the industry to students and offer training for entry-level positions.

Farm Bureau Insurance in Lansing, for instance, works with Olivet College and the Eaton Intermediate School District on a program where high school students earn college credit, serve internships, job shadow professionals, and receive on-site instruction at the insurance company. The Insurance Institute of Michigan has similar initiatives going on in Ingham County and Flint. 

In another example that Daman cited, Jackson National Life opened the $12 million Jackson Zone development center in 2013 in downtown East Lansing in a move to work closely with Michigan State University students.  See more at: Mi Biz

Michael Seitz: La Porte Chamber fully supports HB 1001

Michael Seitz,
La Porte Chamber

Indiana is known as “the Crossroads of America.” Yet, 16 percent of our major roads are in poor condition. On average, Hoosier drivers pay $366 in repairs annually on their vehicles due to the conditions of Indiana’s roads.

The governor and state legislature have made road funding the focus of the 2016 Legislative Session. Their leadership is greatly appreciated on this issue. Differences remain between the two houses of the legislature and Governor Mike Pence’s administration.

Time is of the essence if we want to stay ahead of our infrastructure issues in this state. The average annual shortfall on transportation funding has been documented to be $1 billion annually for state and local governments.

House Bill 1001 would increase funding by about $880 million in its first year, and around $450 million annually on a long-term basis. To achieve these increases in funding, the bill implements a retroactive index on fuel taxes of four cents a gallon to restore lost buying power, directs excess general fund reserves to road funding uses at the end of budget year 2016, shifts most of the sales tax on gasoline sales to road funding and makes it easier for local governments to raise funds for local road projects. Read more: The News-Dispatch

Aurora Regional Chamber: Join Us for the Regional Economic Pulse Lunch on March 16 

The results are in. The analysis has begun. Join us Wednesday, March 16, for the reveal of this year's survey of the business community and how it feels about the state of our region's economy. 

In partnership with our sponsors and community supporters, the results will be used to provide a stronger support system for business owners, entrepreneurs, and employers in the great Aurora region. We want to thank our presenting sponsor Old Second National Bank as well as our program sponsors - SALT and Invest Aurora. 

The results will be shared during a networking lunch at Stonbebridge Country Club on Wednesday, March 16, at 11:30 a.m. 

Chamber enthusiasm: Janesville's entire downtown could become a TIF district 

John Beckord,
Forward  Janesville

In these nascent stages of the ARISE plan, which aims to overhaul Janesville's downtown into more of an attraction, City Hall is preparing to deploy most any strategy it can to gather the resources to help it along.

There's already been talk about grant funding, building private partnerships and perhaps establishing a business improvement district. And now, the city is getting ready to unfurl another play out of its game plan: turning all of Janesville's downtown in a tax incremental financing district.

Following a year in which the city created seven industrial TIF agreements, those at City Hall want to build a district that could potentially span from Traxler Park to Hedberg Public Library and from Five Points up to Wisconsin Street.

Grant funding and the creation of a business improvement district, up in the air though they are, have the potential to give ARISE a kick, but probably not to the extent that a TIF district could. TIFs can help spur improvements in public and private infrastructure, rather than just be a vehicle for marketing, beautification or building small-scale amenities.

“We're putting our money where our mouth is,” said Gale Price, the city's economic development coordinator, who is helping to craft the TIF proposal that could be in front of the city council by May.

TIFS AND THE DOWNTOWN

Price said city staff has been working on a TIF proposal for downtown since fall 2015 and has hired the assistance of a consulting firm for a feasibility study.

The trick behind any TIF is to determine how much interest in private development there is in a given area and whether that development would occur only if a TIF district were to be created.

TIF districts are formed to increase property values, offer incentives for redevelopment projects and attract employment opportunities.

Every property within the TIF boundary has its value recorded. The city then undertake efforts to improve those property values. As the values go up, the city keeps all of resulting additional property tax revenue rather than sharing it with other taxing jurisdictions, such as school districts and the county.

To help raise property values, the government could issue bonds for incentive programs to spur private development, redevelopment or construction. Or the city could acquire properties, knock down any blighted buildings and put a more readily-usable property back on the market.

All of that new property tax revenue from within the TIF district is kept in a special fund. That money can only be used to pay off bonds or pay for public infrastructure improvements within the TIF.

When everything is paid off, the TIF dissolves and all taxes from the district are again spread among taxing jurisdictions. TIFs are intended to pay for themselves and create a permanent increase in the property tax base.

For Janesville's downtown, Price believes there's plenty of opportunity for redevelopment. A TIF that lasts 27 years in that area could help throw around millions of dollars in development.

The Rock River has long been an afterthought to downtown, something development has turned away from unless it involved building a parking structure atop it. But the ARISE plan wants to reverse course and emphasize the river as a central attraction.

That means in the years to come Main Street businesses, whose backs now face the river, may want to reorient their buildings to create a better relationship with the water. The ARISE plan also calls for various improvements to roads and other pieces of infrastructure in the downtown.

“Well, how do you do that?” Price asked. “Through TIF, we can create programs to do that.”

This new TIF would not be the first that the downtown area has seen. In the 1990s and 2000s, five smaller TIFs were created in the area, covering spots such as the Five Points intersection, Mercy Hospital,  Hedberg Public Library and two others that cover small portions of the downtown's eastern half.

Price said those TIFs played a role in redeveloping the the Bennison and Lane building, the Armory, 101 Milwaukee and others. It's possible those TIFs could co-exist with a new one that blankets downtown, but Price hasn't reached a conclusion yet.

ALL IN ON DOWNTOWN

There is little reason to believe there would be any backlash toward creating a TIF district in the downtown. Unlike another funding strategy being considered, a business improvement district, a TIF would carry less potential for controversy.

Business improvement districts also are geographically-constructed mechanisms, but rather than the city investing in development, property owners pay an additional tax to pay for services, such as advertising or events or beautification to benefit the designated area.

Additional taxes tend to be a harder sell. Downtown business improvement district proposals failed in Janesville in 2003 and 2008.

Barry Badertscher, recently the vice chairman of the Downtown Development Alliance, expressed quite a bit of confidence in a TIF's potential. Conversely, he is someone that has been skeptical about a business improvement district.

“You don't see a whole lot of non-successful TIFs,” he said. “Sometimes the taxpayers think it's corporate welfare, but if you look at it, the majority of the time TIFs do what they're supposed to do, and I have no doubt that it would work out for downtown, too.”

John Beckord, president of Forward Janesville, said “there's a lot of enthusiasm” for a downtown TIF. He said it could go a long way in advancing ARISE.

- See more at: Gazette Extra

The Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance invites Chamber and Community Members to a Beachfront Vacation in Costa del Sol, Spain

Karen Riordan, Greater
Williamsburg Chamber

Williamsburg, VA – The Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance has announced today that it will be offering an incredible trip to the Costa del Sol, Spain in October 2016 and is inviting Chamber members, family and friends to join in on this once in a lifetime experience. Board a flight with us to Spain’s beautiful Mediterranean coastline, Costa del Sol. Enjoy 7 nights in First Class accommodations at a beachfront hotel that includes daily breakfasts and 5 dinners. This vacation offers travelers the chance to relax on the beaches of Spain and tour the picturesque cities. This trip includes four amazing tours to: Ronda, Malaga, Seville, and Granada. In Ronda you’ll see sights like the Plaza de Toros Maestranza and the Church of the Holy Spirit. Travel into Malaga, one of the oldest cities in the world, where Picasso was born and experience art around every turn. Marvel at the Alcazar Palace, an 800-year-old palace-fortress of the Arab kings and explore the old Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz on your tour of Seville. And finally discover Granada and explore the lush gardens of the Generalife, the summer palace of the Kings of Granada, and marvel at the Nasrid Palace, constructed around the Myrtle and Lion Courts in the 14th century. As an added BONUS, if you book before April 1, 2016, you will receive a free tour to Mijas. Here you will be greeted by lovely whitewashed houses and spectacular views over the coast and countryside. Mijas is one of the most picturesque villages in Andalusia seated 1300 feet above sea level.

“This is truly an amazing opportunity to participate in an international journey to the irresistible Costa del Sol in Spain, where program participants can experience the country’s culture, learn about its business climate, and make new friends,” said Karen Riordan, President & CEO of the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance

Space is limited, so act fast. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to visit the beautiful Costa del Sol in Spain, exchange ideas with local business representatives, make new friends, and build new memories. The early bird booking window is up until April 1^st.

This tour is being offered by Chamber Discoveries. There will be an informational session with a representative from Chamber Discoveries on April 14^th at 6:00pm at the Alliance.  For more information or to register for this trip, please visit our website at williamsburgcc.com/programs/chamber-travels-abroad, call the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance at (757) 229-6511, or email Patrick Quinn at patrick@williamsburgcc.com.

Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide

The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide  is available at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber today! Thanks to Mike Kuhns, Suzy Johnson and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Town SquarePublications  (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.

Chamber news: Sign up for Natchez Color Dash

Looking for a fun family event in Natchez? What about a unique way to gather a group of friends this spring? On May 14, Natchez will host its first ever Color Dash. Color Dash is a 5K fun run that will be held throughout the streets of downtown Natchez. But what makes this different from a regular 5K? By the end of the fun run, you will be covered in all kinds of colors!

Natchez Young Professionals and Leadership Natchez, both parts of the Natchez ­Adams County Chamber of Commerce, have joined together to bring you this amazing event! A Natchez Tricentennial sanctioned event, the Color Dash will be one of the most unique things to happen this year!

If you are looking for a family­friendly event in Natchez that will be fun and healthy, then the Color Dash is the thing for you! So how does it work? You start the dash, or walk if that is more your speed, by wearing white (a white t­shirt is included in your registration package). Then, as you proceed through the course, you are splashed with either blue, green, yellow, orange or pink powdery­goodness that is 100­percent non­toxic, food­grade cornstarch and coloring!

The race will end inside of River Stock, the outdoor concert held on the Esplanade at the corner of Broadway and High streets overlooking the Mississippi River. The race will conclude with a Color Explosion just in time for the first band to begin River Stock! Read more: Natchez Democrat

Northern Kentucky’s Jordan named Director of Special Projects for Education and Workforce Cabinet

Rick Jordan knows something about workforce development.

As vice president of LSI Graphic Solutions in Erlanger, Jordan was one of the leaders in the effort to develop a quality workforce in the advanced manufacturing industry. He recognized years ago that expansion of Northern Kentucky operations by companies in the industry, coupled with looming retirement of baby boomers, would create a gap in the pipeline of qualified workers.

In 2011, a coalition of Northern Kentucky advanced manufacturing leaders that included Jordan, armed with just a $65,000 grant, began working with Gateway Community and Technical College to help build that workforce.

The Northern Kentucky Industrial Park Industry Partnership was instrumental in developing the spirit of cooperation that has fueled apprenticeship programs and collaborative efforts, such as Kentucky FAME, throughout the state.

Jordan, who retired from LSI Graphic Solutions after 20 years, now looks forward to a new challenge. He has been named Director of Special Projects for the Kentucky Education and Workforce Cabinet.

“I am excited about this new position in the Education and Workforce Cabinet,” Jordan said. “One of the major areas of focus will be increasing the required technical skills of Kentuckians to meet the ever changing job requirements of Kentucky companies so that the pipeline shortages will be filled.”

Jordan, who lives in Walton with his wife Vicki, will manage the successful Kentucky Work Ready Communities Program and will be involved in a number of other special projects that are in the works.

Jordan attended Franklin and Ohio State Universities after serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

His career has spanned more than 43 years, involving a number of management duties which also included manufacturing operations. He has held management positions with the Tappan Appliance Company, the Chef Company, and as Vice-President with the Maytag Corporation. Read more: Northern Kentucky Tribune

Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps 

Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.

Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications

Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your publication proposal, Click here

Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

RULE #130    Membership still has its privileges!