Virginia's Urban Crescent Chamber CEOs: Time for Virginia to raise education funding; #Bestchamber practices: Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy 2016; Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide; Selling Mississippi — Swoope’s varied experience key to MEDC leadership post; Nominations being accepted for Michiana Forty under 40; Detroit YEA participants get opportunity to learn from Metro Detroit C-Level executives at Dearborn Area Chamber event; Gov. Matt Bevin asks Kentucky state workers for their input on his budget plan; East Troy Railroad Christmas train rides set records; Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps;

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Virginia's Urban Crescent Chamber CEOs: Time for Virginia to raise education funding


January 11, 2016


The Honorable Terence R. McAuliffe
Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia
P.O. Box 1475
Richmond, VA 23218

The Honorable Members of the Senate of Virginia
General Assembly Building
P. O. Box 396
Richmond, VA 23218

The Honorable Members of the Virginia House of Delegates
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218

Dear Governor McAuliffe and Members of the 2016 Virginia General Assembly:

On December 11, 2015, more than 150 government, school division, and business representatives from Virginia’s Urban Crescent met to discuss the following concerns regarding the Commonwealth’s share of funding for public education:

1. Since FY 09, the Commonwealth has reduced its share of funding for public education by more than $1 billion.
2. State funding on a per pupil inflation adjusted basis has decreased from $4,275 per pupil in FY 09 to $3,655 per pupil in FY 15.
3. Virginia local governments are contributing double the amount required under current statute for public education, even as property values have significantly declined.
4. In comparison with other states, Virginia is in the top ten in both per capita and median household income, but in the bottom ten for public education funding.

Although the Urban Crescent comprises only 24 percent of the land area in Virginia, it is home to over 70 percent of the Commonwealth’s school-aged children. The Urban Crescent’s governments, school divisions and business community understand the importance of an excellent public education system as Virginia competes in a global economy. Our Commonwealth needs funding to support the current and future costs of a quality education system. However, local governments cannot realistically sustain the extraordinary funding demands of the past several years without continued dramatic impacts on other essential local government services.

The local governments, school divisions and business partners of the Virginia Urban Crescent call upon the 2016 Virginia General Assembly and Governor to meaningfully increase the Commonwealth’s proportional and required share of funding for a high quality public education system.

Sincerely,

The Mayors and Chairs of Virginia’s Urban Crescent
The Chief Administrative Officers of Virginia’s Urban Crescent
The School Divisions in Virginia’s Urban Crescent
The CEOs of Virginia’s Urban Crescent Chambers of Commerce


#Bestchamber practices: Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy 2016

The Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy is offered to representatives of member businesses and organizations and is designed to prepare a select group of qualified candidates for future leadership roles in the Aurora area.

Established in 1979, the Aurora Chamber’s Leadership Academy has a rich history of providing confidence, knowledge, professionalism, and strong leadership skills that not only benefit the attendee but also their employers. The goal is simple: To create a development opportunity for graduates to serve and enhance themselves, their employers, and the community.

Over the past 35 years, more than 800 community leaders have participated in the program. Many have gone on to lead local businesses and organizations. Some have gone on to public office. All have left their mark on the community.

This year, we are partnering with the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce to provide the opportunity to a wider audience.

Our community needs you! Realize your potential to make a difference in the Aurora region. The program begins Friday, February 19.

Class size is limited. Applications and tuition will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applicants must possess a sincere interest in serving the community.

Informational Flier

Application

Syllabus & Program Guide






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 work in 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.

Selling Mississippi — Swoope’s varied experience key to MEDC leadership post

As she assumes the duties of executive director of the 500-member Mississippi Economic Development Council, Mary McDaniel Swoope feels honored, excited and respectful.

“I’m honored and humbled to fill the role of MEDC Executive Director and to serve the economic developers and chamber executives of Mississippi,” she said. “I’m excited to be serving our members and finally pulling together all the years of preparation from my different careers and using my skills to assist our members to better their communities and the state. I respect each member of this organization and I do not want to let any of them down.”

Swoope (pronounced swope) arrives at the MEDC with a varied work background. She’s worked in business outreach, marketing, real estate and in business and nonprofit leadership at the state and local level.

“Every job in my career, whether private or public, has prepared me for this position,” she said.

“Economic development is about teamwork, and I’ve had to be a collaborative leader in every position to accomplish results.”

She hopes to use Gov. Phil Bryant’s inaugural theme of Imagine Mississippi, for MEDC members to help them not only imagine what they can do for their communities, but to help make this a reality.

“My basic goals are simple: manage a professional organization, add value to the membership and be a resource for economic transformation,” she said.

MEDC serves as the voice for Mississippi’s economic development and chamber of commerce professionals and other constituents, providing professional development training and bring consultants  to work with community leaders. Collaborating with other entities, the organization is an advocate for Mississippi’s economic and community agenda. Read more: Mississippi Business Journal

Nominations being accepted for Michiana Forty under 40

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2016 Michiana Forty under 40 class.

The 2016 honorees will represent the 10th Michiana Forty under 40 class, with 360 leaders already receiving recognition. (See the 2015 honorees)

The award shines a spotlight on 40 of the area's most talented young executives and professionals who demonstrate career success and community engagement.

Nominees should live and work in LaPorte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, Stark or Marshall counties in Indiana or Cass or Berrien counties in Michigan.

They should demonstrate: initiative and dedication in pursuing their career; proven success and achievement in their job/career; involvement in civic, charitable and/or religious organizations; passion for their community; and be under the age of 40 on May 6.

This program is an annual collaboration among the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce, the Young Professionals Network South Bend, Gates Automotive, Community Foundation of Elkhart County, the South Bend Tribune and other area partners. Read more: South Bend Tribune

Detroit YEA participants get opportunity to learn from Metro Detroit C-Level executives at Dearborn Area Chamber event  

Local young entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of distinguished Metro Detroit c-level executives at the Metro Detroit Young Entrepreneurs Academy C-Level Executive Panel Presentation on Thursday, February 11 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at Henry Ford College in Dearborn. This free event, presented by LaFontaine Automotive Group and hosted by Henry Ford College, is open to the public and is held as a part of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), hosted by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce. The Academy is a 30-week curriculum designed to teach students, grades 7-12, to open and fully operate their very own business.

“The Chamber is thrilled to have 16 bright, young minds as a part of our Young Entrepreneurs Academy in 2016,” commented Jackie Lovejoy, President of the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce. “This program provides entrepreneurial minded middle and high school students with the opportunity to demonstrate their talents and to start up a real business!”

The C-Level Executive Panel Presentation will feature panelists: Mr. Andy Chesley, former CEO of world renowned clothing company London Fog; Mr. Renato Jamett, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Raymond James; Mr. Frank Kadaf, president of Active Solutions Group; Ms. Lesli Matukaitis, senior vice president of corporate banking at DFCU Financial; and Mr. Eric Nemeth, founding partner at Varnum Attorneys at Law.

The C-Level Executive Panel Presentation is a unique experience that engages students on an elevated level. Each executive will be providing their own success stories and experiences, allowing students and the general public to hear the inside scoop of what they love about their roles as c-level executives. Additionally, they will share what they were doing when they were in 7-12 grade. Most importantly, the students will have the opportunity to personally network with the executives and to obtain real professional advice to help them succeed in their future business ideas. Read more: Dearborn Area Chamber

Gov. Matt Bevin asks Kentucky state workers for their input on his budget plan

Gov. Matt Bevin is asking state workers what matters to them in anticipation of his state budget address next week.

Bevin’s office sent emails late Tuesday afternoon to about 39,000 state workers, asking them to share with him how to improve state services and be better stewards of public resources.

More than 1,000 people had responded by early afternoon Wednesday, said Bevin spokeswoman Jessica Ditto. She said several of them indicated that they could not recall any other governor making such a request of state workers.

“The response has been great — very constructive, insightful and appreciative,” she said.

Ditto said a similar question was asked on Facebook. Read more: Kentucky.com

East Troy Railroad Christmas train rides set records

The East Troy Railroad experienced record crowds in 2015 for holiday train rides.

More than 3,700 people enjoyed a ride aboard trains running from East Troy to Santa's Workshop at the Elegant Farmer. Those passengers also donated 536 pounds of food, which was shared with the East Troy Food Pantry to help families in need this winter. Both numbers were records for the railroad, which enjoyed considerable growth this past year.

The annual "Santa Train," held this year on Dec. 5, was also a big success, according to Ryan Jonas, president of the East Troy Railroad Museum.

"More than twice as many people were able to take the train bringing Santa to the tree lighting in East Troy," Jonas said. "We used three of our historic interurban railroad cars, so we could offer more seating than in past years. We also added some dynamic lighting effects, which added to the excitement of spectators along the railroad."

The Santa Train is presented in conjunction with the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce and Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Center. Read more: Lake County Now

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