Good morning Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!
Midwest Economic Growth Improved in February
The Midwest Economy Index (MEI) moved up to +0.07 in February from –0.09 in January. The relative MEI fell to +0.54 in February from +0.73 in January. February’s value for the relative MEI indicates that Midwest economic growth was somewhat higher than what would typically be suggested by the growth rate of the national economy.
The MEI is a weighted average of 129 state and regional indicatormeasuring growth in nonfarm business activity from four broad sectors of the Midwest economy: 1) manufacturing, 2) construction and mining, 3) services, and 4) consumer spending. It encompasses the entirety of the five states in the Seventh Federal Reserve District (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin). Read more; Chicago Fed
Chamber good news: Elkhart community reacts to Concord Mall plan
The Elkhart community is reacting to the redevelopment plans for Concord Mall.
It’ll be transformed into an outdoor shopping dining and entertainment hub like nothing else in Michiana.
Some are seeing dollar signs while others are upset about this change.
“It was great to hear it on the news yesterday night,” frequent shopper Bob Roche said.
Within the next two years, the mall will turn into the Concord Towne Center, with a $50 million renovation completely changing the layout of the mall from indoor to outdoor based, adding new shops and dining,
“I think it would be nice for the Concord Mall to grow and help the community,” Roche said.
That’s exactly what the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce wants to happen.
“It will help. It adds another shopping corridor for residents also, for people who want to visit Elkhart,” Kyle Hannon, president of the Chamber of Commerce said.
Bringing those visitors in is a big goal for the Chamber of Commerce. Read more: ABC 57 News
Batavia Chamber Women in Business Event: “Essentials for your Business Toolbox - Integrate Your Social Media with your Marketing”
The Mission of the Batavia Women in Business is to provide networking, education and philanthropy opportunities for women in business.
We meet on the second Tuesday of every other month, on the even months, at various locations. The format is a luncheon with guest speakers on various topics of interest to people in business.
There is no fee to join the Batavia Women in Business if you are a Batavia Chamber of Commerce Member, and we are open to ALL chamber members. Participation is not limited to women only. Next event
April 12 • 11:30 - 1:00
Eagle Brook Country Club
2288 Fargo Boulevard
Geneva, IL 60134
Vision Force Marketing
Topic: “Essentials for your Business Toolbox - Integrate Your Social Media with your Marketing”
Read more: Batavia Chamber
Green Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Guide & Map
The Green Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Guide & Map is available at the Green Lake County Chamber! Thanks to the Green Lake County 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.
Michigan’s Twelfth Annual Small Business Awards Program Announces 2016 Winners
Nearly 60 businesses will be honored May 5th during National Small Business Week; honorees
recognized for role in growing Michigan’s economy and creating jobs
MICHIGAN – Small business owners and supporters are coming from all across the state to show their support for Michigan’s growing companies on Thursday, May 5th at the Twelfth Annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards dinner.
“Michigan Celebrates Small Business embodies Michigan’s entrepreneurial spirit,” says Jennifer Deamud – Associate State Director of the Michigan Small Business Development Center. “The program shines an important spotlight on the success of Michigan’s small business community. The awardees being honored have played a significant role in growing Michigan’s economy and creating jobs.”
Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB) is the state’s premier awards program celebrating small business excellence. Over 60 businesses, including the 2016 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch, will be honored during the awards dinner. Awardees, guests, and small business supporters will gather for a cocktail reception, keynote speaker, and the awards dinner, which will be held at the Lansing Center in Lansing, MI.
The awards program will occur during National Small Business Week, May 1-7, drawing extra attention to Michigan’s role in stimulating the national and global economy.
The following companies will be honored at Michigan Celebrates Small Business:
· Main Street USA Award: Mrs. Glee’s Foods, LLC – Hillman
· Innovation Award: ContentOro – Ann Arbor
· Government Contracting Award: Central Lake Armor Express, Inc. DBA Armor Express - Central Lake, MI
· Michigan Small Business SCORE Counselor of the Year: Allen Wilson – Muskegon
· Michigan Small Business SBDC Consultant of the Year: Denise Hansen – Escanaba
· Michigan Small Business Exporter of the Year & Regional Winner: Firstronic LLC – Grand Rapids
· Michigan Women Owned Small Business of the Year: Motawi Tileworks – Ann Arbor
· Michigan Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year: Contract Professionals, Inc. – Waterford
· Michigan Small Business Person of the Year: RB Construction Company – Sterling Heights
The following companies will receive the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award:
· Advaita Corporation – Plymouth
· Abcor Partners LLC – Holland
· Afia Inc. – Ann Arbor
· Millendo (previously Atterocor, Inc.) – Ann Arbor
· Avomeen LLC – Ann Arbor
· Banza LLC – Detroit
· BizStream, Inc. – Allendale
· Bromberg & Associates, LLC – Hamtramck
· Cash n Carry Flooring LLC – Traverse City
· DeNovo Sciences – Plymouth
· Chester Limited Inc. – Orion
· Clarity Communication Advisors – Southfield
· Coastal Automotive LLC - Rochester Hills
· Code Blue Corporation – Holland
· Collage.com, Inc. – Brighton
· RetailCapital, LLC – Troy
· Energy Design Service Systems, LLC - Whitmore Lake
· Firebolt Group Inc. – Wixom
· foodjunky, Inc. – Detroit
· Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC – Birmingham
· Hayhoe Asphalt Paving LLC – Holt
· Image Data Conversion, LLC – Saline
· Inmatech, Inc. - Ann Arbor
· Innereactive Media, LLC - Grand Rapids
· IP Consulting Inc. – Kentwood
· ITC, Incorporated – Holland
· JMC Electrical Contractor, LLC - Clinton Township
· Local Orbit, Inc. - Ann Arbor
· Recruitment Management Consultants, LLC - East Lansing
· MMI Engineered Solutions, Inc. – Saline
· Modustri LLC - Grand Rapids
· Mopec, Inc. - Oak Park
· Mount Bohemia - Lac La Belle
· Neuvokas Corporation – Ahmeek
· Parjana® Distributions, LLC – Detroit
· Public Lumber Company – Detroit
· CJB&G LLC - East Lansing
· Red Level Networks, LLC – Novi
· RightAnswer.com, Inc. – Midland
· RightBrain Networks - Ann Arbor
· Service First Logistics Incorporated - Auburn Hills
· Smart Bottoms Inc. – Ada
· STEWART Industries LLC - Battle Creek
· Three Speed Ales, LLC – Frankfort
· The Service Professor, Inc. - Grand Rapids
· Tome, Inc. - Royal Oak
· Truscott Rossman Group, LLC – Lansing
· Verdeterre Contracting, Inc. – Canton
· Atriage Software LLC – Okemos
· ZeroBase Energy LLC – Ferndale
“Having seen almost 500 percent growth in the past year, Smart Bottoms is honored and excited to be recognized as a 2016 Michigan 50 Company to Watch,” commented Christy Malone, President of Smart Bottoms Inc. “We are grateful for the support the State of Michigan provides to its small businesses as we all work together to create more jobs and opportunities within the state.”
Tickets are available for $135 per person or attendees can reserve a table of eight for $900. Tickets can be purchased online at www.MichiganCelebrates.biz or by calling (800) 362-5461.
Michigan Celebrates Small Business is a partnership of the Michigan Small Business Development Center (Michigan SBDC), Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Edward Lowe Foundation, Small Business Association of Michigan, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Chris Holman.
The Michigan SBDC is the managing partner of Michigan Celebrates Small Business in 2016. In the twelve year history of Michigan Celebrates, the Michigan SBDC was the managing partner ten of those years.
Michigan Celebrates Small Business is made possible with the generous support of PNC Bank, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, DTE Energy, Accident Fund, Clark Hill, Rehmann, Varnum Law, Michigan Credit Union League, Consumers Energy, and Dynamic Edge, Inc.
For more information regarding Michigan Celebrates Small Business contact Jennifer Deamud, Executive Director of Michigan Celebrates at the Michigan Small Business Development Center – deamudj@gvsu.edu or (616) 331-7482. More information: Michigan Celebrates Small Business
Chamber group: Hampton Roads young professionals support light rail expansion, survey says
tHRive, the young professionals group of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, overwhelmingly supports the light rail extension to Virginia Beach, according to a member survey.
The survey distributed via email and social media asked, "Do you support light rail expansion into Virginia Beach?" And 92.5 percent of 361 respondents said yes, according to a news release.
“THRIVE has heard from its members and can officially take a stance for the expansion of light rail,” tHRive Chairwoman Julia Rust said in a news release. “Our region is taking steps to create a better tomorrow and bringing light rail to Virginia Beach will be a huge step towards improving the region’s infrastructure. Extending across city borders establishes sustainable strategic growth initiatives, will enhance our quality of life and is one step closer to regionalism, all of which will benefit millennials.”
tHRive has 1,172 members. Young professionals between 21 and 39 years old can join for free. For more info, visit www.YPtHRive.org. Read more: Daily Press
Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce Legislative luncheon planned at Glitz & Go
BELOIT — A Legislative Luncheon with featured speaker U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, will be held starting at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Glitz & Go, 3311 Prairie Ave.
The event is presented by the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce to give members an opportunity to get an update on legislative matters.
The cost for the event is $15 for chamber members and $25 for non-members. Read more: Beloit Daily News
KYNDLE Brown Bag Series Lecture to Focus on Getting the Most Out of High Deductible Health Care Plan
Capitalizing on your high deductible health care plan will be the focus of Kyndle's next Brown Bag Series lecture scheduled for Monday, March 28.
The presentation will be made by Jennie Bailey-Whitledge and Stacy Sorensen with Heritage Federal Credit Union.
Bailey-Whitledge has a bachelors degree from the University of Southern Indiana and over four years of experience in the financial services industry. She also has several years in the healthcare and insurance industries. Bailey-Whitledge resides with her family in Henderson County.
Stacy Sorensen has been with Heritage Federal Credit Union for over three years working as a Business Development Specialist and holds the designation of Certified Financial Counselor, specializing in consumer deposit and lending products and services, with an emphasis on Health Savings Accounts. Prior to joining the Credit Union Sorensen was employed in the advertising and insurance sales industries. Heritage Federal Credit Union serves Henderson County in Kentucky, Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties in Indiana. The Credit Union has been educating the community including individuals and businesses regarding Health Savings Accounts over the last several years. Read more: SurfKY.com
Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber event: Mississippi helping entrepreneurs, retirees
Mississippi is aspiring to become a place where entrepreneurs, retirees and communities can flourish.
Three representatives for the Mississippi Development Authority spoke at the monthly Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday at the Vicksburg Convention Center.
Deputy director of the asset development team Sonny Thomas described the work MDA does through its 17 divisions and what their objectives are for the state.
He said Glenn McCullough, executive director of the MDA, has a goal to outperform Mississippi’s neighboring states on a smaller budget.
“We get more bang for our buck,” Thomas said. “Their budget is almost double ours, but we are able to get out and do it. We’ve done it with a reduced workforce.”
The asset development team has worked to map Vicksburg’s assets as well as other communities in the state. The team’s newest mission is to develop an ambassador program working with local communities through Entergy, Tennessee Valley Authority and Mississippi Power.
- See more at:Vicksburg Post
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