Inc.: #Chamberdelight - The Best Small Cities in the U.S. to Launch a Startup -Why Holland, Michigan is the best small city to launch a Company
The Midwest is actually a thriving startup ecosystem, though it lacks the capital flow of Silicon Valley, according to a new study.
Move over, Palo Alto: A tiny city on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan has some of the best business resources--and lowest corporate costs--in the United States.
With a population of just 33,051, Holland, Michigan, was named the No. 1 small city for launching a business in 2016 in WalletHub's list of the Best and Worst Cities to Start a Business. The study evaluated 1,268 cities with residential populations of between 25,000 and 100,000. Factors taken into account included the overall business environment (which considers growth in the number of companies, average revenue, and industry variety), access to resources, and cost of starting up.
The list came with many surprising data points: Muncie, Indiana, was named as the city with the best access to financing, and Southern California (otherwise lauded as the "Silicon Beach") was said to have one of the least educated work forces in the U.S.--in the cities of Bell Gardens, Maywood, Coachella, Soledad, and Wasco. While one might expect small cities across Northern California to be fertile ground for new companies, it turns out that Menlo Park, home to Facebook and numerous other startups, such as Poshmark and Magisto, actually has the most expensive office space in the U.S. and ranks No. 1,233 overall on the list. Read more: INC.com
Trade a key piece of increasing St. Joseph County area's economy
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| Jeff Rea |
Manufacturers in our area rely on customers from the region, across the state, throughout the country and around the world. Foreign markets have proven to be fertile ground for local companies seeking to increase their market access and grow their customer base.
Indiana has become more dependent on exports than most states. Indiana’s economic output ranks 16th in the country, but our dependency on exports ranks eighth. An increase in exports will bolster our economy and create new opportunities for businesses in our region.
Foreign trade can be controversial, with strong opinions from both sides of the political aisle. The issue is getting a lot of attention in the 2016 elections. Congress was poised to take action this year related to the Trade Promotion Authority and the Trans Pacific Partnership, but likely now will postpone any decisions until after the 2016 elections.
Traditionally, the TPP trade deal has drawn support from business and agricultural organizations such as the National Association of Manufacturers, American Farm Bureau Federation, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and opposition from labor and environmental groups such as AFL-CIO, Greenpeace, MoveOn.org. The 2016 presidential candidates remain divided on TPP. Read more: South Bend Tribune
New Arrival: Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Profile & Directory
The Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Profile & Directory is available at the Plainfield Area Chamber today! Thanks to Tasha Kitson, Mari Edmondson, Vitella Barnes, Kellie Wujek 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.
Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce offers alternative perspective to local tourism debate
The voice of local business is adding its perspective to the discussion on how best to revitalize Natchez tourism.
The Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Tourism Council penned a letter to the mayor and aldermen, offering its opinion on how best to rebuild the recently emptied Natchez Convention Promotion Commission.
Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Hudson, who signed the letter, said the correspondence was the result of a meeting between those with a vested interest in hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses in the area.
The tourism council’s letter asks the aldermen to consider appointing only an interim commission, then allowing local business sectors (such as hotels, restaurants and the casino) to nominate representatives to sit on the commission. Read more: Natchez Democrat
Frankfort Area Chamber honors area businesses, volunteers
The Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce and corporate sponsor American Printing Solutions hosted the 2016 Annual Dinner and Award Program to more than 200 area business leaders with a presentation of the 2015 Chairman’s Plaque to Outgoing Chairman Glenn Waldrop for his dedication and service to the chamber.
First awarded in 2011, the Frank Sower President’s Award was given to Dr. John Paul Broderson to reflect his sense of commitment, leadership skills and vision for the improvement of Frankfort.
The 2016 Paul Sullivan Award, named after the president of Farmers Bank from 1965-1980 who was also a philanthropist, was sponsored by Farmers Bank and presented to Sheila Mason Burton.
Vice Chair of Membership Development John Hibbard, Edward Jones and Member Services Director Suzy Hosley presented Carole Smith the 2016 Ambassador of the Year.
The Rising Star award, designed to recognize the tact and vision required in starting a business, was presented to Thao and Titi Ngo, owners of Mai Saigon. The award was presented by Chairman of the Board Mike Feldman (of Farmers Bank) and Vice Chair of Membership Development John Hibbard (of Edward Jones). Read more: State-Journal
Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce hires agency for rebranding initiative
The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce recently selected local creative agency Paul Gregory Media to develop the chanber's rebranding strategy, which will include all aspects of the chamber’s visual identity and a revised tagline.
“With new leadership and a new direction for the chamber, our branding must clearly tell that story,” Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Nicki Anderson said. “In the ever-changing world of technology and innovation, we have to keep up. Rebranding will allow us to tell a clear story about who we are and the value we bring to our Members and the community.”
A committee worked to select the best candidate for the rebranding project. As a longtime member of the chamber, paired with more than 40 years of branding experience, Paul Gregory Media was the winning candidate.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded this opportunity,"Gregory Media President Paul Feith said. "Our expertise in brand strategy combined with the chamber’s vision to transform their organization make us ideal partners. ... This is a new beginning for the chamber - for the first time the chamber’s strategic plan will align with a brand strategy to maximize their relevance to Naperville area businesses and the community at large.” Read more: Illinois Business Daily
At the Burlington Area Chamber: Sweet deal for Chocolate City businesses
Burlington businesses can get some sweet deals next week courtesy of Nestle USA.
To show its appreciation to the city’s corporate community, Nestle will sell candy by the case to businesses from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce office, 113 E. Chestnut St.
At the sale, businesses can celebrate being a part of Chocolate City by purchasing Nestle products in bulk on a first-come, first-served basis.
The sale event has changed this year, chamber officials said. Businesses may purchase only one of each item offered, and there will be no pre-orders.
Payments can be made paid in cash, credit card or checks made out to BACC. Tax is included in the amount. Receipts will be provided for cash payments. The sale will continue while supplies last. Read more: Journal Times
Northern Virginia Chamber Announces 2016 Greater Washington Innovation Awards Winners
Tysons, Va. – The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (Northern Virginia Chamber), formerly Fairfax Chamber, have announced the winners for the 2nd Annual Greater Washington Innovation Awards, the premier event celebrating the thought leadership, innovation, and creativity of individuals and organizations in select industries in the Greater Washington metro area. The winners were announced live at the April 21st awards gala at the Hyatt Regency Reston.
“The 2016 Greater Washington Innovation Awards winners represent the most-forward thinking companies in our region,” said Jim Corcoran, Northern Virginia Chamber President and CEO. “They are shaping the future of business as we know it. We applaud each of the winners for their contributions to the Greater Washington business community and beyond.”
This year’s Innovation Awards winners are:
Tech Innovator of the Year
Leidos
Emerging Tech Innovator of the Year
RightEye, LLC
Public Service Innovator of the Year
The Arc of Northern Virginia
Professional Service Innovator of the Year
Diamond Mind
Hospitality, Tourism & Entertainment Innovator of the Year
Airside Mobile, Inc.
Health & Life Sciences Innovator of the Year
Aperiomics, Inc.
Marketing & Advertising Innovator of the Year
WeddingWire, Inc.
Business Choice Innovator of the Year
LifeFuels
Emerging Innovators of the Year
Tobin Moore, Co-founder & CEO, Optoro, and Adam Vitarello, Co-founder & President, Optoro
Lifetime Innovator
Steve Case, Chairman & CEO, Revolution Growth, Co-founder, AOL, and Chairman, The Case Foundation
More information about the Innovation Awards can be found at www.novachamber.org.
Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps
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Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey
RULE #145 - Avoid great ideas without the author
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