#Chamber interest: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago: Midwest Economic Growth Steady in April; Muncie-Delaware County chamber luncheon to host Indiana Economic Development Corporation President Jim Schellinger; #BestChamber Practices: Leadership Racine; Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce unveils new CAFB sign; Greater Brighton Area Chamber Power lunch will focus on development; Fairfax Station, Lorton, Springfield, Mount Vernon: Lawmakers Report on 2016 General Assembly at Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber Breakfast; #BestChamber practices: Leadership Frankfort program applications being accepted; Lake County chamber luncheon: Gurnee police presentation on Homeland Security; Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps;

Good morning Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!


#Chamber interest: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago: Midwest Economic Growth Steady in April


The Midwest Economy Index (MEI) was unchanged at +0.25 in April. The relative MEI increased to +0.71 in April from +0.67 in March. April’s value for the relative MEI indicates that Midwest economic growth was moderately higher than what would typically be suggested by the growth rate of the national economy. Read more: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Muncie-Delaware County chamber luncheon to host Indiana Economic Development Corporation President Jim Schellinger


Please join the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and the Muncie Delaware County Economic Development Alliance in welcoming Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) President Jim Schellinger for a lunch event on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at

Cornerstone Center for the Arts.

Mr. Schellinger will discuss the State's efforts in Economic Development and will take some questions from the audience. This is a rare opportunity to speak with the highest ranking economic development professional in the State of Indiana.

The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. with lunch.

Advanced reservations are needed. The cost to attend is $25 per person for Chamber members and $30 for non-members.

Reservation deadline is May 26th at noon. Reservations made after that time will be subject to an additional $10 late fee.

Contact Brenda Brumfield at 765-751-9128 or email bbrumfield@muncie.com to make your reservations.



#BestChamber Practices: Leadership Racine

The Leadership Racine Program Builds Community Trusteeship Through the Development of Strong, Diverse and Knowledgeable Leaders





This 9-month program is designed to recruit promising leaders and help prepare them for positions of public influence and decision-making in the greater Racine area. The program provides a unique learning environment through a curriculum where participants will:
Strengthen leadership skills
Foster community service
Develop a sense of community trusteeship

THE PROGRAM

On average, 28 individuals are selected each year from a pool of applicants to build a class representative of the greater Racine area. The result is a class of professionals who are ready to hone their leadership skills and talents and connect them to community causes and agencies they are passionate about.

The program is a balanced combination of a 2-day retreat, monthly program sessions and a team project. In September, a mandatory two-day retreat helps participants focus on team building. The retreat is complemented by eight monthly sessions that focus on the significant challenges to the Racine community building community awareness as well as highlighting leadership skills that are needed to be an effective civic leader. Read more and apply: RAMAC

Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory

The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Business Directory is available at the Lake Zurich Area Chamber today! Thanks to Dale Perrin 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 guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633. 



Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce unveils new CAFB sign


Local donors have raised thousands of dollars in record time in support of the Columbus Air Force Base.

“We were just dumbfounded at how fast this came through," Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce President Joey Bragg said. "Our community truly cares about this base.”

Bragg led the campaign to raise $25,000 for this new sign back in February.


“It was all private donations," Bragg said. "There were no tax dollars that went toward this sign so it was truly a community effort.”

“We are so proud," CAFB Commander Colonel John Nichols said. "As you can tell this is an amazing sign. The sign that was out here, the original one was from 98/2000 era. It was a bit faded. It needed a facelift.”

The new sign is nearly twice the size of the old one.

"Eighty square foot compared to 150 square foot," Bragg said. "This ones LED backlit. You’ll have no problem changing bulbs. On the old one, it was your old fluorescent tubing lights."

Col. Nichols says he’s thankful for the community’s efforts and that this new sign in this location means a lot.

“This is a busy thoroughfare," Col. Nichols said. "It rolls right past the main entrance to Columbus Air Force Base. This sign, the size, the fact it’ll be lit up at night will be a visible public symbol of what’s going on here in Columbus.” - See more at: WTVA.com




Greater Brighton Area Chamber Power lunch will focus on development

The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce invites its members and the public to its monthly Power Lunch: University of Michigan Project and Other Development in Brighton “Uptown.” The lunch will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 9 at Oak Pointe Country Club, 4500 Club Drive, in Genoa Township. Tony Denton, senior vice president and chief operating officer of clinical enterprise at the University of Michigan, will present an update on the $175 million health center the University of Michigan has announced for Brighton. Mike Craine, managing director of the Livingston County Road Commission, will also be on hand to discuss upcoming road projects on Challis Road to accommodate additional traffic volume. Cost to attend is $25. Register online at www.brightoncoc.org no later than June 2 if you plan to attend. Patch.com

Fairfax Station, Lorton, Springfield, Mount Vernon: Lawmakers Report on 2016 General Assembly at Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber Breakfast Del. Dave Albo (R-42) introduced himself as a rare breed, an elected official in Virginia who happens to also be a Republican. #Albo and four other Virginia senators and delegates agreed on at least one topic during the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce May Business Breakfast, held May 12 at the Belle Haven Country Club: the need to diversify Virginia’s and Fairfax County’s economic base. #Albo referenced pre-recession northern Virginia as a leader in internet and telecommunications, among other industries. #In looking to diversify the new economy, Albo said he thinks “the hero in this could be Fairfax,” with a brand new translational medicine facility scheduled to open on the old Exxon property off Gallows Road. #Albo said Virginia is investing $35 million in the project, and that will require matching. #WITH A NEW HUB of medicine and technology in place, he said, the regional economy can get “back where we were, as a leader.” Read more: The Connection #BestChamber practices: Leadership Frankfort program applications being accepted   Leadership Frankfort is building a network of committed, informed and progressive individuals in the Frankfort and Franklin County community. The program is for people who want to learn what makes Frankfort the community it is, and how to become involved in the future of the community. Participants will expand their professional and personal network and make a difference while creating opportunities. They will also sharpen their leadership skills and abilities to maximize their influence and communicate more effectively. Applications are being taken for the Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Frankfort program until Aug. 26. If those interested apply before Sept. 2 they will receive a $50 early bird discount. Applications may be obtained from the Frankfort Chamber office located at 100 Capital Ave. or online at www.frankfortky.info. For more information, call 502-223-8261 or email the chamber at chamber@frankfortky.info. - See more at: State-Journal Lake County chamber luncheon: Gurnee police presentation on Homeland Security Gurnee police will address Homeland Security at a luncheon Friday, June 3. During the event, which is sponsored by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, guests will receive a box lunch for $15 and hear about how to identify suspicious activity in the workplace or neighborhoods and when to communicate concerns to law enforcement. The luncheon session is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gurnee police headquarters, 100 N. O'Plaine Road. For information, contact (847) 249-3800. Source: Daily Herald 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

Indy Chamber Receives Presidential Award for Export Service; Chamber partner: Program invites ‘spring cleaning’ at Smith Mountain Lake; Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber enjoys Red Carpet Gala; Before stepping down, chamber leader Mike Formento plans Taste of Glen Ellyn; Green Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Guide & Map; Winchester-Clark County Chamber presents awards at annual banquet; Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber: Middle school students solve problems at Michigan’s Adventure; Fox Cities Chamber’s annual Business Expo set for June 1; Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

Happy Friday Chamber World! Have a GREAT day!

Indy Chamber Receives Presidential Award for Export Service

Mike Huber

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker this week presented the Indy Chamber with the President’s “E” Award for Export Service at a ceremony in Washington, DC. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

 “The Indy Chamber has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion. The “E” Awards Committee was very impressed with the Indy Chamber’s dedication to helping first time exporters understand the export process and enter new international markets. The organization’s support of trade missions through seminars and conferences was also particularly notable. The Indy Chamber’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs,” said Secretary Pritzker in her congratulatory letter to the company announcing its selection as an award recipient.

The Indy Chamber is the Indianapolis region’s largest business organization, representing nearly 2,000 employers across the metropolitan area.  Since 2012, it expanded its role in economic development to include business recruitment and retention, small business and entrepreneur services, and initiated proactive strategies to increase global exports and investment.

“We know that a growing region has to be part of the global economy,” said Michael Huber, president and CEO of the Indy Chamber.  “More than 100,000 local jobs are already supported by exports and employment in foreign-owned firms that have chosen Indianapolis; by helping more businesses become exporters, we can grow those numbers, along with average incomes and our overall economy.”

The Indy Chamber has launched a host of programs under its Global Indy initiative, including Export Bootcamps and other services for mid-market firms seeking to join the more than 30,000 U.S. companies who have become exporters since 2010.  The organization is leading the region’s participation in the Global Cities Exchange, a joint project of The Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase that lends expertise and technical support to regional planning efforts.

The Indy Chamber plans to release the resulting global trade and investment strategy for the metro later this summer, previewing key findings at its annual World Trade Day on May 24 in Indianapolis.

“Like Secretary Pritzker and the Department of Commerce, our business is business,” added Huber.  “We’ve identified more than a thousand mid-sized companies in export-oriented industries that aren’t tapping into international markets – Indianapolis ranks among the top regions in total exports today, but we quite literally have a world of growth potential ahead.”

Indianapolis Deputy Mayor Angela Smith-Jones, who leads the City’s economic development effort, accepted the "E" Award on behalf of the Indy Chamber and the local economic development organizations that support its regional efforts.

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America's exporters. Today, Secretary Pritzker honored 123 U.S. companies with the President’s “E” Award for their outstanding work to reduce barriers to foreign markets and to open the door to more trade around the world.

In 2015, U.S. exports totaled $2.23 trillion, accounting for nearly 13 percent of U.S. GDP. Nationally, exports contributed to the U.S. economy, supporting an estimated 11.5 million jobs.

U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Awards through the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service office network, located within the Department’s International Trade Administration, with offices in 108 U.S. cities and more than 70 countries.  Criteria for the award is based on four years of successive export growth and case studies which demonstrate valuable support to exporters resulting in increased exports for the company’s clients.

For more information about the “E” Awards and the benefits of exporting, visit www.export.gov. Source: Indy Chamber

Chamber partner: Program invites ‘spring cleaning’ at Smith Mountain Lake

Vicki Gardner

A community-wide lake cleanup effort has announced a new program that invites groups and businesses to apply for reimbursement of up to $400 for costs incurred for Dumpster and landfill fees.

Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake, which is in its 29th year, held a successful kickoff with seven businesses and community groups holding cleanup events.

Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center and Crazy Horse Marina — as well as residents of neighborhoods such as Beechwood West, Lynville on the Lake, Walnut Run and Riverbay — were among the volunteers who collected debris in the lake and around the shoreline in the past two weeks.

Vicki Gardner, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the lake gets a lot of debris that comes in any body of water fed by streams, especially in the spring with the rain picks up and the debris collects in coves.

“People at Smith Mountain Lake wanted to bring the community together for spring cleaning; it’s a common cause and groups form and have been doing it together for a long time and they look forward to it,” she said. Read more: News Advance

Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber enjoys Red Carpet Gala

Cars drove down a winding rural road that wrapped around a weathered barn and a large pond to The Jefferson, one of Oxford’s newest event venues Thursday night.

It was the setting of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Red Carpet Gala.

Guests entered the building walking over a red carpet and joined others at the black-tie event wearing gowns with sparkling sequins and jewels. Some danced to music by The Bouffants in one room, while others sampled food from a signature event called the Chamber Chef Shuffle.

Eupora native Holli Ratcliffe has lived in Oxford the past 20 years and served as a Chamber of Commerce board member the last six years.

“I’m very supportive of our chamber,” she said, “and this is such a fun event. They did their first red carpet event last year. It’s a neat chance to get dressed up and have fun, and a bit more relaxed than your typical business environment.”

Ratcliffe said this is the first event The Jefferson has hosted.

“I don’t even think they are completely finished, but they went ahead and squeezed us in on the calendar,” she said.

Pam Swain, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, said the gala was created last year as part of the chamber’s 75th anniversary celebration activities.

“It was so well received,” she said. “We had so much response from those who were there, and from those who missed it who wanted us to please have it again,” she said.

They decided to make it an annual event.

“The Jefferson joined the chamber, and we were able to talk with them and say we’d love having the opportunity to have the event at a premiere location,” she said. “It adds a little intrigue and another dynamic to it. We have been working very closely with them.”

Swain said the chamber held its annual meeting luncheon yesterday.

“Our Red Carpet Gala follows it up the next day,” she said. “It’s just a celebration of Oxford and Lafayette County.”

Swain said the event featured food from 10 local restaurants.

“Some of them are even cooking it right in there tonight,” she said. “The chefs are actually right behind the table. And then on the other side of the building, we have The Bouffants, and everyone’s dancing.”

Around 400 people attended the event.

“We’re just really celebrating the community that we live in, the success of our Chamber of Commerce and how lucky we are to live here,” Swain said.

Kate Rosson, gala chair, said people loved the event so much last year, they had to bring it back.

- See more at: Oxford Eagle

Before stepping down, chamber leader Mike Formento plans Taste of Glen Ellyn

Mike Formento

You may have seen him in the front row of school events, waving from a parade, or cutting ribbons at new businesses.

"My time has always been for Glen Ellyn," Mike Formento says. "I have always felt that whatever it takes, whatever was needed, whatever time was required, I would give it to this community."

After eight years leading the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce, Formento is stepping down as executive director later this summer. The former village president and DuPage County Board member says its time for a new face at the helm of the chamber, but Formento pledges to continue promoting the town, just as he always did as a Glen Ellyn business owner for more than four decades.

"It has been 42 years of involvement and I loved every minute of it," he said Wednesday.

When he took the reins with another co-director in 2008, Formento was supposed to steer the chamber for two or three years, but ended up staying on to help move its main offices to north Main Street and to serve members weathering the Great Recession.

But Formento won't leave the job he now holds on his own until he sees the 39th annual Taste of Glen Ellyn go off without a hitch. The unofficial start to the summer festival season returns Thursday night.

"There's really something here for everybody and every appetite," Formento said.

And as a fitting end to his tenure, Formento expects record crowds this year. The Taste generally draws 19,000 to 25,000 people over its four days, but "perfect" weather forecasts and some changes to the lineup have Formento optimistic about topping those numbers. Read more: Daily Herald

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!

Green Lake map

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.

Winchester-Clark County Chamber presents awards at annual banquet

In its 76th year, the Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce presented a host of awards at its annual banquet Thursday evening at the Winchester Country Club.

Darryl Terry, president of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, opened the evening discussing the group’s three main goals established after celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2015.

The Board aims to increase diversity of businesses located in different areas of the community, boost member-to-member networking and increase membership to 400, he said.

With 49 new members in 2015, the Chamber has 365 members, Terry said.

Will Hodgkin spoke during dinner about his passion for Winchester and the community’s potential.

He recalled an article in The Courier Journal stating Winchester was on “the road to averageville” more than a decade ago.

“By the article’s standards, everything about Winchester was average,” he said.

Thanks to the hard work of a variety of community organizations, including two endowed foundations — the Clark County Community Foundation and The Greater Clark Foundation — Hodgkin said Winchester is now anything but average.

“The glass is half full in Winchester,” he said. “It’s not full. We have more to do. But we are not average.”

He encouraged the Chamber members to contribute volunteers hours and monetarily to bettering the community, noting that Clark County ranks as the fifth wealthiest community in the state. Read more: Central Kentucky News

Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber: Middle school students solve problems at Michigan’s Adventure

On Wednesday, May 25, 2016, nearly 500 middle school students in grades 5 – 8 from 13 Michigan schools will combine work with play from9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. as they attempt to solve scientific problems during the 25th Annual Amusement Park Physics Day at Michigan’s Adventure Cedar Fair Park.

This year students will focus their problem-solving efforts on the Wolverine Wildcat, Kiddie Motorcycle Carousel, Gondola Wheel, Rip Cord, Thunderhawk, and Zack’s Zoomer. Because students cannot interfere with the normal operations of the rides, they will use other problem-solving techniques to find answers to the eight written questions.

Required to work in teams, they will hop on roller coasters, carousels and other rides that create push-and-pull (forces) on them. Students will also use handmade altimeters (for measuring angles), trigonometric ratios, and the length of their own pace to solve height problems. Students will use the relationship between distance, rate, and time in order to determine the speed of a ride, and find the best deal on food using unit rates. At the end of the day, the student teams will submit completed problem sheets that will be scored by the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District’s (MAISD) Regional Mathematics and Science Center.  Results and prizes are sent to teachers within two weeks of the park visit and are posted on the MAISD website at www.muskegonisd.org.

Prior to their experience in the park, students learn to measure distance, time, vertical angles, and acceleration using a few basic trigonometry and physics concepts. Each child also builds an altimeter (for measuring angles) out of common inexpensive materials. Then they move outside the classroom to solve problems similar to those encountered in an amusement park. They measure the height of school buildings, flagpoles, trees, and telephone poles.  Students complete their preparation by reviewing sample problems. Read more: Muskegon-Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce

Fox Cities Chamber’s annual Business Expo set for June 1


The Fox Cities Chamber will host its annual free Business Expo 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 1 at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel. This year’s theme asks exhibitors to answer the question, “What solution can you provide for a business?”

The day includes many ongoing events and presentations such as:

• New member/member success orientation, 10 a.m.-noon, registration required athttp://business.foxcitieschamber.com/

• Breakout sessions, starting at noon, presenters include Cellcom, Dental Associates, Merchants’ Choice Credit Card Service, LLC. and Time Warner Business Class

• Sponsor presentations, starting at 12:30 p.m., presenters include: Appleton International Airport, Skyline Exhibit Resource and Wells Fargo

• Business Connection, 5-7 p.m., registration required athttp://business.foxcitieschamber.com/

There is a limited amount of booths available to reserve. Booth cost is $350 for a Chamber member and $550 for a non-member. Read more: Post-Crescent

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 #157    Teddy Roosevelt was right! 

After 29 years, WMC leader, statesman, visionary Jim Morgan to step down; EMBDC welcome: Lockheed Martin hosting small business seminar; Michigan Chamber: Proposed car insurance tax hike unnecessary and unfair; Indy Chamber: Selling the $56 million transit tax hike; Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Small Businesses in Hampton Roads; Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide; Chamber news: Habitat for Humanity Wins Kyndle Nonprofit of the Year Award; Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps; City of Carbondale and Chamber team up to award bicycle racks

Good morning Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!



After 29 years, WMC leader, statesman, visionary Jim Morgan to step down

Jim Morgan

Jim Morgan, senior vice president of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce — one of the state’s biggest business associations and most powerful lobbying groups — is stepping down, abruptly, after nearly three decades at the organization.

In an email Tuesday to hundreds of businesspeople and chambers of commerce around the state, as well as to officials of several state agencies and of his own organization, Morgan said he will leave WMC on May 27 after 29 years with the organization “to take a look at one more career change before I ride off into the sunset.”

Reached briefly by telephone on Tuesday, Morgan, 56, confirmed the news. He said he has not accepted another position but wants to continue working in the business and education field, and to “try a new gig.”

WMC officials were mum about the announcement, and Morgan agreed to an interview later in the day but cancelled.

Morgan also is president of the WMC Foundation and serves as secretary-treasurer of the Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives association. He oversees the WMC Foundation’s educational programs on economics, business, workforce development, safety and corporate best practices, according to the organization’s website.

Morgan is leading “Future Wisconsin,” a project of WMC and its education and government partners to plan for the state’s future workforce needs. Read more: Wisconsin State Journal

EMBDC welcome: Lockheed Martin hosting small business seminar

Lockheed Martin will host a small business seminar on May 26 beginning at noon at the MSU-Meridian campus. In particular, small businesses will learn how to market their capabilities to become a supplier.

Participants will learn how to do business with Lockheed Martin, one of the largest companies in the aerospace, defense, security and technologies industry. It is the world’s largest defense contractor.

East Mississippi Business Development Corporation President/CEO Bill Hannah and Mississippi Development Authority CAO Manning McPhillips are scheduled to welcome guests and participants.

“It’s going to be great information for small businesses. They will be able to network with large corporations like Lockheed Martin,” MDA Program Manager Natalie Purvis said. “We will have a match-making session where participants can introduce their business services to Lockheed Martin representatives.”

Lunch will be provided free by Lockheed Martin. Lunch is scheduled for 12-12:30 p.m., followed by the welcome. From 12:45-1:45 p.m., Lockheed Martin representatives will answer questions from participants. After a short break, the matchmaking aspect of the program is scheduled for 2-3 p.m.

“We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity,” Purvis said. “A lot of small business will have the opportunity for face to face meetings with large corporations. This will give small businesses an opportunity to sell their services and let corporations know small businesses are ready to do business.” Read more: Meridian Star

Michigan Chamber: Proposed car insurance tax hike unnecessary and unfair

Rich Studley

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is strongly urging Michigan legislators to support Michigan's motorists and job providers in the insurance industry and reject unnecessary and harmful proposals that will result in a $40 per car tax hike on law-abiding Michigan drivers.

Some Lansing politicians have called for the repeal of a tax credit offset allowed for auto insurance carriers as a way to fund the state budget. This proposal unfairly targets primarily Michigan employers who provide hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs right here in Michigan and will result in a car insurance tax increase on Michigan drivers. Two bills (House Bills 5457 and 5458) recently introduced in the state House would repeal important tax provisions that help offset the costs of providing health care to individuals who have been injured by an uninsured driver.

Michigan’s auto no-fault insurance system provides the most comprehensive medical coverage in the nation, but it comes at a cost. The high cost of auto insurance means that many drivers are either unable or unwilling to purchase coverage yet continue to drive illegally.

When uninsured drivers cause accidents that injure individuals who also have no car insurance, the injured individual is provided the most expensive health care coverage in the nation through the Michigan “no-fault” system. These costs are then distributed among all auto insurance companies in Michigan that then must pass the cost on to the customer in the form of higher rates. Receiving a tax credit for these “assigned claims” allows a portion of these costs to instead be spread among all Michigan taxpayers. Read more:Times Herald

Indy Chamber: Selling the $56 million transit tax hike

Transportation advocates will stress improvements to the entire city bus system rather than development of controversial bus rapid transit lines as they promote a voter referendum to raise taxes for mass transit.

The vast majority of the $56 million generated by the tax would fix traditional problems vexing basic bus service, such as long waits, short hours of operation and unreliability, rather than running the Red Line rapid transit route, said officials with IndyGo and the Indy Chamber, which will push for passage of the referendum on the November election ballot.

By 2021, buses on a dozen lines would run every 15 minutes daily, compared with two lines on weekdays now; service hours would increase 70 percent; and the number of routes that run every hour would be reduced. The buses would operate 20 hours a day, starting earlier and ending later, said Bryan Luellen, a spokesman for IndyGo.

Marion County voters will be asked to raise personal income taxes by 0.25 percent to improve bus service. The increase would cost a worker making $50,000 annually $130 a year and supplement IndyGo's budget, which was $69.8 million this year. The added revenue also would be used to operate the Red Line — the all-electric route with dedicated lanes stretching from Broad Ripple to the University of Indianapolis — and would fund sidewalk construction and shelters at bus stops.

While IndyGo plans more buses on popular routes, it will reduce service on less frequently used routes on the southwest and southeast sides.

Sean Northup, assistant executive director for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization, said budget restrictions forced planners to make a choice between increasing frequency and increasing coverage area. A transportation consultant hired by IndyGo studied ridership trends and surveyed passengers about their preferences.

“By a 90-10 (percentage) margin, they wanted more frequent buses,” he said.

Northup said efficient transit systems help a city's business, housing, economic development and health. Housing values increase along reliable transit lines, employee turnover and lost work hours decrease, business development spikes, and people using transit walk more than people who drive, he said. Read more: Indy Star

Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Small Businesses in Hampton Roads

Virginia Beach, VA -- The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads (SBDC) is proud to present The Small Business of the Year Awards on Tuesday, May 24 at noon at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.   One business will be recognized as Small Business of the Year from each city (Chesapeake, Norfolk, Peninsula, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach) along with the G&W Leadership Award honoree and the Young Entrepreneur Award (YEA!) honoree. The overall Hampton Roads Small Business of the Year Award will be announced  from the city contenders. 

This year’s city winners include:

·         Chesapeake:  Retnauer Baynes Associates, LLC.

·         Norfolk:  Mid Atlantic Maritime Academy

·         Peninsula:  Commonwealth Exterminating

·         Portsmouth:  Smiley’s Heating and Cooling

·         Suffolk:  Suffolk Eye Physicians & Surgeons

·         Virginia Beach:  Image Business Interiors

·         G&W Leadership Award:  Shannon Kane, President/Chief Marketing Partner, EWR Management Group

·         Young Entrepreneur Award (YEA!) finalists: 

·         Max Greenhood, President/Creative Director, RocketBike

·         Zack Miller, Founder, Hatch

Date:               May 24, 2016

Time:              12 Noon (please arrive by 11:30 am)

Location:         Virginia Beach Convention Center

            1000 19^th Street

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Contact:  Priscilla Monti (757) 470-6805 Visit hamptonroadschamber.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: Habitat for Humanity Wins Kyndle Nonprofit of the Year Award

Last week, Kyndle celebrated their second annual Nonprofit Awards Breakfast, and Habitat for Humanity of Henderson came out on top.

Habitat for Humanity won the Nonprofit of the Year award. Executive Dir. of Habitat for Humanity Britney Smith, who has been with Habitat for almost two years, said she was honored to receive this award.

“I was really excited that we won this year,” Smith said. “My staff was really happy and our longtime volunteers, including one that has been with Habitat for almost 14 years, were thrilled.”

Smith said winning the award means more to her and her staff because it has been a long and hard road to get them to this point.

“It has been a lot of hard work,” Smith said. “In 2012, we had to step back from building and realign our goals to make sure that all of our energy was being spent towards our mission. We wanted our goals and our mission to align. This (award) really showed us that we think we have done that and we got ourselves to a place that we need to be.”

Board of Directors member Eric Shappell said the organization is flourishing because Smith was hired.

“The people who run Habitat on a daily basis, Brittany (Smith) and her staff, have done an amazing job,” Shappell said. “They have pulled Habitat out the slump they were once in. They have made it a wonderful and vibrant nonprofit, helping people in Henderson.” read more: SurfKY.com

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

City of Carbondale and Chamber team up to award bicycle racks

Two Carbondale Chamber of Commerce member-organizations are the recipients of new bicycle racks for their locations thanks to a partnership between the Chamber and the City of Carbondale.

City leaders partnered with the Jackson County Health Department to form the Jackson County Healthy Communities Coalition, which was recently awarded a Plan4Health Grant by the American Planning Association.

As part of the grant, the City was able to donate two bicycle racks to the Chamber that were to be given to Chamber members.

Through a very simple essay application process, the Chamber has chosen First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust and Good Samaritan Ministries as recipients of the free bicycle racks. Read more: KFVS TV