Chamber News: Michigan Chamber 2016-2020 Strategic Plan
About the Plan
Eighteen members of the Michigan Chamber’s Executive Committee, Senior Advisory Council (past Board Chairs) and professional staff of the Michigan Chamber met on January 25, 2016 to review progress made on implementation of the Chamber’s 2014-2016 Strategic Plan and start work on a proposed new Strategic Plan for 2016-2020. The strategic planning session was facilitated by Bob Harris, Certified Association Executive. Mr. Harris is a nationally recognized expert on association management who is very knowledgeable about state and local chambers of commerce. On April 26, 2016, the Michigan Chamber’s Board of Directors reviewed and unanimously approved a Strategic Plan for 2016-2020.
Michigan Chamber Goals
The following four organizational goals are the core competencies or pillars of the Michigan Chamber:
Deliver Powerful Advocacy – Be the voice of business advancing member priorities through legislative, legal and political action to achieve good public policy favorable to free enterprise.
Provide Business Solutions – Provide members and customers with high quality products and services to facilitate business success.
Embrace Government Accountability and Economic Growth – Support business and taxpayer friendly policies to promote increased government efficiency and encourage economic growth.
Sustain a World Class Chamber – Continue to be recognized as an efficient, high performing Chamber of Commerce.
Strategies
The following implementation strategies support the Chamber’s four organizational goals:
Powerful Advocacy
- With input from many Chamber members, identify a compelling legislative agenda to advance Michigan.
- Maintain a highly effective lobbying team.
- Maintain or increase funding for political action.
- Retain business-friendly majorities in the State House and Michigan Senate.
- Retain a rule of law majority on the Michigan Supreme Court.
- Continue to collaborate with local chambers and trade or professional associations on issues of mutual interest.
- Deliver winning messaging on key issues, ballot proposals or election campaigns.
- Continue to be a strong leader of the Chamber Federation at the state and national level.
Business Solutions
- Continue to provide high quality member benefits, products and services through Chamber Services.
- Develop new products and services beneficial to customers and profitable to the Chamber.
- Customize existing communications and open new channels of communication to more effectively reach current and prospective members and customers.
- Emphasize diversity in the growth of membership and strength of Chamber.
- Achieve benchmarks for membership growth and retention.
- Develop volunteer leaders and Chamber staff to serve as “Ambassadors” for the Chamber at the local level and in the policy arena. Read more: Michigan Chamber
Arlington Chamber taps business hall of fame honorees
William Buck, John Shooshan and the late Emerson Reinsch have been announced as the 2016 class of the Arlington Business Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.
The inductees – all of whom are connected to family-run businesses in the development arena – will be saluted at the Chamber’s annual Arlington’s Best Business Awards, slated for May 24.
Buck in 1976 began Buck & Associates, which has provided real-estate services in the residential and commercial sectors. In the community, he has served on the Arlington Planning Commission and the boards of Virginia Hospital Center, Cardinal Bank and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and has been a supporter of the Arlington Food Assistance Center.
Shooshan founded the Shooshan Co. in 1986 to develop and invest in real-estate projects. In the community, he has been active with the Arlington Community Foundation, affordable-housing issues and philanthropy.
Reinsch (1903-88) moved to Arlington in the aftermath of World War II and founded E.G. Reinsch Construction and Management Cos., which built, owned and managed hotels and rental apartments. His philanthropic initiatives led to creation of the Emerson G. and Dolores G. Reinsch Foundation, founded in 1970, and his legacy of giving continues through the Reinsch Pierce Family Foundation. Read more: InsideNOVA
St. Joseph County Chamber Delight: Old Studebaker building gets new life
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| Jeff Rea |
New life is being celebrated at the old Studebaker manufacturing building.
It was once one of South Bend's busiest buildings. On Thursday, leaders from across Indiana celebrated the groundbreaking of the entire 'Renaissance District,' which includes Union Station and will be home to high-tech businesses.
The Studebaker building is one of the five projects being funded in part by northern Indiana's $42 million in Regional Cities Initiative grant.
The old Studebaker manufacturing plant hasn't been used in decades. More than half a century ago though, it was the beating heart of South Bend's economy.
Today, that heart started beating again. City leaders symbolically turned dirt and ushered in new era of businesses and office space to the building.
"It's investment, it's tax base, it's jobs, but it's more than that. It's a symbol, and it's a place where people are going to encounter each other," said South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
"We're taking the best of the past, and were creating new collaborations," said Indiana Governor Mike Pence.
The million square foot building with six floors could house as many as 100 small businesses.
"There's no other building this size in our entire county. So in terms of economic impact on our area, there is no project bigger or more important to our region than this one right here," said Jeff Rea, President & CEO of the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce. Read more: WSBT
The Freeport Chamber of Commerce along with Rock River Energy Services is announcing a new program for its members and affiliates
This new program is called GasShare. It is for commercial gas customers that want to reduce or control their costs and budgets for their natural gas purchases. This new program will be the first of its kind in Illinois. With the recent popularity of Electrical Aggregation in communities in Illinois, and the State Legislature failing to pass a bill which would allow natural gas customers to aggregate together in municipalities for purchasing power, the Chamber wants to develop a program for its members.
This new program is called GasShare. It is for commercial gas customers that want to reduce or control their costs and budgets for their natural gas purchases. This new program will be the first of its kind in Illinois. With the recent popularity of Electrical Aggregation in communities in Illinois, and the State Legislature failing to pass a bill which would allow natural gas customers to aggregate together in municipalities for purchasing power, the Chamber wants to develop a program for its members.
Value Added Benefits include:
Members will be able to purchase natural gas at rates below direct offers from suppliers. Fixed pricing at this time is very attractive as the gas market has continued to fall over the past year.
On the Nicor Delivery portion of the bill, each member’s bill will be audited to ensure they are getting the proper customer charge on the correct rate, they have the right meter size, and they are getting the state tax benefits if they qualify.
Audits have shown many smaller customers do not know what they are paying for natural gas since most bills continue to come from Nicor. In addition, many suppliers have locked in customers into a rate years ago when natural gas prices were a lot higher. These just roll over year after year. Now is an opportunity to have your bills reviewed with a minimum amount of your time invested.
Cost of the Program:
There is no cost or fee to join the GasShare program. Members who select the market index rate have the ability to terminate the program at any time without penalty if you are dissatisfied. Members who select a fixed rate program would be subject to a $50 early termination fee.
Joining the program is easy, just fax in a copy of your Natural Gas bill to the Chamber along with the Nicor Gas usage permission form. (These forms are available from the Chamber and Rock River Energy Services)
An audit will be performed with no obligation to join.
Why would a Chamber GasShare program work?
Much like electrical aggregation, suppliers are able to obtain a large group of customers at one time, and it vastly decreased their acquisition costs. Thus, they are more aggressive and are able to offer leaner prices than customers can achieve on their own. These cost savings are passed onto the end user.
Larger Chamber Members
Chamber members that use higher volumes of natural gas can also benefit from this program. The same audits performed for the smaller customers can be performed. Customers tend to focus on the “supply” portion of the bill, not the delivery section. In addition, customers tend to roll over their natural gas contracts year after year and don’t stay current with costs on both portions of the bill. Buying strategies can be developed with a third party that is focused solely for the customer s benefit, not the supplier. Any member that uses over 50,000 therms of natural gas a year will receive a custom price. More information: Freeport Chamber
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
Third Annual Greater Beloit Chamber Downtown Dash and Farmers Market attracts crowd
Beloit’s downtown was filled with food, friendship and fun Saturday as people flocked to the first Farmers Market of the season and the Third Annual Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce Downtown Dash.
“This is a great time for renewal. We have our own little renaissance going on right here,” said market fan Anita Whedon.
Anita and Patrick Whendon, who live in Boone County, said they’ve been to many markets but the Beloit one reigns as favorite. They love it so much, they said they wish it would expand to the west side of the river.
“I enjoy the socialization and the people. Later in the summer there will be more good food too,” Patrick Whedon said.
Market regulars Kacie Vernon and David Fleetwood of Roscoe were introducing their 6-month-old daughter Harper to the market.
“My grandparents introduced us to it, and we’ll introduce her,” Kacie Vernon said. “I like the local farmers and the wide variety.”
“It’s great products and great people,” David Fleetwood said.
Erin Spedding, of Rockton, and her daughters, Avelynn, 8, and Irelynn, 5, were visiting the market for the first time.
“We really like it and want to make it a tradition,” mom Erin Spedding said. Read more: Beloit Daily News
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.
Kentucky Lake Chamber receives statewide award
Kentucky Lake Chamber of Commerce in Marshall County has received recognition from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) for Outstanding Website among local chambers of similar size. The Excellence Awards were given out during the KCCE Annual Conference last week in Frankfort.
KCCE is a statewide network of professionals dedicated to promoting professional education, ethical standards and efficiency in chamber of commerce management. The board of directors guides the professional development of chamber executives, employees and volunteers across the state. The organization has been serving chamber professionals for 50 years. Visit www.kychamberexecutives.com for additional information. Source: The Lake News
Brookhaven Lincoln County Chamber hires Katie Nations as marketing director
The Brookhaven Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce has hired Katie Nations as its new director of marketing programs and events, a position Kay Burton held for more than 20 years.
Executive Director Garrick Combs said Nations began this month and from now on will be responsible for the implementation of the Chamber’s program of work.
“That will include the Chamber’s events such as the Ole Brook Festival, the annual meeting, the Christmas parade, the legislative affairs programs — Brookhaven Day at the Capitol and legislative breakfast — and our retail promotional events — Girls Night Out and the Christmas Open House,” Combs said.
“She will be responsible for any expansions of the Chamber’s programs and working with the Brookhaven Tourism Council to better integrate our programs with theirs; the main objective being to boost economic impact and visitation.”
Nations previously worked for Lott Furniture and J. Allan’s for the last nine years, Combs said. Upon leaving the company, Nations was the store manager, he said. “In her previous position, she participated in the Chamber’s retail program of work,” Combs said. “She was already familiar with the Chamber’s programs and can relate to many of our small business members due to her time in retail management.
Katie is also a lifelong resident of Brookhaven and has many professional and personal relationships that will serve her and the chamber well.” Read more: Daily Leader
Executive Director Garrick Combs said Nations began this month and from now on will be responsible for the implementation of the Chamber’s program of work.
“That will include the Chamber’s events such as the Ole Brook Festival, the annual meeting, the Christmas parade, the legislative affairs programs — Brookhaven Day at the Capitol and legislative breakfast — and our retail promotional events — Girls Night Out and the Christmas Open House,” Combs said.
“She will be responsible for any expansions of the Chamber’s programs and working with the Brookhaven Tourism Council to better integrate our programs with theirs; the main objective being to boost economic impact and visitation.”
Nations previously worked for Lott Furniture and J. Allan’s for the last nine years, Combs said. Upon leaving the company, Nations was the store manager, he said. “In her previous position, she participated in the Chamber’s retail program of work,” Combs said. “She was already familiar with the Chamber’s programs and can relate to many of our small business members due to her time in retail management.
Katie is also a lifelong resident of Brookhaven and has many professional and personal relationships that will serve her and the chamber well.” Read more: Daily Leader
Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps
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
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