Crossroads, Winfield chambers contemplate merger
Sue Reed
The Crossroads Chamber of Commerce and the Winfield/LOFS Chamber of Commerce hope to complete a mid-summer merger that would expand Crossroads' membership to more than 700 and extend its geographic reach east and south.
The Crossroads Board of Directors voted to pursue the merger May 10. The Winfield board had approved it after an April presentation to members on the benefits of joining Crossroads.
The chambers then created a task force to work through the details, with the goal of finalizing the merger July 1.
"It's a really good fit," Crossroads President and CEO Sue Reed said of the potential merger, which would add about 80 members to Crossroads.
"Winfield is really an extension of Crown Point," Reed said. "It makes sense; they have schools that are part of the Crown Point school system, they have the same zip code."
Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce came into being in January 2010 through a merger of the Merrillville and Greater Crown Point chambers of commerce. Read more: NWI Times
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| Sue Reed |
The Crossroads Board of Directors voted to pursue the merger May 10. The Winfield board had approved it after an April presentation to members on the benefits of joining Crossroads.
The chambers then created a task force to work through the details, with the goal of finalizing the merger July 1.
"It's a really good fit," Crossroads President and CEO Sue Reed said of the potential merger, which would add about 80 members to Crossroads.
"Winfield is really an extension of Crown Point," Reed said. "It makes sense; they have schools that are part of the Crown Point school system, they have the same zip code."
Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce came into being in January 2010 through a merger of the Merrillville and Greater Crown Point chambers of commerce. Read more: NWI Times
Charlottesville Chamber, Others Blast Effort to Dismantle Court Square
Tim Hulbert
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce (CRCC) is making its case in the debate about whether or not Albemarle County should move its courts out of the city.
In a letter, the CRCC is urging the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors to keep the county's General District Court and Circuit Courts located in downtown Charlottesville.
The CRCC says changing Court Square would disrupt the area's historic nature and economics.
“We are one community and to have all the courts in one spot, in the center of that community, makes all the sense in the world. It is collaboration and it is in the best interest of the community,” said Timothy Hulbert of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The CRCC also recommends that the Albemarle County Office Building remain in its current location on McIntire Road. Read more: NBC 29
Chamber news: Dow Chemical officials stress commitment to Midland
Dow Chemical Co. officials on Wednesday re-affirmed the company’s commitment to Midland amidst a report that other states are trying to lure it from the city it’s called home for more than a century.
Bridge Magazine and Crain’s Detroit Business on Wednesday reported numerous states are aggressively courting Dow. The report said Dow management has quietly acknowledged to Michigan business leaders it’s getting significant incentive offers, according to business leaders who spoke to Bridge Magazine on condition of anonymity.
Dow spokeswoman Rachelle Schikorra, in an email to The Detroit News, didn’t confirm the report, but said it was “common practice” for other states to reach out to companies to discuss future growth objectives and explore investment opportunities. She said Dow was committed to Midland, the city in which it was founded in 1897.
“Dow has repeatedly expressed its commitment to the community of Midland and the Great Lakes Bay Region, as evidenced by the new materials science headquarters remaining in Midland, and the construction of a new corporate center at our HQ location,” she said.
“As it relates to future growth and investment, we believe it is critical that Michigan remain competitive when viewed against other states that work hard to attract and retain world-class companies and high-paying jobs to their states. We will continue to work with the State of Michigan and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) regarding Michigan’s competitiveness.”
Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan and chairman of the MEDC Executive Committee, said the absence of large-scale taxpayer incentives to compete with other states trying to lure Michigan companies away puts the state at risk of losing future job growth opportunities: “I’m concerned about not just Dow. I’m concerned about our ability to grow as a state.”
The chemical manufacturer is in the midst of a merger with Wilmington, Delaware-based DuPont Co. that is expected to close in the second half of 2016. The merged company, DowDuPont, would then be split into three independent, publicly traded companies that focus on separate areas: commodity chemicals including plastics (based in Midland); agricultural products including herbicides and genetically modified seeds (based in Delaware); and specialty chemicals such as those used in solar panels (based in Delaware).
Midland’s headquarters will focus on materials science in a new 150,000-square-foot building that will employ 600.
Dow and DuPont expect their merger will cut annual expenses by $3 billion.
Rich Studley, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, said he had dinner a week ago with a senior Dow executive and received no signs of trouble.
“My impression is that even through the recent corporate changes and into the future, Dow is very focused on not only remaining competitive nationally and internationally but the company remains strongly committed to Midland and the state of Michigan,” Studley said.
Dow employs more than 5,000 in Midland, including about 1,600 at its headquarters. An additional 1,400 people work in the city for Dow Corning Corp., a split joint-venture that Dow is gaining control of. Read more: The Detroit News
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| Tim Hulbert |
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce (CRCC) is making its case in the debate about whether or not Albemarle County should move its courts out of the city.
In a letter, the CRCC is urging the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors to keep the county's General District Court and Circuit Courts located in downtown Charlottesville.
The CRCC says changing Court Square would disrupt the area's historic nature and economics.
“We are one community and to have all the courts in one spot, in the center of that community, makes all the sense in the world. It is collaboration and it is in the best interest of the community,” said Timothy Hulbert of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The CRCC also recommends that the Albemarle County Office Building remain in its current location on McIntire Road. Read more: NBC 29
Chamber news: Dow Chemical officials stress commitment to Midland
Dow Chemical Co. officials on Wednesday re-affirmed the company’s commitment to Midland amidst a report that other states are trying to lure it from the city it’s called home for more than a century.
Bridge Magazine and Crain’s Detroit Business on Wednesday reported numerous states are aggressively courting Dow. The report said Dow management has quietly acknowledged to Michigan business leaders it’s getting significant incentive offers, according to business leaders who spoke to Bridge Magazine on condition of anonymity.
Dow spokeswoman Rachelle Schikorra, in an email to The Detroit News, didn’t confirm the report, but said it was “common practice” for other states to reach out to companies to discuss future growth objectives and explore investment opportunities. She said Dow was committed to Midland, the city in which it was founded in 1897.
“Dow has repeatedly expressed its commitment to the community of Midland and the Great Lakes Bay Region, as evidenced by the new materials science headquarters remaining in Midland, and the construction of a new corporate center at our HQ location,” she said.
“As it relates to future growth and investment, we believe it is critical that Michigan remain competitive when viewed against other states that work hard to attract and retain world-class companies and high-paying jobs to their states. We will continue to work with the State of Michigan and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) regarding Michigan’s competitiveness.”
Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan and chairman of the MEDC Executive Committee, said the absence of large-scale taxpayer incentives to compete with other states trying to lure Michigan companies away puts the state at risk of losing future job growth opportunities: “I’m concerned about not just Dow. I’m concerned about our ability to grow as a state.”
The chemical manufacturer is in the midst of a merger with Wilmington, Delaware-based DuPont Co. that is expected to close in the second half of 2016. The merged company, DowDuPont, would then be split into three independent, publicly traded companies that focus on separate areas: commodity chemicals including plastics (based in Midland); agricultural products including herbicides and genetically modified seeds (based in Delaware); and specialty chemicals such as those used in solar panels (based in Delaware).
Midland’s headquarters will focus on materials science in a new 150,000-square-foot building that will employ 600.
Dow and DuPont expect their merger will cut annual expenses by $3 billion.
Rich Studley, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, said he had dinner a week ago with a senior Dow executive and received no signs of trouble.
“My impression is that even through the recent corporate changes and into the future, Dow is very focused on not only remaining competitive nationally and internationally but the company remains strongly committed to Midland and the state of Michigan,” Studley said.
Dow employs more than 5,000 in Midland, including about 1,600 at its headquarters. An additional 1,400 people work in the city for Dow Corning Corp., a split joint-venture that Dow is gaining control of. Read more: The Detroit News
Geneva Chamber: Registration now open for Swedish Days 5K Race
The Swedish Day 5K Lopp will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 25, from Gunnar Forest Preserve in Geneva, behind the Kane County Government Center.
The Swedish Days 5K Lopp will go along the scenic Fox River in Geneva. They encourage you to tie-in with the Scandinavian theme with your attire. Be a charter member of this spirited race, which is sure to become an annual tradition.
Overall winners will get commemorative awards, plus will be able to ride in the Swedish Days Parade, the following day on a float. Swedish Days awards to top 3 male and female in the following age groups: 14 and younger, up to 80 and older.
The $35 registration fee includes a T-shirt and pancake breakfast. In order to guarantee a shirt at packet pickup, you must register by June 14. Race day registration is $40. Read more: Daily Herald
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.
Leadership Kentucky selects Commerce Lexington's Amy Carrington
Commerce Lexington Inc. is proud to announce that Amy Carrington, Director of Leadership Development, has been selected to the 2016 Class of Leadership Kentucky beginning in June.
Leadership Kentucky was created in 1984 as a non-profit educational organization and brings together a selected group of people that possess a broad variety of leadership abilities, career accomplishments, and volunteer activities to gain insight into complex issues facing the state.
Originally from Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, Carrington graduated Magna Cum Laude from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and later completed an Honors Degree at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, studying as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar.
Upon returning to Kentucky, Carrington worked at Georgetown College for five years and completed her Master’s degree in Community and Leadership Development at the University of Kentucky.
After graduating from Leadership Lexington in 2011, Carrington joined the Commerce Lexington, Inc. staff, overseeing its leadership development programming later that year. In her role, Carrington provides leadership programming that includes education, awareness, networking and community service. Commerce Lexington Inc.’s various leadership programs help participants learn about Lexington and the Bluegrass Region, while preparing them for future challenges faced by our community. Read more: KyForward.com
Chamber Sponsor: Mississippi Scholars – Mississippi Scholars Tech Masters, alive and well in Winston County
We’ve come a long way in the last 11 years with our MS Scholars program. I can remember sitting with our Education Committee in the first Strategic Planning for Winston County (this was sponsored by our Chamber of Commerce) discussing how we all could make a difference in the education of our young people. What and how could we actually do anything?
That’s when a member of MS Economic Development came to Louisville to speak with several of us…we knew then that this was what our committee was destined to do. We planned, we prepared and then came the day that we presented to all 8th graders. The “we” in this was B. J. Kelleghan and me. We had to drag our computer presentation around…in the days before our schools had that capability…going into schools that didn’t necessarily know who or what we were about. However, the schools agreed to let the “do gooders” come in since this was based out of our MS Economic Development Department as well as the MS Department of Education.
No one was “on board” those first few years. MS Scholars was just another thing to do in already busy schedule for our schools. That first year, we had four scholars…none who were in the top of the class. What I noticed back then was that usually the students at the top of the class were not necessarily the students who took the harder courses to get into college. My…how that has changed! We are preparing and graduating students who are prepared for Jr. College, 4 Year Colleges and Universities as well as through our Tech Masters Program, students who are prepared to achieve vocationally.
You see, MS Scholars is not about making straight A’s…it’s about taking the harder courses. The MS Scholars program encourages courses that will teach you how to think, create…be the kind of person someone would love to hire. Now, don’t get me wrong, straight A’s are wonderful and the higher the GPA and ACT score, the more competitive you are in getting scholarships. But, MS Scholars and MS Scholars Tech Masters only require a 2.5 GPS (C average) and an 18 on the ACT.
So, what does MS Scholars actually do? It provides a plan for students 9th through 12th grades. It helps students set goals and prepare fully. We always say…”the 9th grade is the first day of the rest of your life”. Your high school transcript will travel with you “the rest of your life”. Did you try? Did you achieve? Were you excessively late to school? Were you noticeably absent from school? All of this is documented on your transcript. It is so very wonderful to have the MS Scholars seal on one’s transcript and diploma as they travel with you through life.
Both Ms. Kelleghan and I were troubled over the lack of interaction and communication with the students between the 8th grade presentation and the last year of school. Those who had signed up were not successful many times in achieving their goals. What to do? By this time, Ed Truex had come on board to start working and we asked Margaret Taylor and Betty Byrd to fill out our team. So, as of last year, we started going into the schools to meet with all the 9th graders who had signed up in the 8th grade. We are the first county to do this in the state and have received support from the state level. We will follow each student, who signs up for MS Scholars, from 9th to 12th grades providing accountability, motivation, information and support.
We do need some additional volunteers to help with 8th grade presentations and mentoring in our schools. It involves a few meetings and a passion for the children in our county. If interested, please contact me, Mary Snow at 662-773-3320.
Sun Prairie Chamber Luncheon: Economist says Wisconsin recovering well compared with other states
A Wisconsin economist told members of the Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce on May 12 that Wisconsin’s economic recovery has been good compared with the rest of the country.
The chamber presented the economic outlook luncheon held at the Round Table on Thursday, May 12, which was sponsored by MAGNET, a membership based networking organization for young professionals.
Leading the speaking engagement was John Koskinen, Chief Economist and Division Administrator for the Division for Research and Policy Analysis, in the Wisconsin Department of Revenue from 2007-15. The division prepares a Wisconsin economic outlook every quarter and a regional outlook for the state’s metropolitan areas every year.
Koskinen spoke before the room, filled with professionals from the private sector and local government, including Sun Prairie’s mayor, to hear about Wisconsin’s economic recovery and progress since the financial crisis of 2008.
Koskinen highlighted the recovery and progress that’s been made in many of the state’s private industries, areas where recovery is slow, and made some predictions about Wisconsin’s economic outlook for the future. Read more: HNG News
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