Happy Monday, Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT week!
EMBDC event: Hottest ticket in town, 65,000 anticipated at Neshoba County Fair
Mississippi’s giant house party officially opens Friday when the Neshoba County Fair starts its 127th run.
Despite the sweltering heat, thousands of fairgoers will walk through the gates anticipating a week of political speaking, horse races, entertainment, amusement rides, food and front porch conversations.
Doug Johnson, fair manager, said fair officials expect 65,000 people to attend the fair this year.
“We are putting the last minute details together – sawdust on the square, and watering and packing the race track at night, getting it in shape for the first races on Sunday,” Johnson said. “This has been one of the busiest summers I can remember, with people coming in and out to clean cabins. We’ve had campers in since July 4, some cabin owners before that. So, we have to get a lot of our things done to avoid the traffic.”
In spite of the usual hot temperatures, a huge crowd is anticipated around Founders Square Wednesday, a day set aside as “Meridian Day.” The day has been a longstanding tradition at the fair since 1951, and Meridian is one of the event’s last participating cities.
Casey Holladay, events coordinator for the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, said it is an honor for Meridian to be invited to the fair each year. The theme for this year’s fair is “Getting to Know Your Neighbor.”
“Besides the fair being a lot of fun, it gives EMBDC and its partners a great way to show our neighbors how wonderful Meridian really is,” Holladay said. “To showcase Meridian, hand held fans with facts about Meridian will be passed out. We will also have vendors with tents set up handing out all kind of goodies, and great door prizes for fairgoers.” Read more: Meridian Star
Wausau Region Chamber picks Dave Eckmann as its next CEO
The new leader of the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce will be David Eckmann, who's been working at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as the chancellor's special assistant for economic development.
Eckmann will start Aug. 8 as the chamber's president and CEO. Melissa Kampmann, chairwoman of the chamber's Board of Directors, made the announcement Thursday afternoon.
The chamber's previous top executive, Aaron Kapellusch, resigned from the post in early May.
Eckmann used to work for MCDEVCO and the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce before he was employed by UWSP, Kampmann wrote in her Thursday press release. She said the board interviewed several candidates, some local, some not. Read more: Wausau Daily Herald
#BestChamber Practices: Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce: Website Resources Pages
FRONT ROYAL-WARREN COUNTY RESOURCES
County of Warren
Samuels Public Library
www.samuelslibrary.net
www.samuelslibrary.net
Virginia Cooperative Extension – Warren County
http://offices.ext.vt.edu/warren/
EDUCATION, BUSINESS & WORKFORCE RESOURCES
People, Inc.
www.peopleinc.net
LEGISLATORS
Delegate Chris Collins
Virginia House of Delegates
29th House District
www.delegatecollins.com
Town Square Chamber Publications: Valparaiso Chamber: Promises made, Promises kept!
Valpo Chamber Testimonial
I want to thank you for an outstanding map which you produced for our Valpo Chamber. In my 43 years as a CEO in the Chamber Field, it was the smoothest project I have ever seen done. You made all the deadlines, your print quality and cartography was second to none. And of course you paid us in exactly the time frame you said you would so we could count the Royalty Check towards our current year revenue.
Life is very good when dealing with Town Square Publications.
You have the right of first refusal to do our next map. You are a great partner for our Chamber. We are living proof that a printed map is still very much in demand by both advertisers and consumers.
It would be my pleasure to recommend Town Square Publications as a firm Chambers and Tourism Bureaus should use when considering a printed Map or other print publications.
Rex G. Richards, CCE
President
Valpo Chamber of Commerce
Marion County Chamber Event: Ham Days Entertainment Lineup Announced
The Marion County Chamber of Commerce announces the Maker’s Mark/Kentucky Cooperage Main Stage entertainment lineup for the 2016 Marion County Country Ham Days.
Several local bands and groups will be featured Ham Days weekend September 24th and 25th. “New Deal with special guests Grace Farmer and The Daughtery Twins” will perform Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m.; “No Deceit” will perform right after the Spingview Hospital Pigasus Parade at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Featured on Sunday will be “Crew 3:30” from the Lebanon Baptist Church at 9 a.m. followed by “The Honeysuckle String Band” at 10 a.m. “Rockcastle” will perform Sunday afternoon starting at 12:30 p.m.
Other activities on the Maker’s Mark/Kentucky Cooperage Main Stage include “Hammin’ It Up Idol, the Tommy Burress Jr. Farmer & Little Miss Ham Days contests, Hog Calling Contest, Champion Ham Auction, a performance by the Lebanon Middle School Beta Group which was the state runner-up at Kentucky Beta Talent Competition, and special announcements. You will also hear the winners announced for the Farmers National Bank Pokey Pig 5K and State Farm Agent Erica Barnes Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show.
A complete schedule of all Country Ham Days events is available online at www.HamDays.com.
The 2016 Marion County Country Ham Days is September 24th and 25th. For more information contact the Chamber office at 270.692.9594 or email info@MarionCountyKyChamber.com.
Career Opportunity: Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce: Membership Development Professional
Job Description
If you want to work with some of the greatest businesses in the region and for one of the most-awarded business organizations in Illinois, we have the job for you!
The Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce is one of two five-star accredited chambers in Illinois and was awarded the 2015 Illinois Chamber of the Year. Our purpose is to connect our members to growth opportunities while working collaboratively to influence the future of our region.
We are looking to add to our team with a membership development professional. But, we want more than a sales mentality. We believe that building long-term relationships with our members is key to creating a better community and region.
This position combines a balance between autonomy and team work.
The perfect candidate will have the following qualities:
Here's what you'll do:
The Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce is one of two five-star accredited chambers in Illinois and was awarded the 2015 Illinois Chamber of the Year. Our purpose is to connect our members to growth opportunities while working collaboratively to influence the future of our region.
We are looking to add to our team with a membership development professional. But, we want more than a sales mentality. We believe that building long-term relationships with our members is key to creating a better community and region.
This position combines a balance between autonomy and team work.
The perfect candidate will have the following qualities:
- Great organizational skills
- Diplomacy
- Attention to detail
- Initiative to solve problems
- The ability to take control without taking over
- Excellent communication skills
- The ability to stay calm under pressure
- The ability to shift priorities throughout the day
Here's what you'll do:
- Maintain active contact with members; identify opportunities to support and retain membership
- Represent Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce at community events, meetings and programs
- Maintain a targeted retention rate of existing Chamber members
- Establish positive working relationships; work with team to establish and carry out a plan of personal contact for members
- Conduct member surveys to increase member awareness of member needs and benefits; evaluate and recommend new member benefits
- Plan and execute regularly scheduled New Member Orientations that will inform members about ways in which they may receive the most value from chamber membership
- Assist in planning and developing chamber programming
- Work within membership budget
- Knowledgeable of all Aurora Chamber benefits; field membership benefit questions
- Coordinate with team concerning marketing, news releases, and Aurora Chamber publications; submit membership-related articles and photos for publications
- Work with team to develop and coordinate marketing plan and the development of new programs for member services and retention
- Occasionally supervise committees
- Other duties as assigned by the President
- Minimum two years of customer service, membership, or account management experience
- U.S. Chamber Institute for Organization Management, a plus
- Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts or business
- Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office Suite
Location Office location with some local travel for membership visits, events, etc.
If this is the job for you, please email your resume and cover letter with salary requirements to:
Membership@aurorachamber.com or 43 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL 60506
No phone calls, please.
#FamousChamber Quotation of the Day: Entrepeneur's Key to Success
“Determination is the key ingredient for every entrepreneur.” - Jason Calacanis
Tim Terrentine named WMU vice president for development
Western Michigan University has hired Tim Terrentine Sr. as vice president for development and alumni relations.
Terrentine, currently executive vice president of Southwest Michigan First, will start in his new role Aug. 22. His appointment was made pending approval by WMU's board of trustees.
Terrentine, a WMU alumnus, replaces James Thomas, who left WMU earlier this summer to lead development operations at Virginia's Colonial Williamsburg.
"Tim Terrentine is an executive with enormous talent for making connections and matching talented people with the resources they need," WMU President John Dunn said in a press release. "Those talents, combined with his strong Bronco ties and his extensive background in area professional, civic and charitable organizations, make him a wonderful choice for this position."
Terrentine has worked at Southwest Michigan First since 2010 serving the economic development agency by focusing on the areas of leadership, development, business retention and expansion and regional collaboration. He has led efforts for Catalyst University, Leadership Kalamazoo and the Wake Up Breakfast Series, according to WMU's press release. In 2012, Terrentine became president of the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce when the chamber became part of Southwest Michigan First. Read more: M LIVE
Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories
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. 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 chamber publication or map proposal, Contact Town Square Here
Chamber interest: Lt. Governor Holcomb and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs Award Infrastructure Grant Funding to 16 Hoosier Communities
Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) announced today over $7 million in federal grant funding for three programs was awarded to rural Hoosier communities. Over $6 million for projects in 12 communities were awarded under the Wastewater Drinking Water Program (WDW), $1.5 million was awarded to three communities from the Stormwater Improvements Program (SIP) and $400,000 to one community under the Public Facilities Program (PFP).
"I applaud the efforts of the sixteen communities who applied for and are receiving grant funding to support efforts to ensure a solid infrastructure for those who work, live and play in their cities and towns," said Lt. Governor Holcomb, "It is critical for the well-being of our state to have quality drinking water, storm water systems and public facilities in order for communities to thrive."
Applications for Round 1 of the federal Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) were due to OCRA on June 10th; with 16 Indiana communities receiving funds. The State of Indiana distributes CDBG funds to rural communities in an effort to ensure health and safety and improve the quality of life for citizens.
The goals of the WDW are to protect the health and environment, reduce utility rates for low-to-moderate income communities and to improve rural infrastructure to enable long-term economic growth. Eligible WDW projects include many aspects of wastewater improvements and drinking water system improvements.
Projects receiving Wastewater Drinking Water Program (WDW) grant funding:
The Town of Boswell has been awarded $600,000 to complete a water utility project to improve the taste, color and smell of the current water supply, while simultaneously reducing the risk of supply contamination and structurally improve the existing infrastructure.
The Town of Brownstown has been awarded $450,000 for a sanitary sewer collection system improvement project. This project will rehabilitate an existing infrastructure that was originally installed in 1953 and will eliminate the risk of further residential property damage and the health risks that are associated with the exposure to raw sewage.
The Town of Clay City has been awarded $550,000 to improve their water treatment plant by installing a new Aeralator gravity filter to reduce the high levels of iron within the water. The new filter includes a new retention tank which can be placed behind the water treatment plant, allowing for the inside of the building to be better utilized.
The Town of Clinton has been awarded $450,000 for improvements at the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant to address new regulatory requirements related to phosphorous and meet compliance requirements regarding cross connection control of the water supply to the plant.
The Town of Cromwell has been awarded $650,000 to upgrade of the entire system at the town’s wastewater facility, which will include pump station improvements and replacement or rehabilitation of the sanitary sewer line underneath the railroad, existing sewer lines, and manholes located throughout the town.
The Town of English has been awarded $529,000 for the replacement of two water towers that are 50 years old and full of rust, corrosion and pitting on the interior.
Jennings County and Burnt Pines Water Association, Inc. of Jennings County has been awarded $400,000 for the expansion of service and system improvements including rehabilitating and replacing valves and hydrants to provide a healthier and more economical water source to current customers and new area customers.
The Town of Montezuma has been awarded $600,000 for a water improvement project which includes replacing valves and hydrants and improving the distribution system to both come into compliance with the Ten State Standards as well as provide customers with increased fire protection, better water quality and increased water pressure.
The Town of New Market has been awarded $450,000 to improve the Town’s wastewater collection system to address current health and safety issues and help to keep wastewater rates affordable for residents.
The Town of Ridgeville has been awarded $450,000 for improvements to the Town’s wastewater treatment plant and Collection System to reduce inflow and infiltration by rehabilitating parts of the existing system including lift stations, the wastewater treatment plant, manholes, sanitary sewer segments and the storm sewer. Additionally, the project will address current health and safety issues and help to keep wastewater rates affordable for residents.
The Town of Roann has been awarded $400,000 for necessary improvements to their drinking water system with the construction and installation of a disinfection facility, rehabilitation of the existing water tower, replacing nine hydrants and improving the distribution system to improve water quality and fire protection capabilities.
Vermillion County has been awarded $550,000 for a water improvement project for the Hillsdale Water Corporation which will include the installation of hydrants and valves, and improvements to the water treatment plant, well field, storage facility, and distribution system. This project will improve water quality with concerns of odor and discoloration, water reliability, water pressure and will help maintain the system at the required standards.
SIP strives to reduce flooding, to cut stormwater treatment and energy costs, to protect rivers, lakes and vital landscape and to generate jobs and spur economic revitalization. Types of activities that are eligible for grant funding from SIP include storm water improvements as well as demolition and/or clearance.
Projects receiving Stormwater Improvements Program (SIP) grant funding:
The Town of Fort Branch has been awarded $500,000 for the installation of storm water infrastructure in the Boyles Ditch and Central Drainage areas. This project will reduce the flood-damage to real estate and personal property as well as the inflow and infiltration into the wastewater system and improve travel conditions in the areas, leading to safer travel for personal and emergency vehicles.
The Town of New Ross has been awarded $500,000 for rehabilitation of their storm water collection system to resolve flooding in the local areas. Additionally, residents will save money by not having to rent or buy pumps, replace drywall, buy lumber for repairs, service or replace furnaces or deal with mold remediation.
The Town of Versailles has been awarded $500,000 for storm drainage improvements within the town with the construction of 600 lineal feet of storm sewer pipes, 11 manholes and 30 inlets in the central portion of Tanglewood Road, West and High Streets and Horton Drive to address = the excess amount of storm water infiltration into the sanitary sewer system that cause increased expenses for all rate payers.
The goals of the PFP are to improve the Quality of Place and to generate jobs and spur economic revitalization, through improving community facilities or historic preservation projects. Eligible community facilities include community centers, daycare, leaning, and senior centers.
Project receiving Public Facilities Funding (PFP) grant funding:
The City of Jasper has been awarded $400,000 for the historical preservation of the Astra Theater, built in 1935 and ran as a functioning theater until 2002. Age and non-use of the theater has taken its toll on the building and immediate attention to address widespread deterioration of this prominent historic structure is needed. This project will include all aspects of rehabilitating, repairing, replacing, installing, etc. and will adhere to the U.S. Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitating Historic Structures.
Funding for all three programs - WDW, SIP and PFP, comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program and is administered for Indiana by OCRA.
CDBG Round 2 (WDW, SIP, PFP, BCP, WDP, MSRP) letters of intent are due by August 19 with final applications due on October 14, 2016.
For more information about the programs, contact your regional Community Liaison or visit OCRA’s homepage.
The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ (OCRA) mission is to work with local, state, and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to assist communities in shaping and achieving their vision for community and economic development.
More information
Emily Duncan
Communications Director
Office of Lt. Governor Holcomb
eduncan@lg.in.gov
(c) 317-471-9048
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