Illinois waterways responsible for 1.7 million jobs, study shows
Illinois waterways contribute to more than 1.7 million jobs and $102.5 billion in wages, according to a report released by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Foundation about the Illinois River's impact on the economy.
“Commercial navigation and our inland waterways are unsung assets of our transportation networks. This report identifies not only that they are a significant source of employment for Illinoisans across the state with over $102 billion in annual wages but that with additional investment, these benefits can grow,” Benjamin Brockschmidt, executive director of the chamber's Infrastructure Council, said.
The study, called "Final Report: An Economic Impact and Cluster Analysis of Illinois River Lock and Dam Facilities for Beneficial Users" was prepared by the Economic Development Research Group Inc. along with the Center for Transportation Research at the University of Tennessee.
“According to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture analysis, more than half of U.S. soybeans are destined for export markets, and around half of those soybean and soybean co-product exports are moved by barges on the inland waterways,” Illinois Soybean Association Director Paul Rasmussen said. “This groundbreaking research helps quantify the critical importance of the Illinois River. Its natural and man-made systems of the Illinois River support our communities in many ways."
Rasmussen said the Illinois River passes through or touches 22 counties, and nearly 2 million jobs in the state are tied to the smooth operations of the river.
"The economic information gleaned from the study clearly shows the importance of our inland waterway transportation system to Illinois and surrounding states," Tom Mueller of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board.said. "This will prove to be invaluable as we continue to advocate for future investments."
The report highlights the contribution of the Illinois River and Chicago Waterway System to the state’s chemical industry.
“Our industry is a robust provider of over 45,000 jobs in Illinois with an average annual wage of above $112,000," Mark Biel, executive director of the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois, said. "These great jobs depend on the open and continuous movement of goods on Illinois’ waterways.” Read more: Illinois Business Daily
Noblesville Chamber, Nickel Plate Showcase 'The Art of Business'
The Noblesville Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Nickel Plate Arts on a program designed to help artists become entrepreneurs. The "Art of Business" series connects artists with business experts to help with issues including finance, paperwork and insurance.
The next Art of Business event is set for Wednesday, August 17 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Noblesville Library. It will focus on how to set up a small business. The panel will be moderated by Noblesville Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Bob DuBois, and feature attorney John Terry from Cate, Terry & Gookins, LLC, Jean Peterson from the Alerding CPA Group and Bill Ferraro from Chas L. Howard Insurance.
Nickel Plate Arts Executive Director Aili McGill says she's happy with the partnership with the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce, saying it "gives us the ability to tailor affordable classes so they can have access to important information that will help them succeed as small business owners long into the future."
DuBois says the series plays into the city's community and economic development strategy. In a release, he said helping artists strengthen their business skills "will pay dividends for both the individual artists and our community." Read more: Inside Indiana Business
Ocean Springs Chamber event: Peter Anderson festival makes top 20 tourism list
The 38th annual Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival presented by Blue Moon has been selected as one of Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events.
This year’s festival will be Nov. 5-6 in downtown Ocean Springs. It is hosted by the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce Main Street Tourism Bureau.
One of the largest art festivals in the state, it attracts more than 400 vendors and 150,000 people, providing an economic impact of $23 million to the area.
Events selected for the list represent the best and most unique activities, said Bill Hardman, president of the Southeast Tourism Society. Read more: Sun Herald
Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce welcomes newcomers to the area.
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| Jim Corcoran |
I am pleased to welcome you to Northern Virginia on behalf of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (Northern Virginia Chamber) and the regional business community.
#The Northern Virginia Chamber is The Voice of Business in Northern Virginia, representing nearly 700 member companies which in total employ more than 500,000 members of our regional community.
#While our direct actions are targeted towards our business members, we always have this wonderful community in mind. Our strong economy provides a base on which families may flourish.
#Northern Virginia is one of our country’s greatest success stories, and without a thriving business community, we would not have the flourishing retail centers, competitive real estate, or world-class education system that our region proudly boasts. Because of this, Northern Virginia attracts the nation’s leading businesses, including nine Fortune 500 headquarters and 125 Inc. 5000 companies.
#Our business community is not only successful in keeping our economy healthy, but also in working to better our community and quality of life. Between 2014 and 2016 the Chamber made more than $60,000 in direct cash donations to nonprofits through the collective power of our members and distributed more than $60,000 in scholarships to family members of our first responders. It is exciting to see companies step up and support the many worthy causes across our region. Read more: Alexandria Gazette Packet
Applications Now Being Accepted for the 2017 Best Places to Work in Kentucky Awards Competition
The program is a multi-year initiative encouraging companies in the Commonwealth to focus, measure and advance workplace environments toward excellence. If you think your company is one of the Best Places to Work in Kentucky, apply at bestplacestoworkky.com.
Applications must be submitted by Friday, Oct. 21, 2016.
Best Companies Group will survey participating companies and reveal award winners in January 2017. Award winners will receive a final ranking at the awards ceremony in April 2017 in Lexington. The rankings and in-depth interviews with the winners will also be published in the Best Places to Work in Kentucky magazine that will be distributed at the conclusion of the awards event.
Winners will be selected from three categories, small companies of 15-149 employees, medium companies of 150-499 employees, and large companies consisting of more than 500 employees (category based on number of U.S. employees, only Kentucky employees surveyed).The selection process is based on an assessment of the company’s employee policies and procedures and the results of an internal employee survey. Best Companies Group manages the assessment and survey based on research and list selection. All participating companies will receive the survey feedback, enabling them to develop plans and implement necessary steps to create a great workplace and continue to improve business performance.
For more information on last year's event and winners, click here.
For information about KYSHRM, visit kyshrm.org. For information about the Kentucky Chamber, visit kychamber.com.
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!
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.
Several Beloit Memorial High School (BMHS) students have blossomed under the mentoring of business leaders, and school officials are urging more adult role models to step forward.
The Lunch and Learn program pairs professionals with ninth graders to help them transition to high school and prepare for the future. The program currently has about 10 adult mentors, but it needs to at least double that number to serve more students.
“The mentors have added value to those around them and it’s a ripple effect. It’s bigger than what we can imagine sometimes,” BMHS Vice Principal John Kaminiski said.
If people want to mentor they are welcome to contact Kaminski at 361-3017 or career advocate Lindsay Healless at 361-3340. There also will be a career connections breakfast held Aug. 25 at 9 a.m. at the Beloit Public Library where people can learn more about the program.
Students said their mentors had a profound effect on them.
“They are here to help you through your weaknesses and strengths, to motivate you, keep you on the right track, give you examples and teach you the right things,” sophomore Lilit Ortega said.
“It’s a new experience. You can call them up and talk to them and they will make you feel comfortable,” sophomore Qurri Dumas said.
Each mentor and mentee have their own unique relationship. Greater Beloit Beloit Chamber Executive Director Tim Dutter, for example, has been lunching around town with his mentee Seth Toles. Dutter has escorted Seth on tours of the business park, Irontek and even brought him along to the Chamber annual dinner. Seth, who hopes go to college and run a restaurant one day, said he’s benefited from all of Dutter’s connections. Although the lunches were a bit quiet at first as Seth learned to trust Dutter, Dutter said he talked about himself, cooking and anything else to keep the conversation going.
“Seth just seemed like he had a lot of ambition. We haven’t spent a ton of time talking about grades, but we talk about the big picture and what he wants to do after college. With that, his grades just came along,” Dutter said. Read more: Beloit Daily News
Rogers City Chamber Encouraging Community to Shop Locally with Contest
A Presque Isle County community is encouraging people to shop locally and they could win big.
The Rogers City Chamber of Commerce is holding a special bingo game that requires people to stop into local businesses to mark squares off the board.
If they knock out a line, get four corners or even do the entire board, they are entered into a special drawing.
The grand prize winner will get $500 worth of gift cards to local businesses.
Shops like The Painted Lady say it's been a great way to get people inside their business.
"What we have to do is keep reminding our own citizens that we're here," The Painted Lady co-owner Paul Campbell said. "As our population changes, we fall into routines and we kind of forget that maybe we can buy something local."
The drawing will be held Friday during the chamber's last concert in the park. Read more: 9 & 10 NEWS
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Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey
RULE
#19 Invite guests to board meetings.
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