Indiana Chamber Unveils Top Legislative Priorities for 2017; Town Square Chamber Publications: Geneva Chamber: Promises made, Promises kept!; Wisconsin’s Reform Lesson; Virginia ranks No. 6 in Forbes magazine's 'Best States for Business' list; Grand Rapids Area Chamber - Business Matters Speaker - The Future of Health Care; Leaders from Business and Faith Institutions Gather to Discuss Prospects for Immigration Reform with New Administration and Congress; Kentucky Senate GOP Leaders to Meet in Paducah This Week; #BestChamber practices: Natchez-Adams County Chamber History on Website;

Indiana Chamber Unveils Top Legislative Priorities for 2017

The Indiana Chamber's top legislative priorities for the 2017 General Assembly session are:

• Support establishing a long-term sustainable funding stream for the state’s roads, bridges, etc.
• Support the expansion of publicly-funded preschool initiatives for children from low-income families
• Support suitable testing for students and accountability for all involved in the education process
• Support comprehensive approach to decreasing the state’s smoking rate
• Support a statewide water policy to assure future resources and our economic prosperity
• Support making technology innovation an integral part of the state’s identity
• Support maintaining and enhancing our attractive tax climate
• Support a work share program that will allow employers to maintain a skilled stable workforce during temporary downturns

More information: Indiana Chamber





Town Square Chamber Publications: Geneva Chamber: Promises made, Promises kept!


The Geneva Chamber of Commerce has worked with Town Square Publications on several publications. Chamber maps and community profiles are well done and we are especially pleased with the quality of the printing and the paper.

Production schedules were provided when we began the projects and the schedule did not waiver from our agreement. Most importantly we had editorial control over the copy and we were able to select the photos and the subjects that are featured. We were able to proof before going to print but we rarely found errors or concerns. Communications throughout the production period were excellent.

We work hard to provide quality and outstanding service to our members. We identify programs that will be good for the business community with an additional benefit – some non-dues income for the Chamber.

We appreciate our partnership with Town Square and will call on them again for the next project.

Jean Gaines
President 
Geneva Chamber of Commerce

Wisconsin’s Reform Lesson

Scott Walker’s union reform has yielded huge political benefits.

The GOP will control the state houses and legislatures in 30 states in 2017, and if Republicans want to use this new power they could do worse than look at the Wisconsin example. Governor Scott Walker’s reform of public union laws has transformed the state’s politics.

Mr. Walker’s 2011 reforms, known as Act 10, removed the ability of public unions to collectively bargain for benefits and required that unions be recertified every year by a majority of all members. The law ended the government’s role as the union’s automatic dues collector, and in 2015 Wisconsin also became a right-to-work state.

Given a choice for the first time, workers have left the union in droves. A recent analysis by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel found that since 2011 the state has seen the largest decline in the country in the concentration of union members in the workforce. By 2015 union members made up some 8.3% of workers in Wisconsin, down from 14.2% before Mr. Walker’s reforms. The Badger State has some 187,000 fewer union members than in 2005, and the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association has lost some 30% of its members.

Unions still have clout but they must now operate on the same footing as other groups that represent member interests—such as trade associations—by providing services in exchange for financial support.

Union reforms and right-to-work laws aren’t the only drivers of economic growth, but they do attract many businesses that won’t consider operating in states without them. The reduction in union power has stabilized public finances that were spiraling upward. This in turn gives businesses confidence that they won’t be hit with tax increases year after year, a la Illinois, Connecticut and other states where politics is still dominated by the nexus of public-union donations and government officials.

In 2016 Forbes ranked Wisconsin the 27th state in the country for business, up from 40th in 2011. A survey of CEOs by the Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce found that 84% say the state is heading in the right direction. Read more: Wall Street Journal

Virginia ranks No. 6 in Forbes magazine's 'Best States for Business' list

After slipping for several years, Virginia moved up a notch this year in Forbes’ annual “Best States for Business” ranking.

The annual list, published by the business magazine last week, places Virginia at No. 6 for 2016, up from No. 7 last year.

Virginia had been ranked No. 4 in 2014, and the state was ranked among the top two every year from 2006 through 2013.

“Virginia ranked as the Best State for Business as recently as 2013, but higher business costs and a declining economic climate have pushed it lower,” Forbes said on its website.

Utah was named the Best State for Business for the third year in a row, with Forbes touting the state’s “very pro-business climate” and “energy costs that are 19 percent below the national average.”

North Carolina (No. 2), Nebraska (No. 3), Texas (No. 4) and Colorado (No. 5) rounded out the top five.

Among Virginia’s other neighboring states, Tennessee ranked No. 17, Maryland No. 30, Kentucky No. 37 and West Virginia No. 50.


“Moving up one spot is moving in the right direction, but we think it is a long-term journey to get back to the top, and we want to be the best state for business,” said Barry DuVal, president and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. “We need to all work together to do that.” Read more: Richmond.com

Grand Rapids Area Chamber - Business Matters Speaker -  The Future of Health Care Health care is a major issue for our US economy and economic growth. Health care spending for 2016 is projected to be $3.4 trillion, with the majority being hospital care. Several factors are shaping the future of health care – aging population, advances in technology and personalized medicine, new financing models and greater consumer engagement. December’s Business Matters speaker, Christina Freese Decker, is president of Spectrum Health Hospital Group. This breakfast event will explore these trends and Spectrum Health’s approach to navigating the future.

Register Today!

Tuesday, December 13 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Prince Conference Center $25 for members, $30 for future members or late registration starting Sunday, December 11 Leaders from Business and Faith Institutions Gather to Discuss Prospects for Immigration Reform with New Administration and Congress Local faith and business leaders come together to discuss the continued need for immigration reform following the elections Naperville, IL — TUESDAY DECEMBER 6TH AT 12:00PM CST, the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition (IBIC), the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Partnership for a New American Economy, and Bibles, Badges, and Business will host a luncheon to discuss next steps for immigration reform in light of the 2016 election. Expert panelists from the business and faith community will provide analysis of the 2016 election results, discuss the continued need from the local business and faith community for common sense immigration reform, and provide strategy to work with President-elect Trump and Congress on an immigration reform that secures the nation, upholds our constitution, protects immigrant workers and creates an economy that works for all Americans.  WHO: Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce President Nicki Anderson, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director of Congressional and Public Affairs & Chief Healthcare and Immigration Lobbyist Jeff Lungren, Bibles, Badges, and Business Midwest Mobilizer Liz Dong, Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Karina Garcia, Illinois Business Immigration Coalition Executive Director Rebecca Shi  WHAT: Panel discussion on the 2016 election results and how the business and faith community can work with President-elect Trump and Congress on an immigration reform that secures the nation, upholds our constitution, protects immigrant workers, and creates an economy that works for all Americans.  WHEN: Tuesday, December 6th  12:00PM-1:30PM CST  WHERE: Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce  55 S. Main Street, Suite 351, Naperville, IL 60540  RSVP REQUIRED email IBICEvent@gmail.com.  #BestChamber practices: Natchez-Adams County Chamber History on Website The History of the Chamber of Commerce is the story of progress in our community. Many have worked steadfastly at tasks which have been long forgotten, many others have worked on successful projects which will always be remembered. The combined efforts of all have made the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce the catalyst for progress in Natchez and Adams County. This brief look at some of our accomplishments during the first 75 years will help us realize that the chamber of Commerce has always been leading the way to a better life for Natchez and Adams County people. 1908 - 1919 June 15, 1908, Natchez Chamber of Commerce was formed, initiation fee was $5 and the annual dues were $24 Instrumental in organization of businesses in early 1900s. These were the Natchez Canning Company, The Natchez Broom Company, W. H. Dameron Cemetery, Aerkosky Meal and Feed Mill, and Rucher Cement Works Active in promoting the construction of a park for the Natchez Bluff Played an integral part in the construction of the Winnsboro Highway which today is still and important entrance to our city During WWI, the chamber building was the headquarters for almost every important meeting including the Red Cross, YMCA, Salvation Army1920-1929 Endorsed a $35,000 bond issue for a project which became the Wilkinson County Bridge which stands on U.S. Highway 61 South today Started the movement for Highway 84 from Washington to Leesdale later to become a part of the Lone Star Trail. The highway would connect Los Angeles, California with St. Augustine, Florida Responsible for construction of a walkway made of concrete from the ferry dock of the river to Natchez on top of the hill Promoted trade, established uniform closing hours and holidays, and made trips to neighboring towns to pro-mote business Petitioned successfully for the completion of Leesdale road, Highway 84 and the highway to Wilkinson County which became Highway 61 South 1930-1939 Established a bureau for local unemployment Negotiated with the Illinois Railroad to bring Easter tourists to Natchez for the Garden Club Pilgrimage, and Mardi Gras tourists to Natchez en route to New Orleans Staged the first Santa Claus Parade Helped to obtain a million dollar high power line due to lobbying efforts of the chamber and worked with Armstrong Tire Company to build a plant in Natchez1940-1949 Assisted in getting airport gains approval, $600,000 was allocated to the project Helped to make it possible for the Post Office to have new building constructed Produced a 67 page brochure promoting the economic advantages of locating industry in Natchez and worked with representatives of Johns-Manville Company and International Paper Company to locate plants in Natchez Helped to secure a bridge spanning the Mississippi River to connect Natchez and Vidalia1950 - 1959 Pressed for construction of connecting a link to river bridge which later become known as John R. Junkin Drive Lobbied for legislation necessary to enable construction of a port facility Through a study, recommended combining charitable organizations into 1 thus the beginning of the United Way Urged passage of a bond issue for construction of a hospital, Jefferson Davis Memorial Hospital1960 - 1969 Formed the Adams County Industrial Development Council which began to market Natchez and Adams County Worked for the passage of a bond issue for a new library Promoted downtown development and pushed for free parking Lobbied for 4 lanes across the Mississippi Recommended that a 4 year college locate in Natchez1970-1979 Advertised Natchez with a "Salute to Natchez Week" in Jackson, visiting local civic and professional clubs Promoted Natchez as a film center and secured movies "Huckleberry Finn" and the "Autobiography of Miss Jame Pittman," formed the Natchez Film Commission Helped in the restoration of Jefferson College, Grand Village, and promoted a state park Wrote letters to the International Paper Company to campaign for the Woodlands Division headquarters which become instrumental in keeping the division in Natchez Started the Tourist Information Center1980 - 1989 Along with the Natchez Trace Parkway Commission, helped to secure the Feltus House on the bypass for use as a state tourism center Entered a key community program and encourage industrial development to develop Foster Mound Industrial Park Created Natchez Tourist Council to join forces to promote Natchez activities Supported the development of Natchez Mall, restoration of the Eola Hotel and other downtown buildings along with formation of the Natchez Arts Commission, and Downtown Business Association Started the "Natchezian Award" and utilized forums to bring groups together to deal with boycotting of businesses Formation of Leadership Natchez to identify, orient, and develop future leaders of the community1990-1999 Interacted with the school system in a round robin discussion to help foster relationships and encourage communication Changed the mission statement to make the chamber an independent voice for business Formed a unification committee to facilitate racial harmony Raised funds to develop a campaign to bring business to Natchez2000-2008 Raised $40,000 to promote the sale of the International Paper Site Secured a $20,000 grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation for the tree planting along the highway coming into Natchez Created the Community Alliance Committee to foster better communication among a variety of entities Worked together with Economic Development to take the lead on tort reform in Mississippi Started "Shop Natchez First" campaign to help keep local dollars at home during the holidays Educated public on tourism tax which created funding for marketing Natchez Provided forums with both city and county to communicate to the public which lead to a future combined meeting of city and county officials to discuss recreation needs of the community More information: Natchez-Adams County Chamber Good morning #Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day! Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S. 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 chamber publication or map proposal, Contact Town Square Here