Oshkosh Corporation Deserves a World-Class Location; Danville-Boyle County Chamber wins twice at state awards event; Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide; Upcoming Cybersecurity Summit to Address Hacking of Charlottesville Businesses After Report; Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide; Indiana Secretary of State educates Kokomo on investment fraud; Marshall Chamber Workmans Comp Lunch and Learn; Two West Michigan downtowns receive $3.1M makeover and it's 'well worth it'; Logan County Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Map; Mastering the 'side hustle': New Albany bakery owner tells story of starting her business to budding entrepreneurs at small business seminar; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

Good morning #Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!

Oshkosh Corporation Deserves a World-Class Location

We are extremely fortunate to have Oshkosh Corporation headquartered in the City of Oshkosh. As a global company with operations and facilities across the United States (Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Florida) and throughout the world (Europe, China, Australia, and Mexico) the company’s headquarters could be located practically anywhere. This is a possibility that we cannot afford to see become a reality.

Because of this potential reality, it is essential that we do everything possible to keep Oshkosh Corporation headquartered in Oshkosh. A failure to do so will have a devastating impact on our local economy and quality of life that will be felt by us all for decades to come. Oshkosh Corporation is experiencing significant growth across all of its divisions which has resulted in the company’s need to grow its workforce and expand its workspaces. Locally, Oshkosh Corporation has nearly 40 buildings scattered throughout the Oshkosh area and is running out of space. A new state of the art headquarters will help the company work more efficiently and effectively and continue its growth trajectory.

When Oshkosh Corporation announced its search for a new headquarters location, the City presented site selectors with 19 locations in Oshkosh for the company to consider. Using the criteria provided by Oshkosh Corporation there is only one location in the City of Oshkosh that meets all of the requirements for their new world headquarters. That location is Lakeshore Golf Course.

As a multinational Fortune 500 company, Oshkosh Corporation has specific needs that have to be met in order to remain competitive and successful in the global economy. The location of its new world headquarters must address these needs:

• Talent and workforce
• Unique location
• Minimum of 30 acres to be developed
• Easy access to major highways
• Good visibility
• State of the art technology and amenities
• Welcoming and supportive community that embraces its employees and mission
• Makes financial sense

Attracting and retaining top talent is one of Oshkosh Corporation’s biggest priorities. A new state of the art corporate headquarters located on a unique piece of land will reflect the quality and status of Oshkosh Corporation and will be a crucial element for attracting the best and brightest to work and live in our city.

Now is the time for all of us to work together to secure a future where we all gain. The City of Oshkosh keeps Oshkosh Corporation headquartered here with new jobs and tax revenue generated. All citizens of Oshkosh get increased access to the waterfront and greenspace with more recreational opportunities and improved amenities on the Lakeshore site. Oshkosh Corporation gets a new world headquarters creating a world-class destination that will attract the most talented minds from all over the globe to live and work in our community.

We encourage our organizations’ members as well as citizens of Oshkosh to take action and show their support for Oshkosh Corporation by putting yard signs up, attending and speaking at upcoming public input sessions, and contacting City Council members regarding the urgency and importance of this matter. Together we can keep Oshkosh Corporation in Oshkosh and secure the city’s economic future.

John Casper
President & CEO
Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce




Danville-Boyle County Chamber wins twice at state awards event

At the 52nd Annual Celebration of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) last week, a new award to honor a chamber Volunteer of the Year was awarded. The 2017 Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Steve Rinehart with the Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce. His tireless work with workforce, the Teacher’s Academy and service on the chamber board highlighted his extensive application. As noted by KCCE Executive Director Amy Cloud, “We are honored to showcase volunteers because we know that no chamber executive is successful without dedicated volunteers.”

Paula Fowler, executive director for the Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce, submitted the application, who noted that Rinehart’s nomination was one of many received. Judged by professionals outside Kentucky, Rinehart’s nomination stood out among all.

Fowler noted in the nomination that Rinehart is administrative manager for Denyo Manufacturing Corp. — but this man is so much more to our community. He is active throughout the business world locally and regionally in a variety of ways.  After serving as board chairman of the chamber for two terms, he then stepped up to chair and launch the chamber’s Workforce Development Committee in 2007 and has been the driving force, leading a strong committee, in all that has been accomplished for our business community in this area.  Under his leadership, a Teachers Academy, now in its 10th year, has been created and involves educators from seven different counties and 11 different schools. Other efforts of the committee have included Work Ready certification and successive recertification for Boyle County in 2012 and 2014, a Magical Manufacturing Mystery Tour on National Manufacturing Day for the past two years bringing school leadership (from multiple schools and districts) on a half-day tour to learn what modern manufacturing looks like and to share workforce needs with our schools, and speaking in our schools teaching classes on what students need to be successful in the workplace.  And these are just a few of the highlights of all this committee has done. Read more: Advocate Messenger

Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide   

The Jefferson County Chamber 2017 Community Guide  is available at the chamber of commerce today! Thank you to Philip "Mike" Beard and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together! 

Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Community Guide

Town Square Publications  (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.

Upcoming Cybersecurity Summit to Address Hacking of Charlottesville Businesses After Report

The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce today released a comprehensive “State of Cyber-Security in Central Virginia” report of regional businesses and organizations. 57% surveyed note their enterprises have been hacked; and, while 72% note Cyber-Crime as an increasing threat to their firms, 82% see Cyber-Crime as only a low or moderate threat to their enterprises. 34% of respondents either do not have a response plan or don’t know. (A complete copy of “State of Cyber-Security in Central Virginia” is attached.)

This Wednesday, September 27th, a FREE regional Cybersecurity Summit presented by Advanced Network Systems, with Hantzmon Wiebel, BB&T Insurance, and The Chamber, will be held at Kardinal Hall, 722 Preston Avenue from 4 to 7 p.m. There is no charge to attend the Cybersecurity Summit, but registration through the Chamber’s website www.cvillechamber.com/events is required. More than 100 are expected to attend.

The Cybersecurity Summit includes insights from internationally network security expert and quoted oft commentator, Corey Nachreiner, the Summit’s featured speaker. Mr. Nachreiner is the Chief Technology Officer of WatchGuard Technologies, a Seattle-based, international cyber-threat management company. Mr. Nachreiner’s insights and forecast will be followed by a panel discussion with IT, financial and insurance industries experts.

The FREE Cybersecurity Summit is for all enterprises (business, nonprofits and governments).  Attendees will learn: the biggest cybersecurity risks locally, nationally, and internationally; predicted shifts in IT security threats over the next year; the biggest security mistakes most organizations make; and the most impactful steps organizations can take immediately to protect themselves.  The Cybersecurity Summit also includes: an Executive Overview, Industry Discussion, and Expert Panel Discussion with open Questions & Answers. The regional business and civic organization community will have opportunities to learn about cybersecurity best practices, research, and responses.

          Mr. Nachreiner is the author of the highly followed daily security blog “Secplicity – Security Simplified” and delivers a “Daily Security Byte” video on Facebook.  He is a speaker at forums such as Gartner, Infosec, and RSA. He is also a regular contributor to leading publications including CNET, Dark Reading, eWeek, Help Net Security, Information Week, and Infosecurity Magazine.

“Enterprises with less than 100 employees are the target of more than 70% of all data breaches,” stated Chamber President Timothy Hulbert, “and, 60% of small and mid-sized companies go out of business within six months of a cyber-attack.  This FREE Cybersecurity Summit, is a must for all businesses and civic organizations.”

Cybersecurity Summit online registration for Chamber members and non-Chamber members is open at www.cvillechamber.com/events. Summit attendees receive a “State of Cyber-Security in Central Virginia” report. Read more: ABC 29

Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide

The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide is available at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber today! Thanks to Mike Kuhns, Suzy Johnson and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide

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.

Indiana Secretary of State educates Kokomo on investment fraud

 Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson stopped by the Kokomo Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning to share information about investment fraud, including red flags Indiana residents should look out for to avoid landing in a financially crippling situation.

Kokomo was the second stop in a 14-city tour to show the documentary “$cammed: Investment Fraud Revealed,” which was made through Indianapolis’ PBS station, with the Indiana Secretary of State office using grant money from the Investor Protection Fund.

The documentary outlined three high-profile investment fraud schemes that ended in the perpetrators’ conviction and imprisonment.

The first case covered in the documentary was that of Vaughn Reeves, convicted in 2010 after selling church goers bonds they believed were going toward church construction and development projects. Instead, it was part of a large Ponzi scheme where investors were being paid with money from other investors.

The second case was that of Marcus Schrenker, who famously attempted to fake his own death after scheming individuals by using invested money to support his “lavish lifestyle” rather than on wise investments.

Finally, the documentary followed the case of former Indianapolis attorney Charles Blackwelder, who was convicted after maintaining a real estate Ponzi scheme aimed toward Indiana seniors that eventually costs his victims around $19 million collectively.

Victims were interviewed for each of the segments – something that Lawson said was more powerful than simply warning of hypothetical consequences. Victims discussed their emotions, with many expressing anger, frustration and regret that they fell into a scheme that cost them their savings.

Many victims of investment fraud do not receive their money back even in the case of a conviction, the documentary states, because it has already been spent. Instead, it calls prevention the best tool, and goes through a list of red flags to look out for. They include:

– Don’t respond to unsolicited communication, including phone calls, emails or messages over social media. Claims that an investment is risk-free are likely false, as no investment is risk-free.

– Check in with the Indiana Secretary of State’s office to see if a product is registered or if the person doing the business is legitimate.

– Overly consistent returns are another red flag, because stocks should fluctuate along with a changing market.

– Avoid a person describing complex strategies who urges a quick decision or is missing any documentation.

Lawson said the two most common types of fraud over the past decade have consistently been Ponzi schemes and real estate fraud. Many fraudsters go about that, she said, by building affinity with the potential victim – trust or some type of common bond. Read more: Kokomo Tribune

Marshall Chamber Workmans Comp Lunch and Learn 

Tuesday, October 10
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Marshall Public Library
612 Archer Ave.
Marshall, IL 62441

The Marshall Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a lunch and learn on October 10, 2017 at the Marshall Public Library.  The cost is $2 per chamber member and $5 for non chamber members.

This lunch and learn will feature Gloria Jimenez, outreach coordinator for Illinois Workmans Compensation Commition, IWCC.

The Insurance Compliance Division of the Workers’ Compensation Commission is responsible for enforcing the mandatory insurance provisions of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. If an employer has one employee, even a part-time employee, the employer must provide workers’ compensation insurance. That includes family members of the owner(s) who are employed by the company. Sole proprietors, corporate officers, business partners and members of limited liability companies may elect to come under the Act or they may choose not to (except for employers in extra-hazardous occupations, such as construction and trucking).

An employer that knowingly and willfully fails to provide workers’ compensation insurance may be fined up to $500 for every day of non-compliance, with a minimum fine of $10,000. Additionally, corporate officers who are found to have negligently failed to provide insurance are guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Click Here to Register

Two West Michigan downtowns receive $3.1M makeover and it's 'well worth it'

Two downtowns. One goal: beautification. 

The downtown districts in Whitehall and Montague - together known as the White Lake area - will both have received a makeover by year's end. 

In Montague, the nearly $600,000 project is just getting started. Whitehall completed its $1 million streetscape project at the end of June and is already beginning to see a difference in the way people visit Colby Street. 

"There's a lot more activity in the downtown," said Scott Huebler, Whitehall city manager. "People aren't going in a shop and leaving; they're hitting a couple shops, sitting and relaxing a little bit. It's definitely an improvement, and a plus for the downtown businesses." 

The work included new sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, trees, irrigation, outdoor electrical outlets, trash cans, benches and cement sitting blocks. 

Hueber described it as a "big facelift." 

Streetscaping was done at the same time as a watermain update -- $300,000 - and a complete rebuild of Colby Street (U.S. Business 31) by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The total project cost was about $2.5 million. 

In all, the two downtown projects have a total price tag around $3.1 million. Read more: M LIVE

Logan County Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Map

The Logan County Chamber of Commerc Community Map is available at the Chamber today! Thanks to Tammy Tinsley, Dee Dee Brown, the Tourist & Convention Commission and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Logan County Community Map

Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.

Mastering the 'side hustle': New Albany bakery owner tells story of starting her business to budding entrepreneurs at small business seminar

It was 1997 and Mary Jennifer Russell of New Albany was reeling because she'd just lost her first "real job" out of college. She swung from odd job to odd job, from substitute teaching to selling embroidered pillows for a friend's pillow business. And on the side, she baked and sold cakes. 

It was what she called a "side hustle" -- one more way to bring in income when she was struggling just to afford gas and lunch. 

But when she sold 10 cakes at once to a yogurt shop in Tupelo a year into her impromptu business, she realized she'd found what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. 

That was the story she told a small crowd of young business professionals and entrepreneurs at a small business seminar BancorpSouth and the Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce hosted at Mississippi University for Women Tuesday evening.  

The seminar focused on strategies for aspiring entrepreneurs to start businesses that can stand the test of time -- especially the first year. 

"The majority (who attended) were people who were just thinking about (starting a business) or have ideas to do it and needed to know where to start," said Emily McConnell, director of programs and events at the Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce. "The seminar was great for that, just in encouraging them to do it, to get out there and try." 

Nearly 20 years after selling cakes to the Tupelo shop, Russell's Sugarees Bakery employs 37 people and produces 1,000 cakes per week. It's been featured in publications from Oprah's Magazine to The New York Times. Russell herself was this year's Mississippi Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Person of the Year.  

Her advice to entrepreneurs: Choose something you like and are good at and then set goals. Or, as Russell called it, "practice visioning." 

"What do you want to see?" she said. "What do you want to smell? Really, really envision it with lots of detail." Read more: The Dispatch

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 Chamber Proposal