Chamber proponent: Immigration fuels the Great Lakes region
The Great Lakes region is an economic powerhouse, fueled by manufacturing, international trade and a combined GDP of more than $6 trillion.
One of the biggest drivers of regional growth is sometimes absent from the popular narrative—immigration. That message is on display in a new report from the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition, published in partnership with New American Economy.
“We wanted to respond to the narrative that our region is isolationist and not welcoming of immigrants,” said Brandon Mendoza, manager of government affairs at the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. “We wanted to say, 'actually, immigration in this region has helped accelerate our economies away from what folks refer to as the Rust Belt and the manufacturing decline.'”
One important way that immigration fuels economic growth is by combatting population decline and out-migration. Immigrants were responsible for more than half of the region’s population growth from 2000–15. Foreign-born workers are also younger, on average, than their native-born counterparts, which helps keep the region’s workforce youthful and vital as Baby Boomers retire in large numbers.
“When you look at the top 25 metros in the Great Lakes area, immigration has been a net-positive in terms of reversing out-migration and growing their populations,” said Mendoza. “It’s a lifeblood for a lot of these cities like Pittsburgh, Rochester or Akron, where slow population growth really acts as a drag on economic growth, in general.”
But immigrants are not only filling jobs, the report found. They are also creating them, in large numbers. The study found that immigrant entrepreneurs make up 20 percent of small business owners, and have created over 226,000 jobs in the region from 2000–15.
“Immigrants, by their very nature, are risk-takers,” explained Mendoza. “They’re taking a big risk moving to a foreign country and restarting, so they’re more inclined to start new businesses.”
Mendoza stressed that immigration should be understood as a regional issue, not a national one.
“Our whole message is that we should be thinking about immigration in terms of regions,” he said. “In the Great Lakes region, we really need to make sure our immigration numbers are high and we’re supporting high-skill immigrants, as well as comprehensive legislation at some point in the future.” Read more: ACCE
Geneva Chamber honors Gaines for 40 years of service
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!
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.
Clarkston Area Chamber: 10 Things the CACOC is Thankful For This Thanksgiving
10 Things the CACOC is Thankful For This Thanksgiving
1. Being part of a friendly, tight-knit, community that works together to make Clarkston a better place.
2. Our members.
3. The delicious food from the amazing restaurants in this community.
4. The beautiful Clarkston sunset.
5. Being a part of a community that supports shopping small
One of the biggest drivers of regional growth is sometimes absent from the popular narrative—immigration. That message is on display in a new report from the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition, published in partnership with New American Economy.
“We wanted to respond to the narrative that our region is isolationist and not welcoming of immigrants,” said Brandon Mendoza, manager of government affairs at the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. “We wanted to say, 'actually, immigration in this region has helped accelerate our economies away from what folks refer to as the Rust Belt and the manufacturing decline.'”
One important way that immigration fuels economic growth is by combatting population decline and out-migration. Immigrants were responsible for more than half of the region’s population growth from 2000–15. Foreign-born workers are also younger, on average, than their native-born counterparts, which helps keep the region’s workforce youthful and vital as Baby Boomers retire in large numbers.
“When you look at the top 25 metros in the Great Lakes area, immigration has been a net-positive in terms of reversing out-migration and growing their populations,” said Mendoza. “It’s a lifeblood for a lot of these cities like Pittsburgh, Rochester or Akron, where slow population growth really acts as a drag on economic growth, in general.”
But immigrants are not only filling jobs, the report found. They are also creating them, in large numbers. The study found that immigrant entrepreneurs make up 20 percent of small business owners, and have created over 226,000 jobs in the region from 2000–15.
“Immigrants, by their very nature, are risk-takers,” explained Mendoza. “They’re taking a big risk moving to a foreign country and restarting, so they’re more inclined to start new businesses.”
Mendoza stressed that immigration should be understood as a regional issue, not a national one.
“Our whole message is that we should be thinking about immigration in terms of regions,” he said. “In the Great Lakes region, we really need to make sure our immigration numbers are high and we’re supporting high-skill immigrants, as well as comprehensive legislation at some point in the future.” Read more: ACCE
Geneva Chamber honors Gaines for 40 years of service
The Geneva Chamber of Commerce sprang the surprise of a lifetime on its president, Jean Gaines, at its annual dinner Nov. 9 at Eagle Brook Country Club in Geneva.
Board of directors chairman Scott Lebin went off script to announce accolades to Gaines for her 40 years of service at the Geneva Chamber, 38 of them as the president.
Lebin showed a video of U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Winfield, delivering a statement on the House floor to congratulate Gaines.
“I rise today to honor Mrs. Jean Gaines for her 40 years of service at the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, most recently as president,” Hultgren said. “Her contributions have made the Chamber of Commerce a vibrant organization and a model for many other chambers throughout the state of Illinois and the country.”
Gaines also received recognition from State Sen. Karen McConnaughay, R-St. Charles, in recognition of her dedication and hard work in her 40th year.
She also received a proclamation from the city of Geneva, but Mayor Kevin Burns preferred to comment rather than read the proclamation.
“Longevity without passion and curiosity and commitment and a deep sense of honor in what you do is just another way of saying, ‘I’m hanging out,’” Burns said. “Jean Gaines is not that way. Jean Gaines has the passion, has the commitment, has the curiosity. She loves what she does and I know she loves all of you. So Jean, from the bottom of my heart, the City Council and community and all those whose lives you’ve touched, two score, happy anniversary.”
But that was not all.
With Gaines standing speechless at the podium, Martha Sanchez of State Street Jewelers in Geneva presented her with a diamond pendant.
“The piece was custom-made for her,” Sanchez said. “It’s in precious metals, a symbol of how precious you are to all of us here. It has 40 diamonds and most important is the oval design – which, like the circle, is never ending. And it symbolizes eternity. We are eternally grateful for your hard work and dedication to the chamber.”
Lebin still was not finished honoring Gaines.
He called up the chamber’s board of directors to stand in front of the podium and announced their unanimous decision to name the event the Jean Gaines Annual Dinner.
An emotional Gaines thanked them for recognizing her.
“I don’t know how I can thank you all for the wonderful life I’ve had promoting Geneva,” Gaines said, her voice breaking.
“It’s a wonderful product to promote. I’ve had the support of a wonderful board of directors and the staff through the years. It has been marvelous,” Gaines said. “I’ve had support from my family going way back to when my daughter had to be the elf at the Santa House.”
Gaines spoke of her late husband, John, as also supporting her efforts.
“As you all know, my husband is not with us anymore, but he supported me and encouraged me to work as hard as I could and go as far as I could,” Gaines said. “To me, being with the Geneva Chamber of Commerce was the ultimate goal. So thank you very much.” Read more: Kane County Chronicle
Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource GuideThe 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!
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.
Clarkston Area Chamber: 10 Things the CACOC is Thankful For This Thanksgiving
10 Things the CACOC is Thankful For This Thanksgiving
1. Being part of a friendly, tight-knit, community that works together to make Clarkston a better place.
2. Our members.
3. The delicious food from the amazing restaurants in this community.
4. The beautiful Clarkston sunset.
5. Being a part of a community that supports shopping small
6. Networking events being full of friendly faces and tons of laughter.
7. Having the opportunity to intern and continue gaining experience within the Chamber.
8. The opportunity to plan and execute new events that benefit the Clarkston community.
9. Being able to build relationships with new people at events we host.
7. Having the opportunity to intern and continue gaining experience within the Chamber.
8. The opportunity to plan and execute new events that benefit the Clarkston community.
9. Being able to build relationships with new people at events we host.
10. Our lively downtown that is filled with wonderful people.
Kentucky Chamber becomes one of four in nation accredited with distinction
#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: (Happy Thanksgiving!)
#BestChamber practices: Visit Lake Geneva: Small region delivers mighty impact for business
United Furniture to buy Lane, expand
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.
Northern Virginia Chamber to Host Women in Leadership: How the Next Generation is Disrupting Business
Jasper Chamber Luncheon: John Seng recognized for service, Governor outlines pillars of improvement
Kentucky Chamber becomes one of four in nation accredited with distinction
The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in November became one of five state chambers to be accredited, and one of four to be accredited with distinction, by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The U.S. Chamber accreditation is judged on the following areas: governance, finance, human resources, governmental affairs, program development, technology, communications, facilities and benchmarking.
Overall, there are 7,000 chambers of commerce in the United States, and only 205 are accredited by the U.S. Chamber. According to the U.S. Chamber, the chambers that are accredited are considered the top 3 percent of all chambers in the United States.
“Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit its local economy and positively influence its community,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber vice president of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. “We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise.”
The other state chambers with accreditation are the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Read more: Lane Report
#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: (Happy Thanksgiving!)
“Champions are made when no one is watching” John Wooden
#BestChamber practices: Visit Lake Geneva: Small region delivers mighty impact for business
It is a privilege to communicate to you as the president of Visit Lake Geneva. Our organization serves two distinct purposes by being the destination marketing organization (DMO) in promoting tourism throughout the Lake Geneva region, as well as leading the Lake Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce that is responsible for economic development to more than 400 partners from all business segments within Walworth County and beyond.
We are very fortunate to live in such a great area that people want to visit, with a location so close to large populations within 100 miles that can support unprecedented tourism opportunities to our unique and boutique destination. The Lake Geneva region has long been a haven to Midwest travelers since the mid- to late-1800s, and continues to drive revenues, jobs and tax benefits to the 28,000+ residents who live from Delavan to Lyons to Linn to Fontana on Geneva Lake and all points in between, which we represent.
What do we do?
At Visit Lake Geneva, we welcome more than 15,000 people a year and answer more than 6,000 phone calls at our Visitor Center at 201 Wrigley Drive. We answer questions, recommend hotels, restaurants, attractions, shopping and inquiries from folks wishing to relocate to our area or buy a second home. I consider this our “Front Desk” to the region and am grateful for our concierge staff who make these visitors feel welcome and keep them coming back.
The financial impact of tourism in Walworth county brings more than $700 million in tourism-related revenue annually (2016), ranking our county 5th out of 72 counties in the state. With only 102,000 residents in Walworth County we have the smallest population of the top five. We are small but mighty. The mission of Visit Lake Geneva is to increase tourism-related revenue and provide avenues for economic growth throughout the region. Our nonprofit organization is funded with room taxes collected by our partner hotels, as well as membership fees from our business partners. While many of our marketing efforts are tourism focused, our partners realize the overall economic benefits of our marketing efforts and direct sales team.
We are a small-and-mighty staff at Visit Lake Geneva, like our county, with a total staff of 10 people who are continually engaged in sending the message of all that the Lake Geneva region offers. We are blessed with an ideal resort setting that is truly four seasons. Whether visitors come in summer, fall, winter or spring, we have accommodations, attractions and world-class restaurants and shopping that can take care of their needs — all of which is an honor to represent.
While the tourism industry has seen unprecedented growth annually since the downturn of 2009, we know that we can continue to get better.
We would like to ask all residents, business partners and visitors to act as our ambassadors to make this happen. Should you belong to an organization that happens to use hotels for a conference or banquets, think of us. Should your company have meetings and training conferences that might use our hotels event venues or facilities, have them contact us with the opportunity. Should you simply meet a tourist on the street, show them hospitality that will send them home touting what a great area and great people we have here in the Geneva Lake Region.
We are calling this program “Hometown Hero, Bring it Home.”
A Hometown Hero is a person who is a resident of the area who encourages or influences a group to hold its event in the area. There is so much to do, see and experience in Geneva Lake.
Bringing your organization’s event to the area provides you and your organization the opportunity to showcase your hometown, or organization’s facilities, professional team, and other amenities.
If your business, association or industry hosts meetings, regional or national conferences, trade shows, reunions or any other special events, Bring it Home. As an example, bringing your organization’s meeting to Lake Geneva provides an economic boost to our local economy. Out-of-town visitors support Lake Geneva by dining in local restaurants, shopping in local stores, visiting attractions and staying in Lake Geneva’s hotels and resorts. Visitors help support local jobs. Read more: Lake Geneva Regional News
United Furniture Industries has agreed to buy Lane Furniture from Heritage Home Group LLC for an undisclosed sum, the companies announced Tuesday.
United Furniture President Larry George said the purchase includes the global rights to the iconic Lane brand, the 750,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Belden, and Lane’s 202,000 square-foot Royal Development recliner mechanism facility in High Point, North Carolina.
“We are excited about the opportunity to include the Lane brand with our United Furniture and Simmons branded products and equally excited to have the Lane team join the United Furniture family,” George said.
Heritage Home Group CEO Pierre deVillemejane said, “The sale of the Lane business is an important step in the transformation of HHG. The transaction will significantly reduce the complexity of our portfolio and sharpen our focus on the growth of our core stable of well-recognized brands, including Broyhill, Thomasville, Henredon, Drexel, Lane Venture and Hickory Chair. At the same time, the proceeds of the sale will provide additional capital to further strengthen our prestigious portfolio and fund expansion.”
United Furniture Vice President of Sales Jay Quimby said the company would retain Lane’s employees, including the 300 at the Belden facility.
“We hope to double and even triple the employment there in the coming years,” he said.
David Rumbarger, president and CEO of the Community Development Foundation in Tupelo, lauded the move.
“This acquisition is great news for our region. Bringing two of the largest furniture production facilities in Northeast Mississippi under one roof creates double brand opportunity for United Furniture, an emerging industry leader, and the iconic Lane brand. We are proud to support United’s continued growth in Lee County and look forward to seeing their success in our community.”
The roots of United were planted in 1983 in north Mississippi with the opening of Comfort Furniture. In 2000, United Furniture was created with the merger of Comfort Furniture, Parkhill Furniture and United Chair. By December 2008, United Furniture received the exclusive licensing agreement as the U.S. manufacturer of Simmons Upholstery.
In August 2015, Simmons Case Goods was added to the United Furniture product lines. That allowed United to include coordinated upholstery and case goods under the Simmons brand. Read more: Daily Journal
St Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Regional Profile and Membership Directory
The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Regional Profile and Membership Directory is available at the St. Cloud Area Chamber today! Thanks to 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.
Northern Virginia Chamber to Host Women in Leadership: How the Next Generation is Disrupting Business
Tysons, Va. – The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (Northern Virginia Chamber) will host the annual Women in Business Event—Women in Leadership: How the Next Generation is Disrupting Business. The event will be held on Friday, December 1, 2017 from 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM at the Ritz-Carlton McLean Tysons Corner.
Sheila Johnson, Founder & CEO, Salamander Hotels & Resorts, will present a keynote followed by a panel of five high-level millennial entrepreneurs who are reshaping business. Female founders who are challenging the status quo will address how women contribute to the innovation economy and what to expect from the next generation of leadership. Attendees will gain insight on new vocabulary as teams embrace a collaborative economy.
Registration is available online. Entry is $100 for Northern Virginia Chamber members and $125 for non-members.
Speakers Include:
Sheila Johnson, Founder and CEO, Salamander Hotels & Resorts
Katarina Famoso, Executive Sous Chef, Kapnos Taverna
Stacey Ferreira, Co-founder & CEO, Forge
Angela Luna, Founder & CEO, ADIFF
Clara Sieg, Founding Partner, Revolution Ventures
Susan Tynan, Founder & CEO, Framebridge
Follow the event on Twitter @NOVAChamber. Members of the media who plan to cover the event should contact Northern Virginia Chamber Director, Communications and Marketing, Alex Thompson, athompson@novachamber.org, to register.
A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
“It’s things you should do,” he explained.
Truly living the scout law as well as understanding the longterm impact scouting can have on one’s life, Seng, who earned his Eagle in 1973, has dedicated most of his life to leading boys to the coveted rank. That passion can be traced to his father, William, who along with his mother Mary Ann, pushed John to obtain it. William had been involved in scouts but did not obtain the rank. “He said one of his biggest regrets was that he never got his Eagle Scout,” John said Thursday.Those 12 traits are the secret to a good life. “If you live by the scout law and the scout oath, you will be of service to a lot of people,” he said. “You will have a good life and you will do a lot of good for a lot of people. That’s what we are put on this earth to do.”
Incorporating the 12 traits into his life has led to many years of volunteer work and many new Eagle Scouts. In recognition of those efforts, John received the Jasper Chamber of Commerce President’s Community Excellence Award Thursday afternoon.
John was surprised by the honor as outgoing chamber board president Laurel Seger read off his list of accomplishments during the annual luncheon. “This year’s award winner has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of local residents,” Seger told the crowd of more than 350 before announcing John as the recipient of the annual award.
John modestly accepted the award, spreading the credit among the many volunteers that have been involved at his side over the years. “There are more people here more deserving than I,” he told those in attendance including keynote speaker Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch.
Soon after starting his own family, John became a den leader of Troop 183 at Precious Blood Church. He recently became involved with Venture Crew 185—Venture Crew is a separate division of Boy Scouts of America.
Over the years, John has organized and conducted 53 fishing, canoe and wilderness trips to Canada bringing scouts of different ages as well as their fathers. He has personally led several of the trips including one with 40 people.
In nominating her son, Mary Ann noted that John has made special efforts to help boys who are lacking a paternal influence over their lives.
For John, the involvement with these boys and scouting has always been an easy decision.
“It has really been a labor of love to participate in the Boy Scouts the past 18, 20 years,” he said.
John is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and Precious Blood Catholic Church. He and his wife, Sandy, have four sons, Heath, Jeff, Ben and Eli. All four are Eagle Scouts.
In his keynote, Gov. Holcomb discussed the next steps of the Governor’s 2017 Next Level Legislative Agenda. He and Lt. Gov. Crouch have been traveling across the state to talk about the plan’s five pillars for taking Indiana to the next level.
Announced in his State of the State address earlier this year, the five pillars are economic diversification, infrastructure improvement, development of a 21st century skilled and ready workforce, impacting the drug epidemic and improving the government’s service to its citizens.
“We are very excited about, not just where we are, but where we can be,” Holcomb said as he praised the legislation for its progress in cooperating to get things done.
Holcomb pointed out several positives going on in the state including the 29,000 new jobs he recently announced, the $7.5 billion to support state roads and highways over the next five years and a growing technology-based economy. “U.S. News and World Report ranked Indiana the number one state government in January,” he said. “How do we maintain that position? How do we continue to improve? That’s what these five pillars are all about.”
Holcomb briefly spoke about each pillar but spent the majority of his time on what he considers an important aspect of the 2018 legislative session, developing a 21st Century skilled and ready workforce. To do so, he said, the improvements have to come from the bottom up rather than top down.
He said the administration will be seeking stakeholders in regions and communities to build focus groups, or cabinets, to work out solutions and suggest policy for the state to incorporate. The regional or community focus will allow potential changes to impact the needs of those areas. It’s an important approach for the governor who sees Indiana as a state with diverse needs.
“The City of Jasper has different employment and economic needs than Jasper County,” he said. “Huntingburg has different needs than Huntington.”
He explained the state has to address the 92,000 unfilled jobs across the state. “We are going to create an education to career pathway cabinet,” he explained. Read more: Dubois County Free Press
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