Looking ahead to the future workforce, we all seem to notice changing skills from our youth. Not necessarily better or worse, just different. OK, well maybe better in some areas and not as good in others.
One area that this next generation brings a huge strength is the use of technology. It’s almost like an innate quality that allows them to quickly adapt to learn and use a variety of technological devices and software. This is a true advantage to those of us who were not brought up with the internet, cell phones and iPads in our youth.
One area that could use some improvement, according to most, is in the area of soft skills or essential skills. These simply are areas that are not focused on much in school or at home which leaves tomorrow’s workforce behind in this area. Being able to greet someone, introduce yourself and hold a conversation in person, is a bit of a lost art. These skills can be easily improved with some guidance, understanding and practice. No different than most skills, if we don’t practice something, we won’t be good at it. Whether it’s playing an instrument, learning a sport or making a first impression in person, all of these skills need to be practiced in order to get better at them.
Last October, the DeKalb Chamber and #ProudlyDeKalb, along with help from a group representing area leadership programs, presented the inaugural First Impressions Count workshop. The response was extremely positive from the teachers at DeKalb High School, the students and the community professionals that spent time helping students identify their strengths and weaknesses in making a first impression. The improvement seen from the first introduction to the second day of the workshop was noticeable.
When a pilot program goes this well, it’s something that should be continued. Today, we’ll do just that with more than 30 evaluators signed up to play their part in improving the soft skills of more than 150 juniors and seniors at DeKalb High School. So, if you see a student somewhere, be sure to introduce yourself to show them the importance of making a first impression and help them improve on doing the same to you. Source: Daily Chronicle
• Matt Duffy is executive director of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce.


Monroe Chamber, school districts collaborate for workforce development


Economic incentives and available industrial sites are important components when it comes to attracting industry, but economic developers, cities and counties don’t have as firm of a ground to stand on without a solid workforce. Continued partnerships between the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce and the county’s school districts are yielding progress to plant early interest and harbor equitable skills for the workforce of tomorrow.
With the help of Atmos Energy, Three Rivers Planning and Development District, the Mississippi Development Authority Ambassador Program and the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, every high school senior at Aberdeen, Amory, Hamilton, Hatley and Smithville will take the WorkKeys test at no charge this spring. Nettleton High School seniors are provided the same privilege through the CREATE Foundation’s Toyota Wellspring Education Fund.
“It’s something similar to what the (Golden Triangle) LINK did through boosters,” said Monroe County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chelsea Baulch. “We received a grant through the MDA Ambassador Program for chamber members completing the program. They said they wanted to spend it on this. How great is it when volunteers and your core chamber team are getting the core concepts?”
Itawamba Community College is working with local schools in the effort, and counselors have volunteered to proctor the WorkKeys tests.
Several students and county residents are not familiar with operations of local industries like True Temper, ITT, Tronox and Kemira. Most people are unaware of the products manufactured.
“Growing up, I drove by Tronox every day and always thought there was one roof. Jimmy Autrey at Westlake said people think there’s a large monster behind those gates, but it’s a chemical process with a series of pipes. I think people think there are robotic assembly lines like a car manufacturer,” Baulch said.
Baulch has been impressed by touring local industries and wants to pass the opportunity along to educators. Read more: Daily Journal


City of Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce 2016/2017 Community Map

The new City of Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce 2016/2017 Community Map is available at the City of Ridgeland Chamber today! Thanks to Linda Bynum, Sandy Baas and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

City of Ridgeland Chamber 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. 

Chamber to premiere Tomah 'Discover Wisconsin' episode at movie theater 

“Discover Wisconsin” has coined Tomah as Wisconsin’s Western Gateway in its new episode featuring the city.
Tina Thompson, executive director of the Tomah Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, is proud of how the episode turned out after filming began in 2016.
“I was so impressed − it’s better than I could have expected,” she said. “When you go into a project like this and you don’t see any clips along the way you get nervous ... not being able to watch it.
“So the whole time, over one year of filming you’re thinking, ‘Gosh, is it going to be like we thought it would?’ I watched it and that anxiety was relieved. This is great, this is really something.”
On Feb. 15 the Chamber will host a premiere of the episode, “Tomah — Wisconsin’s Western Gateway,” at the Marcus Ho-Chunk Cinema in Tomah at 5:30 p.m.
Popcorn and drinks will be available for attendees during the showing. Read more: La Crosse Tribune



Call For Collaboration in Wabash Valley

A new plan designed to boost economic and political collaboration in a five-county region in the Wabash Valley has been launched. West Central 2025, patterned after the Indiana Chamber's Indiana Vision 2025 plan, will involve chambers and other community leaders in Vigo, Clay, Vermillion, Sullivan and Parke counties. Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Vice President Kristin Craig says the effort will serve as "another platform" to develop and promote regional assets.
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Craig described the results she'd like to see from the long-term initiative. "I hope by 2025," she said, "that we can be looking at a region that is solid in our understanding of why we need to be regional and why we need to act in that way and that they are acting that way. That we are thriving in some of the areas that we are currently struggling in, like workforce development. That we are seeing very positive positive business growth across all sectors." Craig also hopes West Central 2025 will improve the success of quality-of-life initiatives and help attract and retain people in the region.
Thinking regionally, she says is a recurring theme in daily conversations and she says business community partners throughout the region understand its importance. "They're interested. They don't want to stay siloed and in their own bubble," she adds. "Everybody understands we all have to come to a regional table in order to be really successful in what we're doing."
Vectren Corp. Account Manager of Industrial Sales & Economic Development Jennifer Isbell-Scott and Duke Energy District Manager Rick Burger are leading the initiative which is designed to be different than other collaborations. Craig says "this is just a way to bring all interested parties to one table, identify our common problems, then explore our opportunities as a collective unit, which may include joint projects and regional funding opportunities." Read more : Inside Indiana Business


Midland Area Chamber of Commerce: One Good Read

 One Good Read