Brooks Patterson says regional CEO group has Detroit agenda, is poaching county business
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson is calling out a regional CEO group following a closed door meeting Thursday with county chamber directors.
Patterson invited chamber directors from around the county to his Waterford office to warn them of a regional CEO group, allegedly, attempting to “snatch up” businesses, and business leads, from the county for the sake of rebuilding Detroit. He wrote a letter July 26 inviting the chamber directors to attend.
In that letter, Patterson described the group as “self-appointed saviors” working to direct business investments to the City of Detroit and one that will “have no hesitation about coming into your community” to steal business leads.
DTE Energy CEO Gerry Anderson, who leads the 23-member regional CEO group, said a search is underway for a CEO to lead a nonprofit that will focus on the marketing and economic development of as well as business attraction for the 11-county region.
The CEO group was formed at the request of Detroit Regional Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah two years ago. Earlier this year, the idea to create this business attraction nonprofit was brought up by group, and chamber, members.
This is the same group that wrote a letter back in April supporting the bid to place a regional transit proposal on November’s ballot, an effort that ultimately fell through.
Anderson said he understands Patterson’s passion for his work, but added that the nonprofit will never engage in assisting a company to relocate from one part of the region to another.
“Its ethic will be that when one part of the region wins, all in the region win,” said Anderson and Baruah in a joint statement Thursday afternoon. “This new entity will be exclusively focused on driving new businesses from outside the region to locate new jobs within the region.”
They added that the non-profit would follow a “by the region and for the region” approach that is consistent with best-in class models across the country.
Joe Bauman, president of the Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, attended the Thursday meeting. He supports regionalism and said chamber members routinely do business across city and county lines to build successful enterprises.
“While the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber represents members in six communities in Oakland County including Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and Franklin, we strongly support economic development throughout Southeast Michigan,” said Bauman. “A regional approach to business attraction and retention remains the best way to benefit all of our 700-plus members.”
Representatives from chambers in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Clarkston, Clawson, Ferndale, West Bloomfield, Holly, Madison Heights, Orion Township, Rochester, Royal Oak, Southfield, Troy and Waterford also attended.
Anderson said Thursday morning that “we are all after the same goal” and that the entire region benefits when investment and jobs come from outside Michigan and the country to southeast Michigan.
“The Detroit Regional Chamber, the Regional CEO Group and all the county leadership in Southeast Michigan can make a positive difference when we align and create incremental, good paying jobs for the 11 County region,” he said. The Oakland Press
Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Wins 2018 Indiana Chamber of the Year Award
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. on Friday won three statewide awards, including the 2018 Indiana Chamber of the Year Award. The state-level honors, given by the Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA) comes on the heels of one of the best years in the organization’s history, in which Allen County added more than $81 million in new annual payroll, and GFW Inc.’s member recruiting and retention efforts surpassed goals.
Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Business Directory is available at the Lake Zurich Area Chamber today! Thanks to Dale Perrin and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide and Business Directory
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.
Opinion -
Evinrude has received the ‘Business Friend of the Environment’ award presented by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state’s chamber of commerce and largest business trade association.
August Power in Partnership (Pip) To Feature Kentucky Commissioner Of Agriculture Ryan Quarles
Patterson invited chamber directors from around the county to his Waterford office to warn them of a regional CEO group, allegedly, attempting to “snatch up” businesses, and business leads, from the county for the sake of rebuilding Detroit. He wrote a letter July 26 inviting the chamber directors to attend.
In that letter, Patterson described the group as “self-appointed saviors” working to direct business investments to the City of Detroit and one that will “have no hesitation about coming into your community” to steal business leads.
DTE Energy CEO Gerry Anderson, who leads the 23-member regional CEO group, said a search is underway for a CEO to lead a nonprofit that will focus on the marketing and economic development of as well as business attraction for the 11-county region.
The CEO group was formed at the request of Detroit Regional Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah two years ago. Earlier this year, the idea to create this business attraction nonprofit was brought up by group, and chamber, members.
This is the same group that wrote a letter back in April supporting the bid to place a regional transit proposal on November’s ballot, an effort that ultimately fell through.
Anderson said he understands Patterson’s passion for his work, but added that the nonprofit will never engage in assisting a company to relocate from one part of the region to another.
“Its ethic will be that when one part of the region wins, all in the region win,” said Anderson and Baruah in a joint statement Thursday afternoon. “This new entity will be exclusively focused on driving new businesses from outside the region to locate new jobs within the region.”
They added that the non-profit would follow a “by the region and for the region” approach that is consistent with best-in class models across the country.
Joe Bauman, president of the Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, attended the Thursday meeting. He supports regionalism and said chamber members routinely do business across city and county lines to build successful enterprises.
“While the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber represents members in six communities in Oakland County including Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and Franklin, we strongly support economic development throughout Southeast Michigan,” said Bauman. “A regional approach to business attraction and retention remains the best way to benefit all of our 700-plus members.”
Representatives from chambers in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Clarkston, Clawson, Ferndale, West Bloomfield, Holly, Madison Heights, Orion Township, Rochester, Royal Oak, Southfield, Troy and Waterford also attended.
Anderson said Thursday morning that “we are all after the same goal” and that the entire region benefits when investment and jobs come from outside Michigan and the country to southeast Michigan.
“The Detroit Regional Chamber, the Regional CEO Group and all the county leadership in Southeast Michigan can make a positive difference when we align and create incremental, good paying jobs for the 11 County region,” he said. The Oakland Press
Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Wins 2018 Indiana Chamber of the Year Award
In addition to the Chamber of the Year Award, GFW Inc. won a pair of statewide Communications Excellence Awards: one in the Website division, and one for Marketing Campaign for its “Opportunity on the Edge of Greatness” 10-year vision campaign. The three awards were each judged by panels of five judges from outside the state of Indiana.
“We exist to grow jobs, wages, and the economy, and we’re honored that people across the state are noticing our community’s successes,” said Eric Doden, CEO of GFW Inc. “I’m so proud of our team and our board. We can accomplish so much for our community when we all align around a common goal and dedicate ourselves to achieving results.”
The awards were presented as part of the ICEA’s Annual Conference in downtown Indianapolis. Fort Wayne previously won the Chamber of the Year award in 2003.
GFW Inc. had a highly successful 2017 in all facets of the organization. The Allen County economy made major strides, with new jobs and payroll entering the market as companies expanded and relocated to the area. In total, GFW Inc. assisted companies investing a total of $242 million in Allen County. Other commitments included:
- 28 business expansions and relocations.
- 1,838 new jobs.
- $81 million in new annual payroll.
As Allen County’s chamber of commerce, GFW Inc. counts more than 1,300 members (investors)—the vast majority being small businesses. The organization surpassed its goal of recruiting 100 new investors in 2017 while increasing its retention rate to 92 percent, better than the national average for chamber organizations.
GFW Inc. hosted 267 events in 2017, with attendance up 20 percent from the previous year and attendee satisfaction exceeding goals. Leads groups, where professionals network and help grow business for one another, saw participants connect colleagues with more than 400 business leads.
In its 35th year, Leadership Fort Wayne (LFW) produced a graduating class of 63 individuals, its largest on record. LFW helps bolster the community’s talent pipeline by providing individuals with leadership training and education. The GFW Fellows program continues to attract and retain top talent from universities near and far. Last year, 10 Fellows worked project-based internships at nine local companies, getting hands-on experience with core business functions. Many of these internships lead to full-time employment, as about 50 percent of GFW Fellows alumni report that they currently live and work in Allen County.
“The Greater Fort Wayne Inc. team presented a very solid nomination for this award and excelled in all areas reviewed,” said Shelli Williams, president of the ICEA. “This organization continues to be a leading catalyst for professional innovation in Indiana.” Read more: Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Business Directory is available at the Lake Zurich Area Chamber today! Thanks to Dale Perrin and 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 guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Opinion -
Greater Springfield Chamber collaboration: United Way: Achievement in the classroom and beyond
We are excited to see the success our local students can achieve as the start of a new school year approaches.
Through research we know how important education can be in a child’s life, and how important it is to our local community. This is why United Way is happy to invest more than $665,000 in 12 local programs helping to address our community’s toughest challenges in education.
As the summer comes to an end, we know for many low-income students this means they are going back to school further behind academically than their higher-income peers. However, through the support of programs in agencies like Compass for Kids, Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois, Springfield Urban League, and United Cerebral Palsy Land of Lincoln, we know the students from these programs have worked to make school-based gains and stop the summer slide.
Once school starts, programs in agencies such as Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois, Springfield Urban League, and One Hope United help our children outside the classroom so they can make progress in the classroom.
Student behavior and attendance are also key markers of success. Programs in agencies like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Illinois Capital Region, Compass for Kids, Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, and Memorial Behavioral Health work to provide strong role models, caring supports and new techniques to help strengthen the child’s confidence and relationships.
Our community identified priorities aim to help children learn, achieve and succeed while also engaging families. Programs like United Cerebral Palsy Land of Lincoln’s Our Child without Limits program makes family engagement the cornerstone of their programming. This program supports the parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and teaches them how to advocate for and support the healthy development of their child.
Together, these agencies are improving the academic performance of hundreds of children in our community. Last year, these programs served 1,322 students in year-round programs and 292 students in summer programs. As a result of their participation, 73 percent of children achieved growth in reading skills, and 80 percent showed growth in math skills.
Beyond these funded programs, we support education through initiatives such as the Continuum of Learning. This joint effort between the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Central Illinois, the Center for State Policy and Leadership at the University of Illinois Springfield, Innovate Springfield, Springfield Public Schools District 186, and Lincoln Land Community College Workforce Development has helped our community establish best practices on how to advance the education of less-advantaged children in our community.
One of these recommendations specifically addresses the importance of reading on time by third grade. This is why, with the support of our collaborative partners, we are working with the multiple organizations to become a Campaign for Grade Level Reading community. Read more: State Journal Register
John Kelker is the president at United Way of Central Illinois.
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.
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!
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.
Stock up on back to school supplies with Virginia tax free weekend
Each year, select states across the nation participate in a tax free weekend timed to the start of the new school year.
Although West Virginia is not one of these states, Joshua Cline, President of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, said local parents are looking to cross the border to Virginia for back to school bargains available one weekend only.
"It's an opportunity for businesses to do well, and that's what we want at the Chamber of Commerce to hear that businesses are moving product and conducting sales, so we think its a win-win for families and a win win for businesses," Cline said.
With classroom essentials, along with clothing and footwear, eligible to be purchased tax free, those with large families, look to stock-up. Jasmine Day lives in Princeton. Day said she stocks-up on everything her kids will need for the rest of the school year.
"I think it really does help having that little bit of a tax break, especially when you have multiple children. You just try to look for every break you can," Day said.
The tax-free bargains will begin Friday, August 3, at 12:01 am, and will end Sunday, August 5, at 11:59 pm. Read more: WVNSTV
Although West Virginia is not one of these states, Joshua Cline, President of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, said local parents are looking to cross the border to Virginia for back to school bargains available one weekend only.
"It's an opportunity for businesses to do well, and that's what we want at the Chamber of Commerce to hear that businesses are moving product and conducting sales, so we think its a win-win for families and a win win for businesses," Cline said.
With classroom essentials, along with clothing and footwear, eligible to be purchased tax free, those with large families, look to stock-up. Jasmine Day lives in Princeton. Day said she stocks-up on everything her kids will need for the rest of the school year.
"I think it really does help having that little bit of a tax break, especially when you have multiple children. You just try to look for every break you can," Day said.
The tax-free bargains will begin Friday, August 3, at 12:01 am, and will end Sunday, August 5, at 11:59 pm. Read more: WVNSTV
Evinrude wins Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award
Evinrude has received the ‘Business Friend of the Environment’ award presented by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state’s chamber of commerce and largest business trade association.
The company was recognized for their environmental innovation after successfully implementing an advanced energy recovery system for its Outboard Engine Endurance Test Center.
Evinrude accepted the Business Friend of the Environment award today at Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce’s Policy Day in Madison where business leaders across the state gather to learn about potential policy changes and how they could impact Wisconsin businesses.
“Our engineers and development team are passionate about both power and environmental stewardship,” said Nando Zucchi, vice president of marketing and international business development for Evinrude. “They have worked diligently to integrate the most advanced technology into our development infrastructure and E-TEC G2 engines to create engines that don’t compromise performance while being the most environmentally sustainable on the market.”
Business Friend of the Environment awards are given to companies that demonstrate achievements in sustainability, a commitment to environmental stewardship, or successful integration of innovative technologies that promote sound environmental practices that are good for business development as well as the environment in Wisconsin. Read more: Boating Industry
Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles will be the featured speaker for the August Power in Partnership breakfast of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. The breakfast will be held on Thursday, August 2 at 7:30 a.m. at the Julian Carroll Convention Center. Mercy Health is the sponsor.
At the age of 34, Commissioner Ryan Quarles is the youngest statewide elected official in the country.
He was elected Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture in 2015. Under his leadership, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) started several new programs, including initiatives to combat hunger and connect Kentucky farmers to new markets. As a result of his Kentucky Hunger Initiative, Kentucky now has the strongest food donation immunity law in the country. His leadership on international trade issues saw the resumption of live equine exports to China, a decision that benefits all sectors of Kentucky’s agricultural economy from horse breeders to feed producers. While Commissioner, he has also supported the expansion of Kentucky’s diverse agricultural portfolio to include industrial hemp, kenaf, and hops.
On the national level, Commissioner Quarles serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).
Quarles graduated from the University of Kentucky with three undergraduate majors and two graduate degrees. In 2008, he was awarded a full scholarship to Harvard University, where he studied higher education, government, and law. After graduating with a Master’s degree in higher education, he returned home to finish his last year of law school at the University of Kentucky. In 2018, he graduated from Vanderbilt University with his doctorate in higher education.
Below are the details of the breakfast:
When: Thursday, August 2, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Where: Julian M. Carroll Convention Center, Ohio Room
Speaker: Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles
Sponsor: Mercy Health
Cost: $15 for Chamber members; $25 for non-Chamber members
Keynote speaker, nominees named for 10th annual ANCHOR Awards in Moss Point
It's that time of year again as the 10th annual ANCHOR Awards are set for Wednesday, Aug. 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Pelican Landing Conference Center in Moss Point.
The ANCHOR Awards were created to honor, reward and celebrate the achievements of outstanding small businesses and non-profits in Jackson County.
This year's keynote speaker is Dave Dennis, President of Specialty Contractors & Associates, Inc., a commercial and industrial subcontractor.
Dennis was appointed by the Board of Governors to the New Orleans Federal Reserve Board in November 2001, as a representative from the business community and served as Chairman for three full terms.
He has a prolific record of participation in community, civic, and industry activities, currently serving as an Executive Committee member of both the Mississippi Economic Council and the Gulf Coast Business Council. He and his wife, Jane, reside in Pass Christian where they have two children and two grandchildren.
"The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber's Small Business Issue Manager Group recognize that small businesses and non-profit organizations are the 'anchors' that make the community successful," said Carla Todd Voda, President and CEO of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber is here to support community and business development within Jackson County. Opportunities such as this are available exclusively to members of the chamber.
Small businesses make up nearly 85 percent of the JCCOC membership. The purpose of the chamber is to support community and small business development within the county. All businesses, organizations and individuals are invited to be a part of chamber membership.
If interested, contact the JCCOC at 228-762-3391, visit the office at 720 Krebs Avenue in Pascagoula or email Ling Burch at Membership@jcchamber.com to learn more about joining the chamber. Read more: GULFLIVE
"The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber's Small Business Issue Manager Group recognize that small businesses and non-profit organizations are the 'anchors' that make the community successful," said Carla Todd Voda, President and CEO of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber is here to support community and business development within Jackson County. Opportunities such as this are available exclusively to members of the chamber.
Small businesses make up nearly 85 percent of the JCCOC membership. The purpose of the chamber is to support community and small business development within the county. All businesses, organizations and individuals are invited to be a part of chamber membership.
If interested, contact the JCCOC at 228-762-3391, visit the office at 720 Krebs Avenue in Pascagoula or email Ling Burch at Membership@jcchamber.com to learn more about joining the chamber. Read more: GULFLIVE
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
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