Happy Friday #ChamberWorld! Have a GREAT weekend!
From Betty Dean, Chairman, Prince William Chamber of Commerce: Dear Members of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors
Dear Members of the Prince William Board of County
Supervisors,
On September 12th the Prince William Chamber
of Commerce hosted its Policy Committee Meeting where we heard and engaged in a
conversation with senior Prince William County Staff on the topic of the
County’s Strategic Plan and more importantly, discussed the County’s “Moonshot
Goal”.
The “Moonshot Goal” is to increase the percentage of
commercial tax revenues to 35% of the County’s existing tax receipts. It is the
only quantifiable goal in the approved plan, and it is ambiguous. The approved
plan did not specify whether the goal was limited to real property taxes or to
all taxes paid by businesses. The business community’s share of taxes is
currently about 16% of all county real estate taxes, and roughly 24% of all
general fund taxes collected.
In 2017 when this goal was first approved by the Board of
County Supervisors, the Chamber’s Board of Directors was opposed to it…and,
after hearing from County Staff on the “ins and outs” of the proposal,
reaffirms that position.
An economic development goal
for reducing the tax burden on county residents is laudable but goals should be
achievable, strategic and measureable. Rather than relying on real estate
taxes at a time when businesses are moving substantial portions of their
infrastructure to the internet, the county needs to carefully review its
policies and procedures to be sure that the government is strategically
targeting those things that are important to the community and consistent with
its long term goals. That will mean in large part that the county will
update outdated policies and procedures to adapt to the new economy and
diversify County revenue streams. In addition to the 35% goal being
unattainable, focusing on a specific number for property taxes, like the
“Moonshot Goal” will not create a diversified tax base, and will simply add to
the cost of consumer goods and services within the community.
The 35% is a measurement, not a strategic goal. We
strongly reaffirm our position from 2017 and encourage the Board of County
Supervisors to revisit this issue and replace the measurement with a set of
achievable, sustainable and measurable objectives for economic growth that will
facilitate continued success for the business community and our residents.
Sincerely,
Betty Dean
Chairman
Prince William Chamber of Commerce
New Richmond Chamber 2018 Hometown Holiday Celebration
New Richmond Chamber 2018 Hometown Holiday Celebration
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Barrington Area Chamber Legislative Breakfast
Hosted by Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) and 2 others
Barrington 220, Barrington Area Council of Governments and Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend the Barrington Area Legislative Breakfast! State leaders and Illinois law updates will be shared with the public and local business owners. Tickets are $25 per person, with a buffet breakfast included.
7:30am: Registration, networking and breakfast
8am: Program begins
5 Star Chamber: Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Rapid City Chamber today! Thanks to Linda Rabe, Lynn Kendall, Shiloh Francis 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.
Jasper to Receive Indiana Chamber’s 2018 Community of the Year Honor
Embracing “the Jasper Way” in business, education and quality of life pursuits has earned Jasper the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Republic Airways and Lift Academy Community of the Year award.
Jasper’s rich German heritage and manufacturing history remain the lifeblood of the community. But its success also is dependent on its ability to look ahead and adapt.
Approximately $200 million in current projects – primarily public-private partnerships – is propelling the city forward. Among those initiatives:
- The Parklands of Jasper: a 75-acre major urban renewal endeavor featuring two miles of walking trails (including a multi-purpose path), three ponds (all connected by elevated pathways), The Pavilion (an indoor public event space seating 160 people), an adventure play area, musical playground and more.
- Thyen-Clark Cultural Center: new facility that will house the Jasper Community Arts and Jasper Public Library.
- Jasper River Centre: a $30 million mixed use development along the Patoka Riverfront. It will include a new hotel and redevelopment of a former factory into 70-plus apartments, retail/office space and public areas.
Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz comments on the Community of the Year designation’s significance: “To be named the (Community of the Year) recipient is a culmination of years of vision, planning and execution by hundreds of people. We are indeed honored.”
“Strong public-private partnerships are at the cornerstone of community success,” says Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. “Jasper leaders have demonstrated the ability to work together for many years and residents have strongly contributed through their immense pride in their city. Jasper is most deserving of this recognition.”
The celebration of Hoosier success at the Indiana Chamber’s 29th Annual Awards Dinner, presented by Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, on November 13 at the Indiana Convention Center will include presentation of three additional awards: Dynamic Leader, Government Leader and Business Leader of the Year. The winners of those awards will be announced in the next three weeks (September 11, 18 and 25, respectively).
J.D. Vance, author of #1 New York Times best-selling memoir Hillbilly Elegy and focused on supporting business development in the Midwest, will keynote the Awards Dinner. Purchase tables of 10 or individual tickets at www.indianachamber.com/ad or by calling Nick at (800) 824-6885.
Rochester Hills ranked as eighth best city to start small business, says Verizon Business
The city of Rochester Hills has been recognized as the eighth best small city in America in which to start a small business by Verizon Business.
The evaluation was based on six ranking factors including the education level of the local workforce, in-city commute times, income per capita, broadband access, availability of SBA loans and overall tax friendliness for small businesses.
“Anytime you are recognized as being one of the best in the nation there is great pride. We have a fantastic team here in Rochester Hills led by our manager Pam Valentik and we are grateful for all of the small businesses who choose to do business in the city,” said Mayor Bryan Barnett.
In addition to being the robotics capital of North America, the city is home to small businesses including retail, computer technology, electronic research, development, manufacturing, plastic injection molding, tool and die, structural engineering and warehousing and distribution. Read more: Oakland Press
Town Square Publications (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.
WPSD Local 6 is taking your issues, concerns and questions to Washington, D.C.
We are traveling with the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce during its annual D.C. Fly-In. Each year, the group travels to D.C. to meet face-to-face with lawmakers and others to promote local projects that need funding and support.
Those projects include Paducah’s riverfront and riverport. The chambers will also attend meetings with U.S. Department of Energy officials about future cleanup jobs at the DOE Paducah site — the former gaseous diffusion plant.
We arrived to D.C. late Monday evening, and most members of the chamber group plan to arrive Tuesday night. More than 50 people are attending this year, and the group consists of community leaders from businesses, local government, education, the medical field and industry.
For more information on the group’s agenda, who they plan to talk with, and the federal priorities click here.
The evaluation was based on six ranking factors including the education level of the local workforce, in-city commute times, income per capita, broadband access, availability of SBA loans and overall tax friendliness for small businesses.
“Anytime you are recognized as being one of the best in the nation there is great pride. We have a fantastic team here in Rochester Hills led by our manager Pam Valentik and we are grateful for all of the small businesses who choose to do business in the city,” said Mayor Bryan Barnett.
In addition to being the robotics capital of North America, the city is home to small businesses including retail, computer technology, electronic research, development, manufacturing, plastic injection molding, tool and die, structural engineering and warehousing and distribution. Read more: Oakland Press
Covington County 2017-2018 Chamber of Commerce Community Map
The Covington County Chamber of Commerce Community Map is available at the Covington County Chamber today! Thanks to Marie Shoemake and her team for their help and direction putting this together!
Paducah Chamber - Taking your issues to D.C.
WPSD Local 6 is taking your issues, concerns and questions to Washington, D.C.
We are traveling with the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce during its annual D.C. Fly-In. Each year, the group travels to D.C. to meet face-to-face with lawmakers and others to promote local projects that need funding and support.
Those projects include Paducah’s riverfront and riverport. The chambers will also attend meetings with U.S. Department of Energy officials about future cleanup jobs at the DOE Paducah site — the former gaseous diffusion plant.
We arrived to D.C. late Monday evening, and most members of the chamber group plan to arrive Tuesday night. More than 50 people are attending this year, and the group consists of community leaders from businesses, local government, education, the medical field and industry.
For more information on the group’s agenda, who they plan to talk with, and the federal priorities click here.
Meridian prepares for more businesses to open
"So far, so good," is how economic development officials are describing the climate this year for new businesses in Meridian. In fact, some are even calling it an overall "banner" year.
Meridian welcomed its latest new business Thursday morning. Julep Antiques & Gifts is one of almost a half dozen others that have opened in the area so far this year.
"We love downtown," says B.J. Hatten, who is one of the co-owners for the business. "It's growing so much, and we wanted to offer something different and unique."
Since April alone, officials with the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation say ribbon cuttings have been held for almost 20 businesses throughout the city, and even more since January.
"We've had probably over 40 new businesses open this year," says Debby Delshad, who is the director for Meridian Main Street. "Some of them are just re-dedications or grand openings."
If things go as planned, another business will open in North Meridian within the next two weeks.
"Everybody thinks our business is named after my husband, but it's named after our precious dog."
Micki Sampey, her husband Sean, and their son own Charlie's Seafood Market on Poplar Springs Drive. They're preparing for a ribbon cutting to be held there in October.
"I think we're going to bring a product that Meridian is looking for," says Sean Sampey.
The Sampey's are from the New Orleans area. Several years ago Sean worked at the Mississippi Power plant in Kemper County. Since that time, they've decided to stay.
"I chose Meridian because everybody's friendly," says Sean.
"I love the community," says Micki. "The community is so friendly. So, I said, 'Look, let's go ahead and do this!'"
According to EMBDC officials, efforts are being made to open even more businesses within the city.
"Absolutely, absolutely, we are hearing of a couple of new restaurants that are coming in downtown," says Delshad. "So, we're excited about that."
The president for the EMBDC's board says efforts are also being made to attract high paying jobs to the area.
"It's competitive," says Jeff McCoy, "but we're hopeful that something's going to happen, hopefully, sooner than later." Read more: NewsCenter ABC 11
Happy Friday #ChamberWorld! Have a GREAT weekend!
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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.
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