Workforce Training Solution Wisconsin DWD Fast Forward; Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory; Looking for a job? There are plenty of places hiring in Hattiesburg; Cary Grove Chamber: Merry Cary Parade Success; Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce: 2018 Farmville Holiday House Tour Presented by Harlan L. Horton, PC; The Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide; Gov. Holcomb wants feds to act first on medical marijuana; Somerset Police Department launches new crime prevention initiative; Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton to Speak at Upcoming Business Forum Hosted By the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

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

Workforce Training Solution Wisconsin DWD Fast Forward

Employers across Wisconsin are having difficulties finding and retaining skilled workers to fill their open positions to be competitive in their industries.  Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) grants offer employers a solution to these workforce demands.

WFF grants reimburse the cost of development and implementation of training that prepares workers to do specific jobs that are available now.  An employer, or consortium of employers, designs and leads the training with the commitment, from one or more employers, to hire or retain the trainees at the end of a successful completion of training.  Additional grant partners can include technical colleges, private training providers, community-based organizations and others.

Ideally, this training puts the trainees on a career pathway to success.  The focus is on improving their employment potential and their skills, while training them to meet the specific needs of the employer, making the employer more competitive.  Applying is easy, grants are awarded quarterly, and staff are available to provide one-on-one support and technical assistance.

To date, more than 20,000 trainees have been trained through Wisconsin Fast Forward.  Training covered a wide range of skills, including lean training for production workers increasing productivity, software training for designers, medical assistant training, industrial maintenance training, CDL training, and many more. 

Program Details:

•               Simple application process

•               Applications accepted year-round with grants awarded quarterly

•               Quick turnaround time between the application deadline and grant award

•               Grants for All Sectors:

o   Award amount: $5,000 to $400,000

o   Match: $1:$1

•               Grants for Small Businesses (50 full time employees or less)

o   Award amount: $5,000 to $50,000

o   Match: $.50:$1

Recent changes to WFF:

•               New "Wisconsin Fast Forward Jump Start" grants will be awarded to provide entry-level worker training.  Entry-level workers are people with little to no work experience in a given discipline.  These grants include funding for soft skills training and support services, with award amounts up to $200,000.

•               Allows for tuition reimbursement as part of a larger training program when it is more economical than other options such as on-site training.

•               Allows for reimbursement of training that has not been previously offered by the employer.

Visit Wisconsin Fast Forward to learn more about these exciting changes.  Watch how a Wisconsin company achieved success with help from WFF


Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory

The Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Lake County Chamber! Thanks to Sedrik Newbern, Julieth and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2018 Community Guide & Membership Directory



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.


Looking for a job? There are plenty of places hiring in Hattiesburg
The WIN Job Center in Hattiesburg is serving hundreds of people looking for jobs — and officials there say they're finding employment for many of those workers.

"We have been placing people," said Connie Valentine, center manager. "We do have some employers who are having trouble finding employees."

It's a job-seekers market right now, with the most recent unemployment statistics from October showing the state rate at 4.7 percent — a decrease of one-tenth of a percentage point over the month and year.

The number of unemployed Mississippians fell in October by 800 to 60,800. The state's rate is the third lowest unemployment level ever recorded in Mississippi.

October unemployment numbers were released in mid-November.

In the Pine Belt, the numbers were especially good. Lamar County had the third lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.3 percent — behind Rankin and Madison counties. That number is the lowest the unemployment rate has been in the county since October 2013. Read more: Hattiesburg American

Cary Grove Chamber: Merry Cary Parade Success 

On Sunday, December 2, the Chamber hosted our largest parade to date! Thousands of local residents lined the streets, in spite of the chilly, wet weather and kicked off their holidays! We had over 77 entries in the parade, Senior Volunteer Care Network served at our Grand Marshal for the parade. Many thank you's are needed for this great community event. First of all a huge thank you to the Village of Cary, Village of Cary Public Works Department, Police Department and Algonquin Township, without your assistance this event would not be possible. Thank you to our volunteers judges at this year parade: Beth Repta of the Repta Realty Group, Shannon Morreale of the Shannon Morreale-State Farm Agency and Sara Croffoot of American Family Insurance Sara Croffoot Agency.

Sponsors of Merry Cary Holiday Parade & Festival

Platinum Sponsor
Stryker
The Goddard School
Village of Cary

Gold Sponsor
Cary Travel Express
Janet L. Janis, DDS., Ltd.
The Tracks Bar & Grill

Silver Sponsor

Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Aussie Pet Mobile-NW Chicagoland
Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical, Inc.
BMO Harris Bank Cary and Fox River Grove
Brunch Cafe'
brush Home Decor and Paint Studio
Cary Area Public Library District
Cary Bank & Trust
Cary Youth Sports Association
ComEd
Golden Eagle Community Bank
H.R. Stewart, Inc.
Lucky Bernie's
Ringers Landscaping Services, Inc.
Salon Cora
True Value Manufacturing Company

Gem Sponsor
Allstate - A J Smith Insurance Agency, Inc.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Cary Ale House & Brewing Company, LLC
James Metallo Contracting
Mathnasium of Cary
Northwest Herald
Rotary Club of Cary-Grove
Schmidt Orthodontics
Stay Fit 24
Three Oaks Assisted Living & Memory Care
Zippy Shell

Festival Event Sponsor
Athletico
Cary Grove Insurance Services, LLC
ERG-Elite Remodeling Group
Holiday Inn Chicago NW Crystal Lake Convention Center Hotel
lindambarrett productions
Merlins 200,000 Mile Shop
Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialist, Ltd

Parade Entry Winners:

Best Overall
True Value Manufacturing

Best Community Spirit
Cary-Grove H.S. Trojan Football

Best Business
Ringers Landscaping

Most Original
Boy Scout Troop #160

Best Costumes
The Tracks Bar and Grill

Best Christmas Spirit
SSPP Catholic Church & School

Thank you to all the participating groups and businesses, so many terrific entries!! Trophies will be available to pick up at the Chamber office at 445 Park Ave., Cary starting the week of December 17th. Please call (847) 639-2800 first to be sure they are completed. By request we have opened registration for Merry Cary 2019. Sign up early to secure your spot in the next year's parade line up! View Merry Cary Photos on Facebook!


Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce: 2018 Farmville Holiday House Tour Presented by Harlan L. Horton, PC

The Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce will come home for the holidays again this year with its third annual Holiday Home Tour. Now a holiday tradition in Farmville, the 2018 event set for Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. includes seven Farmville homes, Longwood University’s Rotunda and the Centra Hospitality House.

“I love the Holiday House Tour because it shows off our community at its best,” Chamber Executive Director Joy Stump said. “The Christmas tour shows our hospitality, beautiful neighborhoods, gorgeous homes and holiday spirit.”

An added attraction this year is a pre-tour benefit dinner hosted by Harlan Horton at Hotel Weyanoke’s Campagna Restaurant on Friday, Dec. 7. Tickets for the dinner, available for 6 or 8 p.m. seatings, are $65 and include a ticket for the home tour the following day.

“We're excited to have Hotel Weyanoke as a partner this year because they are such a beautiful new addition to our community,” Stump added. “The benefit dinner the night before the tour will just set the mood for everyone to have a fun and fabulous weekend.”

While the tour is a fundraiser for the Chamber, a local nonprofit will also receive a donation.

“A portion of the proceeds this year will be donated to Piedmont Senior Resources (PSR) to help them continue the wonderful services they offer to those in need in our area,” Stump noted. “The Chamber loves to give back to members whenever we do a fundraising event, and PSR has been a wonderful partner organization.”

Homeowners for this year’s tour include Chuck and Faye Green, Jon and Donna Van Cleave, Emily Pilk, Charles and Margaret Lindsay, Sherry Swinson, Chuck and Candy Dowdy and Rob and Tory Wade.

A variety of architectural styles will be represented on the tour.

The historic home of Jon and Donna Van Cleave was built in 1898. The centerpiece of the historic home is the entrance hall’s custom circular floating staircase. The home underwent a major renovation in the 1950s by noted Richmond architect Clarence Huff and landscape architect Charles Gillette. Recently another major renovation opened the floor plan and modernized the kitchen and bathrooms.

The two-story Victorian home of Chuck and Candy Dowdy was built in 1902. The historic house features an original double front door and transom windows. Much of the hand-carved oak woodwork and heart pine wood floors are still in place. Christmas decorations will favor the traditional and will include family collections of angels and Santa Claus.

The First Avenue home of Chuck and Faye Green is a Sears and Roebuck Craftsman house built in the 1920s by John and Nora Lancaster. Materials, that included everything from structural beams and oak and pine flooring to bathtub, kitchen cabinets and light fixtures, were delivered by railcar to the Farmville Train Station. The home is currently furnished with a combination of family heirlooms, thrift store treasures and newer acquisitions.

The two-story Georgian brick home of Rob and Tory Wade was built in 1935. The Wades are the second owners of the home that includes a butler’s pantry and downstairs fireplace. Christmas decorations will feature family ornaments collected over the years and holiday greenery.

The home of Emily Pilk is a Cape Cod cottage built in 1941 on The Avenues. The three-bedroom house was remodeled a few years ago. Greenery, ribbons and holiday flowers will offer a warm welcome during the Holiday Home Tour.

Sherry Swinson’s brick rancher was built in 1954. “Mrs. Johns who built the house at the age of 75 was from Buckingham, so the house includes a lot of Buckingham slate,” Swinson noted. Christmas decorations will be traditional with live greens. “I love the smell of Christmas,” Swinson added.

The Southern Colonial Natchez-style home of Charles and Margaret Lindsay was built in 1993. “Since my husband is in the wood business, the home has a lot of woodwork and crown molding,” Margaret said. Decorations will include items collected over the years and greenery.

“The home tour really sets the tone for the whole holiday season,” the Chamber’s executive director concluded. “I schedule this event between Thanksgiving and Christmas so people can come and shop, stay overnight, and see all that Farmville has to offer!”

Tickets are available at the Farmville Chamber office or here


The Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide

The Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce 2017 Community Guide & Map is available at the chamber today ! Thanks to the Jennifer Andreas and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

Cedarburg 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.

Gov. Holcomb wants feds to act first on medical marijuana

"So, you're open to medical marijuana?" the leader of Indiana was asked.

"Medicinal." Gov. Eric Holcomb responded. "If it is a source that can be regulated, not under-the-table cash business. Banks don't recognize the revenue right now. They're literally being paid in cash. That ought to tell you something." 

Indiana's Prosecuting Attorney's Council and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce both oppose medical cannabis.

The governor said medical marijuana is illegal federally, and he is glad U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams has called for more research. Adams is Indiana's former health commissioner. 

Holcomb said Monday, "I also would encourage the federal government, including the Department of Justice, to clarify this so states don't approach this as a hodgepodge way of collecting revenue."

Senate Democrats have said they're going to ask Holcomb to make medical marijuana a priority for 2019.

Republican State Rep. Jim Lucas is already working on his own medical marijuana bill for the upcoming legislative session. Read more: WANE.com



Somerset Police Department launches new crime prevention initiative

Law enforcement partnering with businesses to keep eye on community

Security footage can often aid local law enforcement in solving crimes. This week the Somerset Police Department announced a new initiative aimed at crime reduction through partnering with residents and businesses that use cameras.

"Shepherds Watch" is a database program which businesses and private citizens alike can join through simple enrollment. In several investigations, SPD has relied on security footage to help identify and track the movements of suspects. Through this new database, officers will be more able to locate cameras that may have captured the movements of criminals, missing persons and/or other elements crucial to a thorough investigation.

"This is a terrific opportunity for business owners and residents to play a key role in preventing crimes and solving important cases through partnerships," Chief William Hunt said. "This program will enhance our agency's effectiveness and create an overall safer Somerset/Pulaski County community."

Enrollment is simple. Click the Shepherds Watch logo on SPD's website at www.somersetpd.com to access the secure enrollment page. Only basic information and camera locations are asked for. SPD will not have remote access to the cameras and enrollees may be removed from the database at any time by request. Upon enrollment, a detective will contact the business or home to confirm the enrollment and deliver a Shepherds Watch window decal which may be displayed as a way to identify partners in combatting crime in our community as well as deter crime in participants' business or neighborhood.

From there, participants will only be contacted to review camera footage if an investigation occurs in their vicinity. Officers will only have access to the footage with the participant's cooperation and supervision.

"Citizens and business owners throughout Pulaski County may enroll," Chief Hunt added. "We will share this program through our partnerships with other law enforcement agencies. Criminals do not see jurisdictional lines. It is essential that we use all of our resources together to make our communities safer."

Pulaski County Sheriff Greg Speck said Friday that the sheriff's office is working in conjunction with the city to add the enrollment link to their web page as well. He noted that similar programs have been implemented in a few communities across Kentucky and seem to be working well.

"I think it will be a great asset to law enforcement," the sheriff said. "One of the first things we do in an investigation is check about video. I hope the residents of Pulaski County beyond the city will sign up for Shepherds Watch."

"The Chamber of Commerce would like to compliment Chief William Hunt and the Somerset Police Department on the implementation of the Shepherds Watch Program," said Bobby Clue, Somerset-Pulaski Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. "This program will be a tremendous asset to our local business community and will work to help keep our community safe and secure." Read more: Commonwealth Journal

Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton to Speak at Upcoming Business Forum Hosted By the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber
SOUTHGATE, MI – Olympic gold medalist and inspirational speaker Scott Hamilton will address local business leaders and the public at the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber’s Business Forum breakfast on Tuesday, November 27 at 8:30 AM at Crystal Gardens in Southgate. The event, presented by Comcast Business, is open to the public.

The Chamber’s monthly legislative and business forum series is designed to educate and to promote communication between business and political leaders in the southern Wayne County region. As this month’s keynote speaker, Hamilton will share on living an extraordinary life, focusing on his personal testimony and how it relates to building a winning culture for business.

“We are honored to welcome Mr. Hamilton to the Downriver and southern Wayne County region,” commented Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber president Ronald J. Hinrichs. “Scott’s story is truly extraordinary, and will inspire our business community and region in a powerful and lasting way. I am looking forward to learning many valuable life lessons from Scott’s testimony and applying these lessons toward our efforts in continuing to build a winning culture in our Downriver business community.”

Space is limited and registration is requested for this event. Tickets, which include breakfast, are $20 each in advance, and can be purchased at www.SWCRC.com, or by calling the Chamber office at 734-284-6000. If space allows, tickets may be available at the door for $25.

Forum Series Sponsors for this event are AT&T, BASF Corporation, Comcast, DTE Energy, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, Fritz Enterprises, Monroe Bank & Trust, The News-Herald, SEMCA, United States Steel, Wayne County Community College District, Downriver Community Conference, Signarama of Allen Park, and Public Service Credit Union. Tittle Brothers Construction is a Forum Sponsor.

Businesses and individuals have the opportunity to sponsor a table of high school students, investing into our future leaders. Attending high schools include Gabriel Richard High School sponsored by Fritz Enterprises, Woodhaven High School sponsored by Bronni Vision Boutique and Downriver Community Federal Credit Union, Carlson High School sponsored by Comcast, Asher High School sponsored by SEMCA, Taylor High School sponsored by Howe-Peterson Funeral Home, and Melvindale High School sponsored by the Trenton Trib. Contact the Chamber office for more information on how to sponsor a southern Wayne County high school table at 734-284-6000.

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