South Suburban Chamber Chief Barbara Wesener's Note to Chamber Colleagues on her Retirement at End of May
Good afternoon Chamber
colleagues.
After 14 years with the South
Suburban Chamber, I have decided to retire at the end of May. I am looking
forward to some volunteer work, some gardening, more travel and reading a book
in the middle of the day.
I have appreciated meeting so
many of you over the years and I applaud all of you for your support of our
communities.
A search committee has been
formed. If you or someone you know would be interested in the position, you can
contact the Search Committee Chair, Kathy Schuh, at kschuh007@aol.com.
All the best,
Barbara
Barbara Wesener,CAE
Executive Director
South Suburban Chamber of Commerce
8040 S. 6th Street
Oak Creek, WI 53154
414-702-8538 (cell)
414-768-5845 (office)
www.southsuburbanchamber.comThe Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce Community Guide
The Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce Community Guide & Map is available at the chamber today ! Thanks to the Maggie Dobson 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.
Valparaiso Chamber calls for hate crime law in Indiana; process for immigration
“Indiana is one of five states that has no bias crime on the books and we want to get off that list,” Tom Long, vice chair of public policy for the chamber, said Wednesday during a news conference focusing on the chamber’s legislative priorities for this session.
The chamber took positions on five state initiatives and two federal ones, said Rex Richards, the chamber’s president and chief executive officer.
The state legislature is just past its mid point and many bills have passed from one body to the next and will soon be the subject of conference committees, Richards said, making it a good time for the chamber to share its positions.
While bias or hate crime legislation came up last session and died, Long said, Gov. Eric Holcomb has given a bill his support and it appears to be gaining traction.
“Larger companies are asking, ‘Why aren’t you doing anything with this?’” Long said, adding those companies include Cummins and Eli Lilly.
Rural communities don’t see the need for the legislation, Long said, and it’s a “heated topic,” but with South Carolina and Georgia working on bias crime legislation, Indiana could be one of three states without a bill.
Part of the controversy, he added is whether to make the bill specific and include a list, such as race, sex or gender, or to make the statute more general, as has been done in Utah, which still gives judges the flexibility for longer sentences.
As home to Valparaiso University, an economic driver in the community that plays host to students and faculty of diverse backgrounds, the chamber has a vested interest in seeing a bill pass, Richards said.
“When people look here, we want them to see Valparaiso is a welcoming community and Indiana is a welcoming state,” he said.
On national issues, the chamber supports comprehensive immigration reform that balances the economic need for workers with policies that strengthen national security and require undocumented workers to earn legal status.
“Everyone recognizes the need to do something to address immigration issues,” Long said. “It’s very emotional. It needs to be addressed without the emotion.”
People want to come to the United States but there has to be a process, Richards said, adding other countries have consistent laws and policies.
“Immigrants have been a very important part of our progress but there needs to be a vetting process,” Richards said.
Other policies supported by the chamber:
• On the national level, the name and status change to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, which the chamber voted to support before U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Gary, slipped the measure into appropriations legislation last month.
The change, Richards said, puts more emphasis on the park and will draw more visitors to the park and surrounding communities.
• For statewide measures, the chamber encourages the development of water policy, with the goal of improved water infrastructure; bringing broadband connectivity to rural and underserved suburban areas of the state; increasing the threshold to $40,000 to eliminate personal property tax on small businesses; and including Lake and Porter counties in the state’s regional cities initiative economic development tool. Read more: Post-Tribune
City of Flint: Another step forward for the Second St. corridor
The lights were welcoming and bright along Second Street at south Saginaw on the evening of March 8.
Earlier in the day, a swarm of business and community leaders – including Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, Genesee County Board of Commissioners Chair Ted Henry, and Uptown Reinvestment Corp. President and Flint & Genesee Chamber CEO Tim Herman – gathered at 600 S. Saginaw St. to cut the ribbon on ELGA Credit Union’s newest branch location.
Now, the building’s refreshing facade, and contemporary interior readily visible through the panoramic windows, is a focal point of the intersection and the latest change along the reinvigorated east-west corridor.
“ELGA Credit Union is thrilled to be a part of the downtown community,” said CEO Karen Church. “Our new branch lights up the corner and will help bring attention to all the new tenants! We’re looking forward to serving people and businesses with a better way to bank.”
Buckham Gallery had already relocated several weeks ago to the former Perry Drugs building, anchored by the ELGA branch. “With a new location on the Second Street corridor, Buckham Gallery is more visible and accessible,” said Director Lynn Penning. “At this prime location in downtown Flint, the gallery is experiencing more foot traffic and first-time guests.”
Later this month, the Glam Box Boutique will move into a vacant unit just south of the credit union. While the store fronts on Saginaw Street, the boutique is well within the intersection’s hub of activity.
“We are looking to fold into the experience of downtown Flint, joining the Farmers’ Market, Fosters Coffee and Buckham,” said Deria Brown, owner of the Glam Box, which sells clothing, accessories, shoes, vintage home goods, all-natural soaps and body care products. “People can now come downtown and stay longer and make it an experience.” Read more: See what's possible at Flint & Genesee Chamber
Earlier in the day, a swarm of business and community leaders – including Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, Genesee County Board of Commissioners Chair Ted Henry, and Uptown Reinvestment Corp. President and Flint & Genesee Chamber CEO Tim Herman – gathered at 600 S. Saginaw St. to cut the ribbon on ELGA Credit Union’s newest branch location.
Now, the building’s refreshing facade, and contemporary interior readily visible through the panoramic windows, is a focal point of the intersection and the latest change along the reinvigorated east-west corridor.
“ELGA Credit Union is thrilled to be a part of the downtown community,” said CEO Karen Church. “Our new branch lights up the corner and will help bring attention to all the new tenants! We’re looking forward to serving people and businesses with a better way to bank.”
Buckham Gallery had already relocated several weeks ago to the former Perry Drugs building, anchored by the ELGA branch. “With a new location on the Second Street corridor, Buckham Gallery is more visible and accessible,” said Director Lynn Penning. “At this prime location in downtown Flint, the gallery is experiencing more foot traffic and first-time guests.”
Later this month, the Glam Box Boutique will move into a vacant unit just south of the credit union. While the store fronts on Saginaw Street, the boutique is well within the intersection’s hub of activity.
“We are looking to fold into the experience of downtown Flint, joining the Farmers’ Market, Fosters Coffee and Buckham,” said Deria Brown, owner of the Glam Box, which sells clothing, accessories, shoes, vintage home goods, all-natural soaps and body care products. “People can now come downtown and stay longer and make it an experience.” Read more: See what's possible at Flint & Genesee Chamber
#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!) 😊
"The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time." Friedrich Nietzsche
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.
Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Map
The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Map is available at the Rochester Regional Chamber today! Thanks to 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 guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
MSU Idea Shop officially opens in downtown Starkville
Downtown Starkville has a new hub for entrepreneurship and innovation after the Thursday [March 7] grand opening of the Mississippi State Idea Shop.
MSU and city of Starkville officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony to formally open the Idea Shop, a 2,000-square-foot Main Street facility that includes the Turner A. Wingo Maker Studio and the MSU Retail Product Accelerator.
The Idea Shop was made possible through private support, as well as the USDA Rural Business Development Program. It is part of the MSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach and operated by the College of Business and School of Human Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. MSU President Mark E. Keenum said facilities like the Idea Shop help make downtown Starkville the home of entrepreneurship in Mississippi.
“We are charged with trying to help prepare young people to get a job, but through our entrepreneurship program, we’re allowing our students to not just get a job but to create jobs, even jobs that don’t exist today,” Keenum said.
Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill said she is excited about the new facility and the partnership it represents between entities like MSU, the city, Oktibbeha County and the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.
“There are so many things going on in our downtown area, and this is just the beginning,” Spruill said. “This is one of those things that will blossom into other things. I see nothing but the best ahead for all of us.”
The Idea Shop can be used by any members of the Starkville and MSU community. It is open to the public Wednesday through Friday, 1-9 p.m., and from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
MSU College of Business Dean Sharon Oswald said she is excited to partner with the School of Human Sciences to develop a way for entrepreneurs to test their products in a retail environment.
“We wanted to have a space where not only our students, but anybody can come and make a dream come true,” Oswald said. “They can develop a product with the equipment we have and then they can actually test it on the marketplace just like some of the products already here.”
The Turner A. Wingo Maker Studio provides a comprehensive assortment of design workstations, 3-D printers, electronics workbenches and advanced woodworking tools not commonly available – all to help people build anything imaginable. Membership is available to the general public, and various workshops are regularly hosted for newcomers to the “maker movement.”
The MSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach supports student entrepreneurs from every college on campus. Eric Hill, director, said he is proud to be a part of a team that supports students as they launch businesses.
“We talk a lot about breaking down silos and departments working together,” Hill said. “This project represents that so well.”
For more on the MSU Idea Shop, visit www.ecenter.msstate.edu/programs/the-idea-shop/.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.
2019 Chamber of Commerce Serving Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County Board of Directors
The Chamber of Commerce Serving Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County elected their 2019 officers and board of directors during their final meeting of the year on December 12, 2018. The board of directors serve three-year terms.
Steve Funkhouser of the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office was elected President of the Chamber. Funkhouser started with the RCSO in 1996 and currently serves as a Lieutenant. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Radford University and has served on the board of directors for the Rockbridge Area Health Center and Project Horizon. He has been a member of the Lexington Lions Club since 1995 and has served on the chamber board since 2015. Steve and his wife Katherine have two daughters, Abby and Emma, juniors at Rockbridge County High School.
When asked about his vision for the Chamber and the region, Funkhouser replied: “I would like to maintain the Chamber’s membership growth, while also fostering strong partnerships with the localities for a regional approach to economic development.”
John Stallard, owner of C.H.E.F.S. Catering Company, relocated to Rockbridge with his family in 2002. Having more than thirty years in the culinary and restaurant industry, Stallard started the catering company in 2005. The kitchen is set on the 32 acre property known as Stoneridge Inn just south of Lexington.
Stallard and C.H.E.F.S. have contributed to many community organizations over the years, including Rockbridge Area Hospice, Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity, and the Lexington-Rockbridge Jaycees. C.H.E.F.S. has been a corporate sponsor of the Chamber for the past 3 years.
Suzanne Sheridan, CEO of the Rockbridge Area Health Center, is Treasurer of the chamber. Suzanne served as Executive Director of the Rockbridge Area Free Clinic from 1995 to 2014 and then transitioned to CEO when the organization became a Community Health Center in 2014. She has dedicated the past 24 years to improving health care accessibility and services for people in the Rockbridge area. She has done this through the advocacy activities at the local and state level. Suzanne earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Auburn University and served as a Signal Corps officer in the US Army. She is a member of Lexington Lunch Rotary Club and Lions Club. Suzanne is married to John Sheridan and they have four children.
Sheridan has served on the chamber board since 2014 and is serving a third term as Treasurer. She believes in working through the chamber to promote the Rockbridge area as a special place to live and work.
Joining the board of directors are: Mary Buzzard, CornerStone Bank; Jim Jones, Natural Bridge State Park; and John McCoy, Commonwealth Environmental Associates, Inc.
The board of directors’ returning members are: Patrick Blevins, State Farm Insurance; Tim Braddick, Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc.; Tyson Cooper, Southern Virginia University; Jan Hathorn, Washington & Lee University; John Nicholson, Virginia Horse Center Foundation; Holly Ostby, Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital; Stacy Stevens, Bank of Botetourt and Brew Ridge Taps; Jonathan Tarris, Tarris Law, Bobbie Wagner, Rockbridge YMCA; Jay Williams, Virginia Military Institute; and Ben Worth, Dabney S. Lancaster Community.
For more information about the Chamber of Commerce serving Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County, online business directory or community events, visit lexrockchamber.com or call (540) 463-5375.
Pulaski County youth shares big ideas with investors
YEA! program winner has 3-D printing photography business
Sometimes the combination of youthful inspiration and the wisdom of an older mentor can make magic.
"K'LeAnn (Morgan) had a sports photography business. Emily (Conley) took it up a level and said, 'Why not do 3D printing?'" said Farrah Dobbs, co-program manager of the Young Entrepreneurial Academy (YEA!) along with Delores Dalton.
"That's why K'LeAnn won."
Morgan emerged victorious from a rigorous YEA! program over the course of 21 weeks, and now has a chance to make her business plan a reality -- as well as put it up against some of the other brightest ideas in the nation from people her age.
This past week, participants in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) took the stage at Somerset Community College to present their business plans before a panel of local business leaders and a public audience in a presentation similar to the television show "Shark Tank." Seven middle school and high school students had five minutes to pitch their business plans to local members of the business community, during the program's 6th Annual YEA! Investor Panel event. Students received a total of $6,000 in start-up funding to take the next step toward launching and running their own businesses this past week.
From students who started their own upcycled pet clothing line to a middle school student who pitched a classic car photography business, each student presented a business plan highlighting estimated production costs, yearly profits and timelines for company growth. Each student walked away from the competition with $1,000 to aid in the start-up of their business.
The Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce hosted the event as part of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, a national program that challenges local middle and high school students to develop a real business plan, produce legitimate products and win actual investments from the business community.
"This is our sixth year participating in the YEA! Program, and we're amazed with how far these students have come," said Bobby Clue, Executive Director of the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce.
A panel of 13 local entrepreneurs listened to six different business proposals from students between the grades of 7-12. The students learned from business experts in weekly classes over 21 weeks. The volunteer teachers covered everything from budgeting for a business to marketing a product, according to the Chamber.
After more than 20-minutes of deliberation, the panel named Morgan, a junior at Somerset High School as the winner of YEA!'s local competition. Morgan will now pitch her business plan in a regional competition in Rochester, NY, and will have a shot at nationals in Washington, DC. Upon graduation from High School, K'LeAnn will also receive a full four-year scholarship to Campbellsville University for winning this year's YEA! Program. Commonwealth Journal
John Quigley: Chambers Working To Offer Association Healthcare Plan
From John Quigley, President, Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry:
With the remnants of the 2019 Patient Protections and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in jeopardy, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry and fellow chamber members in the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce Executives (WSCCE) group are partnering with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce on the development of an Association Healthcare Plan (AHP) for businesses with one to 50 employees (including sole proprietors).
Some 20 WSCCE members have been doing preliminary work to create an AHP since President Donald Trump’s October 2017 Executive Order 13813 “Promoting Healthcare Choice and Competition Across the United States) instructing the U.S. Department of Labor to establish AHP guidelines per the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974.
Katie Maloney, Vice President of Health Policy at the United States Chamber of Commerce, made AHP presentations at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Day in Springfield on March 20 and in 2018 at a WSCCE monthly luncheon meeting.
At Chamber Day, Laurie Silvey, Associate Vice President and President of Center for Business Management at the Illinois Chamber, reported that the state chamber is forming a separate subsidiary for the sole purpose of administering an AHP and sent a Request For Proposals (RFP) to eight healthcare insurance providers with a submission deadline of April 18.
Some details of the Illinois Chamber’s RFP include:
This plan will encompass businesses from 1-50 employees, including sole proprietors.
All participating employers included in this plan must be a member of either ILCC or the local chamber federation formed for the purpose of administering this AHP.
The RFP includes request for offering fully insured medical insurance, as well as the possibility of packaging dental and/or vision insurance.
The more companies that participate in this plan with the ILCC, the better the rates we expect.
Depending on the results of the RFP, this may be a single carrier or multiple carrier, with multiple plans available. We plan to work to build a strong network of providers.
Per the DOL’s new rule, AHPs can serve employers in a city, county, state or multi-state metropolitan area (or a particular industry nationwide) to provide more choice and more-affordable insurance for small businesses.
Customized to the needs of small businesses, AHPs are projected to reduce administrative costs and strengthen negotiating power from larger risk pools and greater economies of scale, according to the DOL. As with large company plans, consumer protections and healthcare anti-discrimination protections with apply.
The DOL’s Employee Benefits Security Administration will monitor the new AHPs to ensure compliance with the law and protect consumers, with state government sharing enforcement authority with the federal government.
According to the DOL, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates millions of employees will switch their coverage to more-affordable and more-flexible AHPs and 400,000 previously uninsured employees will gain coverage.
Here is John's contact info: johnq@elmhurstchamber.org - (630) 834-6060
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