16,000 collector cars and 275,000 people expected for the 15th Annual Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber 28th St. Metro Cruise, happening August 23rd and 24th
The 28th Street Metro Cruise began in 2005. The Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce began the event to help drive business to the 28th Street corridor when M-6 opened on the south end of Grand Rapids. The cruise has been held every August since 2005.
Cruising 28th Street, however, began a long time before the Chamber created this annual event. Cruisers have long considered 28th Street a memorable place for car lovers, particularly around the Roger’s Plaza area in Wyoming. Bringing car lovers together to celebrate this long-standing tradition was the foundation for the current event. And Cruisers have shown up in the thousands to reminisce. All types of vehicles are included in the event: hot rods, low riders, muscle cars, performance cars, classics, antiques, even motorcycles!
Since 2005, the event has grown from 85,000 attendees the first year to over 250,000 in recent years. The number of participating vehicles attending each year is estimated at well over 15,000. People have come from all over the United States to attend and participate in this annual car-fest. It is an open event, without limits on the types of vehicles allowed and is a non-judicated event. In 2007 the event expanded from one to two days. The current event schedule runs on both Friday and Saturday.
Each year, a team of volunteer Chamber members gather to plan, organize, and run the event. Proceeds from the event are used to help support Chamber programs.
The 28th Street Metro Cruise only happens with the participation of Business Sponsors. It is an open, free-to-attend event. Each venue activity is paid for by valuable annual sponsors. Past venues have included a wide variety of activities such as the Metro Million – a show of high-end classic and antique collectible cars – and a Swap Meet, a Car Corral, Pinup Girl Contest, and Sock Hop. Celebrity Guests, a Manufacturer’s Midway, a Classic Car Auction, Entertainment Stages, Hop-Off Competitions, Dino Challenge and more have also popped in or popped up.
The event is staffed by an awesome crew of volunteers. Some non-profits have helped with the many staffing needs, but most are people, like you, who have a love for the event and want to be a part of it. Each year we seek more volunteers as the cruise continues to grow. Whether directing traffic, guiding guests, or setting up and taking down equipment, there is a spot for everyone. More information: 28th Street Metro Cruise
#FamousChamber Of Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!) :)
Specifically, bright light exposure early in the day stimulates serotonin production, improving your mood and happiness, and regulates melatonin in the evening, improving your sleep.— Lynn Kim, House Beautiful, "This Little Light Could Make You Feel Happier," 26 Mar. 2019
Chamber of Commerce Serving Lexington, Buena Vista, Rockbridge County 2019 Membership Directory and Workforce Development Magazine
The new Chamber of Commerce 2018 magazine is available at the Chamber today! Thanks to Tracy Lyons, Chrystal Lee 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 guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Muskegon County Airport sees increase in travelers with new flights
Recent spring break travel filled up many flights, and airport officials are even more optimistic as the region gears up for summer travel season. The “early out and later in” schedule that began in October expanded opportunities for people to fly to domestic and international destinations served by United Express, a regional brand of United Airlines.
SkyWest Airlines, operating as United Express, provides two round-trip direct flights daily to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. For business travelers, the benefits of the new schedule include arriving in Chicago around 6 a.m.
In December, the airport saw a 38-percent uptick in passengers compared to the previous year. That trend continued in the first three months of 2019, with “very healthy increases” and a passenger load factor near 50 percent for March, according to Airport Manager Jeffrey Tripp.
“There are so many people who live right by here,” Tripp said. “The basic message we have is support your local airport.”
With the new schedule this winter, the Muskegon airport saw increases in leisure travel to destinations including Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Jamaica, Tripp said. The new schedule allows for early morning and afternoon departures and afternoon and late evening arrivals, making it convenient for both business travelers and vacationers who need to make connecting flights.
“Getting the right schedule is huge,” Tripp said. “The new schedule really opens up your ability to connect in Chicago. … The later flight really opens up the ability to come back.”
Executives at the Muskegon airport are realistic about the market reach of nearby Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which closed out 2018 with a fifth straight year of record-setting passenger numbers. About 3.26 million passengers flew in and out of the Grand Rapids airport in 2018, up from the 2.8 million record set in 2017.
But airport officials encourage lakeshore residents to “check Muskegon first.”
“The West Michigan shoreline region has two quality airports providing air service options for business and leisure travelers,” Tripp said. “In looking at the continued record-setting growth the Gerald R. Ford Airport is experiencing, it shows the demand for air service in the region is only increasing. … Sometimes MKG is the best option; other times GRR is.”
Having direct flights to Chicago available from Muskegon connects the region to the world and adds to the lakeshore’s economic vitality and ability to attract companies, according to area business leaders.
“Time is money in business dealings,” said Cindy Larsen, president of Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce. “Having access to air travel is critical for business development. Years ago, an international business traveler said to me, ‘It’s easy to get to Muskegon from Germany.’ That statement made a lasting impression in my mind about the importance of business air travel.” Read more: MiBiz
Indy Chamber: Legislative: This is the Remix
This week, lawmakers dropped new beats on current bills, remixing the Statehouse soundtrack as the last few weeks of session loom ahead. There were major changes to the gaming bill, the Capital Improvement Board (CIB) revenue plan and economic development policy. If that wasn’t enough, the Senate released its version of the budget Thursday morning.
To quote the Beatnuts, “Watch out now!” With heavy committee action and more bills getting shuffled to the floor and the Governor’s desk, if you blinked you might miss something. Here’s our take.
New School
We like our old school hip-hop references here, but this session definitely has a “new school” spin: Top fiscal leaders like Todd Huston and Ryan Mishler are guiding their first budgets, and school funding – as usual – is a top issue.
In fact, each iteration of HB1001 has upped the ante on state tuition support: The Senate amendment nudges the numbers a little higher, for a 4.9% biennial bump for K-12 funding (versus 4.3% from the House and 4% originally proposed by the Governor). Taking a closer look:
Like Governor Holcomb and the House, the Senate GOP shied away from requiring that additional funding go to teacher pay; they did add to Teacher Appreciation Grants (now at a $90M two-year total) which are targeted to bonuses and base salaries;
The Senate took a tougher position on charters (especially virtual programs), cutting per-student support from $1,000 (House passed) to $500;
As Senator Mishler hinted last week, the Senate eases cuts in ‘complexity funding’ for high-poverty school districts (and added English Language Learner funds) to support challenged urban and rural communities;
There was little change in workforce priorities (doubling Workforce Ready and Next Level Employer grants), though the Senate did add $1.5M for Industry Credentialing Organizations to align with SB420 (supporting career-focused credential programs, which was engrossed on second reading);
On economic development, there was general alignment, though the Senate did trim funding for the Business Promotion & Innovation Fund (back to the Governor’s original $15M/year request) and cut the 21st Century Fund by about $8M a year.
A lot depends on next week’s updated revenue forecast and how funding matches up with the final version of SB563 (economic development), but we’d certainly prefer more investment in entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives.
The Senate-remixed HB1001 passed the Appropriations Committee, and after new revenue data is presented by the State Budget Agency next week, we’ll have a good idea of the positions and parameters that will shape the fiscal negotiations to come.
The CIB Scoreboard
On Monday, the Ways & Means Committee made significant changes to SB7, the Capital Improvement Board funding bill, which then passed third reading on Thursday.
The amended legislation removes a proposed Hilton development at Pan-Am Plaza from the PSDA, including other downtown hotels to provide longer-term funding (on a sliding scale) for a convention center expansion and upgrades to Bankers Life Fieldhouse and other facilities.
As hoteliers debate downtown room capacity adjacent to the Convention Center and the Pacers deal looks to be a slam dunk at today’s CIB meeting, the Indy Eleven franchise has quietly dribbled towards their goal: Funding potential for a new $150M soccer stadium stayed in the bill, minus a requirement that the team join the MLS by a predetermined date.
Wanna bet?
Ways & Means also dealt a new hand to casino operators by amending SB533 earlier in the week. They halved (from $100 to $50M) a fee imposed by their Policy Committee colleagues for Spectacle Entertainment to consolidate Gary riverboat licenses into a major inland casino. They also revived a competitive process for a newly-created casino license in Terre Haute (which had been earmarked for Spectacle) and provides ‘hold harmless’ funding for the French Lick/West Baden hotels as the competitive landscape shifts.
The bill also legalizes (and taxes at 9.5%) sports wagering at casinos and satellite locations (amid a continued debate over mobile betting), potentially boosting the gaming revenue stream (now a fairly modest contributor to the general fund).
The rest of the week: Economic development, school efficiency and more…
SB563 was also marked up in committee and passed third reading this week, updating economic development incentives to support high-tech growth and creating a redevelopment tax credit to bring new investment to vacant or environmentally-compromised properties. The amended bill tweaks the certified tech park statute and specified public health as a factor in choosing qualified redevelopment sites. Read more: Indy Chamber
Best Facebook Live Post of the Week: Sheboygan County Chamber - Excellent promotion for their Chamber Member Bayland Buildings, Inc.
It’s Meet A Member Friday!
We’re LIVE with Chamber Member Bayland Buildings, Inc at Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center talking about their recent project and services!
Watch & listen for details!
Hampton Roads Chamber State of the City 2019 - (APRIL)
The Hampton Roads Chamber means business and works to be an impactful advocate, powerful economic partner, and inspiring ignitor for the region. The State of the City Series is five luncheons designed for interaction among business, civic, and community leaders across Hampton Roads. It is an opportunity for city Mayors to reflect on the past year, while also sharing a plan for a successful future. These can’t miss forums will provide members of the community with valuable information on community issues that affect local businesses, and the breaking news on what to expect in the year ahead.
Norfolk State of the City 2019
Date: April 19, 2019
Time: 11:30-2:00 pm
Where: Norfolk Hilton | The Main
100 E Main St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander said, “Norfolk is the driver of growth and competitiveness for Hampton Roads, the leading provider of higher paying jobs and higher education, a major international trade and transportation hub, and the center for arts and culture.”
Chesapeake State of the City 2019
Date: April 30, 2019
Time: 11:30-2:00 pm
Where: Chesapeake Conference Center
700 Conference Center Dr.
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Mayor Rick West said, “Chesapeake is a vibrant city, built on strong and historic foundations with a focus firmly on the future. I’m excited to share highlights with you during the annual State of the City address.”
IDF takes Pulse of the Local Economy in Brookhaven
Members of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce’s Industrial Development Foundation gathered in the conference room at the Chamber Monday afternoon to discuss the latest developments in the economic health of the city and county.
IDF President Dustin Walker facilitated reports on multiple topics, each with the potential to provide jobs, increase a sense of community or in some other way benet the county and city economically. But what most people in attendance wanted to know was the answer to one question, voiced by Bill Jacobs: “What’s the grocery store status?”
Mayor Joe Cox and Chamber Executive Director Garrick Combs did their best to answer the question as specically as possible, while remaining rather vague on the details. Combs spoke recently with the longtime owner of the local Piggly Wiggly stores, Glenda Rushing. Combs said Rushing told him she was in talks with a potential buyer and was condent a satisfactory deal was coming soon. Read more: Daily Leader
Logansport Cass County Community Resource Guide and Map
The Logansport Cass County Community Guide and map is available at the Chamber today! Thanks to the Bill, Teresa and the chamber members 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.
#BestChamber Practices: Chamber newsletter: April NEWS from Mt. Zion Chamber President Wendy Kernan
I was sitting through a presentation at a recent conference I attended and the speaker said for
every minute an associate spends outside their circle of what they can control you lose $1 off
your bottom line. Think about that for a minute … that can add up to quite a bit in a month not
to mention year. So, what happens when an associate does focus on the uncontrollable? They
begin to blame others and the company, they get frustrated, production/sales slow and they
may leave your company. Hence, $$ off the bottom line not to mention who else they infected.
So, as a manager, leader, business owner the real question is how do I keep my associates not
only focused on the controllable but how can the associate dominate the controllable? What
does that associate’s Attitude, Passion, and Purpose look like?
At this point, you might and should be asking as their leader what can I do to get them to dominate?
Here are some ideas to help get you started.
• Have a session where your team lists everything that stands in their way, doesn’t matter
what it is, everything is game. From there take 2 sheets of paper one labelled controllable
and one uncontrollable. Start going through their list putting each item on one of the lists.
At the end, take the uncontrollable sheet, wad it up and throw it away. Tell your team we
are not going to worry about what we can control any more. Then spend some time or set
a follow up meeting to go through what was on the controllable list.
• Have your associates own their Why. Have each person consider why they do what they do
and what good comes from what they do. To help them, have them list their answer to “I
do what I do so that …...” 5 times with 5 different reasons right.
• Help your team master their thoughts and step on their “ANTs” (Automatic Negative
Thoughts). Have them think and answer how they can Catch their ANT (notice it), Address
it (Acknowledge it and then let it go) and Refocus themselves (what can they control). This
is great for a one on one session.
Hopefully, this helps you get started and check ourselves as well. What ANTs do we need to
stomp on to dominate our controllable and dominate our business?
“Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the
right moment, neither too soon nor too late.” Byron Katie
Thank you for being a part of the Mt. Zion Chamber and allowing me to serve you.
Sincerely,
Your Chamber President
Wendy J Kernan
Laura Clifford Chairs Mayfield/Graves County Chamber Board
The Mayfield /Graves County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently transitioned in four new directors and a new executive committee.
The new directors include Ricky Binkley of West Kentucky Rural Electric, Joey Reed of First United Methodist Church, Brent Shultz of Mayfield Electric and Water Systems, and Stephen Powell of Old Hickory Clay Company, MidSouth Materials, and Hoskins BBQ officially joined the Board of Directors in January after approval from the full Chamber membership.
Georgann Lookofsky of West Kentucky Rural Electric and Richie Kemp of Kemp Law Group had terms on the board that ended at the close of 2018. Steven Elder of US Bank had a term that ended in March of 2019.
In addition, new officers for the 2019 executive committee have been chosen. 2018 Chair-Elect Laura Clifford of Fox & Company CPA is transitioning into the role of Chair for 2019, while 2018 Chair Jennifer Beck Walker of Purchase Area Development District will become Past Chair.
Michelle Arnett of Centrifugal Technologies, Inc. will fill the role of Treasurer. Amanda Rorer of First Kentucky Bank will be Chair-Elect. Read more: West Kentucky Star
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Maps and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.
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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 Or you can call John Dussman aT 847-427-4633.
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