Indiana halts funds for Regional Cities grants in new budget
A state grant program created by former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence that funded three regional economic development efforts has been dropped despite supporters lauding its success.Pence and the General Assembly launched the Regional Cities Initiative in 2015 and awarded three $42 million grants to projects in north central, northeastern and southwestern Indiana.
But neither Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb nor legislative leaders sought to include money for additional grants in the new state budget adopted last month, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported.
A study conducted by Ball State University indicated the initiative could expand Indiana's workforce by nearly 8,000 people over eight years.
"It's been huge," said Jeff Rea, president and CEO of the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce. "It's hard to maybe explain the significance of it."
Over $1.2 billion has been invested in the Regional Cities projects since the program launched, which includes $835.5 million being contributed from the private sector, the research showed.
The program has been transformative, said the leaders from the first three regions. Before the 2019 legislative session started in January, the officials urged lawmakers to consider allotting $150 million for a second round of subsidies.
"When we lobby for Regional Cities 2.0, we're lobbying realizing we're probably not going to get that because (our region) benefited before," Rea said. "We'd love to see others take advantage of it."
Gov. Eric Holcomb's administration said the program functioned well, but neither the Governor's Office nor budget-writing legislators appear to have an interest in funding more proposals.
"It was one-time dollars," House Ways and Means Committee Co-Chairman Todd Huston said. "It was never intended, I don't think, to be a continual state appropriation."
Huston added if the Regional Cities program is going to continue, it will need to be driven more by local dollars than state grants.
"We have to think about something that's sustainable, that is locally driven," he said.
Information from: Indianapolis Business Journal, http://www.ibj.com
#FamousChamber Of Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!)
"To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone." Reba McEntire
Cary-Grove High School Students Awarded Chamber Scholarships
The Cary-Grove Area Chamber of Commerce recently awarded two $2,000 business scholarships to local students at the Cary-Grove High School Honors Night on Wednesday, May 15. The awards are intended to encourage area students to pursue college interests that might impact local business. Over the years, the Chamber has given away more than $40,000 in scholarship awards to local high school students who are pursuing business related studies. The chamber is proud to make this investment in our local youth who may someday become future business professionals and owners right in our community. We specifically look for students that may want to bring their skills back to the Cary-Grove area.
This year's high school recipients each received a $2,000 scholarship for college. The scholarships were awarded to Gabriele Eidukebiciute and Lilly Hicks. Gabriele will be attending Indiana University in the fall and majoring in Business. With a degree in Business Administration and accounting, Gabriele aspires to become an advocate for small businesses. Lilly will be attending the University of Illinois and majoring in Business. She would love to work for a non-profit or local company and assist with social media, marketing and promotion. Both students were extremely involved during their four years at Cary-Grove High both at the school and within their communities.
Birmingham Bloomfield 2018-2019 Membership Directory and Community Resource Guide
The Birmingham-Bloomfield 2018-2019 Membership Directory and Community Resource Guide is available at the Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce today! Thank you to Joe Bauman 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.
Northern Kentucky Chamber June Eggs ‘N Issues at Receptions to focus on cybersecurity
Panelists will review the current cyber threat landscape. The discussion will lay out the current threats small and midsize businesses face and best practices to mitigate those threats.
Panelists include:
* Dennis Kennedy, Dressman Benzinger LaVelle psc (DBL Law) – Kennedy is a partner at DBL Law who specializes in health care, medical malpractice, and technology. He advises health care clients throughout Kentucky regarding various issues including regulatory compliance, fraud and abuse, reimbursement appeals, provider enrollment issues, and civil monetary penalties. In addition, Kennedy is a frequent speaker on reimbursement issues, fraud and abuse, regulatory compliance, and HIPPA privacy and security laws. He is a former health care accountant, hospital risk manager, and corporate compliance officer.
* Brian Ruschman, C-Forward, Inc. – Ruschman, President of C-Forward, has more than 16 years of experience with computer networking and has received many Microsoft certifications. An active member of the NKY Chamber, he serves as the Chair of the Chamber Ambassador committee and is a graduate of the 35th Leadership Northern Kentucky Class.
* Tom Scarborough, Fifth Third Bank – Scarborough is the Director of Cyber Defense and Operations at Fifth Third Bank and has more than 16 years of Information Security Management experience. In his role, he has responsibility for the day-to-day operations of information security including Cyber Threat Intelligence, Attack Detection, Analysis, and Response (ADAR), Attack Surface Management, Vulnerability Management, Network and Endpoint Security, and the Insider Threat Program.
Eggs ‘N Issues: Cybersecurity will take place at Receptions Banquet and Conference Center (1379 Donaldson Rd., Erlanger). The event will begin with check-in, breakfast, and networking from 7:30-7:55 a.m., with the discussion and audience Q&A running from 7:55-9:00 a.m.“Businesses rely on technology to conduct work efficiently and securely, which is why cybersecurity is important,” said Brent Cooper, President and CEO of the NKY Chamber. “This event will be a great opportunity to learn how local companies working to combat cybercrimes and cyber threats and walk away with actionable items to apply to their own organizations.”
Registration for Eggs ‘N Issues is $25 for NKY Chamber members, $50 for future NKY Chamber members, and $20 for NKYP Passport holders. Pre-registration is required online at www.NKYChamber.com/events.
The Eggs ‘N Issues Title Sponsor is DBL Law. The Non-Profit Spotlight is Carmel Manor.
The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is the leading business organization in Northern Kentucky.
It is a Five-Star Accredited Chamber with nearly 1,500 member companies representing approximately 175,000 employees. Read more: Northern Kentucky Tribune
Midland Business Alliance Celebrates Economic Development Week
The MBA is celebrating National Economic Development Week this week to celebrate the contributions of positive economic development and explain the role of the profession in our local community. Here are some quick facts about economic development and its impact in Midland County:
· The MBA is the only agency in the County of Midland devoted solely to the economic development of our community. With the support of its stakeholders, the MBA Foundation enhances the economic footprint of Midland County through strong partnerships; business recruitment, retention and expansion; workforce development; and entrepreneurship.
· The MBA’s economic development arm, formerly known as Midland Tomorrow has been focused on working to increase business investment in Midland County for more than 50 years.
· In 2018, nearly $16 million new investment in 154 projects was recorded by our economic development agency, resulting in 127 new jobs and 104 retained jobs. We provided support and assistance with utilizing many services.
· Some of the ways the MBA assists businesses is through comprehensive retention visits, grant assistance, education and training, real estate development and more. If your business needs assistance with everything from workforce attraction and training to expansion, contact the MBA today! Call (989) 839-9522 or email us.
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!
Logansport Cass County Chamber Directory and Map
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.
Apply Today: WMC Business Friend of the Environment Awards
WMC is accepting nominations for the 30th Annual Business Friend of the Environment Awards, honoring companies that have made significant improvements in the areas of sustainability, environmental innovation and environmental stewardship. The goal of this awards program is to demonstrate to state policymakers, businesses and the public that sound environmental practices are good for Wisconsin and its business environment. Nomination deadline is June 21, 2019. Click here for more information
Biloxi beats D’Iberville in 2019 Great Biloxi Schooner Mayor’s Cup
The City of Biloxi took the crown as the winner of the 2019 Great Biloxi Schooner Mayor’s Cup Saturday.
Biloxi reclaimed the title from the D’Iberville team, who came at a close second as the two groups sailed classic schooners across the Mississippi Sound.
The race started around noon from the Schooner pier. Spectators watched from the dock as the boats cut through the water and raced to the finish line. Mayor FoFo Gilich says he’s proud of his team’s win and the chance to ride the historic vessel.
The seafood capital of the world was built around this kind of hull and this kind of shrimping experience. So, it’s good the seafood industry, the maritime museum crew and yacht club got the boats back in the water," said Mayor Gilich.
The trophy presentation was held at the Fais Do-Do on Saturday night. The annual regatta was sponsored by the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce. Read more: WLOX
Renovated Tazewell railway station opens, houses new Chamber of Commerce
For the first time in 60 years, the former Norfolk & Western Railway station in Tazewell was open for public business. The Restoration and Repurposing Committee, in cooperation with the Tazewell County Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Tazewell, the Board of Supervisors, the Tazewell County Historical Society and the Tazewell County Tourism office, among others, welcomed an estimated crowd of more than 300 to the gala grand opening Saturday.
“We had hoped to fill the 120 seats in the station, and we did,” said Tazewell town council member and committee chair Dr. Terry W. Mullins, who added in opening remarks, “our hearts and this historic building are overflowing on this wonderful day.”
Mullins, who organized the team formed in March 2014, has worked tirelessly with local, state and federal officials along with spirited community support and volunteer efforts to make the dream of opening the station a reality. The 30 members of the team were recognized for their “thousands of volunteer hours” as noted by Mullins.
A mural representing the noted work of outstanding artists Don and Ellen Elmes was unveiled. Architect Barry Rakes spoke and N & W Historical Society representative Tishia Boggs presented Mullins an historic railroad book. Cumberland Plateau’s Jim Baldwin lauded the group’s achievement.
Not only is the station open, but it has become the home of the newly reorganized Tazewell County Chamber of Commerce.
“We are so excited to be here,” said C of C interim Director Pam Meade, who has led the Tazewell Chamber for five years. “We will continue to work on behalf of Tazewell County, and will also be a satellite office of the Tourism Committee. We hope to extend our hours to better serve visitors from far and near and we welcome volunteers to help us do that.”
Rusty Hatfield, whose father, Major, was the last N & W station agent in 1978, gave the invocation and benediction.
He said, “This (restoration) is fantastic. We can all be thankful for what it meant to shoppers, local business, passengers, the soldiers who used it over the years and hopeful for the opportunities now open for the future.” Read more: Bluefield Daily Telegraph
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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