Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Henkel to partner with ALPLA, Inc for $130 million expansion to Bowling Green production facility; Birmingham Bloomfield 2018-2019 Membership Directory and Community Resource Guide; Midland Business Alliance: Looking to Attract Young Professionals?; #BestChamber practices: Clarkston Area Chamber: Financial Education Series - Presented by Comerica Bank; #FamousChamber Of Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!); Bullitt County Chamber of Commerce Community Map; WSCCE 21 Multi-Chamber Luncheon: IMPROV(E) Your Business Skills: Chambers of Commerce Bartlett - Batiavia - Bloomingdale- Bolingbrook - Carol Stream - Chamber 630 - Darien - Elgin - Elmhurst - Geneva - Glen Ellyn - Hinsdale - HEritage Corridor - Lisle - Lombard - Orland Park - Villa Park - West Suburban - Western DuPage - Westmont - Wheaton; Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance: CROUCH VISITS: Lt. Gov. talks about US 31, broadband; WELCOME HOME - The Nation's Premier New Resident Marketing Program for Your Chamber Members; Biloxi Bay Area Chamber: Third annual Red, White, and Brew; Waupaca Kmart Employees Retail Grant Eligible; Fox Valley Workforce Development Board Leads Rapid Response Efforts; Behold Washington opens 19,000-square-foot showroom in Tupelo; Altavista Chamber to host final TGIF event of the season this week; 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!

Henkel to partner with ALPLA, Inc for $130 million expansion to Bowling Green production facility

Tuesday morning Henkel announced a partnership with ALPLA, Inc. to invest over $130 million towards enhancing laundry detergent production at its Bowling Green, KY facility. The investment will be used to build infrastructure, including a new bottle production area onto the Henkel campus, and will increase efficiency, create capacity for growth and drive energy savings. Additionally, ALPLA will hire 60 employees once construction is complete.


Henkel, a global leader in laundry & home care, beauty care and adhesives, is the largest operation in the South Central Kentucky Industrial Park and the largest laundry plant within the company at more than 2 million square feet.

“This new investment at our flagship laundry detergent production facility will help us build on our strong market position in the U.S. laundry market, with our iconic brands that consumers know and love -- including globally renowned Persil®; Snuggle®, with its well-loved Snuggle bear; and ‘all®, the trusted family brand; along with brands from our retailer partners,” said Stephan Fuesti-Molnar, President of Henkel Consumer Goods North America. “With 70% of U.S. households buying laundry and home care products made by Henkel, we are well positioned for sustainable long-term growth in the region.”“Henkel has been a major economic development engine in our community,” said Ron Bunch, President & CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. “Beyond Henkel’s direct employment contribution and community service efforts, the investment partnership with ALPLA is a prime example of how the company’s supplier network, especially within the transportation and packaging sectors, further magnifies their economic impact locally.”

ALPLA, Inc., a world leader in the development and production of plastic packaging solutions, celebrated the groundbreaking of their expansion in the Kentucky Transpark this past April. The expansion includes a $6.9 million capital investment, the cornerstone of which is an additional 60,000 square-feet of warehouse space.

“ALPLA is a family owned business and has been manufacturing bottles for more than 60 years,” said Philipp Lehner, ALPLA Chief Financial Officer. “We are pleased to build on our presence in the Bowling Green area and expand our 34-year global partnership with Henkel.”

Following the construction of the new 170,000 sq. ft. packaging operation, ALPLA will hire and manage 60 employees, bringing specialized expertise and training to their expanding staff at the new operation. The ALPLA-managed packaging operation will have an economic impact on South Central Kentucky totaling more than $275 million over a ten year period and will begin operations in mid-2020. This partnership represents an innovative supply chain approach to drive efficiency and sustainability.

“We are thrilled about this partnered investment between Henkel and ALPLA,” said Bowling Green Mayor Bruce Wilkerson. “It’s always a good day when we celebrate the continued growth of companies in our community.”

“Seeing local businesses continue to grow and become more efficient across the South Central Kentucky region is very exciting,” said Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon. “Warren County is a great place to do business and this investment between ALPLA and Henkel is another great example of our strong business community.”

Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation Interim President & CEO Dewayne McDonald added, “Congratulations to Henkel and ALPLA on their most recent expansion in the South Central Kentucky Industrial Park. This has been an exciting project to work on and we look forward to working with them as they continue to grow.”

Climbing from number six in 2013 to number one in 2018, Bowling Green has been ranked for six consecutive years in Site Selection Magazine’s “Top 10 Metro Areas for New and Expanded Facilities” among metro areas with populations less than 200,000. Bowling Green was also ranked 2018’s ‘Best Place to Live in Kentucky’ by TIME.com.

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce has closed seven economic development projects totaling $264.5 million in capital investment and 751 new jobs for 2019. Read more: WBKO 13 TV


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.

Midland Business Alliance: Looking to Attract Young Professionals? 

Last year the Great Lakes Bay Region hosted its first ever Coming Home Networking Mixer. The event brought together employers and young professionals in a relaxed atmosphere to encourage young professionals to take a fresh look at the region and the career opportunities that exist here. 

This year’s Coming Home Networking Mixer is scheduled for October 11th at Mountain Town Station in downtown Mt. Pleasant and you’re invited to participate. Whether you’re a Midland County business that’s looking to fill open positions at your company or someone passionate about your community, this event is for you.

For Interested Businesses:

Businesses can register online at discovergreatlakesbay.com/company-registration/. Businesses that register by August 21st will also be invited to a complimentary pre-event breakfast taking place August 28th where businesses will receive additional information on how to get the most out of the networking mixer and hear from speakers who will help businesses address further talent needs after the event.

For Young Professionals:

Young professionals and individuals interested in attending can register and upload resumes online at discovergreatlakesbay.com/coming-home/. Attendees will receive two complimentary drink tickets and enjoy a variety of complimentary appetizers at the event. Forward this email to any young professionals you know who could be interested!


#BestChamber practices: Clarkston Area Chamber: Financial Education Series - Presented by Comerica Bank

Identity Theft

Wednesday Aug 21, 2019
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM EDT

Wednesday, August 21st
8:45-9:00am - Registration
9:00-9:20am - Presentation
9:20-9:30am - Q&A

Location:
Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce
5856 S. Main St.
Clarkston, MI 48346

Fees/Administration
Free for members

Contact Information
Gina Garavaglia
Send Email
Identity Theft
Register

Description
Join us for a FREE Member Exclusive Financial Education Series presented by Comerica Bank!
In this session you will learn about Identity Theft. Identity Fraud hits a new victim every two seconds. In this session, you will learn what identity theft is, where it happens, what they can do with it, and tips to protect yourself.

Other topics include:

August 28th - Buying vs. Renting
September 4th - Managing Your Credit Score
October 9th - Power of Saving Money
October 16th - Retirement Planning
October 23rd - Managing Your Cash Flow For Small Businesses


#FamousChamber Of Commerce Quotations: (Be happy!)
Happiness grows at our own firesides, and is not to be picked in strangers’ gardens. Douglas Jerrold



Bullitt County Chamber of Commerce  Community Map

The Bullitt County Chamber of Commerce Community Map is available at the Chamber today! Thanks to Helen Hill, Anita Stump and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!


Town SquarePublications
 (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.




















Bullitt County KY Chamber map

WSCCE 21 Multi-Chamber Luncheon: IMPROV(E) Your Business Skills: Chambers of Commerce Bartlett - Batiavia - Bloomingdale- Bolingbrook - Carol Stream - Chamber 630 - Darien - Elgin - Elmhurst - Geneva - Glen Ellyn - Hinsdale - HEritage Corridor - Lisle - Lombard - Orland Park - Villa Park - West Suburban - Western DuPage - Westmont - Wheaton


Note from Cindy Allston, President/CEO - Bloomingdale Chamber

John,

I just wanted to let you know about a 21 Multi-Chamber event taking place on October 24th – IMPROVe Your Business Skills being put on by the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce Executives (WSCCE). I’m attaching the flyer (each chamber customizes the flyer with their logo and contact info). We do this once a year, but this is the largest showing we have. Something different than that the usual keynote speaker this event will be interactive with the audience. The committee of Kerry O’Brien from Wheaton, Yvonne Invergo from Lombard, Felicitas Cortez from Orland Park, and Dawn Smith from Glen Ellyn and myself, have been working to bring the best event to all members of the 21 Chambers involved. It provides all our members the unique opportunity to network with hundreds of area businesses. The event will likely have over 400 guests in attendance.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Cindy Allston
President/CEO
Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce
104 S. Bloomingdale Road
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
P 630.980.9082

Don’t Wait - Register for these upcoming events today:

Thursday, October 24, 2019 Abbington Banquets
3 South 002 IL Route 53, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Business Expo
12:00 PM  - 1:15 PM - Luncheon & Keynote
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM Expo Resumes



Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance: CROUCH VISITS: Lt. Gov. talks about US 31, broadband


Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch spoke during a lunchtime speech Thursday in Kokomo about a variety of topics affecting Howard County residents, including the state’s plan to turn U.S. 31 into a freeway and its investment into rural broadband.
Other issues, like trail funding, also emerged during Crouch’s time at the Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce’s Business Matters Luncheon, which she followed by treating local elected officials and candidates to personal pictures before heading back to Indianapolis for the State Fair.
Crouch had compliments ready for her audience, specifically crediting Kokomo for its downtown growth and what she said was more than $30 million last year in new construction within the city’s center.
“We are so proud of your accomplishments,” she said.
Here are some of the other topics broached by Crouch:

Crouch most notably said the state will invest $475 million “in making U.S. 31 free flowing by 2026.”
“That would mean be able to – just be able to drive,” she added after her speech, noting she’s heard from Rep. Mike Karickhoff, R-Kokomo, specifically about the stoplight on Division Road in Tipton County.
“They’re talking about … ‘I’m going to get on and drive to Indianapolis without stops.’”
The Tribune reported last month that the Indiana Department of Transportation has begun purchasing houses along U.S. 31 in Tipton County in preparation for making the road a limited-access highway.
Property records show the department has purchased 12 properties, totaling more than 17 acres, in about the last year along the section of road between Ind. 28 and the Howard County line.
INDOT is expected to continue to buy properties that have access to the highway in an effort to make the road safer by limiting the amount of vehicles pulling onto it from driveways.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced last year two intersections on U.S. 31 in Miami County, where there are currently stoplights, are set to be transformed into full-on interchanges.
Holcomb said in a previous interview the state in total plans to install new interchanges at four intersections along U.S. 31 from South Bend to Indianapolis where there are currently stoplights. Only six stop lights are currently located on that stretch of road, he said.
Once the four interchanges are complete, only two stoplights will remain on U.S. 31 from Indy to South Bend. Those stoplights will be Division Road in Tipton County, and Ind. 218 West near Grissom Air Reserve Base in Miami County.
“We’re not going to stop until drivers don’t have to stop from South Bend to Indy,” Holcomb said. “The plan is to make a true freeway so you don’t have to stop anywhere in between.”
Broadband access
Crouch also touched on the topic of broadband access, critical to rural residents like farmers and students who need Internet capabilities to complete e-learning tasks.
“We’re going to be expanding broadband here in Indiana, further connecting Hoosiers to each other, to the nation and to the world,” she said.
“Because we understand that broadband is the enabling infrastructure for Indiana’s innovation economy. And access to fast, affordable, reliable broadband affects workforce, health care, education, economic development and quality of life.”
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, meanwhile, announced last week that $22.1 million had been granted for broadband expansion infrastructure projects across Indiana. The money is part of the Indiana Next Level Broadband program’s initial round.
Receiving $250,000 from the program was Smithville Communications, which itself is committing nearly $756,000 to a project that will provide high-speed broadband to 127 rural households in Howard and Tipton counties. Read more: Kokomo Tribune

WELCOME HOME - The Nation's Premier New Resident Marketing Program for Your Chamber Members 

Welcome Home, the nation's premier new resident marketing program,is a new mover marketing program designed to help get your chamber members' businesses  in front of the most valuable audiences - new residents.

Exclusive to chamber members, the WELCOME HOME program is a remarkable advertising tool, highly visible, targeted and delivered direct to new resident's mailboxes, catching them as they establish new buying habits.

In addition, WELCOME HOME is distributed to local libraries, park districts, municipalities and your local chamber office.

Get your members in front of one of the most valuable audiences: NEW RESIDENTS.

Don't miss this opportunity to promote your member businesses to new residents ON A MONTHLY BASIS, ALL YEAR LONG!

Mailed monthly to new movers from the previous 30 days!

They are new to the neighborhood. They have money to spend. They need your member's businesses and services.



Town Square Publications  (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's NEW MOVER publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.

Biloxi Bay Area Chamber: Third annual Red, White, and Brew

The third annual Red, White, and Brew fundraiser kicked off tonight at the Scarlet Pearl Casino. It was an event to help people in attendance unwind with a glass of the best brew the Mississippi Coast has to offer while also raising funds for the Biloxi Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. This ‘fun’draiser featured craft beer selections from Biloxi Brewing Company and Chandeleur Island Brewing Company as well as a variety of wine choices from Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. Biloxi Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tina Ross-Seamans says this is a great way to give back to the community. “The Scarlet Pearl approached us several years ago, three years ago to be exact. They wanted to do something big with us. They didn’t want to just do an afterhours so they said how about we do a beer and wine tasting. Craft beer was just getting started back then on the Coast. It was a nice way for us to partner. Anything that we can help out to give back to the community, that’s what our mission and our goal is all about.” The Biloxi Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is already working on the fourth annual Red, and Brew event for next year. Read more: Index - Journal


Waupaca Kmart Employees Retail Grant Eligible; Fox Valley Workforce Development Board Leads Rapid Response Efforts

The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board has been notified of the impending closure of Kmart, located at 830 W. Fulton Street, Waupaca. The notice from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development indicates positions will begin to be eliminated on or about November 17, 2019. This permanent closure will impact approximately 41 employees.

The Rapid Response effort for these employees will be led by the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, a 501(c)3, responsible for leading efforts to re-train and re-employ workers laid off in Waupaca County, as well as the counties of Calumet, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago. The Board will work with Kmart store leadership to schedule an employee outreach session, which will include an overview of the services offered by the Board and area Job Center, as well as information on unemployment insurance. The employees will also be evaluated for job readiness and begin the process of finding their next role. In addition, these workers may be eligible for assistance from the National Retail Worker

Dislocation Grant, which can direct up to $30,000 to each laid off retail worker for retraining, housing and other support.

“Losing a job can be a painful and confusing experience,” said Anthony Snyder, CEO of the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board. “We will ensure that everyone is given a path. We will evaluate them on their skills, determine if any are eligible for re-training programs and then work with them individually to create fresh resumes and plan a job search strategy. In our region, everyone who wants to work will be provided the tools to become re-employed.”

The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board received access to the National Dislocated Retail Grant in spring 2019, primarily to serve the hundreds of workers displaced from closing Shopko stores. The Waupaca Kmart employees also meet the criteria which will allow them to be retrained for jobs outside of retail in professions our region needs. The dollars can be used for tuition, books and supplies, housing assistance and other support.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, in July 2019, Wisconsin’s statewide unemployment rate was 3% while Waupaca County’s unemployment rate was 3.4%. The nation’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7% during this same period.

“Because this is not an immediate closure, the Board will work with store leadership to create a transition plan for these employees which will allow the store to continue to serve its customers until closure,” said Snyder. “It’s a balancing act whenever there’s an announced future closure. We have a mandate to do everything we can to help the soon-to-be displaced worker, but al so ensure the employer is able to meet its obligations to its customers.”

Depending on the needs of the 41 permanently laid-off employees, the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, may offer basic computer classes or a private job fair. The Board may also enroll them in a number of more significant training programs paid for by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), a federal program of the U.S. Department of Labor created to serve eligible adults, youth and dislocated workers.

“Every Rapid Response is different depending on the number of workers impacted, the skills level of the employees and the flexibility of the employer,” said Snyder. “We are hopeful Kmart store leadership will be very open to working with us to make this a smooth transition.”

The Fox Valley Workforce Development Board leads a number of workforce and job search programs in its six county area. The Board’s services are open to all residents. To find out more, please visit one of the six (6) Job Centers in Berlin, Fond du Lac, Menasha, Oshkosh, Waupaca or Wautoma, or visit our web site at www.foxvalleyjobcenters.com.

Contact: Anthony Snyder - Fox Valley Workforce Development Board, Inc. -920-850-2032 Cell/Text
asnyder@fvwdb.com




Behold Washington opens 19,000-square-foot showroom in Tupelo
 With its 400,000-square-foot warehouse nearly complete and ready to be moved into by December, Behold Washington Furniture has already made one big move – more than tripling the size of its showroom at the Tupelo Furniture Market.
On Thursday, the company, joined by officials from the market and the Community Development Foundation, cut the ribbon on the nearly 19,000-square-foot space in Building VI.
Behold had formerly been in an 6,000-square-foot showroom. But expansion in recent years precipitated a need to look for more room. Then in June of last year, the Smithville-based company emerged with Pontotoc-based Washington Furniture Sales. The new showroom displays the combined company's product line, which includes motion and stationary furniture, including sofas, recliners and accent chairs.
"We're fully supportive of the Tupelo Furniture Market and so the time was right to expand our footprint near Tupelo," said John Beard, Vice President of Sales for Behold Washington.
The main Washington plant was destroyed by fire in September, slowing down the company's plan temporarily. The new 400,000 building under construction will be used for warehousing; the company has a quick-ship program, and having the warehouse enables it to expedite orders to its customers.
"We're an aggressively priced furniture manufacturer," Beard said. "Our business is to provide a quality product at a great price, and we're highly sought after ... it's very important for us to support our retailers, and what better way than to provide a big presence in Tupelo so they can shop and have a good experience while at the the Tupelo Furniture Market."
Beyond Washington has nearly 300 employees, and recently announced it was investing another $400,000 and adding another 20 employees.
Company CEO Lyle Harris said the new showroom allows the company to highlight both brands to its many customers.
"We really do complement one another," he said. "Washington is a great family and a great company, and it's promotionally priced upholstery that complementary to what we were doing at Behold. They have a wonderful customer base we can tap into with the Behold product. Just the scale of the companies together allowed us to make some key hires and invest in a really nice facility will will grow us to the next level."
Reception of the combined showroom has been excellent, Harris said, with some Top 100 furniture retail accounts having already visited or on their way.
"We actually brought in a customer from Ohio yesterday," Harris said. "This market for us is really about reconnecting with some of the buyers we lost after the fire. We want to be important to them, and anytime we can touch a large portion of those customers – and Tupelo allows us to do that – then I think it's money well-spent" Read more: Daily Journal

Altavista Chamber to host final TGIF event of the season this week


ALTAVISTA, Va. (WSET) -- The Altavista Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their final TGIF of the season Friday, Aug. 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Avoca Museum, 1514 Main Street.

Officials say the live music event is for free and everyone is invited to attend.

Long Strange Night, Central Virginia’s only Beatles, Blues and Grateful Dead cover band, will be rocking the stage beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Craft beer, wine and Budweiser will be available for purchase, I.D. required for alcohol purchases.

Food sales will be available from the food truck Tali’s Grill, they offer American/Mexican favorites.

August TGIF is generously sponsored by: Altavista Area Chamber of Commerce, Centra, Schrader Pacific, Danville Distributing, First National Bank, Moore’s Electric, Southside Electric Cooperative, KD Country Radio. Read more: WSET News



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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