Good morning #ChamberWorld! It's going to be a great day!
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to Remain Intact for 2021
Wendy Hamilton to
Continue as Board Chair, Mike Zamiara of Niowave to Continue as Chair-Elect
Due to the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) Board of Directors has decided to keep its full board in place for another year. Wendy Hamilton, CEO of TechSmith, will serve a second year as the board chair in 2021. Mike Zamiara of Niowave will serve as chair-elect and is in line to serve as board chair in 2022.
- Board Chair: Wendy Hamilton, TechSmith
- Past Chair: Patrick Dean, Dean
Transportation
- Chair-Elect: Mike Zamiara, Niowave
- Legal Counsel: Patricia Scott, Foster Swift
Collins & Smith
- Treasurer: Andrew Rose, Rehmann
- President: Tim Daman, LRCC
- Marketing and Communication: Lisa O’Connor, Publicom
- Regional Initiatives: Kirk Ray, McLaren Greater
Lansing
- Member Services: Michelle Massey, Dewpoint
- Government Relations: Matt Resch, Resch Strategies
- Roger
Graff, Farm Bureau Insurance Company
- Glenn
Granger, Granger Construction
- Van
Martin, Martin Commercial Properties
- Jim
Farrell, Dart Container
- Jeff
Metts, Dowding Industries
- Keith
Granger, Granger
- Steve
Quinlan, Neogen
- Ken
Misiewicz, Pleune Service Company
- Joe
Ruth, Sparrow Health System
- Dr.
Kathleen Wilbur, Michigan State University
- Tina
Brumley, Auto-Owners Insurance Co.
- Kevin
Zielke, AF Group
- David
Zyble, Jackson National Life Insurance
- David
Lewis, AT&T
- April
Clobes, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union
- Lisa
Ellen Smith, Inverve Marketing
- Todd
Surline, Hiring Solutions
- Darci
Marcum, General Motors
- LEAP, Inc.: Bob Trezise, LEAP, Inc.
- Grand River Connection: Steve Hershfield, CBRE
- ATHENA WIN: Jenn Sturdy, PNC Bank
- Black Business Alliance of Lansing:
Dr. Alane Laws-Barker, Sparrow Health System
Jacqueline Pitts, director of communications for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, graduated as part of the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2020.
The graduation was held virtually Dec. 10 and Pitts was one of 40 civic and community leaders from across the state who completed the program.
Leadership Kentucky joins together a selected group of leaders, with a variety of career accomplishments and volunteer activities, to gain insight into complex issues facing the state. In a series of seven monthly, three-day sessions held at various locations throughout the state, participants meet with Kentucky leaders and explore the state’s resources and opportunities. The thoroughly developed leadership curriculum educates participants on Kentucky’s rich cultural heritage and unique diversity. Read more: State-Journal
#ChamberHeart: Clarksdale Chamber: GIVING THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT
In this season of giving, some gifts are more precious than others.
Mississippi Blood Services collected 27 pints of blood during a Clarksdale Chamber of Commerce holiday blood drive at the Clarksdale Civic Auditorium Thursday.
Thirty-four individuals registered to give blood at the drive, but several were deferred for various reasons.
MBS had a trailer in the Clarksdale Civic Auditorium back parking lot for anyone interested in donating blood. The goal going into the blood drive was 60 blood donors and rain hindered the turnout, but Chamber leadership was upbeat.
“We at the chamber, city and county were so pleased to host a blood drive for the Mississippi Blood Services last Thursday, Dec. 3,” said Chamber Executive Jon Levingston. “We are very aware of the need to help our fellow citizens throughout the state during this difficult time and wanted to do our part in accomplishing that task.
“I am thankful for the great support of the city and county governments in helping to promote the drive and to the many generous citizens who turned out to unselfishly donate their blood,” Levingston added. “I am sure lives will be saved as a result of this effort. We look forward to hosting another blood drive in 2021.”
Levingston himself capitalized on that opportunity to donate a pint of blood.
Levingston said there is typically a blood shortage during the holidays and he was glad to have the blood drive to help alleviate the shortage.
The Chamber also handed out a free $15 Visa gift card to every donor. He urged donors to shop in local stores or buy something for a needy person with the card.
Levingston stressed the importance of donating during the COVID pandemic. Read more: Clarksdale Press-Register
Lilly Endowment Grant Will Help Indy Chamber Lead Regional Talent and Image Marketing Initiative
Project Amplify to provide a digital front door to potential Indy residents
“With changing work and leisure patterns as a result of the pandemic causing talented individuals across the globe to evaluate their life trajectories, it could not be more important for Indy to drive interest and opportunity,” said Michael Huber, President and CEO of the Indy Chamber. “This grant from Lilly Endowment serves as a catalyst, facilitating the creation of a search-driven, collaborative storytelling platform to raise the profile of our community.”
Previous market research suggests that individuals without a personal or professional connection to Indianapolis have a generally neutral perception of the region, underscoring the need for an online destination built intentionally to attract outside talent and arm current residents with sharable content to amplify Indy’s unique stories. Read more: Indy Chamber
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) – the combined state chamber, manufacturers’ association and safety council – was recognized by its peers on Wednesday as the State Chamber of the Year.
“WMC has always strived to best serve its members, and 2020 was no exception,” said WMC President & CEO Kurt Bauer. “Facing a litany of daunting challenges, WMC’s talented staff showed resiliency, a hunger for innovation and a tireless will to provide value to the business community.”
The purpose of the annual State Chamber of the Year award is to bring attention to innovative initiatives and best practices that advance state chambers’ mission and work. The award also provides recognition to state chambers and their leaders who have distinguished themselves by providing exceptional services and results for their members.
“When Wisconsin needed help, the business community responded. They switched over to producing PPE. They increased access to testing. And they gave back in countless ways to the people in their backyards,” added Bauer. “That is why I am proud to say when the business community needed help, WMC responded.”
In 2020, WMC quickly cemented itself as an industry leader. During the year, the state’s chamber of commerce was a leading advocate to safely reopen the economy; provided members and the public with crucial and factual information via email communications, live webinars and virtual events; and filed a lawsuit against Gov. Tony Evers to stop the release of businesses names with employees who tested positive for COVID-19 – regardless of where they contracted the virus.
WMC also provided members with safety consultations to help keep employees safe in the workplace; published an employer toolkit that broke down the various federal and state programs generated in response to the pandemic; and co-chaired the “Stop the COVID Spread!” coalition to educate Wisconsinites about how they can minimize the spread of the virus by taking simple steps like wearing a mask, social distancing and frequent hand washing.
The State Chamber of the Year Award is presented by the Council of State Chambers (COSC), a national organization whose purpose is to promote and strengthen state chambers.
“It is an honor to receive this national award,” concluded Bauer. “It would not have been possible without the hard work and support from our Board of Directors, members and staff.”
COSC announced WMC was a State Chamber of the Year Finalist in October along with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the California Chamber of Commerce. WMC was also named runner-up for the award in 2019.
Town Square Publications 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 or call (847)-427-4633.
Jan 21, 2021; 8:00am - 9:00am
LOCATION:
Zoom Webinar REGISTER HERE: https://www.oshkoshchamber.com/event-calendar/event-registration/?cal_id=1691
This Legal Update from von Briesen & Roper will provide a summary of the updated EEOC guidance, along with practical considerations for employers including the key questions of:
Can I mandate that all employees receive a COVID-19 vaccine?
How must I address employee requests to be exempt from the vaccination program for medical or religious reasons?
What ADA and GINA restrictions around medical examinations apply in COVID-19 vaccination programs?
Can I require an employee to prove the employee has received a COVID-19 vaccination?
Can I require others such as vendors and contractors entering my workplace to be vaccinated?
What are the implications for employers from the COVID Relief Bill?
What are the implications within the bill for FMLA and paid sick leave?
Batavia Chamber: Happy New Year!
Along with the making of resolutions, the new year brings with it the promise of renewal - renewed optimism, renewed business growth, renewed friendships and more. We welcome 2021 and are excited to serve our members and community this year.As you scroll through this week's newsletter, you will find links to the first events of 2021. You will also learn more about what the Batavia Chamber of Commerce accomplished in 2020 - our Year in Review - by the numbers. So please take a look!
$900 Billion Stimulus Bill - Articles and Resources for You
The bill, signed last week includes updates to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), changes to how PPP loans are taxed, tax credit eligibility changes, and more. The following articles and resources are courtesy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce:
· Summary for businesses and answers to FAQs from small business owners, click here.
· Breakdown of all federal programs and aid for small business coronavirus assistance is available here.
· An article and resources to help navigate full forgiveness for PPP loans is available here.
· Tax implications for PPP loans changed with the stimulus bill, read more here.
Many of you have been viewing Mayor Schielke’s weekly videos. Last week, the Mayor took a well-deserved holiday from taping a message. We look forward to a new one to share soon.
As you scroll, you'll find a lot of other content and events. Remember to send your news to share to us!
We continually update our home page, bataviachamber.org when new resources and information comes out. Also, check our calendar for new events from us and the community.
Our local businesses need all of our support – please remember to shop and dine local! As always, we are now, and will be in the future, here for you.
Most sincerely,
Margaret, Patti and Shirley
Your Batavia Chamber of Commerce Staff
Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber: Buy gas for 76 cents at 76 stations
The fuel company 76 is holding grand opening ceremonies for their two Oxford gas station locations, and as part of the celebration, they are offering gas at 76 cents per gallon.
For one day only, the first 76 customers who arrive at the pumps during a select time will receive the discounted fuel. To participate, drivers must download the My 76 app and purchase the gas via the app.
Drivers are asked to stay in their vehicles, as attendants will pump their gas. The 76 staff will follow all COVID-19 safety protocols and customers are asked to do the same, including wearing a mask
The 76 gas station located at 1500 Old Highway 7 North, across from Mama Jo’s Country Cookin’, will hold their grand opening at 11 a.m.
The Oxford Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce will hold ribbon cutting ceremonies at each location. Read more: Oxford Eagle
Logansport Cass County Chamber of Commerce Community Resource Guide/Map
The Logansport Cass County Chamber of Commerce Community Resource Guide/Map is available at the Logansport-Cass County Chamber today! Thanks to Bill Cuppy, Teresa Zimmerman and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!!
Town Square Publications 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.
Bristol Chamber of Commerce President Beth Rhinehart says amid the pandemic, local businesses desperately need relief. “What they need more than anything is that cash infusion to really to pay the bills, a lot of times it's paying the light bill, others that we've heard from just have really struggled with the fact that they have employees who have been with them for a long time, and they don't have work for them.”
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam is allocating an additional $20 million to the Virginia relief fund for small businesses, for a total of $120 million from the Federal Cares Act to provide assistance.
Those additional funds will go to businesses that applied for relief in 2020, but had their application put on hold when the Cares Act money had previously been exhausted.
Rhinehart says there are businesses in Bristol on that waiting list. “They’ve applied for everything that's been available everything from SBA loans to the PPP program to this rebuild Virginia Grant."
She hopes this money will make up for lost revenue. “Everyone who could, applied, and it's nice to know now that hopefully they will all qualify and get additional funding.”
Governor Northam says the additional money will be used to help keep more than 300 small businesses open, until vaccinations are available to every Virginia resident.
"We would really like to see all Virginians have access to the vaccination by the summertime, and then we can get our children back in school, get our businesses back up and running and get back to being as near normal as we can." Read more: WCYB
Good morning #ChamberWorld! It's going to be a great day!
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