Programs approved to tap Michigan's $1 billion economic development fund; Dearborn and Dearborn Heights Mayors to Address Area Leaders and the Public on the State of the Community at Annual Chamber Luncheon; WCCE Announces New Chairman and Officers on Board of Advisors; Newly Arrived: FALL IN LOVE with the Cedarburg Community Guide; Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber: 2022 Forecast Series; Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Salutes the Local Military; Rochester Regional Chamber Welcomes President Maggie Bobitz; #BestChamber practices: Chamber Forms Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc.; Longtime businesswoman Kimberly Tiefenthaler takes reins at Carroll Chamber/Carroll Area Development; #BestChamber practices: Oshkosh Chamber: Increase Your Trade Show Success - 50 Tips in 60 Minutes; Portage County Business Council Announces Small Business of the Year, Decree of Excellence Recipient, Ambassador of the Year and President’s Award Recipients; New Marshalltown Chamber position aims to promote economic growth; Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce announces Melisa Cox as new president/CEO; #FamousChamber of Commerce Quotation: Be Happy! #ChamberJob Openings: Heart of Wisconsin: Engagement Manager; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Maps, Quarterly Magazines, Digital Directory Sales and Community Profiles: The no cost, no risk BEST Chamber Publishing Partner in the USA!

 

Good morning #ChamberWorld! It's going to be a great day! 

Programs approved to tap Michigan's $1 billion economic development fund

State economic development officials have approved criteria for corporations to meet when seeking assistance from a new $1 billion fund created last month to lure major projects to Michigan.

The guidelines were unanimously approved today by the Michigan Strategic Fund Board. They include performance standards and milestones for two new programs to support what Michigan Economic Development Corp. CEO Quentin Messer Jr. called “highly competitive” and “transformational” projects involving billions of dollars in investments and promises to create thousands of good-paying jobs.

“Taken together, these programs will be absolutely vital for assuring both new companies considering Michigan and our current in-state businesses need not look to invest anywhere in North America but right here in Michigan as they look to grow and expand,” Messer said.

Today’s action begins implementing a law that state legislators passed and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed in December creating the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund. The fund will support major projects such as a Lansing-area electric vehicle battery plant that General Motors is considering.

The legislative action followed Ford Motor Co.’s announcement in September that it would join partner SK Innovation Co. to invest $11.4 billion and create 11,000 jobs in Tennessee and Kentucky to build facilities that manufacture both electric vehicles and batteries.

Written to make Michigan more competitive with other states in pursuing major projects, the law gave the MIchigan Strategic Fund Board authority to decide whether a project receives state assistance. State funding for individual projects is subject to legislative approval at the state budget director’s request.

Messer declined to speculate on how soon corporations may come forward to seek assistance for a project, although the MEDC will accept applications for major projects that meet specifications “as soon as possible.” He also declined to discuss potential projects such as GM’s, other than to say the MEDC has a “robust pipeline” of prospects.

“We are hopeful that there will be requests yesterday because Michiganders deserve the opportunity to have great opportunities. Our small businesses deserve opportunities to have increased clients,” Messer said. “We are working hard, but I don’t want to speculate. We have a robust pipeline, and so I am very optimistic. We want to make sure when they happen, we are ready.”

In testimony last month to a state House committee, Messer said the state has 11 projects in the pipeline that represent more than $74 billion in capital investments and more than 27,000 direct jobs.

Two new programs

Two new programs approved today that the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund will support financially — the Critical Industry Program and the Strategic Site Readiness Program — will back proposed developments.

The Critical Industry Program will “allow Michigan to make game-changing investments to businesses, (which is) critical to closing deals and creating and preserving qualified jobs in the state while generating significant capital investment,” according to an MEDC staff memo to Strategic Fund Board members.

The Strategic Site Readiness Program will help to prepare sites for major developments by providing “grants, loans, and other economic assistance for the purpose of creating investment-ready sites to attract and promote investment in this state,” according to the MEDC. “Funding under this program may be used to provide an incentive to support business expansion opportunities or development of sites to attract future, not identified projects.”

The Strategic Site Readiness Program will fund work on two types of projects: Public or privately owned strategic sites for manufacturing or commercial use, and “mega strategic” sites “specifically tied for large industrial use,” said Josh Hundt, executive vice president and chief development officer at the MEDC.

“The recognition of having both of these types of sites is important because this is not only important to make sure Michigan has large mega sites available for economic development, but we also must have sites for the continued build out of the supply chain and other types of commercial uses in Michigan as we build a long-term economy,” Hundt said.

The criteria adopted by the Michigan Strategic Fund today for the new programs are the same that the MEDC uses when awarding incentives to companies, Messer said.

The criteria include clawback provisions requiring a corporation to repay the state if it fails to meet performance targets. Among the criteria are the jobs created that result from a technological shift in product or production “that moves Michigan’s economy forward and continues to build our state toward a continuing and growing state in terms of economic opportunity in Michigan,” Hundt said.

Other criteria include the importance of a project to a community or whether it will “act as a catalyst for additional revitalization, local financial and community support, the reuse of vacant or historic buildings, and the overall return on investment to the state. Read more: MIBIZ

Dearborn and Dearborn Heights Mayors to Address Area Leaders and the Public on the State of the Community at Annual Chamber Luncheon



Dearborn, MI - Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud and Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi will address local business leaders and the public at the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual “A Tale of Our Cities” Business Builder Series luncheon on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at Dearborn Hills Golf Course in Dearborn.

The event, presented by Comcast, is open to the public and will include a plated lunch sponsored by Beaumont Health. Enjoy networking and lunch followed by an enlightening and informational presentation by Mayors Bazzi and Hammoud. Both mayors will give a brief forecast as we steer into 2022 for our communities, followed by a question & answer session.

“We are delighted to host our newly seated Mayors and look forward to our continued work shaping and making our corner of southeast Michigan a great place to live, work and thrive! The infrastructure, programs and the strength of our businesses and residents is essential to bringing us into the future with their leadership and teams” said chamber president, Jackie Lovejoy.

Space is limited and registration is required for this event. Member pricing is only $40, and $50 for potential members and the general public. We thank our corporate anchors Comcast as event sponsor, and Beaumont Health as luncheon sponsor. Table Sponsor for this event is the SEMCA. To register and for more information, please visit the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce online at www.DearbornAreaChamber.org or by phone at 313-584-6100.

Be sure to follow the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook at facebook.com/DearbornAreaChamber, on Twitter @DbnAreaChamber and the Chamber website for all the latest Chamber news and events.

The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce provides nearly 600 members with the opportunities and resources to engage and network with other businesses, enhancing financial growth, professional development, and the ability to contribute to a thriving community environment.

WCCE Announces New Chairman and Officers on Board of Advisors

The Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives – the state’s professional association of full and part-time executives and staff members of local chambers of commerce – announced Dave Eckmann, President/CEO of the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce, as the new Chairman of the Board of Advisors. WCCE is a program of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) – the state chamber.

“The foundation for a successful state economy can be found in the different local chambers and their communities all across Wisconsin,” said new Chairman Dave Eckmann. “I am honored to be the next Chairman of the Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives and I can’t wait to continue collaborating with local chambers and banding together to ensure that we’re helping businesses and local communities thrive all across Wisconsin.”   Suzanne Kelley, the President/CEO of the Waukesha County Business Alliance, who served as Chairman since 2020, will become the immediate past chair.   The 2022 WCCE Board of Advisors includes:   Chairman – Dave Eckmann, President/CEO, Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce   Chairman-Elect – Becky Bartoszek, President/CEO, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce   Past Chair – Suzanne Kelley, President/CEO, Waukesha County Business Alliance, Inc.   Ex-Officio Member of the Board – Kurt Bauer, President/CEO, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce   Directors – Jacqueline Boudreau, Executive Director, Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce Stephanie Klett, President/CEO, Visit Lake Geneva Judy Knutson, Executive Director, Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce Rob Kreibich, Executive Director, New Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce Taylor Pedersen, President/CEO, Superior-Douglas County Area Chamber of Commerce Scott Rogers, Vice President Governmental Affairs, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Penny Strom, Executive Director, St. Germain Area Chamber of Commerce Angel Whitehead, President, Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce   Visit wichamberexecs.org for more information.

Newly Arrived: FALL IN LOVE with the Cedarburg Community Guide

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The Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce Community Guide  is available at the chamber today ! Thanks to Maggie Dobson and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!

View the Cedarburg Community Guide

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.

Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber: 2022 Forecast Series

Registration is now open for our 2022 Forecast Series Dates

January 19 - Economic Forecast Breakfast

February 16 - Real Estate Forecast Breakfast

March 10 - Government Forecast Breakfast

Corporate tables of eight available.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Salutes the Local Military

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce’s Military One Coast has distributed 600 gift cards to local active duty military personnel on the Coast to show appreciation and salute the military for their work and commitment. 

For 40 years, the Salute to the Military event was held to honor all active duty military members and retirees for their service. For safety reasons due to COVID-19, the annual Salute to the Military, scheduled for October 12, 2021 was cancelled this year.

Due to cancellation, Pizza with a Purpose was created to pay tribute to the men and women in uniform. It is of the utmost importance that the Chamber continues to honor and celebrate the military along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Pizza with A Purpose provided Domino Pizza gift cards to military personnel throughout the Gulf Coast military installations including the 81^st Training Wing and the 403^rd Training Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, the Naval Construction Battalion Center, U.S. Coast Guard and 1108^th TASMG. A total of $9,000 in sponsorship dollars was raised to support this effort, resulting in a total of 600 gift cards.

The success of this initiative would not be possible without the support from sponsors including Mississippi Power, Hancock Whitney, Boomtown Casino Biloxi, The Peoples Bank, Nextaff Gulf Coast, i9 Sports – Gulfport, American Medical Response, and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems.

“It has been a pleasure to present these gift cards to military personnel on the Coast. These men and women deserve our gratitude for their service and commitment to our community and our country”, said MS Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce CEO, Adele Lyons.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber plans to host our annual Salute to the Military in October 2022.

Rochester Regional Chamber Welcomes President Maggie Bobitz

"I started my journey with the Chamber over 13 years ago… I am blessed to get up each morning and do a job that I love. I am excited and grateful to be serving in this role,” said President Bobitz

#BestChamber practices: Chamber Forms Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc.

The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that they recently received 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. This classification allows the Chamber to operate a public charity.

The primary focus of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. is early childhood education and childcare, an important workforce development issue. In 2018, the Kosciusko Chamber, Kosciusko County Community Foundation and United Way were instrumental in founding LaunchPad, Kosciusko County’s Child Care and Early Learning Coalition. The Chamber has previously had to rely on the Kosciusko County Community Foundation to serve as the fiscal sponsor of LaunchPad. This updated status allows LaunchPad to be eligible for both receiving and making grants to build high quality childcare capacity in the county. LaunchPad Director, Sherry Searles said, "We are so thankful for the fiscal support of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation over the last three years.  We now look forward to the funding opportunities as a result of our own foundation."

LaunchPad was formed as an alliance between United Way, the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, and the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President & CEO, Rob Parker said, “Since the inception, all three entities strongly believe that Childcare and Early Childhood learning is a Workforce Development issue. Without the fiscal partnership between United Way and the KCCF, the Chamber would not have been able to fully implement the strategic direction of Launchpad. Having our own 501(c)(3) foundation will allow the Chamber to be more active in seeking grants to encourage more high quality childcare seats in Kosciusko county. At the Chamber, we take great pride in helping businesses grow.”

Longtime businesswoman Kimberly Tiefenthaler takes reins at Carroll Chamber/Carroll Area Development Corporation

Before Kimberly Tiefenthaler was named executive director of both the Carroll Chamber of Commerce and Carroll Area Development Corporation, she got her start as a small-business owner herself.

“I think it gives me a great understanding of what the businesses that we work with through the Chamber and through Carroll Area Development Corporation deal with on a day-in-and-day-out basis,” Tiefenthaler said.  In 1984 amid a farm crisis, she became co-owner of Performance Tire & Service in Carroll, a role she still holds today. Working closely in the business for more than 30 years, she said being down in the trenches gave her an understanding of what small-business ownership is all about.  “I started in our family business not knowing very much as a very young person, and I had to learn everything the hard way,” Tiefenthaler said. “It always surprised me how there wasn’t much available for small businesses.” She said her tough experience starting out as a business owner gave her the initiative to help others.  When she heard about America’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) it intrigued her, because the organization was just what she was looking for when beginning her own small business. As regional director of SBDC’s Fort Dodge center for the last five years, she assisted business owners and entrepreneurs at every stage of business across 13 counties.  Then when she heard the executive director position was open in Carroll, she felt the job would be a great fit.  “This was just a great opportunity to be home in Carroll County and focus more on home,” Tiefenthaler said.  Since she started on Dec. 6, Tiefenthaler said, she has been in lots of meetings, getting herself acquainted with budgets for both organizations, had discussions on housing and more that can’t yet be discussed publicly. Her 90-day plan includes meetings with key stakeholders around Carroll County to learn their visions, thoughts, concerns and what they see for the future. She also wants to learn more about local organizations in a different way, having known a lot from the outside looking in but not enough from the inside out. Housing is another issue to tackle, with available housing being an issue across rural Iowa, Tiefenthaler said she wants to get the housing initiative moving in the right direction.  ”When you’re looking at business growth in rural communities, it’d be nice to have a big win as far as a large corporation, a large industry, but in all reality we don’t have the housing and we don’t have the people. So we have to look at those things where we can develop and what we can start on right now. I would say those are entrepreneurial initiatives, business support and expansion,” Tiefenthaler said.  She said what might be her biggest long-term goal is to bring a bigger entrepreneurial presence to Carroll and to Carroll County.  ”An entrepreneur can bring a business to your community that may only employ four or five people, but that’s four or five more families and four or five more houses that are needed,” Tiefenthaler said.  Carroll has always had the strength of a good economy and good business, she said, with Carroll being a hub town of the region.  “That has been true for quite some time. We’ve been able to ride that wave for a long time,” Tiefenthaler said. ”We just need to make sure that we’re supporting that and growing that and retaining it going forward.” Read more: Carroll Times Herald

#BestChamber practices: Oshkosh Chamber: Increase Your Trade Show Success - 50 Tips in 60 Minutes 

Thursday, February 17 • 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce
120 Jackson Street

Exhibiting at the April 6 Business Expo? If so, you won't want to miss this opportunity to learn tips and tricks that will help skyrocket your trade show investment.

Topics presented by a 30-year industry expert include:
Exhibit design
Goal setting
Giveaways
Booth staff training
And more!

Seating is limited so reserve your spot soon by calling 920-347-1708 or email ahintze@skylineimage.com. Open registration until Feb 17, 2022.

Portage County Business Council Announces Small Business of the Year, Decree of Excellence Recipient, Ambassador of the Year and President’s Award Recipients



STEVENS POINT, WI—The Portage County Business Council is proud to announce that Mission Coffee House., has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Small Business of the Year. Gamber-Johnson, LLC has been selected for the 2021 Decree of Excellence Award. The entire Ambassador Club selected Sherri Galle-Teske from the Humane Society of Portage County to receive the 2021 Ambassador of the Year award. And Lisa Sobczak, Senior Area Manager of ABR Employment Services has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 President’s Award.

Mission Coffee House, owned by Russel Ehlinger, was chosen based on their growth and financial stability; dedication to customer service and community needs; strength in employer/employee relations, efforts to adapt to market changes, and industry leadership. They are located at 1800 Plover Road, in the Artist & Fare building in Plover.

Gamber-Johnson LLC, an industry leader in the manufacturing of mobile and proAV mounting solutions, was chosen based on their contributions to the area’s economic vitality, increase in local employment base and significant contributions in community service.

Business Council Ambassador Sherri Galle-Teske, and Executive Director of the Humane Society of Portage County will be recognized for her dedication to community outreach and participation in activities that promote the Portage County Business Council’s mission.

2021 Portage County Business Council Board President Ray Ackerlund selected Lisa Sobczak for the President’s Award. “Lisa’s involvement and leadership in the Business Council and our community over the past 30+ years is an example for all of us to strive towards.


Her passion is unmatched and has made a direct impact on so many current and past members. Over the last year, Lisa was instrumental in helping the

Business Council recruit and select our new executive director. Lisa is always someone that we can rely on for great advice and guidance and is an amazing resource for our business community.”

The Presenting sponsors of the event are TDS and WoodTrust Bank. Award sponsors include Delta Dental of Wisconsin, Nicolet National Bank, Sentry, Simplicity Credit Union, and Van Horn Nissan Stevens Point.

“Our annual award winners are examples of leadership in our community and their guidance has added so much to our quality of life”, said Michael Witte, Executive Director for the Portage County Business Council. “These recipients reflect all that is great about the people, businesses, education and government that embodies Portage County. They are role models of unselfishness and what it means to sacrifice for the betterment of everyone. They join a long line of community leaders recognized for excellence.”

Award recipients will be recognized at the Portage County Business Council’s Annual Dinner on Wednesday, January 26th at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center in Stevens Point. Registration for the event can be found at www.portagecountybiz.com.

For more information, contact Karen Myers at karenm@portagecountybiz.com.

New Marshalltown Chamber position aims to promote economic growth John Hall, the president and CEO of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC), is taking strides to combat the staffing issues local businesses are facing by developing a new position focused solely on the workforce. Kyle Hall, of no relation to John Hall, is taking on the title of workforce development coordinator. Both John and Kyle are looking forward to the potential this position provides for the community. This week is Kyle Hall’s first on the job, so he is taking the time to familiarize himself with all of the state and local resources available to him as well as connecting with business and school leaders to start building important relationships. “I’m just excited to be here. I think it’s a big opportunity for Marshalltown and a big opportunity for me,” Kyle Hall said. “At the end of the day, this is a position I see as kind of like planting a tree. You don’t get the shade from it right away. I get to work and grow it, and as things get going, hopefully Marshalltown grows.” While Kyle Hall’s background is mostly in sales, John Hall feels that his diverse sales experience and his longstanding presence in the community will be invaluable. Kyle Hall brings an industry perspective and was previously a member of the GMG school board. This position is one of the first of its kind anywhere in the state, so finding someone with experience specifically geared towards workforce development is challenging in and of itself. “The truth is, there aren’t a lot of people that have done workforce development in the state in general. This is a very new field,” John Hall said. Read more: Times Republican

Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce announces Melisa Cox as new president/CEO

The organization announced Monday that Melisa Cox, of Johnston, will take over for Julie Todtz, who is retiring after 19 years leading the chamber. Cox most recently served in leadership with the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines, raising money, coordinating events and building relationships with association members, according to a news release

Cox most recently served in leadership with the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines, raising money, coordinating events and building relationships with association members, according to a news release. She is a founder of the Iowa Skilled Trades organization. "I am looking forward to joining the talented team, meeting the members of the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce and finding out what they're most passionate about and how the chamber can help achieve their goals," Cox said in the release. "I am most excited about working to develop a strategy to assist in the workforce development crisis that our chamber members are living in right now." Read more: DeMoines Register

#FamousChamber of Commerce Quotation: Be Happy!  Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. - George Carlin

#ChamberJob Openings: Heart of Wisconsin: Engagement Manager

The Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce is seeking a highly skilled and enthusiastic individual to serve as its Engagement Director. While working in a fun, fast-paced working environment, this individual will oversee investors, engagement, and network development.

JOB TITLE: Engagement Director

GOALS OF POSITION:
The Engagement Director plans and executes a strategic investor’s membership plan for the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (HOW). The Director identifies prospects, works to determines their needs, communicates the Chamber’s value to them, and invites them to join and ultimately closes the membership. In addition, the Engagement Director works closely with existing investors on a retention plan, ensuring we continue to deliver value year in and year out.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Recruiting new investors to the Chamber while retaining said investors along with recruiting, communicating, and managing volunteers for the chamber including the following,

• Responsible for creating leads for new and existing investors in the area
• Setting appointments with prospective investors to the chamber, which ultimately equates to membership investment
• Serve as primary contact for a new investors to be engaged with events and programs
• Responsible for investor contact and relationship building
• Provide correspondence and new investor packets on a timely basis
• Coordinate Ambassador and Leads Program
• Works in partnership with staff to create/enhance investor benefits, programs, and events
• Responsible for some invoicing, following budget, and follow-up calls to investors that are past due investors
• Prepare monthly investor reports for the board of directors

Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Maps, Quarterly Magazines, Digital Directory Sales and Community Profiles: The no cost, no risk BEST Chamber Publishing Partner in the USA!

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 or email John Dussman with the subject line: Chamber Publication Proposal Requested. Thank you!