Virginia chamber of commerce executive in stable condition after on-air shooting; GOP presidential candidate Kasich to appear at Lansing Chamber Luncheon; 10 Questions: Katie Miller, executive director of the Oconomowoc Chamber of Commerce; Chamber RFP: Laundry consolidation to save millions for Jackson hospitals; Indiana Chamber: Hoosier Businesses can make impact in Washington at 2015 D.C. Fly-In; Buffalo Grove chamber sets business summit; Muskegon-Lakeshore Chamber assist: Housing summer interns is a lot easier with help from Baker College of Muskegon

Good morning Chamber world! Please say a prayer for Vicki Gardner, longtime Smith Mountain Lake chamber executive. (See article below)

Virginia chamber of commerce executive in stable condition after on-air shooting

The chamber of commerce executive shot during a live news broadcast in Virginia was in stable condition Wednesday after undergoing emergency surgery, officials said.

Vicki Gardner, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, was shot in the back, said Barb Nocera, the chamber's special projects manager.

Gardner was recovering at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, hospital president Steve Arner said. Gardner is also a member of the hospital's board of directors and is "a close friend" of the institution, he said in a statement.

Gardner has been working at the chamber since 2002, according to her LinkedIn profile. Read more: CNN.com

GOP presidential candidate Kasich to appear at Lansing Chamber Luncheon 

Ohio governor and GOP presidential candidate John Kasich will appear at a Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce luncheon next month.

Kasich will speak Sept. 1 at the Eagle Eye Golf Club, located at 15500 Chandler Road in Bath Township, the chamber announced today in a press release. Kasich is expected to discuss issues in the 2016 presidential race.

The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is open to chamber members only.

Visit www.lansingchamber.org or call 487-6340 for more information.



10 Questions: Katie Miller, executive director of the Oconomowoc Chamber of Commerce

Maybe you've been there for the Saturday or Wednesday Farmers Markets, or for Yoga on the Green. Or perhaps you took in the standup paddle board lessons, went to the beach, or attended the recent Festival of the Arts. You may have stopped in for a bite to eat at one of its niche restaurants, or to sip a craft beer. There are so many reasons to visit Oconomowoc that we thought we'd touch base with Katie Miller, the executive director of the Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce, to find out more about how its business community is doing.

1 Downtown seems to be thriving. What is responsible for this revitalization?

Lots of hard work, by a lot of dedicated people over a number of years. Success doesn't just happen and it certainly doesn't happen overnight. It takes a broad vision, a long-term view and talented people who are committed to seeing that vision come to life. Oconomowoc is fortunate to have had all of these over the last 10 years. From the mayor, to city staffers, business leaders, a community dedicated to supporting the local economy and strong business organizations, like the chamber and Downtown Oconomowoc Business Association.

2 What do you feel is needed in Oconomowoc to strengthen its retail/dining profile?

As someone who lives and works in Oconomowoc, I think we're really strong in the retail and dining sectors. There are nearly 60 restaurants in Oconomowoc with everything from grab-and-go, to neighborhood bistros, pubs, casual and finer dining and we've seen a number of new eateries open this year which is exciting and adds to the variety. With few exceptions, diners and shoppers can find everything they need and want in the Oconomowoc area.

3 What kind of feedback do you get from visitors to the community?

We're fortunate at the chamber to get to interact with visitors almost every day. In fact, so far this year, we've personally assisted nearly 500 neighbors and visitors and another 30,000 via our website. Visitor feedback usually runs in three themes — "we just love it here," "It is so beautiful" and "everyone is so friendly and helpful." Oconomowoc is a particularly welcoming community. I'll never forget my first visit here nearly 20 years ago. I was shocked when cars on Wisconsin Avenue actually stopped so that we could cross the street. Those lucky enough to live here assume that happens everywhere. It does not. Read more: Lake County Now

Chamber RFP: Laundry consolidation to save millions for Jackson hospitals

Three Jackson hospitals have joined to consolidate laundry operation in a public-private partnership executives say will save each millions.

University of Mississippi Medical Center, St. Dominic Hospital and Baptist Health Systems will share laundry services using Crown Health Care Laundry Services, a national health care laundry processor that opened a location in Columbia in 2013.

The state College Board approved UMMC’s five-year agreement with Crown last week.

Crown officials expect to hire 30 to 35 additional employees at their Columbia plant as a result of the increased workload from these three contracts.

In October, Crown plans to open a laundry distribution center in the Jackson area to distribute the consolidated laundry from the three hospitals. This distribution center is expected to employ 12-15 people, with employment levels increasing as dictated by laundry volume.

Although each hospital will have a separate contract with Crown, the group issued a joint request-for-proposals through the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership and jointly negotiated the terms of their contracts. Read more: Clarion-Ledger

Indiana Chamber: Hoosier Businesses can make impact in Washington at 2015 D.C. Fly-In

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is urging Hoosier business leaders to stand and be heard on the federal bills and regulations that can impact the state’s economy by attending the organization’s Washington D.C. Fly-in on September 16-17.

The event offers business and community leaders an opportunity to speak with Indiana’s congressional delegation and key staff members during a roundtable discussion/dinner on September 16. The second day features a panel of national and state issue experts, followed by numerous group visits to congressional offices.

“The Fly-in gives the Hoosier business community a unique opportunity to interact with members of the Indiana Congressional delegation. It’s a chance to discuss a range of important issues and to learn firsthand what is happening on Capitol Hill. It is a valuable experience that also happens to be a lot of fun,” says Chris Cerone, vice president of global government affairs for Zimmer Biomet of Warsaw. Read more: Indiana Chamber

Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire chamber sets business summit

The Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce will hold its Third Annual Business Connection Summit on Oct. 29 AT the Arboretum Club in Buffalo Grove. The summit is designed to help small to medium sized businesses improve their ability to do business with large firms, and with each other. Large firms also benefit by finding new innovative and nimble suppliers and vendors who can help them improve their bottom line profitability. Companies that have confirmed their participation in the event include Walgreens, Metra, and ComEd. To register, go towww.bglcc.org and follow the link to the registration page. Read more: Daily Herald

Muskegon-Lakeshore Chamber assist: Housing summer interns is a lot easier with help from Baker College of Muskegon

 It's typically not easy for summer interns to find housing just for a few months, but Baker College in Muskegon has stepped up with a solution.

The college has  opened its student housing to visiting interns from across the country, and this year is housing 29 university students working as interns for several Muskegon area companies.

Students are living in the college's two-person, two-bedroom townhouses with full kitchens and access to Internet and laundry and exercise facilities.

"Locating housing for summer interns used to be difficult, costly and complicated," said John Workman, president of Eagle Alloy Inc., one of the program's partners. "With Baker College housing available to our interns, we all win. We offer it as a benefit to attract needed engineering and technical talent."

He said the students benefit from being housed near one another where they can share their experiences.

"Most importantly, these potential future employees are getting to know Muskegon and making local connections," Workman said.

Eagle Alloy was one of three companies that began the intern housing partnership with Baker College last summer. The others were GE Aviation and The Salvation Army. This year's participating companies are Eagle Alloy, Alcoa Power and Propulsion, L-3 Combat Propulsion Systems and Grand Valley State University's Annis Water Resources Institute.

Students have come from colleges and universities in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Texas and Wisconsin.

A positive housing experience helps Muskegon attract the best interns, with the ultimate goal of having them return to the community as employees, said Cindy Larsen, president of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce. Read more: M LIVE

Proposed $900 Million Business Tax Increase Would Take A Wrecking Ball To State's Economic Competitiveness, Says Michigan Chamber Of Commerce; Indiana Chamber Scores State Legislators on 2015 Voting Records; Chamber Excitement: PGA Championship Tour Preps Underway in Sheboygan; Paducah Chamber August PIP to feature US Congressman Ed Whitfield; Chamber Best Practices: Mississippi welcome center employees tour Ocean Springs to experience what they promote to tourists; Smyth (Virginia) chamber hosts webinar on selling to Defense Logistics Agency; Chamber interest: Suburban Chicago companies see opportunity in Cuba; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Technology) Grace Murray Hopper

Proposed $900 Million Business Tax Increase Would Take A Wrecking Ball To State's Economic Competitiveness, Says Michigan Chamber Of Commerce

Michigan Chamber of Commerce today issued the following statement by Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley in response to a ballot question committee announcing a petition drive to more than double Michigan's Corporate Income Tax (CIT) from six percent to 11 percent.

"2015 is a non-election year. At a time when Democrats and Republicans and business and labor should be working together in the legislative process to fix the roads, it's sad to see a union and a so-called "progressive" group politicize the debate over transportation funding with the threat of an anti-business ballot proposal."

"Michigan residents want to fix the roads. But anyone who cares about job creation and economic growth should think long and hard before signing a misguided petition to impose a $900 million (83%) tax hike on Michigan's job providers."

"This dangerous petition drive appears to be based on a profound ignorance of corporate income taxes and state economic competitiveness. If approved, the $900 million business tax increase would severely damage our state's economic competitiveness by giving Michigan the second highest corporate income tax in the country."

"Another reason Michigan voters should think twice before signing this ballot proposal is, under the current State Constitution, there is no guarantee the Legislature must use revenue from a corporate income tax increase to fix the roads." Read more: Michigan chamber

Indiana Chamber Scores State Legislators on 2015 Voting Records

State legislators have received their grades from the Indiana Chamber on their performance during the 2015 General Assembly. The numbers, released in the annual Legislative Vote Analysis, are based on voting records on pro-jobs, pro-economy legislation.  

The 2015 scores were wide-ranging, from 36% to 100%. There were a total of nine perfect marks – all in the House, which is the exact opposite of last year when 10 senators were atop the list.  

“We saw a greater spread in scores this year, even among those in the same party. That’s a testament to the nature of the public policy being introduced and debated, as well as the changing demographics in the Legislature,” states Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar.

New this year, the Indiana Chamber added a secondary leadership element to the scoring metrics: significant, tangible actions by committee chairs as well as bill authors and sponsors.

For more than a third of the legislators, this meant a “slight adjustment to the base voting scores and, we believe, represents a more accurate picture of their overall performance,” Brinegar says.

For 18 legislators who went the extra mile, they earned a star designation for overall leadership or their significant efforts on issues deemed of critical importance.

Read full story.

Chamber Excitement: PGA Championship Tour Preps Underway in Sheboygan

The 97th PGA Championship at Whistling Straits kicks off in less than three weeks and final preparations to the course and throughout Sheboygan County are well underway. 

"Any time you have 200,000 visitors coming to the area, a lot of them for the first time, it's a great way to showcase our county," says Bill Marklein, Community Relations Director for the Sheboygan County Chamber. 

Sheboygan County is gearing up for the PGA Championship Tour that starts at Whistling Straits on August 10th. 

The chamber has hosted customer service workshops throughout the county, making sure businesses are ready to host and help visitors. 

"Just getting our businesses in that mode, to be in hospitality mode, making sure our visitors know how to get to the course," says Marklein. 

The chamber is also taking notes from last year's championship in Louisville, and participating in the 'show us your ticket' initiative to help drive business even further. 

"Anyone including volunteers with a PGA ticket or volunteer credential can use that ticket for discounts across the county including at The Blind Horse Winery," explains Marklein. Read more: WeAreGreenBay.com

Paducah Chamber August PIP to feature US Congressman Ed Whitfield

July 27, 2015 --- US Congressman Ed Whitfield will be the featured speaker for the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce August Power in Partnership breakfast.  The breakfast will be held on Thursday, August 6 at 7:30 a.m. at the Julian Carroll Convention Center.  Strawberry Hills Pharmacy is the sponsor. 

Whitfield has served in Congress since 1994 to represent Kentucky's First Congressional District. A native of Hopkinsville, KY, he earned a Bachelor's Degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky. He also studied at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., where he now serves on the Board of Governors. Whitfield served as a 1st Lieutenant in the 100th Division of the U.S. Army Reserves.  

Congressman Whitfield serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Power of the full House Energy and Commerce Committee. He is also a member of the Subcommittee on the Environment and Economy and the Subcommittee on Health. The Energy and Commerce Committee is the oldest standing Committee in the House and presides over a wide spectrum of issues, giving it the broadest jurisdiction of any Committee in the legislative body. The Committee maintains primary responsibility for legislative oversight relating to healthcare, telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health, air quality and environmental health, the supply and delivery of energy and interstate and foreign commerce. Read more: Paducah Chamber

Chamber Best Practices: Mississippi welcome center employees tour Ocean Springs to experience what they promote to tourists

Those who work at Mississippi welcome centers are often the state's ambassadors of tourism. That's why workers were in Ocean Springs on Tuesday for the chance to experience for themselves some of the attractions they encourage tourists to visit. The Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce took welcome center employees on a whirlwind tour of the city. Officials said the idea behind the FAM tour is that when people can talk about what they've experienced, they can make a better pitch to get tourists to come here. 

Just a few months ago, Torria Dale opened her pottery supply store in Ocean Springs. One thing she does at Sunburnt Ceramic and Supply is teach people how to make beautiful artwork. 

"It's hard to believe that it's as easy as it is, but it really is," said Dale. "But people might not believe it unless they hear about it first hand." 

Making pottery was just one part of a hands on learning tour. Ladies from the state welcome centers in Jackson, Pearl River, and Hancock counties also stopped by restaurants, shops, and attractions. 

Sean Sutton of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce said, "Because Ocean Springs has a lot to offer from food, we're a culinary destination. We're also an arts destination with a lot of nature. We have a lot of natural assets in Ocean Springs. A lot of great outdoor activities." 

"If you don't get down this way much, because we're from further up the Coast, then you don't really have that experience to tell them," said Laura Ladner of the Pearl River County Welcome Center. "So this gives me the opportunity to be hands on and see what there is. That way I can go back and tell them from a first hand experience 'Yes, I've actually been there. Yes, I've actually done this and it's a great place to go.'" Read more: WLOX

Smyth (Virginia) chamber hosts webinar on selling to Defense Logistics Agency

The Procurement Technical Assistance Center of Southwest Virginia in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County is hosting a free webinar titled “Selling to the Defense Logistics Agency” on Thursday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the chamber office, 214 West Main Street, Marion.

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) spends more than $11.6 billion a year to purchase 5.2 million items to support men and women in uniform. Everything from machined parts, spare parts, guns, ammunition, food, pipe and tubing, sound recording equipment, resistors and capacitors, food, clothing, tents, and millions of other items. Businesses in Southwest Virginia have the capability to supply some of these items. This webinar will inform and educate the attendees on the “how to” of doing business with DLA. Read more: SWVAtoday.com

Chamber interest: Suburban Chicago companies see opportunity in Cuba

Many suburban companies said they are eager to send representatives to visit Cuba and explore new business opportunities in the island country newly opened to Americans.

Yet, with an ongoing trade embargo and underdeveloped infrastructure, Cuba likely won't return to a bustling, vibrant economy for at least 5 to 10 years, said Roger Sosa, executive director of the Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and a native of Cuba.

"Businesses have to get in now in order to get things done there," Sosa said. "It will take a long time to get agreements in place between U.S. and Cuban companies because that just doesn't exist now. So they will need to build an infrastructure from the ground up."But those obstacles should not stop suburban business owners and executives from starting now to establish their own relationship with Cuba, he said, adding opportunities are many, he said. Read more: Daily Herald

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Technology)

"From then on, when anything went wrong with a computer, we said it had bugs in it." --- Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper

On the removal of a 2-inch-long moth from the Harvard Mark II experimental computer at Harvard in 1947, as quoted in Time (16 April 1984).

Grand Rapids Chamber event: Team Rubicon's co-founder tells West Michigan about the importance of veteran volunteers; Illinois Chamber Goals Will Be Front and Center; Prince William Chamber Executive Forum: Kaine optimistic about federal budget, managing sequestration effects; Mississippi Chamber interest: Senate transportation chair seeks emergency money for roads, bridges; International veteran of entrepreneurship visits University of Arkansas-Little Rock campus; Buffalo Grove-Lincolnshire chamber honors its best of the year; Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce announces 2015 board, officers; Chamber news: View of Kentucky economy varies among political leaders; Iowa economic development leader gets fifth bonus from state; U.S. Chamber initiative: Hiring Our Heroes job fair for military veterans, spouses set for Detroit with up to 75 employers; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

Grand Rapids Chamber event: Team Rubicon's co-founder tells West Michigan about the importance of veteran volunteers

Even before he spoke, Marine Sgt. Jake Wood drew a standing ovation Tuesday from hundreds of those in attendance at a Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Wood served two tours in Iraq as an infantry squad leader and sniper scout.
The 6'6" Wood charmed with his self-deprecating humor that downplayed both his college football and military careers.
Despite earning a full athletic scholarship to the University of Wisconsin, Wood said the experience taught him he wasn’t meant for football. Still, the offensive lineman was twice selected to the Academic All-Big Ten football team. Read more: M LIVE

Illinois Chamber Goals Will Be Front and Center

Message From the President - January 12, 2015

Today marks the beginning of the Rauner Administration in Illinois state government. While the first day is mostly ceremonial, we will hear glimmers of what’s ahead as the week
progresses. The Illinois Chamber supported Bruce Rauner in his campaign, and now the
heart of this new era starts beating.
The bottom-line goal that the Chamber is pushing for is fiscal stability in the Land of
Lincoln. The days of overspending must end. We need a balanced budget that addresses the
growth issues that will help Illinois move forward: infrastructure, business-friendly policies,
and a close eye on ballooning programs.
It will be good to have an ally in the Governor’s mansion. Gov. Rauner knows what it’s like
to run a business in Illinois, and we are encouraged that his administration understands our initiatives. Read more: Illinois Chamber


Todd Maisch
President & CEO
Illinois Chamber of Commerce

Prince William Chamber Executive Forum: Kaine optimistic about federal budget, managing sequestration effects

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine said he is optimistic that Congress will pass a budget this year that reduces the effects of sequestration while containing the growth of the national debt.
Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, addressed about 50 local business leaders Thursday morning at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Forum, at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville.
Kaine told the audience that when he was first appointed to the Senate Budget Committee, he wasn’t sure he wanted the assignment because, as he said, “why be on a committee that has one job and you’re not doing it?” Read more: InsideNoVA

Mississippi Chamber interest: Senate transportation chair seeks emergency money for roads, bridges

In a move he acknowledges is a long-shot, the chairman of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee is asking legislators to approve $300 million for timely repairs on state highways and bridges and an additional $100 million for locally maintained roads and bridges.
Sen. Willie Simmons, a Cleveland Democrat, wants the money to be part of the state’s general obligation bonding.
His legislation, Senate Bill 2028, is in the Senate Finance Committee.
If allocated, around $40 million of the $300 million would go for replacing posted bridges on the Delta’s Highway 6 between Batesville and Clarksdale.
His bill limits draws on the $300 million for state roads and bridges to $150 million a year and to $50 million a year on the $100 million State Aid portion. Read more: Mississippi Business Journal

International veteran of entrepreneurship visits University of Arkansas-Little Rock campus

A veteran of national and international entrepreneurship programming recently spoke to a group of community leaders in research and innovation at the UALR Bailey Alumni Center about research opportunities in central Arkansas.

Judith Cone, of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill speaks at UALR. Judith Cone, special assistant to the chancellor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, led a discussion that included participation by UALR research faculty engaged in innovation and commercialization. UALR Chancellor Joel Anderson and Provost Dr. Zulma Toro also attended the presentation.

“Innovation is not a synonym for creativity,” Cone said. “We have a fiduciary responsibility to use our money to better society.” Cone offered a definition of innovation focused on providing creativity, value, and execution. She said universities offered a great place to innovate because of their preponderance of faculty resources and research. Read more: UALR

Buffalo Grove-Lincolnshire chamber honors its best of the year

The Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce honored its top directors, businesses and business leaders this week in the annual awards luncheon.

Held at the Arboretum Club in Buffalo Grove, the event also served to introduce new Executive Director Roger Sosa, and bid farewell to the retiring Lynne Schneider, who led the organization for 25 years.

The 2014 award winners are:

• Director of the Year, Larry Wankovsky: Wankovsky, of Triple J Ventures, was a major force in the merger between the Buffalo Grove and Lincolnshire chambers; a member since 1995 and on the board since 2003. He has been a chamber Ambassador, has served on the Golf Outing and Taste of Lincolnshire committees and volunteered at the Buffalo Grove Days Beer Garden. For the chamber, he has been a director, vice president, executive vice president and interim president.

• Member of the Year, Annette Brumby: Brumby, of Momentous Identity Solutions, joined the chamber only last year, but has become fully involved in a short time. She has been a member of the Business Advantage Network and the Marketing and Business Connection Expo committees, and assisted in the branding of the chamber with logos and the website. Read more: Daily Herald

Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce announces 2015 board, officers

The Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed new board members and elected officers for 2014.

Scott Mundell (Franciscan St. Anthony Health) was appointed chairman, William Kaminsky (Newby, Lewis, Kaminsky & Jones) as chair-elect, Cynthia Roberts (Purdue University North Central) as secretary and Kevin Mazur (Crowe Horwath LLP) as treasurer.

New board members for 2015 are Stephanie Oberlie (Harbour Trust & Investment Management), Rodney Bensz (B&E Marine), Leif Erickson (Blue Chip Casino), Charlie Keene (General Insurance Services) and Sean Mitchell (ServPro of La Porte County). Read more: Michigan City News-Dispatch

Chamber news: View of Kentucky economy varies among political leaders

The condition of Kentucky's economy depends largely on which political leader happens to offer the prognosis — and maybe which part of the state is being assessed.
A gloomy picture comes from incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who blames the Obama administration for hard times in his home state's eastern coal fields. Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, meanwhile, trumpets a statewide economy in recovery, pointing to shrinking unemployment and growing business investments.
In a recent Associated Press interview, McConnell said the Environmental Protection Agency "has created a depression in my state and it's done a lot of damage to the country all across the country with these efforts to essentially eliminate coal-fired generation."
Other factors have staggered Appalachian coal businesses, including higher production costs and competition from other coal basins and sources of energy. U.S. utilities increasingly have switched from coal to natural gas to generate electricity.
Coal-mining employment in eastern Kentucky plunged by more than 7,000 jobs in 2012 and 2013 as production fell by nearly 50 percent, according to industry figures. Other businesses relying on the circulation of coal income were hurt. Employment and production were relatively flat in the past year. Read more: Kentucky.com

Iowa economic development leader gets fifth bonus from state

Iowa’s top economic development officer has received more than $150,000 in bonuses over the past four years, with the latest bonus requiring her to stay through June.
Debi Durham has received five $30,700 bonuses since she took over leadership of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) in November 2010. The pay pushed Durham’s fiscal 2014 compensation to $185,096. The state-mandated salary range for her position is $100,840 to $154,300.
“Your strengths as director, including a broad knowledge of business and community development, government, marketing and communications, help us to keep our leadership agenda moving forward,” Matt Hinch, Gov. Terry Branstad’s chief of staff, wrote in a June 2 letter approving the bonus.
Hinch’s letter gives Durham credit for Microsoft expanding its West Des Moines data center and WebFilings, an Ames company now called Workiva, adding more employees.
Private companies have guaranteed $9.5 billion in capital investments in Iowa since January 2011, according to an IEDA report. The state has provided firms $411 million in incentives during the same period. Local governments sweeten the pot with local tax breaks and perks. Read more: KCRG.com

U.S. Chamber initiative: Hiring Our Heroes job fair for military veterans, spouses set for Detroit with up to 75 employers

Up to 75 employers, ranging from Quicken Loans and Sears to Verizon Wireless and DTE Energy, will be on a mission Feb. 7 in Detroit to hire as many military veterans and their spouses as they can.
Companies will take part in a Hiring Our Heroes job far that, as of Wednesday afternoon, already had commitments from at least 42 companies ready to fill positions. The employers are expected to have jobs of all ranks and for various levels of experience.
The event, at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, will offer a free employment workshop at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 7 focused on resume writing, interview skills, and job search techniques for all military members and their spouses.
The workshop will then be followed by a job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Dingell VA is located at 4646 John R. in Detroit.

Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey

RULE #46 - Never print or post a picture with a glass… of anything