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Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce Seeking Protection Against Electricity Price Increases
Seeking protection against seemingly inevitable future electricity price increases, Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce are taking a proactive approach to help secure long-term rates for their members.
Just a few short months ago, announcements of coal-fired electric generation plant closures in Newton and two in Baldwin, IL were announced. Following that announcement came the news that a nuclear power plant in Clinton, IL would also be closing. All closures came with formal dates for the closures after Illinois legislators failed to bring up proposed legislation seeking a legislative response or “subsidy” to keep these plants operating at profit levels viable to the companies who own them.
“Given the two scenarios, it appears an increase in electric supply rates is inevitable. If somehow there is a legislative response, that will undoubtedly come in the form of some type of subsidy imposed on the residents and commercial users of electricity. Absent a legislative response, four plant closures in a year is all but certainly going to lead to less supply and subsequently an increase in electricity prices in the market” said Jeff Haarmann, Managing Partner of AGE, the coordinator of the Southern Illinois Chamber of Commerce Electricity Buying Group. “These short-term changes have nothing to do with the federally mandated EPA regulations for cleaner energy, which could have an even further devastating impact on prices.”
Chambers such as Marion, Carbondale, Jefferson County, Herrin, Lawrence County and others throughout Southern Illinois are seeking rate protection by enrolling members in their collective buying group now, negotiating long-term rates now while the relative price of electricity is still low.
“We are advocates for our members. Having the ability to save our members potentially tens of thousands of dollars is just as important as driving additional revenue to our communities. The dollars we are able to save our members are dollars that go straight to their bottom line. Those dollars saved stay in our community and allow our members to re-invest in their businesses and people. The dollars continue to be spent several times over in our local economies. That benefits everyone,” said Dalus Ben Avi, Marion Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
Negotiations are currently taking place for chamber members who are already participating in the Southern Illinois Chamber of Commerce Bulk Electricity Buying Group. Those negotiations are seeking to extend rates well into the future by securing rates now while markets are still favorable.
The Southern Illinois Chamber of Commerce Bulk Buying Group including the Marion Chamber of Commerceis holding an open enrollment period for members who are not currently enrolled in the Electricity Buying Group. Beginning July 25, chamber members who have not made a choice of electricity supplier and are still on Ameren’s default rates, or chamber members who have a current supply contract that expires in the next twelve months, can contact their respective chamber for enrollment details. Upon closure of the enrollment period on August 12, the collective group of new enrollees will be competitively bid to multiple suppliers seeking to serve the collective commercial aggregate with long-term rate security. More information: Marion Chamber
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce Event: Healthy Workplaces' Wellness Fair
Healthy Workplaces' Wellness Fair: Going for Gold! Would you, whether the business owner or the employee, like to be healthier?
Go for Gold at our Healthy Workplaces' Wellness Fair!
Invest in a corporate wellness program! Studies show that corporate wellness programs, regardless of
company size or budget, reduce costs while creating a healthier, happier workplace.
Here's what you can expect at our Healthy Workplaces' Wellness Fair:
- Free admission
- Local wellness resources
- Education sessions
- Exercise demos
- Healthy snacks
- Complimentary childcare
- Business or workout attire is appropriate
Our Healthy Workplaces' Wellness Fair offers guidance for establishing or enhancing,your corporate wellness program ... to go for GOLD!
Need more incentive? Register today and be entered into a drawing for a 6-month Gold's Gym membership! One membership will be drawn every two weeks.Learn more, Event marketing opportunities
or RegisterChamber project: Downtown Biloxi gets poetic
The Biloxi Bay Chamber's beautification committee has a new art project taking over the streets of downtown.
The project called 'Poetry Storm' features art from local artists in various locations that are only visible when wet.
Artists will use Rustoleum Never Wet brand spray paint as their medium to fill out stencils. BLP Mobile Paint on Caillavet St. provided the paint for the project.
The committee is expecting 20-25 separate installations across town, and encourages anyone to add their own creations. All projects must be approved by the Chamber beforehand.
So far, artist Ashley Burton from Orange Grove has a piece in front of the Half Shell Oyster House, and artist Lucinda L'Enfant's piece is on display outside of Ellsey's Hardware. Read more: WDAM TV 7
Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide
The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Directory and Resource Guide is available at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber today! Thanks to Mike Kuhns, Suzy Johnson and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
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| Virginia Peninsula Chamber |
Town SquarePublications (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.
Four Flags Chamber Event: Niles Craft Brew & Wine Festival 2016
Local wineries and breweries are cracking opening their best bottles for the 3rd annual Niles Craft Brew & Wine Festival this week.
The festival is at Riverfront Park in Niles, on Friday, July 29th from 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. and is hosted by the Four Flags Area Chamber Of Commerce.
Over 20 Michigan craft breweries and 10 local wineries around Michiana will showcase their beverages. Guests can enjoy food, live music, and activities like life-size beer pong and cornhole. Additional full glasses of beer of wine can also be purchased.
Some of the featured breweries include: White Flame Brewing Co., Saugatuck Brewing Co, Frankenmuth Brewery, Rochester Mills Beer Co., Round Barn Brewery, Silver Harbor Brewing Co.
Sister Lakes Brewing Company is the newest brewery to come to the festival. Their philosophy is, “Fostering community one pint at a time.”
Sister Lakes Brewing Company is the newest brewery to come to the festival. The business is owned by the Morin brothers who have deep family ties to the area. Their philosophy is, “Fostering community one pint at a time.”
They will be showcasing two of their beers, with locally grown hops.
“We’re right next to the fire station here and every day at noon and six the whistle blows and it shakes the building basically so we have a Noon and Six O’Clock Whistle beer,” says owner Brian Morin.
Featured wineries include but not limited to: Lazy Ballerina, Crane's, Round Barn Winery, And Tabor Hill Winery.
Advanced tickets are $20 online and can be purchased online at Eventbrite and include cost of admission, exclusive 2016 souvenir glass, and five tastes of delicious craft beer or wine. Tickets are $25 at the gate. Read more: WNDU
Christian County Chamber: 2016 Salute Saturday Chili Cook-Off
Members of the Christian County Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee are busy with exciting plans for this year’s Salute Saturday Chili Cook-Off presented by Budweiser of Hopkinsville, Rogers Group, and Hopkinsville Electric System, a historic and treasured Christian County community event. Team entry forms are now available!
Each year, Downtown Hopkinsville is alive with competition among region-wide businesses and military teams for the honor of the best chili around. Teams composed of up to 6 members vie for bragging rights and several cash prizes, including the $1000 Grand Prize. Other prize categories include: 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place, 4th Place, Best Theme, and Crowd Favorite.
Military Teams are also entered to compete in the event’s Brigade Challenge. A prize of $100 per team up to $1000 total for the brigade is awarded for the brigade with the most teams participating in the Chili Cook-Off.
The Chili Cook-Off has remained an integral part of and time-honored tradition in the annual Christian County Salutes Fort Campbell Week. Additional events include military discounts from participating community businesses, the MAC Gala, Sunday Salute Services at participating area churches, and the Spouses Luncheon and Tour of Homes.
This year’s Chili Cook-Off will also be featured as a key event in the City of Hopkinsville’s Summer Salute Festival. Fireworks will complete the 2-day slate of festivities.
Register your team now to participate in the 2016 Salute Saturday Chili Cook-Off!
Download the Military Team Registration Form
Read more: Christian County Chamber
Crawfordsville/Montgomery County Chamber interest: Mayor Barton: ‘I continue to look at Indiana West Advantage’
Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton told the city council Monday night that he is always looking at Indiana West Advantage.
The council met Monday night for a budget work session. The current budget proposal calls for city to contract with IWA for $75,000 for them to act as the city’s economic development agency.
“If I feel it is not working for us I will be back to the council to discuss our options,” Barton said.
After the meeting Barton said that if the city did not have a good partner in IWA the city could look at taking the $75,000 and have an economic development department within the city. He added that a new county council will take office in January and he does not know how much they will continue to contribute toward IWA.
Last year during budget talks County Councilman Mark Davidson attempted to decrease the county’s IWA funding to $25,000. His motion failed by a 4-3 vote.
Barton told the council that he is still confident in IWA and new IWA Executive Director Tom Utley. Utley was hired earlier this month as IWA and Crawfordsville/Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce executive director.
“Tom Utley is in place and is doing a solid job,” he said, adding that IWA has to constantly evolve. Read more: Journal Review
Burlington Book sale kicks off two weekends of activities
Two weeks of City of Burlington events started this week with the annual Burlington Public Library book sale, which lasts until noon on Saturday.
Normally the book sale runs the same week as the City of Burlington’s sidewalk sales, but the Friends of the Library moved the sale a week earlier to avoid a conflict with the Racine County Fair.
“We got wary that it wasn’t a good business decision to compete with the biggest attraction in the county,” said Scott Carson, president of the Friends of the Library.
The sale will include used books, CDs, DVDs, and other items. Carson said there is a great deal of children’s and fiction material this year.
“We have tons of children’s books,” Carson said. “Tons of children, tons of fiction.”
Carson also mentioned his volunteer staff for the event, which is between 75 and 100 people, some of whom were helping set up in the heat Tuesday and Wednesday.
“They are so committed and hard working, and we’re so thankful for the volunteers and BHS with community service,” Carson said, adding that a Burlington High School representative is on the book sale committee.
The citywide Maxwell Street Days and Sidewalk Sales will be Friday and Saturday, July 29 and 30, with a number of vendors in Wehmhoff Square park as well as businesses offering sales on the sidewalks outside their stores.
The Burlington Historical Society will hold its ice cream social Saturday at the Pioneer Cabin from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The community-wide rummage sale will also be July 29 and 30.
Shelly Leverenz, a member of the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board, said the city always sets its dates up to match particular weekends. For instance, Maxwell Street Days is always the last weekend in July.
“Our city is always on a schedule so it can remember dates,” Leverenz said, adding that other regular events, such as Spooky City and the Christmas parade, always fall on the same weekend every year. Read more: My Racine County
Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps
Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications
Town Square Publications Chamber of Commerce Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Re-Location Guides and Custom Maps
Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications
