Chamber issue: Interstate 41 in Wisconsin clears major Congressional hurdle
"The local chambers of commerce have all pretty well supported this," Petri said. "It just makes it easier for them to indicate to people around the country and world what kind of infrastructure they have. If it says U.S. Interstate, people know what that means."
Meanwhile, business and economic development leaders in communities along the highway said the conversion will help boost economic growth by increasing the opportunities for national operations that wouldn't otherwise consider locating there.
"It puts us on a different stature as it relates to communities across the country," said John Casper, president and CEO of the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce. "A lot of businesses — industrial, commercial, retail — want to be on interstates. When firms are identifying places to locate (and) expand ... (the word) interstate communicates a certain standard." Read more: Sheboygan Press
North Dakota Chamber lists its legislative priorities
More tax relief for businesses, strengthening the state’s workforce and flood protection are among likely legislative priorities for the Greater North Dakota Chamber.
Andy Peterson, president and CEO of the Greater North Dakota Chamber, discussed the group’s upcoming legislative focus Thursday with state legislators and business leaders at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, which houses the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce.
North Dakota’s 2015 legislative session convenes Jan. 6. Gov. Jack Dalrymple delivered his 2015-17 executive budget on Dec. 3.
“We do like the governor’s budget for the most part,” Peterson said. “I think it’s a great start for the Legislature. We’ll see where it goes.” Read more: InForum.com
Chamber initiative: Emerge West Michigan Launches Online Business Resources
Minnesota State Chamber president talks Bemidji skills gap: Shortage of trained workers statewide
Bemidji has a skills gap, and the shortage of trained workers is driving away businesses, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Interim President Bill Blazar said Friday.
Blazar spoke to a gathering of Bemidji Area Chamber members at the Hampton Inn as part of a statewide tour of local Chamber groups involved in the "Grow Minnesota" business development program.
Roughly 100 Bemidji businesses have been contacted by the program since its inception in 2003. Grow Minnesota interviews with local businesses over the past year indicated that of the 14 businesses that responded on the skills gap topic, eight companies said they had trouble finding qualified workers and six said they didn't have trouble, he said. Bemidji businesses named construction workers, executives, architects and engineers as some of the most difficult positions to fill, Blazar said. Read more: The Bemidji Pioneer
A Scouter in Kansas City helps teens discover potential career paths
Mentoring is job No. 1 for Lester McKinzy, Explorer Post 2967 advisor
In 2011, the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce unveiled the “Big 5,” a group of initiatives designed to create economic opportunity and establish a more vibrant Kansas City region. One of those initiatives sought to revitalize the inner city by, among other things, helping young people prepare for college and career.
That’s where Scouting came in. Exploring, a program of the BSA’s Learning for Life affiliate (exploring.learningforlife.org), is all about career exploration, so a partnership seemed a natural fit.
Terry Dunn, a key leader in the Urban Neighborhood Initiative, is a longtime member of the Heart of America Council’s executive board. Dunn’s company, JE Dunn Construction, pledged to create an Explorer post and tapped Lester McKinzy to help start it. The post officially launched in January 2013, and McKinzy took over as Advisor a little more than a year later.
A Kansas City native, McKinzy had never been involved in Scouting or Exploring, but he jumped at the chance to serve. “I had a burning passion to work with youth in the area of career development,” he says. “It ended up being a great fit.” Read more: Scouting Magazine
Chamber event: Winter Games Chili Cook Off forms available
Entry forms for the REMAX Lakes Realty Chili Cook Off are now available online at www.uofowintergames.com or in the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce office in Arnolds Park. This delicious event is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 at the Dickinson County Expo Building in Spirit Lake.Chili Cook Off teams are asked to furnish at least 10 gallons of their special recipe chili, as well as warmers, ladles, extension cords and decorate their serving area. All members of the community are invited to participate, yet due to space constraints, the event limited to 42 teams.
And this year's theme? OUTER SPACE! Read more: Dickinson County News
Chamber issue: Local communities explore street drinking as economic development
Ohio’s cities that have watched their tax bases sag while hot destinations like Austin, Texas, and Nashville, Tenn., lure young professionals with a vibrant nightlife are hoping to bring a little flavor of Mardi Gras to the Buckeye state.A bill that passed the Ohio Senate 31-0 last week has officials in cities from Cleveland to Cincinnati dreaming about bringing more sauce — and tax dollars — to their entertainment corridors.
The bill could allow many cities and townships — including about 15 locally — to establish designated drinking areas where visitors can wander outside, drinks in hand, as if they are on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
Some local officials, business groups and developers have embraced the idea of outdoor libations. They say the areas are intended to capitalize on changing consumer preferences, particularly among young people, and use a lively nightlife to promote economic development. Read more: Journal-News
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Improving Innovation by improving your local library)
A library is the delivery room for the birth of ideas, a place where history comes to life.' Norman Cousins
