U.S. Chamber: What Small Businesses Need to Know about the Employee Vaccine Requirements; Kentucky Chamber Foundation Launches Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Hires Joe Frazier to Lead; Chamber RVA: Winners Announced for ICONS 2021!; Battle Creek Area Chamber: Pay Online 24/7; Falls Church Chamber Announces Elise Neil Bengtson as New Chief Executive; Des Plaines Chamber: NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION; Indiana SBA: Federal Contracting 101 Webinar: How to start, market & win federal contracts; Montgomery County Chamber hires Steve Baffuto as president & CEO; Chamber Collaboration: Mississippi’s first annual light-based art exhibition, festival to light up Dunleith next weekend; Arlington Chamber Events: In Good Health; Valparaiso Chamber: Membership Breakfast; Sara Patrick Named New Executive Director at The Chamber of LaGrange County; Le Mars Chamber: ‘Shop for a Cause’ begins; The Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance Street Map; Hartland Chamber presents Golden Hammer Award; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Incredible Maps and Community Profiles: The best Chamber Publishing Partner in the United States!

U.S. Chamber: What Small Businesses Need to Know about the Employee Vaccine Requirements

OSHA has developed a COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for employers with 100 or more employees. Employees must either receive COVID-19 vaccinations or produce weekly negative tests before coming to work in person.

Why it matters: Implementation of the mandate is currently on hold as a result of a federal court order. It will likely be up to the Supreme Court as to whether the mandate takes effect.

Things to know if the mandate takes effect:

• Eligible employers must develop a program to verify the vaccination status of their employees and maintain records of vaccination status and test results.  

• Workers who express a sincerely held religious belief or can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons can be offered a testing option instead.

• The 100-plus employee threshold is determined per company rather than per location and covers all U.S. employees. An employer is covered if, at any time during the period the ETS is in effect, they have at least 100 employees, even if they have fewer than 100 employees. 

• Employers must provide four hours of paid leave for each vaccination dose and allow “reasonable” time off to recover from side effects.

Dig deeper: This only scratches the surface. These resources will help you understand the requirements:

• Watch Chamber employment policy experts answer questions from small business owners.

• OSHA’s webpage on its COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS.
• 
  
• The best ways for employers to promote COVID-19 vaccines.

Kentucky Chamber Foundation Launches Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Hires Joe Frazier to Lead

 

To help create meaningful, long-term change for Kentucky businesses, families, and communities, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation has announced the launch of the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Joseph Frazier has been hired to serve as its Executive Director, spearheading the organization’s efforts to help educate business leaders and transform workplaces across Kentucky.

The Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will work closely with the Kentucky Chamber Task Force on Racial Inequality, made up of business, education and state leaders, to work toward the Chamber’s goals to make Kentucky a better place to live, work and do business. Last year, the Task Force published the “Achieving Equity to Build a Stronger Kentucky” report offering long and short-term solutions to make aggressive progress in addressing racial inequality across the Commonwealth.

Since 2018, Frazier served as the Director of the Dr. Patricia Carver Office of Identity and Inclusion at Bellarmine University. He oversaw student and faculty outreach, led fundraising, and developed programming, training, pipeline and retention initiatives, and conferences for the university. In addition, Frazier helped build the framework for Bellarmine University’s Strategic Priority on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. Frazier’s work led him to receive Bellarmine’s highest award for a faculty or staff member, the Bellie Award for Internationalization and Diversity.  

Prior to his work at Bellarmine University, Frazier began his career at his alma mater, Virginia Tech.  Serving as Assistant Director of the Cultural and Community Centers, he advised several minority student organizations, led a program to train facilitators, facilitated institution-wide cultural and diversity-related workshops,and oversaw several other university initiatives. He also worked in partnership with a number of local community organizations in the New River Valley area of Virginia.   

Frazier has also been involved in many community organizations in Kentucky, including the Community Foundation, Volunteers of America DE&I Task Force, and the Louisville Chief Equity Officer Committee. Recently, Frazier was recognized as a Louisville 40 Under 40, and an honorary Kentucky Colonel.

The Kentucky Chamber Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit and is the philanthropic arm of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. This program is launched in partnership with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., and the Brown-Forman Corporation.

“After publishing the Equity Report, we pledged this report would not sit on the shelf and that we would pull forward an agenda for Kentucky to help overcome the racial inequality that has hampered our progress for so many generations,” said  Kentucky Chamber Foundation Senior Vice President Beth Davisson. “Racial diversity, equity, and inclusion are good for businesses, and we are excited to build upon this work with Kentucky employers. Joe Frazier is the right leader to launch the DE&I Center, and we are excited to work with him and get to work on all that we have ahead.”

“There’s good work to be done, and it’s an honor to be entrusted with this initiative to better serve the people of Kentucky,” Frazier said.

Chamber RVA: Winners Announced for ICONS 2021! Front Runner Award  This award is given a career-bold YP who is a driver, pacesetter and pioneer in their company or organization. Front Runners make a name for themselves through hard work, active engagement and great results. Not afraid to take calculated risks, they exercise strategic judgment in supporting the mission of their teams and their organizations. Their drive and passion for this work fuels their desire to leave an impactful legacy. WINNER: Ashley Pinney | John Tyler Community College Finalists: Abby Nurnberger Kittrell | AA Communications Anna Jane Glascock | Marriott Hotels Max Malmgren | Atlantic Union Bank Innovator Award The Innovator award honors a young professional who is imaginative in their approach to identifying new avenues of thought and action. Innovators think beyond the limits of convention, challenge the status quo, and aren’t afraid to start difficult conversations that address a need or opportunity. They embrace innovation and creativity as drivers to making positive changes for the betterment of their teams and their organizations. WINNER: Sammie McCabe | United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg Finalists: Anna McChesney | Healing Sounds RVA Rabia Kamara | Ruby Scoops Thomas Bettin | Fred Astaire Dance Bryce Rogers | Colonial Webb Contractors Strength in Numbers Award- YP Organization Award Young professional organizations make our region better for all who live here, whether through providing a place for connection, bettering our community or helping YPs advance in their careers (or all of the above). This award honors a YP volunteer organization or board that excels in one or more of the areas listed. WINNER: Urban League Greater Richmond Young Professionals Finalists: Special Olympics of Virginia Young Professionals Board ouRVA Collective YP Small Business of the Year Small businesses are the fabric of our region. This award recognizes a small business owned by YPs in the Richmond region (40 and under) who have contributed to making Richmond a great place to work, live and play. WINNER: The Self Love Company Finalists: Sefton Coffee Company Read more: Chamber RVA ICON Battle Creek Area Chamber: Pay Online 24/7 Did you know that Online Payments are now being accepted at battlecreek.org? That's right! The addition of Online Payments is one of many new website features with the Chamber's rebranded website from 2020 when it was launched. Due to remote and hybrid work models, we understand that the typical workday does not always fit within the 9 - 5 work schedule. Allowing for Online Payments is a way the Chamber has adapted to meet the needs of its membership along with the community at large. To access, simply visit the homepage at battlecreek.org, look for the Online Payments button (top right), and then follow the instructions through PayPal. Payments accepted online include: · Pay with PayPal · Pay Later · Debit or Credit Card Have questions? Call 269.962.4076 or email office@battlecreek.org.

Falls Church Chamber Announces Elise Neil Bengtson as New Chief Executive Elise Neil Bengtson has joined the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce as its new Executive Director starting this week, although Sally Cole will remain with the Chamber until Sept. 30, concluding her 14 years there. Elise is a professional and volunteer leader with years of experience in the federal government and nonprofits. She has a strong record of nonprofit management, community outreach, volunteer recruitment, and fundraising. She is currently the Vice President of the Virginia Chamber Orchestra and a reviewer for the Catalogue for Philanthropy. She comes with years of experience in the federal government and nonprofits. She has resided in the Washington, D.C. area for over 25 years. She worked on the National Security Council at the White House for 15 years and has served as a nonprofit executive since that time. She served as the President of the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director of the Fairfax Partnership for Youth, CEO of Volunteer Fairfax and Manager of Masterworks Chorus and Orchestra. As a consultant, she worked with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on the Hillsborough County Public Schools $100 million grant, while living in Tampa, Florida. She has remained personally committed to volunteerism, especially to the arts, youth, and education. She began volunteering in her youth and continues to do so. A native of Charlotte, NC, she graduated from Converse College — now Converse University. Read more: Falls Church News Press Des Plaines Chamber: NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION  Thursday, November 18th 8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Des Plaines Chamber Office  Join us for this informational meeting to bring you up to date on all the benefits and opportunities that the Chamber has to offer while networking with new and seasoned members. Registration deadline : 11/17/21 Register Here- FREE   Indiana SBA: Federal Contracting 101 Webinar: How to start, market & win federal contracts When:  Nov 24, 1pm Where:  Online Register now   Ready to grow your client portfolio? Learn how to make federal government agencies some of your best customers! About this event: FACT: The U.S. government is the largest purchaser of products and services from small businesses in the entire world. Ready to make federal agencies some of your valued customers? Let SBA teach you how! During the Federal Contracting 101 webinar, SBA Indiana Business Opportunity Specialist Vernice Mathis will walk you through the basics on: Readiness - federal contracting requirements & small business eligibility Where to find out what federal agencies are buying What the purchasing process looks like How to put together marketing plans and capability statements How to register your small business on SAM.gov (the federal government's System for Award Management) Helpful certifications and development programs Where to find help This webinar will be held the 2nd & 4th Thursday* of the month through the end of September. Choose the date you'd like to attend during the registration process. Reminders and a link to your event date will be emailed. Choose a date and sign up today! *Please note - Due to the November 2021 webinars falling on federal holidays, sessions will be held on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday during that month only. Register now

Montgomery County Chamber hires Steve Baffuto as president & CEO Steve Baffuto will be the fourth leader of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, which serves Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Montgomery County and companies in both valleys. Baffuto’s first day will be Dec. 1, according to a chamber news release. A national search was conducted from late July through October, and Baffuto stood out to the selection committee, which was comprised of past and current board members and chamber staff, according to chamber board Chairman Henry Bass. Baffuto comes to the chamber from Virginia ABC, where he served as special agent in charge for Roanoke and Lynchburg Region. According the chamber release, he administered and managed resources to meet the agency’s mission, goals, and objectives. He led teams of multigenerational officers and worked to build strong relationships with other law enforcement agencies. In his position, he provided specialized services and training to new field agents. He was responsible for positive relationships with restaurants and businesses from Pulaski to Lynchburg. He holds a bachelor of science degree and master of science degree from universities in Virginia, according to the release. The search committee chaired by Bill King, a chamber board member, comprised past and present board members. Said King: “Our committee of 8 wanted to make certain we made the best choice of leaders for our chamber. Steve has the right balance of leadership and understanding of strategy to continue the positive trajectory for our Chamber. Steve shared some impressive ideas during interviews to build membership and enhance programming.” We are looking forward to Steve taking the leadership and senior administrative role for our chamber on December 1”, added Mark Woolwine, 2022 board chair. Baffuto said: “I am pleased to have been chosen to lead this organization. I have been impressed with our local chamber and its progress since 2009. I am looking forward to working with the board, staff, and members to increase value across the board to the business community.” Baffuto will succeed Sharon Scott, who will help the new director with the transition, according to the release. The MCCC supports approximately 600 local businesses through marketing, educational, and network-building opportunities. Chamber Collaboration: Mississippi’s first annual light-based art exhibition, festival to light up Dunleith next weekend Allumer Natchez, the first arts festival of its kind in the State of Mississippi, will literally shine light on a place co-founder Stacy Conde holds near and dear to her heart, she said. Mississippi’s first annual light-based art exhibition and festival lights up the grounds of Dunleith Historic Inn Nov. 19 through 21, from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly. The event is free and open to the public, however, encompasses food vendors, a Maker’s Market and several cash bars. Sponsors and VIP ticket holders also gain access to the VIP Lounge sponsored by Cathead with two complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. All event proceeds will go towards the production of next year’s exhibition, which creators are already in the process of curating, Conde said. “Allumer Natchez,” which means “to light up Natchez” in French, “is an art exhibition and festival which uses light as an artistic medium and the City of Natchez is its canvas,” Conde said. “Each year the curatorial theme of the exhibition will change. Our vision is to grow the event annually, attracting artists and visitors from around the world while contributing to arts programming and arts education locally.” Allumer Natchez is a project of Conde Contemporary art gallery in Downtown Natchez and is made possible, in part, by grants from: Home Bank, Visit Natchez, Visit Mississippi, Allstate, Entergy, Country Roads Magazine, Listen Up Y’All Media, Concordia Bank, Crye Leike Stedman Realty, UMB, Hampton Inn and Suites, the Natchez Garden Club and with the support of Historic Natchez Foundation, Community Alliance, Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce and The City of Natchez. Read more: The Democrat Arlington Chamber Events: In Good Health The Arlington Chamber is continuing to monitor COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Virginia Department of Health. As Arlington is currently experiencing a substantial spread of COVID-19, for our in-person events: ·    If you are not feeling well, are infected with COVID-19, or have recently been in close contact with someone who has been infected with COVID-19, please stay home. ·    We require unvaccinated and not yet fully vaccinated guests to wear facial coverings unless eating or drinking and to keep a 6-foot distance from others at events.  We encourage everyone, regardless of vaccination status to wear a mask when indoors, unless eating or drinking or keeping a 6-foot distance from others. Valparaiso Chamber: Membership Breakfast At this Breakfast Meeting, Lee Lane, attorney with Genetos Lane & Buitendorp, will be speaking about her experiences in the armed forces. Lee is also a member of the Valpo Chamber Board of Directors. Thursday, November 18, 2021 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Aberdeen Manor 216 Ballantrae St Valparaiso, IN 46385 $15 per person/member Unfulfilled reservations will be billed. Sara Patrick Named New Executive Director at The Chamber of LaGrange County The Chamber of LaGrange County announced it has hired a new executive director. Sara Patrick has been named to that role, replacing long-time chamber Executive Director Beth Sherman. Sherman was set to retire at end of the year. When Sherman announced her plans to retire earlier this year, the chamber formed a committee tasked with finding her replacement. Patrick is a familiar face to members of the organization. She worked for the chamber in 2019 as an executive assistant to Sherman. Patrick said that experience provided her with invaluable insight into the inner workings of the organization. “Beth Sherman is leaving some big shoes to fill,” said Patrick. “She has served this community well and has built the chamber into a family of members.” Patrick holds a bachelor’s degree from Anderson University, as well as an MBA from Western Governors University. Before working for the chamber she spent nearly five years working as an associate pastor. For the past two years, she served as Group Sales Manager at Blue Gate Hospitality. Patrick and her husband James have a four-year-old son, Colt. Her roots run deep in LaGrange County. “My four grandparents still live in LaGrange and call this home, as do my parents and in-laws,” she said. “LaGrange and its surrounding communities are overflowing with potential. I’m thrilled to have the chance to come alongside the businesses and organizations to continue building upon the foundation Beth has laid, the area businesses, and the generations of people who have made this region what it is. LaGrange County is a place built upon hard work, community, and a mentality focused on others. It’s a great place to work, a place to have fun, and a place to live, and I love to call it home. It is something very special for me to get to pull a seat up to the table of influencers that is the Chamber of Commerce, and I am thrilled for the possibilities to come.” Mike Patka, chamber board president, said Patrick was the right person for the job. “Sara brings an incredible amount to the table,” he explained. “The hiring committee and executive team all were unanimous in the decision.” Le Mars Chamber: ‘Shop for a Cause’ begins Holiday shoppers in Le Mars can save money and help a local cause. The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce offered a coupon book that Siouxlanders can buy for $5. The money goes toward a local non-profit organization and Siouxlanders can use the coupons to save big on holiday shopping. Lori French is the Main Street Director at the Chamber of Commerce. She said it’s a great way to get the whole community involved. “We love that. Le Mars is full of merriment and blessings right now and this is a great way for people to come downtown and check out all of our great stores,” said French. The coupons are available through December 11. Additional holiday events the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce will be hosting include: Black Friday/Small Business Saturday – November 26 through November 27. Countdown to Christmas – December 13 through December 19 More: SiouxlandProud.com   The Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance Street Map The Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance Street Map is now available at the GKEDA today! Thanks to Charlie Sparks, Liz Kerns and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together! VIEW the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance Street Map Did you know that Town Square Publications will start and deliver over 100 maps in 2021? Please email John Dussman or call (847)-427-4633.  Hartland Chamber presents Golden Hammer Award The American Legion Flanagan Dorn Post #294 and VFW Marshall Johnson Post 5158, 231 Goodwin Ave., Hartland, was recently presented with the Golden Hammer Award by the Hartland Chamber of Commerce in recognition of exemplary property improvements. According to the announcement, the chamber believes that these improvements positively and directly affect commerce in Hartland and enhance the community as a whole. The intent of the Golden Hammer Award is to further encourage property owners and businesses to invest in improvements which ultimately make Hartland a better place to work and live. More: GMToday.com Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories, Incredible Maps and Community Profiles: The best Chamber Publishing Partner in the United States! 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 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. Thank you!

Midwest Chamber of Commerce Daily News 04-22-17; Northern Virginia Chamber to Host Women at the Top of Government Contracting; Kernersville Chamber of Commerce 2017-2018 Community Guide; Springfield chamber leaders developing program to keep more young workers here; What Is Your Michigan Chamber Doing to Celebrate Small Business Week?; ADP news: Regions Bank Announces Major Plans for Hattiesburg Operations; Tourism, Kentucky’s third biggest industry, continues to grow; Boone County Chamber Home and Garden Show returns Thursday; Hartland Chamber: A chamber's role in the community; Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S. Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey (Chamber Mentor)

Good morning, #Chamber World! Have a GREAT weekend!




Northern Virginia Chamber to Host Women at the Top of Government Contracting

Tysons, Va. – The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (Northern Virginia Chamber) and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) will host the annual Women in Government Contracting program—Women at the Top of Government Contracting—focused on successful women in the region’s most influential industry. The event will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2017 from 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner.


A panel of high-level executives will provide their unique perspectives on the outlooks for some of the top government contractors in the DC Area, the nation, and the sector as a whole. Attendees will gain insight into how these accomplished women have overcome barriers to achieve success in the competitive federal contracting environment.


Registration is available online. Entry is $65 for Northern Virginia Chamber members and $85 for non-members.


Panelists Include:
Lynn Ann Casey, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Arc Aspicio
Jennifer Felix, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Vencore Inc.
Tiffanny Gates, President & CEO, Novetta
Kim Hayes, Founding Partner and CEO, The Ambit Group
Sherry Hwang, President and Co-Founder, Pyramid Systems


Follow the event on Twitter @NOVAChamber and #WomenofGovCon. Members of the media who plan to cover the event should contact Northern Virginia Chamber Director, Communications and Marketing, Alex Thompson, athompson@novachamber.org, to register.




Kernersville Chamber of Commerce 2017-2018 Community Guide


The Kernersville Chamber of Commerce Community Guide is available at the Chamber of Commerce today! Thank you to Chris Comer and the Chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!




2017-2018 Kernersville Chamber of Commerce 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.



Springfield chamber leaders developing program to keep more young workers here


A local workforce development official is developing a program to retain young workers in Clark County after completing a national year-long fellowship.

Amy Donahoe, director of hiring and employer services for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, recently completed a fellowship with the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. The national program invited applicants from 20 chambers from across the U.S. based on workforce development efforts.

Donahoe said she is now developing a pilot program to make younger workers more aware of the opportunities available in Clark County. The program will involve educational meetings for students over the summer that provide information on self-branding, mentorships, networking, negotiating compensation and more.

“It’s engaging with businesses who already have a college internship program and want to see their interns become more involved in the community while they’re working here,” Donahoe said.

The interns will meet at four locations, including Speedway and the Springfield Museum of Art, to discuss the topics. Ideally the students will be more open to applying to jobs in Clark County if they’re more familiar with the area, she said.

“Our goal is that these individuals will then consider this community when they go to graduate college and not just look at bigger cities,” Donahoe said. Read more: Springfield News Sun








What Is Your Michigan Chamber Doing to Celebrate Small Business Week?


Join MACP and the Michigan SBDC to plan for program and resource development to support small business. Our next call is May 2 at 3 p.m. featuring the MEDC. Join the call to share best practices for Small Business Week!

Call 1-800-748-0266 and ask for Extension 8505.

ADP news: Regions Bank Announces Major Plans for Hattiesburg Operations



REGIONS BANK today announced plans to build a 75,000 square-foot operations facility near the intersection of Lamar Boulevard and Lincoln Road in Hattiesburg.

The high-tech facility will be designed to accommodate Regions associates who currently work across various business groups at Regions’ Kress, Front Street and Forrest Tower facilities in downtown Hattiesburg. Further, Regions plans to create approximately 90 additional jobs to support company operations.

Regions currently employs more than 320 people in the Hattiesburg area. With the addition of new jobs, the company’s operations facility is expected to house approximately 420 associates after completion. The facility represents an expected capital investment of $23 million by Regions. The design of the operations center will also allow for potential expansion in the future.

“Hattiesburg and the Pine Belt Region have celebrated significant economic development wins in recent years. Regions’ investment in this new facility and commitment to adding 90 new jobs, bringing the company’s total employment in the city to more than 400, will benefit the local community for many years to come,” Gov. Phil Bryant said.

“It is no surprise that Regions has chosen the City of Hattiesburg as the location of its new mortgage operations facility,” added U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo of South Mississippi’s 4th Congressional District. “I commend the Area Development Partnership (ADP), Regions and the City of Hattiesburg for the hard work they have put forth to ensure this expansion. I look forward to the continued success of Regions in the Pine Belt and the company’s ongoing commitment to Lamar County, Forrest County and the City of Hattiesburg.”

Construction of the operations facility is expected to begin as soon as the fourth quarter of 2017.

“Regions Bank is committed to Hattiesburg, the Pine Belt and the state of Mississippi,” added Greg Garraway, South Mississippi President for Regions Bank. “People who work for Regions in Hattiesburg are dedicated to serving customers here at home and across the country. When it came time to grow and expand our operations, we knew we wanted to do so here in this community.”

“We are extremely pleased that Regions has such confidence in our community and in the quality of our workforce,” said Evan Dillard, Chairman of the Area Development Partnership. “The company’s selection of Hattiesburg is a testament to the pro-business operating environment found here.”

Tourism, Kentucky’s third biggest industry, continues to grow

In 2015, tourism contributed more than $24.6 billion to Kentucky’s economy, making it the state’s third largest source of income.

Only the automobile and health care industries are bigger.

Tourism generated more than $1.43 billion in tax revenue in 2015, and the growing industry employed 186,204, up by 6,241, from a year earlier.

In Madison County, the tourism economy totaled nearly $189.5 million, an increase of $12 million, or 4.9 percent, from 2014.

When it comes to central Kentucky, Madison is second only to Fayette County in tourism income.

Kristen Branscum, state travel and tourism commissioner, presented those statistics Thursday morning to a Richmond Chamber of Commerce Business & Breakfast session at the Eastern Kentucky University Perkins Building.

Among the attendees were representatives of several Richmond-area tourist attractions.

Kentucky’s tourism economy has grown every year since the recession of 2008, Branscum said. Read more: Richmond Register

Boone County Chamber Home and Garden Show returns Thursday


Despite a shake-up in leadership at the Boone County Chamber of Commerce, the annual Boone County Home and Garden Show will begin tomorrow with more vendors and the usual lineup of dinners.

About 70 vendors have signed up to participate in the show, which highlights home improvement, landscaping and gardening products and ideas. New vendors include The Wind, a Whitestown-based etchin g company; String Green Foam Insulation of Indianapolis; and Sherriff-Goslin Roofing; among others.

The show will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. tomorrow through Saturday in the Witham Health Services Pavilion and Centennial Hall at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds, said April Reece, administrative coordinator for the chamber.

Reece said the show was moved from the commercial building to Centennial Hall because the hall is connected to the Witham Pavilion via a tunnel and has heating and air conditioning.

Because of recent staff changes at the chamber, Reece said that this year’s show will mimic last year’s in its schedule and activities. But that doesn’t mean people shouldn’t attend the free event.

“Come out, have a good time and meet our new venders,” Reece said. “This will give you an idea of what you can add to your spring projects.” Read more: Lebanon Reporter



Hartland Chamber: A chamber's role in the community




The Hartland Chamber of Commerce just wrapped up the 13th annual Lake Country Community Fest this past weekend. With 150 vendors in attendance and hundreds upon hundreds of visitors, it was another successful event — one of several that the chamber does throughout the course of the year that bring thousands into Hartland.

So, just what does a chamber of commerce mean to a community?

Looking at Wikipedia, the definition states that, “A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses.”

The Hartland Chamber is indeed a voluntary organization whose members support each other. We then help develop and deepen local relationship networks to promote business activity and business-to-business exchanges. At the root of our mission, we provide programs that enable those businesses to network, advertise, market and learn.

What isn’t included in that definition is the additional role that the Hartland Chamber of Commerce plays — mainly, a resource that connects business and community. Often this is accomplished through local events open to the public and coordinated by the chamber. Have you ever been to the Hartland Street Dance? The Chamber has been running this program for almost 40 years. Are you the second or third generation to be attending the Business Trick or Treat? The chamber has directed this affair for decades. Are you one of the thousands who willingly stands out in a frigid Wisconsin evening awaiting the arrival of the spectacularly lighted Canadian Pacific Holiday Train to help food pantries accomplish their mission? The chamber is responsible for getting that one-and-only stop in Waukesha County for the past nine years. Are you one of the hundreds who have traveled to far-off destinations with the chamber in the past few years? In fact, the chamber is leaving with a group to explore Iceland this month, and we are already filling up our 2018 Danube River cruise.

In essence, a chamber can also act as a tourism arm in a community, a role which the Hartland Chamber takes great pride in being a partner of, along with other local organizations (Hartland Business Improvement District, Village of Hartland, etc.), and grass roots groups (Hartland’s Neighborhood Night Out, Kid Fest, Hartland’s Hometown Celebration, Hartland Lights, etc.), which are doing Herculean things to highlight this community. Read more: Lake County Now

Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.

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

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


RULE #54 Free is an “F-Bomb” in our business.