Participate in Illinois Chamber of Commerce's Tax Survey TODAY; Best chamber practices: Mountain Home (Arkansas) event - Chamber The Art Odyssey artists' deadline approaches; Alexandria Chamber Event: Make Plans Now for 2015 Chairman's Community Reception; Batesville Chamber Partnership: Oldenburg Academy hosts Maverick Challenge; New spirit at Lodi/Lake Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce; Grand Rapids Chamber Board Evaluating Position on Road Funding Proposal; State chamber event: Mississippi House leader urges defeat of education amendment; Chamber Partnership: Iowa City makes list of easiest cities to find a job; Chamber issue: South Dakota & Nebraska businesses preparing for minimum wage increase; Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey RULE #40

Participate in Illinois Chamber of Commerce's Tax Survey TODAY
 
With the phase-down of Illinois' income tax rates effective January 1st of this year, the state is now facing a significant budgetary shortfall for FY 15. As a result, taxation of services continues to be a topic of discussion as a means to raise revenue to address Illinois' fiscal problems. The Illinois Chamber has historically opposed a sales tax on services as yet another tax increase for the already over-burdened Illinois business community. We are now seeking your opinion as to whether a sales tax on services would be acceptable to you if coupled with real reductions in state spending and other meaningful pro-business reforms.

Please complete this survey by EOB Friday, January 9. It should take about three minutes to complete. Thank you.

http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07eadpfngri4mwegf8/start 

Thank you for your input. Your participation is valuable as we approach the new legislative session.

Best chamber practices: Mountain Home (Arkansas) event - Chamber The Art Odyssey artists' deadline approaches
The application deadline for anyone interested in being considered as a featured artist for The Art Odyssey 2015 is noon Jan. 12. Applications may be mailed to the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 488, Mountain Home, AR 72654, or delivered to the chamber office at 1023 U.S. Hwy. 62 E. Artists will be selected through a jurying process, and selected artists will be announced by Jan. 20.
The Art Odyssey, an annual self-guided tour of artists' studios in the area, is set for May 14-16. Artists in the Mountain Home area, including Baxter and surrounding counties, are encouraged to apply. Read more: Baxter Bulletin

Alexandria Chamber Event: Make Plans Now for 2015 Chairman's Community Reception

Get out your favorite bow tie or pearls, and join the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce in supporting Walter Clarke and the Chamber at the 2015 Chairman’s Community Reception & Annual Meeting Presented by Burke & Herbert Bank.
The reception is set for Thursday, Jan. 22 from 6-9 p.m. at Ronald Reagan National Airport Historic Terminal A.
The event promises to be a lively evening of food, networking and excitement. Join the Chamber to wrap up 2014 and kick off an exciting new year as the Chamber welcomes Walter Clarke, vice president, Burke & Herbert Bank, taking the helm as the 2015 Board chairman. Read more: Old Towne Alexandria Patch

Batesville Chamber Partnership: Oldenburg Academy hosts Maverick Challenge

The Maverick Challenge, a business planning competition sponsored by Ripley County Economic Opportunities through Education by 2015, Franklin County Community Foundation, Ripley County Community Foundation, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce and Oldenburg Academy, was hosted at OA Dec. 12, according to OA business teacher Jonathon Maple.
Community judges adjudicated the 11 students based on the business plans and products they created for the competition. OA was the only school to participate in the program from Ripley and Franklin counties.
The Maverick Challenge was started in 2008 by the Columbus Indiana Chamber of Commerce and has been a growing program since.Read more: Batesville Herald-Tribune

New spirit at Lodi/Lake Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce

Sunshine pours in through the windows of an office overlooking one of the busiest intersections in the city. The blinking neon “open” sign for the Main Streets Fun Express, a new business in Lodi, can be seen from the corner office.
Surrounding a tidy desk are likenesses of Susie the Duck and framed posters of past Lodi events like the Brew-B-Que. Working diligently behind the desk is the new Lodi/Lake Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Coordinator Mandy Sitzman.

Sitzman started in November and has worked hard to build relationships with the people and businesses in the community. Read more: Lodi Enterprise


Grand Rapids Chamber Board Evaluating Position on Road Funding Proposal
On the final morning of Lame Duck 2014, the legislature passed a compromise road funding package. It is complex and includes a number of components.

Revenue to fix the roads will come from shifting the sales tax on motor fuels from its current purpose to roads. The sales tax and the current 19-cents-per-gallon tax on motor fuels (the taxes paid at the gas pump) will be eliminated and replaced with a near-equivalent wholesale, percentage-based tax.

This will ensure ALL taxes paid at the pump will go to transportation. Estimates show that gas prices will increase about 3 cents.

Another $100 million will be raised from phasing out depreciation on vehicle registration fees and raising fee/fines on heavy trucks. In total, about $1.3 billion new revenue will be spent on roads each year.

The most visible component is the public will vote to raise the state sales tax from 6 to 7% on May 5.

This increase will replace (and add to) lost revenue from eliminating the sales tax on motor fuels that currently goes to schools and local governments. It will raise an additional $300 million for the schools, $130 million for public transit and $95 million for local governments. Read more: Grand Rapids Chamber

State chamber event: Mississippi House leader urges defeat of education amendment

The second-highest leader of the Mississippi House says legislators have fulfilled their promises to improve public schools. And, he's urging voters to defeat an education funding proposal in November.
House Speaker Pro Tempore Greg Snowden said Thursday if people don't like the Legislature's record, they should elect new lawmakers rather than amend the state constitution.
Snowden, a Republican from Meridian, spoke to business people who were at the Capitol for a state chamber of commerce event. Read more: MSnewsnow.com

Chamber Partnership: Iowa City makes list of easiest cities to find a job

Iowa City ranks No. 6 on the list of Top 20 "Easiest Cities to Find a Job" recently published by the website ZipRecruiter.com.
In a statement released Wednesday by the Iowa City Area Development Group, Christian Neeser, ZipRecruiter's outreach manager, said it is easier to find a job now than at any other time in the last six years.
ZipRecruiter works with employers to post to 50-plus job boards with one click while managing all of their job candidates in one place, according to the statement. To compile this list, ZipRecruiter looked at anonymized application actions from within its database of millions of job postings, calculated the ratio of job applicants to open positions, and ranked them according to the level of competition.
Cedar Rapids and Cedar Falls were also listed in the Top 20.
DaLayne Williamson, workforce business services director for ICAD, said the group has invested in improving and introducing new career resources throughout last year to help job seekers and interstate commerce companies in the Iowa City area.
"We partnered with the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce and Diversity Focus to launch the new Corridor Connector program in November to better connect our employers with talent," Williamson said in the statement. "And, we continue to work with more than twenty regional employers on improving their workplace culture through our TEAM Centered Workplaces initiative as a means to become an employer of choice." Read more: Iowa City Press-Citizen

Chamber issue: South Dakota & Nebraska businesses preparing for minimum wage increase

As 2014 comes to an end, the new year will ring in a big budget change for businesses in Siouxland states that have minimum wage workers.

There are two different wage laws taking effect as of January 1, 2015. One will affect Nebraska employees, and a different one will affect South Dakota employees, but both are wage increases. Back in November, voters in South Dakota and Nebraska opted to raise the minimum wage for workers across the two respective states.

In South Dakota, the wage will raise from $7.25 to $8.50. In Nebraska, it's a two year shift. It will go up to eight dollars in 2015, and in January 2016 it will go up to nine dollars. Minimum wage workers in Nebraska say they're looking forward to the extra cash.

"I am excited. If it's going up, then our paychecks will be a lot more bigger, so we can actually buy things we want and need instead of struggling about it," Jerry Lu, Chinese Chef Employee said. However, South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce officials say that in their discussions with area businesses, small business owners are very concerned about being able to pay their staff and maintain a profit. Read more: KTIV 4

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

RULE #40      Know why the grass looks greener

U.S. Chamber - Free Enterprise - Our 5 Most Popular "Doing Good" Stories of the Year 2014; Saying farewell to Jacksonville Area Chamber president Ginny Fanning; Governor makes appointments to Central Michigan University board; Springfield Area Chamber Exec. VP Rob Dixon named executive director of MCCA; Therese Pollard named Conway (Arkansas) Chamber's director of events; Holiday Story: Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce administration changes hands; Chamber Heart: Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce to match Crisis Center winner's donation; Economic development meetings get special guest speaker, former Ardmore chamber president

Our 5 Most Popular "Doing Good" Stories of the Year

With 2015 nearly upon us, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to highlight some of our favorite and most successful stories from 2014. Today, we highlight our top five stories about businesses doing good.   Free Enterprise Saying farewell to Jacksonville Area  Chamber president Ginny Fanning After 13 years as president of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce, Ginny Fanning is looking forward to the next chapter in her life. Fanning’s last day as chamber president is Monday, after which she will be devoting her time to her position as a Morgan County commissioner. Chamber president “is the best job ever,” Fanning said Thursday as she reflected on her time as the face of the organization. “You have the opportunity to work with amazing volunteers and help promote an area you love.” Fanning was appointed to the Morgan County Board of Commissioners in August after the death of longtime commissioner Dick Rawlings, and she was elected to the position in November. Read more: MyJournalCourier.com Governor makes appointments to Central Michigan University board The Central Michigan University Board of Trustees will see the reappointment of a familiar face and the induction of a new one at its next meeting. Gov. Rick Snyder has announced the appointment of Michigan Chamber president Rich Studley, of Grand Ledge, and the reappointment of Robert Wardrop II, of Grand Rapids, to the Central Michigan University board of trustees. The eight-person board is the governing body of the University. “Rich and Robert bring valuable leadership experience to the board and I am confident they will do great work for the CMU community,” Snyder said. Read more: The Morning Sun Springfield Area Chamber Exec. VP Rob Dixon named executive director of MCCA Rob Dixon, executive vice president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, has been selected as the new executive director and CEO of the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA). The MCCA Presidents/Chancellors Council approved the appointment at its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Dixon will assume his role as executive director of MCCA on Jan. 19, 2015. He replaces Zora Mulligan, who served as MCCA executive director for four years and is now chief of staff for the University of Missouri System. “Rob has actively supported community colleges throughout his career,” said Cliff Davis, chair of MCCA’s Presidents/Chancellors Council and president of the OTC Table Rock Campus. “His experience in governmental affairs, economic development, strategic planning, and workforce development will be invaluable as he leads MCCA and promotes the growth and development of Missouri’s community colleges.” Read more: Missouri Times Therese Pollard named Conway (Arkansas) Chamber's director of events The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce has hired Therese Pollard as director of events. Pollard is responsible for the planning and execution of select Chamber events, including Academic Signing Day, Bowling for Business, Teacher Breakfast & Education Fair, Minority Enterprise Development Awards Gala, Business After Hours, and CEO Luncheons. “I am thrilled to welcome Therese to the Chamber. I believe our members will find her a joy to work with,” said Lindsay Henderson, senior vice president of Chamber operations. “The Chamber hosts a number of events throughout the year, so it was important to hire someone who was thorough, creative and people driven. We have found that with Therese.” Pollard was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but spent most of her childhood in Arkansas after her parents relocated to Cherokee Village. She moved to Conway in 2003 to attend school at the University of Central Arkansas, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English Education. Read more: Log Cabin Democrat Holiday Story: Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce administration changes hands The first unofficial week of Heather Melstrom’s job as the new Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce office administrator was anything but slow. From Wakota CAER’s annual breakfast and the Chamber’s networking happy hour to its board meeting and the Holiday Train, Melstrom plunged into the position. “It’s almost baptism by fire,” she said in an interview. Melstrom, 26, is replacing retiring office administrator Colleen Stelmach, who has anchored the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce for the last eight years. Melstrom starts Jan. 1. During her tenure at the Chamber, Stelmach said there has been a lot of growth and change throughout south Washington County. A former accountant for the Department of Defense for more than 20 years, Stelmach was nearing retirement in 2006 when she found a listing for a part-time position with the Chamber. A longtime Cottage Grove resident, she said she was looking for an opportunity to connect more with the community. Read more: South Washington Bulletin Chamber Heart: Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce to match Crisis Center winner's donation In the last three weeks, the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce's Buy Here Holiday Blitz made four local shoppers' holiday dreams come true with big cash prizes. One of those winners, Beth Ritter Ruback, spread more holiday cheer by donating her entire $750 cash winnings to The Crisis Center of Johnson County. Beth secured the ticket at Surroundings Interiors. Following Beth's lead, the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce will match the donation to the Crisis Center with $750 of unclaimed prizes at 10 a.m. todayDec. 23. Read more: Iowa City Press-Citizen Economic development meetings get special guest speaker, former Ardmore chamber president In the ongoing community economic development meetings, citizens of Wagoner have had the opportunity to hear plenty of top-tier advice from guest speakers. On Dec. 11, the guest speaker was Wes Stucky, the president of Development Management, Inc. Development Management, Inc. is a consulting firm assisting economic development agencies and private developers in organization management and industrial site development. Stuckey previously served as president of the Ardmore Development Authority and Ardmore Chamber of Commerce for 25 years. Both organizations were recognized nationally and won numerous awards under his leadership. Many communities around the nation have tried to emulate the successful program in Ardmore. Read more: Wagoner Tribune

Chamber meeting: Mike Beebe to Arkansas Business Leaders: Keep Moving Forward, Working Together; New Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives chair named; Illinois Chamber Foundation Study: Study details military impact in Illinois; Bowling Green Chamber president wins state award; Indiana Chamber Honors Five Legislators Who Champion Small Businesses; Chamber Tweet of the Day: @DetroitChamber; Chamber weather: Northern Michigan Businesses Excited to See Snow; Chamber news: Girard (Kansas) City government talks streetscape, library; Iowa City Chamber Ribbon-Cutting: Child Care Resource and Referral opens new office in Iowa City; New Lodi/Lake Wisconsin chamber coordinator hired; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Happy Thanksgiving!)

Chamber meeting: Mike Beebe to Arkansas Business Leaders: Keep Moving Forward, Working Together

Gov. Mike Beebe told the state's business leaders on Wednesday to keep moving forward and working together in order to keep Arkansas headed in the right direction.

The outgoing governor addressed the annual meeting of the Arkansas state Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock. He spent most of his nearly 10-minute speech reflecting on his eight years as governor.

"Those things I get credit for are accomplishments that should be shared by so many," Beebe said, singling out the business leaders, employees and educators, among others, that he said played just as much a part in the positive advancements made in Arkansas as he did. Read more: Arkansas Business

New Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives chair named

Wes Smithwick was elected to be the 2015 chairman of the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives and will replace 2014 chair Debra Burch of the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce.

Smithwick, current president of both the Broken Arrow Area Chamber of Commerce and the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation, previously served as chief operating officer of the Broken Arrow School District, and has held leadership positions at several telecommunications companies, including AT&T. Read more: Tulsa World

Illinois Chamber Foundation Study: Study details military impact in Illinois

A new report has found that the military and defense industry provides 150,000 jobs and $13.3 billion in economic activity to Illinois.
The information comes from a new statewide economic impact study done by Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon's office and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The largest impact comes from Scott Air Force Base near Belleville, Naval Station Great Lakes north of Chicago and the Rock Island Arsenal in the Quad Cities. The three bases support 85,000 jobs and contribute $9.1 million to the Illinois economy, according to the study. Read more: THOnline.com

Bowling Green Chamber president wins state award

Ron Bunch, president and chief executive officer of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, received a Kentucky economic development award.
Bunch was named the 2014 James J. Coleman Community Economic Professional of the Year on Thursday at the Kentucky Association for Economic Development annual conference, according to a news release from the chamber.

The award recognizes practitioners who have made significant and/or innovative contributions to the field and their service area in the past year, according to the release. Read more: Park City Daily News

Indiana Chamber Honors Five Legislators Who Champion Small Businesses

Five state legislators were given the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Champion Award today at a ceremony in downtown Indianapolis. The honorees were chosen for their dedication to bettering Indiana’s business climate for small employers. The award is based on voting and advocacy during the 2014 legislative session.

The 2014 Small Business Champions are:

• Sen. Mike Crider from Greenfield, District #28;
• Sen. Pete Miller from Avon, District #24;
• Rep. Terri Austin from Anderson; District #36;
• Rep. Milo Smith from Columbus, District #59; and
• Rep. Cindy Ziemke from Batesville, District #55.

“Today we’re honoring state legislators who understand and appreciate the fact that Hoosier businesses – particularly small businesses – cannot flourish with a government constantly blocking their way,” says Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “Each one has shown support for the vital economic growth and job creation tools our state needs.” Read more: Indiana chamber


Chamber Tweet of the Day: @DetroitChamber 
 

Detroit Chamber ‏@DetroitChamber 31m31 minutes ago

Make your holiday shopping count. Remember to #ShopSmall on Nov. 29, Detroit: http://ow.ly/EVyxi  #SmallBizSat

Chamber weather: Northern Michigan Businesses Excited to See Snow

Wintry weather has many businesses across Northern Michigan saying -- let it snow!

Places like Boyne City are ready, because snow in the forecast means more visitors to the area.
"Snow is a great thing for our area... It's fun, pretty, and helps our economy," said Jim Baumann, Executive Director of the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce.
Although it's been a dry afternoon, plenty of snow is headed Boyne City's way tonight.
Locals say, bring it on. Read more: 9and10news.com

Chamber news: Girard (Kansas) City government talks streetscape, library

A collective high-five moment happened Monday night for the City Council as years of work saw the first concrete step toward completion on the town’s streetscape effort.
Members voted unanimously to agree to terms with the Kansas Department of Transportation on the project, funded primarily through KDOT's Transportation Alternative Grant. The project would revamp the square’s road surfacing and sidewalks while installing new insfrastructure, such as streetlamps.
KDOT awarded Girard about $1.23 million for the project, which comes in at a total cost of $1.65 million. The city must foot design costs and a share of the construction bill, for a total of $418,000. Girard officials thanked numerous businesses and organizations affected by the project for their participation and input.
"This has been a long time coming," said Mayor Kurt Ziegler. "Credit is due to several previous city administrations, and I think it will sure help our town." The highly competitive grant program awarded more than $20 million to 20 different projects throughout the state. Construction is expected to begin next year, though a lot of work remains to be done. Julie Smith, Girard Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, said she celebrated the news. Read more: Morning Sun

Iowa City Chamber Ribbon-Cutting: Child Care Resource and Referral opens new office in Iowa City

Finding child care resources and referrals just got easier for residents of the Cultural Corridor.
Employees of Child Care Resource and Referral of Southeast Iowa were joined Wednesday by ambassadors of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the opening of a new Iowa City office with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Participants braved cold weather to tour offices expected to improve service for families seeking quality child care, and for area child care providers seeking to improve operations. Read more: Iowa City Press-Citizen

New Lodi/Lake Wisconsin chamber coordinator hired

The Lodi/Lake Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce has named Amanda (Mandy) Sitzman as the new chamber coordinator.
Sitzman started on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

“Along with a wide variety of work experience, she brings with her an enormous amount of energy and positive attitude,” said Jon Plumer, chamber president. Read more: Lodi Enterprise

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Happy Thanksgiving!)

"Volunteers are not paid - not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless." (anonymous)

Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce earns top rating in U.S.; Iowa City Chamber Announces Best in Business Award Recipients; Greater North Dakota Chamber Leader on Legislature; Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace seeks input from small businesses; Chamber Tweet of the Day: Indy Chamber; Warrensburg (Missouri) Chamber selects executive director; State official to address Superior Chamber Thursday; Elmhurst Chamber Elects Officers for 2015; Pratt (Kansas) Chamber events kick off holiday season; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Giving thanks and gratitude)

Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce earns top rating in U.S.

The Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce is now among the top 1 percent of chambers nationwide. In its first attempt to become accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the West Coast Chamber was awarded with the highest possible rating, a 5-Star accreditation. It is now one of only 89 chambers to hold that rank and one of two in Michigan (the other in Battle Creek).
The final determination is made by the accrediting board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members and chamber CEOs from across the country.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
“We want to make sure we stay among their ranks,” said Jane Clark, president of the West Coast Chamber. Read more: Holland Sentinel

Iowa City Chamber Announces Best in Business Award Recipients

The Board of Directors at the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce will recognize the best in business in seven categories at “A Toast to Our Communities” awards breakfast on November 20, 2014. Recipients announced today include:

Ambassador of the Year – Jessica Wittman, Corridor Radiology
Sponsored by Corridor Radiology
Honored Farm Family Award – Bill & Denise Maier and family
Non-Profit of the Year – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County
Sponsored by United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties
Spark Leadership Award – Rick Fosse, Iowa City Public Works Department
Sponsored by HR Green
Impact & Innovation Award – Sculpt, LLC
Sponsored by Willis & Willis Real Estate Attorneys and Security Abstract Company
Eliot Keller Small Business of the Year – McCrossen Consulting
Sponsored by KZIA Z102.9 and KGYM 1600 ESPN
Volunteer of the Year – Jim Conard, West Bank
The Chamber is excited to announce the addition of a new award this year – Ambassador of the Year. Read more: Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce

 

Greater North Dakota Chamber Leader on Legislature

Top legislative priorities seem to be repeated across the state: housing, childcare and infrastructure.
That's what Greater North Dakota Chamber CEO Andy Peterson has noticed while touring the state.
Today Peterson met with local legislators and community leaders at the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee meeting. He says the business community continues to thrive, however, many regulatory and tax issues will be presented during the legislative session.
Peterson says the legislature also needs to look at way to invest in education -- both at the K-12 and higher ed levels.
He says education is the cure to the work force shortage in the future. Read more: KX News

Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace seeks input from small businesses

The Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace encourages representatives of small businesses to take a minute to support Arkansas’s business community, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, and their own business by completing a survey to help build a successful small business health insurance exchange.
Recently, the Marketplace board voted to launch a state-based small business health insurance exchange (SHOP) in 2015, offering coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2016. The Marketplace is soliciting input from small businesses across Arkansas (100 employees or less) as it seeks to build the capabilities necessary to serve them.
Each business that participates will have a chance to win a $1,000 donation made in their name to the charity of their choice. Additionally, if the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce has at least 50 member companies participate, it will receive a $1000 donation to assist in business support efforts.Read more: The Log Cabin Democrat

Chamber Tweet of the Day: Indy Chamber



Indy Chamber ‏@IndyChamber 48m48 minutes ago

#Indiana continues to lead the nation in #manufacturing jobs added over the past year http://ow.ly/ER6dq

Warrensburg (Missouri) Chamber selects executive director

The Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce selected Suzanne Taylor as executive director starting Dec. 1.

Chamber President Rick Solomon said a careful search resulted in the chamber finding a new executive in house.

"There was a process that was put together by a member, John Yost, who produced a grading system, and that grading system gave us the answer," Solomon said Friday.

The evaluation process started with collecting resumes, narrowing the number to five and grading applicants based on how well they fit the chamber's mission, and from that process Taylor emerged as the choice, Solomon said. Read more: The Daily Star-Journal

State official to address Superior Chamber Thursday

The Superior-Douglas County Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Reggie Newson, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, as a guest speaker at their Thursday, Nov. 20 “Lunch with a State Secretary” event.
The luncheon, which will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Conference Center on the WITC-Superior campus. For more information about Secretary Newson and for more details about the Thursday, Nov. 20 event, please visit BusinessNorth.com

Elmhurst Chamber Elects Officers for 2015

The Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry Board of Directors elected three officers and approved an appointed Treasurer for its six-member Executive Committee for 2015 at its regular monthly meeting held November 18 in the Hammersmith Community Room at Community Bank of Elmhurst (330 West Butterfield Road).
Elected/appointed to serve one-year terms on the Executive Committee were:
Chairperson-Dee Longfellow, Editorial Coordinator for Rock Valley Publishing, publisher of the Elmhurst Independent (240 North West Avenue);
First Vice Chairperson-Michael Himmes, newly-hired as Vice President-Commercial Lending at Suburban Bank & Trust Co. (150 East Butterfield Road);
Second Vice Chairperson-Tim Gurrie, a Pampered Chef consultant since 2010; and
Treasurer-Charity Ahlgrim, Vice President and Business Development Officer at Community Bank of Elmhurst since 2005;
Longfellow, Himmes, Gurrie and Ahlgrim will be joined on the Executive Committee by Immediate Past Chair Julie Miller, Office Manager and Paralegal at Patrick T. Sheehan & Associates, Attorneys at Law (314 North York Street) since 2000, and ex-officio member John Quigley, Chamber President and CEO since 1999.
Longfellow is only the ninth female Board Chair in the Chamber's 96-year history, all of them since 1982, but the seventh during Quigley's 15-year tenure.
Preceding Longfellow as female Board Chairs were Virginia "Ginny" Harmon (1982) of Unique Travel Service, Nancy Phillips (1988) of York State Bank, Gloria Duarte (1999) of Café Las Belles Artes, Cathy Bajkowski (2003) of CB Health Insurance, Dare Messina (2006) of L.W. Reedy Real Estate, Debra Klosterman (2007) of Guaranteed Rate, Jennifer Speaker (2013) of SMB Advantage Group and Miller. Read more: Chicago Tribune

Pratt (Kansas) Chamber events kick off holiday season

The Northeast is buried in snow and the Midwest is recovering from frigid temperatures. A high in the mid-50s is predicted for Saturday, just what Chamber of Commerce Director Kimberly DeClue ordered for an Old Fashioned Christmas celebration.

The event will take place this year in Lemon Park, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 22, moving from previous locations downtown and on the Courthouse Square.

“Lemon Park lights are magical,” DeClue explained. “It’s just Christmas in Pratt. It’s a great place for an event. We’ll start a new tradition.” Read more: Pratt Tribune


Famous Chamber of Commerce  Quotations: (Giving thanks and gratitude)

“Never, ever forget to thank people. Failing to express gratitude is no better than being ungrateful.”  – Glenn Shepard

Chamber news: Michigan is the Comeback State; Chamber Economic Development: David Brown: Omaha chamber's recruiting of Yahoo was doubly successful; Joplin, Missouri Chamber Receives Excellence in Programs and Campaigns Award; Norman Chamber of Commerce hosts State of Schools luncheon; Arkansas Highway Commissioner to Speak at El Dorado Chamber Economic Outlook Luncheon; Chamber Tweet of the Day: Oklahoma State Chamber; Chamber Forum in central Illinois: Minimum wage hike bad for biz; Canada's consul general will address Crossroads (Indiana) chamber meeting Nov. 18; Iowa City chamber: A Toast to Our Communities awards recipients announced; Chamber event: Business counseling available Nov. 19 in Wisconsin Rapids; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Attitude)

Chamber news: Michigan is the Comeback State 

Timothy G. Nash, Keith A. Pretty, Richard K. Studley and Bob Thomas

The U.S. Great Recession (December 2007-June 2009) saw the largest decline in U.S. GDP of 4 percent and the sharpest increase in unemployment from 4.9 percent to 10.1 percent since The U.S. Great Depression of the 1930s.
Economic conditions were far worse in Michigan with the bankruptcy of General Motors and Chrysler while new automobile, SUV and light truck sales were near 40 year lows.
The 2014 Michigan Chamber Foundation Economic Competitiveness Study was released in September and concludes that Michigan is on the comeback trail. Michigan ranked 20th in state GDP growth in 2013 outpacing the U.S. as a whole, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the last week of October the Tax Foundation released its 2015 State Business Climate Tax Index. According to the Tax Foundation, Michigan is now the 13th most competitive state relative to the Business Tax Climate, something that is clearly good for job creation and the attraction of new businesse. Read more: Midland Daily News


Chamber Economic Development: David Brown: Omaha chamber's recruiting of Yahoo was doubly successful

Over the years, I have become the guy you would call when you saw something under construction and wondered what it was. That is appropriate since the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce is home to the regional economic development organization, the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership. We represent all of the economic development organizations in a six-county area. Over the past 10 years, we have closed more than 460 projects totaling nearly $5 billion in new investment and 25,000 jobs.

More than half of these projects involve companies new to the Omaha region, solidifying our reputation as a haven for a great number of out-of-state firms, including more than 100 California-based companies. Apple, Bank of the West, eBay, Google, LinkedIn, Pacific Life, PayPal, Wells Fargo and Yahoo are just a few of the global enterprises that have made considerable investments in our region and, in many cases, have used Partnership services. Read more: Omaha.com

Joplin, Missouri Chamber Receives Excellence in Programs and Campaigns Award

The Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri gave the Joplin Chamber an Excellence in Programs and Campaigns Award. The Joplin Chambers Young Professionals Network designed the campaign. Organizers say even though the issue failed earlier this year with the voters, it's nice to be recognized.

"We love to win. It was a great feeling of accomplishment  that the campaign that we worked really hard on with our Young Professionals was able to bring home this state award," said Kirstie Smith, Joplin Chamber of Commerce. Source: FourStatesHomePage.com

Norman Chamber of Commerce hosts State of Schools luncheon

During the annual Norman Chamber of Commerce’s Norman State of Schools luncheon Friday, Norman community leaders heard about the status, success and future of Norman-area schools.
Superintendent Dr. Joe Siano, who has been with Norman Public Schools, for 15 years, said he wanted those at the luncheon to have a look at the direction the school district is heading and the challenges public education faces statewide. Read more: Norman Transcript

Arkansas Highway Commissioner to Speak at El Dorado Chamber Economic Outlook Luncheon

We have listened to our member's feedback about bolstering the Economic Outlook Luncheons. It is our pleasure to have Arkansas Highway Commissioner Robert Moore Jr. as the headline speaker for the upcoming Economic Outlook Luncheon on Wednesday, November 12, 11:30 AM at the First Baptist Church in Strong, 554 S. Concord. Commissioner Moore will speak to our group about the Highway Department's future plans for Highway 167, Highway 82, and the future I-69. 

Commissioner Moore's presentation is a huge event for El Dorado and Union County's economic development future. As a region, we need to be plugged in on when and where the highway improvements will be made. In order for our existing industries to grow and for us to successfully recruit new companies, we need to have a great and modern transportation network. The State's transportation plan through its proposed expansion to a four lane will also help us inadvertently eliminate some blighted areas that we need to be rid of sooner than later. This is very important as well when we bring new people to our area. We want newcomers to feel good about the ambiance of our community.  See more: El Dorado chamber

Chamber Tweet of the Day: Oklahoma State Chamber 



Ok State Chamber ‏@okstatechamber 25m25 minutes ago

Proud to join @okcchamber & @LtGovToddLamb in offering FREE seminar for OK's small biz tomorrow, 11/13. Register now! http://www.okstatechamber.com/events

Chamber Forum in central Illinois: Minimum wage hike bad for biz

The Central Illinois Regional Chamber Legislative Effort (CIRCLE) is an organization representing 19 Chambers of Commerce in the region. As a member of this coalition, the Morton Chamber of Commerce would like to share its concerns about an increase in the minimum wage.

Although the recently passed referendum was non-binding, this issue has far-reaching implications. An increase in the minimum wage is more than just an addition to payroll expenses. It means stress on our small businesses’ already tight margins for profitability. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, raising the minimum wage above $10 an hour could mean losing up to 1 million jobs. This staggering number could put in peril an already struggling economy. An increase in the minimum wage also means higher Social Security and Medicare taxes, as well as increased workers compensation and unemployment insurance rates.

A recent poll of CIRCLE members throughout central Illinois indicated that 20 percent of our businesses would be forced to reduce staffing hours. Read more:Peoria Journal Star

Canada's consul general will address Crossroads (Indiana) chamber meeting Nov. 18

Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce will host Roy Norton, consul general for Canada, as the featured speaker Nov. 18 at Avalon Manor, 3550 E. U.S. 30, Hobart.
Norton will discuss “Why Canada Matters to Indiana Business.” Networking starts at 11:15 a.m. and the luncheon starts promptly at noon. Cost to attend is $18 for Crossroads members, and $25 for nonmembers. Registration is required and can be made online at www.crossroadschamber.org or by calling (219) 769-8180. Source:  www.NWITimes.com 

Iowa City chamber: A Toast to Our Communities awards recipients announced

The Board of Directors at the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce will recognize the best in business in seven categories at A Toast to Our Communities awards breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 20 at Brown Deer Golf Club, 1900 Country Club Drive, in Coralville. Recipients include:
• Ambassador of the Year — Jessica Wittman, Corridor Radiology.
• Honored Farm Family award — Bill and Denise Maier and family.
• Nonprofit of the Year — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County.
• Spark Leadership award — Rick Fosse, Iowa City Public Works Department.
• Impact and Innovation award — Sculpt, LLC.
• Eliot Keller Small Business of the Year — McCrossen Consulting.
• Volunteer of the Year — Jim Conard, West Bank.
Read more: Iowa Press-Citizen

Chamber event: Business counseling available Nov. 19 in Wisconsin Rapids

A counselor from the Small Business Development Center at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will be available from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, 1120 Lincoln St.
Confidential business counseling is available without charge to current or prospective small business operators on issues ranging from financial management to sources of capital. Counseling is only by appointment. Wisconsin Rapids Tribune

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Attitude):

“I will always find a way and a way will always find me.”
― Charles F. Glassman, Brain Drain The Breakthrough That Will Change Your Life