March 9, 2020
Chamber of Commerce Daily News
Good morning #ChamberWorld! It's going to be a GREAT day!
The Time for Chambers of Commerce to Act is Now on Kentucky Infrastructure
The time is now for Kentucky to prioritize transportation funding. Our roads and bridges are not going to fix themselves, and it is up to the Kentucky General Assembly to prioritize the passage of added infrastructure investment in 2020 through House Bill 580.
Poorly maintained roads don't just hurt us as individuals; they negatively affect our economy. Without showing that we are committed to preserving what we have in terms of infrastructure, what makes us think that prospective businesses will want to relocate to Kentucky or expand operations in the Commonwealth?
The need for strong infrastructure goes beyond our daily commute; it translates across all areas of our great state. HB 580 generate approximately $480 million in new revenue for our state road fund through the motor fuels tax and increased fees. This new tax would cost the average motorist around $5 per month, a small price to pay for better roads and fewer potholes across the Commonwealth.
Nearly every bordering state has increased its commitment to transportation in recent years by raising its gas tax. Kentucky is at risk of getting left behind, and we cannot afford to let that happen.
Our prime location – within a day's drive of two-thirds of the nation's population – makes Kentucky a key site for industries that need to transport products across the country. More than a quarter of the state's economy is made up of industries highly dependent on transportation, according to economists at the University of Kentucky.
More than $570 billion worth of freight flows through Kentucky's transportation network each year, and more than 300,000 Kentuckians are employed by companies in the manufacturing and logistics industries alone.
Kentucky has lost more than $920 million in gas tax revenue since 2015 because of decreases in average wholesale prices. We have to make up for this.
Fortunately, HB 580 would add approximately $51 million annually in new revenue for county road aid and more than $40 million in new annual revenue for municipal road aid.
To improve Kentucky's infrastructure and ensure competitiveness with surrounding states, tell your legislator to support HB 580 and make the right decision to protect and create jobs, generate economic growth, and ensure future prosperity. The road to Kentucky's future must be paved.
Contact the Kentucky Chamber or KCCE for any information you might need to support this bill - or contact Amy at Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives KCCE
Dubuque Night in Des Moines - Iowa's longest-running Advocacy event
Nineteen Legislators Confirmed to Attend
Dubuque Night in Des Moines, Iowa's longest-running Advocacy event, will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at The Des Moines Embassy Club in Des Moines.
Experience a fun-filled evening, along with casual conversation, with Iowa's elected officials. Complimentary hor d'oeuvres and beverages are provided.
A room block is available at the Des Lux Hotel, 515.288.5800. The room block is under 'Dubuque Night.'
Dubuque Night in Des Moines is brought to you by Partners in Progress:
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
City of Dubuque
Greater Dubuque Development Corp.
Travel Dubuque
The County of Dubuque
More Information Here: Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
Kernersville Chamber of Commerce 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!
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.
The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce hosts its inaugural First Citizen Gala on April 25
The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is hosting its inaugural First Citizen Gala at the Newport News Holiday Inn at City Center on April 25.
The First Citizen recognition replaces the Distinguished Citizen Award that had been presented during the chamber’s annual December meeting, according to a news release.
After receiving nominations from the public, this year’s award recipients are Charlie and Mari Ann Banks, who have served on and led numerous boards and campaigns over the years, including the Virginia Living Museum, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and the Peninsula Fine Arts Center. Charles Banks worked for Ferguson Enterprises for 39 years, including as CEO. Mari Ann Banks serves on the board of An Achievable Dream, and the couple has sponsored three senior classes.
Champaign County Chamber: Business Success & Solutions Seminar
BSSS: Managing Student Debt, Saving for Your Future
AND Living Life
Tuesday, March 24
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Chamber Office
You acquired student loan debt to insure a better quality of life. We want to help you create that path to a better life by learning how to take control of your finances.
Are you finding it difficult to save because you are paying down student loan debt? Are you working hard for your money but sometimes find yourself living paycheck to paycheck? Are you gainfully employed and still find it difficult to afford an evening out and that eating ramen noodles fits better in the budget?
Presenters Aubrey and Ann will discuss real life budgeting strategies, long term plans and tips for staying on a healthy financial path so you don’t feel like you’re living in poverty.
Register for this seminar to learn strategies for managing student loan debt, save for retirement while still being able to have a life.
EMPLOYERS: please share this seminar with your younger employees and encourage them to attend. Helping your employees find resources to take control of their financial picture will result in employees keeping their financial stress out of the workplace and hopefully making them more productive for you.
Early Bird Registration (7+ days out)
· $23 for Chamber Members
· $43 for non-Members and guests.
Regular Registration (6 days out or less)
· $29 for Chamber Members
· $49 for non-Members and guests
*Fees are non-refundable but may be transferred to another participant.
Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Community Guide & Directory
The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Community Guide & Directory is available at the Pekin Area Chamber today! Thanks to Bill Fleming, Renna Hadsall, Manda Brown and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Pekin Illinois Community Guide and Directory
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.
Midland Business
Alliance: Tuesday is Presidential Primary Day in Michigan; Please be sure to
VOTE!
It’s time to
participate in the democratic process and exercise your right and
responsibility to vote! Tuesday, March 10th is
Presidential Primary Day in Michigan. Make no mistake, Michigan will be in the
spotlight, as the state is predicted to be pivotal
in determining who ends up on the Presidential ticket in November.
If you’re wondering
exactly what voting in the Presidential Primary will entail, and what you’ll be
required to do, the state’s Bureau of Elections has provided a handy Q & A document to
help you along.
Chamber Speaker on Growing Leadership: CWC Athletic Leadership Workshop A Huge Success
The Central Wisconsin Conference (CWC) held an athletic leadership workshop on Thursday, March 5 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Northwinds Banquet Hall in Marion WI. Nearly 170 student-athletes, parents, coaches and administrators attended.
The format of the workshop was individual reflection, small group discussion and large group sharing of ideas to grow leadership and athletics across all interested parties in the central northern Wisconsin schools. Participants began by better understanding why they were there and then moved on to sharing core values and SMART solutions to enhance athletic experiences. SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound.
“The focus of the participants was incredible. Athletics, like all of our co-curricular activities, offers leadership opportunities for our students. Our goal with this workshop was to share best practices and opportunities across the conference and with students, parents, coaches and administrators working together and that is exactly what happened,” said Jim Grygleski, Rosholt High School Principal.
The schools of the CWC include: Amherst, Almond Bancroft, Bonduel, Bowler, Gresham, Iola-Scandinavia, Manawa, Marion, Menominee Indian, Northland Lutheran, Pacelli, Pittsville, Port Edwards, Rosholt, Shiocton, Tigerton, Tri-County, Weyauwega-Fremont, Wild Rose, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, and Wisconsin Valley Lutheran.
Todd Kuckkahn, facilitator of the workshop, said, “I was thoroughly impressed with the level of engagement by the student-athletes and the overall interaction of the participants. Each school walked out with at least one SMART goal they developed and then I shared with all of the schools what each school did, so they ended up with twenty projects to glean ideas. It was truly results-based and not just a bunch of lectures on what kids should do or be.”
Mr. Kuckkahn has been working with the third, sixth and ninth graders at the Rosholt School District on a program called, “Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn.” This program was developed through the John C. Maxwell Team and Todd is a certified, independent speaker, coach, teacher and trainer. He is also a certified trainer and consultant for DISC. Todd speaks nationally on topics such as leadership and talent development.
Students and adults were already looking toward the next opportunity to share ideas. Each school is taking back their project with the goal of implementing it during the 2020-21 school year, if not sooner. Project examples included working more with youth, growing as role models, more community engagement and creating captain’s clubs to keep the momentum moving forward.
The Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce Community Map
The Valparaiso Chamber Community Map is now available at the Valpo Chamber today! Thanks to Rex Richards, Danielle Oeding and Kurt Gillins and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Pablo Diaz was Awarded the Marsha N. Hamilton Spirit Award
Pablo Diaz, President & CEO of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership, has been awarded the Marsha N. Hamilton Spirit Award by the Mississippi Development Authority on February 6, 2020 at the Mississippi Economic Development Council Award Luncheon.
Diaz who has served as the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership since 2017, was recognized for “extraordinary service in economic development.” The award is presented annually by the Mississippi Development Authority to the state's most deserving leader in that field of expertise.
According to the MDA, recipients of the award must:
- Exhibit professional competency and consistent collegiality with his or her peers
- Exhibit the highest degree of integrity at work and in the community
- Have gone beyond the norm in the input of time, energy and resources to further the goals of economic development in Mississippi and to bring honor to their profession in general
The award is named for Marsha Nell Hamilton, a graduate of Jackson State University who served at the Mississippi Development Authority from 1983 until her passing in December of 2012. Hamilton's area of specialization was global trade an international diplomacy.
As a manager of the international trade office, she worked on behalf of small businesses to promote and distribute their products and services worldwide. She opened and managed the state's foreign office network, navigating state contracting and foreign currency accounts as she made the most of appropriated state resources.
Hamilton was largely responsible for the establishment of the now-permanent MDA global trade STEP grant, which to date has provided more than $500 million in direct funding to small businesses.
La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership: Letter from the Mayor
We are off to a great start in 2020 with our new La Porte Team and a distinct vision for our future. I personally want to thank our team at the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP) for their shared vision to catapult our community to the number one destination in the Midwest. Members of LEAP are an instrumental part in making this happen. Without the support of our businesses we cannot succeed as a community!
The start of the year, though busy, has been rewarding. We are focused on accomplishing the initiatives that were promised throughout my campaign. We wanted to make sure that these initiatives were in full swing on day one. We have the team in place that is up for the task and it is exciting witnessing this change in our community. The first day of the new administration we were in our neighborhoods helping community members find the resources they need to clean up their homes and businesses. Our police department is making sure drug dealers find this community unwelcoming and unprofitable. Our economic development team is in search of community minded, high wage employers who would like to call La Porte home.
As the Mayor of La Porte I can't emphasize enough how important community partnerships are to
making all these promises a reality. You can have the best vision but without the buy in of a team and a community these visions will never become reality. We continue to encourage the public to reach out to our department heads if they have questions, and as mayor I will take responsibility and accountability for our progress. During my campaign I have always given the public access to me to discuss any issues or opportunities to make our great community the best place to live and work.
Lastly, our team and our office has committed to being visible and transparent with the public not only at public meetings but through creating a process where everyone's vision is taken into account. Communication is vital to the success of our city, so it is our job to be committed to fostering these discussions. Our La Porte Team embraces a positive outlook while being mindful of everyone's perspective. We encourage our businesses to be a part of the solution and thank you for your support as a new day dawns in La Porte!
Sincerely,
Mayor Thomas Dermody
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