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2020 Best Places to Work in Kentucky Rankings AnnouncedEdward Jones, Houchens Insurance Group and MiddleGround Capital take top honors
Frankfort, Ky. (September 9, 2020) – Edward Jones, Houchens Insurance Group and MiddleGround Capital were ranked the 2020 Best Places to Work in Kentucky by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management (KYSHRM).
During the 16th Annual Best Places to Work in Kentucky virtual awards ceremony, presented by ClearPath Mutual Insurance Company, nearly 2,000 joined the online celebration of the 100 Kentucky companies who were recognized for their commitment to focus, measure and move their workplace environments toward excellence.
The list of companies who made the 2020 list was announced in January. Then in March the COVID19 pandemic changed our world. With social distancing becoming our new norm and affecting the way we interact with each other, the awards ceremony shifted to a virtual celebration of our winners and their rankings. The 100 winning companies participated in a comprehensive survey process and were then ranked according to those results. The list consists of three categories: small companies of 15-149 employees, medium companies of 150-499 employees and large companies consisting of more than 500 employees (categories based on number of U.S. employees, only Kentucky employees surveyed).
Edward Jones, the top winner in the large category, offers associates flexible, family-friendly workplaces and gratifying work helping clients in neighborhoods where they live and work. Financial advisors and branch office administrator teams who serve clients well earn the firm’s highest honors. Edward Jones has made the list for 15 years and last year was ranked first in the large category.
Houchens Insurance Group, the top winner in the medium category, is a family of agencies, taking the success of each individual agency and utilizing their expertise to create the power of HIG, directly impacting the clients they serve. Houchens Insurance Group was ranked third in the medium category last year and has made the list seven years.
MiddleGround Capital, the top winner in the small category is a private equity firm, which makes it a priority to invest in its people as equally as its companies. Doing so has earned respect, loyalty, and dedication of its employees who feel challenged yet valued every day. MiddleGround Capital has made the list for the first time.
Now in its 16th year, the Best Places to Work in Kentucky program has recognized a combined 308 unique Kentucky companies with 213 of those making the list more than once. Special recognition to the two companies that have made the list for all 16 years – Dean Dorton and KORT Physical Therapy - The Best in Rehab.
The Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management (KYSHRM) state council and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce are proud to host the Best Places initiative, as both organizations support the value of workplace excellence as a key component in moving Kentucky forward.
“HR professionals are the CEO's strategic partner in creating an adaptive advantage for Kentucky's employers. The Best Places to Work in Kentucky program recognizes those employers who set an exemplary standard of excellence for both employee engagement and business success,” said KYSHRM Chair, Patrick Smith, SHRM-CP, PHR.
According to Kentucky Chamber President and CEO, Ashli Watts, “In order to help Kentucky’s economy thrive, we must be able to educate and employ current Kentuckians, while also creating workplaces that attract talent from outside of the state. The Best Places program does just that.”
For more details about Best Places to Work in Kentucky, visit bestplacestoworkky.com.
SMALL COMPANIES
Rank Company
1 MiddleGround Capital
2 Ward, Hocker & Thornton, PLLC
3 Clinical Behavior Analysis (CBA)
4 EdjAnalytics
5 Connected Nation
6 Wehr Constructors, Inc.
7 MCF
8 Peel & Holland
9 Bim Group
10 Delta Dental of Kentucky, Inc.
11 All Star Purchasing
12 PriceWeber
13 Oasis Solutions
14 Venminder, Inc.
15 Volta
16 Marine Solutions, Inc.
17 People Plus, Inc
18 KECH, Inc.
19 BUDGET For The People
20 Middleton Reutlinger
21 KLH Engineers
22 NetGain Technologies, LLC
23 DBL Law
24 United States Hunter Jumper
Association
25 Massage Envy Lexington
26 Town & Country Bank and Trust Co.
27 Tri-Arrows Aluminum Inc.
28 Unified Technologies LLC
29 Fahe
30 CHI Saint Joseph Health, Saint Joseph
Jessamine
31 Associations International
32 Unified Trust Company
33 SIS, A Converge Company
34 Strothman and Company
35 Hardin County Water District No. 1
36 Clay Ingels Co. LLC
37 Mirazon
38 Extell Financial Services, Inc.
MEDIUM COMPANIES
Rank Company
1 Houchens Insurance Group
2 Harrison Memorial Hospital
3 L&N Federal Credit Union
4 Community Financial Services Bank
5 ARGI
6 ISCO Industries
7 Harshaw Trane
8 Independence Bank
9 Kentucky Bank
10 Signature HealthCARE Consulting
Services
11 Associates in Pediatric Therapy LLC
12 Commonwealth Credit Union
13 Forcht Bank
14 Winterwood Incorporated
15 WDRB Media
16 Louisville Tile
17 Dean Dorton
18 MCM CPAs & Advisors LLP
19 Columbia Gas of Kentucky
20 CHI Saint Joseph Health, Flaget
Memorial Hospital
21 US WorldMeds
22 Park Community Credit Union
23 Blue & Co., LLC
24 LIMESTONE BANK
25 Abound Credit Union
26 STOBER Drives, Inc.
27 Stites & Harbison, PLLC
28 CLARK Material Handling Company
29 Southcentral Kentucky Community and
Technical College
30 Elizabethtown Community & Technical
College
31 The Keeneland Association
LARGE COMPANIES
Rank Company
1 Edward Jones
2 Kronos Incorporated
3 WellCare of Kentucky, Inc.
4 Vaco
5 Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
6 Envoy Mortgage, Ltd.
7 Central Bank & Trust Co.
8 Farm Credit Mid-America
9 Neustar
10 Appriss
11 Jack Henry & Associates
12 Genentech Inc
13 Comcast
14 Kentucky Power Company
15 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
16 Republic Bank
17 Frankfort Regional Medical Center
18 Novelis Inc.
19 V-Soft Consulting
20 Total Quality Logistics
21 Long John Silver's, LLC
22 KORT Physical Therapy-The Best in Rehab
23 Galen College of Nursing
24 Corning Incorporated
25 CSI
26 Bluegrass Care Navigators
27 Senture, LLC
28 Valvoline
29 CHI Saint Joseph Health, Saint Joseph London
30 St. Elizabeth Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Physicians
31 AssuredPartners
Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community guide or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Maysville-Mason County Area Chamber welcomes new chamber director Kaci Compton
Interim Maysville-Mason County Area Chamber of Commerce Director Bob Hendrickson likened Thursday’s chamber membership meeting as a “State of the Union Address” for the city and county.
The chamber hosted the annual community update from Maysville Mayor Charles Cotterill and Mason County Judge-Executive Joe Pfeffer at the Maysville Rotary Clubhouse. Social distancing protocols were in place.
Hendrickson opened the event by welcoming new chamber Director Kaci Compton. Acknowledging that former director Vicki Steigleder is a hard act to follow, he said he believes the committee charged with selecting a new director picked the right person to move the chamber forward.
Compton said she and her family recently relocated to Maysville and “I am thrilled to be here.” She said the experience has been wonderful so far and she has enjoyed what she called “Southern hospitality at its finest.” Read more: The Ledger Independent
BACC Announces Outstanding Women Leaders (OWL) Recipients for 2020
Wednesday, August 19th – 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
TOPIC: EFFECTIVE GRANT WRITING: STRATEGIES AND CHECKLISTS FOR SUCCESS, PRESENTED BY EDIE CANTER, CANTER STRATEGIES
Best Practices in Grants Fundraising: Edie Canter, President of Canter Strategies, will be our guest speaker. Part I of her presentation will be a grants overview, including finding prospects, evaluating fit, communicating with funders, and preparing for site visits. Part II of the presentation will focus in on writing grant proposals and will introduce Edie’s SPARC2© method, a strategic approach to improve your chances of grantwriting success.
Canter Strategies provides nonprofits with expert consulting in development, strategic planning, interim leadership, Board/organizational management, and writing. Edie brings to the table over 35 years of experience as an Executive Director, Director of Development and Communications, Board member, and advocate. She has written hundreds of grant proposals.
Click here to learn more about our business incentives and tax assistance programs. For more information on specific programs, select one of the links below:
Data Centers Investment Program
Enterprise Zones
Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Program (EDGE)
EDGE Agreements
Film Production Tax Credit
High Impact Business Program
Illinois Angel Investment Credit Program
Illinois Apprenticeship Education Expense Tax Credit Program
Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program
Illinois Opportunity Zones
Live Theater Tax Credit
River Edge Redevelopment Zone Program
Tax Increment Financing
LocationOne is a searchable database of available commercial and industrial sites and buildings for businesses looking to expand throughout Illinois.
For more information call 800.252.2923 or email ceo.support@illinois.gov.
First Round of City of Plymouth’s & PEDC’s COVID-19 Small Business Financial Support Program a Success – Second Round Now Open
In July, the City of Plymouth and the Plymouth Economic Development Corporation (“PEDC”) launched their COVID-19 Small Business Financial Support Program. The program, which makes available grants and/or loans to eligible companies doing business in the city and its 2-mile zoning jurisdiction who have been negatively impacted by the Coronavirus, just successfully completed its first funding round.
The loan committee considered numerous applications as part of round one. PEDC President Jack Davis stated that “the members of the loan committee worked hard in reviewing the applications and ultimately awarded $2,500 grants to 8 businesses, and $10,000 loans to 3 businesses.” Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter noted that “the businesses assisted by the program currently employ a total of 41 people and anticipate growth to 53 employees within the next 6 months.” “We were pleased to do a small part to help these local companies navigate the pandemic and we look forward to helping more businesses in the second funding round,” the Mayor also stated.
Second round applications are available for download on the City of Plymouth’s webpage (www.plymouthin.com) or hard copies may be picked up at the Mayor’s office or at the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce. A hard copy of completed applications must be submitted at the Mayor’s Office by October 2, 2020. At that time, the loan committee will review all grant/loan applications and advise applicants of funding decisions. At this time, just $20,000 in program funding remains available for distribution. Additional tax deductible donations to the program are being accepted. Those interested in contributing are encouraged to contact the Mayor’s Office or Jack Davis directly.
The COVID-19 Small Business Financial Support Program is targeted toward for-profit businesses of 25 employees or less in the following fields: Retail, Personal Services, Food and Beverage/Hospitality, Health Care/Social Services, Professional Services, Construction/Remodeling, Finance/Insurance, Manufacturing, Real estate/Rental, Professional/Scientific/Technical, and Arts/Entertainment/Recreation. The program includes a one-time $2,500 “Getting Back Grant” or a $3,000-$10,000 “Here to Stay Loan” at 0% interest over a term of up to 4 years, with the first payment deferred for 6 months after the loan origination.
CITY OF PLYMOUTH, INDIANAContact: Sean Surrisi, City Attorney
124 N. Michigan St.
Plymouth, IN 46563
Tel: (574) 936-2948
E-mail: cityattorney@plymouthin.com
Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce Community Map
The new Ridgeland Chamber Community Map is available at the Chamber today! Thanks to Linda Bynum, Sandy Baas and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
It is time once again to submit your nominations for Rockbridge County’s People’s Choice Awards. The Chamber of Commerce serving Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County is seeking nominations for Volunteer of the Year, Educator of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, Employer of the Year and Citizen of the Year. As you are thinking of nominations take the time to consider those “unsung heroes” who have diligently and unselfishly served our community in this pandemic.
Nominations may be submitted online at www.lexrockchamber.com or by emailing info@lexrockchamber.com. We ask that you provide a brief description (3-5 sentences) about why the person and/or group is qualified for this award. A full bio will be requested if they make the final ballot. Previous winners are not eligible for 5 years. Those names can be found on the nomination form on our website.
The deadline to submit nominations is September 28th. Voting will begin on October 1st and will continue through October 23rd. All votes will be placed electronically via our website. Printed ballots will not be available this year. Our 2020 award winners will be recognized during our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.
Christyl Vozzo
Marketing & Administrative Coordinator
2020 Portage County Business Council
Job Fair
Monday, September 28, 2020
1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center
Are you looking for an exciting new career opportunity? If so, the 2020 Portage County Business Council Job Fair is the place for you! There is no cost to attend and you will be able to talk with employers from many industry sectors. Companies will be on-hand to fill full-time, part-time, seasonal, and permanent positions. Many businesses will have on-site applications and same day interviews. Extensive safety and sanitation protocols will be followed. Masks/face coverings are required. Be sure to stop by and take the next step toward a rewarding career!
Karen Myers
Portage County Business Council
715-344-1940
kmyers@portagecountybiz.com
By: Global Interpreting Services
Between lagging video conferences, dead batteries mid-call, and 6-foot conversations through masks, we’ve all felt the struggle to communicate well over the past several months. But as the world slowly allows for us to talk, shop, socialize and be understood the way we are used to, there are still many in our community who won’t automatically be granted that same widespread access to effective communication. For Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, the hearing-centered world we live in presents a few more challenges in regular, day-to-day communication. Global Interpreting Services, a locally based interpreting, and translation service, shares these easy ways hearing individuals can make a huge impact on the accessibility of effective communication for the Deaf Community in our area.
We need your help with an important survey from the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance. The Alliance is actively advocating to the Administration that bars and restaurants in Northern Michigan be given a bit more flexibility in operation, which is obviously especially important with colder weather upon us limiting outdoor capacity. Towards that end, they are trying to better understand the impacts to the industry at the moment.
Please help!
Take the Survey By Clicking Here!
Vicksburg Forest Products Expanding In Vicksburg, Creating 60 Jobs
Southern Yellow Pine manufacturer Vicksburg Forest Products, LLC is expanding its lumber mill operations in Vicksburg. The project is a $40 million corporate investment and will create 60 jobs.
“With nearly 20 million acres of forestland in Mississippi, our state is positioned for continued growth in the agribusiness sector, as evidenced by Vicksburg Forest Products’ significant expansion just over two years after opening its doors,” Gov. Tate Reeves said. “I appreciate the leadership at Vicksburg Forest Products for its commitment to doing business in Warren County and building stronger communities through job creation.”
In 2018, Vicksburg Forest Products, which is headquartered in Jackson, purchased the Vicksburg sawmill. The facility underwent a large-scale transformation and is currently producing approximately 75 million board feet of Southern Yellow Pine lumber on an annual basis. Post expansion, Vicksburg Forest Products will be capable of producing 180 million board feet of lumber per year, consisting of a diverse product mix to better serve customers. The upgraded mill will be purchasing approximately 800,000 tons of timber annually from landowners in the surrounding areas. The company has signed a turnkey contract with a leading equipment provider, and construction is scheduled to begin in October and will be complete next summer.
“We look forward to working with the local economic community and the state of Mississippi to support further investment in our facility and the surrounding area,” said Vicksburg Forest Products Manager Billy Van Devender. “We are excited about the long-term prospects of our Vicksburg operations.”
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for infrastructure improvements, building improvements, rail improvements, and road construction. The city of Vicksburg also is providing assistance with infrastructure projects.
“Mississippi has plentiful natural resources that provide companies in the agribusiness industry, such as Vicksburg Forest Products, with ample opportunities to exceed their goals and maintain a strong competitive edge in today’s dynamic economy,” said MDA Interim Director John Rounsaville. “We are proud to partner with the Vicksburg Forest Products team, the Vicksburg-Warren Economic Development Partnership and the city of Vicksburg as dozens of new job opportunities are being created for the people of Vicksburg and Warren County.”
The largest class in the history of the program was selected from a record number of exceptional applicants to participate in the Leadership Owensboro Class of 2021. The class participants and their professional affiliations include:
Jason Anderson
Owensboro Health Healthpark
Harrison Bryant
Malcolm Bryant Corporation
Sara Butterworth
Owensboro Health
Joy Carroll
IMPACT 100 Owensboro
Summer Crick
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Katie Drab
The Hershey Company
Somer Dunaway
EM Ford
Robin Dunivan
U.S. Bank
Ellen Ebelhar
Independence Bank
Dr. Stacy Edds-Ellis
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Matt Fitzgerald
Daniel Dick State Farm
Donna Fitzgerald
Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky
Megan Gross
New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services
Drew Hardesty
Wonder Boy Media
John Harralson
Harralson Farms
Quincy Harris
Puzzle Pieces
Samantha Howard
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline
Amanda Huff
Audubon Area Head Start
Joe Janes
Owensboro Municipal Utilities
April Jennings
CherriCare, Inc.
Kitty Jones
Puzzle Pieces - Employment Opportunities
Leslye Krampe
Kenergy Corporation
Bryson Morrow
Saint Joseph Peace Mission for Children
Brandy Mathew
Advanced Cardiology of Owensboro
Trudy Mattingly
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline
Mary Moorhouse
German American Bank
Travis Owsley
Saint Joseph Peace Mission for Children
Gwyn Payne
Owensboro Symphony Orchestra
Sarah Poole
Wendell Foster
Rev. Rhondalyn Randolph
Owensboro NAACP Branch 3107
Kathleen Richard
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline
Bethanie Roberts
Owensboro Grain Company, LLC
Alex Ross
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline
John David Sandefur
Owensboro Public Schools
Tyler Shookman
Talk to Tyler, LLC (L. Steve Castlen Realtors)
Jeanna Siddons
American Patriot Getaways
Antoine Smith-Rouse
Owensboro Community and Technical College Workforce Solutions
Rachel Whelan
Brescia University
JD Winkler
Owensboro Police Department
Emmy Woosley
Daicel Safety System America Inc.
