U.S. Chamber: Chase is giving a total of $2 Million in grants to 20 small businesses--- deadline is June 5th, 2015
Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and again this year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is excited to support Mission Main Street Grants®. Chase is awarding 20 grants of $100,000 to small businesses across America and we are looking for businesses that have big plans.
To apply, complete the grant application and receive at least 250 votes from your fans, customers, family and/or friends. In addition, you will have access to a special offer from the Premier Sponsor, LinkedIn, and powerful business tools. The application deadline is June 5, 2015 so visit www.MissionMainStreetGrants.com today.
A for-profit business that has been engaged in the current business activity for at least two consecutive years and has less than 100 year-round, full-time employees is eligible to apply. Businesses must receive at least 250 votes to be eligible for a grant. Please visit the Program Rules for all eligibility requirements.
The application process consists of three parts:
- Complete your Small Business Registration
- Complete your Business Profile
- Fill out and submit the grant questionnaire
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is proud to support Mission Main Street Grants® and to help fuel the growth of small businesses nationwide. To read more about Mission Main Street Grants® and learn how you can participate, click here.
Source: U.S. Chamber
From Sue Reed, president of the Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce - educator's request for Indiana competition winner funding
Greetings!
Please see the following request I received today. Any assistance you can provide will be greatly appreciated!
Good morning! I am reaching out to you in hopes of gaining support for one of our students.
At the beginning of this year, Merrillville High School became a pilot school for the MITA (Microsoft Information Technology Academy) and started offering MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) industry certifications to our students to prepare them for a good job after graduation. The program has been a great success and will enable students to pursue their passion in technology with or without having to attend college. We have many students certified in Word, Excel and Powerpoint at this point and have a particularly exceptional student who is the focal point of this correspondence.
Zachary Feign, a junior here at MHS, will probably not be able to attend college but his software skills are exceptional. Not only is he MOS certified in BOTH Powerpoint AND Excel but he is the #1 top scorer in the state of Indiana for Powerpoint 2010 Certification – a perfect 1000 score in only about 12 minutes (50 minutes are allotted for the certification test). He has taken the certification test twice, scoring perfect 1000s in only a fraction of the time testing allows. He now represents the State of Indiana in the National Competition. He will receive a couple of prizes or being the best in the state but the most important is his invitation to the National MOS Competition in Florida in mid-June.
Zach’s family does not have the resources for him and a parent to go on this trip so I (with permission of my administration) have set up a GoFundMe account with the intent to raise $1500 for the trip. This includes air fare, discounted hotel rates and meals they will have to buy on their own. Zach has talked to me about passing this opportunity on to the 2nd place finisher because of his family’s lack of money to go on this trip and this really saddened me. I have talked with his parents and want to do everything possible to make sure he can go. If you are able, could you please consider contributing to this account so we can send Zach on the trip of his lifetime? Or maybe forward this to others who may be able to help out?
http://www.gofundme.com/varemk
As always, I thank you for supporting Merrillville High School and the programs we have to promote our students’ success. And please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sharon Row
PCI / ICE Internship Coordinator
Business & Technology, CTE & Dual Credit teacher
IPE Executive Director
Merrillville High School
276 E. 68th Place, Merrillville, IN 46410
Phone: 219-650-5307 ext. 7175
website
Rochester Regional Chamber program: Rochester Youth Leadership Retreat Applications due by June 5th
The Mission of the Rochester Youth Leadership Program is to create an experience for youth that fosters leadership, community involvement and civic responsibility in the Greater Rochester Community.
The Vision is to be recognized as the premiere community-centered youth leadership program with a focus on:
- Community awareness with a servant's heart
- Leadership for today and tomorrow
- Proven measurable results
- Food will be provided to the attendees, including an award dinner.
- An informational meeting will take place prior to the event.
- Students will receive a scholarship to attend. A $50 deposit is required with application, but returned upon completion of the retreat.
The role of the Junior Grand Marshal is to be an ambassador for the youth and the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce and Community. A special committee will interview students attending the Rochester Youth Leadership Retreat and make the selection. The winners will be announced during dinner at the Leadership Youth Retreat's conclusion. Each winner will receive a $1,000.00 scholarship.
Contact the chamber office at 248-651-6700 or email info@rrc-mi.com for more information
Arkansas Chamber proponent: For project, governor seeking $87.1M bond
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Thursday that he is seeking the Arkansas Legislature's approval next week for an $87.1 million bond issue to help Lockheed Martin compete for a federal defense contract in Camden.
At a state Capitol news conference, he also explained his decision to ask lawmakers to move the state's primary elections from May to March, saying the earlier date would give Arkansans a greater voice in picking presidential candidates.
The governor said the proposed bond issue would be the state's only commitment to Lockheed Martin and there are no additional financial incentives to assist the Maryland-based corporation.
The company would build the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle for the Army and Marine Corps and replace the line of vehicles known as Humvees made by Indiana-based AM General LLC. Read more: Arkansas Online
Madisonville-Hopkins County chamber news: Governor Announces Hopkins County as Kentucky Work Ready Community
Gov. Steve Beshear has announced that Hopkins County is certified as a Kentucky Work Ready Community.
In August 2012, county leaders sought local support to meet the requirements to develop a skilled workforce for the 21st century.
The governor also named Boyd, Carroll, Greenup, Knott and Lawrence counties as Kentucky Work Ready Communities on May 14. In order to achieve the status, community leaders must establish common goals in business, education, workforce and economic development.
County and city officials made the announcement this morning during a press conference held at the Government Center.
Madisonville Community College President Judy Rhoads said the county received its work ready status sooner than the allotted three-year progress period.
“I want to thank the team that’s at the table for making this possible, and many people in the public schools and the college and other community members who worked hard for us to meet the criteria,” Rhoads said.
Madisonville Mayor David Jackson said the achievement was a collaborative effort of many, and the status will have a great impact for the future job market in the area. He noted the recognition assures potential employers that the county workforce is qualified and ready.
“The impact of Work Ready Community on our town and our county is so important,” he said. “When a potential employer is considering a location, not only do they look at your infrastructure or your available buildings, but workforce is a very important part of that decision.”
Kentucky is one of the most rigorous states to achieve work ready status, said Judge- Executive Donnie Carroll.
“Work Ready has the ability to transform the community,” he said. “I believe this is just the first step.”
Lee Lingo, president of the Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, believes the county achieved work ready status early on because of the area’s strong educational opportunities.
“Our community and technical college system here is top notch,” he said. “It’s recognized throughout the state and that has enabled us to already benchmark very highly for how we train our workforce.” Read more: Surfky.com NEWS
Greater
Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation Awards (20) $1,000.00
Scholarships at Academic Achievers Reception
Fishersville, VA – The Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce (GARCC) recently recognized 34 outstanding students from public, private and vocational schools in Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County at their annual Academic Achievers Reception held at the Plecker Workforce Center on the campus of Blue Ridge Community College. New to their program this year and with the support of local manufacturers, the Chamber awarded scholarships for students pursuing technical, trade and vocational training. Linda Hershey, President & CEO, said “Our Chamber recognizes the increased demand for industry specific job skills and encourages opportunities for students to pursue standard certification trades.” She also quoted statistics from the Valley Career & Technical Center that said, “By 2018, nearly two-thirds of the 47 million job openings will require workers to have at least some post-secondary education. Nearly all will require real world skills that can be mastered through Career and Technical Education courses.”
Over 150 Parents/Guardians, Teachers, Counselors, Superintendents,
Legislative Officials and the Education Selection Committee attended the
Reception. The Presenting Sponsor was City
National Bank. Additional Supporting Sponsors
included: Simple Elegance Catering, Mary Baldwin College and Lowe’s Home
Improvement of Waynesboro.
The Thirty Four (34) students are ranked in the top 5% at their
schools, participating in multiple
programs and serving as leaders in activities such as National Honor Society , Shenandoah
Valley Governor’s School, Foreign Language Club, Drama, Chorus, Mentorship,
Work Study, Job Sharing, Academic Team, Student Government, Debate and/or Forensics, Key Club, Tutoring, Model General Assembly, School Newspaper
/Yearbook, 4-H & FFA, Marching band, Basketball, Baseball/Softball, Soccer,
Football, Track & Field, Cross Country, Volleyball, Wrestling and Swimming.
Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership and Ridgeland Chambers offer basics of Social Security
Two metro-area chambers of commerce are partnering on a workshop to teach their members “The ABC’s of Social Security.”
The Lunch & Learn session will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cool Water Catering in Ridgeland with lunch provided.
The workshop is being jointly offered by the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership and the Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce. Read more: The Clarion and Ledger
Sparta Chamber support: Bicycle statues link Port Byron, Wisconsin for fall ride
City officials and their counterparts in Sparta, Wis., are hoping a new bicycle tour connecting the two cities becomes an annual event.
On Friday, the "Will to Ben" tour planned Oct. 3-9 was announced by Port Byron Mayor Kevin Klute and Tim Hyma, executive director of the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce.
The area around Port Byron already has a great deal of recreational options, Mayor Klute said. "It (the ride) really fits in well with what Port Byron is trying to promote," he said.
The tour takes its name from two giant fiberglass cyclist statues -- one in each city -- that depict vintage-looking fellows riding penny farthing bicycles. The Port Byron statue is named "Will B. Rolling;" its Sparta counterpart is named "Ben Bikin." Read more: QCOnline.com Dispatch-Argus
Highland Chamber (Illinois) of Commerce hires new executive director
Nancie Zobrist has worn many hats over the years.
A 2003 graduate of Highland High School, Zobrist had earlier worked in an array of industries spanning from green geothermal energy to hotel/hospitality to physical therapy. Last week, she was hired as the new executive director of the Highland Chamber of Commerce. Zobrist will be replacing Jami Jansen, who recently announced her resignation effective June 5 after serving 10 years in the post.
Zobrist, who has a bachelor of science in advertising from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has worked in the marketing departments at Entertek Manufacturing in Greenville, Pere Marquette Lodge in Grafton and Collinsville Physical Therapy.
She believes her prior marketing experience will be an asset to the Chamber.
“I’m excited to be able to use my education and experience to help our community businesses grow, as well as managing the many philanthropic endeavors of the Chamber. I believe keeping businesses strong keeps our community strong,”she said.
Nancie is married to Eric Zobrist, and they have a 2-year-old daughter. Read more: Highland News Leader
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Leadership)
A goal properly set is halfway reached. -Zig
Ziglar
