Good morning #Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!
#Chamberheart: Batavia Women in Business: Pass the Purse
The Batavia Women In Business is collaborating with the Batavia School District to show some extra love to moms in our area who are in need. How can cleaning out your closet benefit women in need?
As we all know, women put their children and family first before thinking of themselves.
We’d like to remedy this! Batavia Women in Business plans to assist the women in our area who may not have the means to purchase the everyday items that many of us take for granted. We will fill gently used or new purses with a variety of personal items. Our goal is to collect as many purses as we can, and then fill them with a variety of items. They will be delivered – along with a special note – prior to Mother’s Day!
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
• Bring a gently used or new purse to our April luncheon, or drop them off at the Batavia Chamber Office.
• Make a monetary or gift card donation.
Batavia Women in Business Council members will use these cards to purchase items to add to the purses. Gift card suggestions include Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Kohl’s.
Thank you in advance, for your very generous donations! More information: Batavia Chamber of Commerce
Small, midsize Hoosier companies increasingly jumping into exporting
When Craig Carson bought Plainfield’s Jeco Plastic Products in 1998, it was a U.S. company selling to U.S. companies.
That was a strategy based partly on economics, partly on patriotism: The previous owner considered it “un-American” to sell overseas, Carson said. Of course, it helped that domestic carmakers supplied more than enough demand to keep the facility humming.
Today, the 30-employee operation with $10 million in annual revenue deploys a very different strategy. It still makes molded-plastic pallets designed for shipping and storing products, ranging from vehicles to cases of bottled water, but two-thirds of its business comes from exports. Germany is its biggest foreign customer, followed by Mexico and Japan.
“I like Indiana, but I’d go nuts if I only could sell in Indiana,” said Carson, 71. “The thing about export sales is, you are well and truly connected to the world. The world is a nice place. As you’re selling there, you have a different attitude entirely.”
His company, for instance, refined its methodical approach to design with lessons from its German trading partners, and honed its attention to detail thanks to customers in Japan, where the slightest imperfection—think dust on a product—merits an in-person apology from the owner.
Jeco is a model for similar small to midsize companies in Indiana, a manufacturing-focused state that has yet to fully realize its potential as an exporter. In central Indiana, 90 percent of companies sell to domestic customers alone, meaning they are missing out on 80 percent of the world’s buying power. The nation’s most manufacturing-intensive state ranks just 21st in exports, according to a study by the Brookings Institute and JPMorgan Chase.
Indiana government leaders and business-boosting organizations, from the Indy Chamber to the newly launched World Trade Center Indianapolis, are plotting ways to boost global prospects for Indiana companies. Some challenges facing Indiana exporters are outside the influence of local efforts—such as fluctuations in currency exchange rates, trade agreements and tariffs, corporate tax rates, and comparatively high shipping prices—but a bit of training and a good contact can help a Hoosier firm enter, compete and win in markets around the world.
“The global market for goods is expanding, and we have great products that could be exported,” said Maureen Krauss, chief economic development officer for the Indy Chamber. Read more: IBJ.com
Manufacturing Awards of Distinction Nominations Open
Green Bay, Wis.- (April 2, 2018) – The Manufacturing Awards of Distinction are now open for nominations to honor companies that have achieved excellence in manufacturing. In Wisconsin, manufacturers have had to combat adversity and tough times; this event showcases the companies who thrived and achieved greatness despite the obstacles. “Manufacturing is who we are as a region, and once a year we have the honor of recognizing our manufacturers for their tremendous leadership, innovation, contribution to our local economy and creativity attracting and retaining talent,” Vice President of Economic Development, Peter Zaehringer explained. Advance Economic Development of Greater Green Bay Chamber coordinates the program throughout Northeast Wisconsin allowing manufacturers in Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Oconto and Shawano counties to be nominated.
The awards are given based on the size of the company; the Small Business award is for companies who have one to 99 employees, the Medium Business Award is for companies with 100-299 employees and the Large Business Award is for companies with 300 or more employees. There is a final award given out called the Workforce Development award, this award is given to a company that has excelled in providing training and education programs to individuals that will assist in the pursuit of a career in manufacturing or enhance their skills.
The Manufacturing Awards of Distinction will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Nominations should be submitted by Friday, September 14, 2018. Nomination forms can be found here: http://www.greatergbc.org/economic-development/manufacturing-awards-of-distinction/.
Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide
The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Directory and Resource Guide is available at the Virginia Peninsula Chamber today! Thanks to Mike Kuhns, Suzy Johnson 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.
Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce Announces Transition of President and CEO Jim Corcoran
Tysons, Va. – The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce announces that Jim Corcoran, President and CEO, will be leaving the Chamber effective during the second quarter of this year.
Jim’s contribution to the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce since 2010 has been outstanding. Jim played an integral role in the Chamber’s growth and success during his eight year tenure, making the Northern Virginia Chamber one of the preeminent business membership organizations in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Region.
In 2015, Jim effectively led the Chamber’s transition and rebranding from the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce to its current regional platform. In addition to his leadership at the Chamber, Jim has been a prominent and active leader in our region, serving on several civic boards.
During the transition period, Stacy Stathopoulos, Chief Operating Officer, and Michael Forehand, Senior Vice President, will co-manage day-to-day operations. The Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Chamber thanks Jim Corcoran for his enormous contributions and remains wholly committed to the Chamber’s future growth and success.
#BestChamber practices: Muncie-Delaware County Chamber Testimonials
Many exciting and innovative things are going on with the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, like awesome networking events including Muncie on the Move, Chamber Cup and many more. Also, the educational opportunities are top notch. I would encourage all businesses in the community to join the Chamber-it will pay off over and over again!
Sarah V McCord, Owner
Cardinal Capital Management, LLC
Daviess County population tops 100,000 people
Daviess County's population has finally hit the century mark -- barely.
The U.S. Census Bureau in a report released late Wednesday estimated that on July 1, 2017, the county's population stood at 100,374.
"I think it's more of a pride thing than anything really meaningful," Judge-Executive Al Mattingly said. "But it may pick up some ears (of economic development prospects). What we're seeing is slow, steady growth."
The county's estimated population was 99,844 in 2016 and 96,715 in 2010.
The Owensboro metropolitan area -- Daviess, Hancock and McLean counties -- had a population last year of 118,376, the census bureau estimated.
That's up from 117,923 in 2016 and 114,772 in 2010.
"This is more positive news for our region," Candance Brake, president of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, said of the report. "As our peer
communities around the country are declining in population, we continue grow."
Brake said, "This incremental growth is sustainable if we maintain our strategy of supporting existing business and a diversified economy."
She said, "Our placemaking strategy and the resiliency of our four-year colleges will continue to add to the increase in numbers. We need to do all we can to support this growth, including finding ways to help Wesleyan and Brescia grads make Owensboro their home and making it easier for our other grads to find a job here after graduation." Read more: Kentucky New Era
Famous Chamber Of Commerce Quotations: Teamwork
Much can be accomplished by teamwork when no one is concerned about who gets credit. — John Wooden
Ampersand holds grand opening
Coworking office only one of its kind in U.P.
The culmination of feasibility studies, design, preliminary contracts and construction was celebrated Tuesday at the grand opening of Ampersand Coworking, the first and only coworking office in the Upper Peninsula.
Ampersand is located at 132 W. Washington St., Marquette, in the Masonic Building.
Jason Schneider, executive director of the Marquette Chamber of Commerce, was one of the driving forces behind Ampersand, which also is home to the chamber.
“It was in our original plans three years ago to do something like this,” Schneider said, “and it’s been a year of heavy lifting and about four months of construction to get this project off the ground and see it where it is today.”
At 5,200 square feet, Ampersand provides enough room for 50 people to work side by side. It has nine private offices, 15 semi-private desks and 25 open workstations available to rent by the day, week, month or year.
Amenities include 24-hour access, internet, conference room use, free printing, beverages and snacks, and community programming.
Schneider said funding for Ampersand came from a variety of sources, including the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office, the Upper Peninsula Masonic Association, the U.P. Catholic Credit Union, River Valley Bank, mBank, Honor Credit Union and Northern Initiatives. Read more: The Mining Journal
Covington County 2017-2018 Chamber of Commerce Community Map
The Covington County Chamber of Commerce Community Map is available at the Covington County Chamber today! Thanks to Marie Shoemake and her team for their help and direction putting this together!
Petal, Hattiesburg Make Use Of Façade Grants
Business owners and officials in Petal and Hattiesburg are putting to good use $13,000 in grant money earmarked for aesthetic improvements around town.
The funds, which were received last year through Community Investment Façade Grants from Mississippi Power, were awarded for building improvements, including painting, signage, light fixtures, landscaping and general maintenance. Mississippi Power instituted the program to encourage property owners to upgrade their storefronts with the goal of increasing property value and enhancing the overall appearance of the community, making it more attractive to consumers and potential investors.
In the Friendly City, the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce split $3,000 in grant money equally between three businesses: Revitalizations LLC, Vaughn Law Firm and Adam Watkins Ventures.
“The revitalization of a neglected commercial district or residential neighborhood often begins with improvements to a single building or storefront, which oftentimes stimulates similar improvements in neighboring buildings,” said Valerie Wilson, executive director of the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce. “The residents of Petal have expressed their desire for beautification efforts in the city. These grants are a boost to those efforts.”
Vaughn Law Firm used the funds for landscaping, while the staff at Adam Watkins Ventures painted the building. Jeff Sapp, owner of Revitalizations LLC on West Central Avenue, used his store’s share of the funds to install new signage in the front of the building.
“I had a temporary sign (before), because real signs cost a lot of money,” Sapp said. “Now I have a 4-by-8 metal sign, and there’s two separate ones that are on each side of the post that are my permanent signs now.”
Meanwhile, the Historic Hattiesburg Downtown Association received $10,000 in Community Investment Façade Grants, which was split equally between 10 businesses in or near downtown:
Black Sheep’s Café, which invested in cleaning, painting, signage and light fixtures;
Blu Jazz Café, which installed new signage, ornamental elements and lighting;
Keg & Barrel, which pressured washed the building, ugraded the louvered vents and strung LED lights along the fence;
Main Street Books, which will repaint the building’s façade, replace broken glass, install new signage and add string lights to the building;
R3SM; which painted, repaired damaged wood, installed new signage and landscaping; Read more: Hub City Spokes
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.
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