Chamber Economic Development Action: Indiana Vision 2025 Report Card Reveals State Strengths, Shortcomings
With a decade remaining in the Indiana Vision 2025 economic development action plan championed by the Indiana Chamber and statewide partners, the state is showing some progress toward key goals but also revealing a long way to go on metrics vital to innovation and economic prosperity.
The latest results are included in the 2015 version of the Indiana Vision 2025 Report Card. The plan, introduced in 2012, includes 33 goals in four critical areas: Outstanding Talent, Attractive Business Climate, Superior Infrastructure and Dynamic and Creative Culture. This Report Card follows a 2013 effort that established benchmarks on 59 statistical metrics.
“Keeping score is essential to evaluating the state’s advancement,” says Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “While there are some encouraging signs and more improvements than declines compared to other states, the overall theme is Indiana must do more – especially in the areas of talent and new business creation.”
Of the 59 metrics, Indiana improved its ranking (from the 2013 Report Card) compared to other states on 28; it declined in 19 rankings; and remained the same or there was no updated data available in 12. In terms of raw scores, Indiana improved in 33 metrics, declined in 17 and there was no movement or updates available for nine.
Read full story. The Report Card, a summary of Indiana’s rankings and a one-page overview of progress on the 33 goals of Indiana Vision 2025 are available at www.indianachamber.com/2025.
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce members have started a new campaign to recruit 125 members, in 125 days
The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce has started a campaign to recruit new members. wdbj7 mornin's alison parker is live there now to tell us how the 125-more challenge works. Starting today, chamber members have 125 days to get 125 new members join. It's because they have rebranded as a way to celebrate 125 years of service. I'm here with the president, Joyce Waugh. you all have come up with a couple of incentives for new members to join, and for current members to help out? new members: $125 discount to first time members (12 months dropped or more) for first year dues, enhanced listing in our online membership directory for the life of the membership current members: sponsor a new member and be entered to win a $2,500 travel voucher for a future chamber trip. June 18th - October 19th: Read more: WDBJ7.com
Chamber event: Mr. Peanut at Glenview Summer Fest June 27
Glenview Summer Fest started as a sidewalk sale on Glenview Avenue 42 years ago and now has become a multi-facted mid-summer celebration that this year will include none other than Mr. Peanut.
The event is on Saturday, June 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Lehigh Avenue between Glenview Road and Washington Street along Jackman Park. It’s free and includes handcrafted wares, family activities, free treats, street performers, the Auto Show, and a little rock ‘n roll.
Performances take place at Gazebo in the Park will include music from Full Grown Men, Rock House along with student performances from Terra Sound School of Music and Art, Sheila Tully Academy of Irish Dance, Dance and Music Academy and demonstrations from Championship Martial Art, Falcon Boxing Gym and Jazzercise Glenview.
Comprised of more than 450 businesses in Glenview and the region, the Glenview Chamber of Commerce works to make Glenview a great place to live, work, and own a business. Visit the website at www.glenviewchamber.com Read more: Daily North Shore
Harbor Springs Chamber Waterfront Wine Festival
The Waterfront Wine Festival, an event of the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce and Scenic Michigan, celebrates 10 years of great wine and food, Saturday, June 27, in Harbor Springs and as part of the anniversary, a new raffle prize is being offered. A passage for two on the Luxury Haimark Coastal Cruise Line aboard the MS Saint Laurent for a nine-day cruise to locations in North and South America is the prize for the 2015 raffle with only 300 raffle tickets to be sold at $50 each.
“During the 10 years of the Waterfront Wine Festival, we have offered a variety of raffle prizes but for our 10th anniversary, we wanted something special,” said Daniel DeWindt, executive director of the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. “A nine-day cruise with the Haimark Coastal Cruise line is a perfect way to celebrate our anniversary.”
“New this year by the Haimark Line is a Great Lakes Discovery Cruise with stops in Chicago, Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie, Georgian Bay, Detroit and Niagara,” said Abby Dart, executive director of Scenic Michigan. Haimark also offers cruises in New England and the French Canadian Maritimes, so the raffle winner has several options to choose from. For those who want a winter getaway, the winner can select one of the cruises to exotic locales in Central and South America. The winner will be announced at the Waterfront Wine Festival and must be present to win. Read more: MyNorth.com
Chamber program: 36 graduate from Leadership Oshkosh Program
Thirty-six students graduated May 28 at The Waters from the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program. The program was started in 1989 by the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce to help people in the community grow and develop. More than 800 people have graduated from the Leadership Oshkosh program.
The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce awarded Brenda Hines, Blue Door Consulting, LLC co-founder/consultant, with the Leadership Oshkosh Service Award. This award is presented annually to recognize extraordinary service to the program. Haines, a 2000 Leadership Oshkosh graduate, is a member of the Steering Committee and co-chairs Opportunity Day.
Pam Delap, a 2009 Leadership Oshkosh graduate and wealth strategist with Wisconsin Financial received the Ed Williams Leadership in Action Award. This award is given to a Leadership Oshkosh graduate who has made a significant community impact since leaving the program. Delap played an important role in raising money and community awareness for the newly constructed "Inclusive Playground" at South Park. Read more: thenorthwestern.com
Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership interest: New position created to oversee JPS academies
Jackson Public Schools will be adding a new administrative position to oversee the 9th Grade Academies next year after the school board approved the job on Tuesday.
The Director of Academies will work with the coaches and assistant principals at the high schools in the district. Seventy percent of the position's salary will be funded by Operation Shoestring through the Kellogg Foundation, and the district will be responsible for the rest.
The director will make sure the academies are consistent at each school.
The salary range for the position is from $52,000 to $75,000.
The grant will last three years, and school board members said the goal is to find another source of funding after the contract is up.
Last year was the first year for the program, which created small cohorts of freshmen who work closely with teachers in a separate environment from the rest of the student body. The program includes a freshman seminar course that focuses on career choices, and ninth graders attend the JPS Interactive Career Exploration Fair in the fall of each year.
Chief Academic Officer Freddrick Murray told school board members after the program's first year, average daily attendance has increased and ninth grade retention and discipline issues have decreased.
The academies are part of the Alignment Jackson, a citywide partnership modeled after the same program in Nashville which improved the city school district's graduation rates from 58 percent to 82 percent in less than 10 years.
"There's an abundance of data out there to support the academy model, and the director position allows us to manage this program with fidelity," said Freddrick Murray.
Alignment Jackson is a coordinated effort by JPS, the United Way of the Capital Area and the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership. Read more: Clarion Ledger
Batesville Area chamber initiative: Independence County asks for input from citizens
Leaders in Independence County are preparing to make strides in economic development and strategic planning, but they do not want decisions to be made solely by politicians, business owners and other people who already have influence.
Instead, with the recent launch of Impact Independence County, regular citizens are going to be the ones sharing their visions and pushing toward positive change across the county.
Impact Independence County is a countywide strategic plan that calls on residents to pinpoint the county’s needs and create a plan to meet those needs. The initiative was launched by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Lyon College and the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.
“This is a project that has the possibility to bring Independence County to move forward, to have a great impact,” said Deborah Frazier, chancellor for UACCB. “I said, ‘We’ve had strategic plans before. What happened with them?’ I was told that this would be unique in that it would be a countywide community plan. When you talk about encompassing and engaging the county, my ears perked up. I think that’s a wonderful opportunity. I, at UACCB, can see clearly what can happen when you bring a community of people together. It’s a tremendous thing.”
The idea for a new strategic plan started with the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Frazier said. The emphasis is going to be on what the community decides it needs. Lyon College President Don Weatherman said that this is not going to be like other plans that are forced on the community, but instead, it is going to be community driven. Read more: Arkansas Online
Best Chamber Practices: Christian County Small Business Resources
Kentucky Business Resources
Kentucky One Stop Business Portal
An easy-to-website where Kentucky's businesses can find the requirements and tools they need to own and operate a business in Kentucky.
SBA Kentucky Start Up Guide (PDF)
Kentucky Small Business Assistance
Kentucky SBIR-STTR Matching Funds Program The Kentucky SBIR/STTR Resource Center offers to help Kentucky innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology-oriented small businesses (i.e. 500 or fewer people) who have an innovative concept and need to advance it, translate it into a product or a technology for commercialization, and profit from it.
General Business Resources
The following online resources provide valuable information on starting a business.
U.S. Business Advisor
Answers to commonly asked questions, step-by-step guides, grants, and legal and regulatory information.
Entrepreneur.com
Tips and trends on all aspects of business start-up and growth.
IRS: Virtual Small Business Workshop
A series of videos on topics by IRS instructors, including payroll taxes, electronic filing, and record-keeping.
Minority Business Development Agency (US Dept. of Commerce)
Provides free business tools and educational resources.
Nolo: Law for All
Information on small-business legal structures, business taxes, protecting intellectual property, and other legal issues.
Small Business Administration
Provides free online training and resources for business start-ups.
Also see TVA’s Best Sites for Entrepreneurs, a list of sites with a regional, national, or global focus on developing entrepreneurship.
Franchising Resources
SBA.frannet.com
The introduction to franchising course, Franchising Basics, a free online seminar which provides three key sections that examine more than 10 essential areas relating to franchising, including Is Franchising Right for You and How to Choose the Right Franchise. The course also covers franchising options, strategies for growth, and pitfalls to avoid.
FranNet.com
FranNet provides no-cost guidance, information and support to individuals who are interested in purchasing a franchised business.
Franchise.org
The International Franchise Association is a great source of franchise information and resources to research, grow, or join your favorite franchise business.
Exporting Resources
KY Export Initiative
Additional Resources
Entrepreneur Self Test (PDF)
Online Training Courses (SBA)
Regional Business Development Organizations
The following organizations serve Christian County and the surrounding region with business development guidance and/or financial resources.
Minority Economic Development Initiative of Western Kentucky
1101A South Main Street, Hopkinsville
Director: Henry Snorton
270-885-8885
MSU Small Business Development Center
2800 Fort Campbell Blvd., Hopkinsville
Consultant: Sarah Pearson Brown
270.809.2856
sbrown39@murraystate.edu
District Director: Chris Wooldridge
270.809.2856
chris.wooldridge@murraystate.edu
Pennyrile Area Development District Revolving Loan Fund
300 Hammond Dr. Hopkinsville
Contact: Jason Vincent
270-886-9484
jason.vincent@ky.gov
Hopkinsville Downtown Renaissance
270-887-4285
Director: Holly Boggess
hboggess@comdev-services.com
Kentucky Innovation Network at Murray State University - formerly the Regional Business and Innovation Center
270-809-6070
Director: Loretta Daniel
ldaniel@murraystate.edu
Friday: 157 Rules for Executive Success in Organization Management (and your Chamber of Commerce) by Patrick McGaughey
RULE #101 Build
a bridge, get over it
