Kansas City Chamber is searching for next Small Business of the Year
The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is once again searching for the next Small Business of the Year. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 6.
"The application process launches us into several exciting months of activities during the 2015 Small Business Celebration as we recognize the small business sector and the impact these organizations are having on Kansas City and our economy as a whole," Chamber President and CEO Jim Heeter said in a release. Read more: Kansas City Business Journal
Illinois Chamber issue: Schock visits Peoria Lock and Dam
Politicians and industry leaders converged on the Peoria Lock and Dam on Friday to celebrate a new funding mechanism to help drive the local farming economy and U.S. exports globally.
U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock, who this month helped push HR 647 through the House by a 404-17 vote, hosted a news conference Friday. The bill, if passed as expected by the Senate and signed by President Barack Obama, would increase taxes on diesel fuel used to power barges, from 20 cents to 29 cents. The hike would increase funding for operations and maintenance of locks and dams on the country’s inland waterways — a job creator for craftsmen and a benefit to the agriculture and mining industries.
Illinois waterways transport 100 million tons of product each year, said Todd Maisch, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, translating to $6.4 billion into the state’s economy.
“That’s absolutely vital. It puts people to work; it makes the economy work,” Maisch said. Read more: Pekin Daily Times
The Outlook: Three Michigan chambers expect increased capital investment, new projects leading 2015
While
talent development and some legislative reforms may prove to be
challenges, West Michigan chambers of commerce executives feel confident
looking ahead to 2015 as they project increased business investment in
their individual communities.
For
Muskegon, leaders are optimistic about “a lot of strategic growth”
among member businesses “that’s a little different than in the past,”
said Cindy Larsen, president of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce.
“People are being very thoughtful with investment,” she said.
Whereas
companies have been slow to invest during the recovery, some businesses
are now beginning to spend with more confidence by making strategic
investments in facilities, technology and talent, Larsen said.
-
See more at:
http://mibiz.com/item/22104-chambers-expect-increased-capital-investment,-new-projects-leading-2015#sthash.ZMJmAvkZ.dpuf
Meredith Rea named East Mississippi Business Development Corporation Chamber of Commerce manager
The East Mississippi Business Development Corporation (EMBDC) announced that Meredith Rea has been named the manager of the Chamber of Commerce. She joined the EMBDC as public relations coordinator in 2010. During that time Rea coordinated events, managed all communications and marketing, and served in various other capacities.
As the Chamber of Commerce manager, Rea will manage Leadership Lauderdale, ambassadors, member services, Business Before and After Hours, and various other programs of the EMBDC Chamber. She is in the process of completing her Institute for Organization Management certification.
“Meredith has proven herself as a leader, providing invaluable organizational skills and being active with our volunteer base. She continues to promote growth and help forge a new direction with our membership,” said EMBDC Chairman Bob Luke. Rea’s community involvement includes leadership and volunteer roles with Young Professionals of Meridian, Meridian Main Street, and Meridian Little Theatre. She is a member of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi – Meridian, Mississippi Economic Development Council, and a Leadership Lauderdale alumni. Read more: The Meridian Star
Kyndle
CEO Brad Schneider and Kyndle Vice President of Economic Development
Donna Crooks, CEcD were both recently appointed to positions on the
boards of directors for a pair of state organizations
Schneider
was reelected as Treasurer of Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives.
KCCE is the state's professional association for local chambers of
commerce staff members. This is Schneider's second term on KCCE's
executive committee and his fifth year on KCCE's board. He is in his
first year as CEO of Kyndle after spending the previous five years as
president of the former Henderson-Henderson County Chamber of Commerce.
Read more: SurfKY.com
Wachter
Inc., a leading national provider of electrical, data, communications,
automation and other building systems, is expanding its facility in
Lowell, Arkansas. The company plans to invest $2 million in the expansion and add 20 new jobs, bringing total employment at the facility to 260.
The expansion of the Lowell facility is necessary due to Wachter’s continued growth, both locally and nationally, over the years, Arkansas Economic Development officials said.
“Wachter’s decision to expand this facility is a testament to the quality of work produced by the company’s existing employees in Lowell,” said Grant Tennille, Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “We appreciate Wachter’s continued commitment to growing and investing in Arkansas.”
“It is always great to see a business be able to announce expansions and new hiring,” said Raymond Burns, President/CEO of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. “Wachter is a great company that does some truly amazing things. Read more: Area Development
The number of unemployed Nebraskans and the state’s unemployment rate both plunged in November to levels not seen since early 2008, as the state saw near-record employment with monthly job gains led by the trade, transportation and utilities industry.
Unemployment fell to 3.1 percent, down from 3.4 percent in October and from 3.7 percent a year ago, according to preliminary figures released Friday by the Nebraska Department of Labor.
Iowa’s rate, meanwhile, fell to 4.3 percent from
4.5 percent in October. The figure was up slightly from 4.2 percent a
year ago and ranks 10th nationwide.
Nebraska’s rate was not as low as the state record 2.2 percent in 1998 but was the second-lowest rate among states and a level economists consider “full employment.” Read more: Omaha World-Herald
It shows new numbers about how immigrants are contributing to the state's economy.
Sharing African recipes, with up to 600 customers a day in the West Bank and Cedar Riverside communities; It's what makes this Minneapolis small business owner Abdirahman Kahin proud.
"Our positive impact into the economy, and to the labor, and into a lot of aspects of life," Kahin said. He's glad to see those are some of the results from a new study out on Immigrant Contributions to Minnesota's Economy.
Sarah Radosevich is a Policy Research Analyst with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Radosevich is part of the Minnesota Business Immigration Coalition, which helped author the report. "We found that immigrant purchasing power more like $7.7 billion a year," Radosevich said. The study also found they contributed more than $22 billion to the state's GDP. And more than $1 billion in state and local taxes. Radosevich said it's good for the state's economy. Read more: KSTP TV
Rogers-Lowell Chamber Good News: Wachter Inc Invests $2 Million To Expand Its Lowell, Arkansas, Manufacturing Center
The expansion of the Lowell facility is necessary due to Wachter’s continued growth, both locally and nationally, over the years, Arkansas Economic Development officials said.
“Wachter’s decision to expand this facility is a testament to the quality of work produced by the company’s existing employees in Lowell,” said Grant Tennille, Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “We appreciate Wachter’s continued commitment to growing and investing in Arkansas.”
“It is always great to see a business be able to announce expansions and new hiring,” said Raymond Burns, President/CEO of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. “Wachter is a great company that does some truly amazing things. Read more: Area Development
Chamber challenge: Nebraska’s unemployment rate at 3.1 percent in November; Iowa's at 4.3 percent
The number of unemployed Nebraskans and the state’s unemployment rate both plunged in November to levels not seen since early 2008, as the state saw near-record employment with monthly job gains led by the trade, transportation and utilities industry.
Unemployment fell to 3.1 percent, down from 3.4 percent in October and from 3.7 percent a year ago, according to preliminary figures released Friday by the Nebraska Department of Labor.
Nebraska’s rate was not as low as the state record 2.2 percent in 1998 but was the second-lowest rate among states and a level economists consider “full employment.” Read more: Omaha World-Herald
Chamber report: Immigrants Make Big Contributions to Minnesota Economy, Study says
Immigration is always a divisive debate and a new, non-partisan study shows its benefits for Minnesota.It shows new numbers about how immigrants are contributing to the state's economy.
Sharing African recipes, with up to 600 customers a day in the West Bank and Cedar Riverside communities; It's what makes this Minneapolis small business owner Abdirahman Kahin proud.
"Our positive impact into the economy, and to the labor, and into a lot of aspects of life," Kahin said. He's glad to see those are some of the results from a new study out on Immigrant Contributions to Minnesota's Economy.
Sarah Radosevich is a Policy Research Analyst with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Radosevich is part of the Minnesota Business Immigration Coalition, which helped author the report. "We found that immigrant purchasing power more like $7.7 billion a year," Radosevich said. The study also found they contributed more than $22 billion to the state's GDP. And more than $1 billion in state and local taxes. Radosevich said it's good for the state's economy. Read more: KSTP TV
North Platte Chamber issue: Government agency charges post office $7,500/month rent
The postal service currently pays $91,000 a year to
lease space in the downtown federal building for a post office, Chamber
of Commerce President John Hale said Friday.
Hale appeared on the Mugs in the Morning talk show with Rick Windham on KODY radio.
Citing a report in the North Platte Telegraph
newspaper, Hale said that amount of rent equates to $15 per square foot
– “easily twice as much” as an average rental rate for commercial
retail space in North Platte.
The postal
service, citing financial trouble, wants to move the post office counter
and 1,000 post office boxes, to its mail processing center on the east
edge of North Platte. The move prompted an outcry from business and
community leaders, in part because it gave abrupt notice shortly before
Christmas time, without a public hearing. Read more: North Platte Bulletin
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Attitude)
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Attitude)
“Hold on to what is good, Even if it's a handful of
earth. Hold on to what you believe,
Even if it's a tree that stands by itself. Hold
on to what you must do, Even if it's a long way from here. Hold on to your life, Even if it's easier to let go.
Hold on to my hand, Even if someday
I'll be gone away from you.”
