Grand Rapids chamber Diversity Visionary Awards Celebration
The Diversity Visionary Awards recognizes individuals and organizations for their exemplary efforts, advancements and contributions to ensure diversity, inclusion and equity within their own institution or community. The celebration also includes a keynote address on diversity, inclusion, and economic prosperity.
2015 Event Information
The nominations are in and the selection process has begun for the 2015 Diversity Visionary Award and new Change Agent Award! These prestigious honors will go to a person or organization deserving of recognition for their outstanding efforts to foster a more diverse and inclusive community.Set your sights on our March 5 lunch celebration of our 2015 recipients and their exemplary efforts, advancements, and contributions to ensure diversity, inclusion, and equity. Get moe information: Grand Rapids Area Chamber
BA Chamber Announces Buy Broken Arrow Winning Numbers and $10,000 prize winner
The Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce has announced the five winning ticket numbers for Buy Broken Arrow. The holiday campaign encourages shoppers to spend their money in BA.
The $10,000 winner quickly came forward to claim his prize.
"This is the fastest we have ever had a prize claimed," said April Sailsbury of the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce.
"We could not be happier for Ricky and even more thrilled that we were able to hand him a $10,000 check on his birthday."
- $10,000: Lowe's 2041904
- $3,000: Lowe's 2100806
- $2,000: Reasor's 0989407
- $1,000 Moody's Gift Certificate Lowe's 2108094
- Mattress Set: Reasor's 0942156
Chamber Tweet of the Day: Indiana Chamber
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Looking back at 2014: A year to remember at the Chamber http://ow.ly/G8fb8
Indiana Chamber
Debi Durham promises to stay another year as Iowa economic development head
Debi Durham, the top economic development official in Gov. Terry Branstad’s administration, has promised only to stay for the next year as director of the state’s economic development board.
Durham told the Lee/Gazette Des Moines Bureau that she has not pledged to stay on as director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the next four years, but said she will remain at the post for the next year.
Branstad was re-elected in November to his second four-year term in his second stint as governor.
“I haven’t signed up for four years, but I’ll be here next year,” Durham said.
Durham, a Sioux City native and former president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, has served as director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority since its creation in 2011. The board fosters economic development in Iowa and oversees the process of awarding incentive packages to prospective and expanding businesses in the state. Read more: KCRG.com
The Crossing named small business of the year at Goshen Indiana Chamber of Commerce annual meeting
When Rob Staley left his job of 20 years as an administrator at Concord Community Schools to start the Crossing Educational Center, he did so knowing where he wanted to go.
He just didn’t know how he’d get there and what other surprises were in store for him.
The Crossing received the Chamber of Commerce Maple Leaf Small Business of the Year Award during the chamber’s annual meeting Thursday, Dec. 4.
The Crossing, an alternative schooling center for middle and high school students who would likely otherwise drop out, opened in 2004 with six students and two teachers.
Now, the school has locations serving students throughout Indiana, including Indianapolis, Frankfort and Anderson. Read more: Elkhart Truth
Where’s Frank? Christian County Chamber Kentucky offers prizes to promote businesses
Photos of a man
in a red and white striped sweater and a red hat can be found hiding
out on the Christian County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.
in a red and white striped sweater and a red hat can be found hiding
out on the Christian County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.
The chamber wanted to launch a campaign that would remind shoppers to buy locally and avoid driving business to Clarksville, said Daniel Stahl, director of technology and graphics.
business to Clarksville, said Daniel Stahl, director of technology and graphics.
So, Marian Mason, the president and
CEO of the chamber, had an idea to start a city-wide game similar to the
childhood classic, “Where’s Waldo?” Her plan was to dress up a member
of the chamber in a Waldo-esque costume and send him to community businesses. Read more: Kentucky New Era
Details about the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame will be unveiled at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the chamber’s conference center at 100 Main St. in North Little Rock.
Terry Hartwick, president and CEO of the chamber, said the project, nine months in the making, is designed to honor Arkansas women who have helped shape Arkansas’ history and well-being.
“It’s for people to show and the state to know the impact that women have had on this state,” Hartwick said. Read more: Arkansas Business
Top priorities on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s 2015 legislative wish list include tax relief for small and midsize businesses, rolling back automatic increases in the minimum wage to account for inflation, and adjusting how transportation infrastructure is funded in the state.
The chamber’s policy team on Thursday laid out priorities in five areas, including tax relief, education and workforce development, health care, transportation and labor and management.
Tax Reform: Chamber officials say Minnesota ranks nearly last in a survey of tax-friendly states. Tax relief for small businesses—which employ more than half of Minnesotans in the private sector--could promote economic growth, they say. Eliminating the taxing of “phantom income,” or income that is taxed even if it is reinvested in the business, is a start, said Beth Strinden Kadoun, the Chamber’s director of tax and fiscal policy. Other proposals include reducing Minnesota’s corporate tax rate, which at 9.8 percent is third highest in the nation, and enhancing the state’s research and development tax credit. Although Minnesota was the first state in the nation to pass such a tax credit, the rate has since been surpassed by other states.
Transportation: The Chamber ‘s goals for transportation funding—the likely hallmark issue of the 2015 legislative session, include passing a 10-year funding plan to improve the state’s infrastructure, and funding it through more than fuel taxes, vehicle registration and the motor vehicle sales tax. Bentley Graves, the Chamber’s director of Health & Transportation Policy, said 33 states use money from the general fund to pay for roads and bridges, and that Minnesota should be among them. Read more: Star-Tribune
The Missouri Fast Track award
honors Missouri companies that have
shown outstanding growth over the
past three years.
“The award is a
source of great pride to our company,” said ARI President and CEO Jeff
Hollister. “In 2012 and 2013, we experienced
record years for net
earnings at $63.8 million and $86.9 million,
respectively. Read more: Railway Age
Ryan Davis, owner of Davis Tree Service, spread his arms at the base of the 50-foot evergreen tree in Kelley Park Tuesday afternoon and said, "This is the blank canvas. Now, it's ready for some bling."
Throughout the cold, windless afternoon Tuesday, Ryan, his employee Joe Blake and Mark Cappel of MAC Boom wound 2,100 LED lights studded with 30-some candy canes around the evergreen tree. Ryan said he was given 20 more candy canes as they finished the project in the chilly late afternoon...
Donations to the Community Christmas Tree project will help defray the cost of the 1,000 feet of lights and to purchase other decorations and a tree-topper.
Donations can be sent to Ryan at P.O. Box 337, McCook, or to the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce, 203 W. Second, McCook, NE 69001. Read more: McCook Gazette
. Read more: Kentucky New EraNorth Little Rock Arkansas Chamber, ABPG Join In Women's Hall of Fame
The North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Arkansas Business Publishing Group of Little Rock to launch a new program to honor the significant contributions of Arkansas women in business, politics, philanthropy and other fields.Details about the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame will be unveiled at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the chamber’s conference center at 100 Main St. in North Little Rock.
Terry Hartwick, president and CEO of the chamber, said the project, nine months in the making, is designed to honor Arkansas women who have helped shape Arkansas’ history and well-being.
“It’s for people to show and the state to know the impact that women have had on this state,” Hartwick said. Read more: Arkansas Business
Minnesota Chamber's 2015 legislative wish list: tax cuts, rollback of minimim wage inflation index
Top priorities on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s 2015 legislative wish list include tax relief for small and midsize businesses, rolling back automatic increases in the minimum wage to account for inflation, and adjusting how transportation infrastructure is funded in the state.
The chamber’s policy team on Thursday laid out priorities in five areas, including tax relief, education and workforce development, health care, transportation and labor and management.
Tax Reform: Chamber officials say Minnesota ranks nearly last in a survey of tax-friendly states. Tax relief for small businesses—which employ more than half of Minnesotans in the private sector--could promote economic growth, they say. Eliminating the taxing of “phantom income,” or income that is taxed even if it is reinvested in the business, is a start, said Beth Strinden Kadoun, the Chamber’s director of tax and fiscal policy. Other proposals include reducing Minnesota’s corporate tax rate, which at 9.8 percent is third highest in the nation, and enhancing the state’s research and development tax credit. Although Minnesota was the first state in the nation to pass such a tax credit, the rate has since been surpassed by other states.
Transportation: The Chamber ‘s goals for transportation funding—the likely hallmark issue of the 2015 legislative session, include passing a 10-year funding plan to improve the state’s infrastructure, and funding it through more than fuel taxes, vehicle registration and the motor vehicle sales tax. Bentley Graves, the Chamber’s director of Health & Transportation Policy, said 33 states use money from the general fund to pay for roads and bridges, and that Minnesota should be among them. Read more: Star-Tribune
ARI honored by Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented freight car manufacturer American Railcar
Industries, Inc. (ARI) with a 2014 Missouri Fast Track Award during its annual meeting on Nov. 20, 2014.
Chamber member cheer: Businessman starts 'Community Christmas Tree'
The owner of a McCook tree service has decorated what he has dubbed "The Community Christmas Tree" in a McCook, Nebraska, city park.Ryan Davis, owner of Davis Tree Service, spread his arms at the base of the 50-foot evergreen tree in Kelley Park Tuesday afternoon and said, "This is the blank canvas. Now, it's ready for some bling."
Throughout the cold, windless afternoon Tuesday, Ryan, his employee Joe Blake and Mark Cappel of MAC Boom wound 2,100 LED lights studded with 30-some candy canes around the evergreen tree. Ryan said he was given 20 more candy canes as they finished the project in the chilly late afternoon...
Donations to the Community Christmas Tree project will help defray the cost of the 1,000 feet of lights and to purchase other decorations and a tree-topper.
Donations can be sent to Ryan at P.O. Box 337, McCook, or to the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce, 203 W. Second, McCook, NE 69001. Read more: McCook Gazette
