Showing posts with label South Dakota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Dakota. Show all posts

Monday, October 27, 2014

Kansas City Chamber's Leadership Exchange: Startup 'expats' share why they left KC; Chamber business: Why are things going so well in South Dakota? Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce recognized as an outstanding chamber in Michigan; Chamber Success Story: Hot Springs Business Expands, Adds More Jobs; Illinois Chamber Benefits Exchange; Chamber Event: 11th Monster Madness at Mills set for Oct. 28;


Kansas City Chamber's Leadership Exchange: Startup 'expats' share why they left KC

Silicon Valley sparkles with entrepreneurism, and its tech industry is unrivaled in the U.S. Through the years, it has crafted a magic formula for success.
But what's the secret?
More than 110 Kansas City business and civic leaders traveled to the San Francisco Bay Area to find out. The September trip was part of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce's 12th-annual Leadership Exchange. One event included a panel of "Heartland startup expats" who left the Kansas City area for Silicon Valley. Read more: Kansas City Business Journal

Chamber business:  Why are things going so well in South Dakota?

Let’s consider:
First, the cost of doing business in South Dakota is low. The U. S. Department of Commerce says our costs – utilities, occupancy, transportation and other costs are reasonably low for businesses – only 88 percent of the U.S. average. Other states like California, Hawaii, New York and New Jersey are all over 112 percent of the national average.

Businesses also have an advantage here because the tax burden is low. We have no corporate income tax, no personal income tax, no business inventory tax, no personal property tax and no inheritance tax. This creates a more favorable environment for growth by putting more money in the pockets of our businesses and workers.

Our reasonable regulatory climate also makes us business-friendly. Earlier this year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce named South Dakota’s business climate as best in the nation. We don’t make things unnecessarily burdensome for our entrepreneurs. We know things shouldn’t be overcomplicated for job-creators who are trying to know and obey the laws. Read more:  Black Hills Pioneer


Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce recognized as an outstanding chamber in Michigan

The Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce was recognized with a 2014 Outstanding Chamber of Commerce Award by the The Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals at the association’s conference in Muskegon, Oct. 2.
“The Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce received this award based on its accomplishments in leadership and governance, financial stewardship, business advocacy and member programming,” said Bob Thomas, Director for the Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals.Read more: The Oakland Press

Chamber Success Story:  Hot Springs Business Expands, Adds More Jobs

Window Source, a part of the third largest window retailer in the nation, announced expansion of its local operation.
With the help of the Hot Springs Metro Partnership, Window Source entered into an agreement to purchase its new Hot Springs facility from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). 

Since the purchase of the new facility, Window Source has already doubled their staff with plans to continue adding jobs over the next five years. 

“All of this could not have been accomplished without the help of the state of Arkansas and everyone involved, from the AEDC, Hot Springs Metro Partnership and Greater Hot Springs Chamber Of Commerce,” said Shaun Keefe, owner of Window Source. Read more: ArkansasMatters.com

Illinois Chamber Benefits Exchange

Flexible Benefit Service Corporation (Flex) has launched a private health insurance exchange powered by InsureXSolutions® for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. The new Illinois Chamber Benefits Exchange offers a solution to help small businesses assist their employees in connecting with the best health insurance options that meet their unique needs in one centralized private marketplace.  The Benefits Exchange will give employees and individual consumers, including self-employed individuals, the ability to shop and compare health plans, get up-to-date information on the healthcare law and seek expert assistance from licensed insurance professionals.
The Illinois Chamber Benefits Exchange helps small business employees meet ACA mandates. According to ACA regulation, businesses with less than 50 employees are not required to provide health insurance for employees. Instead, employees of these smaller businesses are legally required to obtain their own health insurance plans by 2014. Individuals specifically need coverage by March 31, 2014, in order to avoid ACA penalties. See more at: Illinois Chamber


Chamber Event: 11th Monster Madness at Mills set for Oct. 28

The 11th annual Monster Madness at Mills, an outdoor Halloween event with activities for kids of all ages put on by the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce, the Boys and Girls Club of Bryant and the Bryant Parks Department will be held one night only on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at Mills Park, 1003 Mills Park Road.
At 6 p.m., “the real Monster Madness at Mills fun begins,” said Chairperson Carlton Billingsley. Trick or treating between business/candidate booths begins at 6 p.m. Munchkinland, which will feature inflatables, ghouls and pumpkins tic tac toe toss and other games, will cost $3 ticket for the armband for Munchkinland for all evening. Read more: Bryant Daily

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Attittude)

"Everyone who is successful must have dreamed of something" - Native American proverb

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Goldman Sachs is looking to help 10,000 small businesses with a $500 MILLION investment; St Louis Regional Chamber Public Policy Speaker Series features Tom Schweich, Missouri State Auditor; Chamber news: National honor for north Iowa business leader Robin Anderson; Faribault, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce welcome new teachers to town; Chamber Finance: North Dakota and South Dakota lead the nation for credit conditions; Chamber news: 2014 Indiana Governor's Conference for Women: Community. Connection. Inspiration!; Chamber Directory or Map; Chamber Tweet of the Day: Driverless Cars Retweeted by Detroit Chamber; Chamber proud: Norfolk, Nebraska named ‘Community of the Year’; St. Charles, IL prepares for Chamber of Commerce Week; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Education) Albert Einstein

Chamber business incentives: Goldman Sachs is looking to help 10,000 small businesses with a $500 MILLION investment

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is a $500 million investment to help small businesses create jobs and economic opportunity by providing them with greater access to business education, financial capital, and business support services. 10,000 Small Businesses is designed for business owners with limited resources who have a business poised for growth. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to growing their business and creating jobs within their community. Learn more about this program and eligibility requirements. Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

Further information: 10,000 Small Businesses 

St Louis Regional Chamber Public Policy Speaker Series features Tom Schweich, Missouri State Auditor


St. Louis Regional Chamber Public Policy Speaker Series features Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich on Tuesday, September 16th - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Chamber's Regional Collaboration Center located at One Metropolitan Square - 13th Floor 211 N. Broadway St. Louis, MO  63102

Chamber news: National honor for north Iowa business leader Robin Anderson

The President and CEO of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce has been appointed to a national committee. Robin Anderson is one of ten new executives named to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100.  The group advises the U.S. Chamber’s board of directors, recommends programming and strengthens outreach to the business and chamber communities. Get more: KIMT.com

Faribault, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce welcome new teachers to town

As class started this week for all Faribault schools, many students may have come across unfamiliar faces. More than a hundred new teachers and administrators stepped into classrooms across town.

Seventy-five of those were in the Faribault Public Schools District and 30 between Shattuck-St. Mary’s, Cannon River STEM, Bethlehem Academy and Discovery Public School, for a total of 105 new teachers and administrators.
To welcome the new staff to town, the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism provided welcome bags to each individual which were full of goodies to help acquaint the educators with Faribault. Read more: Faribault Daily News

Chamber Finance: North Dakota and South Dakota lead the nation for credit conditions

How is the economy doing? It depends on where you look. In some states, people are practically choking on credit problems, while in others, serious financial difficulties are relatively rare.
For example, more than one out of every 500 homes in Florida is in foreclosure, while foreclosures are virtually unheard of in North Dakota. Similar differences exist for credit ratings, bankruptcies, unemployment rates and credit card delinquencies.
To factor all this in and determine the best and worst states for credit conditions, CardRatings.com looked at the following:
  • Average credit scores from Equifax
  • Foreclosure rates from RealtyTrac
  • Credit card delinquency rates from TransUnion
  • Unemployment rates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • Bankruptcy rates from the American Bankruptcy Institute
Based on a combination of all these factors, the following are the best and worst states for credit conditions.

The best states for credit conditions

1. North Dakota. The economy in North Dakota continues to thrive, and credit conditions are excellent as a result. North Dakota has the lowest rates of foreclosures, credit card delinquencies, and unemployment in the United States. It has the second-lowest number of bankruptcies per capita, and the third highest average credit score. In other words, by any measure credit conditions in North Dakota are practically unbeatable.
2. (tie) South Dakota. Clearly, some of North Dakota's economic boom is rubbing off on its neighbor to the south. Having top-10 rankings in all the categories of this study lifted South Dakota into a tie for the No. 2 slot. Read more: CardRatings.com

Chamber news: 2014 Indiana Governor's Conference for Women: Community. Connection. Inspiration!

See and share our new video showcasing the life-changing day we’re putting together at the Indiana Governor’s Conference for Women on October 21st. Get immersed in a groundbreaking program led by business experts on today’s hottest topics – from building your confidence and sparkling in the spotlight to building a thriving business.

Chamber Directory or Map

Get a free estimate for a chamber map, community profile or membership directory. Call John Dussman at (800)-600-0134 x239 or email jdussman.vp@villageprofilemail.com. If your chamber has 500 members or more, please ask about our no-cost option.

Chamber Tweet of the Day: Driverless Cars Retweeted by
 
.'s concept, zero-emission, driverless cars.


Chamber proud: Norfolk, Nebraska named ‘Community of the Year’

And the winner is . . . Norfolk.
The hub of Northeast Nebraska was named “Community of the Year” on Friday at the 47th annual Nebraska Diplomats’ “Passport Weekend” here. A large contingent of business and community leaders from Norfolk was on hand to accept the accolade presented by Gov. Dave Heineman.
Among those representing Norfolk were Mayor Sue Fuchtman; Mark Zimmerer, president of the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce; Courtney Dentlinger, who heads the City of Norfolk’s economic development efforts; and Lee Klein, Madison County commissioner.  Read more: Norfolk Daily News

St. Charles, IL prepares for Chamber of Commerce Week

St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina has proclaimed Sept. 8 through 12, as Chamber of Commerce Week, according to a news release issued Thursday. The St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Chamber has joined the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in celebrating this special recognition of the contributions chambers of commerce make to Illinois civic and economic life, the release stated.
“Chambers of commerce have contributed to the civic and economic life in Illinois for 176 years since the Galena Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1838," Rogina said, according to the release. "Chambers of commerce encourage the growth of existing industries, services, and commercial firms and encourage new businesses and individuals to locate in Illinois.” Read more: Kane County Chronicle

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Education)

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”--- Albert Einstein