Chicago Fed: Index Points to Increased Midwest Economic Growth in April
The Midwest Economy Index (MEI) increased to +0.70 in April from +0.61 in March, reaching its highest value since June 2014. All four broad sectors of nonfarm business activity and all five Seventh Federal Reserve District states made positive contributions to the MEI in April. The relative MEI rose to +0.64 in April from +0.44 in March. All four sectors and four of the five states made positive contributions to the relative MEI in April. Read more
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Daily Herald's Town Square Publications buys chamber publisher Lawton Publishing
Town Square Publications, a subsidiary of Paddock Publications, announced Wednesday that it has purchased the assets of Lawton Publishing, the chamber publishing division of Lawton Printing in Spokane, Washington.
The purchase broadens Town Square's national footprint in chamber of commerce publishing. Town Square, which already has strong chamber publishing relationships in Illinois, California and Texas, will now absorb Lawton Publishing's businesses in the West and Northwest U.S.
Daily Herald Chairman, Publisher and CEO Doug Ray said the purchase is in line with the company's strategic plan to grow Paddock Publications' business in new and different ways. The growing Town Square business contributes significantly to the company's revenue and profitability, he said.
"The decision to expand into the nondaily newspaper business nearly 10 years ago has proved to be an excellent one," Ray said. "Combined with the strength of the Daily Herald brand in print and digitally, events, other specialty products and commercial printing, Paddock continues to be a more diversified company, helping to sustain a brighter future for the company and its employees." Read more: Daily Herald
Nick Kieffer chosen as new prsident for Goshen Chamber
After a months-long search, a new leader has been chosen for the Goshen Chamber of Commerce.
Goshen Chamber of Commerce board members Tuesday announced that current Chamber Vice President Nick Kieffer has been selected to replace outgoing president David Daugherty, who will be retiring from the position July 10 after 14 years with the Chamber. Kieffer’s first day in the new position will be July 11.
The search committee, consisting of several board members and two active members of the Goshen community, conducted a nationwide search for the new Chamber leader beginning in February of this year. The board officially notified Kieffer of his selection late last week.
“We narrowed the search down to two highly qualified candidates and after extensive interviews and reference checks, we knew we had our new president right here,” board chairwoman Deb Stauffer said of Kieffer in a press release issued by the board. “We are excited about the enthusiastic support Nick has from the board of directors, as well as from community leaders throughout Elkhart County, and look forward to Nick’s leadership in the coming years.”
Kieffer, who served under Daugherty for his entire 10 years as Chamber vice president, praised Daugherty Tuesday for his extensive knowledge of the Chamber industry and willingness to share that knowledge with Kieffer and his fellow Chamber peers.
“He’s been in Chamber work for 40 years, so he has kind of seen the whole gambit of the Chamber industry and what our industry has gone through,” Kieffer said of Daugherty’s experience. “So just on a daily basis, to be able to pick his brain on things like, ‘Have you seen this before?’ or ‘How have you handled this in the past?’ — to have that kind of tutelage right next door to me has been a tremendous help.” Read more: Goshen News
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
7:30 AM - Check-In & Light Breakfast
8:00 AM - Presentation
Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
21 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 100 | Hampton, VA 23666
BACC Women’s Biz Net Hosts “Christmas in July” Food Pantry Drive
Virginia Peninsula Chamber event: BluePrint Virginia 2025
Who is in charge of Virginia’s economic future?
Business leaders like you!
As Virginians prepare to elect a new Governor in 2017, the time is right to update the Virginia Chamber’s long-term statewide economic development plan, Blueprint Virginia, and establish ambitious policy for growth.
Be sure YOUR voice is heard! Help set the policy goals for Blueprint Virginia 2025!
Join us for live-polling via your smartphone or other device on which policies YOU think will drive economic growth in our region and in the Commonwealth!
Business leaders like you!
As Virginians prepare to elect a new Governor in 2017, the time is right to update the Virginia Chamber’s long-term statewide economic development plan, Blueprint Virginia, and establish ambitious policy for growth.
Be sure YOUR voice is heard! Help set the policy goals for Blueprint Virginia 2025!
Join us for live-polling via your smartphone or other device on which policies YOU think will drive economic growth in our region and in the Commonwealth!
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
7:30 AM - Check-In & Light Breakfast
8:00 AM - Presentation
Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
21 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 100 | Hampton, VA 23666
Tickets $15.00 | Seating is Limited
RSVP by July 28th at bit.ly/BluePrintVA2025
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Contact Jackie Shapiro at jshapiro@vpcc.org or (757) 325-8162
RSVP by July 28th at bit.ly/BluePrintVA2025
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Contact Jackie Shapiro at jshapiro@vpcc.org or (757) 325-8162
Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Profile & Directory
The Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Profile & Directory is available at the Plainfield Area Chamber today! Thanks to Tasha Kitson, Mari Edmondson, Vitella Barnes, Kellie Wujek and the chamber team for their help and direction putting this together!
Town SquarePublications (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.
BACC Women’s Biz Net Hosts “Christmas in July” Food Pantry Drive
The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) Women’s Biz Net (WBN) Council is requesting donations for its annual “Christmas in July” Food Pantry Drive to support families in need in the Barrington area. Donations of non-perishable household goods should be dropped off at the Barrington Chamber office, 190 E. James St. in Barrington, by July 28.
Wish list items to fill shelves at the Barrington and Cuba Township food pantries include, but are not limited to: small containers of condiments, canned fruits, pasta, juices, toiletries, pet food, gas or local discount store gift cards, and paper products.
The Barrington Township food pantry is available to qualifying Barrington Township residents, many of which are seniors on a fixed income. Donations of non-perishable food items are always appreciated. For more information, visit www.barringtontownship.com.
The Cuba Township food pantry is available to any Cuba Township resident in need. Items from the pantry are available once a month, and in the summer fresh produce pick-up is available weekly from local gardeners. For more information, visit www.cubatownship.com.
The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Biz Net (WBN) is a network of women empowering women. WBN offers monthly meetings and programs that bring relevant topics, networking opportunities, and a forum for building relationships that can enhance your business aspirations and enrich your life. The group’s Mission Statement is: “To gather professional women to inspire, enrich, empower and benefit from the unique talents of extraordinary women!” WBN offers monthly meetings at lunch or breakfast.
For additional information please visit the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce website at: www.BarringtonChamber.com
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette to Speak at Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber’s Legislative Forum
Southgate, MI – Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette will address local business leaders and the public at the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum luncheon on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm at Crystal Gardens Banquet & Conference Center in Southgate. The event is open to the public.
Schuette is the sixth speaker in the popular Forum series, following leaders such as Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, Downriver’s Wayne County Commissioners, and BIGGBY COFFEE CEO Bob Fish, who headlined the Chamber’s first Business Forum in May. The series is designed to promote communication between business and political leaders, and to inform the Downriver community about what is taking place in local, state and federal government.
“The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber is honored to provide the opportunity for our business owners and community leaders in the Downriver region to interact with our elected leaders in Lansing through our Legislative Forum series,” commented Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber president Ron Hinrichs. “We are eager to learn about what is taking place in the Attorney General’s office, and how that will impact our local community.”
Space is limited and registration is requested for this event. Tickets are $20 each, and can be purchased at www.SWCRC.com, or by calling the Chamber office at 734-284-6000. Tickets are available at the door for $25 per person.
Corporate Sponsors for this event are AT&T, BASF Corporation, DTE Energy, Monroe Bank & Trust, The News-Herald, SEMCA, United States Steel, Wayne County Community College District, Downriver Community Conference, Signarama of Metro Detroit, and Public Service Credit Union.
Be sure to follow the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce on Facebook at facebook.com/SWCRC and the Chamber website for all the latest Chamber news and events.
Greater Madison Chamber Unveils Access Agenda
Greater Madison Chamber Unveils Access Agenda
MADISON – Today the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce unveiled its Access Agenda, a new two-year policy roadmap at the local, state and federal level to accelerate our advanced industries and bolster the state’s standing as a place of innovation and entrepreneurship. The Access Agenda is framed around the factors that drive companies to make decisions: access to talent, customers, infrastructure, supply chain and a livable community.
“Greater Madison is growing in advanced industries, population and recognition as a world-class place of innovation, and as our momentum continues, we must take collaborative and intentional action to ensure the advanced economy we are building works for everyone,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “Our Access Agenda doubles down on science, technology, innovation and investments in talent, as well as ensuring Greater Madison is an inclusive place where anyone can see opportunity and share in our region’s prosperity. With greater access, we will achieve a greater Madison.”
View the full Access Agenda at greatermadisonchamber.com/access
For a TruScribe-produced video introducing the Access Agenda, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1rsoD-i95M
Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office)
Will Hancock County see 2,300 new jobs? These businesses say it will happen.
A new survey that shows the strength of Hancock County business also has prompted action plans to create jobs and make the area more tourist-friendly.
The survey is part of a Business Retention and Expansion Program launched by Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission. Results were released Friday during a meeting of 150 business and community leaders at Hollywood Casino.
Thirty of the largest industrial companies and a cross section of 30 of the county’s service and tourism sector businesses were surveyed. Together they employ more than 3,500 people and over the last three years have added 220 jobs. More than half the company leaders said they plan to invest $248 million in future expansion projects and create 2,300 new jobs.
Business leaders have a good perception of the county’s emergency services, K-12 education and economic development agencies, but the survey showed areas that need improvement are quality child care, particularly for shift workers, and labor availability for low- to mid-skill workers.
Those who attended the meeting were invited to join initiatives underway or just beginning:
▪ Bill Cork, CEO of the Port and Harbor Commission, said the goal for the county is to become an ACT certified Work Ready Community.
▪ Hancock Chamber recently organized a team, led by retired Dow Chemical executive Bob Huet, to look at opening a career center in the county.
▪ Hancock Resource Center has begun an outreach program to become a drug-free community.
▪ Those who participated in the survey recommended more community development planning, including sign regulations and hospitality training. The public is invited to a Coast Champions hospitality training program June 19 at Leo Seal Center at Hancock Bank in Waveland.
▪ Defining their economic development roles, the Chamber and Community Development Foundation would be a resource to government to focus on smaller commercial and residential projects below $5 million, and the Port and Harbor Commission on large scale, asset-based industrial development. Read more: Sun Herald
Fulton County Chamber Partnership: "Living Local Fest"
The Rochester Downtown Partnership and Fulton County Chamber of Commerce are partnering together this year to host the first annual "Living Local Fest," highlighting the areas unique personality.
Celebrating the best of Fulton County, Rochester Downtown Partnership and Fulton County Chamber are providing a family friendly event which will offer a taste of Fulton County. This event will be held on Saturday June 24, 2017 featuring a parade and block party. The parade will begin at 9:00 AM, starting at the high school going East on 15th St. and then traveling North on Main Street and then West on 8th Street. PARADE APPLICATION
The block party will kick off at 10:00 AM and will end at 2:00 PM, this will feature local food visionaries, local artists, games for kids, demonstrations and live music. This event will be held on 8th Street and the Court House square. Both events unique theme this year is "Summer in Fulton County", celebrating the greatest features that Fulton County has to offer during this season. If you desire to be a food visionary, local artist or an organization who wants to provide games or demonstrations for kids, click the following link.
In addition, the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce has decided to complete the decoration of it's front office in a fun manor by allowing the community to be a part of the process. What does this mean? This means a photo contest will be held for the next month to uncover the best photos featuring Fulton County. The details and rules to the contest are HERE.
We look forward to rolling out this revamped event which we feel will be a relevant and modernized tradition for families to enjoy for years to come. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions to Beth at the Chamber.
Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce hires senior VP/COO
Current superintendent of Fort Thomas Independent Schools
FORT MITCHELL, Ky. (May 23, 2017) — Gene Kirchner has been hired as senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
Kirchner has been superintendent of Fort Thomas Independent Schools since 2012. He is retiring in June. He also has served as a member of the NKY Chamber Board of Directors and as a member of its Business Advocacy Committee.
During his tenure with Fort Thomas Schools, Kirchner spent hours in Frankfort lobbying for public education and successfully lobbied for more than $20 million in state funding for Fort Thomas. Kirchner implemented an innovative five-year plan to incorporate emerging technologies into the classroom.
Before working for Fort Thomas Schools, Kirchner served as deputy superintended for Walton-Verona Schools, as well as principal of Walton-Verona High School.
Kirchner earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Eastern Kentucky University. Read more: Lane Report
Local chambers team up for women’s conference
The “Be Your Better Self” Themed 11th Annual Little Black Dress Women in Business Conference will be held Thursday, June 15 at the Greensburg Elementary School. The event is presented by the Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce with assistance from the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce.
The event features speakers and a lunch time recipe/cooking discussion with Decatur County Memorial Hospital dietician Connie Million and an exercise demonstration from Anytime Fitness, Decatur County Family YMCA and Reclaim.
One the features will be a presentation from Tim Hosey of Tim Hosey and Associates. Tim will present “How to turn a stranger into a friend in 20 seconds or less.”
Jennifer Rufatto and Stacey Holton from the Indiana Electric Cooperative will present “All About You”, a segment to help attendees understand their personality traits and how they make you unique. The information is designed to help find the best ways to manage work and home responsibilities.
Register online at business.greensburgchamber.com/events. WRBI.com
Multi-chamber event: Business leaders, young and old, know value of employees, clients
Your employees make your business. Treat clients as people, not just customers. And never lose sight of your vision and values.
Business owners, young and old, shared that wisdom Thursday during a panel discussion and networking event at Sand Creek Country Club.
It was there, several years earlier during a high school dance, that Wade Breitzke discovered his love of music. So he created +WeCreate Media/27 Entertainment, now serving international clients.
“I come from a family of entrepreneurs,” Breitzke said. “I received incredible encouragement along the way from many, many people.”
Megan Applegate joined the accounting business her father started, Applegate & Company. Her father’s best advice: When your clients do well, you do well.
More than 160 people attended the morning program, called “Concept to Classic.” It was designed to bring together successful, long-standing businesses and those just getting started.
Among the “classic” or older businesses was Urschel Laboratories, Inc., which moved from Valparaiso to Chesterton in 2015.
“Your employees are your number one asset,” said President and CEO Rick Urschel, whose great-grandfather started the company in 1910. “If you don’t realize that, you’re going to be out of employees soon.”
The Duneland Chamber of Commerce, working with the Northwest Indiana chapter of SCORE, a business mentoring organization, sponsored the program. Other sponsoring partners included the Valparaiso, Michigan City, and Greater Portage chambers of commerce.
New Castle-Henry County Chamber provides a learning opportunity
The New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon Thursday that was similar to a speed dating event, but the idea wasn’t to make a romantic connection; it was to learn more about people who work to make Henry County a better place.
Each table in the conference room at the Henry County REMC office on S. Ind. 3 was visited by one of several people Chamber director Missy Modesitt had lined up. Every 10 minutes, the special guests rotated to a new table, allowing attendees to visit with as many of them as possible during the 90 minute event.
“I got the idea for doing this from another Chamber,” Modesitt said. “It’s a fun way for people to get to know other people in local key positions.”
Henry County Sheriff Ric McCorkle said he wants local residents to know his number one goal is a drug-free community.
“We have zero tolerance when it comes to illegal drug use,” the sheriff said. “Our officers work diligently every day, and if you watch the arrests in The Courier-Times, you’ll see that we are doing our very best to make that happen.”Read more: Courier Times
Henry County Sheriff Ric McCorkle said he wants local residents to know his number one goal is a drug-free community.
“We have zero tolerance when it comes to illegal drug use,” the sheriff said. “Our officers work diligently every day, and if you watch the arrests in The Courier-Times, you’ll see that we are doing our very best to make that happen.”Read more: Courier Times
Good morning #Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!
Town Square Publications Chamber Membership Directories and Community Profiles: The best in the U.S.
Town Square Publications, a division of the Daily Herald Media Group, is a national chamber custom publishing group that specializes in developing partnerships by producing high-quality print and digitally integrated publications along with other added value programs dedicated to creating relevancy for local chambers of commerce and other membership focused organizations interested in raising non-dues revenues.
Town Square Publications parent company, Paddock Publications, has over 100 years’ experience of print product development and dedicated customer service in communities throughout the Midwest. Our experience allows Town Square Publications to offer you attractive royalty and non-dues revenue share streams, provide direct distribution of your custom designed printed publications, including digital and mobile integration, and all with the quickest turn-around times available in the industry. Town Square also offers multi-media maps in both print and online formats, both with our No-Cost guarantee. More information: Town Square Publications
Chambers of Commerce and member focused organizations serve as a valuable resource in the local marketplace. The networking opportunities and representation with a wide variety of diverse businesses in your community is the catalyst of a successful organization. For further information about Town Square's publishing partnership with chambers of commerce and our No-Cost guarantee and Earned Revenue Share Program, To request your chamber publication or map proposal, contact Town Square Chamber Proposal
