Michigan Rises From 39th to 30th in Third Annual Michigan Chamber Foundation Study on Economic Competitiveness
Michigan's overall economic competitiveness continues to improve, moving up nine spots, according to the results of the third annual public policy study conducted by Northwood University on behalf of the Michigan Chamber Foundation.
"Michigan ’s economic return continues at an impressive rate," said Dr. Timothy G. Nash, of Northwood University
Leadership Missouri: Education in still-recovering Joplin
The Leadership Missouri Class of 2014 traveled to the southwest
corner of the state to learn about education and get a glimpse into the
recovery of Joplin. The time went fast with so much to see and learn. As
I pen this, I feel I must include an up front disclaimer that as the
previous assistant superintendent for Joplin Schools and a current
member of the Leadership Missouri class of 2014, I may have a bias in
how I feel about the recovery results.
As most of you will remember, on May 22, 2011 the Joplin community
was devastated by an EF-5 tornado that left one-third of the town in
rubble. Three years later, Joplin is a community that has faced
unimaginable challenges and is an example for others in many ways. Read more: Missouri Chamber
Chamber news: DesMoines incubator StartupCity to return $153,000 in unspent money
A technology business incubator in Des Moines will return $153,000 to
its investors when it closes officially at the end of the month.
In
a final report released Thursday, StartupCity Des Moines officials say
leftover money received from the state, city, county, Greater Des Moines
Partnership and Corporation for Economic Development is a result of
being "very frugal" with investor money.
The space opened in 2011
and has since hosted 138 networking and social events and helped 11
companies connect with dozens of mentors. Read more: Des Moines Register
Illinois Chamber report: State's locks, dams in urgent need of repair, report says
llinois needs more federal money to make urgent repairs to the state’s aging dams and locks, according to an Illinois Chamber of Commerce report being released Monday.
“Billions of dollars in
coal for power plants, grain, road salt, construction material,
petroleum products and chemicals are shipped to Illinois and Chicago on
the waterways each year, supporting thousands of jobs in a variety of
industries,” the report states.
There
are eight locks and dams in the Illinois Waterway System, as well as 29
on the state’s borders, according to the report. All but one were built
in the 1930s and according to the report “are in desperate need of
repair.”
Preventive maintenance, according to the report, has
given way to what the Army Corps of Engineers calls a “fix-as-fail
strategy.” Read more: Chicago Tribune
From Jeremy Stratton, President, El Dorado, Arkansas Chamber of Commerce: How to Develop Foreign Companies
El Dorado and Union County
can step apart from the competition of thousands of communities across
the country by offering peerless customer service and expertise to
help foreign companies get established in the United States.
We can establish strong relationships with foreign companies and earn
their trust, so that when they are ready to expand in the vast United States' market, they feel comfortable and trust us to be the source to help them.
The
first step is to work with trading companies that have a strong
network of foreign business contacts. Traders have spent a lot of time
going back and forth with their foreign partners and have developed a
relationship of trust. These traders can open up doors to meet with
these companies. This methodology saves time and money rather than
trying to find "a needle in the haystack" by buying lists of companies
looking to expand or going on your own to visit foreign investors. We
don't necessarily understand the culture of the country, and may not
know a "middle man" is needed initially to help make introductions and
help establish the relationship. Read more: El Dorado Chamber
Chamber challenge: Quality of life, infrastructure crucial in preparing for future business climate in Fargo
When
it comes to preparing for the business climate of tomorrow, city
officials say having bountiful parks may be just as important as having
low taxes.
“It’s
all about the quality of life,” said Jim Gartin, president of the
Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corp. To prepare for future
business growth, cities work on maintaining and improving crucial
infrastructure like arterial roadways, interstates, sewer and water
services. This helps current businesses expand and attracts new
employers. See more at: Prairie Business
Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) hires Southeast Kentucky Chamber CEO Jared Arnett
The Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) executive board today announced the hiring of Jared Arnett, of Harold, as the regional initiative’s founding executive director.
Arnett,
the CEO of the Southeast Kentucky (SEKY) Chamber of Commerce, has been
involved with the SOAR initiative since its start last December and
currently serves as the chair of the business incubation working group.
He will begin the new position Nov. 1. SOAR co-chairs Gov. Steve Beshear and U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers cited Arnett’s passion for the future of eastern Kentucky, energy, vision and entrepreneurial business skills as key factors in his hire. Read more: WKYT.com
Chamber update: City leaders discuss next step for Grow Grand Island
As
president of the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce, Cindy Johnson
said, one of the most common questions she and her peers at the Grand
Island Area Economic Development Corp. and Grand Island Convention and
Visitors Bureau hear is, “What’s the next big thing?”
With
a steering committee of about 30, that’s something they have been
working on through Grow Grand Island. On Tuesday, Johnson, EDC
President Randy Gard and CVB Executive Director Brad Mellema presented
the latest updates to the Rotary Club. Read more: Grand Island Independent
Davis Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce hosts first bike tour
The Davis Chamber of Commerce hosted its first bike tour today.
The Hills of Oklahoma Tour, also known as "Hoot", started as a fundraiser for the Davis Chamber of Commerce, but became much more in a few short months.
Executive Director, Janet Mathis, says it's a great way to get people out on their bikes and get to know Davis.
"We did the ride to provide something new in Davis and in our area,” Mathis said. “We want to try to bring a new group of people, like bicycle riders to Davis. We hope they will come back after the ride, and ride their bikes and spend the night and eat and shop."Read more: News 12 KXII
Winona MN chamber event: Bridge construction detours detailed
Last week, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) announced plans for street closures, detours, and traffic routing during the Winona bridge project. Over the course of the five-year project, closures and partial closures will affect Second, Third, and Fourth streets, as well as Latsch Island, and detours will reroute bridge traffic onto the downtown portions of Huff, Second, and Main streets. Exactly when each phase of construction and the corresponding detours will occur has not been determined, but Mn/DOT outlined the sequence of events and general timeframes for traffic routing during the project. Mn/DOT Project Manager Terry Ward unveiled the plans at a Winona Area Chamber of Commerce event last week. Read more: Winona Post
Chamber finance: Know your Loans: SBA Credit Scoring FAQs
All SBA 7(a)
Small Loans (up to and including $350,000) are screened for a credit score upon
entering the application into E-Tran.
If the applicant receives an acceptable credit score, the application may be
submitted via E-Tran. If the applicant does not receive an acceptable credit
score, the lender may submit a Standard 7(a) loan application to the Loan
Guaranty Processing Center (following the procedures for loans over
$350,000) or, if the lender is an SBA
Express lender, as an SBA Express application via E-Tran for a 50%
guaranty.
The SBA has prepared frequently
asked questions (FAQ) to assist our lenders with the credit scoring
process.
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude)
Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: (Attitude)
“The
best way to predict your future is to create it.” - Abraham Lincoln
www.emilyssongs.com
