Chamber Executive Technology Tool: Skitch - Snap. Mark Up. Send; Fairfax Chamber Event Will Celebrate 90th Anniversary; Top 10 places to start a business in Michigan - #4, #5, #6; IRS and Davies County Chamber partner for tax seminar; Hancock Chamber of Commerce and Mississippi Development Authority to host Bed & Breakfast Workshop; Chambers delight: Where Opportunity Knox reaches hiring milestone; Arkansas Chamber address: Symposium June 9 to Focus on Educational Collaboration; Grafton (Illinois) Chamber of Commerce: Music in the Park series returns; St. Germain (Wisconsin) Chamber of Commerce to host 8th Walk in the Woods Art Fair; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations (Integrity) - Mark Twain

Good morning Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!


Chamber Executive Technology Tool: Skitch - Snap. Mark Up. Send.

See something that sparks an idea? Use Skitch to snap it, mark it up with simple tools, and send it on in an instant. Your bold ideas stand out even brighter with Skitch. People everywhere use Skitch to help them visually share their thoughts with others. Here are a few ways you can use it, too:

FOR EVENTS
Capture a map, mark it up, and share it with your friends to show them where you'll be.

FOR WORK
Open a PDF and highlight changes to skip the lengthy, confusing email chains and give clear feedback.

Learn more: Skitch - by Evernote

Fairfax Chamber Event Will Celebrate 90th Anniversary

You can join the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, June 9 to celebrate their 90th anniversary. The event will be held in the newly renovated lobby of the Silver Line Center, where the Chamber offices are located. Food will be provided by local restaurants and caterers.

The hours of the fundraiser are 5:30-8 p.m.; all proceeds will go to Fairfax Chamber member, The Children’s Science Center. The Chamber is located at 7900 Westpark Drive in Tysons.

If you would like to be a featured restaurant for this event, contact Devan Strebig.

Fun Facts:

• The Fairfax Chamber was founded in 1925
• The Fairfax Herald announced the Chamber’s founding.
• The Fairfax Chamber has been the launching pad for organizations including Leadership Fairfax and the Northern Virginia Technology Council. Read more: Patch.com 

Top 10 places to start a business in Michigan - #4, #5, #6

Detroit, Michigan’s largest city, is digging out of a financial crisis years in the making. But a NerdWallet analysis has found that some of Detroit’s closest neighbors have strong economies and are great places to start a business. We pinpointed the best locations — and also came across some striking findings.
Among top cities in the NerdWallet survey of Michigan is Auburn Hills. In 2010 — as Detroit was crippled by debt — Bob Kittle and Buzz Brown started Munetrix, a technology company in Auburn Hills, 25 miles north of Detroit. In 2013 and 2014, as Detroit was filing for bankruptcy, Kittle and Brown received $48,000 in two grants from the Michigan Small Business Development Center.
Today, Munetrix builds data analytics platforms for over 300 local governments and school districts in Michigan, Florida and Pennsylvania, and has 10 employees in addition to its founders, plus paid interns from Oakland University, a nearby public research university.
“We’re really proud to be a Michigan-based company helping the economy,” Kittle tells NerdWallet. The company is also proud, he says, to be “giving young adults the opportunity to learn and earn a salary at the same time they hone their public-sector skills.”
NerdWallet analyzed 128 places in Michigan using six metrics to create a ranking of the top cities in the state to start a business.

4. Troy

Twenty miles north of Detroit, Troy is a hub for finance, technology, automotive research and development, and it is the largest city in our top 10. The city’s major employers include Bank of America, PNC Bank, Altair Engineering and CareTech Solutions, which makes health care IT products. The Troy Chamber offers businesses advertising and sponsorship opportunities, business development groups and roundtable discussions. A local accelerator, Automation Alley, provides resources for technology businesses in the region, including funding for startups.

5. Iron Mountain

The economy of Iron Mountain, in the Upper Peninsula near the Wisconsin border, is rooted in the mining industry. Today, its economy is fueled by a combination of manufacturing, health care, tourism and retail businesses. Local businesses include the Good Earth Salon, Spiro’s downtown restaurant and Iron Mountain Iron Mine, which gives underground tours of the original mine. The Dickinson Area Chamber Alliance provides local businesses with networking opportunities, referrals and free and reduced-cost services including health and worker’s compensation insurance.

6. Petoskey

In the northern Lower Peninsula, on Little Traverse Bay, Petoskey is a quaint town known for its beaches in the summer, snow sports in the winter and its downtown any time of the year. Local businesses include Roast & Toast, a downtown cafe; V2V, a women’s clothing store; and Petoskey Brewing, a microbrewery established in 1898 and restored in 2012. The Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce helps promote and grow local businesses through its networking events, development programs, referrals and insurance discounts.

See the top ten here:  NerdWallet.com

IRS and Daviess County Chamber partner for tax seminar

The Indiana Department of Revenue, in partnership with the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce, will conduct a free business tax presentation from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 4 in Daviess County at the Loyal Order of Moose, 301 E. Highland Ave., Washington. Understanding taxes is one of the biggest challenges facing new and small businesses. The presentation, “Start Strong: Indiana Business Taxes for New and Small Businesses,” addresses pertinent tax information for new and small businesses. The free seminar will cover business taxes in Indiana, including sales tax and income tax withholding. Attendees will be given an opportunity to have questions answered by an experienced department representative. Read more: Washington Times Herald

Hancock Chamber of Commerce and Mississippi Development Authority to host Bed & Breakfast Workshop

The Hancock Chamber of Commerce and Mississippi Development Authority will host a Bed & Breakfast Workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 10 for those interested in opening a B&B or vacation rental.
It will be at the Leo Seal Community Center, 529 U.S. 90, in Waveland. Representatives from the Bed and Breakfast Association of Mississippi and the MDA Entrepreneur Center will speak about legal issues, zoning, ordinances and insurance. Read more: Sun-Herald

Chambers delight: Where Opportunity Knox reaches hiring milestone

Where Opportunity Knox has reached a milestone on its way to connecting 10,000 veterans and their spouses with employers in the Louisville region.

The initiative, which was launched in September to help veterans and their spouses transitioning out of the military find civilian jobs, has helped connect 1,036 veterans with local employers in the region.

"As we continue to expand our reach and base of participating employers seeking talent and veterans seeking opportunities, we hope to grow these numbers significantly to hit our target of 10,000 veterans by the end of 2017," Beth Avey, executive director of the program, said in a news release.

The program is not a job placement service but rather works through regional veteran connectors, people who are placed in the community to find a pool of transitioning veterans who can be connected with employers looking for the kind of talent military vets possess. Read more: Louisville Business First

Arkansas Chamber address: Symposium June 9 to Focus on Educational Collaboration

The Northwest Arkansas P-20 Task Force is offering a free daylong symposium June 9 for educators from preschool through college levels, legislators and industry leaders. "E.Y.E. to the Future: Education, Youth, and the Economy" will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Rogers Heritage High School.
Johnny Key, commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Education, and Randy Zook, president of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, will give keynote addresses. The symposium's purpose is to give educators, lawmakers and business people the opportunity to communicate and collaborate on educational initiatives and programs in Northwest Arkansas.
Key and Zook will also take part in a panel discussion with Mireya Reith, a member of the Arkansas State Board of Education; Charles Cudney, director of the Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative; Mike Martin, director of human resources at Preformed Line Products; and Brad Lawless, vice president for social strategy at Collective Bias. Read more: University of Arkansas

Grafton (Illinois) Chamber of Commerce: Music in the Park series returns

Grafton’s Music in the Park is a free concert series presented by the Grafton Chamber of Commerce each summer on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.
 Matt Taul and Friends, an Americana band, kicks off the season June 4 at 7 p.m. at The Grove Memorial Park. The park is located at the corner of Main Street and Market (Rt. 3) in downtown Grafton.
“Thursday nights in Grafton are very special; the people, music and calming mood is what small town charm is all about.” Carla Newton, organizer of the event, stated.
Musicians perform under the gazebo while listeners enjoy the outdoor atmosphere and majestic view of the Mississippi River. Picnic tables and benches are available but lawn chairs or blankets are recommended.
 The second concert will be Matt Livasy performing classic rock songs on Thursday, June 11 and will continue every Thursday in June and July with the last performance Aug. 6 by Happenstance, known for its eclectic classic rock and pop performances. Read more: Edwardsville - The Intelligencer



St. Germain (Wisconsin) Chamber of Commerce to host 8th Walk in the Woods Art Fair

You can see artwork from artists across Wisconsin this weekend, when the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce hosts the 8th annual Walk in the Woods Art Fair.

You can look at art, taste wine, and sample cheese while strolling through the woods behind the chamber.

The high-end art fair, which features artists from across the Midwest, offers a different experience compared to more typical art shows.

"We are getting more quality artists that are coming in," said St. Germain Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Penny Wiesmann. "It's growing. It was at 40 artists. We are capped off this year at 50, and we are revamping the whole woods area to have more artists come to it." Read more: WJFW.com News12


Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Integrity) - Mark Twain



There are not enough morally brave men in stock. We are out of moral-courage material. - Mark Twain

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Do Over: Rescue Monday, Reinvent Your Work, and Never Get Stuck by Jon Acuff; U.S. Representative Pete Visclosky Speaks At Duneland Chamber Luncheon; Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Now Accepting LEAD Class of 2016 Applications; Des Plaines, Lake Zurich, Mount Prospect and Palatine area chambers initiative: YEA CEOs show their stuff at Woodfield trade show; Chamber Best Practices: Manistee Chamber of Commerce; Chamber partnership: ‘Discover Wisconsin’ ATV episode features Douglas County; Chamber sponsor: Newport seniors named Arkansas Scholars; Chamber Best Practices: Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Front Page; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Vision)

Good morning Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day! 


Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Do Over: Rescue Monday, Reinvent Your Work, and Never Get Stuck by Jon Acuff



It took me sixteen years to write this book. That breaks down to a brisk twelve words per day. But it wasn't the writing that took so long. . . . It was the working.
I had to work at big companies and small companies. I had to get hired and fired several times. I had to find my dream job, then walk away from it. But after all that, I can now say the following with absolute certainty:
You already have everything you need for an amazing career. In fact, you've had it since day one.
Starting on the first day you got paid to scoop ice cream or restock shelves, you've had the chance to develop the four elements all great careers have in common: relationships, skills, character, and hustle. You already have each of those, to one degree or another.
Now it's time to amplify them and apply them in a new way, creating a Career Savings Account(TM). This unique approach will give you the power to call a Do Over--whether you're twenty-two, forty-two, or sixty-two. You'll have the resources to reinvent your work and get unstuck. You'll even rescue your Mondays as you discover how to work toward the job you've always wanted
Just as a bank account protects you during a financial crunch, a Career Savings Account(TM) protects you during a career crunch. You need a CSA because you'll eventually face at least one of these major transitions: - You will hit a Career Ceiling and get stuck, requiring sharp skills to free yourself.
- You will experience a Career Bump and unexpectedly lose your job, requiring strong relationships to survive.
- You will make a Career Jump to a new role, requiring solid character to push through uncertainty and chaos.
- You will get a surprise Career Opportunity, requiring dedicated hustle to take advantage of it.
It took me sixteen years to figure out how to call a Do Over on my career. Please don't wait sixteen more seconds before starting yours. Source: Publisher Comments

U.S. Representative Pete Visclosky Speaks At Duneland Chamber Luncheon

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce held their monthly luncheon on Wednesday at the Waterbird Banquet Center in Chesterton. There to address business, education and community leaders throughout the Duneland Region was U.S. Representative Pete Visclosky.

“We’ve worked hard over the last year to get Rep. Visclosky to speak at one of our events,” said Maura Durham, President of the Duneland Chamber, “And we’re really happy to have him here today. Since his first election he’s always fought hard for Northwest Indiana’s domestic steel industry. He recognizes its importance to each of our communities and to our overall economy.”
While Congress is out of session this week Rep. Visclosky will be travelling around the region and speaking with constituents about the issues that are important and have an impact both in Washington D.C. and here in Northwest Indiana.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to talk about the future of Indiana and particularly our corner of the state,” Rep. Visclosky said. “We need to remember we are a nation at war. Our involvement, militarily, over the last decade and a half has almost been frictionless for most of the 330 million people who live in America. As we continue to have military men and women in harm’s way we need to keep them in mind. Situations around the world remain very conflicted and we owe these veterans a great deal for their service and their sacrifice.” Read more: LaporteCountyLife.com

Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Now Accepting LEAD Class of 2016 Applications  

LEAD Peninsula helps prepare emerging leaders in the region to become influential members of the community. 

The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for current and emerging leaders to participate in its 2016 LEAD Peninsula program.

Formally known as the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute, the community leadership program is designed to provide emerging young leaders with the knowledge, skills and network to become influential members of the community.

The intensive nine-month LEAD Peninsula program has been operating for 30 years and boasts more than 700 graduates. Members participate in educational sessions, tours, retreats and candid conversations with community leaders.

Topics range from local, state and federal government issues, to education, media, economic development, social services, environment, history, regionalism, criminal justice, health care, arts and culture and other topics. The idea is to challenge emerging leaders to view their community in new ways while fostering the development of civic leadership.

LEAD Peninsula members will expand their knowledge of what makes the Peninsula unique. They also seek to determine the Peninsula's economic future and help shape and influence the region's cities and counties to become more prosperous.

Mike Kuhns, CEO and President of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, said LEAD Peninsula classes range from 30 to 40 participants. A class of 35 or 36 is ideal, he said.

LEAD Peninsula has changed a lot over the past four years, Kuhns said. A key element of the program is a class project, with the participants divided into teams to develop sustainability plans for proposed organizations developed by Peninsula business leaders.

"A couple of the projects have become national models," Kuhns said.

LEAD Peninsula is a "good program for anybody who wants to make a lot of connections," Kuhns said. "You learn an awful lot about the Peninsula in general."

Looking within the business community, LEAD Peninsula works to develop civic leadership by fostering opportunities for increased communication and cooperation among the private, public and nonprofit sectors. Recognized and emerging leaders will work collaboratively on issues of importance to the Peninsula community through a series of initiatives and programs.

For details and to see an application, visit the LEAD Peninsula website at: http://www.virginiapeninsulachamber.com/pages/LEADPeninsula/. Applications are due June 24.

For more information on LEAD Peninsula call Mike Kuhns at 757-325-8170 or by email at mkuhns@vpcc.org.

Des Plaines, Lake Zurich, Mount Prospect and Palatine area chambers initiative: YEA CEOs show their stuff at Woodfield trade show

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy, a groundbreaking educational program that takes students through the process of starting and running real businesses over the course of a full academic year, has been expanding its presence in the Northwest suburbs and this year held a trade show for student businesses at Woodfield Mall.

The trade show marketed products and services from businesses developed by YEA students in conjunction with programs run by the Des Plaines, Lake Zurich, Mount Prospect and Palatine area chambers of commerce. Direct sales were not allowed, but students were taking preorders from potential customers.

Among the presenters was sixth-grader Juhi Soni of Iroquois Community School in Des Plaines, who demonstrated her invention, the Scootle, a flexible bendable scoop that can go into a bottle of any size. Her product helps save consumers money and helps the environment by getting every last bit of lotion or makeup out of the bottom of a bottle, according to information provided by Des Plaines Elementary District 62. She was scheduled to present her product last Thursday in the national competition of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy in Boca Raton, Florida. Read more: Daily Herald

Chamber Best Practices: Manistee Chamber of Commerce

About the Council

Founded in 2004, MMC is a strong coalition of manufacturing interests in Manistee County. The founding members are

• Fab-Lite
• Noron Industries
• Martin Marietta Magnesia Specialties
• Morton Salt
• Packaging Corporation of America
• TES Filer City Station

Ideals

• Continuation of Manistee’s rich manufacturing heritage
• Ensure local economic strength
• Continued stability and growth, with the added benefit of bringing well- paying jobs to the region

Objectives

• Strong advocate, voice for area manufacturers
• Improved communication with local leaders and the public
• Improve business-to-business cooperation, sharing of best practices
• Foster Cooperation
• Ensure a viable workforce

Source: Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce
 

Chamber partnership: ‘Discover Wisconsin’ ATV episode features Douglas County

Northwest Wisconsin’s ATV scene is highlighted in an upcoming episode of the nation’s longest-running tourism TV show, Discover Wisconsin.
Airing this weekend, the show will reach Discover Wisconsin’s broadcast network of 500,000 viewers across the upper Great Lakes region, including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Northern Illinois and Upper Michigan. “Four Wheels. Four Counties. — ATVing in Wisconsin” was produced in partnership with Barron County, Burnett County Tourism, Superior-Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, Washburn County Tourism Association and Discover Wisconsin.

“Our ATV trails have a very positive economic impact on Douglas County,” said Brittany Berrens, director of marketing for the Superior-Douglas County Visitors Bureau. “With summer right around the corner, we couldn’t be more excited to get the Superior-Douglas County area on the minds of ‘Discover Wisconsin’s’ Midwest audience.”

Chamber Best Practices: Georgetown/Scott County Kentucky Membership Page: 

The Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business organization which has been involved in the community since 1959.

The Chamber of Commerce is . . .

1.  A private, not-for-profit business league incorporated in 1963.

2.  A volunteer group composed of individuals, businesses, industries, educators and professionals who have joined together to accomplish collectively what they cannot do individually.

3.  A spokesperson for business interests in the local and state community.

4.  An economic development consultant to expand local businesses and attract new investments.

5.  A marketing and business agent for existing businesses.

6.  A clearinghouse of information to those moving or visiting our community.

7.  An organization that encourages programs that enhance our "quality of life."

Source: Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce

Chamber sponsor: Newport seniors named Arkansas Scholars 

Eighteen Newport High School seniors have been named 2015 Arkansas Scholars. The Arkansas Scholars program is sponsored by the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce and is used to motivate high school students. This program was developed in Texas and has been in Arkansas since 1994.  It encourages academic achievement by high school students (grades 9-12) and begins with in-class presentations by local business leaders to second semester eighth graders.  Through a PowerPoint presentation and discussion, these students are told what businesses look for in employees, the salaries of various jobs and the importance of doing well in school.

 Students are asked to reach the following four goals while in high school:

1. To make semester grades of "C" or above in all academic courses;

2. To achieve a 95% or better attendance;

3. Complete the recommended courses to prepare for post-secondary education;

4. To complete high school in eight consecutive semesters. Read more: Newport Independent

Chamber Best Practices:  Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Front Page

Why should I join the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce?
Be a part of nearly 900 members representing more than 50,000 employees spanning the Gulf Coast region. There is strength in numbers.




Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Vision) 

If we try to see something positive in everything we do, life won't necessarily become easier but it becomes more valuable.  - Author unknown

 

Chamber Best Practices: Plainfield (Illinois) hits 600 member milestone with "seven touch" communication system; Prince William Chamber Economic Summit: Group focuses on ‘Building the new Northern Virginia economy’; 75th anniversary of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, and the chamber invites all to celebrate at a diamond jubilee on June 4!; Chamber interest: Top 10 places to start a business in Michigan; Chamber Best practices: Commerce Lexington annual Leadership Visit; Arkansas cities seek change of chamber ruling; Sheboygan Chamber (Wisconsin) Fights for Highway 23 Project; St Joseph County (Indiana) chamber: It's the crucial internship season; #ChamberMonday - Famous Chamber of Commerce Thoughts & Facts

Good morning Chamber world! Today is going to be a GREAT day!

Chamber Best Practices: Plainfield (Illinois) hits 600 member milestone with "seven touch" communication system

One of Tasha Kitson’s goals for the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce when she became executive director two years ago was to surpass the 600-member mark by Christmas of 2014.
“We missed it, but not by much,” she said.

The Chamber broke that mark this month, with the final membership count expected to hover around 612 members by the end of May.

Along with keeping members active, the mark is important because it suggests members are attending events and keeping active in the community.

Kitson said Mari Edmondson’s work as membership relations director was one of the main drivers for the milestone achievement. Read more: The Herald-News

Prince William Chamber Economic Summit: Group focuses on ‘Building the new Northern Virginia economy’

If the head of Virginia's Chamber of Commerce is right, Northern Virginia is poised for an economic coup.

Last week, Barry DuVal, president and CEO of the state chamber, laid out the five components a region needs to develop the economy of the future: connectivity to the outside world, a competent workforce, intellectual capacity, an entrepreneurial spirit and a pro-business climate.

With its proximity to interstates and airports, its colleges and universities and its pro-business political leaders, the region – and Prince William, are set, he said.

DuVal was speaking as part of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce's economic summit, “Building the New Northern Virginia Economy,” which was held May 20 at the Hylton Center for the Performing Arts.

One of the keys to economic success, Duval said, is remembering that “Regions grow and prosper along economic boundaries, not political boundaries.” Read more: Loudoun Times

75th anniversary of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, and the chamber invites all to celebrate at a diamond jubilee on June 4!

The celebration will begin with the chamber’s traditional annual meeting luncheon at the Oxford Conference Center. Later that day at 7 p.m. the red carpet will be rolled out for the black-tie event in the new ballroom at Castle Hill.
Pam Swain, vice president of the Chamber, said the red carpet will stretch 125 feet right into the front door of The Colonel’s Headquarters at Castle Hill and all attendees will be greeted with flashing cameras “Hollywood premiere” style as they are interviewed by Rick Mize on Q93.7 (now found on 105.1 FM).
Here is a video of her previewing the gala. Read more: hottytoddy.com


Chamber interest: Top 10 places to start a business in Michigan

1. Auburn Hills

This northern Detroit suburb tops our list because of its high average revenue per business ($9,544,306). It has a mix of industrial, commercial and residential areas, which together create an economy for both global and local businesses. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles U.S. and other automobile manufacturers are headquartered here, as well as smaller businesses like Munetrix. The Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce offers member businesses networking opportunities, conferences, workshops and marketing tools.

2. Traverse City

Traverse City’s economy runs largely on tourism. Visitors come here to play on the beaches, check out the region’s wineries, breweries and distilleries, attend the National Cherry Festival and to explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, just northwest of Traverse City. Local businesses include Cherry Capital Foods, a distributor that works exclusively with Michigan farmers, and Grand Traverse Distillery, which makes vodka, whiskey, gin and rum and offers public tours. The Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce provides businesses with insurance discounts, marketing opportunities and networking events. Businesses can also join the Downtown Traverse City Association to tap into promotional tools and networking events.

3. Plymouth

This suburban city west of Detroit has a picturesque downtown with a revolving lineup of festivals, concerts and other events that attract visitors. It also has many independently owned businesses, including Jay’s Stuffed Burgers, which makes up patties filled with combinations of cheeses, vegetables, eggs and bacon, and Espresso Elevado, a coffee bar. Businesses here benefit from being just 15 miles from Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan’s flagship campus. The Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce has networking opportunities, online listings and referrals for local businesses, and the Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center is a resource for businesses focused on life sciences, biotechnology and health care. Read more: Nerd Wallet

Chamber Best practices: Commerce Lexington annual Leadership Visit

Commerce Lexington's annual Leadership Visit has helped expose Central Kentucky's leaders to the best ideas of model communities throughout the United States, yielding valuable lessons that have been applied to the improvement of the Bluegrass Region. This three-day trip has become the most valuable opportunity to bring community leaders, decision makers and ideas together in order to make positive changes in our community. It's a very unique program that includes the foremost business, education, government and community representatives of Central Kentucky.
Lexington, Kentucky, business professionals, elected officials & community leaders to visit Kansas City, May 13-15

Arkansas cities seek change of chamber ruling

Lawyers for the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock will return to the courtroom Monday with the hope of persuading Pulaski County Circuit Judge Mackie Pierce to reconsider his January ruling that invalidated the municipalities' contracts for economic development services from their respective chambers of commerce.
Hundreds of thousands of municipal dollars that are sent to the chambers, and similar economic development promoters, are at stake.
Pierce's decision that the contracts are a violation of the Arkansas Constitution, which bars cities from giving out money to private business without getting anything in return, had statewide implications that continue to be felt.
The ruling has caused several cities to call into question their arrangements with their respective chambers, and it's inspired legislators to propose a constitutional amendment that, if voters approve it in November, would explicitly legalize the contractual relationships between cities and chambers for economic development purposes. Read more: Arkansas Online

Sheboygan Chamber (Wisconsin) Fights for Highway 23 Project

The project to expand Highway 23 between Fond du Lac and Plymouth from two to four lanes will get underway this year, and it is scheduled to be completed in 2018.  However, that end date could change due to the next state budget.
The Joint Finance Committee will decide this week how much money to put towards transportation projects over the next two years. Some lawmakers are concerned about the level of borrowing for transportation, and may decide to push back projects in order to lower those costs. Committee papers show the Highway 23 project could be affected by delaying work, and thus having the expansion completed in 2019.
In response, the Sheboygan County Chamber is asking its members to write to state legislators and government officials to not have the Highway 23 project delayed again.
“It’s been 30 years in the making, in the planning, and it’s been postponed numerous times during that period of time,” says executive director Betsy Alles.  “So when we heard that perhaps it was in question in the budget negotiation, we thought it was time to let people know.”
Alles says one of the main concerns for chambers members is people’s safety on the roadway. She points to DOT figures that show both the expected increase in traffic on the highway in the near future, and the severity of crashes on the two-lane stretch being worse than the state average for similar rural state highways. Read more: WHBL.com

St Joseph County (Indiana) chamber: It's the crucial internship season

For most college students, summer is a break from schoolwork and an important time to explore what may be their life's work.

It's also a crucial season for employers trying to convince those students they should stay in the South Bend area after graduation.

Local organizations have stepped up their efforts in the past few years to make more internship opportunities available here and help interns realize what the region has to offer.

The St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce started internSJC in 2013 to publicize available services such as IndianaIntern.net, a statewide website that matches interns and employers, and EARN Indiana, which provides subsidies for businesses that hire interns.

The Chamber also has a Summer Community Engagement Program that organizes activities for interns who are here for the summer. Almost 60 people participated in the program last year. Read more: South Bend Tribune


#ChamberMonday - Famous Chamber of Commerce Thoughts & Facts

The North American story begins quietly, slowly, as a few windswept chambers of commerce grapple with the Wild East maelstrom of trade and conflict on the Atlantic. Somehow the plucky and cantankerous organizations survive, or at least give birth to descendants, and begin a steady march across a continent that doesn’t belong to them. Chris Mead, The Magicians of Main Street, America and its Chambers  of Commerce from 1768-1945