Hello Chamber World! It's going to be a great day!
Does your Business/Education
Strategy include a $25,000 income stream?
Brilliant! A
non-dues income raffle that mirrors the mission of most Chambers
Harley Davidson motorcycles are awesome but where do they fit in with our mission or organization strategies? We need the money but how can we stay focused on our purpose? Ask Pam Houser.
 |
Pam Houser,
IOM President/CEO Post Falls ID Chamber of Commerce
pam@postfallschamber.com (208) 773-5016 |
Pam just released a great new promotion in Post Falls, Idaho that requires selling 1,000 $50 Dollar Raffle Tickets to win a $25,000 College Scholarship. Brilliant.
It a promotion for higher education, an opportunity for one lucky winner to get a huge head start on their career (and help their parents retire better) and of course raise much needed income for the operation of the local Chamber of Commerce.
More important, this non-dues income generator stays focused on the mission of the Chamber of Commerce. It's not just a "Fundraiser" but instead, a promotion for higher education and a true Business / Education strategy for all involved. In short, the school gets their $25,000, the Chamber gets theirs and someone gets a huge head start.
Source: Pat McGaughey, --- www.chambermentor.com
City of Madison to take ownership of Chamber building
The city of Madison is close to taking ownership of the building that currently houses the Madison–Morgan Chamber of Commerce. The structure, built in 1887 as Madison’s City Hall and fire station, is currently owned by the Madison–Morgan Chamber Foundation, which raised the funds to repair the structure and create a welcome center and office space for the chamber.
According to Madison City Manager David Nunn, the foundation recently approach the city with a proposal to transfer ownership of the building to the city at no cost. The city agreed to renovate the former Madison Police Department, located next door to the current chamber building at the corner of Jefferson Street and Main Street, as space for the Madison–Morgan Chamber of Commerce and the economic development office of the chamber. Nunn said the Madison–Morgan Convention and Visitor’s Bureau would remain in the existing chamber building. “The (chamber building) does need some maintenance,” Nunn told the Madison City Council Monday night. “I think the city’s in a good position to handle that.” Nunn said the chamber foundation had recently had an inspection of the building. Repairs could reach more than $100,000, he said. Read more: Morgan Daily Citizen
Smith Mountain Lake Chamber Executive Director Vicki Gardner, Virginia TV shooting survivor, on recovering and uniting after tragedy
Vicki Gardner is the lone survivor of an Aug. 26 on-air shooting that left two Virginia journalists dead and Gardner hospitalized for two weeks with internal injuries.
The executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center reveals how the tragic event shaped her resilience and deepened her commitment to her community as part of "2015 Voices,"a special series of essays and interviews with newsmakers behind some of TODAY's biggest moments of the year.
After two days of life-saving surgery, I awoke on Aug. 28 in the intensive care unit of Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia, struggling with blurred recollection of the events bringing me there.
In drug-induced delirium, unable to talk because of the tubes down my throat, I tried to sort dream from reality. But the pieces weren't coming together. Everything was hazy. It was like my body had blanked out. Read more: Today
Tax Increment Financing has been around since the 1950s and exists in all 50 states and Canada. Tax increment is the difference between the amount of property tax revenue generated before a TIF district designation and the amount of property tax revenue generated after TIF designation. Tax increment is captured within a designated district and typically reinvested in infrastructure improvements within the area.
TIF has both its fans and its critics. Elected officials, economic development practitioners, and many businesses say it is a key economic development tool. Locally, South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County have all relied heavily on the tool to spur development within their jurisdictions.
Municipal leaders say TIF is the only economic development tool left, and that shrinking revenues have left fewer dollars to help catalyze important development projects. Many leaders around the state have gotten “creative” with how the funds are used, some deviating well beyond the original purposes of this well-intentioned tool.
Critics contend the development would happen anyway, and other taxing units often complain they aren’t able to capitalize on growth within a TIF district. A number of studies have been released in recent years related to the use of TIF and its overall impact and that has the Indiana General Assembly paying close attention.
The Monday Business section of The Tribune included a column from Ball State University economist Michael Hicks on TIF in Indiana. Hicks dove a little deeper into the topic of economic development and in particular the use of TIF. He concluded that nationwide local economic development is in the midst of revolutionary change and that the new focus is on the local quality of place. Read more: South Bend Tribune
St Joseph County Chamber CEO Jeff Rea: TIF money helps us all
Tax Increment Financing has been around since the 1950s and exists in all 50 states and Canada. Tax increment is the difference between the amount of property tax revenue generated before a TIF district designation and the amount of property tax revenue generated after TIF designation. Tax increment is captured within a designated district and typically reinvested in infrastructure improvements within the area.
TIF has both its fans and its critics. Elected officials, economic development practitioners, and many businesses say it is a key economic development tool. Locally, South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joseph County have all relied heavily on the tool to spur development within their jurisdictions.
Municipal leaders say TIF is the only economic development tool left, and that shrinking revenues have left fewer dollars to help catalyze important development projects. Many leaders around the state have gotten “creative” with how the funds are used, some deviating well beyond the original purposes of this well-intentioned tool.
Critics contend the development would happen anyway, and other taxing units often complain they aren’t able to capitalize on growth within a TIF district. A number of studies have been released in recent years related to the use of TIF and its overall impact and that has the Indiana General Assembly paying close attention.
The Monday Business section of The Tribune included a column from Ball State University economist Michael Hicks on TIF in Indiana. Hicks dove a little deeper into the topic of economic development and in particular the use of TIF. He concluded that nationwide local economic development is in the midst of revolutionary change and that the new focus is on the local quality of place. Read more: South Bend Tribune
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Reception: Celebrating Chicago’s Entrepreneurial Community
Tuesday, January 19th 2016
4:30 - 6:30 PM
Join us for this networking reception at the Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business as we reveal the results of the 2016 Chicagoland Small Business Outlook Survey, which the Chicagoland Chamber and our community partners will use to provide a stronger support system for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Chicago area.
At this 2016 Small Business Outlook Survey networking reception, you can:
Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler, McCracken County Judge Executive Bob Leeper to Speak at Paducah Chamber Breakfast
Paducah mayor Gayle Kaler and McCracken County judge executive Bob Leeper will be the featured speakers January's Power in Partnership monthly breakfast of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce.
The “State of the City and County” event will be held on January 7 at 7:30 am at the Julian Carroll Convention Center. The event is sponsored by the Paducah-McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency.
Kaler became mayor in 2012 after serving three terms as a Paducah city commissioner. Leeper just completed his first year as McCracken County Judge Executive. He had previously served as state senator for the Second District since 1991.
Cost for attendees is $15 for chamber members, $25 for non-members. If you are not a Chamber of Commerce Power Card holder, please make your reservations by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, January 5. Contact the Chamber at 270-443-1746 or info@paducahchamber.org . Read more: West Kentucky Star
Power to the People: 2015 Brought Some Key Reforms to Michigan
Bye-bye film subsidies, hello limits on improper or abusive police and prosecutor actions
During 2015, legislation was signed into law that secured some key public policy victories for the people of Michigan. Highlights include the elimination of costly subsidies for film producers and new laws that protect individuals from certain excessive or improper actions by police and prosecutors.
The Wisconsin Safety Council and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development are now accepting applications for the 22nd Annual Wisconsin Corporate Safety Awards. Interested companies should visit www.wisafetycouncil.org between Jan. 1-29 to complete the online application.
The awards competition involves two phases; one involving statistical data and one involving subjective questions. The 2015 Wisconsin Corporate Safety Awards will be judged in categories based on both the size and type of business or organization. Finalists must provide details on safety leadership and employee participation, safety program implementation, safety and health training, and accomplishments and goals.
Winning companies will be presented with their awards at the 74th Annual Wisconsin Safety & Health Conference May 16-18 at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center.
The Wisconsin Safety Council is an educational division of WMC, which is the state chamber of commerce and Wisconsin manufacturer's association. WSC is Wisconsin's leading provider of workplace safety training and programming, and is dedicated to making Wisconsin a safe and healthy place to live and work. Read more: HNGNEWS
Town Square Publications produces Chamber Membership Directories and Custom Maps
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. More information: Town Square Publications
At this 2016 Small Business Outlook Survey networking reception, you can:
- • Be the first to see these insightful survey results
- • Celebrate the positive impact startups and small businesses have had on Chicagoland’s business ecosystem
- • Connect with local entrepreneurs and small business owners
- • Get an update on the 2016 James Tyree Emerging Business Leadership Award and pick up your early-bird application information (application process begins in February)
Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler, McCracken County Judge Executive Bob Leeper to Speak at Paducah Chamber Breakfast
Paducah mayor Gayle Kaler and McCracken County judge executive Bob Leeper will be the featured speakers January's Power in Partnership monthly breakfast of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce.
The “State of the City and County” event will be held on January 7 at 7:30 am at the Julian Carroll Convention Center. The event is sponsored by the Paducah-McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency.
Kaler became mayor in 2012 after serving three terms as a Paducah city commissioner. Leeper just completed his first year as McCracken County Judge Executive. He had previously served as state senator for the Second District since 1991.
Cost for attendees is $15 for chamber members, $25 for non-members. If you are not a Chamber of Commerce Power Card holder, please make your reservations by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, January 5. Contact the Chamber at 270-443-1746 or info@paducahchamber.org . Read more: West Kentucky Star
Power to the People: 2015 Brought Some Key Reforms to Michigan
Bye-bye film subsidies, hello limits on improper or abusive police and prosecutor actions
During 2015, legislation was signed into law that secured some key public policy victories for the people of Michigan. Highlights include the elimination of costly subsidies for film producers and new laws that protect individuals from certain excessive or improper actions by police and prosecutors.
Death Sentence for Film Subsidies
On July 9, Gov. Rick Snyder signed House Bill 4122, which phases out Michigan’s film subsidy program. Launched in 2008, the subsidies transferred wealth from Michigan taxpayers to film producers, many of whom did not even reside here. According to federal employment statistics, after spending hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on the subsidies, Michigan actually had 102 fewer film industry jobs.
The road to repeal featured several false starts, stops and unexpected curves. In December 2014, the Legislature voted to keep the subsidies going by lifting a sunset provision that would have ended the program. Snyder signed the measure, which breathed new life into the subsidies.
But just 10 weeks into 2015, a newly elected House passed a bill to kill the program, which was sponsored by Rep. Dan Lauwers, R-Brockway. Snyder and Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, initially indicated they had no interest in going along. But as winter turned to spring and an ill-fated road funding ballot measure (Proposal 1) failed to gain approval by even 20 percent of the electorate, something changed. Read more: Michigan Capitol Confidential
WMC initiative: Corporate Safety Award nominees sought by Wisconsin Safety Council
The Wisconsin Safety Council and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development are now accepting applications for the 22nd Annual Wisconsin Corporate Safety Awards. Interested companies should visit www.wisafetycouncil.org between Jan. 1-29 to complete the online application.
The awards competition involves two phases; one involving statistical data and one involving subjective questions. The 2015 Wisconsin Corporate Safety Awards will be judged in categories based on both the size and type of business or organization. Finalists must provide details on safety leadership and employee participation, safety program implementation, safety and health training, and accomplishments and goals.
Winning companies will be presented with their awards at the 74th Annual Wisconsin Safety & Health Conference May 16-18 at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center.
The Wisconsin Safety Council is an educational division of WMC, which is the state chamber of commerce and Wisconsin manufacturer's association. WSC is Wisconsin's leading provider of workplace safety training and programming, and is dedicated to making Wisconsin a safe and healthy place to live and work. Read more: HNGNEWS
Town Square Publications produces Chamber Membership Directories and Custom Maps
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. More information: Town Square Publications
