Genesee County economy 'moving forward,' chamber says; Chamber interest: Indiana Regional Cities funds in doubt; Tysons Regional chamber event: Barbara Comstock continues efforts to promote leadership among girls; Kentucky Chamber launches ad campaign for road fund stabilization; urges lawmakers to pass P3; Oxford-Lafayette Chamber news: Allen Kurr completes the 2015 TVA Rural Leadership Institute; Chamber award winner: Ridgefield Playhouse a boon for business; Chillicothe Chamber honors local businesses; Winfield (Arkansas) Chamber to host candidate forum; West Allis West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business Directory; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Facing change)

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

Genesee County economy 'moving forward,' chamber says

Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce officials are optimistic when it comes to economic prospects this year.
"We truly are moving forward," Chamber CEO Tim Herman told a crowd of more than 450 during the group's annual meeting at the Gateway Centre.
Herman highlighted several key accomplishments from throughout the year as he looked forward including:

• A total of $879 million of investment supported by the chamber which resulted in 761 jobs created and retained and 41 investment projects that generated an estimated $41 in annual payroll.
• A tourism economic impact from hotel room rentals of $128.6 million throughout the county.
• Hired 627 teens through the Summer Youth Initiative and graduated 742 students from the TeenQuest leadership and pre-employment training program.
• Major projects in the area including the Flint Farmers Market, General Motors' new paint facility, American SpiralWeld and a new building for Spud Software in Grand Blanc. Read more: M LIVE
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Chamber interest: Indiana Regional Cities funds in doubt

An effort to improve quality of life in Indiana’s cities has created excitement among business leaders here, even though the General Assembly hasn’t committed to funding the state’s share of the program.

Professionals from government, private companies and nonprofit organizations in Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph counties met Thursday morning for an update on the Indiana Regional Cities Initiative. They talked about projects that could make the region more vibrant, prepare residents for better job opportunities and, ultimately, convince more people to live here.
But another topic of conversation was money.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp.’s assignment for communities is to plan a series of projects that will have at least a $1 billion impact annually for eight straight years. As proposed, the IEDC would fund up to 20 percent of selected projects’ costs in two regions. Local governments would pay up to 20 percent as well, and private funding sources would be expected to cover the final 60 percent or more. Read more:  South Bend Tribune

Tysons Regional chamber event: Barbara Comstock continues efforts to promote leadership among girls

Consider it a “Lean In” Circle – junior edition.
Inspired by the book and TED Talk by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, Barbara Comstock established the Young Women’s Leadership Program three years ago as a Virginia delegate to urge middle- and high-school girls to be courageous enough to meet their full potential.

“Everything she talked about in her book resonated with me,” Comstock – now a member of Congress – said in a recent interview, referring to “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead,” that’s been called this generation’s feminist manifesto.

“I wanted to start the program to expose young girls to leaders in a variety of fields, so they could start picturing themselves as leaders,” Comstock (R-10th) said.  Read more: InSide NOVA

Kentucky Chamber launches ad campaign for road fund stabilization; urges lawmakers to pass P3

On Wednesday, the Kentucky Chamber sent a memo to all members of the Kentucky General Assembly, urging them to pass two urgent pieces of legislation before the close of the Kentucky General Assembly next week.
“We urge you to demonstrate strong leadership by stabilizing the state’s road fund and passing the public-private partnership (P3) legislation embodied in HB 443 that passed the House by a wide, bipartisan margin earlier this session,” Chamber President and CEO Dave Adkisson said in the memo. “These measures, taken together, are the two most impactful ways the legislature can act in the final days to support Kentucky jobs.” Click here to read the memo.

Oxford-Lafayette Chamber news: Allen Kurr completes the 2015 TVA Rural Leadership Institute

Oxford, Miss. – The Tennessee Valley Authority Rural Leadership Institute is a training program designed to teach upper-level employees how to become more effective leaders. Allen Kurr, vice president of the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation, was selected to attend the leadership institute in order to further his education and gain skills to better serve the Oxford-Lafayette community, and he received a Certificate of Excellence for the successful completion of the 2015 program.
"The TVA Rural Leadership Institute was an excellent program that educated our class on a number of new techniques and best practices in the realm of rural economic development,” Kurr said. “By being a part of a class that included economic developers, utility providers, and chamber of commerce leaders, I was given a unique opportunity to not only learn from the instructors but from my peers as well. Overall, this experience gave me a better understanding of the tremendous potential in our rural communities and why the future is looking bright for the TVA region." For more information about the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation, call 662-234-4651 or visit the website www.oxfordms.com.

Chillicothe (Illinois) Chamber honors local businesses

The Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce commemorated its 69th year of service when it held its Chamber Banquet on Saturday at Pearce Community Center with the theme, “Committed.” Master of Ceremony Tasha Rhodes and Chamber Facilitator Patty Pierson led the evening’s program.
The banquet began with a social hour and a game of Business Bingo. The Rev. Ron Martz gave an invocation before the banquet. The featured speaker was Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce President Jeff Griffin, who gave an update on the Peoria Chamber’s activities.
Formerly from Wooster, Ohio, where he served as its Chamber of Commerce president for about five years, Griffin has served as Peoria’s president for about one year. Peoria’s chamber has approximately 1,100 business members and approximately 75,000 employees working for those members. Griffin said the vast majority of them are small family businesses that were started locally and have 20 or fewer employees. Read more: Chillicothe Times

Winfield (Arkansas) Chamber to host candidate forum

The legislative committee of the Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Cowley First, and the Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce will hold a candidate forum for the USD 465 Board of Education candidates April 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center at Baden Square.  

All 10 candidates for the USD 465 board of education have been invited to attend.  Candidates include: Lyle Weinert, Tim Nihart, Michael Rozell, Jamie Kaiser, Brad Fox, David Dougherty, Brent Wolf, David Hofmeister, Edward Loeb and Bryan Richardson.  Greg Thompson, chairman of the legislative committee, will moderate the forum.  

Candidates are being asked in advance to prepare their thoughts on the following topics: 

•Their view of all that has recently happened with school funding, and their perception of state and local funding for schools. Read more: Winfield Daily Courier


West Allis West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business Directory

Our newest publication, the West Allis West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business Directory is available at the West Allis West Milwaukee Chamber today! Thanks to Diane Brandt and her chamber team for their work in putting this together!

For further information about how Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's map or gloss publication needs, please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.

Chamber interest: Ridgefield Playhouse a boon for business

Musical acts, first-run movies, live theater from the Metropolitan Opera House, and outreach programs that aim to make the arts accessible to everyone — the Ridgefield Playhouse boasts a little something for everyone.

And that’s why the Chamber of Commerce recognized the nonprofit performing arts center with its Business of the Year award at its annual State of the Town ceremony at Silver Spring Country Club on March 13.

“I can personally attest to the Playhouse skillfully fulfilling its mission to serve the Ridgefield community and neighboring areas by fostering an appreciation for the arts through enrichment and entertainment programs,” said Christy Kinsman, owner of The Little House Shoppe, in her introduction of the venue.

“As a mother of an aspiring actress, I applaud the Playhouse’s efforts to coordinate programs that meet their constituents’ varied interests, such as the summer theater program that my daughter attends,” she said. “As a fan, I applaud them for becoming one of the most sought-after venues in Fairfield County for artists to play. Read more: Ridgefield Press


Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Facing change)

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." (James Baldwin)

 

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Rework by Jason Fried; Virginia Peninsula Chamber presentation: Megaregion highlights year’s first Peninsula Executive Leadership Forum; Vicksburg-Warren County chamber event: Entergy offers energy efficiency rebates; Chamber news: Geneva Women in Business to Hold Trade Show; Chamber interest: Here are the winners from One Southern Indiana's ONE awards; Wisconsin Rapids chamber: Pawsitive Thoughts: What is your pet saying to you?; Magnolia-Columbia County (Arkansas) Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet; Chamber Tweet of the Day: Virginia Chamber; London - Laurel County (Kentucky) Chamber Business of the Week; Greater Brighton Area (Michigan) Chamber Ambassador of the Month --- Sue Krause, Great Lakes Rewards; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Leadership)

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


Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Rework by Jason Fried


Most business books give you the same old advice: Write a business plan, study the competition, seek investors, yadda yadda. If you're looking for a book like that, put this one back on the shelf.

Rework shows you a better, faster, easier way to succeed in business. Read it and you'll know why plans are actually harmful, why you don't need outside investors, and why you're better off ignoring the competition. The truth is, you need less than you think. You don't need to be a workaholic. You don't need to staff up. You don't need to waste time on paperwork or meetings. You don't even need an office. Those are all just excuses.

What you really need to do is stop talking and start working. This book shows you the way. You'll learn how to be more productive, how to get exposure without breaking the bank, and tons more counterintuitive ideas that will inspire and provoke you.

With its straightforward language and easy-is-better approach, Rework is the perfect playbook for anyone who’s ever dreamed of doing it on their own. Hardcore entrepreneurs, small-business owners, people stuck in day jobs they hate, victims of "downsizing," and artists who don’t want to starve anymore will all find valuable guidance in these pages. More information: Amazon,com

Virginia Peninsula Chamber presentation: Megaregion highlights year’s first Peninsula Executive Leadership Forum

The creation of a megaregion extending from Richmond to the Hampton Roads oceanfront would be an economic boon that would attract federal funding for infrastructure, create jobs and enhance connectivity to world markets.
That message was delivered by Thomas R. Frantz, CEO and Chairman of the Williams Mullen law firm, to over 60 business leaders on Friday, February 20 at the Peninsula Executive Leadership Forum. The event was presented by the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Thomas Nelson Community College.
Speaking on the creation of the proposed megaregion, Frantz touted the benefits of aligning the Hampton Roads and Richmond metropolitan statistical areas into one informal but noteworthy designation.
What Frantz envisions as the “Virginia Global Gateway” megaregion would be the 16th most populous region in the U.S. with 3 million residents, garnering attention from investors from around the world.
“We would get a lot more looks and a lot more business,” Frantz said. Read more: Augusta Free Press

Vicksburg-Warren County chamber event: Entergy offers energy efficiency rebates

It is one thing to be aware of strategies that can help lower electric bills, but it becomes a game changer when rebates and financial incentives are offered to implement the plans. Wednesday, Wayne Ammons spoke to the members of the Vicksburg Warren County Chamber of Commerce about incentives being offered by Entergy Solutions, an Entergy Mississippi program.

Ammons is an energy efficiency contractor for the program.

In his brief power point presentations, Ammons covered the incentives that are being offered, which include the READI program, residential lighting program, energy-efficiency programs for commercial, industrial and governmental customers and the residential heating and cooling and tune-up program.

“The READI program is a residential audit where we will send out team of contractors to your home. They will install 16 CFL lights in your home free, they will go over your HVAC insulation levels, windows and doors and give you a printed report with what they found in your home, and how you can improve your energy efficiency at your residency at no charge whatsoever,” he said. Read more: Vicksburg Post

Chamber news: Geneva Women in Business to Hold Trade Show

Geneva Women in Business (GWIB) will hold a Trade Show on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at Riverside Receptions, 35 N. River Lane, Geneva, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 32 area businesses will be showcasing their organizations as well as offering giveaways and raffle items.

A wide range of local businesses will be participating including State Street Jewelers, Elements Massage, Geneva Bank & Trust, Integrated Natural Medicine, Pleasing to Your Palate, KimberleeB Photography, OS2 Salon, I. B. Quality Cabinets, The Chiropractic People, Comfort Inn & Suites, Costco Wholesale, European Wax Center, FocalPoint Business Coaching, Fox River Distilling Company, Fox Valley Repertory at Pheasant Run, GreenFields of Geneva, Hart Chiropractic Center, iMPACT Business Coaching, K. Hollis Jewelers, Kaneland Publications Inc., Matsock Insurance & Financial Services, Money Mailer of Fox River Valley, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Oie Design Group, Pure Barre Geneva, Shaw Media, Brenda Fredick Interior Design, Solutions for Long Term Care, and Wedgewood Manor.
Businesses in the area are invited to the show and to enjoy a buffet luncheon. Please note that reservations in advance are required-$30 for Geneva Chamber members and $35 for nonmembers. Information may be obtained by calling the Geneva Chamber of Commerce at 630-232-6060. Geneva Women in Business is a committee of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce created to promote successful businesses in Geneva. Read more: Chicago Tribune

Chamber interest: Here are the winners from One Southern Indiana's ONE awards

One Southern Indiana has announced the winners of its 27th annual ONE Awards.
The awards formerly were known as the Southern Indiana Business Awards. The winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges based on criteria of business history, community involvement, response to adversity, newly created opportunities, and innovation in products or services.
This year's winners are:

• Schimpff's Confectionery— River Valley Financial Bank ONE Award for Business of the Year (less than 25 employees)
• Park Community Credit Union— Strothman & Co. PSC ONE Award for Business of the Year (more than 25 employees)
• Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt— Park Community Credit Union Rising Star Award (businesses up to 5 years old)
• Blayr Barnard, Southeast ISBDC— Kightlinger & Gray Sam Day ONE Award for Professional of the Year  Read more: Louisville Business First

 

Wisconsin Rapids chamber: Pawsitive Thoughts: What is your pet saying to you?

The Humane Society believes good pet owners should be educated about their animals. Common behavior issues can be corrected with quality information, which often results in pets staying in their homes. Many animals are brought to shelters with behavior or medical issues that could have been corrected through education and commitment to seeking a solution.
Are you stumped by your furry friend’s behavior? Duped by your dog? Curious about your cat? Thinking about pet adoption, but are new to animal ownership? The Humane Society has two upcoming learning opportunities for both dog and cat owners.
Get Pet Smart Animal Education Weekend is April 18 and 19. Canine Resource Guarding will be the topic April 18, running from 10 a.m. to noon. Resource guarding is also known as food aggression but can also involve toys, treats or protection of human owners. Learn what resource guarding looks like and how to work with this common behavior from presenter Renea Dahms, owner of Pawsitively Unleashed.
Cat lovers are invited to attend the April 19 presentation of Cats 101 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn the history of cats, natural behaviors and how to cope with common issues including litter boxes, scratching and more. The presenter will answer all your questions about felines.
Both sessions will take place at the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce at 1120 Lincoln St. in Wisconsin Rapids. Attend both classes and save $5. Guests will receive informational handouts and goodie bag with offers from local businesses. Read more: WisconsinRapidsTribune.com

 

 Magnolia-Columbia County (Arkansas) Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet

Tickets are still available for the annual Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet. The banquet, which features a steak meal, will start with the opening of the serving line at 6 p.m. Thursday. The event will be held in the Peace Hall at First United Methodist Church.
Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce office, 211 W. Main.
A limited number of table sponsorships and other promotional opportunities remain available. Contact the chamber office at 234-4352 for more information.
The banquet is known for its awards ceremony and occasional special announcements. Among them will be the official announcement of the feature musical performer for the 2015 Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Steak Cookoff. Read more: Magnolia Reporter



Chamber Tweet of the Day: Virginia Chamber



Virginia Chamber ‏@VAChamber Mar 20

.@forbes lists Blacksburg, #VA as one of the best places to retire in 2015 http://ow.ly/KAoPx 



London - Laurel County (Kentucky) Chamber Business of the Week




Kentucky Blood Center is a not-for-profit community blood bank dedicated to ensuring a safe, adequate blood supply for patients at nearly 70 Kentucky hospitals and clinics in more than 60 counties in southern, central and eastern Kentucky. KBC relies on volunteer blood donors to collect 400 pints of blood per day to meet the needs of area patients.
KBC has a new state-of-the-art donor center in Stonegate Centre in Somerset at Stoplight 16-A. KBC also has donor centers in Lexington and Pikeville and conducts numerous blood drives throughout the region every day. Donors must be at least 17-years-old (16 with parental permission), be in general good health and have a photo I.D. Read more: London - Laurel County Chamber

Greater Brighton Area (Michigan) Chamber Ambassador of the Month --- Sue Krause, Great Lakes Rewards

 

Sue is the Owner of Great Lakes Rewards, and at Great Lakes Rewards they bring the power of TEXT MARKETING to small and big Businesses alike!  They help businesses build their own customer list and market to them in the most effective ways possible.  With new advances in technology, MOBILE MARKTING is now easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes.  No other form of advertising gets a greater return on investment than TEXT MARKETING!

Sue and her husband Carl bought this territory last year from SMS Masterminds. SMS Masterminds has been in business for almost 6 years, in over 180 markets and just topped over 3,200,000 subscribers! Read more: Greater Brighton Area Chamber

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotations: (Leadership)

"We have to wake up every day with a servant's heart!"

Frankfort, Indiana mayor Chris McBarnes, age 23 to Indiana chamber executives at ICEA Winter  Comference

 

Richmond Chamber InterCity Visit Wrap-up: Strong leadership, strong business support key to Nashville success; Cleveland (Mississippi) Chamber inspiration: Follow the Gold-Record Road: Creating the Grammy Museum® Mississippi; Chamber retailer of the Year: Sheboygan shop makes skin care products used in celebrity swag bags; Arkansas, local economic boosters woo site consultants at Big Ten tourney; County, city will be asked to stand behind Frankfort Area Chamber re-branding efforts; Chamber delight : La Porte Ivy Tech facility opens; Marci Duro announces retirement from Illinois Valley Area chamber of commerce; Chamber news: Wexford Co. becomes 13th in state to earn Connected Broadband Certification; Village of Mundelein (Illinois) 2015 Community Map; Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: Greatest Lesson You Teach:

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

Richmond Chamber InterCity Visit Wrap-up: Strong leadership, strong business support key to Nashville success

Greater Richmond Chamber President Kim Scheeler closed strong, wrapping up the chamber’s annual three-day InterCity Visit with a stern set of marching orders for the 160 or so civic, government and business leaders who had come along.
“What we keep hearing every year is about strong leaders,” said Scheeler, referencing a constant theme in 23 years of such visits. “What we’re not giving attention to is, those leaders have strong support.

“We have to be the people who help the leaders. We can’t just sit back and expect someone else to do it. We can’t be content with good enough. Let’s figure out what the obstacles are and find solutions to removing them.”

In eight sessions leading up to Scheeler’s speech — and the tone, tenor and forcefulness caught many in the room off guard — the group heard from Nashville leaders who spoke of the power of strong regional leadership and how the city’s business community helped make it possible. Read more: Richmond Times-Dispatch

Cleveland (Mississippi) Chamber inspiration: Follow the Gold-Record Road: Creating the Grammy Museum® Mississippi

Just off West Sunflower Road in Cleveland, Miss., past Walter Sillers Coliseum, where Delta State University's basketball teams speed across the court, there's a site that celebrates an entirely different kind of competition. It may not be ready just yet, but it's closer than ever.

#Take a walk toward the university's Darrell Foreman Golf Course. Instead of flags demarking golf holes, you'll find metal girders reaching two stories up. The course has changed shape, allowing for a 4.2-acre construction site. Workers from local firm Eley Barkley Engineering and Architecture and Jackson firm Dale Partners Architects alternate in activity, pushing toward an ever-impending deadline.

#While the uninitiated might pass the upturned earth and steel structure without much thought, many residents of Cleveland know what it will become. It's the site of the future Grammy Museum® Mississippi, and come this fall, it will be one of the state's biggest attractions.

#When Mayor Billy Nowell and the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce decided to develop a music museum in 2009, they approached Allan Hammons of Hammons & Associates advertising firm. They'd seen Hammons' vision at work when he helped design and coordinate the construction of the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola when he was its interim executive director. They'd also seen how that museum boosted Indianola's economy since its 2008 opening. Read more: Jackson Free-Press
 

Chamber retailer of the Year: Sheboygan shop makes skin care products used in celebrity swag bags

The natural skin care products made in a downtown Sheboygan shop have made their way into the swag bags given to celebrities at last year’s Emmy Awards, the 2015 Golden Globe Awards and next, the MTV Movie Awards on April 12.

“I feel excited that our increased exposure allows our products to be in the hands of people all over the United States whether they’re a celebrity or not, but of course I can’t help but feel a little giddy over the idea that a celebrity would have my lip balm in their pocket,” said Caitlin Brotz, owner of Olivü 426, which also makes natural home products like room spray and soy candles.

In 2003, Brotz began making lip balm and whipped lotion that would help heal her boyfriend, who was badly burned while building a wood chip snowmobile track.

After obtaining her entrepreneurship certification from Collin County Community College in Texas and a business degree from Lakeland College in Sheboygan County, Brotz founded Olivü 426 in 2006, at the age of 23.

It is located in a 2,100-square-foot space, with the main floor used for the store, the basement used for raw material storage and the recently acquired upstairs space used for the production area.

Brotz named it Olivü 426 because many of her products contain olive oil, and Olivü sounds like “I love you.” The 426 is a tribute to her boyfriend, who died in a 2005 car accident. It was his snowmobile racing number.

“I don’t think a lot of people thought I’d be around in a year or two, including probably myself, but I was,” she said. Read more:  BizTimes.com

Arkansas, local economic boosters woo site consultants at Big Ten tourney

Economic developers from across the state gathered in Chicago this weekend.
Little Rock, Jonesboro, Helena-West Helena, Fort Smith, Paragould, Hot Springs, Conway and Arkadelphia were among the towns represented. Joining them were five staff members from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
What drew so many of the state's business recruiters to Chicago? Were they closing a deal on some top-secret project? Persuading a major corporation to move its headquarters to Arkansas?
Not quite.
They were at the United Center to attend the Big Ten basketball championship semifinals.
The commission rented a suite for the Saturday afternoon session and was using the tournament as a way to interact with site location consultants.
As interim Executive Director Danny Games explained to the commission during its monthly meeting, Chicago is regarded as a hub for site selectors. Building relationships with folks in that line of work is important, and Games estimated 20 representatives from 12 firms were planning to attend.
This isn't the first trip of this nature for the commission. Spokesman Scott Hardin said the organization has previously rented suites at the Southeastern Conference football championship in Atlanta and hosted consultants in suites to watch the Cubs in Chicago and the Yankees in New York.
In attendance over Saturday were the Arkadelphia Alliance, Conway Development Corp., Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, Entergy, Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, Great River Economic Development Foundation (Blytheville), Helena Harbor, Hot Springs Metro Partnership, Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, Maumelle Chamber of Commerce, Metro Little Rock Alliance, Oklahoma Gas and Electric, and the Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce. Read more: Arkansas Online

County, city will be asked to stand behind Frankfort Area Chamber re-branding efforts

The Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce’s re-branding committee plans to ask for as much as $30,000 from both city and county governments over the next three years to help fund its efforts to better market the community.
They’re taking their message to other stakeholders, as well, asking for buy-in on a comprehensive initiative to create a logo and subsequent plan, which they hope will be a lynchpin for economic development.
Mike Feldman, chairman of the re-branding committee, says the Chamber hopes to finalize a contract with an outside marketing agency that specializes in branding communities, so work on the campaign can begin as early as next month.
The agency has branded at least seven capital cities, Feldman said, but the firm requires an initial $41,000 to begin work on the initial stages of the campaign. The name of the marketing firm hasn’t been released pending the finalization of a contract, but Feldman says they pitched the best and least expensive proposal of five agencies that submitted bids.
“It’s one of those rare occurrences you get exactly what you wanted at the cheapest price,” he said. Read more: The State-Journal

 

Chamber delight : La Porte Ivy Tech facility opens

There was no need for over-sized scissors to cut the ribbon at the new Ivy Tech Community College training facility —  a semi-truck drove through the ribbon instead, commemorating of the opening of the facility.
"This is such an exciting day for the city of La Porte and I've been looking forward to this opportunity for quite sometime," said La Porte Mayor Blair Milo, who was on hand for the occasion.

Milo spoke before the ribbon was snapped in two by the 18-wheeler. She was joined by Mike Seitz of the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce, Ivy Tech Community College Chancellor Dr. Thomas Coley and Rick Soria, president of Ivy Tech of Michigan City. Read more: HeraldArgus.com

Marci Duro announces retirement from Illinois Valley Area chamber of commerce

Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development executive director Marci Duro has announced she is retiring. Duro told IVAC board members her retirement would be effective in April, or until her replacement is up-to-speed to ensure an easy transition.

“We knew it was coming because she committed to five years, although we hoped it would be later this year,” said board chairman Scott Stavrakas, vice president of sales and marketing for the NewsTribune. Read more: News-Tribune

Chamber news: Wexford Co. becomes 13th in state to earn Connected Broadband Certification

A new designation in Wexford County will hopefully lead to many things, including growth for all of its businesses, industries and communities. 

Spurring that potential growth will be technology, and in particular access, to things like the Internet. On Friday, community stakeholders and leaders within the county came together at the Student Center of Baker College of Cadillac to celebrate the county being recognized as a certified Connected Community. 

The Connected Community Engagement Program, facilitated by Connect Michigan, supports the development of a comprehensive strategy for building a connected community by reviewing the technology landscape, developing regional partnerships, establishing local teams and conducting a thorough community assessment of broadband access, adoption, and use.

Wexford County Administrator Ken Hinton said the county, city of Cadillac and Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce were the three local power players, along with Connect Michigan,  involved in the process that started about two to three years ago. He also said formulation of a community technology plan could cost tens of thousands of dollars, but to get the certification through the program cost nothing. Read more: Cadillac News

Village of Mundelein (Illinois) 2015 Community Map

Our newest publication, the Village of Mundelein 2015 Community Map is available at Mundelein Village Hall today! Thanks to Tami Schafernak and Michael Flynn for their help in putting this together!

For further information about how Town Square Publications (www.townsquarepublications.com) can help you accomplish your chamber's map or gloss publication needs, please email John Dussman at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation: Greatest Lesson You Teach: 

 “Time is not money - money is money” - Pat MulQueeny, President/CEO - Eden Prairie (MN) Chamber of Commerce --- (Source: www.chambermentor.com)