October 1, 2018
Produced by the Mid-America Chamber Executives
Did you Know?

Milky Way candy bars were invented in Minnesota.
TRANSFORMING OUR WORKFORCE BY MAKING IT MORE ACCESSIBLE

Back in 2000, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce surveyed our business community in order to understand what challenges they were facing. We heard overwhelmingly that organizations and businesses were struggling to find people with the correct skill sets to fill available jobs – skills that did not require a four-year degree, but rather technical, vocational skills.
Retiring chamber leader Blazar has a message he hopes has staying power

How one spends one’s last days at work before concluding a long career says something about what one deems important. That’s why it’s worth noting that last week, during his final days before retiring as senior vice president of public affairs and business development for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Bill Blazar went to Maple Grove to talk to a group of seniors about the need for more immigration to shore up Minnesota’s economy.
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Vote For Jobs

Voters today have a wide range of issues to consider: the state of the economy; taxes; regulations and legislative initiatives; and the overall political landscape in Washington. Whatever your reason for voting, there has never been a more important time to make your voice heard. 

MACE POLL
Does you chamber provide a membership decal or plaque to your members?
Yes
No
Survey Says:
Does you chamber have an active young professionals type program?

Yes: 51.2%

No: 48.8%
Kearney Chamber of Commerce prepares for 5th annual Oktoberfest

Beer, food and fun will be featured at the 5th Annual Kearney Oktoberfest on October 6, at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds. At Oktoberfest you get to sample and learn about a variety of Nebraska craft beer styles. The event features a traditional keg tapping ceremony, games, food and traditions.
Legislative forum set for October

The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, in cooperation with local chambers of commerce across the state, is preparing for its annual legislative forums. In total, State Chamber staff will visit 30 communities this fall.
Groups speak out against N.D.’s Measure 1, call anti-corruption amendment poorly written

The debate over North Dakota’s Measure 1 is heating up as two organizations voice their opposition and the measure’s supporters fight back...The proponents pointed out that NDSG includes trade associations such as the Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce, the North Dakota Petroleum Council and the Lignite Energy Council, who together have at least 40 out-of-state corporations represented on their boards of directors comprising more than half of their collective board membership.
Engelhart learning on the job

Brooklyn Engelhart has found a home in Bowman and more specifically with the Bowman County Chamber of Commerce...Englehart, who started with the chamber August 1, is handling marketing and promotions although she still isn’t sure what all her job entails.
Yankton Set To Celebrate Manufacturing Week

Each year, Manufacturing Week helps students and adults build career networks and knowledge. South Dakota celebrates Manufacturing Week Oct. 1-5. To recognize manufacturers in Yankton, the Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Yankton Greater Living, the state of South Dakota and many local manufacturers, is planning a week of events.
Rapid City Chamber of Commerce optimistic about growth at annual meeting

The Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the business community and recent growth at its 132nd annual meeting on Thursday. It was an upbeat atmosphere during the meeting, which highlighted recent growth. Growth is happening , and consumer spending is up.
Fox Cities Chamber names next president/CEO

The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce has a new leader. The organization announced Tuesday that Becky Bartoszek will be its next president and CEO. Bartoszek comes to the chamber from AIA Corporation. She has also held leadership positions at The QTI Group and Alltel, and owned an insurance agency. Bartoszek has been an ambassador for the Greater Green Bay Chamber and has been involved in the Rotary and Fox Valley Society for Human Resource Management. 
Former GE exec headlines Greater Madison Chamber annual dinner

Beth Comstock, a former executive of GE and of NBC Universal, will be the keynote speaker at the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner on Oct. 11. Comstock, a vice chairwoman of GE from 2015-2017 and president of integrated media at NBC Universal from late 2005 to early 2008, has written a book, “Imagine It Forward.” She was twice named to Forbes’ list of the most powerful women in the world.
Clarinda Council gives approval as city seeks Home Base Iowa designation

Clarinda is hoping to become the latest Iowa community to participate in an initiative connecting veterans with local employers...McClarnon says a number of different entities have been working to get Clarinda included in the project, including Clarinda Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Elaine Farwell and newly hired Economic Development Director Renee Reidel.
Ames ranked No. 2 on best college towns list

Livability ranked Ames as 2018′s second-best college town in the nation followed by Ithaca, NY, the home of Cornell University...Ames Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Dan Culhane, was elated that the city received this recognition. 
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