October 7, 2019
Produced by the Mid-America Chamber Executives
Did you Know?

Sage Creek Wilderness, South Dakota is the site of the reintroduction of the black-footed ferret, one of the most endangered land mammals in North America.
Dakota Wesleyan breaks ground for new school of business

A new Dakota Wesleyan University business building will continue to help mold students into innovative business leaders for South Dakota, the region and the country, according to school officials and dignitaries on hand for the ceremony...Mark Vaux, executive director of the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce, said he was excited by the plans for a new business school the moment he heard of it.
SD Businesses Optimistic Despite Sliding Trends

The South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry held their annual economic outlook forum this week in Sioux Falls. A presentation by a South Dakota State University economics professor pointed out that the states economy is growing slowly due to weather and trade issues.
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Institute for Organization Management (Institute) is the premier continuing education experience for chamber professionals. Since 1921, the Institute program has educated and empowered chamber executives with the knowledge and skills they need to be leaders in their organizations and industry.

The Institute curriculum is comprised of four week-long sessions. Each session is five days and is offered at five locations across the country annually. With courses on topics such as advocacy, media training, membership, finance, legal issues, human resources, and much more, Institute ultimately educates participants on all facets of running an association. To view a full listing of course offerings, click here .  

MACE POLL
Does your chamber partner with any diversity/ethnic outreach groups?
Yes
No
Survey Says:
Has your chamber ever endorsed or opposed a school referendum?

Yes: 63.3%

No: 36.7%
Groundbreaking held for Matalco plant in Wisconsin Rapids

The rain did little to sour the mood in Wisconsin Rapids Tuesday morning, where officials gathered to break ground on the $80 million Matalco aluminum recycling plant...Officials including Mayor Zach Vruwink and Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Angel Whitehead spoke alongside State Representative Scott Krug of Nekoosa. 
Wausau Center mall Q&A: City approves $1 million loan to buy mall. Now what?

Do you have questions about what's happening with the downtown Wausau Center mall? You're not alone...The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce put together a petition in support of the city's involvement. 
Northern Iowa town celebrates fall season with annual tradition

The 15th annual Harvest Festival brought out over 75 tents to take over Clear Lake’s Main Street. Despite the ongoing threat of bad weather, the fun carried on with activities tailored towards the fall season. “We have a pumpkin rolling contest so people will be rolling pumpkins down the street to see who the winner is,” said Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce president Stacy Doughan.
Ribbon cutting held for redesigned chamber building

The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon cutting of its own on Tuesday, celebrating the grand opening of the newly redesigned chamber building. As the community continues to grow, the chamber’s board of directors saying the investment in a new facility was needed.
Minnesota House heads south for first 'mini-session' in 22 years

The last time the Minnesota House of Representatives met outside the city of St. Paul was in 1997; Republican Arne Carlson was governor, the Red River brought recording flooding, and 15-year-old Ivanka Trump had appeared on the cover of Seventeen magazine...For businesses, a major issue is how to find employees amid the statewide workforce shortage, said Winona Area Chamber of Commerce President Christie Ransom.
Faribault Police and Chamber Team to Fight Domestic Violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Faribault Police Department is teaming with the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce in raising awareness through the sale of purple patches. Purple is the color chosen for Domestic Violence Awareness and Faribault Police officers are wearing purple patches this month to bring attention to the issue. Chamber representative Cassie Steeves told KDHL AM Minnesota listeners today The Faribault Area Chamber was approached by Faribault Police with the idea.
Chamber Agribusiness Committee is Working for You

The Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee was one of the early groups I was included in when I arrived in Scottsbluff as Director of Panhandle Research and Extension for the University of Nebraska. During my first meeting, I remember recognizing that this group was an assembly of many of the pertinent and prominent organizations and businesses in the Panhandle.
Sarpy County's impact on the Omaha metro area is set to growth dramatically

Sarpy County is on a dramatic population trajectory, growing from nearly 159,000 in 2010 to 184,000 now and a projected total topping 300,000 by 2050...Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, points to one of the biggest effects that Sarpy County growth will have in the near future: Given the county’s impressive growth, the total population for the Omaha metro area (865,000 in 2010) is on track to top 1 million sometime in the mid-2020s.
VollSquared, Unify Home Lending featured at October 1 Million Cups event at WSC

Each month, the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce hosts 1 Million Cups, an entrepreneurial program designed to educate, engage and inspire business owners in the community. For October, presenters were Unify Home Lending and VollSquared.
Businesspeople - Oct. 6, 2019

Steve Swiontek and Dan Conrad have been appointed to the Greater North Dakota Chamber board. Swiontek, executive chair of Gate City Bank, and Conrad, executive vice president at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, brings the board's membership to 26. Swiontek has been with Gate City Bank for 42 years and currently is the bank’s board of directors chair. He has also served on the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors since 2014 and was president from 2017-2018.
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