Commerce Lexington Inc. Recognized Among Top Chambers for Second Consecutive Year
Commerce Lexington Inc. is proud to announce that it has been named among the finalists for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives’ (ACCE) 2015 Chamber of the Year Award. This marks the second consecutive year that Commerce Lexington Inc. has been recognized as a finalist for the honor.
Chamber of the Year is the nation’s only award recognizing the dual role chambers have in leading businesses and communities. Chambers honored with this designation have not only demonstrated organizational strength, but also have made an impact on key community priorities such as education, transportation, business development, and quality of life.
Commerce Lexington Inc. President and CEO Bob Quick, CCE, said, “This honor not only recognizes our hardworking staff, but also the contributions of our members, the board of directors, and many community volunteers who work hard each day to help Commerce Lexington Inc. fulfill its mission. They are always thinking with the end goal in mind – to serve our members better, improve our quality of place, and create jobs.”
The Chamber of the Year process begins with the Annual Operations Survey. Applicants qualified to compete by completing the survey and meeting thresholds in at least four of six key performance areas including: net revenue, net assets, reserve funds, membership account retention, and membership dollar retention. Read more: Commmerce Lexington
Best chamber practices: Paducah Chamber Frankfort & DC Fly-In Trips
Frankfort Trips
The chambers of commerce and economic development organizations in West Kentucky host an annual West Kentucky “Thank You” Night during each State Legislative Session.
The purpose of this event is to express our appreciation to the House and Senate members for past, present, and future support for West Kentucky’s projects and programs. In addition, the Governor, Lt. Governor, House and Senate leadership and top cabinet officials are invited.
For the Paducah Area this event is a great opportunity for area community and business leaders to discuss with elected officials our community’s top priority projects and enjoy the fellowship of our region.
- Enjoy music from the region
- Feast on West Kentucky bar-b-que and all the trimmings
To make this convenient for you, the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce coordinates a VIP Bus Trip to attend this very important event. For more information contact Fran Johnson at 270.443.1746 or fjohnson@paducahchamber.org
DC Fly-In Trips
The Paducah Chamber coordinates an annual trip to our nation’s capital. The purpose of the trip is to thank our Congressional delegation for everything they do for our community. The Chamber presents a priority project list with specific Federal funding requests. If you have an issue for our Federal delegation, please contact Fran Johnson at 270.443.1746 or fjohnson@paducahchamber.org
See more: Paducah Chamber
Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Launches On Track Motorsports Education Initiative
Today, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of the On Track Motorsports Education Initiative, in partnership with the Warren County Area Technology Center, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College and Holley Performance Products.
The Chamber, in partnership with the Bowling Green Economic Development Authority, will purchase two second-generation Chevrolet Camaros from Holley to donate to SKYCTC and Warren County ATC. The schools will completely rebuild the cars, using multiple educational disciplines, including science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
This initiative is a crucial piece of the Chamber’s commitment to the development of talent for the future workforce of South Central Kentucky. According to the 2013 Urgent Call to Action study, South Central Kentucky will have 4,500 job openings in 2016 in manufacturing alone, and that number doubles to 9,000 by 2020. The On Track initiative introduces critical STEM concepts in a practical setting that will help develop a highly skilled talent pipeline to continue to fuel the already strong South Central Kentucky economy.
“We are always excited when opportunities arise to create more educational access for individuals in the community and to highlight our achievements on a national level,” said Chris Cumens, vice president of finance and administration at SKYCTC. “The On Track initiative accomplishes both. We have a unique opportunity to help promote the growing demand for careers related to STEM fields while helping others understand the incredible automotive performance infrastructure that Bowling Green supports. It’s easy to envision this growing into a very impactful program for our community and becoming a national model much like ‘The Leader in Me.’” Read more: WBKO.com
Chamber pride: Two Kentucky cities among ten great Southern downtowns – big and small – that are worth a visit
A downtown is the heart of a city. A great downtown is the heartbeat of a city, where residents and visitors come together to experience the art, architecture, food and culture that makes that community unique. Here are 10 downtowns that should be experienced firsthand.
Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
Founded in 1792, Mt. Sterling is a small, friendly city steeped in the history of Kentucky. Located on the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and the edge of the Bluegrass Region, many sites and buildings in the town can be found on the historic registers. Mt. Sterling’s downtown is full of beautifully restored buildings, churches, and homes (some dating back over 200 years), and unique shopping and dining. A downtown walking tour begins at the History Museum located next to the Courthouse, and includes a dozen sites within a three-block area.
The Ruth Hunt Candy Factory is the official candy maker of the Kentucky Derby and the 2010 Equestrian Games. Visitors can watch as they make their famous pulled cream candy bars “Blue Monday” or sample their Woodford Reserve bourbon balls. . .a Kentucky tradition.
Owensboro, Kentucky
A few years ago, Owensboro, Ky., decided to reinvent itself. In the midst of the great recession, this Ohio River town invested over $120 million in its waterfront, and the private sector soon matched it. The same designers who created the fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas created signature fountains in Owensboro. A contemporary 92,000-square-foot convention center and two new riverfront hotels are also located there. Anchored between the convention center and its RiverPark Center (which hosts Broadway shows and a full-time symphony) is Smother’s Park, which boasts the country’s largest ADA-accessible outdoor playground. Within walking distance of the hotel are shops and local restaurants aplenty, as well as the International Bluegrass Music Museum (Bluegrass music was invented just down the road by Bill Monroe).
See more: Southern Business & Development
What big ideas in Northern Kentucky should get state funding?
Northern Kentucky leaders are being asked to think big and submit ideas for major development projects that would have great impact for the region.
The Northern Kentucky Consensus Committee is calling for project ideas so it can decide what to advocate for before the Kentucky General Assembly.
The committee is made up of representatives appointed from business, government, nonprofit and other community organizations from the eight Northern Kentucky counties.
Trey Grayson, president and CEO of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, said the committee identifies transformational projects that address a clear community need and have substantial regional benefit.
“The list of projects should send a strong message to Frankfort that Northern Kentucky is united, and is committed to securing funding for transformational projects that are both realistic and defensible,” Grayson said. Read more: cincinatti.com
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
Madisonville-Hopkins County chamber news: Governor Announces Hopkins County as Kentucky Work Ready Community
Gov. Steve Beshear has announced that Hopkins County is certified as a Kentucky Work Ready Community.
In August 2012, county leaders sought local support to meet the requirements to develop a skilled workforce for the 21st century.
The governor also named Boyd, Carroll, Greenup, Knott and Lawrence counties as Kentucky Work Ready Communities on May 14. In order to achieve the status, community leaders must establish common goals in business, education, workforce and economic development.
County and city officials made the announcement this morning during a press conference held at the Government Center.
Madisonville Community College President Judy Rhoads said the county received its work ready status sooner than the allotted three-year progress period.
“I want to thank the team that’s at the table for making this possible, and many people in the public schools and the college and other community members who worked hard for us to meet the criteria,” Rhoads said.
Madisonville Mayor David Jackson said the achievement was a collaborative effort of many, and the status will have a great impact for the future job market in the area. He noted the recognition assures potential employers that the county workforce is qualified and ready.
“The impact of Work Ready Community on our town and our county is so important,” he said. “When a potential employer is considering a location, not only do they look at your infrastructure or your available buildings, but workforce is a very important part of that decision.”
Kentucky is one of the most rigorous states to achieve work ready status, said Judge- Executive Donnie Carroll.
“Work Ready has the ability to transform the community,” he said. “I believe this is just the first step.”
Lee Lingo, president of the Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, believes the county achieved work ready status early on because of the area’s strong educational opportunities.
“Our community and technical college system here is top notch,” he said. “It’s recognized throughout the state and that has enabled us to already benchmark very highly for how we train our workforce.” Read more: Surfky.com NEWS
Kentucky Chamber advocates for international trade and federal issues
The Kentucky Chamber joined with the U.S. Chamber and Kentucky business leaders to promote international trade and other important issues directly to members of Kentucky’s Congressional delegation. Senior Vice President Bryan Sunderland spent Tuesday and Wednesday meeting with staff for Senators McConnell and Paul offering the Chamber’s strong support for Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which would give the President negotiation authority to open new markets for U.S. and Kentucky goods.
“International trade supports over 500,000 Kentucky jobs,” Sunderland said. “New trade deals mean more jobs in Kentucky. The Trade Promotion Authority bill moving its rough Congress sets up a framework to negotiate deals that protect and grow jobs at home. The purpose is to break down barriers to products made in America and made in Kentucky.”
For trade advocates, this was a roller coaster week. On Tuesday, it appeared Senate Democrats dealt President Obama a blow by refusing to support cloture, a procedural move to allow the bill to move forward. By Wednesday, Senator McConnell announced a deal to overcome what the President described as a procedural snafu. Read more: Kentucky Chamber
You already have everything you need for an amazing career. In fact, you’ve had it since day one.
Kentucky Chamber leader offers message of hope to Class of 2015
Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Dave Adkisson offered words of wisdom and encouragement to Georgetown College’s Class of 2015 during commencement on Saturday afternoon, while also making a plea on behalf of Kentucky’s business community for a stronger workforce.
“For the economy of Kentucky to grow in the information age, we need more college graduates to take leadership roles,” said Adkisson, who went on to outline three reasons for the college graduates to be optimistic:
- The need for college graduates with bachelor’s degrees is up 15 percent in Kentucky.
- The economy is rebounding after a long recession – in April alone 223,000 new jobs were announced by the U.S. Labor Department, and Kentucky’s unemployment rate is at its lowest level in eight years.
- Baby boomers are retiring at a rate of about 10,000 per day in the country, creating many new opportunities in the workforce
Adkisson, a Georgetown College alumnus, and a member of the school’s Board of Trustees’ Executive Committee, went on to say that employers are now less worried about the economy and more worried about the skills gap in workforce. Read more: Kentucky Chamber blog
Northern Kentucky Chamber to participate in national program
Impact NKY, a foundation of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, was recently named one of seven regional organizations to participate in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Talent Pipeline Management initiative.
The initiative’s goal is to close the nationwide gap between workers’ skills and employers needs for better educated and credentialed workers.
“Here in Northern Kentucky, we’ve been working on a marketing plan to raise awareness of manufacturing jobs in the region,” said Rhonda Whitaker, Duke Energy Kentucky’s district manager for government and community relations, who also chairs the area workforce initiative. “For instance, we’re working with a group of manufacturers and schools (namely Gateway Community and Technical College) to fast track workers into positions that need to be filled.”
“We’re coming up with a common agenda to work towards common goal,” Whitaker said.
“With 5 million vacant jobs in the United States, the frustration level has understandably reached a new high among businesses desperate for skilled workers and with students who want to know that their education and skills training will lead to a good job and future success,” said Cheryl Oldham, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s vice president. Read more: Cincinatti.com
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 . . .
- A private, not-for-profit business league incorporated in 1963.
- A volunteer group composed of individuals, businesses, industries, educators and professionals who have joined together to accomplish collectively what they cannot do individually.
- A spokesperson for business interests in the local and state community.
- An economic development consultant to expand local businesses and attract new investments.
- A marketing and business agent for existing businesses.
- A clearinghouse of information to those moving or visiting our community.
- An organization that encourages programs that enhance our “quality of life.”
Source: Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce
Chamber partnership: Paducah hosts Meet the Artists event
More than fifty local artists will come together to celebrate the art and community of Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art, on June 18, 2015 from 4-8 PM in the Historic Coca-Cola Plant.
The public is invited to “Meet the Artists” and hear the artists’ stories and see their art. Participating artists include individual artists and art groups like Paducah Art Alliance, the Art Guild, Yeiser Art center, Bricolage Art Collective, Wastelanders and PAPA Gallery.
Paducah has discovered that Art is one of its greatest resources for education, engagement and community spirit. The diverse artists and crafts persons who are part of its creative cultural community have enriched our city, enhanced our personal lives, changed perspectives, and broaden our international horizons.
The event is being held in the Historic Coca Cola Plant, one of Paducah’s recently rehabilitated historic treasures, located at 3141 Broadway. Light Hors d’oeuvres will be provided and the Dry Ground Brewery and Piper’s Tea and Coffee will be open for drinks.
Event sponsors and partners are Paducah Main Street, the Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau, Paducah Economic Development and the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. Read more: KFVS12.com
Christian County Chamber collaboration: Hoppers playing for military at Fort Campbell
With temperatures on the rise and children out of school, many families are looking to the outdoors for fun and entertainment. For generations, summer entertainment has included trips to the baseball field to see teams go head-to-head for nine innings of America’s pastime.
To keep that tradition going, the Hoptown Hoppers will visit Fort Capbell tonight to play an Ohio Valley League game at 7 p.m. against the Madisonville Miners at Fort Campbell High School baseball’s Falcon Field.
“The Hoptown Hoppers had a military appreciation game last year at their home field,” said Dan Cain, community recreation officer for Fort Campbell Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. “From that they decided, why try to get military to come up to them — why not take the game to the military?”
From that idea came a phone call to the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, who then contacted Fort Campbell Garrison to get the event put into motion. After months of planning, the groups organized a day of events that will include a tour of the installation for team members and two free instructional youth camps, hosted by Hoppers coaches and management. Read more: Kentucky New Era
Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce holds annual Links for Learning golf tournament
The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce held their eighth annual ‘Links for Learning’ golf tournament today in Prestonsburg. The annual tournament raises money for educational programs, for the Chamber’s eight counties. All schools in the area will be able to apply for the money raised in today’s tournament.
“There’s a committee that selects those and thus, gives grant money to those schools that qualify for that grant. There’s all kinds of different programs or projects, they can be in science, art, they can be in history, they can be in any number of things” says State Representative for the 94th District, Leslie Combs.Read more: WYMT.com
#BestChamber 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
Leadership Paducah Applications Due May 27th
Established in 1984, Leadership Paducah is a program to develop the leadership potential of men and women in the Paducah/McCracken County area. Leadership Paducah is a program of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce and is self sustaining through tuition, corporate support, and in-kind contributions. Leadership Paducah classes are comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds who have demonstrated a talent and commitment for leadership. Through this program they become acutely aware of social and economic changes and the impact of such changes in the local community.
Leadership Paducah is designed to foster an in-depth understanding of the inner-relationships and complexities of the Paducah/McCracken County area through a series of face-to-face discussions with community and state leaders.
Leadership Paducah Information/Guidlelines
2015-2016 Leadership Paducah (Class #29) Application
Lanita Wilson takes on additional role at Christian County Chamber of Commerce
Lanita Wilson, director of Workforce, Education and Leadership Development at the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, has taken another title by joining the Kentucky Chamber’s Council on Education and Workforce. The Education and Workforce Council meets quarterly and develops policies to support education at various levels. Read more: Kentucky New Era
Kentucky Chamber produces Voter’s Guide to 2015 governor’s race primary elections
Ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial primary elections, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has put together a voter’s guide for the citizens of the commonwealth. With all of the noise in political campaigns, it can be hard to compare the candidates in races on their stances. So the Kentucky Chamber has compiled the stances of all six candidates in both primary elections, four Republicans and two Democrats, on the issues important to the business community and the state. The following stances have been gathered through responses by each candidate to a policy survey from the Kentucky Chamber as well as various public remarks made by the candidates. As a non-partisan organization, the Kentucky Chamber does not endorse in statewide races but our organization hopes this voter’s guide gives the people of the commonwealth the information they need before heading to the polls Tuesday, May 19. See the full guide below:
Click here to download the Kentucky Chamber’s 2015 Gubernatorial Primary Election Voter’s Guide to Business Issues. The publication contains the stance of the Kentucky Chamber as well as each of the candidates in the primary races on many issues important to the state. Read more: kychamberblog
