TERRE HAUTE —
It is hard to believe that March is already here. We have had another successful event with over 210 attendees to hear Gov. Mike Pence lay out his priorities for Indiana.
Our first 2013 Business After Hours is coming up on March 21 and should be a great event. The March Madness Business After Hours will be hosted by Ballyhoo’s Tavern 900 Chestnut St. Again, the turnouts and involvement of our members signal strong support for our 2013 program.
Additionally, the involvement, participation, and response provide backing for two more of our values:
~ We value strategic thinking that includes an awareness and appreciation of the history of our community. We are committed to sustainable initiatives that develop a vibrant business community and a qualified workforce.
~ We value representing the needs of businesses by creating and supporting growth opportunities, education and training, providing regular communication, serving as advocates and providing opportunities for social interaction.
These two values help drive one of our new strategic initiatives:
Workforce Development — We wish to break the cycle of poverty by elevating the skills of people in the local community to enter the workforce. We wish to encourage students to complete high school, engage in K-12 course work preparatory for industrial entry level positions, and to provide education and business role models to elementary and junior high students.
Last week I hope you read the Tribune-Star’s three-part series on the “skills gap” that we need to close to provide our industries with the needed employees. We have heard from our membership that they must interview 3 to 4 times the number of individuals needed to fill just one position. A number of businesses indicated that some prospective employees were concerned about going off of unemployment or public assistance. Other employers talked of individuals starting a job but leaving the workplace within a few hours to a couple of days because the work was too hard and they could “live off” the unemployment payments or public assistance.
Please understand, the Terre Haute business community has a track record of supporting and funding many needed social service activities. The Chamber strongly believes in offering a hand up, not just a hand out. That is why in our 2013 Public Policy Agenda (to be discussed in next month’s column) we added a guiding principle — We believe in … A Community Culture based on individual responsibility and accountability.
You may ask “How does that statement fit with our workforce development efforts?” Because we have jobs available in manufacturing that can provide a good pay that leads to a higher standard and quality of life. We want to break the cycle of poverty by providing our young adults and those in the K-12 system who are not currently thinking of going on to college, a light at the end of the tunnel.
We need parents to understand that employment in businesses, such as “manufacturing,” is a viable and productive option for their children. Studies have shown that only about 25 percent of all graduating seniors (not counting those who drop out prior to getting their high school diploma) ever complete their bachelor’s degree.
More and more businesses, including manufacturing, need employees with associate degree college work to be competitive globally. Tuition assistance is frequently a benefit that not only helps the business, but also the employee. Exciting things often happen when a person with no interest in college connects with college in a work setting.
The Chamber wants to work with the Vigo County School Corp. to expand the already excellent Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. We want to insure there is a seamless delivery of training and education between K-12 and the community colleges. We are also working to identify recruitment programs that help fill current openings by marketing those openings nationwide.
This effort is in its infancy. Dialogue is needed. We need to make this a long term, sustainable program of the Terre Haute Chamber. However, as they say, the 1,000 mile journey begins with the first step.
If you would like more information concerning our workforce development activities please feel free to contact me at the Chamber office at 812-232-2391 or email us at info@terrehaute
chamber.com.
Business
KEN BRENGLE: Terre Haute Chamber values strategic thinking, businesses’ needs
- Business
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Business Cents: Customers and companies: Sugar goes further than vinegar
Working with companies for more than decade I am still shocked to learn how not only companies react to customers but also how rude customers can be to companies.
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SOCIAL SECURITY: Can’t work because of disability? Let us help
Disability is something most people don’t like to think about. But if you’re not able to work because you have a disabling condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death, then it’s a subject you may not be able to avoid.
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Naysayers should treat good news as good news
I like to complain as much as anybody else. In truth, I may do more than my share of finding fault and wagging a finger in warning. Nonetheless, I’m tired of commentators (including many economists) who find nothing good and only the darkest clouds for the past few months.
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All mothers appreciate extra help
Think of all the times and ways that your mom has helped you over the years — when you were a child, and after you became an adult. With Mother’s Day upon us, now is a good time to pay mom back with a little Extra Help — with her Medicare prescription drug costs.
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Upcoming meetings
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce is hosting a health care reform seminar for businesses from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Old National Insurance at 925 Wabash Ave., suite 200.
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Indiana ranked best place to do business in Midwest
Indiana was ranked as the best place to do business in the Midwest and the fifth best nationwide in a survey of more than 500 chief executives by Chief Executive magazine.
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First Farmers rated among top 100 community banks
First Farmers Bank & Trust of Converse was named one of the 100 top-performing community banks for 2012 by SNL Financial.
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Newsmakers: May 12, 2013
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve has recognized John Thompson, president of Thompson Thrift Construction, and Paul Thrift, president of Thompson Thrift Development, as “Patriotic Employers.”
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On the Move: May 12, 2013
Stacey Joseph, a realtor in Terre Haute, has earned the Certified Residential Specialist designation by the Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors.
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Chamber lauds four with Business Recognition Awards
Congratulations to our Business Recognition Awards winners! Our Awards Luncheon at the Meadows Banquet and Conference Center was a great event to wrap up Business Recognition Week, sponsored by Union Hospital. At the Luncheon we recognized four local businesses as the 2012 Business Recognition Award winners:
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ISU students provide detailed grocery analysis
As the National Cooperative Grocers Association makes business decisions in the coming years, the organization likely will take into account an analysis of some of its competitors – about 4,000 of them.
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Construction firm holding grand opening in Marshall on Friday
Construction, H&H LLC is holding a grand opening and Marshall Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday at 812 N. Second St. in Marshall, Ill.
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AP Source: Subaru to expand Indiana plant
Subaru plans to expand its Indiana factory and add workers to build the Impreza small car in 2016, a person briefed on the matter says.
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Transit proposals can prove to be game changers
After baseball, my favorite TV watching is the government channel. Here I can see the local government in action or local government inaction.
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On the Move: May 5, 2013
Melissa Schollaert, RDH, HHP, has been added as a counselor of holistic health and nutrition at The Maple Center for Integrative Health.
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ISU set to offer financial planning program in 2014
When Indiana State University junior Jennifer Groth began scheduling classes last semester, she planned them out by thinking of an academic program the university does not yet offer. Groth will be one of the inaugural students in the financial planning program that ISU will begin to offer in spring 2014.
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Newsmaker: May 5, 2013
Gov. Mike Pence announced the appointment of Jessica Robertson to commissioner of the Indiana Department of Administration, a role she will begin on Wednesday.
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U.S. Postal Service opens village office in Worthington
The U.S. Postal Service officially opened the 40th Village Post Office in the Greater Indiana District on Monday in Worthington.
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How consistent is your business?
There are six areas in which consistency is critical in the majority of companies. Too often, business owners feel as they are “chasing down” rather than “leading it along.” If you can get a high level of consistency with your standards and practices, then your company will benefit.
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Good time to try Spanish online service
Cinco de Mayo is May 5 — a time to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride. Why not join the celebration by visiting Social Security’s Spanish website, where you’ll find a number of useful services and a wealth of information in Spanish.
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First Financial’s net income up 3 percent
First Financial Corp. has announced results for its quarter that ended March 31. The Corp.’s net income increased 3.4 percent to $7.7 million, compared to $7.4 million for the same period of 2012.
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Curtain goes up on new theater owner
The Indiana Theatre in downtown Terre Haute is under new ownership with a new purpose.
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Indiana Theatre SOLD!
The Indiana Theatre at 683 Ohio St. is sold.
Rob Lundstrom, who owns the Copper Bar and Louise’s, took possession of the historic downtown theatre on April 25. -
Higher education completion rates questioned
Spring is really here. Baseball is being played, the Cubs are already tragic and Faye of the Forest reappeared on the back deck. She was parked on the railing as I sat down to write this column.
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Vectren Corp. awards $2.3 million in grants
Vectren Corp. has announced that it awarded more than $2.3 million in 2012 through the Vectren Foundation and corporate contributions.
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Hard work, good attitude produces success
Like clockwork, Indiana State University graduate Joe Evelo regularly provides monthly updates to the first client he signed up when he started his financial investment career more than 35 years ago.
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On the move: April 28, 2013
Old National Bank has promoted Howard Mills to vice president, mortgage loan originator.
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Newsmakers: April 28, 2013
Lenise Kohlway of Spencer was presented with the WorkOne Achievement Award last week for overcoming several employment barriers and pursuing a better life for herself.
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Ivy Tech offers free business counseling
The Ivy Tech Business and Entrepreneurial Services Center and the Terre Haute chapter of SCORE are offering free, confidential business counseling and low-cost high-impact training workshops to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners.
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Social Security: Try this word puzzle challenge
In 1938 — only a couple of years after Social Security was signed into law — a depression-era, unemployed architect named Alfred Mosher Butts studied the front page of The New York Times to figure out how often each of the 26 letters was used. The result was a game he called Criss Cross Words, renamed 10 years later as Scrabble. In honor of Scrabble’s 75th anniversary, we’d like to challenge you to a word puzzle.
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