http://www.springfieldchamber.com/ Latest news en http://www.springfieldchamber.com/fileadmin/saccsite/template/images/logorss.gif http://www.springfieldchamber.com/ 127 56 Latest news TYPO3 - get.content.right http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Wed, 02 May 2012 11:40:00 -0500 http://www.springfieldchamber.com/news_updates/chamber_news/news_display/article/ricks_automotive_inc_receives_chambers_2012_small_business_award/ The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce announced Rick’s Automotive, Inc., as its 2012 W. Curtis... New Releases Wed, 02 May 2012 11:40:00 -0500 http://www.springfieldchamber.com/news_updates/chamber_news/news_display/article/five_in_running_for_the_chambers_2012_small_business_award/ Five area businesses are finalists for the W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award to be presented by... Finalists are: DeLong Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, provides maintenance, repair and new construction services for industrial, residential and commercial areas. With 47 employees, president is Garry R. DeLong. Midwest Metro, A Field Services Company, provides property preservation and real estate-owned services. With 27 full-time and three part-time employees, vice-president is Charles Nelson. Old Missouri Bank, provides commercial banking services for both personal and business purposes. With 33 employees, president and CEO is Mark Harrington. Pension Consultants, Inc., manages all facets of employer-sponsored retirement plans.  With 18 employees, founder and president is Brian D. Allen. Rick’s Automotive, Inc., a full service repair shop specializing in automotive repair on cars, light trucks and fleets.  With 35 employees, founder and president is Rick Hughlett. Regions Bank is the presenting sponsor for the awards luncheon.]]> New Releases Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:35:00 -0500 http://www.springfieldchamber.com/news_updates/chamber_news/news_display/article/transportation_service_company_diamond_international_of_springfield_announces_new_60000_sqft_exp/ Diamond International of Springfield, a service and supply company for the trucking industry,...
The company has qualified for $641,676 in state and local benefits through Missouri Department of Economic Development and the City of Springfield’s Enhanced Enterprise Zone tax incentive program.

Partnerships between business and communities are of foremost importance and contribute to the success the Springfield region has had in attracting and expanding business.

The Springfield Partnership for Economic Development, consisting of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Business Development Corporation, Greene County, the City of Springfield and City Utilities, with additional support from Missouri Department of Economic Development, worked together with Diamond International, Inc. to provide assistance through the successful expansion process.

Collectively, the logistics sector is large in the Springfield region’s providing an annual economic impact of $14.3 billion and making up 8.3% of all jobs in the region. Due to the advantages the Springfield region has to offer, supply chain and logistics is a growing industry in the region.

The Springfield community will benefit from the company’s anticipated capital investment of nearly $8 million to complete the expansion and purchase new equipment and products that will be available in the new facility.  Diamond International of Springfield will be located in the New Prime Subdivision, a commercial and industrial site located along Interstate 44 owned by Prime, Inc. The company has qualified for $641,676 in state and local benefits through Missouri Department of Economic Development and the City of Springfield’s Enhanced Enterprise Zone tax incentive program. Partnerships between business and communities are of foremost importance and contribute to the success the Springfield region has had in attracting and expanding business. The Springfield Partnership for Economic Development, consisting of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Business Development Corporation, Greene County, the City of Springfield and City Utilities, with additional support from Missouri Department of Economic Development, worked together with Diamond International, Inc. to provide assistance through the successful expansion process. Collectively, the logistics sector is large in the Springfield region’s providing an annual economic impact of $14.3 billion and making up 8.3% of all jobs in the region. Due to the advantages the Springfield region has to offer, supply chain and logistics is a growing industry in the region.

About Diamond Companies
With more than 600 employees, and 17 locations in four states, Diamond Companies is one of the largest International® Truck dealers in the US. Diamond Companies takes the hassle out of truck operations with more than 180 service bays and over $9 million in stocked parts. Diamond Companies President and CEO, Dick Sweebe, was honored as American Truck Dealers Truck Dealer of the Year for 2009. Diamond Companies delivers a higher standard of value to the commercial truck industry. ]]> New Releases Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:30:00 -0500 http://www.springfieldchamber.com/news_updates/chamber_news/news_display/article/50_companies_looking_to_hire_our_heroes_at_job_fair_for_veterans_and_spouses/ The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to host...
To date, there are 50 employers with available jobs.  If you are an employer with job openings, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce encourages you to register to participate.  Please visit: www.hoh.greatjob.net today to register. Registration closes March 9, 2012. Since the launch of the program in March 2011, the U.S. Chamber has hosted 83 hiring fairs in 41 states. Thus far, the hiring fairs have hosted more than 81,000 veterans and military spouses and given them the opportunity to meet with over 4,000 different employers.  As a result, they have helped more than 6,000 veterans and military spouses and 60 wounded warriors find employment. This event is being sponsored by: U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve; VETS; Missouri Career Center; Experience Works; the Federal Medical Prison; and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.]]> New Releases Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:45:00 -0600 http://www.springfieldchamber.com/news_updates/chamber_news/news_display/article/chamber_introduces_2012_executive_committee/ The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce introduced its 2012 executive committee during the... Other members of the 2012 executive committee include:
• Chairman-elect – Brian Fogle, president, Community Foundation of the Ozarks;
• Vice Chairman, Community Development/Special Events –  Dr. Jennifer Jackson, publisher, Springfield Business Journal/SBJ Publishing, Inc.;
• Vice Chairman, Economic Development –  Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor, Ozarks Technical Community College;
• Vice Chairman, Membership –  Dawn Hiles, vice president, enrollment management, Drury University;
• Vice Chairman, Public Affairs  -- Jeff Schrag, publisher, The Daily Events, and owner, Mother’s Brewing Co.;
• Treasurer –  Jake McWay, senior vice president and CFO, CoxHealth; and
• Assistant Treasurer –  John Black, associate general manager, City Utilities. To see the complete listing of the Chamber’s 2012 board of directors go to http://www.springfieldchamber.com/board/ .]]> New Releases Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:10:00 -0600 http://www.springfieldchamber.com/news_updates/chamber_news/news_display/article/mary_beth_oreilly_names_2012_springfieldian/ Mary Beth O’Reilly, founder and president of the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, and... New Releases Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:08:00 -0600 http://www.springfieldchamber.com/news_updates/chamber_news/news_display/article/springfieldbranson_regional_salute_coalition_announces_2012_legislative_event/ The Springfield/Branson Regional Salute to Missouri Legislators Coalition announces its 2012... Sandy Howard at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce at 862-5567.]]> New Releases Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:32:00 -0600 http://www.springfieldchamber.com/news_updates/chamber_news/news_display/article/leadership_springfield_accepting_applications-3/ Leadership Springfield, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing community leaders, is...
Those targeted for the program are emerging leaders from the community, businesses and professions who have established themselves as having leadership potential and who have shown a concern for Springfield’s future.

Applications are due March 19. Learn more about Leadership Springfield and apply online at http://www.leadershipspringfield.org , or call Kim Everest at 862-5567.

Leadership Springfield is an affiliate of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is to create positive change in the Springfield area by inspiring, developing and connecting leaders dedicated to serving the community.]]> New Releases Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:56:00 -0600 http://www.springfieldchamber.com/news_updates/chamber_news/news_display/article/springfield_ranked_in_top_three_among_american_cities_for_job_growth/ Researchers at 24/7 Wall St. recently named the top five American cities for job growth from... second Top 5 ranking the area has received in a week and continues to point to Springfield and the surrounding area as a leader in the nation for economic recovery. The Springfield Metro Area (population nearly 450,000) has grown at virtually the same rate, adding 9,459 jobs in the past year.  In 2011, the Springfield region announced 12 expansion projects in a diverse mix of industries including manufacturers, distributors, back office operations and technology development companies.  Expanding companies include global companies such as John Deere Reman and Expedia as well as local successes such as HealthMEDX and Digital Monitoring Products and often cite the quality labor force and low cost of doing business as reasons for their growth leading to new jobs. Springfield's unemployment has also dropped to 7.4 percent, a full percent below the state rate of 8.5 and the City of Springfield says its sales tax revenue increased more than 10 percent from a year ago.]]> New Releases Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:34:00 -0600 http://www.springfieldchamber.com/news_updates/chamber_news/news_display/article/greene_county_springfield_missouri_named_in_top_five_nationwide_for_economic_strength/ Greene County, Mo., has been named fifth in the Top 10 Mid-Sized Counties in the nation in a newly... Fourth Economy Consulting launched the new index highlighting communities ideally positioned to attract modern investment and managed economic growth.

The “fourth economy” characterizes the nation’s current economic condition, and highlights those communities best positioned to attract investment and continue to attain economic success through five measurable areas: investment, talent, sustainability, place, and economic diversity.

Over the last year, the Springfield-Greene County region has experienced considerable economic growth, with major expansion from international companies such as Expedia, Inc., adding more than 500 people to its Springfield operations center along with banking solutions company, Jack Henry & Associates, completing a new 160,000 sq.ft. Springfield campus which will house more than 650 people.

The Springfield-Greene County region also benefits from a strong innovation and entrepreneurial environment with Jordan Valley Innovation Center (JVIC), part of Missouri State University’s IDEA Commons, where research focuses on nanotechnology, carbon-based electronics, bio-materials and biomedical instrument development. The FEC Index recognition is additional confirmation that the region has the proper foundation for continued economic growth.

For more information on Greene County and Springfield, Missouri, visit http://www.springfieldregion.com .

About the Index
The FEC Index (www.fourtheconomyindex.com) considers several county-level measures within five areas: 1) Investment, 2) Talent, 3) Sustainability, 4) Place, and 5) Diversity. These five areas serve as a foundation for future economic success to include wage and employment growth, education levels, drive times, home values, minority business ownership, agricultural capacity and population density. The measures are weighted based on the level of influence they have on both internal and external investment decisions.

The FEC Index scores for this listing ranged from 0 to 4.5.  They included only mid-sized counties (population of 150,000 to 300,000) with education attainment above 25% and average travel times less than 20 minutes. Beyond the initial FEC Index measures, the analysis also considers the capacity for a community to support innovation. The FEC Index expresses an innovation capacity score as a letter grade, determined by the online source Stats-America (www.statsamerica.org/). This grade considers factors such as human capital, state policy context and productivity. Fourth Economy Consulting will periodically produce additional FEC Index listings for micro, small and large counties.  ]]> New Releases Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:30:00 -0600