Wabash Showcase
| Bruce Storm, Editor | February 1997 |
Please use this quick index to navigate this issue of the Business Chronicle.
Wabash ShowcaseBy Nancy Jacoby
Committee Co-chairA new location! New, lower booth rental! Activity! Entertainment and food! You'll experience the festivity when you take part this year! The Wabash High School gymnasium (new location) will allow us not only, more room, but also will allow all exhibitors to be on one convenient level.
The dates for this year's Business Expo are Saturday March 15 and Sunday March 16. The hours, being 11:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturday and 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Sunday, are slightly shorter.
The Showcase Committee made the decision after last year's event to switch to an every other year schedule. So, if you are thinking "maybe next year," be advised that the NEXT Wabash Showcase - A Business Expo will take place in the year 1999!
All Chamber member businesses and organizations should have received exhibitor information the week of January 20. If you did not receive the mailing or you need more information, please contact the Chamber office.
The Showcase Committee is Co-Chaired by Nancy Jacoby, Nancy J's Fabrics and Roderick Schram, WAYT 1510 AM/WWIP 105.9 FM. The rest of the committee is made up of the following: Bill Barrows & Teresa Storm, Sports Unlimited, LLC; Mike Rees, "the paper" of wabash county; and Rick Welch, Wabash Plain Dealer. Any of the committee members are available to answer questions and offer suggestions to ensure that the Business Expo is the positive opportunity your business or organization could benefit from by being an exhibitor. Remember, the sooner you get your registration WITH PAYMENT in to the Chamber office the better your chances are of getting your first choice of booth spaces.
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Vegas Night PlannedYour Fund Raising Committee (chaired by Rick Welch, Wabash Plain Dealer) has planned a "Vegas Night" fund raiser. The event is to take place on March 1 from 6:00 pm until midnight at the Wabash Moose Lodge #1195.
The Vegas Night fund raiser will be open to the public (21 yrs. of age and older) and there will be a $3.00 cover charge at the door. The games available for play that night will include roulette, chuck-a-luck and black jack. There will also be other chances at prizes, such as a 50/50 drawing at midnight.
If you have an interest in volunteering your time as a dealer that night, Rick Welch would like you to contact him at (219) 563-2131.
Other members of the Fund Raising Committee are: Karen Halley, Manpower, Inc.; Omar Habayeb, Secondary Metal Processing; Lori Burch, Wabash Plain Dealer; Nancy Jacoby, Nancy J's Fabrics, Roderick Schram, WAYT 1510 AM/WWIP 105.9 FM and Troy Cole, The Ford Meter Box Company.
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Legislative Report
Your Government Affairs Committee has scheduled a Third House Session (Legislative Breakfast) for Saturday February 22, 8:00 am, at the Wabash Inn.
Our two State Representatives, Bill Friend and Bill Ruppel, along with State Senator Harold "Potch" Wheeler will be in attendance to update us all on the activities and issues at this year's General Assembly. The timing of this Third House Session is significant because it will be about the time that bills introduced in both Houses will be moving from House to House. If there is a bill introduced in either House that you feel will affect your business, either in a positive or negative way, this will be a very opportune time for you to express your point of view to your legislators.
The cost to attend the Third House Session is $8.00 for Chamber members and their employees and $10.00 for nonmembers. Call the Chamber office to make your reservation and remember, you can put this on your credit card, also.
Your Government Affairs Committee consists of the following Chamber members: Shelly Neal, Family Service Society; Bob Fuller, Lake City Bank; Bob Elrod, Wabash County Farm Bureau, Inc.; Pat Lynn, City of Wabash; Rick Hahn, Thomas Ford Lincoln Mercury; Craig McKillip, McKillip Seeds; Dee Byerly, North Central Cooperative; Sharon Beauchamp, Beauchamp & McSpadden/ISU and Jack Porter.
LEGISLATIVE FYI...
...Small Business Day - At the State House (organized by The Indiana Small Business Council of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce) will take place on February 25 this year. If you are interested in attending or would like more information, contact Government Affairs Committee Chair Shelly Neal at (219) 563-4407 or the Chamber office.
...This session there have been 1053 bills introduced in the House and 620 bills introduced in the Senate. Do you think there is a chance that any of those bills, if passed, could possibly affect the way you operate your business? Your Government Affairs Committee Chair, Shelly Neal would be interested in hearing your concerns. Shelly can be reached at (219) 563-4407, or, of course, you may call the Chamber office also.
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Indiana Ranks No. 2 for BusinessThe verdict is in: Indiana is a great place for business.
In its November 18 issue, Financial World magazine ranks Indiana as the second-best state in which to run a business.
Utah grabbed the top ranking, while Hawaii came in last of the 50 states. Indiana was the top-ranked state in the Midwest.
Financial World researched the cost of doing business in all 50 states, which it said is "first and foremost on the minds of business leaders." Other factors analyzed include economic potential, disposable income growth, employment growth, business closings, bond ratings, poverty ratings and the education of the labor force.
The Financial World article, which is written as a location guide for business professionals, said the study ranks states "in terms of their appeal to businesses seeking a home."
Lt. Governor Frank O'Bannon said the Financial World ranking reaffirms what the state has been saying all along.
"We welcome this national recognition of Indiana's past success and its bright economic future," O'Bannon said. "It reinforces our message that locating a business in Indiana simply makes good sense."
Financial World's top 10: (1) Utah; (2) Indiana; (3) New Mexico; (4) North Carolina; (5) Tennessee; (6) Idaho; (7) South Carolina; (8) Wyoming; (9) Texas; and (10) Kentucky.
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Chamber Member NewsVernon Manor Childrens Home
... Carla Stiverson and Norman Pritchett are using Vernon Manor as a training site for their Chocolate Labrador named Jake. After Jake has completed his schooling, he will then go to help an individual who is physically challenged. Jake will be able to turn lights on and off, open doors and pick up dropped objects, to mention only a few of the tasks he will be able to perform. Jake has definitely made a hit with the children of Vernon Manor, they just adore him. Norman and Carla of N & C Training volunteer their time to train animals to assist the handicapped.
Also from Vernon Manor... The Indiana Pacers have invited 15 of our children to the Pacers vs. Seattle game on Feb. 26 in Indianapolis.
Plus... Did you know that country singer Loretta Lynn's mother, Clara Butcher, was one of the very first nurses' aides to work for Vernon Manor?
Business Women's Council -
The BWC is making plans for their April luncheon. The program, a panel of six women in small business, will be April 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Honeywell Center. Plan now to attend.
Career Fair is near!
The 1997 Career Fair is fast approaching. The Partners in Education committee is holding Career Fair on March 4, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Honeywell Center. For information on booth availability please contact Tony Pulley, 569-9321, or the Chamber office at 563-1168. Hope to see you there!
FYI...
...Web Site Traffic Report: During the month of December we experienced 511 accesses, bringing the cumulative total to 2806 since going on line in September. Is that 2806 potential customers or clients? Could be...
...Each month we highlight three members in the "Business Spotlight" section of the Chamber's web site. This month we are spotlighting Halderman Farm Management Services, MFY Designs, Inc. and Thomas Ford Lincoln Mercury - check it out!
...Don't forget - If your business is a Chamber member, all of your employees are also members. They are all eligible to participate in the Chamber's committee structure and attend all functions and events. So, PLEASE, route all invitations and notices to ALL of your employees. We can all benefit from their participation and so will they along with your business.
BRIAN HOWENSTINE HONORED
BY WAL-MART FOUNDATIONRecently, Coast to Coast owner/manager, Brian Howenstine, was honored by the Wal-Mart Foundation as a business person in the Wabash community who stands out because of his or her "service to the community, respect for employees and dedication to customer service". Along with the award, the Wal-Mart Foundation also made a donation of $500 to the Chamber to support the organization's work (in the photo, Brian is presenting the check to Karen Halley, Board Vice-Chair, at the January Board meeting).
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Economic Indicators for Wabash County - November 1996 | |
From Manchester College Department of Economics and Business | |
|
Economic Index (1985 = 100) |
121.0 |
|
Total Deposits (000) |
$559,127 |
|
Employment |
17,250 |
|
Industrical Electrical Sales (000 kwhr.) |
20,981 |
|
Residential Building Permits |
6 |
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