May 2011 color.qxp - Huntington County Chamber of Commerce
Transcription
May 2011 color.qxp - Huntington County Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber Scene HUNTINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 305 Warren Street • Huntington, Indiana 46750 • (260) 356-5300 • www.huntington-chamber.com • May 2011 Regional Workforce Training Center proposed The Huntington County Community School Corporation (HCCSC), WorkOne Northeast and Ivy Tech Northeast are working in collaboration to create a Regional Workforce Training Center. The Huntington County Chamber of Commerce is working alongside these groups to support the center, which would be a central location for current students, graduating seniors and displaced workers to participate in a skills assessment evaluation in preparation to be equipped and find their place in today’s workforce. Tracey Shafer, superintendent of HCCSC, believes that a Regional Workforce Training Center will provide a “one-stopshop” for workforce training needs and will address the need for talent development for local employers. Shafer went on to say that the center will enhance access and the learning environment for the Huntington citizens that need work skill training. A current statewide employer survey conducted by Ready Indiana, the Indiana Chamber’s workforce development initiative, indicates that there is a skills deficit facing Hoosier workers and their employers. According to the Indiana Chamber survey, weaknesses in skills such as communication, problem solving and basic to advanced computer applications were identified as problematic by more employers in 2010 than in the past four years the survey has been conducted. With the Huntington County unemployment rate for March 2011 at 9.3%, it seems like it would be simple for employers to fill job openings. But this isn’t the case as some companies are finding job applicants do not have the skills needed to operate specialized equipment or in some cases, lack math and computer skills. The lack of trained applicants causes local companies to fund initiatives to fill each open position and keeps the company from reaching its full potential. The goal of the group working together for an assessment/training site in Huntington is to create a “triage” center where people coming in for help will be assessed and Pictured above is the Huntington County Community School Corporation’s Vocational Techical Center located on 2201 N. Jefferson Street. The facility is the proposed site of the Regional Workforce Training Center. either sent to HCCSC to complete their GED, or entered into an Ivy Tech or WorkOne program for additional training. The type of trained workers needed would be collected from Huntington area employers and evaluated on a regular basis. The group already has WorkOne and Ivy Tech on board to train potential employees at a local training center. The plan is to locate the center in the already existent Vocational Technical Center of the HCCSC currently under the direction of Steve Schenkel. The facility will require some renovation to accommodate the needs of the students and adults coming for training, and funds are currently being sought to fund the project. The facility will require a community computer lab, classroom spaces, a larger sized welding bay, spaces for machine trades, space for the certified nursing assistant program and more. Schenkel stated, “Training has been going on at the Vocational Tech building in cooperation with Ivy Tech and WorkOne over the past three years with the partnership providing welding certifications and most recently machining training certifica- tions and this is just a start in programs which could be offered in Huntington if the current facility is expanded.” The annual Employer Workforce Skills Survey, which included results from 218 Indiana businesses, reveals some positives – almost 60% of respondents are predicting a stable workforce through 2013 and a majority of those employers plan to expand. With expansion, jobs are created and skilled employees are needed. Ready Indiana Executive Director Kris Deckard says that the skills mismatch is becoming more prominent – employers are feeling it more. According to data from Indiana’s Workforce Intelligence System, approximately 16% of individuals on unemployment statewide do not have a high school diploma or GED and 50% have no formal education beyond a high school diploma or GED. She further commented, “It’s not surprising that as employers are starting to hire, this is going to be more and more noticed and more and more of a problem.” (Story Continued on Page 2) Page 2 Chamber of Commerce of Huntington County Board of Directors 2011 Chairman of the Board Seth Marshall BSB Investments May 2011 May Business of the Month Northside Cleaners/Parkmoor Car Wash Chairman of the Board Elect Nicole Johnson Edward Jones & Company Treasurer Lee Pasko MarkleBank - Huntington Community Banking Center Assistant Treasurer Stefan Poling Rollo Harter & Poling LLC Greg Batt Ad Design Arthur Daronatsy Dean Foods Dan Juergens Juergens Do-It Center and Radio Shack Mike McElhaney McElhaney-Hart Funeral Home Lori Mickley Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC Richard Najuch The New Huntington Theater and Supper Club Mike Perkins Parkview Huntington Hospital Foundation Sandra Seacott Teachers Credit Union Tracey Shafer Huntington County Community School Corporation Rose Wall Wehr Into Flowers Michael Zahn First Federal Savings Bank STAFF Steve Kimmel Executive Director Ellen Prange Office Manager Jo Ann Burnau Program/Administrative Assistant Northside Cleaners and Parkmoor Car Wash were selected as May’s Businesses of the Month by the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce. Pictured in the photo, front row from left are: JoDeane Knowles, ambassador, TCU; Brianna Spurgeon, administrator, Northside Cleaners; Joe Burgess, ambassador, Pace Chevrolet; Ben Spurgeon, manager, Parkmoor Car Wash; Mary Whitesell, Northside Cleaners; Terry Miller, ambassador, Huntington University and Ness Bros.; Sue Rumple, ambassador, Beacon Credit Union; Gene Snowden, ambassador, Ness Bros.; Brittanie Scheiber, ambassador, IMG Insurance, Steve Kimmel, executive director, Huntington County Chamber of Commerce. Also pictured in the back row are several employees of Northside Cleaners and Parkmoor Car Wash. Workforce Training Center continued (Story Continued From Page 1) A workforce advocacy group reported in October that more than 487,000 “middleskill” job openings are projected for Indiana by 2016. These are jobs that require more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree including administrative support, construction trades, hightech manufacturing, public safety and trucking. Approximately 55% of existing and future Indiana jobs are considered “middle skill.” The planned Regional Workforce Training Center in Huntington would also include programming capabilities such as direct work with employers for project management skills development, placements and internships. The potential for two-year development programs to move on to fouryear university programs would also exist. Shafer said the HCCSC will provide the 18,000-square-foot facility, 2,000-square- foot of classroom space, highly visible land and a building, parking space, valuable machinery and a trained staff toward the project. Jerilee Moser, chancellor of Ivy Tech, has offered contributions of technology outfitting of trained areas, a trained staff, expertise and their reputation and resources. Schenkel commented about the involvement of the other groups, “Ivy Tech would also like to offer a Certified Nursing Assistant program for adults in Huntington and will be taking over the Driver’s Education program in the fall.” WorkOne’s Kathleen Randolph, president/CEO of Economic Growth Regions 2 & 3, said WorkOne would lease space in the center and provide trained staff members for assessment and training. WorkOne would also provide the center with access to workforce training resources to enhance internships and on the job training. May 2011 Huntington County Chamber of Commerce Membership has its rewards Becoming a member of the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce is a business investment. Chamber membership can open opportunities to meet people who can and will do business with you. Tell your business acquaintances and show them how to join. • Networking, networking, networking. • Weekly Chamber Notes sent to your e-mail box each Friday. • Monthly newsletter with information and activities. • Low cost advertising opportunities in the monthly newsletter, website, and other Chamber publications. • Information about Chamber members upon request. Including: Industrial and Wholesalers Guide; Personnel Management Contacts; New Resident Packets; Membership Directory; Wage and Benefit Survey/Summary and Gift Check Program • Information about local, state, and federal legislative and business issues. • Business statistical information. • Your business, address, e-mail, website address, and location map posted in the directory on the Chamber website. • Information/relocation packets for new residents. • Seminars, workshops, and symposiums to help improve business competitiveness. • Notary service for free. • Business of the Month, Ribbon Cuttings and Grand Openings. • Member2Member discount program to encourage local business shopping. • Huntington County area maps. • Opportunity to serve with over 200 other business persons on several Chamber committees working on issues of concern to local business. • Fun events with fellow members, such as Business After Hours, Networking Breakfasts, Golf Outings, and other events. • Discounts on medical insurance, telephone service, cell phones, and DSL internet service. • Networking, networking, networking. Page 3 After Hours Thursday, April 14 Bippus State Bank The Chamber of Commerce held an After Hours at Bippus State Bank in celebration of the bank’s 100th anniversary on Thursday, April 14. Pictured above in the center of the photo is Mat Quickery of Bippus State Bank in Roanoke talking with Greg Batt, Ad Design and wife Karen. In the background from left are Cheryl Jarrett, C&M Engraving & Gifts; Ryan Warner, president, Bippus State Bank; and Mick Jarrett, C&M Engraving & Gifts. After Hours Tuesday, April 19 Pat Horoho’s Retirement The Chamber of Commerce held an After Hours in celebration of the retirement of Pat Horoho from the Huntington County United Way. Pictured above is Pat Horoho talking with Steve Mason of IMG Insurance. To the right is Randy Prange, Bippus State Bank, talking with Annette Carroll of Mignone Communications. Page 4 Chamber of Commerce of Huntington County May 2011 Central School to Central Apartments The Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Quality Housing Development’s Donna Penticuff and Chris Smith of Maxwell Construction for giving us a peak inside the new Central School Apartments. Pictured in the photo above at left is the former Community Gymnasium. The size of this area is now about one-third the original. The photo in center at left and bottom at left, show the second floor that has been added to the other two-thirds of the gym. The photo at the top to the right shows the main hallway of the former Central School and the photo immediately above shows one of the apartments with drywall, rails and the former closets used by students for many years. The complex will have thirty-six one and two bedroom units and all rooms are slightly different. The project is scheduled to be complete in October of 2011. New business comes to downtown Huntington Trophy Center Plus The future site of Trophy Center Plus, located in downtown Huntington at 445 N. Jefferson Street, is shown in the photo at right. The new business is owned by Joe Santa and is located at the former site of Today’s and Yesterday’s Collectibles and formerly Modern Shoe Store. Trophy Center Plus will offer trophies, plaques, awards, engraving and other related products. The planned store opening is June 16 during the Huntington’s Heritage Days celebration. May 2011 Chamber of Commerce of Huntington County Page 5 Select My Business Card Joe Burgess Business Manager Northview Inn & Suites We’re Expecting You! Amy Stansell General Manager 2820 Hotel Avenue Huntington, IN 46750 Phone: (260) 359-9000 Fax: (260) 359-9100 [email protected] May 2011 Huntington County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Nature’s Fuel Breaks Ground Page 11 Welcome New Members Avon Representative Amber Parker 1948 Hickory Avenue Huntington, IN 46750 Expectations! Tracy Goetz 193 East Morse Street Markle, IN 46770 Jiffy Port-a-Jons Ed Asher 4078 South Warren Road Huntington, IN 46750 Community calendar now featured on Chamber website Officials from Huntington City and County and representatives of Nature’s Fuel lift shovels to break ground for a new plant to be built on 300W in Huntington County near the site of the landfill. Nature’s Fuel is making an investment in Huntington County by turning every day garbage into crude oil. Sources from the company say they will create 150 new jobs and 3 to 4 million per year in revenue. Mayor Steve Updike, shown in the photo fifth from the left, said, “With enough revenue coming in from the project, we can use this money to lower the tax rate in our city.” Also at left in the photo are Tom Wall, commissioner, and Ann Tompkins, landfill manager. The Chamber’s website now features a community calendar. To view the calendar, see the first page of the website www.huntingtoncountychamber.com. Find the calendar to the far right and click on the month. A full page calendar will open showing all the events for that month that the Chamber has received information for. Further use of the calendar features searching for the previous or forward months by clicking on the directional arrows adjacent to the month name. To have your organization’s activities included send a listing to the Chamber at [email protected]. The Chamber is currently gathering information for the 2011 calendar year. PROFESSIONAL JANITORIAL SERVICE, INC. Industrial and Commercial Cleaning Since 1985 SAFEGUARD SERVICES, INC. Security Guard and Patrol Service Since 1962 430 Warren Street Huntington, IN (260) 356-4726 VACANCY OFFICE SPACE Located at 1312 Flaxmill Road BEST LOCATION IN HUNTINGTON CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AMPLE PARKING WITH UP TO (10) INDIVIDUAL OFFICES OWNER WILL MAKE CHANGES TO MEET YOUR NEEDS! CALL LIZ McCLAIN OR GENE FLECK AT: 356-6577 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Huntington, IN Permit No. 194 305 Warren Street Huntington, IN 46750 eb! the W ber.com n o Us am Visit ington-ch t n .hu www Mark Your Calendars Huntington University Foundation Breakfast Wednesday, May 11, 2011 7:45 to 9:00 a.m. Senior Expo Thursday, May 19, 2011 Huntington University 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. AFTER HOURS For information about hosting a Chamber After Hours, please call the Chamber office at (260) 356-5300 and ask for available dates. NETWORKING BREAKFAST SHOWCASE For information on becoming a Networking Showcase presenter, please call the Chamber office at (260) 356-5300 and ask for available dates. Pathfinder Kids Kampus Golf Outing Wednesday, May 25, 2011 LaFontaine Golf Club Lunch: 11:30 a.m.; Shotgun Start: 12 Noon CHAMBER NEWSLETTER ADS Heritage Days 2011 Wednesday, June 15 to Sunday, June 19 Business Card and Service Ads as low as - $10 per issue Little Miss and Junior Miss Heritage Days Half Page - $50 per issue Wednesday, June 15, 2011 Huntington University Full Page - $100 per issue Chief of the Flint Springs Tribe Breakfast to reserve your space Thursday, June 16, 2011 LaFontaine Golf Club 8:00 a.m. MEMBERS IN THE NEWS: Rotary Club Strawberry Feed Thursday, June 16, 2011 Hier’s Park 5 to 7 p.m. Call 356-5300 Email your press releases and pictures to: [email protected] NOTE: Deadline for advertising and members in the news for the June newsletter is Friday, May 20, 2011. Call for details!