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Welcome to our spring chamber magazine, delivered to you digitally. In 2021, we’ll produce this three times a year, curating information in a different manner from our monthly chamberWIRE and South Bend Region Economic Development enewsletters.
Workforce & Economic Development
It’s good we’ve gone digital as things are happening so quickly. The year started off looking a little bleak. Now, with gained knowledge and more people vaccinated for the coronavirus, there is a sense of hopefulness and optimism. Business is back! But not with its challenges. Daily, we are hearing from members regarding worker shortages. While we wish we had a turn-key solution to ease your pain, we are working with our elected officials to communicate the feedback and insights we are receiving from employers. I encourage you to reach out to me at [email protected] with any of your specific workforce concerns.
Know that workforce is our number one economic development priority. Programs we’ve developed like MFG Days and the more recent BLDG Trades Week are bolstering a resource-rich library of opportunities and information for educators, high school students and their parents to use to explore careers in manufacturing and construction trades. These programs, along with our INTERN SBR , YPN South Bend, and the regional LIFT Network Apprenticeship program add to the talent ecosystem we are building in this region. You can access all of these programs and resources by visiting the Talent section on our website. In addition, don’t forget to take advantage of our Jobs Board, free for member businesses to post job openings and free for anyone to view.
Our Michiana Forty under 40 program just delivered its 15th class! This means, through the program, we have recognized 600 talented and engaged young adults throughout the Michiana region. An eight-person panel of Michiana business leaders (none are employed by the Chamber) selected the class based on a nomination process that saw 183 nominations. This year’s diverse group of honorees will be showcased in a video premiering June 25 followed by a special feature in the June 27 issue of the South Bend Tribune.
In economic development news, nationally, GDP growth is expected to be 6.5%. Q2 growth could top 10% helping to make 2021 one of the strongest year since 1984. The Consumer Confidence Index is 64.7, the highest reading since December 1983. Locally, there are also many positive signs. The number of economic development prospects considering the area is up significantly, as are building permits and commercial construction activity in St. Joseph County in the first quarter of 2021, $53.4 million in valuation compared to $18.4 million in the first quarter of last year.
Advocacy
The session of the Indiana General Assembly recently concluded with a big win in our community with the signing of SB164 into law, which raises the innkeepers tax in St. Joseph County by 2%, from 6% to 8%. We worked closely with our state legislators on this effort, even testifying on behalf of the bill to push this important economic development legislation past the finish line. This legislation focuses on product development to drive more overnight visitation and related visitor spending in St. Joseph County. The legislation directs a portion of the funding to a Tourism Capital Improvement Fund, Mishawaka Sports Complex, Potawatomi Zoo capital improvement, and improvements to the Morris Performing Arts Center.
Events
Now, with the county face mask order lifted and the new CDC guidelines for vaccinated people, we will be exploring more in-person programming. For instance, Aloft South Bend is sponsoring the July 22 Business After Hours inside their grand ballroom. Our annual golf outing that gives you the opportunity to do business on the golf course takes place on June 14, and we’ll have an August outdoor event at Four Winds Field and another one in September partnering with the Potawatomi Zoo. If you have interest in wanting to host a ribbon cutting, Business After Hours or Coffee & Conversations, please contact Director of Member Relations Rick Zeeff, 574.400.4044.
Thank you for your continued investment in the Chamber. We work on your behalf, so always feel free to reach out. Enjoy the read!
Jeff Rea
President & CEO
South Bend Regional Chamber
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