FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce (WCACC) announced their partnership with Lincoln Financial Group to deliver a new Chamber Group 401(k) program to benefit new and existing Chamber member businesses. Through this new program, Chamber member businesses will have access to retirement plans with competitive pricing, thanks to the group 401(k) pricing offered by Lincoln Financial.  
​
Starting today, the WCACC Group 401(k) plan is available to Chamber members at no additional cost.  Businesses will access the plan through their local Chamber member financial professional or advisor and will work with Lincoln Financial Group to find the right plan for their situation. 

Earlham College is pleased to offer students of Wayne County Chamber of Commerce members the Earlham College Hometown Scholarship, which is valued at $2,500 each year for four years. By combining merit-based scholarships with this new Hometown Scholarship, students from Wayne County may be eligible for up to $32,500 each year in Earlham funding. Information about all of Earlham's scholarships can be found at earlham.edu/scholarships.

Article provided by the US Chamber.

We need an “Operation: Warp Speed for jobs” to ensure America experiences a great economic resurgence.
​
Today, the Chamber launched America Works, a new initiative to address the worker shortage business owners across the country and across industries are facing.

Article provided courtesy of Frankjkenny.com

63% of people in their twenties want to be their own boss, according to a 2013 University of Phoenix study. And while it’s arduous work, the lure of the freelance and entrepreneurial culture these days is incredibly strong. Some people are called to it with a unique idea or talent, while others spend years mulling over what kind of business they want to start.
​
It always surprises me when people are more in love with the idea of “a business” than “the business.” Many these days know they want to be entrepreneurs long before they have the idea that will help them become one. But if you’re ready, here’s how you can begin your path to business ownership. 

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 14, 2021
 
Media Contact: Acacia St. John
Forward Wayne County, 765.259.3327
acacia@forwardwaynecounty.org         

​Wayne County, Indiana– The Wayne County Broadband Taskforce, in partnership with Purdue University Center for Regional Development, released the county-wide broadband survey results today. The online survey was conducted in March and covered a wide range of topics including usage, actual speeds, and lack of access. Here are some key highlights:

On Thursday, May 6th, we hosted our 12th annual School is Cool Senior Celebration! We celebrated Wayne County high school seniors who achieved (near) perfect attendance for the 2020-2021 school year and gave away prizes to each one! Because of the circumstances the schools and students have faced this year, the usual perfect attendance threshold was lowered to 96% attendance to account for the hybrid schedules. Because of this, we had a record 223 students in attendance. Due to the number of students, the Chamber made the decision to host the event over Zoom once again in order to follow proper COVID guidelines so that we could celebrate safely!

Article written by Mike Emery | Richmond Palladium-Item

RICHMOND, Ind. — Tony Foster has spent three years with Randy Baker learning the power industry.

Now, when Baker retires at the end of the month, Foster will replace him as Richmond Power & Light's general manager. The RP&L board, which is composed of Richmond Common Council members, approved Foster's selection Monday evening.

Article courtesy of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Proposed tax increases will hurt both big businesses and small businesses alike, explains Chamber Senior Economist Curtis Dubay in a blog post. In fact, 1.4 million American small businesses (organized as C-Corporations), employing almost 13 million Americans, would see higher tax rates.
​
Hardest hit: Manufacturing small business C-Corps employ the most workers out of the group (1.8 million workers). Professional, scientific, and technical services are next (employing 1.3 million), followed by retail (employing 1.2 million). ​

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

​The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to be teaming up with UnitedHealthcare to announce a new benefit for members: the UnitedHealthcare Community Chamber Program.

Through this new program, Chamber member businesses will have access to quality employee health insurance at competitive rates. The program touts savings of up to 25 percent with strong benefits. 
​
“Launching a healthcare plan has been a long-term goal of our board that began three years ago,” said Chamber President and CEO Melissa Vance. “Navigating legislation and regulation with our partners at the US Chamber has been an arduous process, but I am extremely pleased we are finally able to offer this benefit to our members.”

​This article details the conversation I had the pleasure of conducting with John Faas, entering Executive Director of Richmond Civic Theater, and Kathy Clopper, President of the Board of Richmond Civic Theater. John’s duties officially begin May first, but nevertheless he’s done his research and has plenty of fresh ideas and unique experience to bring to the table. Kathy began her involvement with Richmond Civic Theater in 1988 by volunteering. “I got to put button holes in costumes and a lady showed me how to put eyeliner on men, and I’ve never stopped and never looked back since then,” says Clopper.  She’s graced the theater with her writing, design, and directing skills. While she will be stepping down as president in July, she is hoping to direct a show next season saying, “my directing chops are antsy to get back to work.”