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
northviewinn@yahoo.com
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 skimmel@huntington-chamber.com. 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
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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:
skimmel@huntington-chamber.com
NOTE: Deadline for advertising and members in the news for
the June newsletter is Friday, May 20, 2011. Call for details!