Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce

MARCH 2003

1�� Jasper Chamber�s Legislative Breakfast at K of C in Jasper

4�� Foundation Grant Committee Meeting at 6:30 pm at OTH

5�� Chamber Development Committee Meeting at 7:30 am at the OTH

7�� Huntingburg Museum Steering Committee Meeting at 8:00 am

12�� Hispanic Outreach Board Meeting 8:00 am at Jasper Engines

13�� Old Town Hall Committee Meeting at Noon at OTH

14-16�� Huntingburg Merchants Daffodil Stroll on Fourth Street

18�� Chamber Breakfast Meeting 7:00 am OTH � Mark Keillor, SDG

18�� Foundation Executive Committee Meeting Noon at OTH

18�� Huntingburg Park Board Meeting at 5:45 pm at City Hall

19�� Chamber Board Meeting at 7:30 am at OTH

19�� Foundation Finance Committee 3:30 pm at OTH

22�� Huntingburg Merchants Car Show Downtown

25�� Foundation Marketing Committee Meeting Noon at OTH

26�� Chamber Development Committee Meeting at 7:30 am OTH

GO WIRELESS THIS SPRING

IN HUNTINGBURG

Jim Dauby of Perry Spencer Telephone Cooperative explained to nearly 40 chamber members at the February Breakfast the plans that Perry Spencer has on expanding telecommunication services in the tri-county area.

Perry Spencer Telephone Cooperative, located in St. Meinrad, was formed in 1953 to bring telephone service to the rural areas of Perry and Spencer Counties.� The company has grown over the past 50 years and provides internet and long distance service to many of the area businesses and residents in Perry, Spencer and Dubois Counties.�

The 1996 deregulation of communication services opened up competition, changed how communication companies drive their revenue resources, and provided opportunities for small regional communication businesses like Perry Spencer.� Perry Spencer decided to broaden their vision and become a leader in telecommunications in the tri-county area.

Perry Spencer is currently conducting marketing surveys in Huntingburg and Jasper to estimate the need of businesses and residents in telecommunication services.� From this survey, the company will develop a feasibility plan that will guide them in developing products and services for the area.� The survey will also request information in regards to name recognition for Perry Spencer Communications.

When asked about a time frame for implementing these services, Mr. Dauby stated that once complete the study could better provide that information.� However, for wireless services, contracts have already been signed with the city of Huntingburg to place equipment on municipally owned structures that could provide the height and thus access necessary for wireless service to businesses and residents in Huntingburg sometime this spring.

Kathy Haller and Dr. Kenneth Troutman from the Five Star Family Dental Clinic commented that their office is now required to file claims via the internet and need the high speed service to effectively complete these tasks within their office.� While Ron Seger from Hopf Himsel stated that maintaining certification with their equipment supplier, requires staff to complete training courses on line.� Both companies indicated the need to improve their internet capabilities in the short term as crucial.

There is no question as we look to expand economic development in Dubois County that telecommunication infrastructure is a critical element in attracting businesses to the area.� It is also important to have these services available for residents to enhance their quality of life.� The wireless service will allow family members to serf the web while keeping the phone line open for important calls.

In effort to give the customer what they want, the Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce is working towards bringing the air show back to the Huntingburg Airport, but with a new twist.

Many residents have expressed an interest in seeing the air show return to Huntingburg.� Representatives of the Chamber approached the Dubois County Airport Authority Board on February 10, 2003 to request permission to develop a Fly-In to the Huntingburg Airport along with a Dubois County Expo.� The Chamber explained that the project was still in the development stage and that the first matter of business was to discover their level of interest.�� The Authority Board was very interested in promoting awareness of the airport and gave the Chamber the green light.

The Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce Development Committee is responsible for the oversight on this project and is also very excited about the project.� It is intended that groups and individuals who enjoy flying will be invited to fly into Huntingburg this fall for a day of fun at the airport as well as some information on Dubois County.� Businesses will be invited to set up booths as part of the expo to promote themselves as well as the amenities of the county to potentially new businesses.

This is a major project and the Huntingburg Chamber will be looking to develop partnerships with other Chambers to make this a successful event.� The Spencer County Chamber has already called and asked how they can become involved.� The Huntingburg Chamber encourages these partnerships, because we believe that development anywhere within Dubois County and northern Spencer County will have a benefit to Huntingburg.

Civic groups will also have the opportunity to be part of the event.� The Chamber hopes to encourage civic groups to also think of this as a countywide project.�� Civic groups from the different communities can partner with their counterparts in other communities to man one of the activities at the air show. We want to extend a special invitation to the Huntingburg Jaycees as the original sponsors of the Huntingburg Air Show.

Businesses and individuals who have special interests associated with airports, planes, skydiving, or flying are asked to get involved.� The event has the potential to grow into a major countywide economic and tourism event.� Therefore, the Chamber encourages anyone interested in participating with the show to contact the Chamber office at (812) 683-5699 or email at [email protected]

Be the Best You Can Be

You and your staff need to be the best you can be.� Consider where your staff needs training.� With training you can do more with less and better.� Although your budgets may be tight, it is essential that you motivate staff and institute best practices to stay ahead of the game and succeed.

The Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce wants to assist you with bringing effective training to your staff in 2003.� The Chamber would like to identify what our members may have in training needs and provide opportunities for our members to receive that training at a reasonable cost. Please let us know what those training needs may be for your company.

For those of you are looking for reference material in managing your employees.� The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has recently published �Indiana Guide to Hiring & Managing Foreign Employees� and �Model Employee Policies for Indiana Employers.��

Both of these publications as well as others can be ordered from the State Chamber by calling (800) 824-6885 or on the website at www.indianachamber.com

5^th Annual Safety Awards

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce will recognize companies with the most innovative safety and health initiatives among Indiana employers on June 4, 2003.

Companies who believe that they have a viable program should contact Theresa Jolivette at (317) 264-6880 or (800) 854-6880.

The Chamber will also sponsor a Safety Compliance Specialist Certification Program.� Cost for this program is $69 interested parties should contact Ken Winslow at (317) 264-6885 or (800) 824-6885.

� �(Bradley Trevor Grieve)

� If you ask the big questions and listen carefully to your heart, you will eventually hear destiny call you

Don�t forget Membership Dues are now past due.� We need all local businesses to join to ensure the successful economic development of our community.

Huntingburg - The Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a breakfast featuring Mark Keillor, Senior Project Manager at Strategic Development Group in Bloomington, Indiana.� Mark will be providing his insights to attendees on various aspects of community economic development.

�Economic Development� has become a buzzword of choice for many local leaders and I think it is important for all of us to understand how we interact with the process to get the best results� Keillor said.� �Though many seem to think of economic development as fairly new, it has been at the heart of our history and heritage for thousands of years�.

In recent years, Dubois County�s traditional furniture manufacturing industries have been required to make some difficult decisions with plant closures and layoffs.� These recent announcements have caused Dubois County officials to seriously consider the formation of an economic development commission.� Keillor�s presentation will include information about basic economic development principles and benefits, a historical perspective, ways to measure progress, and suggestions for creating a community economic development organization.

Chamber members and non-members are encouraged to attend to learn more about Economic Development in Dubois County.� Cost for Chamber-members is $5.00 the cost for non-members is $10.00� Both are payable at the door.� To make a reservation, or ask for further information, please call the Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce at (812) 683-5699.

The Annual Dinner of the Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce will be held Thursday, April 10, 2003 at the Old Town Hall with Robert L. Montgomery, Chairman of the Board and CEO of MZD, Inc. as speaker.

Mr. Montgomery has been associated with Montgomery, Zukerman & Davis, Inc. (MZD Inc.) for over 35 years, joining the company in 1965.� He was promoted to executive vice president in 1970, then to president in 1972 and to chairman of the board in 1977.

In addition to his expertise in advertising and marketing, Mr. Montgomery is well known as an author and inspirational speaker.� He has authored and co-authored several books, including �Get High on Yourself,� an inspirational guide for teenagers;� �Potentiology,� as study of human potential; and �The Future Machine,� a study of business operations into the 21^st century.� His latest book, �Become Strategic or Die,� a unique blend of Sun Tzu�s Art of War and cutting-edge strategic business theory, creating a user�s guide to what the author calls �New Millennium Marketing.�

He has received national recognition for his �Flight for Free Enterprise� and his views on American salesmanship.

Robert received his master�s degree from the University of Minnesota.� Thereafter, he became a college professor and was chairman of the communications department at Butler University before entering the advertising field.

Bob recently received an honorary Doctorate in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and previously received a Doctorate of Laws from Indiana Christian University.

Robert is currently Chairman and C.E.O. of MZD, Inc., a diversified holding company with interests in advertising, training, restaurants, real estate and construction materials.

2002-2003 Chamber Board of Directors and Staff

�� President�� Vice President�� Secretary/Treasurer

�� John Wirthwein�� Bill Land�� Ken Schnaus

�� Styline/OFS�� City of Huntingburg�� Integra Bank

�� Gene Thewes�� Cindy Wilmes�� Jeff Huls

�� German American Bank�� Dubois County Probation Office�� Dubois County Title Company

�� Bob Brown�� Travis McQueen�� Christine Buening

�� Brown Antiques�� Dubois County Airport Authority�� Touch of Class Outlet Store

�� Christine Prior, Executive Director�� Sharon Welp, Administrative Assistant