The Little Blog That Could...

The content you are reading here will soon be read each day by a national audience. Yes, that's right - The Daily Dose has been chosen for national blog syndication (basically - the blog big time!)

We are proud to announce ‘The Daily Dose,’ has been selected by Newstex “Content on Demand” for national syndication.

The Daily Dose will now reach global commercial and proprietary media applications for delivery to end users. Such media applications include: The Associated Press, BBC Monitoring, Business Wire, Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, EDGAR Online, M2 Communications, Market Wire, PR Newswire, PrimeZone Media Network, Xinhua News Agency, United Press International, ProQuest, NewsBank, LexisNexis, EBSCO, CanWest MediaWorks, Thomson Financial and Thomson Business Intelligence.

“To be chosen to have our blog content reach a national media audience is exciting,” says Nicole Wilkins, Communications Manager for the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce. “We are proud of all the blog has accomplished for the Chamber. More importantly as part of their membership benefits, our members will enjoy increased national exposure as well.”

Content from the Chamber’s Daily Dose is expected to hit national syndication over the next couple months. Through national media partnerships, Newstex and Amazon’s new Kindle wireless media device, the Daily Dose will be integrated and delivered to those who might otherwise not be able to integrate web log content into their information databases.

Harrison Square Topping Off Ceremony

On July 1 the public is invited to watch as the signed I-beam will be raised to mark highest point of the Harrison Square ballpark.

Mayor Henry is inviting members of the previous and current City Council, redevelopment commission, former Mayor Graham Richard, former Deputy Mayor Mark Becker, representatives from the Fort Wayne Wizards, Hardball Capital and Barry Real Estate to sign an I-beam that will top off the ballpark’s structure.

The site will open at 11 a.m. City Council, Redevelopment Commission members, Mayor Henry and others will sign the final I-beam at about 11:30. The beam will then be raised into place, marking the highest point in the construction of the ballpark.

Visitors can enter at the corner of Brackenridge and Ewing or near the corner of Douglas and Webster, across from the Federal Courthouse parking lot.

Over the Top Networking Event

On behalf of the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Improvement District, Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Fort Wayne and the Allen County Commissioners you are invited to one of the largest networking opportunities in our community.

Over the Top will take place Monday, July 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. on the north plaza of the City-County Building in beautiful downtown Fort Wayne.

This will be a great opportunity for City and County employees, neighborhood associations, networking groups, faith-based and community organization leaders, businesses and elected officials to connect and interact in a casual setting during the 40th Fort Wayne Newspapers Three Rivers Festival.

This is a FREE affiliated event of the Festival, just a short distance away from the activities at Headwaters Park. You are welcome to share new ideas with a cross section of people interested in downtown revitalization and community activities. While you’re there, you can also travel to the top of the parking garage to see Harrison Square construction and the North River area.

To make this event a success your organization can sell or provide refreshments, staff a booth, donate door prizes or bring plenty of business cards and flyers about your organization to share.

For more information, please contact Denise Porter-Ross, Office of the Mayor, 427-2603, or via e-mail at citizens@cityoffortwayne.org.

Air Service Development Report

Our Vice President of Air Service Development, Dave Young, recently shared some information with our Transportation Committee members that we would like to share here…

On Wednesday, Kevin Mitchell of the Business Travel Coalition (BTC) distributed a document putting forth their opinion on current airline service levels at cities throughout the country.

Tammy Lee, Vice President of Corporate Communications for Northwest Airlines said “The report issued by the BTC…is based solely on one person’s opinion, not on actual schedules published by the airlines. The BTC does not have any insight into our business plans and [their] assertions should be viewed as wild, unfounded speculation.”

Many regional airports mentioned in this report are disappointed with the opinions stated. South Bend Regional Airport Executive Director John Shalliol called the report “nonsense” and said the report is misleading in its findings.

Additionally, American Airlines recently announced a reduction in the Chicago market while at the same time announcing an increase in the Dallas/Fort Worth market. The net result being that the number of American Airlines departures at Fort Wayne remains the same. And when you consider our new Minneapolis nonstops, and Continental doubling the number of seats they offer, the outlook is not necessarily ominous.

There is little doubt that there are challenges ahead for the aviation community throughout the US and abroad, but disruption and unnecessary concern caused by unfounded opinion should not be one of them.

We will continue to focus our efforts to improve air service here in Fort Wayne, and look forward to the benefits those successes will have.

Chamber Supports Maplecrest Extension; Council Passes Project 6-1

The Chamber Transportation Committee testified in support of the project at the hearing Tuesday. The proposed 1.25 mile extension has been part of the local transportation plan for over 30 years, and part of the Chamber’s formal priority list since 2004.

The Maumee River presents a significant obstacle to north-south traffic on the east side of Fort Wayne. Additionally, several railroad tracks carrying as many as 50 trains per day, as well as switching movements, parallel the south side of the river. Economic activity in this urbanized area is hampered by the lack of direct access and delays caused by the railroads and lack of roadway connectivity. Local planners estimate as many as 8,000 vehicles per day will be attracted to the new roadway from nearby existing roads under existing conditions. This will reduce the number of vehicles using the other at-grade crossings by 28%, a significant safety consideration. Future traffic volumes are predicted to be as great as 17,000 vehicles per day.

The vote was on a $25 million dollar construction bond that should allow the $55 million dollar project to begin next year. The Chamber supported Maplecrest as a pro-active project that will stimulate economic development, provide a more direct route for businesses to move their products and their people in less time and with less fuel.

Freimann Family Thursdays Canceled Due to Weather

Due to inclement weather, the Downtown Improvement District (DID) has canceled the Freimann Family Thursdays event that was supposed to take place today - Thursday, June 26.

ATHENA Committee Forming

It is with great excitement that the Chamber enters our fifth year of hosting the Northeast Indiana ATHENA® Award program. Our community is truly blessed with individuals that mentor women in professional and personal development.

This year we are pleased to announce that Ms. Sandi Kemmish, 2008 ATHENA recipient, will be leading our program as ATHENA Committee Chairperson. As we approach the planning stages for 2009 we are actively searching for those who are interested in joining the ATHENA Committee and interested in improving and growing the ATHENA program.

If you are interested in making a difference on the ATHENA Committee please contact Shannon McNett-Silcox at smsilcox@fwchamber.org.

Erin's House Looking for Talented & Dedicated Volunteers

Chamber member, Erin's House, provides support services for children, teens and their families who have suffered the death of a loved one.

Currently the organization is looking for individuals who are interested in participating in programming and volunteering. If you or your organization are interested Erin's House would love to share more about themselves and the growing need for talented and dedicated volunteers.

Training classes will take place this summer in July and August. For more information please contact Katie Burns, Resource Development Director for Erin's House at (260) 423-2466 or visit www.erinshouse.org.

Chamber Members Among Top Performing Mid-Market Companies

The following Chamber members were included as among the top 20 percent in sales growth by mid-market companies in Northeast Indiana, according to a study released by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation:

Votaw Inc. - Fort Wayne

Ward Heat Treating (part of Ward Corporation) - Fort Wayne

Portable Communications Solutions - Fort Wayne

Equity Investment Group LLC - Fort Wayne

Pizza Hut - Fort Wayne

Caylor-Nickel Medical Center - Bluffton

J&K Communications Inc. - Columbia City

For the full list of companies click here.

Traveling Exhibit Finds Home at Science Central

Chamber member Science Central will receive an Indiana University traveling science exhibit entitled "Genes and Your Health" for permanent exhibition. IU will donate the exhibit today during a special gifting program with IU President Michael McRobbie at the museum. The exhibit educates children and adults on how genes can affect our risk for particular diseases.

For more information on the Genes and Your Health exhibit click here.

What's Your Opinion: Shortened Work Week

With gas prices continuing to rise many companies are considering shortening the work week for their employees to four days. Is your company doing this or considering a schedule switch? What are your thoughts? Let us know what you think. All comments are welcome!

Fort Wayne International Reports Increase in Passengers

Passenger travel out of Fort Wayne International airport is up, according to a recent report by the Journal Gazette. FWA reported an 11% increase in the number of boarding passengers between January and May 2008, compared to the same period last year.

Interview with Chamber President on Inside Indiana Business

Kristine Foate was a guest last week of Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick. Foate spoke on the program about her new role at the Chamber, her vision going forward and what is new in the Fort Wayne community. To watch the interview please click here.

Chamber Member Receives Special Award

Doris Dalman, President of Corporate Event Organizers, was the recipient of the American Business Women’s Association’s (ABWA) “Associate of the Year.” The award was presented June 18, 2008 at the annual awards dinner of the ABWA.

Congratulations to Doris on this honor!