Chamber and PHP Expanding Insurance Discount: Larger Businesses now Eligible!

Many small to mid-size business owners struggle to find affordable health coverage that provides their employees with quality benefits. The Chamber and Physicians Health Plan (PHP) have come together to offer a solution to the rising cost of health coverage.

The PHP Health Matters program is a joint effort between the Chamber and PHP to offer a discount of up to five percent on employee health insurance for Chamber members, resulting in significant savings that in most cases far exceed the annual cost of Chamber membership.

Hundreds of Chamber members have taken advantage of the program to date, and now even more companies will be eligible. Health Matters has been expanded from a maximum of 26 total employees to a maximum of 50 employees who are eligible for health insurance coverage.

Chamber members who take advantage of the Health Matters program average over $2,500 in annual savings, with some companies saving as much as $10,000 a year.

It's easy to take advantage of the Health Matters Program. If you are a Chamber member with 2-50 employees, simply call PHP or speak to your insurance broker about Health Matters. You will receive a discount of up to 5 percent on whichever of PHP's hundreds of benefit plans that you choose.

Companies who have never purchased insurance from PHP as well as current PHP clients that are up for renewal are eligible for the Health Matters discount. In addition, the discount is good year after year, not just at the time of initial sale.

To learn more about the Chamber's Health Matters program, call the Chamber at (260) 424-1435 or visit fwchamber.org to download a brochure. To receive a free quote on a PHP Health Matters insurance plan, call PHP at (800) 982-6257 or visit phpni.com for more information.

Going Green Course for Businesses

On Monday, October 19 at 6 p.m. the Purdue Extension Office (4001 Crescent Avenue) will offer a class called "Of Course Plants are Green". With today's emphasis on going green and interest in LEEDS certification, Advanced Master Gardener, Greta Ivanovic looks at how the benefits of interior landscaping complement environmental quality--from the detoxifying abilities of plants to practical considerations for building designs with plants in mind. Learn how our plant friends can help homes and businesses go green. There will be a $2 charge payable at the door. Call the Extension Office at (260) 481-6826 to pre-register.

City Living Open Houses Showcase Renovated Homes Available for Sale

Prospective homebuyers are invited to attend the free City Living Tour open houses 6 to 8 p.m. today, October 9 and noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11.

The free scattered-site tour features homes being renovated by local builders who are participating in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, a federally funded initiative to restore homes and revitalize neighborhoods hit hardest by the economic downturn.

The locations and the builders are:

· 2319 John St., Ideal Builders
· 2302 Florida Dr., Gerber Building
· 1903 Kensington Blvd., Gerber Building
· 2412 Gay St., Lancia Homes
· 1137 Rivermet Ave., Belay Builders
· 2429 Smith St., Miracle Contracting
· 4502 Winston Dr., Gerber Building
· 533 E. Creighton Ave., Miracle Builders

A map of the homes’ locations is available at http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/images/stories/community_development/hns/files/city_living_homes.pdf.

The houses are all for sale for between approximately $75,000 to $100,000 to qualified moderate- and middle-income buyers. Homebuyers in the program must meet income guidelines. For a family of four, that would be up to $73,000 annually. More information about program guidelines and restrictions is available at www.nspfortwayne.org or at the properties during the tour.

Focusing on vacant, foreclosed properties in selected locations, the $7 million for the local program blends the financial resources of the City of Fort Wayne with the talents of private-sector housing professionals - builders, developers, architects, designers, realtors, appraisers and lenders. The houses are then renovated for up to 150 percent of the completed appraised value. The buyers pay the appraised price.

Northeast Indiana College Fair

What: Northeast Indiana College Fair (over 100 colleges in attendance)

Where: Walb Student Union at IPFW Campus

When: October 13, 2009 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 6-7:30 p.m.

Admission: Free with free parking on IPFW's campus

Sponsors: Indiana Association for College Admission Counseling, Fort Wayne Community Schools, East Allen County Schools, Concordia Lutheran High School, and IPFW.

Several Chamber members Earn American Red Cross Awards

On October 2, the American Red Cross Blood Services of the Indiana-Ohio Region hosted its annual recognition luncheon at the Orthopaedic Capital Center in Winona Lake. The following Chamber members received awards for their support of the Red Cross:

Canterbury High School: Lifesave Award Recipient. This award recognizes blood drive sponsors who were especially accomodating in times of need.

Parkview Corporate and Fort Wayne Metals: Growing by Leaps and Bounds Award Recipients. This award recognizes blood drive sponsors who have increased the number of blood drives or donated amounts by at least 25% in the last year.

Vera Bradley and Glenbrook Dodge Hyundai: First Time Sponsor Award Recipients. This award recognizes first time blood drive sponsors.

Fort Wayne City County Building: Creative Genius Award Recipient. This award recognizes sponsors who have successful blood drives year after year.

Fort Wayne TinCaps: Jump Start Award Recipient. This award is given to a sponsor who starts off the new year with a bang. The Fort Wayne TinCaps broke the record for the largest one day community blood drive ever held in Fort Wayne, collecting 300 pints of blood in a single day.

For more information visit www.indianaohioredcross.org and congrats to the award recipients!

New Report Details Potential Energy Economy for Indiana

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released a major new report Wednesday (October 7, 2009) detailing the enormous potential that renewable energy jobs have to prove a major boost to farm incomes and rural economies across the state of Indiana. With steady winds and ample access to the raw materials for biofuels, biopower and biogas, Indiana has all the ingredients needed to be at the center of a new energy economy, including job-creating investments in energy-efficiency technologies.

News event speakers included:
* Martin Cohen, report author and independent energy analyst;
* Jim Benham, president, Indiana Farmers Union;
* Sam Miller, president, Solstice Architecture; Indianapolis; and
* Pierre Bull, policy analyst, Natural Resources Defense Council.

A streaming audio replay of the news event will be available on the Web at http://www.nrdc.org as of 5 p.m. on October 7 2009.

Harrison College Enrollment Numbers Climb

Even with the downturn in the economy, Harrison College is seeing record numbers of students turn to them to get the skills they need. Throughout all of their campuses, enrollment increased 14 percent from June 2008 to June 2009 with online growth rising a whopping 51 percent. The individual campus enrollments are as follows:

Anderson: up 1%
Columbus: up 3%
Elkhart: up 119%
Evansville: down 18%
Fort Wayne: up 11%
Lafayette: up 4%
Muncie: down 13%
Terre Haute: up 10%
Indianapolis Downtown, East, Northwest, The Chef's Academy and online: up 24%

Harrison College, which changed its name from Indiana Business College in April, is a 107-year-old institution that offers more than 30 degree programs in five schools of study. For more information, visit www.harrison.edu.

RSVP Now for the Immigration and Citizenship Workshop

On Friday, October 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. there will be an Immigration and Citizenship training session hosted by Chamber member the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne. Do you know what makes a refugee different from an asylee or an immigrant? Do you understand the different types of visas available or the steps that need to be taken in each case? If not, this event is for you! To RSVP or for more information email mccfortwayne@yahoo.com. The deadline for registration is tomorrow, October 9... Sign Up Now!

Annual Meeting Award Noms Due Next Week

It's not too late to submit nominations for the Chamber's 2009 Annual Meeting Awards. The Chamber’s Annual Meeting will take place Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at the Fort Wayne Country Club. Awards will be handed out for CEO, Employee, Small and Large Business of the year. Chamber of Commerce members who meet the following criteria are eligible for nomination:

• Small and large businesses that have contributed to the community, maintain a reputation for integrity and fair business practices and demonstrate product or management innovation.
• CEOs who have made unique contributions to their business, employees, and the Fort Wayne community as a whole.
• Employees who serve as a positive role model in the workplace and demonstrate exceptional dedication to advancing the interests of their organization.

The Chamber’s Annual Meeting, sponsored by Physicians Health Plan, provides an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments in Northeast Indiana business for the last year and preview initiatives for the coming year. The Chamber also wishes to recognize great contributions and innovations from its members. Nominees must be part of a Chamber member company. Self-nominations are welcome. Nominations are due Friday, October 16, 2009. For nomination forms visit www.fwchamber.org. For more information contact Laureen at (260) 424-1435, ext. 266 or lvoirol@fwchamber.org.

Erin’s House for Grieving Children hosts fourth annual “Wine for the Spirit”

Chamber member Erin’s House for Grieving Children will host its fourth annual Wine for the Spirit event this Friday, October 9, 6:30 pm – 9:30 p.m. at A Party A Part. The event is considered one of the premier fundraisers in the region showcasing exquisite wine and cuisine in a unique setting along with exceptional auction items such as a yacht cruise in the Florida Keys, home in Jamaica, condo in Hawaii and Lear jet New York City trip, private wine cellar dinner party, and of course rare and hard to find wines. David Reynolds, considered “America’s premier charity wine auctioneer,” is returning for his fourth year as auctioneer and entertainer for the fundraiser.

Wine for the Spirit in the past three years has raised $625,000. The funds raised enable Erin’s House to provide support services for children, teens and their families who have suffered the death of a loved one. All of the programming at Erin’s House is provided at no cost.

For more information, visit www.erinshouse.org.

2009 Asia Trade Mission Led to Visits with Chamber Members

John Sampson, President of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership recently returned from a two-week long trade mission to Asia with a delegation led by Governor Mitch Daniels. Stops during the trade mission included visits with government and business leaders in China and Japan.

The trade mission resulted in contacts with over 60 industry and government leaders from 45 corporations and agencies, including leads for regional visits in the near future. Global relationships and connections from the United States were renewed and extended through meetings, discussions and ceremonies with an emphasis on nurturing the ties between Indiana and Asian industries.

Sampson also met with business partners from companies with headquarters in our region; active Chamber members Do It Best and Fort Wayne Metals. Such meetings call attention to the growing number of relationships and presence of northeast Indiana and the state in Asia.

For more information, visit the Regional Partnership at twitter.com/NortheastIN or chooseneindiana.blogspot.com.

Good News in Hard Times for Sweetwater Sound

Chamber member Sweetwater recently announced the hire of 19 new full-time employees. Twelve of the positions are Sales Engineers, other positions include sales assistant, accounting assistant and shipping specialist. Sweetwater is the third largest music instrument and pro audio retailer in the world and was started 30 years ago here in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It is the country's most respected dealer in high-technology equipment for musicians, recording studios and broadcasters with customers ranging from beginners to rock stars. For more information, visit www.sweetwater.com.

NIPSCO Expects Gas Bills Will be Lower This Year

Chamber member Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) announced today that, assuming normal winter temperatures, customers should experience a decrease of more than 35 percent in their overall home heating bills this upcoming heating season.

Over the course of the winter heating season – Nov. 1 to March 31 – NIPSCO’s average residential customer using 698 therms could expect to pay approximately $509. This compares to $833 for a customer using the same amount of gas during the last winter heating season.

The cost of natural gas represents the largest portion of customer bills, typically making up three-fourths of an overall bill. NIPSCO has no mark-up and makes no profit on the cost of natural gas billed to its customers. Before being billed to customers, natural gas commodity costs are filed with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for review on a monthly basis.

Commodity prices in the market are mainly determined by such factors as supply and demand, weather and storage levels, but lower gas costs this year can also be attributed to the cooler-than-normal temperatures we experienced during the summer, the decline in industrial demand for energy as a result of the recession, gas production levels across the country and record-high inventories of natural gas.

In a commitment to secure the most reliable supply of natural gas at the lowest cost for customers, NIPSCO’s purchasing strategy consists of buying gas in the market from a variety of sources at different times throughout the year, combined with contracting future purchases and utilizing gas storage to offset market price volatility.

The winter bill figures provided by NIPSCO are only projections. If temperatures are colder-than-normal this winter, the cost to heat a home will likely be higher as customers will be using more gas and wholesale natural gas prices could rise in response to the increased demand.

NIPSCO offers a number of solutions to help customers use energy wisely, make smart energy decisions and manage their monthly bill. For more information visit www.nipsco.com or call 1-800-4-NIPSCO.

Fort Wayne Sister City Celebration

Fort Wayne Sister Cities International will present the “Sister City Film Festival” on Tuesday, October 13 at 7 p.m. at Cinema Center. This year’s feature - “Departures” - is a winner of the 2009 Academy Award Best Foreign Film, and is directed by Mr. Yojiro Takita, who is from Fort Wayne Sister City Takaoka. Before the movie enjoy Sushi, Sake and other Japanese cuisine.

Communicate and Connect with Other Professionals This Month

Communicate and connect with other business professionals at the next Cc: me networking event on Thursday, October 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Chamber. You will enjoy new menu items from the Holiday Inn’s Mastadon restaurant as well as a cash bar from Mad Anthony Brewing Co.

Cc: me is an after-work event designed to create opportunities for you to build lasting relationships with other Fort Wayne professionals and find out the latest business buzz without being bombarded with sales pitches. Admission is $5 for Chamber members, $10 for for non-members. For more information contact Laureen at lvoirol@fwchamber.org.

Study Connection Pairs Students With Professionals for Study Help and Mentoring

The 21st year of Fort Wayne Community School’s Study Connection program begins today, when 18 students from Washington Center Elementary head to Raytheon for an hour of after-school tutoring. Raytheon has been a Study Connection site since 1992. This year, the company's volunteer numbers doubled, making it possible for students to travel to Raytheon two days a week. A second group of 19 students will start tomorrow.

Fort Wayne Community Schools' nationally recognized tutoring program began in 1989, founded by Don Wolf, retired CEO and president emeritus of Do it Best Corp. In the last two decades an estimated 10,000 students have gone through the program. Volunteers are matched one-to-one with FWCS students who need academic assistance. Students and volunteers meet weekly after school for one hour during the school year with 79 percent of the students bused to and from local businesses for their tutoring sessions. This not only gives students a chance to receive some extra homework help, but also meet a mentor in the community and learn about local career opportunities.

Study Connection has been replicated in other cities across the nation, including Clinton, Iowa, where the Governor recognized it as the 2000 Volunteer Program of the Year. In 2007, Study Connection received the Indiana Youth Institute Award for investing in youth. New volunteers and tutoring sites are always needed. To learn more about the program or to get involved, contact the Study Connection office at 467-8810.

Summit City Radio Group Encourages You to Buy Local

Summit City Radio Group is proud to announce the kick off of their Buy-Local Campaign “Think Fort Wayne First”. We invite you to take part in “Think Fort Wayne First” as a way to invest in your community, create more jobs, get better service and put your taxes to use. With the news constantly talking about the recession, this campaign is a refreshing new take on how everyone in our community can help generate more positive news and results by investing into locally owned and operated Fort Wayne businesses.

“Think Fort Wayne First” is a program that has been designed to create awareness of locally owned and operated businesses. The benefit of buying local products and services from our local retailers is simple. For every one-hundred dollars spent on local businesses, products and services, sixty-eight percent of that investment is returned back to the Fort Wayne community while that same one-hundred dollars spent on a national chain will return only forty-three percent.

Small local businesses are the largest employer in Indiana. They are owned by people who live in the Fort Wayne community and they provide the most jobs to local residents. Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure and make more efficient uses of public services as compared to nationally owned conglomerates. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of Fort Wayne. When you invest your money into locally owned and operated businesses you invest in your community. Think community, think local, “Think Fort Wayne First.”

For more information contact Dave Riethmiller, Summit City Radio Group General Manager at (260)747.1511 or dave@summitcityradio.com.

Sales and Business Development Opportunities at the Morning Mix

If you are looking for fast-paced, lead generating opportunities then the Morning Mix is right for you! The Morning Mix is for professionals who are involved in sales and business development. You will receive the opportunity to present your "unique selling proposition" to a couple of dozen businesspersons in a fun and structured setting.

Bring a stack of business cards and join the Chamber at Crazy Pinz (1414 Northland Boulevard) on Thursday, October 15 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. for a promising morning of business development. The cost to attend the Morning Mix is only $5 plus a business card. Included are free coffee and a light breakfast.

For more information on the Morning Mix contact Laureen at lvoirol@fwchamber.org.

Help Turnstone Reach Fundraising Goal

This past February, Chamber of Commerce member Turnstone started selling classic corvette raffle tickets. Currently, the proceeds of the raffle tickets is over $75,000 but they hope to raise $148,000, a deficit of $73,000. To make that goal, the agency needs to raise over $2,000 a day in raffle ticket sales. All proceeds will benefit the children and adults with disabilities who receive services at Turnstone.

For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit www.turnstone.org or call 866-483-1278.

Obama Advisors Say Climate Change Bill Will Not Pass This Year

According to an AP article this past weekend, Obama advisers say it is unlikely a climate change bill will be passed this year (article below). For more information on legislation that impacts your business, contact Joni Howell, VP of Government Affairs at (260) 424-1435 or jhowell@fwchamber.org.

Obama Adviser Says No Climate Change Law This Year

Oct 3, 5:03 AM (ET)

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama's top energy adviser said Friday there is no way Congress will be able to pass a bill on climate change this year.

"That's not going to happen," said the adviser, Carol Browner.

Browner made the statement at a conference organized by The Atlantic magazine, just days after Senate Democrats introduced a major bill on climate change. In a video posted on the magazine's Web site, Browner was asked about the prospects of enacting climate legislation by the time negotiations on a global climate treaty begin in December in Copenhagen.

"Obviously, we'd like to be through the process, but that's not going to happen," Browner said. "I think we would all agree the likelihood you would have a bill signed by the president on comprehensive energy by the time we go early in December is not likely."

Senate Democrats unveiled a bill Wednesday that aims to cut greenhouse gasses by 20 percent by 2020. The House passed a bill in June that calls for a 17 percent emission cut by 2020.

The Senate bill includes an economy-wide cap-and-trade system that would require power plants, industrial facilities and refineries to cut carbon dioxide and other climate-changing pollution. While there would be an overall emission cap, polluters would be able to purchase emission allowances to limit reductions. The bill, however, does not lay out how emission allowances would be distributed, a contentious issue left for resolving later.

Climate change is competing with several other big issues for the attention of lawmakers. Among the issues: overhauling the nation's health care system and imposing new financial regulations on Wall Street.

Browner said the U.S. could still take a leading role at the Copenhagen talks, even without a new climate law.

"We will go to Copenhagen and manage with whatever we have," she said.

City's Downtown Revitalization Efforts Earn National Award

The City of Fort Wayne earned an Award of Distinction from the International Downtown Association for planning efforts that resulted in Harrison Square and other downtown revitalization projects in Fort Wayne.

“We are starting to see the planning efforts of City officials and Fort Wayne residents paying off and turning into a tangible outcome,” Mayor Tom Henry said. “Downtown Fort Wayne has become a destination in our city and region, but only because we planned for it. I appreciate having the hard work of hundreds if not thousands of Fort Wayne residents honored by the International Downtown Association.”

Fort Wayne was one of eight communities recognized in the planning category and the only Indiana city to earn an award at the association’s annual conference.

“It’s always gratifying when our efforts are recognized by a group of experts in the field of developing strong downtowns,” said John Urbahns, director of community development, “but just as important is that our own community is seeing the success in our process and enjoying the results of thoughtful planning by both the public sector and the private sector and the input from hundreds of participants. Once again we see that the strongest results come from the commitment of many individuals.”

The City’s application focused on the Downtown Blueprint process and subsequent plans that lead to Harrison Square and Parkview Field. The narrative emphasized the many and varied partnerships and collaborations that ultimately created the inviting and welcoming public space.

Fort Wayne’s project was one of 77 award submissions IDA received this year as part of its Downtown Achievement Awards. The 2009 Downtown Achievement Award winners were recognized during IDA’s 55th Annual Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Sept.11 to15. Founded in 1954, the International Downtown Association has more than 650 member organizations worldwide in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Fort Wayne’s submission can be viewed at http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/images/stories/slideshow/fortwaynedowntownachievementawardpresentation.pdf.

Next Business Brown Bag Examines Facebook Marketing

Don't miss the next informative session in the Chamber's Business Brown Bag series. On Tuesday, October 20 from Noon to 1 p.m., experts from Digital Hill Multimedia will present "Cost Effective Marketing: Facebook." If you found our overview of social media helpful, then you will also enjoy this in-depth look at how to use Facebook to market your business. Topics include:

• What is Facebook & Why is it Important?
• How to Get Started
• How to Create Your Business Page
• Tips for Promoting Your Business
• What to Measure & How

Cost is $5 for Chamber members, $10 for non-members. Please RSVP to lvoirol@fwchamber.org.

Free Career Fair at Harrison College this Week

Harrison College will hold a free career fair this Thursday, October 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on the career fair contact Jonathan Kratzer at (260) 471-7667. Employers interested in attending should call to reserve a spot as soon as possible.

Citilink Wins State Safety Award

The Fort Wayne Public Transportation Corporation/Citilink has won the Indiana Transportation Association Safety Award. This award is in recognition of the best 2008 safety record of all large (Class 1) Indiana transit systems. Citilink also won this award two years ago. Citilink’s mission is to provide safe, courteous and dependable public transportation at the most reasonable cost to the community.