Cedar Rapids Chamber, Priority One Step Up in Wake of Midwest Floods

Hurricanes Gustav and Ike have brought back memories of Katrina and reminded the nation of the enormous economic damage inflicted by natural disasters. We are reminded of our friends in the Midwest who were devastated by flooding earlier this summer. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa area was hit especially hard. Thanks to a successful multi-year funding campaign in 2006, the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber and its Priority

One Economic Development Program were able to respond immediately with almost $1 million toward a local Jobs & Small Business Recovery Fund. Read the July news article here or visit the Chamber's website or the Priority One website to see how strong organizations rise to commuity challenges.

Georgia Chamber Responds To Different Kind Of Water Issue

In the Southeast, sustained, severe drought conditions are threatening economic growth and even prompting "water wars" between local and federal agencies, and between States with conflicting claims to an increasingly scarce resource. When NCDS conducted a multi-year campaign for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in 2006 and 2007, we knew the program would help "the voice of business " take a more proactive stance on several issues that are critical to the State's continued growth and prosperity, including rising healthcare costs, education, and transportation infrastructure. But no one anticipated that The Georgia Initiative would allow the Georgia Chamber to insert itself so quickly, and so credibly, in the water discussion. Read more about how Georgia's business interests are being represented in the water wars.

Richmond Business Retention Program Is More Than Lip Service

Everyone knows how important existing businesses are to job creation and economic growth.

And every community has one or more organizations with business retention and expansion as part of their mission and program of work. But too many of these programs are less than effective - sometimes because of "other priorities," but often due to inadequate financial, technical, and staff resources. We have been fortunate to have a front row seat from which to observe Greater Richmond's growth and emergence into one of America's top ranked metros during the past fifteen years.

The Greater Richmond Partnership and Greater Richmond Chamber are, rightfully so, acknowledged as model economic and community development organizations. While much of their success can be attributed to excellent leadership and innovative approaches, their focus on fundamental programs should not be overlooked. Their existing business and expansion program (Business First) combines good old fashioned face to face visits (and lots of them) with cutting edge database technology to produce significant community impact. The program's excellence was recently recognized with an achievement award from The National Association of Counties. Learn more about Business First.