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Category: Public Policy News

Here you’ll find out who’s making the decisions shaping our community: Policy-makers are always busy creating new ways to advance the Madison region. Stay informed on the latest policies that may impact the way you do business.

Photo by Richard Hurd

Chamber Supports Bipartisan Investment Capital Bill

MADISON – Responding to today’s announcement of the bipartisan investment capital legislation set to create a $25 million investment fund, Zach Brandon, president of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce said:

“The net gain of new jobs in the U.S. comes from startups. It’s an ongoing trend, not up for debate, even during a tough economy. This bipartisan legislation aligns the public and private sectors around the same goal with a simple formula: To grow jobs and wages, we must help companies start, stay and grow.

We look forward to working with all cosponsors of the bill including Dane Country area legislators: Rep. Fred Clark, Sen. Tim Cullen and Rep. Robb Kahl. In Greater Madison we are well-positioned to be a world-renowned place for innovation – a place where the best and brightest choose to start and expand their businesses. This bill will make Wisconsin more competitive at fostering entrepreneurial activity and converting new ideas into sustainable businesses and jobs.”

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,400 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 6,000 employees. With 75 percent of the membership consisting of small businesses with 50 employees or less, the Chamber is working to translate our innovative culture into increased jobs and wages. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, Madison businesses vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at www.greatermadisonchamber.com

Contact: Jo-ell Carson, Communications Director, at 608-443-1952 or 608-213-1799

Click here for an electronic copy of this release

Photo by Richard Hurd

Chamber Announces New Officers and Members for Board of Directors

MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced the newest officers and members of the 2013 board of directors. Officers for 2013 are:

  • Jay Loewi, CEO, The QTI Group, Inc.: Board chair
  • David Wittwer, president & CEO, TDS: Vice chair
  • David Stark, president, Stark Company Realtors®: Immediate past chair
  • Ginny Gilbert, CEO, Gilbert Cost Control Consultants: Treasurer
  • Jim Garner, CEO, Sergenian’s Floor Coverings, Inc.: Secretary
  • Gary Molz, vice president, EZ Office Products: Membership committee chair

New 2013 board members are: 

“Our new board members were strategically chosen to ensure we continue to gain fresh and credible perspectives on innovation and entrepreneurialism in the Greater Madison region,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “Coupled with the passion, enthusiasm, experience and knowledge already on our board, these new board members are yet another way to accomplish the global recognition of Greater Madison as an innovation hub.”

“I’m confident this board will help diversify our strategic thinking even further to ensure an innovative climate and training ground for organizations of all shapes and sizes in Greater Madison,” said Jay Loewi, chamber board chair and CEO of The QTI Group, Inc. “We’re proud of our past successes and energized to build on those with the new ideas already coming from the 2013 board.”

The Greater Madison Chamber will also be welcoming UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank to the board of directors in the near future. Click here for the full roster.

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,400 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 6,000 employees. With 75 percent of the membership consisting of small businesses with 50 employees or less, the Chamber is working to translate our innovative culture into increased jobs and wages. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, Madison businesses vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at www.greatermadisonchamber.com

Contact: Jo-ell Carson, Communications Director, at 608-443-1952 or 608-213-1799

Click here for an electronic copy of this release

Photo by Richard Hurd

Chamber Statement Re: UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank

MADISON – Responding to the announcement that Rebecca Blank has been confirmed as the next chancellor at UW-Madison, Zach Brandon, president of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce said:

“Given Rebecca Blank’s diverse and complementary background in business and academics, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce welcomes Dr. Blank and believes she is a great choice to solidify the link between the university and the business community. Choosing Dr. Blank is proof of the university’s commitment and understanding of the importance of their role in fueling economic growth for all of Wisconsin.

UW-Madison has a long-standing commitment to cultivating and supporting a spirit of innovation on campus. The Chamber looks forward to having Chancellor Blank join our board of directors and working with her to retain the bright minds being fostered at the university and transforming their entrepreneurial potential into a regionwide success story. Together, it is a story we will aggressively tell beyond Greater Madison’s borders.”

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,400 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 6,000 employees. With 75 percent of the membership consisting of small businesses with 50 employees or less, the Chamber is working to translate our innovative culture into increased jobs and wages. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, Madison businesses vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at www.greatermadisonchamber.com

Contact: Jo-ell Carson, Communications Director, at 608-443-1952 or 608-213-1799

Click here for an electronic copy of this release

Photo by Richard Hurd

Chamber Statement Re: Election Results for Madison Common Council

MADISON – Voters elected 11 of the 14 Madison Common Council candidates endorsed by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce. The winners are: Lauren Cnare, Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, Steve King, Scott Resnick, Paul Skidmore, Maurice Cheeks, Chris Schmidt, Larry Palm, Joe Clausius, Mark Clear and Matt Phair. Responding to the election results, Delora Newton, vice president of advocacy for the Chamber said:

“Greater Madison is in a time of remarkable change and needs leaders with the right vision and commitment. Through their votes, the Madison community reinforced the need for city leaders who demonstrate their dedication to creating a climate that will help grow businesses and the jobs they create.

We appreciate the commitment of the business community who supported our endorsed candidates through their vote, participated in our candidate endorsement process and individually contributed through our Direct Givers Conduit Program at an average of $61 to the candidate of their choice. We look forward to working with the entire council throughout the next two years to translate the region’s innovative small business culture into increased jobs and wages.”

Note: The Chamber does not, and is not legally allowed to, use membership dues for political candidates.

 About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,400 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 6,000 employees.  With 75 percent of the membership consisting of small businesses with 50 employees or less, the Chamber is working to translate our innovative culture into increased jobs and wages. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, Madison businesses vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at www.greatermadisonchamber.com.

Contact: Jo-ell Carson, Communications Director, at 608-443-1952 or 608-213-1799

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Download the electronic version here.

Photo by Richard Hurd

Greater Madison Chamber Joins National Business Coalition on Skilled Worker Immigration Reform

MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce today announced its participation in “Business for Skilled Worker Immigration,” a growing coalition of 42 Chambers of Commerce to date, from across the country. The coalition is working to advance skilled worker immigration reform as a means of driving job creation, innovation and other economic growth.

Joining the coalition is an example of the new partnerships being forged by the Greater Madison Chamber as President Zach Brandon outlines his vision to put the Madison region on the global stage as an innovation hub.

“Some of the world’s best and brightest come to the Greater Madison region to advance themselves at our globally recognized universities,” Brandon said. “As these foreign nationals complete their education and look to create new opportunities, we send them home to work for companies which compete with Wisconsin businesses. It makes no sense. It sends the wrong message and hurts our own competitiveness.”

The coalition will urge Congress to address this important talent issue as part of broader-based immigration reform expected to be taken up this session.

Business for Skilled Worker Immigration represents a strong cross section of the nation’s business community, with broad geographic diversity among its members.  With talent a key driver of the economy, coalition members seek to bring increased focus on the critical challenge of improving access to top international talent.  Combined with current programs to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) training domestically, the coalition believes its efforts can help improve long-term economic competitiveness.

“The Greater Madison region is a natural location for great minds wanting to pursue a career in our thriving biotech sector,” Brandon said. “Regardless of the industry, we need to always be looking for, and educating, the next generation of entrepreneurs making sure they have the support to start their businesses here. It doesn’t matter where they come from. It matters that we keep them here.”

Business for Skilled Worker Immigration provides a full list of coalition members, along with additional information about the group.

 About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,400 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 6,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, Madison businesses vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at www.greatermadisonchamber.com.

Contact: Jo-ell Carson, Communications Director, at 608-443-1952 or 608-213-1799

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Download electronic file here.