2017-2018 ADVOCACY PRIORITIES About the Terre Haute Chamber Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce has been and always will be, committed to creating a community that is a great place to live, work and business Our mission of “Building Business Building Community” drives us to execute programs, services and solutions for the community members of the Terre Haute, Indiana area Our focus areas contribute to the growth of our business community, attracting and retaining a talented workforce and overall helping Terre Haute to continue to be a wonderful place to live, work and build a business FOCUS AREAS • Quality of Place • Education and Workforce • Economic and Community Development We have provided additional priorities and details on our focus areas in this booklet For more information on our advocacy efforts, please contact us directly Marla Flowers David Haynes 2017 Chair of the Board President Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce 630 Wabash Ave Suite 105 Terre Haute, IN 47807 812-232-2391 Federal Priorities • • • • Tax Reform Prison Development Drug Abuse Quality of Place State Priorities • Transportation Funding • Casino Tax Revenue • Regional Funding Local Priorities • Quality of Place • Defense Development • Regional Development Quality of Place Building Business Building Community The Terre Haute Chamber focuses on key issues which create opportunities to enhance quality of place for the region It aligns with the Chamber’s mission of “Building Business Building Community.” To be competitive in the business environment, the community must provide key quality of place resources to claim a sustainable and growing economic infrastructure These focus areas are partnerships with businesses, non-profits, and local and state government agencies River Development The Chamber serves as a partner organization in an effort to enhance business development and recreational activities along the Wabash River As the region’s largest natural resource, we’re encouraged by the river’s positive impact on Indiana’s economy, and in turn, our ability to attract unique businesses and intramural activities for the area Parks and Recreation The region is home to many award-winning and nationally-recognized parks, which include breathtaking waterways and scenic landscapes The natural resources managed by the city and county parks and recreation departments are important partners to address the desires of family gatherings, extracurricular activities, and health and wellness programs, to name a few Trails and Greenways Progressive communities are addressing pathways conducive for walking and biking for basic transportation and recreational purposes Our region is already addressing this trend, and in many cases, leads the state in this endeavor The business community recognizes safe transportation is vital to quality of place and workforce development efforts We’re committed to helping the area’s parks and recreation leaders extend their message to state and national leaders to address the growing trend and compete for new funding opportunities Downtown Development In 2017 the Chamber embraced the Downtown Terre Haute mission under its operational umbrella After hiring a part-time director committed to creating new energy in the downtown area, significant efforts are in place to advance activity and growth in the heart of Terre Haute Areas of interest include: • Funding for beautification • Retail development • Collaboration and special events Arts and Entertainment The arts community is a vital resource to quality of place The business community relies on the arts community to enhance the culture of place and provide unique resources to all demographics Advocating to support and embrace the arts and entertainment organizations is crucial in creating a culturally-driven and competitive community Areas of interest include: • Formation of Arts Commission • Creative place making Education and Workforce Workforce Development The region has an array of industries from manufacturing to healthcare The industry sectors rely on a talented pipeline to meet workforce demands and create new synergies for growth and development The topic of workforce is key to staying competitive with other like regions across the state of Indiana and across the nation By partnering with the Department of Workforce Development (Region 7), the area’s higher education institutions, and the school corporation, the Chamber hopes to align strategic partnerships that meet the trending requirements of current and future employers Building a Healthier Community - Better Health Wabash Valley The Chamber, in partnership with regional healthcare partners, initiated a focused wellness program The plan was developed from data found in the Community Health Needs Assessment, including metrics regarding cardiovascular health, obesity, and diabetes, to name a few The Chamber recognizes the importance to support businesses/organizations who strive for a healthier workforce and the overall savings to the bottom-line Healthcare costs are a big factor in site selection and economic development and the Chamber strives to be a partner in helping bring down the rising costs in the industry Higher Education Support initiatives which enhance student development and experience at all five higher education institutions – Harrison College, Indiana State University, Ivy Tech Community College, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Early Childhood Education Support state initiatives for a statewide pre-kindergarten program for all Hoosier four-year olds Drug Abuse Support the Governor’s drug task force and opioid initiatives and align programs strategically that help advance the state’s efforts to curb addiction in the region Economic and Community Development Regionalism To nurture more collaboration regionally, we’re an advocate for aligning economic development agendas and serving as a collective voice for business growth and enhancing quality of place together • Although this will be a collaborative process of identifying strategies and opportunities, the Chamber sees this is as a priority to align strategically with the state of Indiana (funding opportunities, sharing resources/talent, developing new capital projects) Transportation As the state identifies strategies to upgrade and develop infrastructure for roadways and bridges, we will identify priorities for the region that advance our economy and create safer transportation Special consideration for upgrading I70 is a priority, and we will align advocacy efforts accordingly to advance the changes necessary In addition, support for long-term transportation funding at the federal level will play an important role for upgrading overall infrastructure Gaming Tax Revenue Support gaming legislation that would open new opportunities for gaming revenue in our region Defense Development Serve as the advocacy group for the defense industry in West Central Indiana by enhancing awareness and building industry relationships Federal Prison Development As the federal government looks for new prison development, Terre Haute stands shovel ready for new growth Tax Reform Monitor the federal tax code and support legislation to lower the corporate tax rate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Continue to build upon both the local and statewide network of developing innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities and hubs 630 WABASH AVE SUITE 105 TERRE HAUTE, IN 47807 | (812) 232-2391 terrehautechamber.com Cover courthouse photo by Ted Shideler- Indiana Courthouses Project /indianacourthouses.wordpress.com