
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Plaza Jewelers Earns "Pride In Bremen Award"

Monday, December 13, 2010
Ribbon Cutting & Open House for Plaza Jewelers
Ribbon Cutting & Open House for Plaza Jewelry
You are invited to participate and celebrate with us.Hosted by the Bremen Chamber of Commerce
Location:
At their beautiful newly opened location at:
1311 W. Plymouth St.
Bremen, IN 46506
(574) 546-4510
Date:
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Time:
Ribbon Cutting at Noon
Open House from Noon until 3:00 P.M.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
January Meeting
The next Bremen Chamber of Commerce meeting will be January 12, 7:30 am at the Italian Coffee Bar in Downtown Bremen. Members are encouraged to attend.
If you have questions or would like to reserve room on the agenda, please contact Larry at 546-2044.
Bremen Bucks
The Bremen Chamber of Commerce offers "Bremen Bucks" Gift Certificates to area businesses and individuals. A great way to reward employees or for use as gifts for family and friends, giving Bremen Bucks means that your money is kept local and supports Bremen area businesses. Bremen Bucks can be redeemed anywhere in Bremen that accepts a check and are available in any denomination.
Contact Larry or Phyllis at 546-2044 for more information on Bremen Bucks Gift Certificates.
Networking After Hours
Beginning in January 2011, the Bremen Chamber of Commerce will host a monthly business networking group. The goal is to provide a casual environment for business leaders to discuss and talk about their business while learning about other businesses in our area. This will be a great opportunity to grow your business contacts. The event is free to Chamber members and does not require a reservation.
More information about Networking After Hours will be sent out in early January.
New Chamber Member
Netters Restaurant 1106 W. Plymouth St. Bremen, IN 46506
Description: Locally-owned and operated family restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Reason for joining: Networking & Marketing Opportunities
2011 Regional Legislative Positions
Schools are facing critical funding issues. Local districts, which face wide ranges of economic, cultural and school-readiness challenges, should be granted great latitude in seeking solutions, perhaps the same flexibility granted charter schools. Charter schools must meet the same education requirements as public schools. We must provide an environment where the resources are available to meet the needs of our diverse student population.
Work to address unemployment insurance debt while fostering economic growth:
The unemployment insurance increases passed in 2009 needs to be resolved without negatively impacting efforts to grow the Indiana economy. A strategy must be developed to phase-in the expected tax burden. The issue of seasonal employees, filling the gap between benefits and jobs, as well as false claims needs to be addressed.
Support Right-to-Work legislation
Indiana is losing job creation opportunities simply because we are not a Right-to-Work state. While labor unions have accomplished many important improvements to working conditions in America, employees should have the freedom whether or not to join a union. Major economic development site selectors will not consider Indiana for job-creating projects because we are not one of the 22 states who have right-to-work laws.
Protect long-term funding for transportation infrastructure:
All Major Moves dollars at the state or local level generated from the lease of the Toll Road, or other roadways in the future, should be used exclusively for capital road construction projects. To expand needed road funds, continue to study and implement alternative funding mechanisms including toll roads, public/private partnerships, leasing of state property, state gas sales in excess of state budget forecasted needs and re-capture of the $121 million of fuel tax annually diverted to other state agencies.
Support federal immigration reform:
Illegal immigration and the hiring of illegal workers should be opposed. We support companies who use verification systems. However, immigration is essentially a matter that must be legislated at the federal level. The state legislature should not attempt to address the immigration issue at the state level, particularly by revoking an employer's license to operate in the state if it employs even one undocumented worker.
Grant local government modernization:
Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of governmental services is essential to providing a system that benefits taxpayers, communities, business growth and job creation. We believe local governments should be given great latitude, including pilot projects, to explore efficiencies that work.
In addition, we support legislation for a more transparent collection of local income taxes. Local governments need to know how much local income tax is owed and collected in their communities to ensure that money is returned from the Department of Revenue. Alternatively, allow local governments to collect those taxes themselves.
Support sustainable alternative energy
Indiana is blessed with inexpensive energy and abundant coal. Innovative companies in our state could lead the way in development of alternative energy, with a sustainable business model, if our utilities are not crippled by regulations and our companies not faced with increased energy costs. Increasing the net metering limit and allowing businesses to sell power back to the grid may be the incentive needed.
Improve access to health care:
As the federal government continues to debate the recently passed health care plan, the state needs to search for ways to control costs to allow businesses to offer health insurance to employees. At the very least, the state must not create additional mandates on coverage.