Bakersfield Chamber Co-Leads New B3K Prosperity Effort
The Greater Bakersfield (CA) Chamber joined forces with California State University, Bakersfield, the City of Bakersfield, Kern County, Kern Economic Development Corporation and Kern Community Foundation to create B3K Prosperity A Better Bakersfield & Boundless Kern Regional Action for Economic Prosperity.
This collaborative effort is creating “a common agenda for enduring regional prosperity” with a roadmap and investment plan for economic growth and inclusion in Kern County. B3K Prosperity builds upon a rich history of economic development efforts in Kern County, connecting and coordinating existing efforts to create, not just a product, but a process for shared problem solving and vision for the future.
B3K Prosperity is guided by a Core Team of organizations leading economic and workforce development for the region. Rather than focusing economic development solely on traditional metrics, the team instead prioritizes job quality and access to ensure inclusive economic development and regional prosperity. Full details about the effort are available at b3kprosperity.org.
Silicon Valley Organization Launches Membership for Startups/Entrepreneurs
The Silicon Valley (CA) Organization has launched a brand-new membership specifically tailored for technology startups. Benefits include being a part of an intimate Startup Resource Network (SRN) with weekly meetings providing education, connections and support catered for technology startups. Membership also provides an opportunity for an individual mentorship session with an investor or industry related corporate executive. View all membership benefits here.
Phoenix Chamber Helps New Executives Become Engaged in Community
The Greater Phoenix (AZ) Chamber created Find Your PHX, an all-inclusive personal integration program to help new executives navigate their way around the region and jump-start engagement in the community. “Your company has spent valuable time and resources to recruit the right executive for the job and bring them to Phoenix. Our services will make your new recruit feel like a true VIP as we showcase all that Phoenix has to offer, through personalized tours and personal introductions.”
Several packages are available, ranging from $2,500–$5,000. Learn more at www.phoenixchamber.com.
Fort Collins Holds Virtual Talent Summit as Part of Align, Attract and Retain Talent Initiative
The Fort Collins Area (CO) Chamber held a Talent Summit, established as part of the Align, Attract and Retain Talent initiative in the chamber’s Northern Colorado Prospers Campaign, which was free to attend.
The program consisted of a morning of presentations, including an insight into Talent 2.0, and a discussion on trends and opportunities to pivot during COVID-19.
Attendees were also given the opportunity to download Development Counsellors International’s (DCI) national talent research document, Talent Wars, which offers communities valuable insight into what exactly talent looks for in a new job opportunity, how often people search for new jobs, the top resources talent looks to for information on a new location, and of course, how COVID-19 is affecting talent’s job and relocation priorities.
Learn more about this event and the work to align, attract and retain talent at www.fortcollinschamber.com and www.northerncoloradoprospers.com.
Silicon Valley Chamber Coalition: Local Chambers Come Together to Find Solution to Safely Reopen
Sixteen chambers of commerce in California joined business owners and faith leaders from across the Silicon Valley to successfully push back against overly restrictive COVID-19 measures in place in Santa Clara County.
The coalition held a press conference and encouraged lawmakers and government officials to safely reopen the economy after many businesses have sat idle for 7+ months because Santa Clara County officials have not created an environment where business can safely reopen and have a fighting chance at surviving.
The coalition also sent a letter to the California Governor, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, the County Public Health Officer and the County Counselor. Not long after the press release, a revised Public Health Order was released, easing some restrictions but still not aligning with state guidelines.
The coalition continues to advocate for safe reopening and includes: Silicon Valley Black Chamber, Campbell Chamber, Cupertino Chamber, Gilroy Chamber, Hispanic Chamber of Silicon Valley, Los Altos Chamber, Los Gatos Chamber, Milpitas Chamber, Morgan Hill Chamber, Mountain View Chamber, Rainbow Chamber, Saratoga Chamber, Scotts Valley Chamber, Silicon Valley Central Chamber, The Silicon Valley Organization, Sunnyvale Silicon Valley Chamber.
This is a great example of local chambers joining together as a unified voice to advocate for their business community. Learn more about the coalition at www.svchambercoalition.org or view the press conference here.
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Information featured each month in Around the West is taken from chamber newsletters and websites that W.A.C.E. receives from its members. We try to share best practices, ideas and programs from chambers working hard to be Catalysts, Conveners and Champions and make a difference in their community. Make sure to subscribe W.A.C.E. to your mailing list, if you haven’t done so already, and you may be featured in a future Insider!
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