The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for the various prestigious awards to be presented at the 85th Annual Banquet scheduled for February 6, 2010. The deadline for your nomination is December 1. Please take a few minutes to consider those around you who are deserving of recognition for their work and submit a nomination. Forms are available at the Chamber office or upon request via e-mail at info@aboutmccook.com. Awards include the following:

Community Service Award: An organization contributing significantly over the past few years to the improvement of McCook.

Community Builder Award: An individual with a history of service to McCook and the surrounding area, most notably in his or her work for non-profit organizations.

Chamber Volunteer of the Year: A member who has displayed an above-average level of participation in Chamber and other activities in the community.

Ag Builder Award: The candidate must have, or have had a successful farming or agribusiness operation. The operation should represent agriculture in southwest Nebraska. Diversification is desired but due to the changes in Agriculture specialization can also qualify.

Non-farm or non-agribusiness activities must be completed freely and willingly. The activities cannot be completed with the goal of attaining financial gains. The activities should be completed with a goal of improving southwest Nebraska, their community, agriculture and agribusiness in general.

The candidates should be or have been, involved in at least three (3) areas of off the-farm/agribusiness services or activities. At least one (1) must be or have been in general community service. The remaining activities may be related to agriculture / agribusiness.

The individual must exhibit pride in their farm / agribusiness occupation. They must project a good positive image of agriculture production or agribusiness. They should follow accepted conservation and farming practices along with being financially sound and respected by their peers.

The wording of these qualifications shall not exclude a woman, or husband and wife team, or family from consideration.

The Chamber Salutes…..

the McCook Daily Gazette, our co-sponsor, and all those area businesses that participated in the Annual Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 31. Hundreds of little ones paraded the downtown business district and were greeted by businesses with candy and other special treats.

November Coffee Connection at Farm & Ranch Expo

The next scheduled Coffee Connection will be hosted by Darren Dale with the McCook Farm & Ranch Expo on November 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The coffee will be held in the 4-H Building meeting room at the Fairgrounds. These networking opportunities have proven to be quite popular with Chamber members. The format is informal and offers each member present an opportunity to share tidbits of information about “What’s New?” with their respective businesses. Members also appreciate the flexibility of this “come as you can….go as you must” event so they can fit it into their day’s agenda. Why don’t you join us this month!

The Chamber Salutes…..

the McCook Art Guild for hosting the October 21st Chamber Coffee Connection. Guests were treated to an outstanding display of art work as well as great coffee, donuts and conversation. Everyone should make it a “must do” and stop by the Art Guild. The Art Guild is one of those outstanding treasures that makes McCook special.

Chamber Hosts State Chamber Legislative Forum

The Chief Restaurant was the site for the State Chamber Legislative Forum held on October 8 in McCook. The breakfast featured guest speaker, Jamie Karl, Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy with the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and was attended by twenty McCook Chamber members.

Special guests included Senator Mark Christensen and former Senator Tom Baker.

The purpose of the forum is to gather input from the business community on legislative concerns and key economic issues. This year’s forum presentation highlighted Nebraska’s competitiveness compared to neighboring states, in important areas such as taxes and the cost of doing business. The forum also included a review of the Legislature’s 2009 session, emphasizing developments in the areas of labor law, workers’ compensation and economic development.

Forum attendees were told that, while Nebraska is still considered a high-tax state, conditions have recently improved for businesses. Notable economic rankings, included one from the Tax Foundation which shows Nebraska has become more business-friendly over the past year – up nine spots to 33rd best. Nebraska continues to receive high marks for its legal environment and cost of doing business.

To stay abreast of actions taking place in Lincoln, the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce will continue its weekly calls with our State Senator during the regular legislative session which opens in January. For more information on the weekly call, please contact the Chamber at 345-3200 or info@aboutmccook.com.

South Platte United Chambers of Commerce Meets in McCook

The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the October meeting of the SPUCC at Sehnert’s Bakery & Bieroc Café on Tuesday, October 13. The meeting began at 3:30 p.m. with the dinner served at 6:00 p.m. Guest speaker during the afternoon session included personnel from the Nebraska Highway Department who addressed concerns expressed by South Platte President, Rosie Stockton, regarding the need for consistent highway speed limits across the state. The evening speaker was Roger Kuhn, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. The focus of his talk was addressing recent budget cuts to the Parks Department and how they were handled by the Commission.

Heritage Days Success Dependent on Volunteers