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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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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TIF Policy Advances to Council Committee

Madison’s Economic Development Committee has recommended approval of a new draft policy for Madison’s use of Tax Incremental Financing. The Chamber supported the draft policy that is more flexible and competitive than the existing approach.

Extensive staff research has demonstrated that while Madison has created a tremendous amount of value using the financing tool, the approach is much more conservative and cautious compared to other municipalities in Dane County and larger cities across the state.

Some of the changes from the existing policy include removing an equity participation payment for profitable projects and modifying some of the conservative assumptions used to evaluate projects, including the “50% rule” that says no more than 50% of the new tax increment generated by a project can be made available to the project as gap financing.

Another way the draft policy is more flexible to existing policy is its determination for meeting the “but for” standard. The “but for” standard means but for city assistance, the project would not otherwise occur. The new draft policy allows for additional competitive factors to be considered for employment-oriented projects that would demonstrate that but for the city’s TIF assistance, the project would not otherwise occur in the City of Madison. Providing flexibility for the interpretation of this standard will allow for more conversation on projects with potentially significant public benefit.

While the new policy provides more flexibility, all projects will still require a comprehensive staff review and Common Council approval for any expenditures. This process ensures public discussion and that taxpayer dollars are used prudently and strategically.

Before recommending approval, some minor changes were made to the draft, including changes to the job standards section and making the language more applicable to workforce development.

The document now goes to a special ad hoc committee of Madison alders for review.

Chamber Statement Re: Cheatham offered superintendent job for Madison Metropolitan School District

MADISON – Responding to the announcement that Jennifer Cheatham has been offered the job as the next superintendent of Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), Zach Brandon, president of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, had this to say:

“Dr. Cheatham – or Jen as she prefers – is the right choice at the right time for one of the toughest, yet most important jobs, in our community. The business community congratulates her and the school board. We look forward to a successful partnership.

Tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and workers need real-world exposure today. Many of Jen’s remarks – as well as her experience – demonstrate that educational success goes beyond test scores and technology. There is clear opportunity to further the partnership between the schools and the private sector. Opportunities like the Youth Apprenticeship Program which partners academic and technical classroom instruction with mentored, on-the-job training for employability skills.

The Greater Madison area is in a time of great change. Key roles such as the superintendent of MMSD are being filled with new leaders ready to take this region to the next level by believing our challenges are solvable, ensuring complacency is unacceptable and being energized to imagine and aggressively pursue this area’s full potential. We believe Jen is this type of leader.”

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.

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Chamber Makes Early Alder Endorsements

MADISON – The board of directors for the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce has released its early endorsements for the Madison Common Council. The Chamber’s endorsements are being released as President Zach Brandon is challenging leaders to close the gap between what our region is and what it can be as an innovation hub on the global stage.

“The Greater Madison region is home to many innovative and entrepreneurial companies, products, technologies and ideas that highlight our potential,” said Brandon. “We need the right leaders, with the right vision and commitment, to translate that potential into increased jobs and wages. The Madison Common Council plays a key role in the perception and reality of our business climate.”

The Chamber Board has endorsed the following candidates in the upcoming Spring Election:

With the exception of District 10, all on the list are incumbents who received Chamber endorsements in previous elections for their leadership and focus on job creation.

“It is important that Madison voters elect leaders who understand and value the private sector,” said Brandon. “All of the endorsed candidates have demonstrated their commitment to creating a climate that will help grow businesses and the jobs they create.”

Endorsement interviews in the remaining districts will take place in the coming weeks. Endorsements may not be made in every district, just in those where a candidate meets the endorsement criteria.

“Throughout this process we have kept in close contact with the Building and Construction Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin because of our mutual goal to grow jobs and wages,” said Brandon. “It is promising to find our candidate endorsements align.”

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.

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