Contact Us Today: 507-437-4561
Toll Free: 888-319-5655
AUSTIN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
FALL MEETING & ELECTION OF BOARD
The Chamber's annual Fall Meeting will be held at 12 Noon, Wednesday, October 18, at the Austin Country Club. Seven members will be elected to the Chamber's Board of Directors and a long-time member and community leader will be recognized with the Chamber's Lifetime Achievement Award.
For more information and to register, contact Valerie at 437-4561 or email to valerie@austincoc.com.
CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY CALENDAR
Register your holiday events in the official Christmas in the City calendar, free of charge. Printed calendars will be distributed through The Outlookand in member stores throughout the community. Al events will be posted on the Chamber's website. For more information, contact Jeanine at 437-4561 or email jeanine@austincoc.com.
BUSINESS LEADERS LEARN ABOUT NEW CEO PROGRAM
Business owners and managers from throughout the area, met Thursday, September 21, to learn about a new, transformational learning opportunity for Austin area high school students called Mower CEO, led by the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce and Austin Area Foundation. Mower CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) is an exciting collaboration between education and the business community that provides an overview of business development and processes. Local businesses work with area schools to create project-based experiences for students by providing funding, expertise, meeting space, business tours, and one-on-one mentoring. Students tour area businesses, learn from guest speakers, participate in a class business, and finally develop, launch and operate their own business. Businesses can participate in a number of ways. If you are interested in learning more and how you can help, contact Sandy at 507-437-4561 or email sandy@austincoc.com. For more information on CEO, visit www.midlandinstitute.com
Grow Austin Offers Rebates
The City of Austin, in conjunction with Mower County, the DCA and Austin Utilities, announces "Grow Austin," a new business incentive program which aims to support quality job growth and positively differentiate our community as a business-friendly location. Participants in the local program will receive a one percent rebate - capped at $100,000 - on a minimum $250,000 capital investment in real property, and between $250 and $3,000 for each new, permanent full-time job per year. To lure quality jobs, the requirement for wages must be at least 140% of the proverty level for a family of four as set by federal guidelines. Austin Utilities will offer $200 to $1,500 per-job rebates tied to increased monthly electrical demand. For more information, contact Craig Clark, City Administrator; 437-9940.
CITY COUNCIL PROPOSING 11.2% LEVY INCREASE
Austin City Council members voiced their unanimous support for an 11.2 percent levy increase at their Sept. 5 work session. The increase would raise the city’s total levy to $6 million, up from $5.34 million in 2017. The double-digit increase follows a recent pattern for the city’s levy. Levy increases in 2016 and 2017 were 13 and nine percent, respectively. The Council will consider formal adoption of the preliminary levy at its Sept. 19 meeting. From that point, the levy may be reduced but not increased. The City’s budget and preliminary levy will be presented at a Truth in Taxation hearing in December before final adoption.
The expected increase would add $30-$40 to property taxes on a $100,000 home and about $100 per $100,000 in value on commercial property.
READ MORE ABOUT IT:
Great Weather for AMIGO Day