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November 30, 2009 
In This Issue
Renew Your Dues - It Helps Your Bottom Line
Great Gifts - Chamber Checks
Zoning Code Rewrite Website for Fitchburg
Upcoming Events/Dates
2010 Fitchburg Business & Community Guide
Eco Awards
Quick Links
 
Join us tomorrow! 
 
Business Before 9 - Tuesday, December 1
 
RTA - What is it? What does it mean for Economic Development in our Region? 
 
Our speaker for the December 1st Business Before 9 breakfast is Bruce Speight, public interest advocate for WISPRIG.  Bruce will be discussing the recent county board decision to create a Regional Transit Authority and what this could mean for our region.
 
We encourage you to come and learn more and ask questions as this decision will affect all of us in Dane County.  What are the opportunities/challenges that an RTA can provide our region?
 
Business Before 9
Tuesday, December 1
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Candlewood Suites, Caddis Bend, Fitchburg
 
Please thank our corporate sponsors for the 2009 Business Before 9 breakfast series.  A recent survey showed that it is the highest valued benefit of Fitchburg Chamber Membership.
 
Thank you Park Bank, MG&E and Candlewood Suites!
 Renew Your Dues - It Helps Your Bottom Line! 
 
Consumers are 63% more likely to make future purchases from a company that is a member of the chamber of commerce. (From a nationwide study conducted by the Schapiro Group)
 
  • Consumers who are told that a business is a chamber member are 51% more likely to be highly aware of your business and 57% more likely to think positively of its local reputation.
  • When consumers know that a business is a member of the local chamber, they are 44% more likely to think favorably about that business
  • Consumers are 29% more inclined to trust your reputation
  • When business decision-makers believe that a business is a chamber member, they are 37% more likely to think favorably of the business and 51% more likely to be highly aware of it, 58% more likely to think positively of its local reputation and 59% more likely buy goods/services from it.


What does this mean for Fitchburg Chamber Members? By belonging to the Fitchburg Chamber your business has a higher profile and reputation in the mind of the consumer; consumers believe you are more reputable, customer friendly and a better choice compared to non-members.

Be sure to renew your dues, and display your membership decal, let your customers know you support your community and the Fitchburg Chamber.

For the complete study, please visit:

The Real Value of Joining Your Local Chamber 

 

Give Locally - Chamber Checks Make Great Holiday Gifts 
 
The Fitchburg Chamber offers Chamber Checks.  A gift certificate (that is really a check) that can be redeemed at chamber businesses.  This is a great way to give a versatile gift and it supports our local Fitchburg businesses at the same time.
  
Anyone who purchases a chamber check to give as a gift will also be provided a list of all our chamber businesses where the chamber check can be redeemed.
 
A chamber check gift certificate is one of the most versatile gifts you can give.  The lucky recipient can redeem it for goods, services, a night out, quick groceries or lunch with a friend. 
 
Chamber Checks can be purchased at the Chamber office please call ahead at 288-8284 or email at bklein@fitchburgchamber.com  

Fitchburg's Zoning Code Rewrite
Greetings!
 
PlaceMakers LLC has launched Fitchburg's iCharrette website for the Zoning Code Rewrite; the website is www.fitchburgzoning.com  
 
This website contains some basic content regarding the rewrite process and will continue to be updated with new information as the process moves forward.  The website also provide an opportunity for the public to participate in the process without physically attending a meeting.
 
Please feel free to circulate and promote the website!
 
Regards,
Susan
 
Susan Sloper, Community Planner
City of Fitchburg, Wisconsin
5520 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711
www.city.fitchburg.wi.us
 
 

Upcoming Events   

December 1 - Business Before 9 - 8:00 AM
Monthly networking/information series. 8:00 am at the Candlewood Suites in Fitchburg.  See above for detailed information.
 
December 2 - Zoning Code Rewrite Public Workshop - 6:00-8:00 PM
The City of Fitchburg is rewriting its Zoning Code and wants to hear your thoughts!  Please take the opportunity to get involved and provide input on Fitchburg zoning.
Issue Identification Public Workshop
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Oak Hall Room - Fitchburg Community Center - 5510 Lacy Road, Fitchburg WI 
This workshop precedes a multi-day workshop that will be held in February 2010 where community stakeholders work with expert consultants to work out the details of the new zoning ordinance.  

December 2 - Fitchburg Public Library
Seeks Your Input on the New Building
· 6:00 p.m. at Fire Station # 2 - 5415 King James Way
or
· 8:00 p.m. in the Common Council Chambers - City Hall
This will be an opportunity to see the building design and give feedback on the interior of the building.
For further information, please e-mail
library@city.fitchburg.wi.us or call 270.4205
www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/library/index.php
 
December 3 - Holiday Business After 5 hosted by Kickshaw's
Date: December 03 - Time: 5p.m. - 7p.m. 5957 McKee Road
www.eatkickshaw.com 
New member restaurant, Kickshaw, will be hosting a "Holiday Business After 5" on Thursday, December 3rd. They will also be having a ribbon cutting ceremony. Meet your fellow chamber members for networking, food, drinks and fun!

 
More Holiday Dates Here - Shopping Specials and Holiday Open Houses Chamber Calendar
2010 Fitchburg Business & Community Guide

It's that time of year again! Production has begun on the 2010 Fitchburg Business & Community Guide.
 
We give members only the opportunity to have low cost advertising in this very popular, full-color, annual publication that promotes Fitchburg and Fitchburg businesses.
 
Details:
 
·   15,000 copies of the guide are distributed locally and regionally
 
·   Electronic versions of the guide will be available at www.fitchburgchamber.com connectfitchburg.com & www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/economic_development/index.php
 
(You can see the 2009 version now at connectfitchburg.com)

·   Distribution points include: real estate companies, hotels, restaurants, businesses and tourism bureaus. Businesses also include them in their employee recruitment packets; we mail them upon request to residents and visitors. We also distribute the guides at community events (i.e. Agora Art Fair, SMBA Trade Show, etc). 
 
To receive a copy of the 2009 Fitchburg Business & Community Guide, to ask a question, or for more information about featuring your business in the guide please contact Bethany at bklein@fitchburgchamber.com  or by calling 288-8284. 
Eco Awards 
In April 2010, In Business magazine, in partnership with Sustain Dane, will celebrate the Dane County businesses that are taking positive steps toward eco-responsibility and environmental stewardship.
 
We're now accepting applications for the first Business Sustainability Awards. Your initiative could be the winner in one of the following categories:
 
    * Eco-Product or Service of the Year
      This award recognizes a new product or service introduced to the market that addresses one or more of the following areas: helps to solve an environmental problem, demonstrates a superior environmentally-conscious design, or helps an individual better manage his environmental footprint.
    * Sustainable Workforce Development of the Year
      This award recognizes a company's commitment to creating jobs that positively impact the environment, or provide training to its current workforce on issues of sustainability.
    * Ecosystem Protection Initiative of the Year
      This award will be given to a company that has implemented ways to initiate, assist or accelerate the protection of a local ecological system or feature.
    * Eco-Efficiency Initiative of the Year
      This award will be given to a company that has made significant improvements in its facility or practices that improve material, water and/or energy efficiency.
    * Sustainable Small Business of the Year
      This award recognizes a small company demonstrating a comprehensive sustainability effort that improves environment, social, and economic performance. (Open to companies with up to 100 employees.)
    * Sustainable Large Business of the Year
      This award recognizes a large company demonstrating a comprehensive sustainability effort that improves environment, social, and economic performance. (Open to companies with 100 employees or more.)
    * Sustainable Community of the Year
      This award will be given to a Dane County community that demonstrates a comprehensive, community-wide sustainability effort that improves overall environment, social and economic performance.
    * Sustained Individual Leadership Award
      This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a longstanding and outstanding commitment to sustainable business practices in Dane County. (Open to individual applicants; not companies.)
 
Entry Materials
For consideration in each award category, submitted projects must have been completed between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. Additional details about the 2010 awards program are available at http://www.ibmadison.com/green
Win a Trip for 2 to the Caribbean 
(or another exotic destination of your choice) raffle
 
Feel like spending a week somewhere warm this winter?  With odds like this you just might!
 
The Fitchburg Chamber is selling raffle tickets for the chance to win a trip to the Caribbean, or another destination of your choice! The winner will receive a $3,000 travel voucher to work with Burkhalter Travel to plan the trip of your dreams.
 
Tickets will be sold until 8a.m. on January 5th. They are $20 and we're only selling 500. Tickets may be purchased at Chamber Events, by Ambassadors and Board Members, and at the Chamber office. Anyone is welcome to try their luck! 
 
The winner will be chosen on Janurary 5th at Business Before 9 at the Candlewood Suites and you need not be present to win.
 
Contact Bethany at bklein@fitchburgchamber.com  or 288-8284 for more information.  
 
Good Luck!