December 9, 2021 Newsletter

December 9, 2021
 
Inspiration:  Ann Griffith  
 
Guests: 
  • Maria Nara – Head of Early Childhood Center
  • Leighanne Alford – Prospective member
  • Carol Cochran – Guest of Tim Cochran
  • Ann Hutchison – President and CEO of Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce
  • Bill Lamperes – former FCRBRC member
  • Austin Hensen – son of Andrew Hensen
  • Joyce Dickens - Filmographer
IDEA Quote:  “When you clench your fist, no one can put anything in your hand, nor can your hand pick up anything.”-- Alex Haley, writer
 
10K Raffle:   “Love our Community” drawing for $10,000 on Feb.14th.  If we each sell six $100 tickets, we can meet our goal of 500 tickets.   They will make great Christmas gifts – look for the website to go live very soon!
 
Announcements:
  • Tracy Mead – all are welcome and encouraged to join the Program committee; if interested, contact tracymead2003@yahoo.com
  • Bob Williams look for sign up sheets for Meals on Wheels
  • Save the Date!  Feb. 6th – Purple Pins for Polio; a bowling event with the other Fort Collins Rotary clubs.  Details to come.
  • Jen Parker completed all of the requirements of the New Member Orientation – congrats, Jen!
Program:  Ann Hutchinson – CEO of Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce; after 18 years with the Chamber, she became CEO in January of 2021
  •  Work of the Chamber is about:
    • Helping to connect people to community resources (the “Front Door”)
    • Helping create leaders for the community – Leadership Fort Collins and Leadership Northern Colorado
    • Being a strong advocate for Business – tracking policy recommendations and how they will impact businesses
    • Being a place for businesses to connect
  • NoCo Prospers 1.0 Fundraising and investment campaign – raised $3.8 million for
    • Fixing N. I-25 - $500 million gap for work between Longmont and Berthoud
    • Supporting Talent development
      • Talent Portal
      • Trailing Spouse Program
      • Workplace Learning Alliance with all educational partners
    • Working on a Covid Recovery Plan, to include more economic marketing (building relationships with bigger companies)
    • Business Retention and Expansion – how to help these businesses after Covid
  •  NoCo Prospers 2.0 Raised $4 million to be used over next 5 years - will launch Jan. 1
    •  Economy
    • Talent
    • Business friendly environment
    • I-25 – transportation across the region – how to plan for and fund this, especially with crossroads like Hwy 34, 392 and 14)
  •  Questions:
    • What are we missing most in terms of talent?   C Suite talent and People of Color
    • Is the Regional Airport part of the plan?  Definitely – must take advantage of that as a hub for economic activity
    • What impact is money from Fed. Govt. having? First round made a big difference but over the next 6-8 months, we’ll have a reckoning; funding streams will allow us to take on issues that are business related, but social (i.e. like homelessness; transit)
    • Is there a Master Plan for I-25?  Yes, go to cdot.gov
    • Is retail dead?  No, but they need to modify their businesses
    • Metrics – have 1083 members, want 1200-1300
Thanks to the program committee for bringing us this great program!