It’s hard to believe that another year is almost behind us. Throughout 2019, the Chamber has been standing with you and working – both up front and behind the scenes – to help push your business forward. It’s a commitment we make year after year. 2020 will be no exception.

At the Chamber, it’s our privilege – and responsibility – to help you take advantage of your membership benefits. That happens in a variety of ways. There are too many to list, but here is a breakdown of some of 2019’s highlights.

Knowledge is power
The Indiana Vision 2025 Report Card was released in early June. This biannual evaluation measures Indiana’s progress compared to the 49 other states on 65 metrics related to the 37 goals of the long-range economic development plan. Findings, including regional results, were presented in a series of statewide forums, which featured discussions on local priorities and progress.

The report identified several strong areas of achievement, but continued challenges in health care metrics and overall entrepreneurial activity.

The Chamber’s 12th annual employer workforce survey, debuting at the inaugural Indiana Workforce Summit in October, revealed that while nearly half of employers are still leaving jobs unfilled, dramatically fewer are listing workforce/talent needs as among their biggest challenges.

Employers are assigning more responsibilities internally (25% in 2019; 18% in 2017) and hiring underqualified applicants (23% in 2019 compared to 11% two years earlier). In addition, 71% confirm they are willing to hire an individual with less education/skills than desired and allow them to work while completing on-the-job training.

The Indiana Chamber Foundation has been producing research studies that lead to public policy actions and new programs for the past 20 years. A series of two-page impact reports of past studies includes the topics of venture capital, the original Economic Vision 2010 and the continued impact of the 2014 water resources study.

A major Foundation focus in 2020 is completion of an energy study looking at costs, availability, regulatory matters and more.

New ways to save
Indiana employers with between 2-50 employees have access to the new ChamberCare Health Alliance and its MEWA (multiple employer welfare arrangement) through their Indiana Chamber membership. In addition to insurance cost savings through Anthem, participants receive automatic membership in the Wellness Council of Indiana (WCI).

Team and small group exercises are part of the ADVANCE leadership accountability course.

The Chamber also introduced new employee training tracks on leadership (ADVANCE) and soft skills (BOOST) in 2019. Data security and other topics will be highlighted in the first month of the new year with the 2020 Business Technology Summit.

Legislative focus
In November, the Chamber unveiled the organization’s top policy goals for 2020 at the annual Legislative Preview. Among them: addressing the vaping crisis and reducing the state’s smoking rate by increasing the legal purchase age on both from 18 to 21, as well as instituting a tax on vaping products and increased tax on cigarettes.

View the top Chamber policy victories and your return on investment from 2019.

Connect
Three signature Chamber events – Chamber Day Dinner,  14th annual Best Places to Work in Indiana awards celebration and 30th Annual Awards Dinner – combined to bring nearly 3,500 people together and celebrate Indiana business. Look for those events on February 11, April 30 and November 10 in 2020.

Season three of our podcast kicked off with a new name – IN Chamber: The Podcast. Hear a new conversation with state and national thought leaders every other week.

Combatting the opioid epidemic

Mike Thibideau, director of Indiana Workforce Recovery, shares survey highlights.

In early 2019, Indiana Workforce Recovery (IWR) began offering employer opioid strategy sessions. The events, continuing this fall and into 2020, are designed to serve as a model for prevention, assistance, intervention and recovery.

IWR released an employer survey about substance abuse disorder in the workplace. Two numbers show that a challenge remains: 76% acknowledge that drug and alcohol misuse is a community challenge. But only 13% of employers view this misuse as a problem within their organization.

In partnership with the state of Indiana and the Family Social Services Administration (FSSA), IWR introduced employer guidelines and videos.

The WCI continues to work with employers throughout the state on starting and enhancing wellness programs and making them part of the strategic focus of the organization.

Indiana INTERNnet
For the first time in a calendar year, Indiana INTERNnet completed 1,100-plus internship connections. It is also closing in on 10,000 internship matches throughout its history.

The upcoming IMPACT Awards luncheon on February 18, 2020 will honor outstanding interns, employers, supervisors and career development professionals.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. We look forward to bringing you even more benefits in 2020!