Chamber Career Day will inspire youths to chart future pathways

Henry County, like many other areas of the Midwest, is constantly looking for ways to stem “brain drain” among its youth, as students graduate from high school and begin looking for what they consider greener pastures.

The reason for some of this out-migration is young people’s natural desire to spread their wings and see the world. But more often, they simply are unaware of the options available to them right here at home.

That’s where Chamber Career Day comes in.

The annual event, a partnership of the Chamber and Eastern Indiana Works, offers a day of exploration, insight, and discovery for Henry County high school students. This year – the event’s third iteration -- is on Friday, May 5 at the Arts Pavilion Arts on 15th Street in Downtown New Castle.

Spring 2023

Volume 13, Issue 1

Publisher

Shonda Kane, Executive Director, New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce info@nchcchamber.com

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We expect to have representatives from about 60 businesses on hand to talk with students about the many career opportunities ahead of them. Schools will visit with businesses from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and beginning at 2:30, the public is invited to talk with the businesses to connect about employment opportunities.

One of the most important initiatives of Chamber Career Day is to inspire young people to consider their future, wherever that path leads. While a college degree is a valid choice for many high school students, Career Day coordinators stress there are other options for meaningful, profitable careers.

Short-term credentials and apprenticeship programs are a sensible starting point for many good careers. The Chamber is working hand-in-glove with area businesses who need the talent to staff their companies.

Indiana simply does not have the talent to meet the growing demands of employers. We hear it all the time. We need to keep more of our best here. There is a swelling urgency to address the shortage.

There are many unknowns facing high school students of today, as technology changes the needs of the workforce. But this much we do know: A post high school credential is vital. Chamber Career Day helps local students forge their path to the future.

Chamber Magazine: The voice of New CastleHenry County Chamber businesses. It is a product of the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and The JMetzger Group. These materials are the sole and exclusive property of the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and The JMetzger Group, and may not be used without written consent.

Copyright 2023: The New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and The JMetzger Group.

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ON THE COVER: 10 CITIZENS STATE BANK

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An economic development perspective

SPECIAL REPORT: Chamber of Commerce annual Gala celebrates community champions

Latina Masters is President of the New Castle Henry County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She is a Raintree Banking Center Manager for Citizens State Bank.

New Castle celebrates 200 years of history

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Our annual New Castle Henry County Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala sold out again, for the second year in a row. That’s just one indication of the growth experienced recently. During 2022, your Chamber: l Added 52 members, bringing the total membership to 315. l Included 13 active committees available to members. l Hosted 10 Chamber lunches with 578 attendees. l Conducted 25 educational workshops/sessions. l Produced seven events with 1,413 registered attendees, not including attendees to the Memorial Day Parade and Christmas Walk. l Held 15 ribbon-cutting celebrations. l Awarded $1,000 in scholarships to Henry County students.

In communication and outreach efforts, 2022 saw even more impressive results: l The Facebook page has 4,000 followers and received 3,500 page likes. l Our Instagram account is growing steadily. l The Chamber eblast has 1,753 subscribers with an above-average open rate of 40%.

UPDATES ON CHAMBER INITIATIVES: l The first-ever Designer Bag Bingo on October 13 raised money for the Chamber Scholarship Fund. The event was very successful, with net proceeds of more than $18,000 contributed to the fund! Speaking of the scholarship awards, be sure to watch the website and social media channels for this year’s recipients. l The Chamber Network for Women offers professional women a unique opportunity to grow within an atmosphere created specifically for them. The group meets every other month and features guest speakers from the community and allows women to expand their network of business contacts and develop new skills. Watch our website and social media channels for updates on this program featuring women mentoring, educating, and supporting women. l The Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade is your Chamber’s gift to the community! This is Indiana’s largest Memorial Day parade, and in 2022 we had more than 200 entries. This year’s celebration will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 29 with the Veterans ceremony, followed by the parade at 10 a.m. l Tickets are on sale now for Cash Bonanza on Saturday, Sept. 9. Last year’s event sold out, so don’t wait too long to reserve your spot! The evening kicks off with a cocktail hour and entertainment, followed by a variety of games and the reverse raffle with a chance at the $10,000 grand prize! To get your ticket, check the website or contact the Chamber office.