Your Chamber at Work - December 21, 2020

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Having a marketable skill opens the door to a job, but too many ex-offenders leave prison without one. Anywhere from 60 to 75 percent of returning citizens remain unemployed one year after release from prison. But for those ex-offenders who hold a job for one year, the recidivism rate is 16 percent, compared to a national recidivism rate of 52 percent.

The KC Chamber is working with the Kansas Department of Corrections, KC Common Good, and other regional organizations to create a Career Campus at Lansing Correctional Facility. The goal: to train incarcerated individuals and prepare them to enter the workforce upon release, providing them with the credentials they’ll need for work in high demand industries.

The new Career Campus will change lives, while at the same time growing our pipeline of qualified workers.

Join us January 11 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. to learn more. Jeff Korzenik, Chief Investment Strategist of Fifth Third Bank, will join us to talk about the overall benefit of second chance hiring and how it changes lives for formerly incarcerated people and spurs community innovation. This virtual event is free. Click here to register.

COVID-19 BUSINESS RESPONSE SURVEY

You have until the end of today, December 21, to complete the COVID-19 Business Recovery Survey. This anonymous survey is a collaboration of area business organizations created to hear directly from you. It contains questions asking what kind of assistance your business needs, the financial impact of 2020, remote work, mental health resources for your employees, the vaccine, and more. You can share the name of your business or organization if you like, but it’s all anonymous. The results will be summarized and used to inform local, state, and federal leaders on what kind of help small businesses need.

FEDERAL ISSUES LISTENING SESSION

A new president and Congress for 2021 means major change to the political landscape. Join us January 6 for our Federal Issues Listening Session, 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. You’ll hear the key congressional issues and anticipated legislation for next year. Bring your questions as you hear from some of the country’s top experts to brief KC business and policy leaders on what lies ahead on Capitol Hill. Register here.

HEALTHY KC WORKPLACE WELLNESS CERTIFICATION

The Chamber’s Healthy KC initiative looks to honor and recognize those employers that make their team’s health and wellness a priority. This year’s survey has COVID-specific questions designed to help us better understand how the virus has had an impact on the workforce and to help create a more equitable workplace environment across the region. To apply, click here. You have until December 31 to complete your application.

SHOP LOCAL AND SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES

Want to find the perfect gift for the holidays but also keep your dollars local? We’ve put together some resources to help you #ShopLocalKC. From restaurants to retail and other services, we have some resources to connect you with small businesses. Our KC Chamber Membership Directory lets you search by member name or category -- from restaurants to retail and more. Plus KCSourceLink’s shop local directory is another great spot to find small businesses. Don’t forget to use #ShopLocalKC to support small businesses online!