Share your 2023 Event Dates: Do you have any notable 2023 dates that you would like published in the community and visitor guide which gets mailed to 8000 households in Beaver Dam? If you do, please have them to us by Friday, January 6^th

As a reminder, please include these dates on the Chamber Website community calendar too – look for the “add community event” in the right corner just below the red bar. This calendar currently gets viewed about 2500 times/month and it is free to use!

Chamber website calendar

Office Closed The Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce office will be closed from Thursday, December 22 - January 2nd for staff vacation. Please order your Chamber Checks today or tomorrow by calling 920-887-8879.

Kraig Kasten will be stopping into the Chamber occasionally to check messages and mail, so alternative arrangements could be made by appointment if you leave a message. (Thank you Kraig!!!)

Promotional Opportunity There are a number of overnight visitors coming to Beaver Dam in January, for a theater competition at BDACT, and February, for the synchro skate competition at the family center.

We are looking to provide "goodie bags" for the attendees including give-aways and coupons to your business, so they will visit during their stay! Email us at tpropst@beaverdamchamber.com if you could provide 500 coupons by the first week in January.

HS DECA Judges needed January 7th

The High School DECA organization is in desperate need of judges on Saturday January 7th. The time commitment is only 4-5 hours; out by noon.

Here is a link to sign up ASAP: DECA Judges sign up

Questions: email Julie Schroeder, BDHS Business/Marketing Teacher,DECA Advisor schroederj@bdusd.org

High School "We the People" Judges Needed - message from Matt Ziebarth, US Government Teacher

At Beaver Dam High School, we want to do the best we can to give students graduating from BDHS a solid grounding in civic knowledge. To meet that goal, the required US Government class uses We The People: The Citizen & The Constitution, a model which promotes civic involvement and a practical understanding of the US Constitution. As part of the course, we have students participate in a culminating activity - a simulated Congressional hearing.I’m writing to ask if you would be willing to volunteer to spend 30 minutes or so listening to a student presentation, and then ask a few follow-up questions as part of a panel of “judges.” You don’t have to be an expert in government or the Constitution - we just want you to join our students in a discussion of important issues and ideas.

Our hearings will be held during our class periods from Wednesday, January 4 through Thursday, January 12, 2023. Each class has 6 groups who are preparing to testify as experts on the Constitution and government in front of a Congressional committee. Your role is to listen to their prepared statement and to ask some follow-up questions about it. Each presentation will take approximately 30 minutes, and you would only have to commit to judging one group’s presentation. With a little preparation ahead of time, you’ll easily be ready to act as a hearing judge.

If you’re able and willing to help us out, please respond to this email, and I will share the time slots which classes will be meeting. You can then sign up for a hearing time. After that, I will send you the specific topics and some follow-up questions you can ask your assigned group! If you aren’t available during the day, but are available in the evening, we could schedule a special hearing schedule for students who are also available in the evening. As long as you’re available for 30 minutes or so between January 4 and January 12, we’d love to have you be part of our civics experience!

Please email me if you are able to volunteer for one or more of the presentations.

Thank you for considering volunteering for the We the People Congressional Hearings.

Dodgeland HS FBLA Region VI Leadership Conference Judges needed February 4th Judge Events on Feb. 4 at Dodgland HS

8:30 am until approximately 12:30 pm

Breakfast & Lunch provided.

Evaluation sheets are provided.

Contact: Amanda Beaudo, Dodgeland FBLA Adviser beaudo@dodgeland.k12.wi.us 920-386-4404 ext. 1303

BROADBAND UPDATE: FCC ACCEPTING CORRECTION CHALLENGES FOR NEW NATIONAL BROADBAND MAP

On November 18th the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unveiled the “pre-production draft” of the new national new national broadband map. This new map is the most detailed and current federal map of where broadband is and is not accessible throughout the country. if the speeds indicated on the map are incorrect for a location and you want to improve local broadband access, it is very important to challenge the results.

How to submit a challenge/ correction:

The FCC is seeking help to improve the data on the map by asking communities and individuals to submit a challenge or request a correction. These are 3 types of challenges: availability challenges, mobile availability challenges, and location challenges. More information on the challenge process can be found on the, How to Use the FCC’s National Broadband Map help page.  

How does this affect you and your community?

In cases where the draft broadband map indicates broadband speeds that are not being observed at specific locations, it is important to challenge the results being presented on the map. Failure to do so could jeopardize a community’s ability to secure a portion of the more than $42 billion set aside for broadband expansion under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. 

Due Date

To ensure valid challenges are incorporated into the map before federal funding allocations are made, the public are encouraged to submit challenges by January 13, 2023.

Breakfast Network

Our Guest: Cameron Clapper

Dodge County Administrator

Our Host: Green Valley Enterprises

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

7:45 - 9:00 am

Chamber members are invited to join us for a continental breakfast at Green Valley Enterprises in Beaver Dam. Our guest will be Cameron Clapper, the new Dodge County Administrator. Get to know Cameron, and learn about his initial impressions of the State of Dodge County, and get to know more about Green Valley Enterprises/Opportunity Inc with a tour of their facility.

Expand your network and your awareness at our bi-monthly Breakfast Networking events. Register, so we can plan better, but walk-ins are always welcome. $5 Suggested continental breakfast donation.

Chamber Bylaws Q&A Session

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Noon - 1:00 PM

Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce

(virtual access can be made available)

The board of directors of the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce has reviewed the Chamber Bylaws and will be asking for approval of the changes at the Annual Meeting on January25th. This is your opportunity to ask any questions regarding the changes.

You may attend live or remotely and we can even arrange for lunch.

Business After Hours 

Momentum Gym

900 Green Valley Road

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

5:00 – 7:00 PM

Come and meet Keagen Stofflet and Braeden Bowman, young entrepreneurs who have their sites set on improving the health of Beaver Dam residents. These motivated young men have transformed their gym and their clients and invite you to see all the great things that are happening there.

Held in a relaxed environment, Business After Hours is a relationship-building experience that benefits you and your company through added contacts, information, and resources. Plus, they're fun!

Please RSVP for the host's planning purposes, but walk-ins are always welcome.

Annual Membership Meeting

Beaver Dam Chamber or Zoom

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

7:30 am - 8:30 am

Now held separately of the annual awards dinner, join us live or at the chamber for the annual membership meeting. Agenda items include:

* Bylaw changes

* Meet the leadership, Ambassadors and staff

* 2022 Executive Director Annual Report

* Q&A Session

Coffee and pastries will be provided for this early morning meeting. We would love to see you! Please RSVP to insure we have ample room (and pastries!)

Schools face student mental health issues

Rates of depression and anxiety for students have increased due to learning loss from the pandemic, researchers have found, with a bigger impact on students of color. Especially for urban school systems like Milwaukee, the mental health of its students can greatly complicate major learning loss. How these schools react to getting students back on track is crucial and changing views on the importance of standardized testing are part of the issue.

Click here to learn more

Wisconsin Republican leaders unified in opposition to train

The Republican leader of the Wisconsin Senate said Thursday that he opposes spending any state money to help Madison bring a passenger rail line that would connect the capital city to Milwaukee, joining the state’s other top GOP legislative leader in opposition to the project. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu told The Associated Press that he opposes state funding for the project but had not been briefed by Madison city leaders on what they were attempting. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos was blunt last week when asked about it, saying only “No state funding.”

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Hungry for the holidays: Inflation driving spike in food insecurity across Wisconsin

Food insecurity appears to be exploding across Wisconsin, with nearly an 11% increase in the amount of Foodshare and food stamp benefits being delivered, according to the state Department of Health Services. The jump in October — the most recent data available — is also more than 8% higher than at any time this year. It's also higher than at any time in 2021. "There's a lot of need in Milwaukee," said Sherrie Tussler, executive director of Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee “Inflation is really hurting all of us, but low-income families more than most."

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TikTok app banned on Washington County government devices

TikTok is now banned on Washington County government devices. After discussions with U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann says he believes there are serious issues that the social media app presents to national security. Specifically, Exec. Schoemann says there is a risk TikTok is being used as spyware by China that surveils Americans.

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Gas prices keep dropping: down 11 cents in Green Bay

Average gasoline prices in Green Bay have fallen 11.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.73/g today, according to GasBuddy. Wisconsin’s average is $2.74/g, down 9.8 cents per gallon from last week's $2.84/g. “Fuel prices across the board have been plunging back into territory more Americans feel is normal, which could certainly boost economic sentiment going forward," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

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Wisconsin regulators move ahead with groundwater PFAS rules

Wisconsin’s natural resources board on Wednesday voted unanimously to proceed with regulating so-called forever chemicals in the state’s groundwater, 10 months after a plan was scrapped under pressure from the state’s powerful business industry. The vote to move ahead with developing limits on four types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS chemicals, came after the board in February adopted standards for surface and drinking water. Those went into effect in June.

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US deaths fell this year, but not to pre-COVID levels

The number of U.S. deaths dropped this year, but there are still more than there were before the coronavirus hit. Preliminary data — through the first 11 months of the year — indicates 2022 will see fewer deaths than the previous two COVID-19 pandemic years. Current reports suggest deaths may be down about 3% from 2020 and about 7% vs. 2021.

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Fed raises interest rates half a point to highest level in 15 years

The Federal Reserve continued its battle against inflation by raising its benchmark interest rate to the highest level in 15 years. The Federal Open Market Committee voted to boost the overnight borrowing rate half a percentage point, taking it to a targeted range between 4.25% and 4.5%. Along with the increase came an indication that officials expect to keep rates higher through next year, with no reductions until 2024.

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El Paso residents overwhelmed by migrant surge

There has been an overwhelming influx of migrants crossing over the border into El Paso, and just over 5,700 migrants remain in Border Patrol custody Wednesday morning, according to the city of El Paso’s dashboard. The U.S. Border Patrol’s acting El Paso Sector Chief Peter Jaquez said there has been on average about 2,400 daily migrant encounters involving people crossing into the area over the past weekend.

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Biden Administration Races to Change Asylum Rules as Title 42 Expiration Looms

With Title 42 set to expire on Wednesday, the Biden administration is narrowing in on a plan that would combine Trump-era limits on asylum claims at the border with a new system for asylum seekers to apply to enter the U.S. legally, according to people familiar with the matter. Title 42, a pandemic-related public-health measure allowing migrants to be quickly expelled back to Mexico after crossing the border illegally, is believed to have acted as a deterrent for some migrants seeking asylum because they could be turned back even if they asked for protection.

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Biden: US looking to strengthen relationship with Ecuador

With Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso by his side, President Joe Biden said Monday the U.S. is looking to expand and strengthen the U.S. relationship with one of its staunchest allies in South America and a country that’s getting plenty of attention from China. Lasso’s visit to Washington comes as his tiny nation is on the verge of completing a trade agreement with China, the United States’ strongest economic competitor.

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US national debt on pace to be 225% of GDP by 2050, Penn Wharton says

The U.S. national debt is on track to continue surging over the next three decades, spiraling to a new high that could ultimately endanger the economy, according to a new analysis published on Monday. The findings from the Penn Wharton Budget Model, a nonpartisan group at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, found that under current law, the national debt will rise to 225% of U.S. GDP by 2050.

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FTX founder Bankman-Fried sent back to Bahamas jail in day of courtroom chaos

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was sent back to a Bahamas jail Monday in a chaotic courtroom scene, after a reported plan for him to waive his extradition to the U.S. stalled. However, multiple media reports later in the day said that he had told his Bahamian lawyer to proceed with extradition hearings, and he’s now expected back in court later this week.

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European energy ministers agree to emergency natural-gas price cap

European energy ministers reached a political agreement Monday to impose an emergency limit for natural-gas prices, which have been sent soaring by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The ministers agreed to impose a price cap if month-ahead prices remain above 180 euros a megawatt hour, equivalent to $191, on the European Union’s main trading hub for three consecutive days.

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Here are the metros where the emergence of Gen Z will be the biggest challenge

Imagine thousands of potential employees vanishing into thin air. That's the prospect many metro areas are facing, thanks to the demographic shifts taking place in the American workforce. Between the relatively small size of Generation Z, declining birth rates and low immigration totals, experts say the tight labor market of the Covid-19 era is likely to stick around for the long term — even if there is a recession.

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Wisconsin bank CEOs weigh in on likelihood of recession

Wisconsin bank executives anticipate a weaker economy and a recession in the next six months. That’s according to a survey conducted by the Wisconsin Bankers Association. The WBA said out of 71 executives, more than 70% said they expect the economy to weaken in the next six months, and more than 85% said a recession is likely or very likely in that time. “With the likelihood of a recession in the coming year looming, banks are standing ready to help their customers and communities through,” said Rose Oswald Poels, President and CEO of the WBA.

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Where do Milwaukee execs want to fly nonstop as Southwest, other airlines consider new MKE routes?

The consensus among Milwaukee business leaders is more direct flights leads to a strong business environment in the city. Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce president Tim Sheehy said the reduction or elimination of flights is not a problem faced solely in Milwaukee. It's a national issue brought on significantly by a shortage in airline pilots, which is causing airlines to put a premium on the most profitable routes.

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Stocks close lower for a fourth day as recession angst dashes hope of year-end rally

Monday’s close marked the fourth consecutive day of losses for all three averages. The moves followed another down week for stocks after the Federal Reserve delivered a 50 basis point short-term interest rate hike and signaled higher-for-longer rates. Fears that the central bank will push the U.S. economy into a recession increased as policymakers upped their forecast for future hikes above previous expectations, saying they now expect to increase rates to 5.1%.

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USTR extends China tariff exclusions another 9 months

The U.S. Trade Representative extended existing tariff exclusions on 352 products from China that were slated to end at the end of 2022. The exclusions had been reinstated in March. The latest extension, announced on Friday, will last an additional nine months. The products are exceptions made to tariffs on imports from China instated by the Trump Administration in 2018. The tariffs were enacted through a “Section 301 Investigation” that found the country’s policies and practices around technology transfer and intellectual property were unreasonable and discriminatory.

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U.S. container imports are plummeting at year end

U.S. ports are sending warning signals about trade flows in the New Year, says The Wall Street Journal. The first reports from gateways on both coasts suggest container imports turned sharply downward last month, while shipping executives say they are bracing for weak demand in the first part of 2023. A continuing decline at the Southern California ports deepened in November, with combined imports into Los Angeles and Long Beach plummeting 26% to the lowest level since the start of the pandemic.

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SEC Proposes Rules That Would Squeeze Stock-Market Middlemen

The Securities and Exchange Commission voted Wednesday to advance the biggest changes to U.S. stock-market rules since the mid-2000s, aiming to give small investors better prices on their trades and reduce some advantages enjoyed by high-speed trading firms. Democratic commissioners, who hold three of the SEC’s five seats, supported moving forward on each of the four proposals. Republican commissioners voiced objection to two of the measures.

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FBI offering $10K reward to identify suspect in string of Culver’s robberies

The FBI Milwaukee Division offered a $10,000 reward Wednesday to identify a man accused of robbing multiple Culver’s locations across southern Wisconsin. Officials said the man is connected to a string of robberies and attempted robberies at local businesses between Sept. 26 and Dec. 5 including at Culver’s locations in Lake Mills, Janesville, Mequon and Beloit.

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Discounted Environmental Services for WMC Members

WMC has partnered with Heritage-Crystal Clean (HCC), the second largest Environmental Service provider in the U.S., to provide member-pricing discount services. The member-only pricing will include discounts on parts cleaning, used oil, decontamination services, vacuum and containerized waste services. Discounts include a minimum 25% on services and more, decontamination Services will be quoted on individual job basis. For more information about this member-only opportunity please contact Dean Popovich at 877-938-7948 or dean.popovich@crystal-clean.com.

Researchers say small businesses need training on managing mental health issues

In small businesses, an employee’s mental health difficulties can have a swift and intense impact – and owners and managers need more training on addressing the issue, concludes a recent study out of England. Close-knit social and physical proximity is a feature of many small workplaces. The researchers identified three key tensions that arose as the managers navigated a “balancing act” between support and performance management.

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On-the-job deaths jump 8.9% in 2021, again rising above 5,000

A total of 5,190 workers died as a result of on-the-job injuries in 2021 – an 8.9% increase from the previous year, according to data released Dec. 16 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Last year’s total marks the fifth time in six years that workplace deaths surpassed 5,000 on the Census of Fatal Occupation Injuries. BLS recorded 4,764 in 2020 – the lowest number of fatalities since 4,585 were recorded in 2013. The 5,190 deaths are fewer than the 5,333 recorded in 2019 and the 5,250 in 2018.

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Have Employees New to Industrial Hygiene Responsibilities?

The Wisconsin Safety Council Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene course will develop your understanding of industrial hygiene terminology, principles and practices. The four-day course covers 15 topics and examines four key processes in an effective industrial hygiene effort: anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control. You’ll be brought up to speed on anatomy and physiology, as well as chemical, physical, ergonomic and biological hazards in the workplace.

Click here to learn more