Randy Scott, president of the Southern Colorado Business Partnership, spoke to the Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce at the May meeting about the SCBP’s goal to combine efforts with chambers of commerce throughout the southern Front Range region.ìThe idea of the partnership is that by coming together more of us can do better for our community,î Scott said. ìEach chamber focuses on their local area, but we get together to discuss issues that have more of a regional focus. It gives the chambers a much greater impact at a much greater level.îThe SCBP was able to provide a health insurance program to the members of several chambers in the organization through the efforts of the former Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. ìIt’s a way to offer insurance to smaller businesses that are members of our chambers,î Scott said. The Tri-Lakes and Woodland Park chambers offers the benefit. The Eastern Plains Chamber is currently working on the paperwork to provide it as well, said Tom Cline, chairman.ìAnother benefit of the partnership is that most of our member chambers will allow businesses that belong to any of the other chambers in the partnership to attend their events at member pricing. It allows you to save some money as if you were a member of the Colorado Springs Business Alliance as well,î Scott said.SCBP is also working on workforce issues within the region. ìIf you add up all the jobs being offered on the various job sites, our unemployment rate in El Paso County should be half of what it is,î Scott said. ìThere are jobs out there. But a lot of the problem is while industry has changed here, the workforce isn’t ready for it.îOther chamber newsConnie Johnson, chamber president, announced that the Clipper Windpower project in Calhan was sold to Multiband; the new company is planning on moving forward with the wind farm project ñ and intends to start construction in 2014.Pastor Pat Jeffrey of Grace Community Church said they will be hosting a rally day titled ìWe’re Stronger Togetherî June 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at the church. There will be stations for children activities; and, for the adults, educational programs on home security, canning and dehydrating food and couponing.
