Business Briefs
November 20, 2007
IT’S ALL ABOUT OUR MEMBERS
The Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Board Retreat on November 1, 2007 at Cross Creek Country Club. Denise Ryan, with FIRESTAR facilitated the retreat emphasizing, How To Be An Effective Board Member. Twenty two Chamber Board Members were in attendance. Incoming board members and our current board members were able to get to know each other, exchange ideas and discuss ways to strengthen the Chamber. During 2008 the board will work toward uniting our members around a common goal of fostering, promoting and encouraging business growth.
Our goal for 2008 is to improve the services that we provide to our membership. The skills of our members is second to none and we will seek greater representation from every sector to strengthen and grow our community. Your ideas are the energy that will drive the success of our programs to new heights.
As you reflect on potential New Year’s resolutions in the in the final weeks of 2007, think about sharing some of your knowledge and time with your fellow Chamber Members to build the best business climate in the state.
Please consider these options:
· Sign up for one of our committees such as the Education Support Committee, the Business Development Committee or the Public Policy committee
· Serve as a counselor with the SCORE Chapter
· Join the enthusiastic Chamber Ambassadors
· Volunteer a few hours when you can
· If you are skilled with communications; written or verbal please volunteer
In summary our Chamber needs your talent and your time. Please call the following number for additional information 786-6116.
47th Annual Meeting
We are delighted and excited to announce that for our speaker for the 47th Annual Meeting, January 10th will be Billy Prim, Mr. Prim is the owner of the Warthogs Baseball Team; Founder/ President/CEO- Primo Water Corporation; formerly Co-Founder/ President/CEO of Blue Rhino Corporation. Mark your calendars now; this is an evening that you will not want to miss…..January 10th Cross Creek Country Club Mount Airy!
Travel & Tourism Update
The Visitor Center (located in the lobby of the Chamber of Commerce at 200 North Main Street Mount Airy) assisted 9482 visitors in October. The staff assisted 916 phone calls for the month and mailed out 2308 visitor guides.
Visitor Center hours are Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm and Sunday 1pm - 4pm.
A NEW website is being launched and we invite you to visit it at www.visitmayberry.com and register for our NEW E-Letter.
Membership/Communication
Good News for Chamber Members
A national study by The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta based market research firm reveals a number of important findings about how consumers and business owners perceive the local chamber of commerce and their members. For example:
- When consumers know that a business is a member of the local chamber, they are 44% more likely to think favorably about it.
- Consumers who are told that a business is a chamber member are 51% more likely to be highly aware of it and 57% more likely to think positively of its local reputation.
- Consumers are 63% more likely to buy goods and services in the future from a company that they believe is a member of the local chamber of commerce.
The study also has good news for businesses that sell to other businesses.
- When business decision-makers believe that a business is a chamber member, they are 37% more likely to think favorably of the business, 51% more likely to be highly aware of it, 58% more likely to think positively of its local reputation, and 59% more likely to buy goods and services from it.
Supporting the previous findings, the study also reveals a positive perception for the local chamber itself:
- Regarding the chamber’s impact on local economy, 82% of respondents believe that the local chamber of commerce helps to create jobs and promotes local economic development.
Positive perception increases among consumers and business owners when a business is identified as a member of the local chamber of commerce.
Business after Hours
***change in schedule***
· November 27, 2007 5:30pm – 7:00pm Majure Skin Care & Wellness Center 2007 N. Main St. Mount Airy
· December 6, 2007 5:30pm -7:00pm Duke Energy Chamber Office 200 N. Main St. Mount Airy
This is a great way to show off your business while meeting and networking with other Chamber Members and their guests!
For more information about planning a Business after Hours event for 2008 call the office today…336-786-6116 X 4
Welcome New Members
· Rent Or Sale Properties.com - 820 West Pine Street Mount Airy. Phone 336-786-7900 fax 336-786-1688 or www.rentorsaleproperties.com. Rent of Sale Proeprties.com is an international property advertising company where anyone can advertise properties to rent, buy or sale. For more information call Mitch Younger!
· United Fund of Greater Mount Airy, Inc. – 336-789-3087 200 North Main Street Suite 105 Mount Airy or PO Box 409 Mount Airy. www.ufgma.org The United Fund of Greater Mount Airy is a non-profit organization that fundraises for 23 other non-profit agencies in Surry County and near by Virginia counties. If you would like to find out more about the United Find contact Kate Appler, Executive Director.
· Marilyn’s At the Lodge, LLC –221 Elks Drive Mount Airy 336-783-4833.Full service dining restaurant. Banquet and meeting facilities accommodating up to 250 people. The restaurant is open Thursday – Saturday evenings. Marilyn Driggers is the owner and Chris Driggers is the managing partner.
· PRS Tax Services, Inc. – Mayberry Mall Suite 130 Andy Griffith Parkway Mount Airy. 336-719-0019 prstaxservices@bellsouth.net. PRS Tax Services offers Income Tax, Bookkeeping and Payroll Services. Contact Michael Picconi for more information.
· In A Flash Digital Photography – 327 West Lebanon Street Mount Airy. 336-783-6992. Annette McMillian, owner and April Wood, CEO invite you to visit the portrait studio.
· Bogeys Great Food & Fun -103 Country Club Lane Galax, VA 24333. 276-236-0060. www.bogeysgreatfoodnadfun.com. Steward Frazier invites you to join them for great food and fun! Bogeys is open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday 4:30pm – til, & Sunday 10:30am – 9:00pm. Bogeys more than a restaurant…… dancing, sports bar, karaoke, outdoor dining (in season) and catering!
Chamber Surprise Patrol
The Chamber Surprise Patrol paid a surprise visit to Select Staffing located at 2133 Rockford Street Suite 1200
Mount Airy, on October 30th. The Ambassadors surprised Area Manager, Melissa White and her staff with balloons, cookies and candy. It gave the Chamber Surprise Patrol a chance to visit Select Staffing’s new office and to say thanks for being a chamber member and being so supportive of our chamber. The Chamber Surprise Patrol will be making surprise visits to our members…will you be next?
Upcoming Dates/ Events/Programs/Meetings
· November 22, 2007 Thanksgiving - Chamber and Visitor Center Closed
· November 23, 2007 Black Friday - Chamber Closed - Visitor Center open regular hours 8:30am 5:00pm
· November 29, 2007 12th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting 6:00PM Front Lawn of City Hall
· December 3, 2007 Christmas Parade 3:00pm Downtown Mount Airy
· December 24, 2007 Christmas Eve – Chamber and Visitor Center closed
· December 25, 2007 Merry Christmas- Chamber and Visitor Center Closed
· January 1, 2008 Happy New Year – Chamber and Visitor Center Closed
· January 10, 2008 – Annual Chamber Meeting Cross Creek Country Club, 6:00pm Social and 6:30pm dinner followed with program and Citizen of Year Award
The Chamber’s monthly calendar along with current event photos can be viewed at www.mtairyncchamber.org …just click on chamber calendar tab. Community events and entertainment can be viewed by clicking on the community events tab. We encourage you to visit the Chamber calendar so that you don’t miss any of our upcoming events and programs and to visit the community event calendar so you can support local events!
Public Policy
Congratulations to our city commissioners-elect, Todd Harris – South Ward seat, Deborah Cochran – At-Large seat and Dean Brown – North Ward seat. The Chamber of Commerce looks forward to working with each of our commissioners in the new year.
The Chamber of Commerce watched closely as the votes were recorded for the Sales Tax Referendum. With the support from our membership we supported this referendum and now we watch for the subsequent distribution of those funds.
U.S. LEGISLATION NEWS
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Supports these bills…………………………….
Transportation Funding - HR 3074 – Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008. The Chamber supports the funding provided in H.R. 3074 but opposes the amendment that delays a long overdue step toward reducing congestion and air pollution at the U.S.- Mexico border while promoting growth and jobs.
*Summary of Bill and What it Means to You – The bill addresses the enormous demands of U.S. transportation infrastructure system by maintaining full funding for highway and transit programs as provided under current law. However, an amendment to the bill prohibits the implementation of the Department of Transportation’s Cross-Boarder Trucking Program, which allows a limited number of Mexican trucks to operate beyond the 20-25 mile commercial zones along the U.S. border for one year. Bill has passed the House and the Senate.
Internet Tax Moratorium – S. 156 – The Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act –The Chamber supports legislation that encourages growth of the digital economy by permanently banning Internet access taxes and multiple and discriminatory taxes on goods and services purchased on line.
*Summary of Bill and What it Means to You – The bill would extend to 2011 the current moratorium on Internet access taxes and multiple and discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. The current moratorium expires November 1, 2007. Bill has passed the House.
The U. S. Chamber Opposes these Bills……………………………………………….
Redefining Supervisors - H.R. 1644 –Re-Empowerment Of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradeworkers (RESPECT) Act. Voted out of the Education and Labor Committee 9-19-2007.
ADA Expansion -S. 1881- Americans with Disabilities Act Restoration Act of 2007. Introduced and referred to four committees of jurisdiction 7-26-2007.
Arbitration Fairness - H.R. 3010 – Arbitration Fairness Act. Referred to House Judiciary subcommittee 8-10-2007.
For the latest go to http://www.uschambermagazine.com
N.C. LEGISLATION NEWS
To look up a N.C. bill to view the full text and find its status, visit http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl
Last Action on Bills with Actions in 2007http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/lastaction/lastaction.pl?bPrintable=true&Biennium=2007&SessionNumber=1&StartIndex=100
The North Carolina Chamber's two-part newsletter called THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITAL has moved to the Chamber's website. Check out the Chamber's Competitiveness Update for new bills and changes in status on recurring bills as well as read about the hot topics in the capital city this week: http://www.ncchamber.net/mx/hm.asp?id=ThisWeek
Business Development
Do you have questions about your business or business idea? The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce Business Development Committee can help you find the answers. Contact us at:
Phone: 336-786-6116
Fax: 336-786-1488
Email: presiden1@mtairyncchamber.org
Address: The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Business Development Committee
200 North Main Street
Mount Airy, NC 27030
Business Development Mission Statement
The mission of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce Business Development Committee is to act as a catalyst and facilitator in enhancing business growth in the Greater Mount Airy community.
Twenty Surry companies incorporate in September
Twenty companies with offices based in Surry County filed articles of incorporation last month with the N.C. Department of the Secretary of State's Office.
Sixteen of the companies have registered agents with Mount Airy addresses according to the Secretary of State's Web site. The other companies, according to their articles of incorporation, are in Dobson, Elkin, Pilot Mountain, Pinnacle and State Road.
Companies with Mount Airy addresses include;
Granite/Church Street, LLC
Church/WAG LLC
Fairfield/WAG LLC
Prima Funds LLC
T&C Peter's Creek LLC
T&C Robinhood LLC.
Cave Rock Estates Inc.
Chasco, LLC
Hickory Fleetwood Properties, LLC
L&M Park Place LLC,
MNM Home Ventures LLC
Piedmont View Properties LLC
Interlam Corp.
Economic Census……Watch for Your Economic Census Form
In December, more than 4 million American businesses, including 1,100 businesses in Surry County, will receive 2007 Economic Census forms. Responses to the questionnaire are required by law (Title 13, U.S. Code), and are to be returned by February 12, 2008.
Every 5 years, the Economic Census develops a comprehensive portrait of American business, from the national to the local level. Timely and accurate data are vital to effective public policy and important to our chamber and to our members.
A special Web page at <business.census.gov> will tell you about the Economic Census, and provide statistics that you can use to assess and grow your business operations.
Businesses, communities, and governments use Economic Census data for planning and market development. Statistics are published for more than a thousand industries as well as for states, counties, cities and metropolitan areas at http.//www.business.census.gov.
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke has called this census "indispensable to understanding America's economy."
The truth about jobs, the deficit and taxes – U.S. Chamber Busts Economic Myths
Myth: Good jobs are disappearing.
Reality: The U.S. unemployment rate is 4.7% below the average of 4 years ago. July 2007 thru September 2007 some 292,000 new jobs were added to the economy and since August 2003 the economy has created more than 8.4 million jobs.
Myth: Worker’s earnings are stagnant.
Reality: Real wages rose 1.7% last year faster that the average rate of the 1990’s, equating to an extra $1030 per family of four with two wage earners.
Myth: The federal budget deficit is out of control in large part because of the Bush tax cuts.
Reality: The Congressional Budget Office estimate that the deficit fell by 35% to $161 billion in the fiscal year that ended September 30. Deficit spending has tumbled by $251 billion since 2004. Increases tax revenues are a major reason for this decline. Until Medicare and Social Security are reformed the deficit will continue to climb.
Myth: Businesses aren’t paying their fair share of taxes under the current administration.
Reality: Businesses are paying more in taxes in dollar amounts than at any time in history. Corporate income tax receipts in 2006 totaled $354 billion, which was 14.7% of total federal tax receipts. Until 2006 the most paid in tax receipts was $189 billion in 1998 and the biggest share of the total tax burden was 11.8% in 1996.
Myth: U.S. corporations have a lower tax burden than counterparts in other developed countries.
Reality: Advanced developed nations have cut corporate income tax rates during this decade; the U.S. has the second- highest statutory tax rate at 39.3% (35% federal and state average of 4.3%) among its competitors. Sometimes the lower corporate tax rates can lead to more - not less- tax revenue from business. Ireland has a 2.5% corporate rate yet collects 3.6% of GDP in corporate revenues. The U.S. with a corporate rate of three times higher has been averaging less than 2.5% of GDP in corporate receipts.
Myth: The wealthy have benefited the most from the Bush tax cuts.
Reality: the rich are paying more in taxes than they did in 2000. The latest available data IRS 2005 shows that 1% of all households paid more than 38% of total federal income tax liabilities. The top 10% paid nearly 70% of federal income taxes; the top 25% paid more than 85%.
Myth: The rich pay less in taxes as a percentage of income than middle-and-lower income earners.
Reality: According to the Congressional Budget Office data from 2004 (most recent) the top 20% of all households paid more than 25% of their income in taxes. The lowest quintile has an effective rate of less than 5%.
To learn more go to www.uschambermagazine.com
Education/Workforce Development
Youth Leadership
Youth Leadership students attended their third session of this school year on Wednesday November 14th. The morning session addressed economic development from a different perspective. Students met with local businesses then completed employment applications, followed with an actual interview. . then onto the job site to shadow. The afternoon session will consist of presentations from the students about their on-hand experience at the job site. These students represent all city and county schools and also represent the top 10-15% of their class. Students applied for this program with an essay and interview before being selected. Remaining sessions will address Health & Wellness Education, Law Enforcement, Local Government, State Government with a trip to Raleigh, and a year End Celebration and Year End Review. Youth Leadership is patterned after the adult Leadership program.
Learning Ventures Grants
Seventeen applications for the Learning Ventures Grants were reviewed on Friday October 26th by the Education Support Committee and the winners of the 2007 Learning Ventures Grants are as follows:
- Sally Adams, Gentry Middle School
Take Me to the Head of the Class
- Stephanie Bode, Dobson Elementary
Powering Up Readers
- Melissa Hamlin, Meadowview Middle School
Lifelong Learning: An Integrated Cure
- Rhonda Taylor, Pilot Mountain Middle School
Math Family Fun Night
- Trish Walker, Mount Airy High School
Using Global positioning Systems
Thanks to our sponsor, EMBARQ who funds $2500 for the five $500 grants that all local teachers can apply for. These grants are used for programs that our local school systems can not fund. Applicants must meet the committees established set of criteria to be considered. An awards luncheon for this years winners will take place on Thursday November 15th at Cross Creek Country Club.
Occupational Studies
Each year a number of students at Mt. Airy High School take part in the Occupational Studies program. One of the requirements for a diploma in Occupational Studies is to accumulate 900 hours of work experience during the four years they are in the program. To accomplish this, some students in grade 9-12 work each day for local businesses, between the hours of 11:30 and 1:00. Others work 1-4 days, while some students work in small groups on short-term projects during the same hours. We provide transportation to and from work, as well as direct and indirect supervision. We recently helped Habitat for Humanity move to their new store on Route 89.Other students are working for local businesses and for the public library. Since the program is growing, we need to find work opportunities for more of our students. If you can help, or would like to learn more about the program, please call Justin Gammons or Debra Bowman at Mt. Airy H.S. (336-789-51147 X 323) or Rich Swart (X 245).
Business Seminar
Why it is never too early to start and How to get going now...
The full-day seminar will provide:
- Overview of commercialization concepts
- Commercialization Plan requirements for Phase II SBIR/STTR proposals
- Information on how to write a commercialization plan,
- Strategic planning related to commercialization
- Commercialization considerations from a tactical perspective
- December 5th from 9AM - 4PM Research Triangle Park, NC at the NC Biotechnology Center
- Whether you are new to the SBIR program, in the midst of Phase 1 or 2 or are a veteran of the program, you will learn from an expert how to nail your commercialization plan.
- Approximately 40-50% of a proposal's merit at some agencies is based upon the commercial potential of the end product! As many as half of Phase II awardees are unable to convert their SBIR funded R&D into products that are sold
- Registration and more information available online http://www.sbtdc.org/events/sbir/techcomm/index.htm
- Seating is indeed limited - registration is first come, first serve. $79 Fee includes, full day seminar, handout materials, lunch and breaks.
- Problems with online registering, call 1- 800-258-0862(NC only) or webmaster@sbtdc.org
Chamber Member Programs
New Programs
The Member to Member Discount Program – Would you like to increase your customer traffic? Want to add Chamber Members to your regular list of customers?The Member to Member Discount Program is a unique opportunity for any business member that wants to expand their customer base and to keep local $$$ here at home. To preview the Member to Member program click on http://www.mtairyncchamber.org click on the membership information and scroll down to Member to Member program tab. To sign up for this program or for additional information contact Robin Dollyhigh, Membership Specialist at 336-786-6116 X 4.
Business Bulletin Board is the Chamber’s newest communication tool not only with our membership but with the general public. In partnership with the Mount Airy News, a weekly column (every Tuesday) titled Business Bulletin Board will share chamber news with the readership. If you have business news that you would like to share with the membership please forward to president1@mtairyncchamber.org. for consideration.
Ongoing Programs
The Good Neighbors Program has been a big success from the member’s standpoint and from the Chambers standpoint. We have been able to sit down and talk face to face with our members without taking away from their daily work routines by having lunch together. Thanks to our Chamber member, Sagebrush for making the Good Neighbor’s Program possible. Photos from previous Good Neighbors Program are on our website. We hope to be contacting your business to join us for lunch real soon!
Gifts/Rewards/Incentives
Looking for an employee gift, reward, incentive … while keeping dollars in the community? CertifiChecks is a gift certificate program offered by the GMACC redeemable only at Chamber member businesses. Log on to www.mtairyncchamber.org : go to Membership Information tab - Chamber Benefits tab.
Announcements
· The Chamber’s Christmas “Can Food” Tree……help us build it so everyone can eat……
The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce will not be putting up their usual Christmas Tree decorated with tensile and lights but instead will build a Christmas “Can Food” Tree in hopes to help fill the shelves at the Foothills Food Pantry.
This community project is being spearheaded by The Chamber Ambassadors Club, because the demand for food continues to rise and the need is never filled for the thousands of people who seek food assistance during the year.The Ambassadors are asking all chamber business members to place a container at their business to help collect canned goods during the holiday season. Pickups can be arranged.
Donated canned goods and monetary donations are now being accepted at the Chamber Office located at 200 North Main Street Mount Airy. For additional information call 786-6116
· Surry Community College trustees signed off on the conceptual plans for the Viticulture and Enology Center. This is the first step but a most important step!
· Goodwill announces a computer recycling initiative with Dell called RECONNECT. This is a free recycling program for consumers to reuse and responsibly recycle unwanted electronics. Consumers can take unwanted computers and computer equipment to the local Goodwill store and donation center. For details visit: www.reconnectpartnership.com
Congratulations
· Dustin Rogers, 21, from Mount Airy, NC, was seconded runner-up in the world's best at the International Junior Auctioneer Championship (IJAC) organized by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) this past summer in San Diego, Ca. The NAA represents the interests of almost 6,000 auctioneers worldwide. Rogers, who just recently married, was a senior at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington when he transferred to Tri State University in Angola, Indiana, which rolled back his expected date of graduation to 2008. Rogers transferred to Tri State because of their auctioneering degree program. Rogers sells at his family's business Rogers Realty & Auction Co., Inc. in Mount Airy, NC every weekend.
· Mayberry Campground received a perfect 10 score in RV Park Reviews. Located southeast of I-74 and US 601 South the campground sits on a 40 –acre site that will include a general store, picnic shelters, playgrounds, swimming pool with Jacuzzis, wireless internet and cable television. For more information www.mayberrycampground.com
· Congratulations to Old North State Winery on the recent contract to produce wines for Ballantyne Resort in Charlotte (ranked as one of the top 40 hotels for business travelers in the U.S and Canada – Four Diamond rating from AAA). The 2003 Chardonnay and 2004 Merlot are now bottled under special Ballantyne Resort label and being served at more than a half dozen locations at the upscale development.
· Congratulations to Ed and Charlie Shelton on their recent induction by former Governor Jim Hunt, into the N.C. Business Hall of Fame. The hall of fame recognizes men and women who have made a significant contribution to North Carolina’s economic development. The Shelton’s created Shelco Inc. and Shelton Vineyards Inc. Shelco, based in Charlotte, is one of the largest construction companies in the state. It was started in Winston-Salem in 1978. Shelton Vineyards is in Surry County and produced about 28,000 cases of wine last year.
· The Triad Business Journal has ranked the Largest Triad Wineries by number of cases produced from 9/2006 – 9/2007 and four of the top twenty are in Surry County. #1 – Shelton Vineyards, #6 - Old North State Winery, #13- Round Peak Vineyards and #15 - Black Wolf Vineyards.
Interesting Facts
· Mukesh Ambani, Indian industrialist tops the list of richest person in the world with a net worth of $63.2 billion. Ambani the top shareholder in Reliance Industries, Reliance Petroleum, and Reliance Industrial Infrastructure. Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim and Bill Gates now rank second and third with about $62.3 billion.
· Ranking Competitiveness – The U.S. again heads this year’s list and Scandinavian nations make a strong showing.
2007 2006
U.S. 1 1
Switzerland 2 4
Denmark 3 3
Sweden 4 9
Germany 5 7
Finland 6 6
Singapore 7 8
Japan 8 5
Britain 9&