Business Briefs
September 19, 2007
IT’S ALL ABOUT OUR MEMBERS
Travel & Tourism Update
The Visitor Center assisted 1440 people over Labor Day weekend with 668 on Saturday. The total number of visitors through Tuesday September 19th was 4448. With Mayberry Days just around the corner the center is again expecting record numbers of visitors. All hotels within the city limits are booked and those located 8-10 miles out have reported limited rooms available.
Visitor Center weekend hours are Saturday 10am -4pm and Sunday 1pm -4pm.
Over 2560 Visitor guides have been mailed through September 19th to those who requested the brochure from the www.visitmayberry.comwebsite and through publications such as Southern Living, Oprah, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Blue Ridge Country. Yadkin Valley wineries are to be featured in this month’s Our State magazine and Southern Living magazine will feature the Yadkin Valley Wineries in the November issue.
Over 165 Group Tours have been booked so far; another 30 are in the planning stages and 8 are scheduled during Mayberry Days.
A new feature has been added to the new tourism website www.visitmayberry.comwhere the web user can click to receive the new email newsletter or E-Newsletter (bi-monthly publication) from the homepage. The first E-Newsletter went out this week to over 27,000 subscribers, with more to be added!!! . Please take a look at the new template….still in the development stages…
http://www.visitmayberry.com/9-21-07.htm
N.C. earns award for getting word out on wine
North Carolina is known for moonshine. Now its wine, too.
The state's Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development this week received the Travel Industry Association's 2007 excellence award for its promotion of wine tourism.
"The wine and grape industry has become an important part of our state's economy, contributing $813 million annually and attracting more than 800,000 visitors," said commerce secretary Jim Fain, in a statement.
The state's efforts to promote wine tourism included developing press materials, organizing media visits and offering wine tastings to members of the national food and travel press.
North Carolina is home to more than 65 wineries in 37 counties. Since 2000, the number of wineries in the state has tripled, and grape acreage has more than doubled. The state ranks 10th in the nation in both grape and wine production and, according to one study, ranks behind only wine giants California and New York state as a destination for wine-related travel.
Leaf Looking Season
The North Carolina mountains are facing an extreme drought but experts still expect a decent fall color season. Across the state, dried up leaves litter the ground leaving trees as vulnerable as a human under stress.
"Just like humans when we're under stress, we become more susceptible to diseases and insect problems, and so [the heat] can have a huge impact on the tree's life," explained Dr. Robert Bardon, N.C. State Forestry Department.
For the mountain region, any drought impact can have a huge impact on the economy, as well. The fall color season brings in $2 billion.” It’s really one of their biggest seasons," said Wit Tuttell, N.C. Division of Tourism. "We get travel in the summer and skiing in the winter for western North Carolina, but the leaf season is really huge."
There appears to be some good news though. While the drought has dried up grass and leaves across the state, it does not mean there won't be a bright, beautiful fall color season.
"It can shorten the fall color season," said Dr. Bardon. "We'll still have fall colors. They may not be as bright or brilliant."
"More than the color, it would change the timing but the nice thing is we have such a variety of elevations that you'll get color throughout the season because it sort of comes down the mountain," added Tuttell.
North Carolina Tourism Update, by Dr. Didow, associate of marketing at UNC Kenan-Flager Business School
The “NEW” North Carolina market demographics…..
As the make-up of the North Carolina population is changing (which is also true of nearby states), travel and tourism professionals need to recognize these trends. After all, somewhere between 39 and 43 percent of the market share for tourists within North Carolina over the past few years has been North Carolinians. Nearby states (Virginia, about 12%, South Carolina, about 10%, and Georgia, about 7%) are the next largest contributors of tourists entering the state.
It is also interesting to remember that a good percentage of the North Carolina residents in 2007 are new here and still at a point where they will have an interest in exploring and getting to know their new home state. From 1980 to 2005, statistics show that population migration into North Carolina, reversing the earlier trend, has been 1.8 million residents to the positive – making migration a faster growth trend in the state than natural growth (computed by number of births minus number of deaths).
There is certainly a sign of some urbanization and flight from smaller, more rural counties – from 1990 to 2000, only three N.C. counties showed population loss, but from 2000-2004, almost entirely in the northeastern part of the state, some 17 counties showed population loss while Metrolina, Triangle and Piedmont Triad counties, among others, were growing.
The fastest growing segment of N.C. population is 65 and up, predominately in the far eastern and the mountain/western counties. Some of this is retirement-based; some of it is simply aging of remaining populations. By 2020, almost all N.C. counties, however, will have 15% or more of its population at age 65-plus except the most urbanized counties where colleges and young work forces will remain. Overall, 17% of the state will be 65 and up. Life expectancies continue to improve; if these individuals have prepared for retirement, many of them will be at leisure and will have discretionary income for travel.
In the upper reaches of age, the dominant force will be female – in year 2000, a study showed that at age 65+, 59.9% of the population was female, and at 85+, 74.1% of the population was female.
Ethnic changes are vitally important to recognize. Legal immigration to the state “has been huge” in the last two decades, including a large percentage growth in foreign-born populations, especially Hispanic and Asian. From 1990-2000, the South was also the only region of the U.S. that there has been a growth in black populations, due at least in part to reverse migration. And 1.2% of the North Carolina population is Native American. The needs and interests of each population may be different than “traditional” tourists. Dr. Didow noted that two counties of North Carolina have already reached a point where there is no longer any ethnic population majority.
Population is also very likely to continue its growth, including newcomers. Between now and 2030, it is estimated that 4.4 million people will be added to the population – an increase of about 50%. All but five counties are slated to grow, but even those may end up growing if the retirement and second-home focus on the generally underdeveloped “Inner Banks” along inland rivers and waterways booms as it is anticipated it will.
Travel and tourism practitioners should be studying existing or new events and attractions that could appeal to these new markets – and if festivals and so on already are happening and are successful, should they be offered more often? There is a growing use and need for partnerships and cross-promotion that crosses county lines – tying together programming or tours/trails that make sense – NASCAR, Cultural/Historic Sites with common themes, Minor league baseball, Barbeque tours, and so on. Travelers generally have an interest or set of interests, not a concern about where a boundary line is drawn.
Travel institutions and organizations should work to create specific strategies to influence traveler behaviors. Those areas for focus should include 1). Trial (how to entice visitors to make a first-time trip); 2). Extend (how to encourage visitors to stay longer); 3). Enlarge (how to encourage a visitor to bring additional travelers with them); 4). Repeat/loyalty (how to develop a desire to return and do more); and 5). Referral/word of mouth (how to provide a quality experience that will create positive referrals from the visitor. As one attendee noted, word of mouth is particularly valuable among African American and Hispanic populations.)
World Tourism Update
With its breathtaking scenery, vibrant cities, great food, and unique culture, Japan should be a top draw for international travelers. But when it comes to tourism, the world’s second largest economy is a notorious underperformer. Japan hosted just 7.3 million visitors last year and nearly 30% of those went for business. The World Tourism Organization ranks Japan # 30 in terms of visitors globally. Tourism accounts for 2% of gross domestic product compared with 11% in Spain. In 2003 Japan’s prime minister launched a program to double tourism by 2010 however with only a $30 million budget last year compared to Hawaii’s $60 million spent on tourism marketing alone in 2006, Japan will continue to lag behind its potential. American visitors fell 1.8% to 403,300 in the first half of 2007. But those who do make the trip to Japan and seldom dissatisfied. Over-nighting at a Buddhist temple, taking in a sumo wrestling match, enjoying the local foods such as sushi or a side trip to Kyoto are among the highlights.
Membership/Communication
Business after Hours
· October 25, 2007 5:30pm – 7:00pm RogersRealty
· November 15, 2007 5:30 – 7:00pm Mount Airy Diner
· November 29, 2007 5:30pm – 7:00pm Majure Skin care & Wellness Center
· December 6, 2007 5:30pm -7:00pm Duke Energy
· December 13, 2007 5:30pm – 7:00pm Hair Tique
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
· FastLink Communications, Inc. –2415 Fancy Gap Road Mount Airy 336-429-5165 http://www.fastlinkcommunications.com. James Gammons is the owner and president of FastLink Communications a communications provider. FastLink strives to provide quality internet access to business and rural communities. FastLink provides Network Services, VOIP, Wireless point-to-point development, website design and website hosting.
· Adrian’s Hair- tique - 127 Franklin Street Mount Airy, NC 336-719-004. Adrian’s Hair-tique is a full salon with a friendly and experienced staff, owned and operated by Adrian McCann. Call 336-719-0042 for an appointment, walk-ins welcome. 336-719-0042.
· Mount Airy Paint Store – 222 Franklin Street Mount Airy. 336-786-6755 http://www.mtairypaintstore.com. The Mount Airy Paint Store provides paint and wall coverings for residential and commercial use. The store originally opened in 1948, owner Mike Butler invites all residential and commercial customers to stop and see his selection.
· O’Reilly Auto Parts – 1020 West Pine Street Mount Airy. 336-786-6159. Store manager, Elbert Kirkman, invites you to stop by and meet the TEAM. O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. http://oreillyauto.com
****We displayed an incorrect phone number last month so here is the CORRECT information****
· Big Sheep Communications – 164 Fernbrook Place, Mount Airy.336-755-3050 http://www.bigsheep.biz. Professional writing for businesses both large and small, web content, press releases, ghost writing, professional bios, corporate communications and more. Powerful ideas, eloquent words and exceptional results. Contact Lisa Clark, Creative Director for Big Sheep Communications.
Chamber Surprise Patrol
The Chamber Surprise Patrol will be making surprise visits to our members…will you be next?
Upcoming Dates/ Events/Programs/Meetings
· September 17th – 22nd 60th Annual Surry County Agricultural Fair. Veteran Memorial Park Mount Airy. For more information call 336-366-2468
· September 21st – 22nd Surry County’s Relay for Life 4:30pm – 10am Mount Airy High School Track
· September 24, 2007 – Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children- the U.S. Chamber teams up with the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse to sponsor a day that promotes regular family activities and family dinners as simple and effective ways to improve parent-child communication and reduce the risk of adolescent smoking, drinking and illegal drug use. For more information go to http://www.casafamilyday.org
· September 27th – 30th - 18th Annual Mayberry Days Andy Griffith Playhouse. For more complete details call 336-786-7998 or http://www.surryarts.org
· September 29, 2007 – Customer Appreciation 12noon – 5:00pm Live in Concert…. Daryle Singletary, country music star!Carolina Carports Andy Griffith Parkway/Hwy 52 S Mount Airy.
· October 3rd, 2007 – Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening – O’Reilly Auto Parts 10:00am 1020 West Pine Street Mount Airy. Register for O’Reilly gift card give-away.
· October 12th – 14th 41st Annual Autumn Leaves Festival arts& crafts, traditional music and lots of food 9am – 9pm Friday & Saturday, 12noon – 6:00pm Sunday. Downtown Mount Airy. Mayberry Mall Autumn Leaves Festival activities 10am -9pm Friday & Saturday, 1-6pm Sunday. Andy Griffith Parkway N Mount Airy.
· November 1, 2007 -The Surry Showcase – 3-6pmThis tradeshow style event willfeature the diversity of our Surry County industries. Surry Community College Gymnasium Dobson NC
· November 2, 2007 Chamber Board Retreat Cross Creek Country Club
· 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
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
Candidates Forum
Tuesday October 2, 2007 The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce will host a “Candidates Forum”. This forum is an opportunity for the community to hear from the seven candidates vying for city council seats. The candidates will be asked a range of questions covering topics such as: 1) annexation, 2) local economy, 3) tourism, 4) citizens services; i.e. water/sewer/garbage, streets, recreation, Police Department and Fire Department, 5) zoning and 6) revenue; taxes/fees. After the question and response phase of the forum each candidate will be invited to offer closing remarks where each will have an opportunity to summarize their individual campaign platforms for the voters
The event will be held October 2, 2007 at the Andy Griffith Playhouse, 218 Rockford Street, 7:00pm. The forum is free to the public.
U.S.LEGISLATION NEWS
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Supports these Bills…………………………….
Energy Package - H.R. 3221 The New Direction For Energy, Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act; passed he House 8/2007
Transportation Spending - H.R. 3074 Transportation, Housing and urban development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008; passed the House 7/2007
Litigation Reform - H.R. 2995 the Small Business Liability Reform Act of 2007; referred to the House Judiciary Committee 7/2007
***For the latest go to http://www.uschamber.com/september
Health Tax Credits – S. 1753 The Healthy Workforce Act; introduced and referred to the Senate Finance Committee 7/2007
Repeal of 3% Withholding Tax – S. 777 Withholding Tax Relief Act of 2007; introduced and referred to the Senate Finance Committee 3/2007
Internet Tax Moratorium – S. 156 – The Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act; introduced and referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee 1/2007
***For the latest go to http://www.uschamber.com/august
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
The Business Development committee has been hard at work developing a strategy that will aid local small businesses and enhance their growth potential. The committee will work in partnership with Surry Community College’s Small Business Center, SCORE and the Surry County Economic Development Partnership. Below you will find the committee’s mission statement and upcoming flyer that will be published in our local media outlets.
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.
Resources and Answers:
? “How can I make my business profitable?”
? “I have a great idea for a business, how do I get started?”
? “My existing facility is no longer a good fit for my business - how do I go about relocating my company to Mount Airy?”
? “How can I determine whether or not it’s economically feasible to expand my business and open additional locations?”
Many business owners and would-be entrepreneurs face these issues everyday. Running a business or thinking about starting one can be daunting, but we’re here to help! The Business Development Committee is your link to the business resources and answers you need. The Committee provides a forum for business owners, employees, and people who are thinking about launching their own businesses to ask questions and express concerns. On a regular basis the Committee will respond to some
of the questions in a special column in local newspapers, while other questions will receive a response via email.
Our community is endowed with an abundance of business resources and expertise – invaluable assets in the on-going process of strengthening our local economy. The committee is dedicated to connecting our local business owners with the resources they need to be successful.
Chamber Members:
Are you having trouble finding the resources you need to grow your business? Do you need to relocate your business or develop new locations? Please let us know what you need, so we can help. Our Committee is designed to be a helpful and confidential resource for your company.
General Public:
Do you have a business idea that you think will work but don’t know where to start? Do you have an idea that might attract a new business or complement an existing business in our community? We can help you locate the resources you need to successfully develop your ideas.
Please send your questions, responses, and comments to:
The Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, Attn: Business Development Committee
200 North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030
Phone: 336-786-6116 x 6 , Fax: 336-786-1488, or email: president1@mtairyncchamber.org
Give your business every chance for success; ask SCORE for FREE Business advice. Thinking of starting your own business or if you are already in business our SCORE local chapter can guide you through the process with confidential no-charge business counseling sessions for as long as you need, to make your business a success.
Learn to write a business plan, apply for a loan, update your marketing plan, improve your cost management and examine ways to face those profitability challenges while becoming a more confident business owner. The local SCORE chapter has one-hour confidential counseling Services. SCORE not only serves the new potential business owners BUT existing businesses. Contact Membership Specialist Robin Dollyhigh at (336) 786-6116 to schedule an appointment.
Here are some no-cost strategies for retaining hourly wage and frontline employees:
- Create a culture where employers and staff share responsibility for how the work is completed.
- Give employees input into management decisions such as work schedules or customer service protocols.
- Provide opportunities for learning and personal enrichment by connecting employees with One-Stop Career Centers.
- Introduce flexible work options, including starting and ending times.
- Connect employees with work support programs such as child care assistance programs.
- Establish partnerships with community-based organizations that offer support services such as marriage and family counseling.
- Become an advocate for employees by serving on local Workforce Investment Boards or by joining your local chamber of commerce.
- Educate employees on the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit for working people who earn low to moderate incomes.
Visit www.uschamber.com/goto/frontlinefor more strategies.
Small Businesses Hiring and Salaries Rise
According to SurePayroll Small Business Scorecard, the small business economy continues to expand across the nation with June marking the 7th straight month of growth. Businesses added employees in 18 out of 21 benchmark states; only 3 states Indiana, Virginia and Michigan say a decline in hiring. Overall, in the first six months of the year, small business hiring increased 2.2% now on track to reach 4.5% for all of 2007, compared with 0.2% decline in 2006. The average small business salary in the U.S. is $32,215 up 2.9% from the same time last year. New York reported the largest decline at 7.3% and Nevada led the nation in salary increases with the average paycheck increasing by 11.7% in the first half of 2007. The SurePayroll Business Scorecard is based on payroll data for more than 18,000 small business customers with 100 employees or fewer across all industries; data from all 50 states but singles out 21 states as benchmark states. For additional information go to http://www.surepayroll.com/score
Entrepreneurship
September 4th the Surry County Economic Development Partnership, the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Center at Surry Community College presented an overview of “Energizing Entrepreneurs” a seminar that all attended earlier this year in Boone NC to the Surry County Board of Commissioners for consideration. The seminar was hosted by the North Carolina Rural Center and the STEP Communities. The Surry County group is the first group to formally present this overview to their community and the Surry County Board of Commissioners were enthusiastic and supportive asking for additional follow-up meeting and discussions.
Spring 2007 the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center reported on the second annual Entrepreneurship Summit held in Raleigh with the following update:
North Carolina is bullish on entrepreneurship. Twelve financial, educational and policy initiatives designed to foster entrepreneurial growth and development in communities across NC. The focus was on education, public policy and strategies to grow new businesses, strengthen existing companies and to create jobs in rural areas. Below is a sampling of the policy initiatives:
1) NC Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education - hopes to unite the state’s educational system in presenting students of all ages with the both the information that could help them to start their own business and the skills to be successful. From K-12 school systems to the community college to the public universities, developing “job creators” will be the first priority.
2) The Rural Venture Fund – a new source of capital for businesses in economically distressed counties in NC.
3) The NC Bar Association Foundation – business attorneys specializing in related fields are being recruited for pro bono projects.
4) The e-NC Authority – developing manuals and training programs on the Internet as business tools. Manuals to be offered free from the authority’s website and training workshops will be offered at sites across the state.
5) Division of Community Assistance – will offer grants to communities seeking to create development strategies based on entrepreneurship.
6) UNC Campuses – four campuses announced new programs to encourage formation or growth; ranging from technical assistance to educational initiatives.
7) Advantage West – regional agency representing 23 western counties will develop a program to provide certification for communities that embrace entrepreneurship as their economic strategy.
8) NC Military Foundation – to help NC capture a larger share of the nation’s defense spending. NC is third in the nation for number of residents serving in the military but 36th for the number of defense contracts secured annually.
Establishing a support system that enables entrepreneur to be successful in the short and long term is the states new focus. 5,000 new private businesses are incorporated in North Carolina every month! In addition, North Carolina’s small businesses – those employing fewer than 50 people account for $11.6 billion in annual wages and 95% of North Carolina employee based businesses. More than ½ million other North Carolinians are self-employed and their numbers are increasing.
Entrepreneurs hold the key to creating jobs, building wealth and improving loves. We are in an entrepreneurial convergence today in the US where Small businesses generated somewhere between 60% to 80% or the NET new jobs annually over the last decade….that is 100 million people either work for or own their a small business in the U.S. right now. Those struggling to get a rural business off the ground will overwhelmingly will remain in the community for the lifetime of the business; they are rural by birth and by choice. Entrepreneurs and small business people are a critical part of this state’s economy.
- BEST STATES for BUSINESS according to Forbes.com