2010 Q1 Newsletter

San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter P.O. Box 2310 • 202 North C.M. Allen Parkway • San Marcos, TX 78667 • 512.393.5900 • www.sanmarcostexas.com

Chamber Board of Directors Donates to Blue Santa Program San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors coordinated to bring unwrapped toys for the San Marcos Police Department's Annual Blue Santa Toy Drive at their December Chamber board meeting. Pictured above are, back row L-R: Fraye Stokes, John Martin, Frank Leonardis, Brenda Damron, John Schott, Dan Roy, Chuck Nash and Dan Stauffer; front row, L-R: Officer Danny Arredondo, Blue Santa and Elf, Board Chair Joel Williams and Earl Studdard.

Prime Time 2010 Business Olympics

2009/2010 Chamber Ambassadors

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page 8-9

Which is it? page 12

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From L-R back row: Steve Forrester, Charleton Laird, Joe Kenworthy, Fred Terry; next row: Margaret Ennis, Randy Bryan, Karlin Clark; next row: Susan Sisson, Tracy Herman, Ryan Perkins; next row: Dawn Kiger, Dottie Sims, Tiffany Lee; next row: Cindy Meyer; next row: Ambassador Chair Mitsie Benton, Betty Banks, Connnie Ulmer

San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

Chamber Staff

2009-2010 Board of Directors

Phyllis Snodgrass President

Chairman Chair-Elect Past Chair Treasurer Secretary Vice Chair Vice Chair Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director

Robert Watts Executive Vice President Eric Bonar Communications Manager Margaret Lindsey Membership Sales Director Joel Davis Bookkeeper Eselda Rodriguez Receptionist

Joel Williams Earl Studdard Dan Roy Dan Stauffer Brenda Damron Michael Heintze Clay DeStefano Michelle Carswell Denise Collazo Joe Gomez Frank Leonardis John Martin Chuck Nash John Schott Fraye Stokes Jeff Stover

Convention & Visitor Bureau Rebecca Ybarra-Ramirez Director Denise Duran Administrative Assistant Economic Development San Marcos Amy Madison Director Rosemary Lucio-Suniga Research Assistant

In This Issue Members News Embassy Suites Honored CTMC Unveils New Women’s Center 2009 Excellence in Construction Awards Simon Acquires Prime Outlets Broadway Bank Earns Highest Honor from Workforce Solutions Alamo McCoy’s Executive Wins Regional IT Award Export Education and Growth Program

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Calendar of Events

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2010 Calendar of Events

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New Members

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2009 Fall Awards Gala

2009-2010 Committees & Chairs Ambassador Club Business Development Education Government Affairs Leads Group I Leads Group II Leads Group III Natural Resources Special Events

Mitsie Benton Frank Leonardis Rick Bell Denise Collazo Connie Ulmer Darlena Basham Shayne Guillot Clay DeStefano Kyle Dicke TBD

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Community News City Wins Municipal Excellence Award for ACT Campaign San Marcos Ranks in Top 10 “Best Places to Raise Your Kids” Texas Ranked as Top State for Entrepreneurs Partners for Progress Roll Out Strategic Plan in 2010 SOAR Chosen as Finalist for 2010 TAPE Awards

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Economic Outlook Luncheon

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Community News Continued Complete Count Committee Promotes 2010 Census Dr. Shafer Named Superintendent of the Year San Marcos Property Tour Tanger Celebrates the Holidays by Making a Donation to Help Fight Breast Cancer IRS Lowers Standard Mileage Rate Did You Know Boost Your Sales by Promoting Your Chamber Membership

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Prime Time 2010: Business Olympics

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Eggs & Issues Breakfast: Texas 13 State Campus Master Plan “Pardon Our Dust”

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Bowl For Kids’ Sake

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Green Living Showcase

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San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

Members News Embassy Suites San Marcos Honored at Texas Workforce Conference Embassy Suites San Marcos – Hotel, Spa and Conference Center (Embassy Suites San Marcos) in San Marcos received the Employer Award of Excellence for the Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area at the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) 13th Annual Texas Workforce Conference held December 2-4 in Grapevine. The award honors employers that are actively involved with their local workforce board and that have made a positive impact on employers, workers and the community.

“Texas employers that use valuable services available from their local workforce development boards have a distinct advantage in the marketplace,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Andres Alcantar. “I’d like to congratulate Embassy Suites San Marcos – Hotel, Spa and Conference Center and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area for their contribution to their region and the state of Texas.”

To address growth opportunities in San Marcos, Embassy Suites San Marcos collaborated with Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area and the City of San Marcos to accommodate the growing need for hotel and meeting space along the Interstate 35 corridor. The hotel and spa opened in late 2008, bringing more than 200 jobs to the area.

Through every development phase, the hotel management turned to Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area for hiring needs, local labor market information and recruitment assistance. The facility hosts groups of up to 3,000 people, supporting continued economic development.

Workforce Solution Rural Capital Area is one of 28 local workforce boards throughout the state. The board serves Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano and Williamson counties.

The primary goal of TWC and workforce boards is to respond to the needs of Texas employers and workers through locally designed, market-driven workforce development initiatives and services. All employers, workers and job seekers are eligible to take advantage of these services.

CTMC Unveils Their New Women’s Center

2009 Excellence in Construction Awards

On November 22, Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC) unveiled its $35 million expansion project to the community.

Each year the Central Texas Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) recognizes the contribution of its members to the construction industry through several competitive programs, the Excellence in Construction (EIC) and Safety Awards and the Safety Training Evaluation Program (STEP) Awards. Regional winners advance to national competitions.

“We are thankful to have completed a state-ofthe-art facility that provides families the convenience of being closer to home,” said Gary Jepson, CTMC President and CEO. “It’s with great excitement that we open the doors of our new Women’s Center to the community.”

The 64,000 square-foot addition includes a new Women’s Center with all private rooms, a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a new cardiac inpatient nursing unit also with all private rooms. It also includes an on-site, high-risk delivery suite and a customized cesarean section suite.

“Every space and service has been designed to provide a peaceful, healing atmosphere for mothers and families,” said Lana Cameron, CTMC Vice President of Patient Care Services. “With the new Women’s Center, we have created the personal, family-centered experience our community deserves.”

The Women’s Center features:

2 Private Ante-Partum Rooms for preterm labor or moms who require hospitalization.

7 Private Labor/Delivery and Recovery Rooms 1 Semi –Private Triage room, in which women will be assessed for labor prior to being admitted or discharged.

18 Private OB Patient Rooms in which you and your baby will stay and rest until your discharge Well-Baby Newborn Nursery 2 C-Section Operating Rooms 9-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Labor and Delivery tub Other special amenities include flat screen televisions, free Wi-Fi, nutrition stations, a gift shop, an online photo album of your newborn for friends and family to view, and a Healing Garden for visitors.

CTMC also offers expanded childbirth education and certified breastfeeding support. All programs are offered in both English and Spanish. Classes cover a variety of topics including Childbirth Education for First-time Moms, Childbirth Refresher, Cesarean Sections, Breastfeeding and Lactation Consultation.

For more information about CTMC’s women’s services, please call (512) 753-3676 or visit:

www.ctmc.org/CareAndServices/ChildbirthCenter.aspx

The EIC strives to honor those who exemplify the highest quality of workmanship in their projects, while upholding a dedication to building projects on time and on budget.

The EIC Award of Excellence was given to these San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce (SMACOC) members: Bartlett Cocke, LP Project: Austin ISD Diane Gorzycki Middle School Flintco, Inc. Project: City of San Marcos Conference Center Project: Embassy Suites San Marcos Hotel and Spa Project: Cedar Park Recreation Center Project: Texas State University-San Marcos Baseball/Softball Complex Enhancements: Phase I Project: University of Texas Softball Training Facility Rogers-O’Brien Construction Co., Ltd. Project: Seton Medical Center Women’s Tower Expansion & Renovation Project: St. Austin Catholic Parking Garage/Retail Facilities Project: Nueces Street Student Co-op TDIndustries, Inc. Project: Embassy Suites Hotel The EIC Award of Merit was given to Bartlett Cocke, LP for their work on the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Center for the Performing Arts.

The EIC Safety Award acknowledges superior safety performance, supported by a company’s commitment to safety and safety training.

The EIC Safety Award was given to these SMACOC members: • Flintco, Inc. • Rogers-O’Brien Construction Co., Ltd. • TDIndustries, Inc. The STEP Awards reward outstanding success in safety, proven by statistics and evaluations.

The STEP Platinum Level Award was given to Flintco, Inc.

From left to right is: Ronald G. Congleton, Commissioner Representing Labor for the TWC; Margaret Lindsey, Board Chair for Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area, Tom Pugh, General Manager of Embassy Suites San Marcos; Paulina Palomo, HR Director of Embassy Suites San Marcos; and Tom Pauken, Chairman of the TWC.

Information provided by the October 30, 2009 Special Advertising Supplement in the Austin Business Journal.

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San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

Members News Continued Simon Acquires Prime Outlets Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: SPG) (“Simon”) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement whereby Simon will acquire all of the outlet shopping center business of Prime Outlets Acquisition Company and certain of its affiliated entities (“Prime Outlets”) in a transaction valued at approximately $2.325 billion, including the assumption of Prime Outlets’ existing indebtedness and preferred stock.

Under the terms of the agreement, Simon will pay equity consideration of approximately $0.7 billion for the owners’ interests in Prime Outlets. The equity consideration to Prime Outlets’ owners will generally be comprised of 80% in cash and 20% in SPG common operating partnership units, which will be based on a ten day trading average of SPG common stock shortly before closing, subject to a 10% collar.

Prime Outlets is a leading owner, manager, operator and developer of outlet centers in the U.S. The Prime Outlets portfolio includes 22 high quality outlet centers located in major metropolitan markets such as Washington D.C., Baltimore, MD and San Antonio, TX and popular tourist destinations such as Orlando, FL and Williamsburg, VA. As of June 30, 2009, Prime Outlets’ centers were 92% occupied and generated annual sales per square foot of approximately $370.

Commenting on the transaction, David Simon, SPG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated “Prime Outlets is an excellent opportunity for Simon as it represents a strong strategic fit for our existing Premium Outlet portfolio and enhances our leadership position in the outlet business. Following the completion of this transaction our outlet portfolio will have 62 centers comprising approximately 25 million square feet.”

Simon expects the transaction to be immediately accretive to Funds from Operations.

Simon intends to fund the cash portion of the equity consideration using its existing sources of capital. Simon was advised in this transaction by UBS Investment Bank and JP Morgan and was represented by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and the largest public U.S. real estate company. Simon is a fully integrated real estate company which operates from five retail real estate platforms: regional malls, Premium Outlet Centers®, The Mills®, community/lifestyle centers and international properties. It currently owns or has an interest in 385 properties comprising 262 million square feet of gross leasable area in North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. Simon Property Group, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol SPG. For further information, visit the Company’s website at www.simon.com.

Broadway Bank Earns Highest Honor from Workforce Solutions Alamo Workforce Solutions Alamo on Wednesday, October 28, honored Broadway Bank with its 2009 Employer Award of Excellence for the bank’s commitment to developing the local workforce.

Broadway Bank was also honored for providing career opportunities to local residents.

James D. Goudge, chairman and CEO of the bank, accepted the award at the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce CEO Luncheon at the St. Anthony Hotel.

“Broadway Bank has been a strong partner with Workforce Solutions for many years, and they have not only utilized the services of the agency but have worked with our team to promote the quality workforce programs Workforce Solutions provides,” says Bob Greene, chairman of the board for Workforce Solutions Alamo. “In short, they have been a champion of workforce development.”

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Broadway Bank posts open positions to and hires from the WorkInTexas.com system. The company also sends recruiters to a number of job fairs hosted by Workforce Solutions. This past summer, Broadway participated in the Young Adult Employment Program and hired 17 young adults to work in the program. The bank ultimately went on to hire nine young people into permanent positions with the bank.

Broadway Bank also earned the Employer Award of Excellence for the Alamo region, which it will receive at the Texas Workforce Commission’s 13th Annual Workforce Conference on Dec. 3 in Grapevine.

Workforce Solutions Alamo provides employment services to more than 40,000 businesses and more than 2 million residents in San Antonio and a 12-county region.

Source: San Antonio Business Journal online; http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2009/10/26/daily23.html

Does Advertising in the Chamber’s Newsletter work?

If you are reading this, the answer is

Yes! Advertising is easy and affordable. Contact Eric Bonar at 512.393.5913 or email him at ericb@sanmarcostexas.com for more information!

San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

Members News Continued McCoy’s Executive Wins Regional IT Award The Austin Association of Information Technology Professionals last month recognized Dennis Strong, McCoy’s Building Supply senior vice president and chief information officer, as their 2009 Information Technology Executive of the Year at the InnoTech 6th Annual Austin CIO Summit last month.

AITP selects senior information technology executives in the Austin-area to recognize with the annual award based on their creativity, innovation, leadership and the impact their work has made on their organization.

“This award is an important aspect of giving back to the technology community in Austin. The winners showcase four examples of incredible work being accomplished in Austin,” said Scott Foster, president of the association’s Austin chapter.

Founded in 1927, the San Marcos-based McCoy’s has evolved from a small, one-store operation in Galveston, Texas into an expansive regional building supply retailer with stores located throughout five states and annual sales in excess of $600 million. With their headquarters operations move to a new location in July, Strong and his team had to design, build, and move the company’s data center, which houses all of McCoy’s point of sale, Web site, financial and communications data. The transition was successfully made without any

service interruption to McCoy’s 83 store locations.

“It’s gratifying to be recognized by AITP,” Strong said. “This is really a testament to what McCoy’s is able to accomplish as a company. We have a great corporate culture, and my team works hard to deliver technology solutions both internally and to our ‘born to build’ customers.”

McCoy’s rolled out a variety of new services on their Web site, www.mccoys.com, during 2009.

Customers can view product availability at their local store and create Materials Lists for their building projects—customized quotes with 24/7 access to personalized pricing. For even faster service, customers can e-mail their quotes to their local store team, where it waits in McCoy’s point of sale system, ready to complete their transaction at the time of purchase.

Strong was awarded the IT Executive of the Year for the private sector. Other award recipients included: Eric Hungate, CIO for the Texas Association of School Boards, for his work in the public and nonprofit sector; Joshua Baer, founder and CEO of OtherInBox, for his work as an Information Technologist; and William Hurley of whurleyvision, inc. for his community leadership.

Reprinted from a November 20, 2009 article in the San Marcos Mercury: http://www.sanmarcosmercury.com/archives/10940

Export Education and Growth Program ACC wants to make you aware of a unique Export Education and Growth Program put together for companies like yours by the International Business Department of Austin Community College. Over two eight-hour days, February 16-17, 2010, ACC will bring together 8-10 companies like yours for an intense overview of the basics of exporting. It will include how to do market research, how to find target markets, what changes you might need to make in your company in order to export, the regulations involved in exporting, how you get your product or service overseas, how to finance it, and how to find a foreign partner, among other topics.

The segments will be presented by individuals who have done exporting and who know what small companies need to know in order to be successful exporters.

ACC will have several students join the two-day course and they will be available after the sessions to assist you, if you decide that exporting is for you and you are committed to following up by targeting one or more markets for export. The students can help with initial market research and locating target markets for you.

The overall fee for both days is $150 to cover the cost of materials, lunches, continental breakfasts, and coffee breaks. The sessions will be held in downtown Austin at the International Center of Austin. The course will run from 8:30-5:00 both days with an hour each day for lunch and networking.

If you are interested in this two-day export education program, please let the Program Director, Jerry Mitchell, know soon either by email (jmitche3@austincc.edu) or by telephone (512) 350-8260.

Sponsorship Opportunities for all Chamber Members!

The 2009 Membership Event ushered in 200 new members and generated a large amount of excitement and knowledge about San Marcos for those who participated or joined the Chamber. Even though the Membership Event occurred in September, your business can be a part of one of the last events to celebrate its success!

Prime Time is a tradeshow setting for New Members that joined and Volunteers who recruited Chamber members during the September 2009 Membership Event.

As the United States and the rest of the world will be getting ready to kickoff the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in February, what better way to celebrate this upcoming event than by having our own Business Olympics! With the New Year beginning, this mini tradeshow will be a perfect way to prepare for a prosperous year of business. Are you up for the challenge?

Sponsors for the Prime Time 2010 Business Olympics, will receive a high degree of exposure and will be among the businesses that will best get their message in front of our newest Chamber members, our supportive volunteers, and all others in attendance. Gold and Silver Medal sponsors will have guaranteed visitors by being the only sponsor levels to stamp “Olympic Passports” of all attendees so that individuals present will be eligible for door prizes.

For more information about the Prime Time Business Olympics Sponsorships, please contact the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce at 512.393.5900, or visit them online at www.sanmarcostexas.com

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San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

Calendar of Events* January 1/1 1/5 1/6 1/7 1/12 1/13 1/14

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New Year’s Day - Chamber offices closed Ambassadors Club meeting; City Council meeting First day of classes for SMCISD students Education Committee meeting; Leads Group I meeting Special Events Committee meeting Leads Group II meeting; Leads Group III meeting Eggs & Issues Breakfast - Texas State Campus Master Plan Update; Ribbon Cutting - My Texas News; Ribbon Cutting - Cedars of San Marcos Martin Luther King Day - Chamber offices closed

February

2/2 2/4

2/9 2/10 2/11

Groundhog Day; Ambassador Club meeting; City Council meeting Education Committee meeting; Leads Group I meeting Special Events Committee meeting Leads Group II meeting; Leads Group III meeting Ribbon Cutting - Frost Insurance Group; Primary Candidates Debate

March

3/2 3/4

3/9 3/10 3/16 3/17

Ambassador Club meeting; City Council meeting Education Committee meeting; Leads Group I meeting Special Events Committee meeting Leads Group II meeting; Leads Group III meeting Chamber Finance Committee meeting Saint Patrick’s Day

April

4/1 4/4 4/6

4/13 4/14 4/15

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April Fools Day; Education Committee meeting; Leads Group I meeting Easter Day Ambassador Club meeting; City Council meeting Special Events Committee meeting Leads Group II meeting Eggs & Issues Breakfast - Lone Star Rail Relocation; Government Affairs Committee meeting; Leads Group I meeting

1/19

1/20 1/21

1/25 1/27

2/14 2/15 2/16 2/18

2/20

3/18

3/22 3/24

4/16 4/19 4/20 4/21 4/22

Spring Semester begins at Texas State University; Chamber Finance Committee meeting; City Council meeting Quarterly meeting of Committee Chairs Ribbon Cutting - River City Bar & Grill; Government Affairs Committee meeting; Leads Group I meeting; Prime Time Business After-Hours Natural Resources Committee meeting Leads Group II meeting; Leads Group III meeting; Chamber Board of Directors meeting

Valentines Day President’s Day Chamber Finance Committee meeting Ribbon Cutting - Heritage Tree Care; Government Affairs Committee meeting; Leads Group I meeting; Business After-Hours Mixer - Sean Patrick’s Bowl for Kids Sake

Eggs & Issues Breakfast - Update on Education-SMCISD; Government Affairs Committee meeting; Leads Group I meeting; Natural Resources Committee meeting Leads Group II meeting; Quarterly meeting of the Committee Chairs;

MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP! New Member Orientation School Board Candidates Debate Chamber Finance Committee meeting; City Council meeting Administrative Professionals Day Golf Fest 2010 - First Day; Business Development Committee meeting

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1/29

2/22 2/24 2/25 2/26

3/25

4/23 4/24 4/25 4/26 4/28

Ribbon Cutting - Woods Comfort Systems; Ribbon Cutting - Rivers Wanted Photography; Business Development Committee meeting MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP! New Member Orientation

Natural Resources Committee meeting Leads Group II meeting; Leads Group III meeting; Chamber Board of Directors meeting Business Development Committee meeting Economic Outlook Luncheon

Chamber Board of Directors meeting Business Development Committee meeting; Business After-Hours Mixer Country Inn & Suites

Golf Fest 2010 Tournament begins Golf Fest 2010 Tournament Golf Fest 2010 Last Day Natural Resources Committee meeting Leads Group II meeting; Chamber Board of Directors meeting

*For more information on these events, please visit the Chamber’s Online Community Calendar.

San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

The Chamber’s 2010 Calendar of Events

(Event dates, times & topics are subject to change without prior notice, Please check the Chamber’s website at www.sanmarcostexas.com for current schedule)

January 2010 14 Eggs & Issues – Texas State Campus Master Plan Update 21 Prime Time Mixer - Business Olympics, City of San Marcos Conference Center

July 2010 All month: “Early Readers Become Leaders” Book Drive 22 Business After-Hours Mixer - TBD 29 Legislative Update Luncheon

February 2010 18 Business After-Hours Mixer – Sean Patrick’s 20 Bowl For Kids Sake 26 Economic Outlook Luncheon

August 2010 25-26 San Marcos Business Expo

March 2010 18 Eggs & Issues – Update on Education 20 Green Living Showcase 25 Business After-Hours Mixer – Country Inn & Suites April 2010 15 Eggs & Issues – Lone Star Rail Relocation 22-25 Central Texas Golf Fest 29 Business After-Hours Mixer – Texas State Optical May 2010 13 Eggs & Issues – Economic Development Plan Update 20 Business After-Hours Mixer - Wimberley Glass Works

September 2010 16 Eggs & Issues – City of San Marcos Update 23 Speed Networking October 2010 9 San Marcos Education Fair November 2010 12 Annual Awards Gala December 2010 2 Eggs & Issues – Hays County Update 9 Business After-Hours Mixer - CTMC

June 2010 3 Eggs & Issues – Update on ACC 10 Chamber Luau

New Members - October, November and December 2009 Allergy and Family Medicine Physician & Surgeons Allergy and Family Medicine P.O. Box 913 101 Centerpoint Rd. San Marcos, TX 78667 Albert "Bert" H. Cobb www.allgeryandfamilymedicine.com Enterprise Excellence Consulting Business Consulting 932 Thousand Oaks Loop San Marcos, TX 78666 512-914-4589 Jim Boston www.enterpriseexcellenceconsulting.com H R Gray Construction Management 7320 North Mopac Expressway, Ste. 308 Austin, TX 78731 512-340-0680 Rob Reyes www.hrgray.com Heritage Tree Care Tree Service, Spraying & Horticulture 100 Hillcrest Dr. San Marcos, TX 78666 512-921-8452 Vincent Debrock txheritagetreecare.com

Lone Star Restaurant Supply Restaurant Equipment & Supplies 1122 E. 51st St. Austin, TX 78723 512-467-6777 Steve Schaefer

River City Bar & Grill Restaurant/Bar 4025 IH 35 S San Marcos, TX 78666 512-392-5511 Bea Jaimes

Park Hill Apartments Apartment Complex 1001 Leah Ave. San Marcos, TX 78666 512-396-7000 Heather Diamond www.parkhillapts.com

Simplex Grinnell, LP Fire Protection 1608 Royston Ln., #100 Round Rock, TX 78664 512-634-1800 Harry Grim www.simplexgrinnell.com

Pithy Productions, Inc. Web Design 283 Cordero Dr. San Marcos, TX 78666 512-394-8603 Kerry Watson www.pithyproductions.com

VIP Staffing Staffing Agency 1285 E. Common St. New Braunfels, TX 78130 830-629-2525 Susan McGregor www.vip-staffing.com

Planet K Gifts Gift Shops P.O. Box 13549 Austin, TX 78711 910 IH 35 North San Marcos, TX 78666 512-837-5337 Joe Ptak

Woods Comfort Systems Air Conditioning & Heating 2260 IH-35 South, Ste. 201 San Marcos, TX 78666 512-392-6907 Carey A. Woods www.wood-ac.com Individuals Amy Madison - 512-393-3400 Chuck & Andria Tabor

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San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

Held at the City of San Marcos Conference Center, over 525 were in attendance this year.

Many stayed after the awards ceremony to enjoy live music while playing Texas Hold ‘Em.

The San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce recognized numerous businesses and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the community at the Annual Awards Gala on November 6, 2009 at the City of San Marcos Conference Center.

Past award recipients are an excellent representation of how the San Marcos business community thrives on innovation and technology, but still maintains a culture of tradition and service. Each honored company has harbored a strong commitment to delivering quality products and services in their respective organizations. Austin Community College was the sponsor of the 2009 Awards.

Business of the Year (1-20 employees) Two P’s Boutique and Gifts Owner: Pam Couch

Business of the Year (21+ employees) TXI Hunter Cement Plant Manager: Clifton Stapleton

Emerging Business of the Year TCOR Insurance Management Partner: Jim Stark

SOAR Business of the Year CenturyLink South Texas District Operations: John Navarette

Non-Profit of the Year CASA of Central Texas Executive Director: Norma Blackwell

Community Inspiration Award Rick Bell, Budget Manager in Corporate Accounting at McCoy’s Building Supply

Ambassador of the Year Mitsie Benton Russ Capper, The BusinessMakers Radio Show, was the keynote speaker for the Gala.

The BusinessMakers™ show advocates the benefits and value of innovation and entrepreneurship by featuring interesting and entertaining personal stories through interviews with: entrepreneurs, innovators, authors, university and college based entrepreneurship programs and subject matter experts.

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San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

To see more, and to purchase pictures from the Awards Gala, please visit the Rivers Wanted Photography website at www.riverswanted.com and click on the Mixers and Parties page.

Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

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San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

Community News City Wins Municipal Excellence Award for ACT Campaign The Texas Municipal League has awarded the City of San Marcos the “Municipal Excellence Award in Management Innovations” for cities of more than 25,000 population for the “Achieving Community Together” (ACT) campaign.

City of San Marcos and Texas State University officials were on hand at the ceremony in Fort Worth Oct. 21 to accept the award for a town-gown initiative that has gained national attention since it was developed in 2008.

In university towns, students and non-students often clash, and San Marcos is no exception, the TML award presentation noted. In an effort to improve these relations, the Achieving Community Together—or ACT program—was formed by San Marcos Police, other City departments and Texas State University students, staff and faculty.

Co-chaired by Assistant Police Chief Lisa Dvorak and Dr. Joanne Smith, Vice President of Student Affairs, ACT focuses on common values, missions and goals and has developed a problem-solving model to identify issues and seek solutions.

This historic effort marks the first time stakeholders have come together on a large scale to promote positive relations between student and non-student residents through education, community connectedness and resources. Since its formation, ACT has rapidly evolved to a large scale ongoing program with a long term impact.

Accepting the award were Mayor Susan Narvaiz, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Kim Porterfield, City Councilman Fred Terry, City Manager Rick Menchaca, Police Chief Howard Williams and Chief Dvorak joined by Dr. Smith and Michelle Lopez, Associate Director of the LBJ Student Center at Texas State University.

During the annual conference, Chief Dvorak, Dr. Smith and Ms. Lopez conducted a seminar on the ACT program attended by city officials from across Texas.

The Texas Municipal League is a voluntary association of more than 1,100 Texas cities which serves the needs and advocates on behalf of municipalities. TML is the largest organization of its kind in the nation.

San Marcos Ranks in Top 10 of “Best Places to Raise Your Kids” in the United States

In November, BusinessWeek released their annual ranking of the best places to raise your kids in the United States, and not only did San Marcos make the cut, but according to Yahoo! Real Estate, San Marcos made the Top 10! BusinessWeek partnered with OnBoard Informatics, a New York-based provider of real estate analysis, in order to conduct their analysis of the 50 states. In order for a town to be included, they had to have at least 45,000 residents and a median income of between $40,000 and $125,000.

They used the same criteria that they used last year, but shifted the “weights” slightly to come up with better results. This year their criteria consisted of school performance, number of schools, household expenditures, crime rates, air quality, job growth, family income, museums, parks, theaters, other amenities, and diversity.

“This article affirms our community’s commitment to educational attainment and quality of place” said Phyllis Snodgrass, Chamber President.

“San Marcos has the best of both worlds: it’s a great place to raise a family and grow a business.”

“What those of us with children and grandchildren have known all along, San Marcos is one of America’s Best Places to raise Your Kids” said Mayor Susan Narvaiz, referencing the BusinessWeek.com article that was published today. “San Marcos and its people value families, education, safety and business. We show our respect of the natural resources we are blessed with through our leading conservation programs, and we embrace our cultural diversity and preserve our heritage. These are the things that make a city great and these are the things that will continue to be the foundation of San Marcos’s unique identity long into the future. So let it be known that San Marcos offers prosperity for the young, the seasoned and all ages in between. Come join us!”

"The rest of the world is finding out what we've known all along: that San Marcos is a special place for families” said Dr. Patty Shafer, San Marcos CISD Superintendent. “We're rich not only with natural resources, but also with strong bonds of friendship, families, and partnerships throughout the community. As far as the school district is concerned, we absolutely feel that San Marcos CISD is the best place in the world to raise kids.

The strong partnerships among Texas State University, Austin Community College-Goodnight Center, Gary Job Corps, and San Marcos CISD are being fully recognized as an educational force second-to-none."

If you are considering moving to the San Marcos area and would like a free Newcomers Guide, please contact the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce at 512.393.5900, or you can visit their Website at www.sanmarcostexas.com.

For economic development information, contact the Economic Development San Marcos office at

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512.393.3400, or visit their Website at www.ecodevsanmarcos.org. For information about visiting San Marcos, please contact our Convention and Visitor Bureau at 888.200.5620 or visit their Website at www.toursanmarcos.com.

For additional information about San Marcos, please visit the City’s Website at www.sanmarcostx.gov.

For information on the San Marcos CISD, visit their Website at www.smcisd.net.

Sources: “Best Places to Raise Your Kids: 2010” BusinessWeek Online Article by Prashant Gopal, Nov. 17 2009 http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/11/1117_best_plac es_to_raise_kids/index.htm “America’s Best Places to Raise Your Kids” Yahoo! Real Estate online article, Nov. 17, 2009 http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/americas-best-placeto-raise-your-kids.html

Texas Ranked as Top State for Entrepreneurs The Small Business and Entrepreneurial Council (SBEC) has ranked Texas in the top three states for small business and entrepreneurship in their Small Business Survival Index 2009: Ranking the Policy Environment for Entrepreneurship Across the Nation. The index includes comparisons of state competitiveness based on factors including regulatory costs, government spending, property rights, health care and energy costs.

“When companies look at Texas, they’re discovering that we’ve fostered an environment that encourages people to pursue their dreams, build businesses and create jobs,” Gov. Perry said. “This index is further proof that our conservative fiscal principles, low taxes, predictable regulatory environment and educated workforce have made Texas the best state in the nation to build a business and create jobs.”

The study noted that significant economic growth is fueled by the private sector, especially in states that cultivate an entrepreneurial environment by promoting innovation and investment in the private sector. The SBEC also noted that, since 2000, the top 25 states have experienced significant population growth, proving that people “vote with their feet.”

“The ‘Small Business Survival Index’ gets at the public policy costs and trends that affect – directly or indirectly – entrepreneurship and small businesses,” study author and SBEC chief economist Raymond J. Keating said. “These measures should matter to everyone because small businesses, of course, drive innovation, economic growth and job creation. If we want to get our economy back on a solid, robust growth track, then we need pro-entrepreneur policies at the federal, state and local levels.”

Strengthening and promoting Texas’ economy continues to be a top priority for the governor. At the governor’s request, the 81st Texas Legislature Continued on next page

San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

Table 1 passed a tax cut for 40,000 small businesses and continued funding for the state’s strongest economic development tools, the Texas Enterprise Fund and Emerging Technology Fund.

To view the Small Business Survival Index 2009 study, please visit http://www.sbecouncil.org/uploads/SBSI2009.pdf See Table 1 (to the right) for a list of State rankings

Partners for Progress Roll Out Strategic Plan In 2010 Since February 2009, 33 leaders in the Greater San Marcos Area - including both Hays and Caldwell Counties - have been pouring over results from 12 focus groups, 26 one-on-one interviews with community leaders, and over 1,000 community surveys. They also looked at the organizational structure for economic development, statistics and demographics about the region, learned about global, national and regional economic trends to arrive at conclusions about how we move forward to grow the Greater San Marcos Area economy. Taking the lead was Market Street Services, an Atlantabased firm specializing in community and economic development planning.

The result is the first comprehensive regional economic development plan for the Greater San Marcos Area. The plan will be a roadmap to the future, and the first collaborative effort to grow the Greater San Marcos Area in a responsible, sustainable manner. The leaders formed a regional publicprivate partnership, Partners for Progress, in early January 2009 to oversee the economic development strategic planning process. More recently, they have forged a new organization, Greater San Marcos Economic Development, to oversee a five year implementation plan. Founding members include the City of San Marcos, Economic Development San Marcos, San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, Central Texas Medical Center, Texas State University, Hays County, Gary Job Corps, San Marcos CISD, Caldwell County, Lockhart EDC, Luling EDC, and Prime Outlets.

These regional partners have invested time and money in our future, and they plan to invest a lot more. In Spring 2010, they are rolling out the most aggressive economic development effort in the history of the Greater San Marcos Area. For more information, contact Amy Madison, Economic Development San Marcos Executive Director, 512.393.5907.

SOAR Chosen as finalist for 2010 TAPE Award Each year the Texas Association of Partners in Education (TAPE) recognizes exemplary partners and partnership programs across the state.

Award winners represent volunteers, community organizations, government agencies, institutions of higher education, businesses, and school districts, whose commitment to education partnerships have made a positive impact on the youth in their community. Award winners are selected based upon a set of criteria established by the TAPE Board of Director’s, with particular emphasis placed on impact and measured change in students progress. All award winners will be included in the TAPE publication, “Soaring to New Heights in Education: Powerful Partnership Practices Across Texas.”

The annual Awards Celebration will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2010 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Hilton Austin, 500 East 4th Street, in Austin, Texas; tickets are available for $45.

Thank you for your outstanding contribution to education and your work with our most valuable resources, our children.

State Rankings and Summary of Findings Following are the state rankings (from friendliest to least friendly) for the Small Business Survival Index 2009: Small Business Survival Index 2009: State Rankings* Rank State 1 South Dakota 2 Nevada 3 Texas 4 Wyoming 5 Washington 6 Florida 7 South Carolina 8 Colorado 9 Alabama 10 Virginia 11 Ohio 12 Alaska 13 Tennessee 14 Utah 15 Indiana 16 Arizona 17 North Dakota 18 Missouri 19 Mississippi 20 Georgia 21 Oklahoma 22 Kentucky 23 Michigan 24 Illinois 25 Arkansas

SBSI 25.693 31.348 32.082 37.069 42.955 45.284 48.001 48.250 48.823 50.843 51.250 51.554 51.855 52.404 52.602 52.803 53.044 53.277 53.439 53.781 53.868 54.877 55.383 55.983 56.006

26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

Kansas 57.813 Pennsylvania 57.847 New Mexico 58.101 Louisiana 58.111 Wisconsin 58.800 Montana 59.041 Idaho 61.705 New Hampshire 61.995 Nebraska 62.143 Delaware 62.775 West Virginia 63.689 Maryland 64.342 Oregon 65.179 North Carolina 65.497 Connecticut 66.627 Iowa 67.485 Hawaii 68.454 Minnesota 72.149 Massachusetts 72.515 Rhode Island 73.339 Maine 74.699 Vermont 75.717 New York 76.940 California 77.749 New Jersey 84.730 D.C. 84.795

* (Please note that D.C. was not included in the studies on the states’ liability systems, eminent domain legislation and highway cost efficiency, so D.C.’s last place score actually should be even worse)

San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

2010 Economic Outlook: Good Times, Bad Times - Which is it?

Over 300 people are expected to attend the 2010 Texas Economic Outlook Friday, February 26, 11-1 p.m., City of San Marcos Conference Center to hear keynoter Dr. John Duca, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and three Texas State University economists, Dr. Paul R. Gowen, Dr. James LeSage and Dr. David Beckworth, shed some light on current economic conditions. The event theme, “Good Times, Bad Times -Which is it?” is presented by Texas State University McCoy’s School of Business Administration, and the Small Business Development Center, Economic Development San Marcos and the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. John Duca

“We have a limited number of sponsorship opportunities and limited seating this year, so we are encouraging people to contact us early to reserve a spot,” said Amy Madison, Executive Director for Economic Development San Marcos.

Those interested in sponsoring or attending the event, should contact the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, 512.393.5900. Sponsors levels are Gold ($1500), silver ($750) and bronze ($500). Tickets are $35 for the luncheon.

The event will host some of the four of the most recognized economists in the state and nation.

Keynoter Dr. John Duca co-leads and conducts research in macroeconomics and finance for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. He has been with the Bank since 1991. He has given numerous briefings on the economy to the Bank’s president and board of directors. Duca has published more than 50 articles on money, credit, wages and housing in scholarly journals and Bank publications. Much of this research analyzes how innovations have altered economic relationships relevant to the macro-economy and monetary policy.

From 1986 to 1991, Duca was a staff economist at the Federal Reserve Board, where he briefed former chairmen Alan Greenspan and Paul Volcker and other Fed policymakers. Additionally, he was a part-time lecturer at the University of Maryland. He is currently a part-time lecturer at Southern Methodist University.

He holds a B.A. from Yale University and a Ph.D. in economics from Princeton University.

(1980-84).

Following the keynote address, Dr. Duca will join Dr. James LeSage and Dr. David Beckworth, Texas State economists, in a panel emceed by Dr. Paul R. Gowens, professor of economics, NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative, chair of Texas State’s Athletic Advisory Council, and a member of the Southland Conference Advisory Council.

Dr. Gowens received the B.A. degree in mathematics and economics (1965) and the M.S. degree in education (1968) from Baylor University. His Ph.D. in economics was conferred by the University of Mississippi in 1975. In addition to teaching at the university level for over 30 years he has served as dean of Texas State’s College of Business Administration (1984-1999) and chairman of Texas State’s Department of Finance and Economics

Dr. James LeSage joined Texas State University in 2006 and currently is the Fields Endowed Chair in Urban and Regional Economics. He is past president of the North American Regional Science Council and North American editor of Papers in Regional Science. Recently he has been elected a Fellow of the Regional Science Association International, an acknowledgement of his scholarly contributions to the Regional Science discipline. His most recent book titled: Introduction to Spatial Econometrics was published in January, 2009 by CRC Press. He has been named as one of the top 50 publishers worldwide of applied econometrics research in 15 leading economics journals and listed as one of the 10 most influential authors in regional science. He will be giving a keynote address to the Spatial Econometrics Society in Barcelona, Spain this coming July.

Dr. David Beckworth is a macroeconomist who researches global economic imbalances, business cycles, and deflation. Formerly, he was an international economist in the Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. Department of Treasury. While there, he was responsible for monitoring foreign economies and assessing the probability of financial crises emerging abroad. David also supported the U.S. Treasury in its engagements with international institutions like the IMF and with foreign finance ministries.

Rocky River Grille Restaurant and Lounge at the Embassy Suites San Marcos-Hotel, Spa and Conference Center is pleased to offer two great reasons to get out for lunch!

Tuscan Tuesday Offering a great Pasta Action station on Tuesdays Watch our Chef prepare the pasta dish of your choice Includes pasta, vegetables, sausage, chicken and shrimp Includes salad and bread $8.00 (Does not include tax or gratuity) 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Stir Frydays Wrap up the week with a cooked to order lunch that includes Beef, chicken, shrimp, Chinese vegetables, rice or noodles And choice of soup or salad $8.00 (Does not include tax or gratuity) 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Sign up for our Rockin’ Lunch Dining Club Buy 10 lunches and we’ll give you the 11th for free!!!

And as a special offer, we’ll even stamp your first two lunches to get you started!

San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

Community News Continued Complete Count Committee Promotes 2010 Census A 17-member committee is developing strategies and reaching out to assure that as many residents of San Marcos as possible will complete the simplified 2010 U. S. Census questionnaire that will hit mail boxes or be hand-delivered beginning in March, 2010.

The Complete Count Committee, appointed by the City Council in July, has met monthly at the San Marcos Activity Center to plan outreach to educate the community about the 2010 Census. A group of Community Partners is assisting in the process.

Their goal is to educate residents about the simplified Census survey--10 easy questions, one of the shortest Census questionnaires ever-- and about what the 2010 Census means to the City of San Marcos and its residents.

“Our Complete Count Committee is part of a concerted effort to make sure that every person is counted in San Marcos,” said Mayor Susan Narvaiz. “The 2010 Census will have a great impact on our community for education, health care, appropriations, capital improvements, mass transit, our representation at the state and federal levels, and on many civic and social service organizations.

The local committee’s mission is largely educational – to make every San Marcos resident aware of what the Census means to them.

Chaired by former City Councilman Daniel Guerrero, the committee is organized into subcommittees that are reaching out to local organizations and special interest groups in San Marcos.

As mandated by the U.S. Constitution, every person living in the United States must be counted – both citizens and non-citizens. The Census is taken every 10 years. Data from this national count help determine key funding and government representation decisions.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to state, local and tribal governments each year, based on Census data. This funding is used for new roads, schools, hospitals and to enhance important community programs.

Community planners and governments rely on Census data to determine where there is a need for additional social services and funding.

For nonprofits, Census data is valuable for writing grant proposals. It can help communities estimate the number of potential volunteers available locally, as well as the number of residents who may need services.

The Census data is also used to give local citizens a voice in congress. The data is used to determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Serving on the San Marcos Complete Count Committee are Rev. Sam Acosta, Catherine Armstrong, June Barnett, Rose Brooks, Saul Gonzales, Daniel Guerrero, Jeanie Lewis, Harvey Miller, Earl Moseley, Gary Perdue, Ofelia VasquezPhilo, Gloria Salazar, Daniel Scales, Ellie Stewart, Arthur Taylor and Tom Tvrdik. Community Partners include Mary Compton, Amy DuBose, Jerry Gracy, Elva Gonzales, Pastor Santiago Heredia, Pat Murdock, Carol Peters and Phyllis Snodgrass.

Momentum for Complete Count efforts locally comes in part from the City of San Marcos’ low participation rate in 2000. The national response rate in 2000 was 67 percent and in Texas, 64 percent. Hays County’s rate was 62 percent. The response rate for the City of San Marcos was just 59 percent, while other area cities were slightly higher: Kyle (60 percent), Dripping Springs (62 percent) and Buda (70 percent).

Janis Hendrix, Community Initiatives Administrator for the City of San Marcos, is the city’s staff liaison for the committee. Partnership Specialist Sophia Azoubel and Partnership Assistant Ed Delgado of the U. S. Census Bureau’s Dallas office are the primary U.S. Census Bureau’s liaisons for San Marcos.

The San Marcos committee has had Complete Count banners made promoting the Census, staffed booths at Summerfest, the Veterans Day Parade and Sights and Sounds of Christmas. The group is contacting local organizations seeking opportunities to speak to their members about the Census and its importance.

Informational literature is available in both English and Spanish.

For more information on the Complete Count efforts, call Hendrix at 393.8147 or Daniel Guerrero at 393.6930.

Dr. Shafer Named Superintendent of the Year San Marcos CISD superintendent Dr. Patty Shafer has been named Superintendent of the Year by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made at the chamber’s State of Education Luncheon on December 8 before a crowd of more than 600 educational, political, and business leaders at the Frank Erwin Center.

Presenters noted: “Along with her partner at the San Marcos Chamber, Phyllis Snodgrass, Dr. Shafer has plunged into the region’s college readiness and enrollment efforts,” and cited such facts as: • 80% of the SMCISD class of 2009 submitted the Apply Texas application online • San Marcos doubled its submission of student application for financial aid (FAFSA) in one year • San Marcos CISD had the largest one year increase in college and workplace readiness rates in the region (from 27% ready in both English and Math in 2007 to 39% college-ready in both subjects in 2008) • San Marcos CISD was number one in the region in direct-to-college enrollment increases (from 36% in 2007 to 44% in 2008) • San Marcos CISD was featured in a U.S. and Austin Chamber briefing before key Congressional staff in October of this year.

San Marcos CISD also received awards for the increases in college and workforce readiness and for the increase in direct-to-college enrollment. The awards were presented by State Senator Florence Shapiro, State Representative Donna Howard, and Commissioner of High Education Raymond Paredes.

Continued on page 14

Maximize Your Membership!

Each quarter in 2010, the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce will hold Maximize Your Membership Sessions for new members and existing members. Come learn how to make the most of your chamber investment.

FREE session with complimentary continental breakfast provided. Come learn about the Chamber in a relaxed atmosphere and walk away with tools to make the most of your investment in 2010.

DATE: Friday January 29, 2010 TIME: 8:30 am-10:00 am 8:30 am-9:00 am - Breakfast/Networking/Introductions 9:00 am-10:00 am - Maximize your Membership Session LOCATION: San Marcos Chamber Boardroom at 202 North CM Allen Parkway RSVP: Limited seating available, please call to RSVP: (512) 393-5900.

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San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

Dr. Shafer believes partnership and collaboration are keys to increases in college readiness and enrollment.

“Our faculty work alongside the students to meet the challenge of being ready for college-level work. Members of the SMCISD faculty, staff, and administration work in conjunction with partners from Texas State University, Austin Community College, and the San Marcos Chamber to make sure that students complete applications for admission and financial aid. These awards are indicators of teamwork on the part of the entire community,” said Shafer.

Following the announcement, Dr. Shafer was interviewed by Nathan Bernier of radio station KUT. That interview can heard on their Web site at www.kut.org, or by clicking the link below.

San Marcos Property Tour 2009

Nearly 150 people participated in the first San Marcos Property Tour: Rollin’ on the River, hosted

by Economic Development San Marcos on November 6. The tour was just over 50 miles, and showcased 52 properties in a two-hour tour throughout the City of San Marcos. The event attracted developers, investors, realtors and local officials from Austin, Houston, Las Vegas, San Antonio, and the Greater San Marcos region.

“We were very pleased to see such a great turnout for our first tour,” said Amy Madison, Executive Director for Economic Development San Marcos. “The participants appreciated the physical tour, but as part of their registration, they received a 157-page four color publication that detailed every property, provided historical and fun facts about San Marcos, and provided key contacts for project development.”

Special thanks to the San Marcos Property Tour Advisory Council: Jack Avis, Baker-Aicklen; Amy DuBose, San Marcos Area Board of Realtors, Don Garrett, Randall Morris and Associates; Jerry Heare, NAI Austin; Mike Robinson, Baker-Aicklen; and Marilyn Van Um, Gracy Title.

The San Marcos Property Tour will be an annual event each year to provide current information about the City of San Marcos and the properties that will be featured. Persons interested in getting their properties included on the tour should contact Amy Madison, amym@sanmarcostexas.com, 512.393.5907.

Sponsors for the event included AlphaGraphics, Baker-Aicklen & Associates, Inc.,Whitenton Group,Inc., Bury + Partners, Carma Developers, Bearden Development, Inc., K-W Construction, Pape-Dawson Engineers, San Marcos Board of Realtors, The Stratford Group, Broaddus & Associates, Inc.,Pm2i, Heatwole Photographic Services, XI Media Productions.

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Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

Tanger Celebrates the Holidays

by Making a Donation to Help Fight Breast Cancer In the spirit of the holidays and the season of giving, the Tanger Outlet Center in San Marcos awarded a check in the amount of $10,988 to Central Texas Medical Center at a special holiday ceremony. The donation is part of Tanger’s Annual Breast Cancer Awareness campaign.

Tanger’s 2009 campaign to battle breast cancer ran through October 20th with funds being raised through the sale of the Tanger Pink Card. For a $1 donation to fight breast cancer, Tanger customers received a special pink discount card that gave them 25% bonus savings at participating partnering Tanger stores. The Pink Card program is now in its 4th successful year at Tanger Outlet Centers coast to coast.

“The support that we received from our retailers and our shoppers this fall was incredible,” remarked Michelle Carswell, General Manager of the Tanger Outlet Center in San Marcos. “By working together we can continue to help save lives and make a real difference in our community.”

Nationally, Tanger Outlet Centers have now raised and donated $7.5 million dollars to the cause since 1994. Funds raised by Tanger are donated to more than 20 different breast cancer organizations through the Stanley K. Tanger Breast Cancer Fund.

With its primary mission to help save lives, Tanger’s Annual Breast Cancer Awareness campaign helps raise the money necessary to support ongoing breast cancer research. Tanger’s campaign also helps fund many important programs and facilities designed to improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients and creates awareness among Tanger shoppers for the importance of early detection.

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc., (NYSE:SKT) a publicly traded REIT, presently has ownership interests in or management responsibilities for 33 shopping centers in 22 states coast-tocoast, totaling approximately 10.2 million square feet, leased to over 2,200 stores that are operated by over 400 different store brands. In San Marcos, the Tanger Outlet Center features more than 100 brand name and designer outlet stores. For more information on Tanger Outlet Centers, visit: www.tangeroutlet.com or call 800-4-TANGER.

San Marcos Property Tour 2009 Books are still available for sale at $35 each. They may be purchased by calling the chamber at 512.393.5900 while supplies last.

Dust off your bowling shoes and join us for Bowl for Kids’ Sake!

HAVE FUN & HELP KIDS Bowl for Kids’ Sake is an easy and fun way to make a difference in the lives of children. Invite four friends, family members, and/or co-workers to participate on your team. Each team of five raises $500, or $100 per person. Challenge your family, friends, and co-workers to see who can raise the most money.

ABOUT BOWL FOR KIDS’ SAKE As the signature annual fundraising event for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bowl for Kids’ Sake enables us to increase the number of children who are matched with adult mentors. Big Brothers Big Sisters strives to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with measurable impact.

EVENT INFORMATION WHO: You and four friends WHAT: Raise money to support successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them.

WHERE: Sunset Bowling Lanes – San Marcos WHEN: Saturday, February 13, 2010 WHY: Your support makes it possible for Big Brothers Big Sisters to create and nurture life-changing relationships between the children we serve and caring adult mentors.

IRS Lowers Standard Mileage Rate Beginning on Jan. 1, 2010, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks), for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes, will be: • 50 cents per mile for business miles driven • 16.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

For more information about this and other regulations, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce - Focused on Business

Winter 2010 Quarterly Newsletter

Did You Know Member Profiles on the Chamber’s Website Did you know that all Chamber members have access to edit their profile on our Website? You can add text, graphics, images, and even add events to the Chamber’s online Community Calendar; and no, you don’t have to know html code.

Simply click the “Members Login” link and log in to your profile. Once you’ve logged in to your profile, you can start uploading graphics, images, documents, video and audio, or edit your businesses information, i.e., address, phone numbers etc.

Use pictures to show off your building, your employees or even your new dog. Use graphics to familiarize people with your logo or any graphic design you may do. You can also have a specific picture show up in the Membership Directory for when people are searching for you.

Adding a calendar page to your profile, it’s as simple as clicking a button, give you the ability to inform others of special events that are coming up.

And once you add an event, it is automatically added to the Chamber’s online Community Calendar for everyone to see.

Writing a summary or description of what your business does will help guide potential customers to you. If one of your competitors does not have any information on their profile page and you do, you are more likely to be contacted by the potential customer.

San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce Green Living Showcase Saturday, March 20, 2010 SHOW DETAILS: This trade show/mixer combination event brings our community a new type of exhibition where vendors are able to demonstrate green products and present exhibits that are geared towards promoting a cleaner, more sustainable environment. Attendance is expected to exceed 1000, and we are planning for 75 booths and exhibits representing a wide cross section of businesses, dedicated to environmental concerns and corporate sustainability.

LOCATION: The Green Living Showcase will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the City of San Marcos Conference Center, 3101 South IH 35, San Marcos, TX, adjacent to the Embassy Suites San Marcos - Hotel and Spa. PROVIDED TO GREEN LIVING EXHIBITORS: • One 8’ x 10’ wide booth space • One 6’ draped and skirted table • Electric Hook-up, if requested • Two standard chairs • Waste receptacle

If you do not know your login ID and password, or if you have any questions about editing your profile, please contact Eric at 512.393.5913, or ericb@sanmarcostexas.com.

EXHIBITORS REQUIREMENTS: • Provide staffing for exhibit booth throughout the duration of mixer • Must be ready by 10:00 a.m. on March 20th • Set-up and take-down of the exhibit space area are exhibitor’s responsibility • Food and beverage vendors assume responsibility for complying with City/County Health Departments and TABCC. • Complete all forms and documents required • Comply with all terms for exhibiting at Green Living Showcase 2009 • All exhibitors must provide their own extension cords to reach electric outlets, if electric hookup is requested.

Boost your sales by promoting your Chamber membership

DAY OF SHOW EXHIBITOR PARKING: During the Showcase (after set up is completed), please plan to park at the North entrance of the Conference Center Parking lots. This will allow for more spaces to be available for Showcase attendees.

By Kerry Watson, owner, Pithy Productions Letting the world know about your membership with the Chamber of Commerce membership can increase your sales, says a new national study.

The results of a new national study this month by the Schapiro Group of Atlanta showed that when respondents were told that a particular small business was a member of its local chamber, "they were 63 percent more likely to want to purchase goods or services from a small business that is a chamber member."

Forty-four percent of respondents also said they were more likely to rate a business favorably than study respondents who were not told of the businesses chamber affiliation.

This is actionable business intelligence! If you are not prominently displaying the chamber logo, you may be letting business opportunities slide by.

Be sure to display your logo on the door of your business as well as on all business communications.

LOAD-IN/ LOAD-OUT: Set-up will begin on Friday, March 19 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. and will continue on Saturday, March 20 from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. All booths must be set up by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 20. If food products must be brought in past 9:00 a.m., please coordinate with Chamber staff. All booths must be ready at 9:00 a.m., open to the public at 10:00 a.m., and must stay open until 4:00 p.m. Please clean out booth area after end of event (4:00 p.m.), and no later than 6:00 p.m.

UPGRADES: Numerous upgrades are available from Embassy Suites Conference Servicing Staff including additional exhibit tables, phone lines, internet, risers and drayage service. Please contact Embassy Suites at 512.393.6450 for more information.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS: Petitioning or distribution of political materials is prohibited. Flyers, giveaways, etc. are permitted only within your booth space.

Any exhibitor planning to bring any unusual or large items will need to contact Robert Watts via email at robertw@sanmarcostexas.com or call 512-393-5906 as this may affect your booth placement and load-in time. Deadline for notification is on or before 5:00 p.m. March 1, 2010. Find out more information by visiting the Green Living Showcase Website at www.glshowcase.com

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San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 2310 San Marcos, Texas 78667-2310

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 152 San Marcos, Texas 78666-2310

Address Label

The Wonder World Center for Cancer Care

R. SCOTT LAWSON, MD • DAVID C. JONES, MD 1304 Wonder World Dr. San Marcos, Texas 78666 • 512.396.2500 www.thecentersforcancercare.com