Fall 2009 Newsletter

San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce Fall 2009 Quarterly Newsletter P.O. Box 2310 • 202 North C.M. Allen Parkway • San Marcos, TX 78667 • 512.393.5900 • www.sanmarcostexas.com

Presenting the City flag are, L-R, Rick Menchaca, City Manager; Amy Madison, Executive Director of Economic Development San Marcos, Dan Roy, Immediate Past Chair of the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce Board, Mayor Narvaiz, Governor Perry, Dr. Perry Moore, Texas State University-San Marcos Provost, and Don Nash, Chair of the Economic Development Board. (Photo by Don Anders).

Mayor Susan Narvaiz presents to Governor Rick Perry a City of San Marcos flag signed by dozens of attendees at the recent economic development announcement that will bring Grifols, Inc., a biomedical products company, to San Marcos.

The Governor announced a Texas Enterprise Fund grant of $500,000 to bring the Spanish company to Texas. Grifols broke ground on October 16 for construction of a plasma testing laboratory that will create 190 new jobs and generate $76 million in capital investment.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

 With over 100 volunteers, this year’s Membership Event broke several records. Find out more on page 7

Find out how you can help feed a family this Thanksgiving page 9

Over 100 vendors participated and over 1,500 attendees. This was the largest Business Expo San Marcos has seen! Find out more on page 4-5

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

Convention & Visitor Bureau Rebecca Ybarra-Ramirez Director Viola Sowell Group Tours Coordinator Denise Duran Administrative Assistant

Economic Development San Marcos Amy Madison Director Rosemary Lucio-Suniga Research Assistant

2009-2010 Board of Directors Chairman Chair-Elect Past Chair Treasurer Secretary Vice Chair Vice Chair Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Director

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

In This Issue Damrons recognized for dedication, honesty Page 3 Wide-Lite/Philips Honored Page 3 Heldenfels Celebrates 100 Years Page 3 TexPTS Receives Award for Top Private PT Practice in the U.S. Page 6 2009 Business Expo Page 4-5 Seton Medical Center Hays Grand Opening Page 6 CTMC Opens New Operating Rooms Page 6 Membership Event 2009 Page 7 SMCVB September Report Page 8

2009-2010 Committees & Chairs Ambassador Club Business Development

Mitsie Benton Frank Leonardis

SMCVB Director Elected to TACVB & TTIA Page 9 Turkeys Tackling Hunger Page 9

Education

Theresa Knight

Government Affairs

Denise Collazo

Jury Verdict Against Employer who Accessed Employee’s MySpace Page Page 10

Natural Resources

Clay Destefano Kyle Dickie

Member-to-Member Discount Program Page 10

Special Events

Kristy Stark

Experts Debate the Impact of Healthcare Reform on Business and the Economy Page 10 Grifols, Inc. Breaks Ground Page 11 Q&A With Amy Madison Page 11-12 City Receives Bond Rating Upgrade Page 12 McCoy’s Building Supply Wins Industry Award Page 13 San Marcos Breaks Ground on Airport Tower Page 13 2nd Annual San Marcos Education Fair Page 14 December Eggs & Issues Breakfast Page 15 Newsletter Advertising Opportunities Page 15 2010 Sponsorship Opportunities Page 15

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Quarterly Calendar of Events Page 16

Member News Damrons recognized for dedication, honesty Brenda and Bill Damron of Randall Morris and Assoc. Real Estate, have been recognized by their industry peers for dedicated client service, honesty, integrity and outstanding market knowledge.

"Brenda and Bill are tremendous examples of Most Referred real estate professionals.

Brenda and Bill have consistently demonstrated the hallmarks of trusted Realtors – integrity, market knowledge and superior customer service," James Secord, president of Most Referred, said this week.

"We are proud to present this award to Brenda and Bill Damron for being recognized as in the Top three 'Most Referred Real Estate Agents' in San Marcos, and welcome them to our network," he said.

From an article printed in the August 19, 2009 edition of the San Marcos Daily Record.

Wide-Lite/Philips Honored Wide-Lite, a Philips group brand and San Marcos manufacturer of lighting products, is honored by San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz and the City Council after being awarded the “Best in Category Innovation Award” at the LIGHTFAIR International conference in New York before more than 20,000 industry professionals. Wide-Lite’s new LED parking garage luminaire was singled out for its technical and design innovation.

Heldenfels Celebrates 100 Years In November, Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc. (HEI), with plants in San Marcos and Corpus Christi, will celebrate its

Alice, TX, which entered the Guiness Book of World Records as the world’s tallest concrete water tower. Heldenfels built the first highway to cut through South Texas ranching country.

In 1955, Fred Heldenfels, Jr., was involved in the approval and authorization of the Federal Interstate Highway System.

100th year of business.

Heldenfels produces and installs precast/prestressed concrete for all types of structures.

The latest and largest Heldenfels project was the production and installation of 3,000 precast concrete pieces for the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. About 28,000 pounds of product was manufactured by the San Marcos-based company.

The company has won many prestigious Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) design awards. The Chicago-based PCI sponsors nationwide architecture and engineering competitions.

“We have a strong team spirit, most evidenced by our willingness to take on complex, challenging projects,” said HEI President/CEO Fred Heldenfels IV. When asked what was the single reason the firm has thrived for a century, Heldenfels said, “I believe we have always practiced what we preached, stressing good stewardship by emphasizing our core values of integrity, dependability and innovation. To me personally, the name Heldenfels is a badge of honor that has been earned by each generation through experience, hard work and dedication. It’s a family tradition.”

It was 1909 when F.W. “Fritz” Heldenfels, Sr. and his brother, C. A. Heldenfels, founded Heldenfels Brothers as a lumber and materials business. At the start of World War I, the company expanded into ship building. During the past century, the company has touched on every major construction arena in Texas.

Some examples of Heldenfels’ work include the 156-foot-high water tower they built in

In 1995, Fred Heldenfels IV formed Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc., with his father F.W. Heldenfels III. Today, the company specializes in precast concrete structures for the highway, marine and industrial markets.

Heldenfels Enterprises has also expanded into new construction areas by taking on large sports facilities, such as the Cowboys Stadium, Reliant Stadium (home of the Houston Texans), and the AT&T Center (home of the San Antonio Spurs). They also built Whataburger Field (home of the Corpus Christi Hooks), which has consistently won fan awards for the best field in minor league baseball.

Article printed from Newstreamz San Marcos: www.newstreamz.com

Texas Physical Therapy Specialists Receives Award for Top Private Physical Therapy Practice in the Country Texas Physical Therapy Specialists (TexPTS) is delighted to receive the Private Practice Section (PPS) of the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) 2009 Practice Award.

The PPS of the APTA is bestowing this award upon TexPTS as the top private physical therapy practice in the country for their rapid growth and innovative use of training programs to grow their practice. Practice Award recipients have positively impacted the shape, scope and quality of a physical therapy private practice and have contributed to the overall development of physical therapy as a caring profession. continued on page 6

More than 100 businesses showcased their companies with a booth at the 2009 San Marcos Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, that’s 20 more than last year. Construction, investment, retail, education, health care and other industries were represented and the Hays County Area Food Bank collected canned foods for a reduction on admission.

August 26 - 27, 2009

www.sanmarcosbizexpo.com

This was the first year the Expo was held at the City of San Marcos Conference Center. 21,600 square feet of the Conference center was used for the Expo, while another 2,000 was used for the free workshops and the Exhibitor’s Hospitality Suites. The new venue allowed for the additional vendor space, as well as easier accessibility thanks to a loading gate, and more parking for those participating.

Sneak Peek Awards

Best in Show San Marcos Daily Record

Mayor Narvaiz was on hand to open the 2009 Business Expo Sneak Peek Party with a welcome to the new City of San Marcos Conference Center

NEW AT THIS YEAR’S EXPO

Most Congenial Cool Mint Cafe

Preshow Interactive Workshop with tradeshow tips

Internet Café

Exhibitor Hospitality Suite

Most Interactive Census 2010 4

Taste of San Marcos Free Business Workshops

Expo Sponsors Business After-Hours (Sneak Peek) Party Sponsor

Media & Promotions Sponsors

Over 100 exhibitors and 21,600 square feet

Internet Café Sponsor Getting Connected

Exhibitor Hospitality Suite Sponsor

Taste of San Marcos Sponsors

With the help of Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) and the Texas State Small Business Development Center (SBDC), we were able to offer three free business workshops: “Using Linked-In to Fire-Up Your Networking” “Six Marketing Tips to Get Your Business Noticed” “Building Your Business Through the World Wide Web.” 5

Continued from page 3 TexPTS is a privately owned, multisitephysical therapy practice specializing in evidence-based care. TexPTS has collaborated with Evidence In Motion (EIM) and implemented a distance-based physical therapy residency and fellowship training program capable of training large numbers of students, utilizing the latest educational technologies. Training programs such as these are an efficient and realistic way to grow a large, multi-site practice that is staffed with highly competent, residency and fellowship trained staff. TexPTS physical therapists are distinguished by evidence-based clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice patterns and minimal practice pattern variation.

TexPTS is also being recognized for having grown from a single location to 12 locations and over 75 employees in the greater San Antonio and Austin regions of South Central Texas. TexPTS is the home of the largest number of board certified physical therapists and manual physical therapy fellows in the Texas region.

TexPTS’ novel training program is paving the way for other practices who share a similar vision and mission for physical therapy. These practices now have a means of meeting their needs in a similar manner to that of TexPTS. TexPTS is pleased to share the fruits of their labor to improve physical therapy practices across the country.

For more information about how a physical therapist can help alleviate pain, minimize the use of prescription drugs and expensive diagnostic imaging, and prevent painful and costly surgery, visit www.TexPTS.com or call the local San Marcos office, located at 2550 Hunter Rd., Ste. 1104, at (512) 396-5122.

Seton Medical Center Hays Grand Opening On October 1, 2009, health care in Hays County took a giant leap forward as Seton Medical Center Hays opened its doors to new patients.

"Despite rapid growth and development Hays County has been under served medically. We are excited to bring to this community a first-class tertiary hospital capable of meeting all medical needs in this area and connected to the Seton Family of Hospitals, "says Seton Medical Center Hays President and CEO Tom Gallagher.

Seton Medical Center Hays, located just east of I-35 on the Kyle Parkway (Hwy 1626) in Kyle, will bring top-quality complex care to a

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region that, until now, has lacked the full spectrum of medical services. The facility will be the largest hospital in Hays County: constructed on a 205-acre site, the building will be more than 330,000 square feet and will house 112 beds (with plans to expand to 210 beds). Sixty-eight beds will be operated on the opening date. The physical plant is strictly state-of-the-art, with room service and wireless access. Seton Medical Center Hays will offer specialties and sub-specialties including oncology, cardiac care, orthopedics, obstetrics/gynecology, outpatient facilities, an ICU and full service emergency department.

As a member of the Seton Family of Hospitals, Seton Medical Center Hays will be part of Setons Level I trauma network, which offers Central Texas residents the finest trauma care available.

Beyond the structure, the equipment and programs are the people. Seton Medical Center Hays has attracted highly qualified and committed doctors, nurses and clinicians to Hays County. Many of the physicians will have offices in the Medical Office Building, which will be adjacent to the Medical Center.

For the first time, Hays county residents will have access to the full continuum of clinical care without the need to travel to Austin.

"We are anxious to treat our first patients in about 30 days," continues Tom. "We have recruited a nucleus of new physicians in many specialties. We are especially proud of recruiting five new obstetricians to town who will soon deliver babies at SMCH, including Kim Rutter, MD, whose family has been active in the Kyle community for decades. Orthopedic surgeon Christina Sheely, MD, who went to Hays High School, is also back in Kyle, returning from practice in Michigan."

Seton Medical Center Hays will offer a full range of medical, surgical, diagnostic and maternity services. * Full-Service Emergency Department * Cardiac Care Services * Digestive Care including Surgical Procedures * Womens Services * Labor & Delivery * OB/GYN * Level II Neonatal Nursery * Critical Care Services * Inpatient Medical Services including Oncology * Surgical Care including Orthopedics * Outpatient Therapies * Diagnostic & Interventional Services Campus/Facilities * Medical Office Building * Adjacent Retail Development Information provided from an article in Seaton’s Good Health Website at www.goodhealth.com

CTMC Opens New Operating Rooms Approximately 100 community leaders, physicians and other VIP guests attended the unveiling of Central Texas Medical Center’s (CTMC) $7 million operating room expansion. The expansion created three additional operating rooms, completing the hospital’s six-room renovated suite.

“I have worked with several other hospitals and CTMC’s new operating suite is the best I’ve seen,” said Patrick Williams, MD, Urology, past chairman of CTMC surgery department.

Each of the new integrated rooms is more than 500 square feet and feature overhead Stryker Equipment Booms for lighting, high-definition monitors and anesthesia that provide surgeons a more efficient and accommodating setup.

“Our new ORs and technology enhancements have provided us with the opportunity to accommodate more surgeries and provide our surgeons with the kind of technology many of today’s more complicated procedures require,” said Madelyn Smith, CTMC’s director of surgical services. “The result is that more patients can stay home in San Marcos rather than traveling out of town to have more complex procedures performed.”

This year, CTMC’s surgical staff has performed more than 2,700 surgeries, with general, OB/GYN, Orthopedics and Endoscopy procedures being the most common. CTMC’s surgical staff consists of more than 45 specialized surgeons.

The expansion of the hospital’s operating suite is just one part of CTMC’s $35 million expansion project, scheduled to open in late November. The 64,000-square-foot addition will include the Women’s Center, a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a new cardiac telemetry inpatient nursing unit.

“The opening of our operating suite is an exciting step towards the overall completion of our expansion project,” said Gary Jepson, CTMC President and CEO. “We look forward to providing the community with several new services as we continue to find new ways to extend the healing ministry of Christ.”

To learn more about CTMC’s expansion, surgical services or to find a surgeon, visit ctmc.org and click “Care and Services” or “Find a Doctor.”

 Over 100 volunteers, led by five of the community’s most respected business leaders, worked against the clock and against each other to sign up new Chamber members and create a greater community awareness of the important role the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce plays in the community. Over the two and a half day event, volunteers broke all previous records by signing up over 200 new members into the Chamber.

Serving as Membership Chairs for this event were: Brian McCoy, CEO, McCoy’s Building Supply, Earl Studdard, North Carolina Furniture Direct, Jim Stark, TCOR Insurance Management, Gerald Hill, Seton Hospitals, and Clifton Stapleton, TXI Hunter Cement.

Winning Green Team Chair and Event “Godfadda” Brian McCoy remarked about the event and his role in it: "San Marcos is easy to promote. It was fun showcasing the Chamber's benefits and contributions to our wonderful City!"

 

 

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SMCVB – September 2009 1) San Marcos Hotels – Quarterly Hotel Occupancy Tax Collections - QTR Ending June 2009: Gross Receipts – April, June, July 2009 $6,071,689.01 Taxable Receipts – April, June, July 2009 $5,961,008.30 7% City Hotel Tax Collected 2009 $417,270.50 7% City Tax Collected 2008 $369,028.62 13.5% increase over same quarter 2008 2) Media Purchased –July - September 2009: San Antonio Destination Guide for Meeting Professionals 2009/2010, ½ Page Ad San Antonio Official Meeting Planner 2009/2010, 1/3 Page Ad Southern Living, July 2009, Travel Planner Ad, 4C, Focus: boutique shopping and more Texas Highways, September 2009, 1/3 Page 4C, Fall events Texas Journey, July/August 2009, Travel Planner Ad, 4C, Focus: Dining, shopping, tubing Texas Meetings and Events, Summer 2009, Focus: Conference Center Texas Monthly, August 2009, ⅓ Page 4C, Focus: River Recreation Southern Living, August 2009, Travel Planner Ad 4C, Focus: River Recreation Texas Parks and Wildlife, August 2009, 1/3 Page 4C, Focus: River Recreation Texas Parks and Wildlife, September 2009, 1/3 Page 4C, Focus: River Recreation Tour Texas.com Banner, July 2009, Focus - July events Tour Texas.com Banner, September 2009, Focus - Fall events 3) Sales Tax Collections – Comptroller Monthly Reports: Previous Fiscal Year Current Fiscal Year July 2009 $1,322,597.55 July 2008 $1,341,194.41 August 2009 $1,572,711.45 August 2008 $ 1,581,004.89 *September 2009 $1,520,381.07 September 2008 $1,617,391.57 October 2008 to September 2009 reports – Decrease of 0.9%

Change Decrease 1.4% Decrease 0.5% Decrease 6.0%

*actual July collections

4) Booking Status Report - Embassy Suites San Marcos Hotel, Spa & Conference Center: Guestroom Revenue September 2009 – future $410,554.00 All of 2009: $2,725,173.35 Function Revenue: September 2009 – future $434,251.25 All of 2009: $2,160,617.56 Total Revenue: October 2009 – future $844,805.25 All of 2009: $4,885,791.09 Total Room Nights: October 2009 – future 3,374 All of 2009: 21,781 October Conferences Groups – 44 Estimated Room Nights – 1,632 November Conferences Groups – 29 Estimated Room Nights – 1,204 December Conferences Groups – 21 Estimated Room Nights – 538 5) Bid Process Assistance – State Conferences: LULAC State Conference June 2012 – AWARDED! Texas State Association of Fire Fighters 2011 - AWARDED! Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureau 2011 Conference AWARDED!

Economic Development San Marcos is hosting its first San Marcos Property Tour 2009: “Rollin’ on the River,” Thursday, November 5th from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., beginning and ending at the Embassy Suites and City of San Marcos Conference Center, 1001 McCarty Lane. Individual tickets are $20 per person and include continental breakfast, bus tour, lunch at the Embassy Suites, and a 140-page four color property reference book valued at $35 provided FREE to participants.

Who should attend? We are inviting developers, realtors, brokers, bankers, architects, engineers, land planners, title companies, and construction firms to ride in our luxury tour buses and view over 50 properties and learn about the 60+ capital improvement projects underway in San Marcos.

For more information or to register, please contact Rosemary Suniga, by email rosemarys@sanmarcostexas.com or call (512) 393-3400.

San Marcos CVB Director Elected to the TACVB & Elected to the TTIA Board of Directors Rebecca Ybarra-Ramirez, San Marcos Convention & Visitor Bureau (CVB) Director, was elected by her peers to serve a two-year term with the Texas Association of Convention & Visitors Bureau (TACVB) which began in August.

The Association is organized to provide cooperative action to enhance and encourage the growth of the convention and visitor industry of Texas.

Ramirez was also recently elected by her peers to the Board of Directors for the Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA) during the Annual TTIA Conference held September 20-24 in Arlington, Texas.

The Texas Travel Industry Association is a nonprofit organization made up of businesses, organizations, associations and individuals dedicated to developing Texas tourism to its fullest potential. TTIA and its members work together to meet this goal in several ways: • by building a strong, on-going program of work to support tourism initiatives across the state; • by linking with affiliated groups to assist in their tourism activities; and • by charting a course for the future of the tourism industry to ensure its preeminence as a powerful, positive force.

TTIA's purpose is to help ensure the most effective tourism program possible, by complementing and maximizing the results of promotional efforts of private businesses, city and regional organizations and the State of Texas.

It’s Turkey time again! The Hays County Food Bank kicks off their annual Turkeys Tackling Hunger campaign the first week of October. The campaign runs October 5 through the end of November.

Twenty dollars buys one family a holiday meal that includes a turkey and all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving meal. Last year, the Food Bank put together turkey boxes for 1376 families in San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Wimberley, Martindale and outlying areas of Hays County. Given the current economic downturn, they anticipate the need will be greater as there has been a 20% increase in the number of people requesting food compared to last year.

“The slowdown in the economy has hit local families hard,” says Pat Tessaro, Food Bank Community Relations Coordinator. “People have lost jobs and their health insurance. Families struggling to pay the bills and put food on the table are now faced with additional stress from the coming holiday season. This fall campaign is the primary way we help these people with a turkey box.”

To request a turkey box, call the office at 512.393.8300 as soon as possible to put your name on the list and get additional information. The deadline for completion of the application process is October 30, 2009.

The Food Bank needs volunteers to help publicize the campaign, put up posters, and distribute donation envelopes. To participate, visit www.TurkeysTacklingHunger.org or call the office at 512-392-8300 for more information.

Corporate sponsors include Broadway Bank, Butler Manufacturing Company, the Leaning Pear Café and Eatery in Wimberley, Kettler Roofing, Old Town Gift Emporium, Jane Hughson, and the Hays Educators Association.

Since 1984, the local Food Bank has been on the front lines helping to feed the elderly, families with children, the sick and disabled, and others suffering from hard times. Last year, the agency distributed more than 500,000 pounds of food through over 50 partner agencies and public distributions throughout the County.

Any resident of Hays County in need is eligible to receive food twice per week at various public distribution sites. Call 512.392.8300 for details or visit www.haysfoodbank.org for information about how to coordinate a food drive, get help, or volunteer.

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Jury Verdict Against Employer Who Accessed Employee’s MySpace Page A recent case in the U.S. District Court in the District of New Jersey is the perfect “flare-gun” case-sending a poignant warning to employers considering similar actions. In Pietrylo v. Hillstone Restaurant Group, a waiter at the employer’s Houston’s restaurant created a MySpace page and group.

The group was private (password protected) and the page was devoted to the daily happenings at the workplace. As one might imagine, out of the sight and earshot of management, the employees engaged in a good deal of “venting” and petty griping on the page.

Key Notes: • An invited member permitted one of the managers to view the site while she was logged in under her legitimate credentials • The manager was not amused and reported the page to the other managers.

• Management requested the employee’s password so they could access the site without her present.

• Houston’s fired the site’s creator and an invited member for a violation of company policy involving “professionalism and a positive attitude”.

• The terminated employees sued and won. In June of 2009, a federal jury found that the managers violated state and federal laws that protect the privacy of Web-based communications.

What’s it all mean?

The jury determined that the way management gained access to the site violated the Stored Communications Act. Assuming that management “coerced” the log-in information from the employee, then it was not an “authorized user” of the site, regardless of whether it had a password or not.

Employers should not log into an employee’s social-networking site

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under false pretenses or by coercing another employee to grant them access they would not otherwise be able to obtain.

Member-to-Member Discount Program Exclusive Discounts For Chamber Members And Their Employees Only!

Business Impact Accessing an employee’s restricted social networking site without authorization could run you afoul of the law.

Employers should consider policies that deal with employee work-related postings on social networking sites. The company has a right to protect its confidential and proprietary information and to protect employees from being bullied, harassed or intimidated.

The information in this article was provided by TCOR Insurance Management and is for informational purposes. It is presented from a risk-management and insurance perspective only. It is not intended as, nor does it constitute, legal advice. For more information on this article, please contact TCOR Insurance Management at (512) 396-9600, or visit their Website at www.tcormanagement.com

Members are encouraged to provide a discount or incentive that will be available only to Chamber members. Key tags are distributed to all Chamber businesses, couples, and individual members to identify them as Chamber Members. A link to the list of discount offers is included in the E-Newsletter encouraging everyone to "Shop Chamber First."

Visit the Member-to-Member Discount Program page on our Website at www.sanmarcostexas.com to see a list of discounts offered.

If you are a Chamber member and have not received your Member-toMember key tags, or would like to offer a discount to other Chamber members, contact us by phone at (512) 393-5900, or by email at chamber@sanmarcostexas.com

Experts to Debate the Impact of Healthcare Reform on Business and the Economy Chambers across the Central Texas region have partnered with event sponsor University of Texas School of Law, to hold a luncheon featuring a panel of state and national experts who will discuss the likely ramifications of healthcare reform on business and the economy. Moderated by business owner Bobby Jenkins, President of ABC Home and Commercial Services, Vice Chair-Elect of Membership and former Vice Chair of Small Business, the informative event will reveal what to expect next as our nation attempts the most sweeping policy initiative of the millennium.

Distinguished panelists: • Dr. Eric Blankmeyer, Professor of Economics in the McCoy College of Business Administration at Texas State University – San Marcos • Dr. James Rohack, President of the American Medical Association and Practicing Physician at Scott and White Hospital and Clinic in Round Rock • Dr. William Sage, Vice Provost for Health Affairs at University of Texas – Austin • Ellen Wood, CEO of vcfo WHEN: Thursday, November 19, 2009 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Registration begins at 11:00 AM Program begins promptly at 11:30 AM WHERE: Hyatt Regency Hotel 208 Barton Springs Road Texas Ballroom Austin, TX 78704

Grifols, Inc. Breaks Ground in San Marcos Construction of a Grifols plasma research and testing facility began last Friday at River Ridge Business Park in San Marcos, with state and local officials presiding.

It is expected that the facility will open in about a year. Workers at the 72,000 square-foot facility will test and process human blood plasma, from which they will produce the initial components of products for use in the treatment shock, trauma and burns, primary immune deficiency diseases, and bleeding disorders such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease.

“The City of San Marcos is proud to have helped bring the first local health care manufacturing facility of this type to the state of Texas,” said San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz. “This project represents a significant partnership with Grifols, the city, the State of Texas, and Hays County.”

The city will refund Grifols, a Spain-based company, $1.8 million in personal property taxes in the next 15 years. The county will refund $2.1 million in personal property taxes to Grifols during the same period.

Narvaiz said Grifols will invest “some $76 million” in its San Marcos facility and bring 190 jobs to the city. Texas Governor Rick Perry announced in July that the state will invest $500,000 in Enterprise Institute Fund money in the Grifols facility.

“The (Grifols) CEO also acknowledged that there really are going to be more than 190 full-time positions and that the (total funds) they are investing is actually going to be more than $76 million,” said Hays County Commissioner Precinct 1 (D-San Marcos) Debbie Ingalsbe.

Grifols is expected to pay an average salary of $38,571. Median household income in the city during the last US census was $25,809.

“It’s just going to be a great opportunity for…our region to have those types of jobs, with the great salaries and benefits that will come,” said Ingalsbe. “With (Texas State) university here, that’s just a great opportunity for a great partnership there, and for students to have a place where they can come in and have a good job….”

Grifols Vice President of Government and Public Affairs Christopher Healey said there is no formal relationship between his company and Texas State University at this time.

“We don’t have anything firm just now … but I can certainly foresee some kind of mutuallybeneficial working relationship in the future,” Healey said.

The blood plasma will arrive at the San Marcos Grifols facility from plasma donation centers, of which the company owns and operates 17 in Texas. Healey said the Grifols owns and operates 80 plasma donation centers across the country, the closest of which is in San Antonio.

Healey said his company expects local residents to receive many of the jobs that will be created by the facility.

“We’ll be advertising locally and doing job placement locally — as we currently do, as a matter of fact,” Healey said.

You can find out more about Grifols, Inc. by visiting their Website at www.grifols.com Article from Newstreamz San Marcos: www.newstreamz.com

Q&A with Amy Madison, EDSM Director The following is a Q&A with Amy Madison, Economic Development San Marcos (EDSM) Director, from the San Marcos section of the Austin Business Journal’s October, 2009 Austin-San Antonio Corridor Growth Summit insert.

What is the most significant development currently underway in San Marcos?

HEB broke ground in January 2009 on the first of six planned expansions valued at nearly $90 million in San Marcos. The development will continue over the next 10 years and include an additional 750,000 square feet of distribution warehouse space, doubling their current square footage, and creating 320 new jobs in San Marcos. The expansion is located at 2301 Hunter Road where HEB currently has approximately 534 full time partners in San Marcos to handle the operation requirements for shipping to all HEB stores, operating 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

What is the most significant development planned for 2010 in San Marcos?

Grifols, Inc., a global healthcare company that focuses on the production of life-saving medicines derived from donations of human plasma, announced a two-phase $76 million project to construct a Laboratory, Warehouse and Fractionation Facility over the next four years.

Phase I includes a 72,000 square foot Plasma Research and Testing Facility, completion in 2010, and phase 2 includes a Warehouse to store plasma, paste and commodities and Fractionation Plant, completion in 2012-2013.

This is the first manufacturing facility of its type in Texas and sixth such facility in the United States. The project will be located in the River Ridge Business Park in San Marcos, Texas and create 190 new jobs for our community. continued on page next page

Visit the Chamber’s Website at www.sanmarcostexas.com for more information on the Awards Gala, and to find out how to reserve your seat at the Texas Hold-Em Poker Tournament!

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City of San Marcos Receives Bond Rating Upgrade The City of San Marcos has recently received upgraded bond ratings from Standard & Poor’s and praise for its financial practices.

Saturday, March 20, 2010 More information to come

continued from page 11

What types of businesses and industries is San Marcos seeking to attract most?

The four main targets for business and industry in San Marcos are Health Care, Corporate and Professional Operations, Materials Science and Advanced Manufacturing, and Supply Chain Management. In addition, we continue to focus on tourism, downtown development, general aviation and green industries.

Characterize San Marcos’ ability accommodate residential growth?

to

for several industries including biomedical and green industries. With this state-of-theart center, we anticipate innovation to drive our local economy for San Marcos and the region.

And, despite the downturn in the economy, we continue to attract new development and expand local companies in our area. This year, we announced a total of 584 new jobs created. In addition, we announced 600 reserves to be housed in a new $29 million Army Reserve Center. New capital investment announced in 2009 is valued at $195.5 million.

What are San Marcos’ best attributes?

San Marcos continues to grow at a steady rate, and local developers continue to bring new residential opportunities to the area including multi-family and single family dwellings. At Blanco Vista, we have 1800 lots remaining for development and 260 developed lots. Paso Robles, a 1300 acre mixed use residential project located on Hunter and Centerpoint Road, will be a premier residential community for the region. The development includes 2600 single family estate lots and provides an active adult setting.

Characterize San Marcos’ ability accommodate industrial growth?

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We have several industrial parks, Greenfield sites, and significant support for new industry.

San Marcos Manufacturing Association is the oldest association of its kind in the state of Texas. The organization provides addition local support to companies that locate in our area. In addition, we have focused our recruitment and incentive policies to support industrial development.

What excites you about San Marcos’ economic development?

Texas State University is planning a research and commercialization center in San Marcos that will support advanced materials research

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San Marcos has attractive quality of life amenities and an ever increasing pipeline of graduates from Texas State University – San Marcos, the fifth largest university in Texas.

We are centrally located between two major metropolitan statistical areas with over 160 miles of extraterritorial jurisdiction – plenty of room to grow in the future. Our extensive frontage along I/35 corridor provides us with exposure to the growing region. And, the San Marcos Municipal Airport is adding a new tower and additional security fencing to accommodate our growing general aviation sector. Gary Job Corps, the largest job corps in the nation, is poised to provide training and additional workforce for companies relocating or expanding in San Marcos. Finally, we have one of the strongest manufacturing sectors along the I/35 corridor which is further enhanced by our recent announcements with the expansion of HEB ($90 Million), Grifols, Inc. ($76 Million), Central Texas Medical Center ($18.5 Million), McCoy’s Corporate Office ($7.9 Million) and Grifols, Inc. ($76 Million).

Standard & Poor’s has raised the City’s water and wastewater revenue bond rating from A+ to AA-, a measure of credit-worthiness that helps the City receive better interest rates on long term debt.

San Marcos was cited for the City’s strong bond coverage, liquidity, rate structure and planning for capital expenditures in the next decade.

“This is a major accomplishment, considering the national economy and the financial outlook for many cities, as well as many businesses and the bond market,” said Rick Menchaca, City Manager. “It reflects the diligent attention paid to our financial condition and long term financial strategy by our City Council and staff.” In the past year, the City Manager has restructured debt, updated governing policies and designed several tools as part of the finance and debt strategy.

In its statement, the financial credit rating firm noted that “Standard & Poor’s deems San Marcos’ financial management practices “Strong” under its Financial Management Assessment (FMA) methodology. The city’s FMA was revised to ‘strong’ from ‘good’ based on its policies regarding budget amendments and updates. The Council receives quarterly financial reports as well as monthly sales tax updates.”

The rating reflected S&P’s review of the local economy, the strong historical assessed valuation growth, and “the strong financial performance, leading to high reserves, boosted by strong policies.”

S&P also reaffirmed the City’s AA- bond rating earlier this summer for the City’s issuance of $49.7 million in certificates of obligation and general obligation bonds to fund a variety of street, drainage, sidewalks, and utility projects and for refunding previous debt. The interest rates on the sale ranged from 3.3% to 4.6%.

EDSM is located at 202 N. C.M. Allen Pkwy., San Marcos, TX 78666. You can contact by phone at (512) 393-8400, or visit their Website at www.ecodevsanmarcos.org

www.soarsanmarcos.com

McCoy’s Building Supply Wins Industry Award McCoy’s Building Supply was recognized by Home Channel News magazine as the 2009 Pro Dealer of the Year during their annual Pro Dealer Industry Summit, held Oct. 7-9 in Phoenix, Ariz.

From HCN’s listing of the top 500 building supply pro dealers in the nation, the San Marcos-based company was the largest retailer to show an increase in sales during 2008, despite the current economic recession and upset in the U.S. housing market.

“This year, in looking over our Top 500 list and talking to industry sources, McCoy’s was a clear choice,” said Ken Clark, the magazine’s editor in chief. “Besides their growth in 2008—bucking the industry trend—their recent investment in a new headquarters building reflects the company’s belief in their business and confidence in the future of the industry.”

Founded in 1927, McCoy’s has evolved from a small, one-store operation in Galveston into an expansive regional corporation with 83 stores located throughout five states and annual sales in excess of $600 million.

“McCoy’s isn’t immune to the economic downturn, but our crews have worked very hard to continue to serve our customers like nobody else,” said Brian McCoy, the company’s president and chief executive officer “This award is a testimony to what dedicated team members McCoy’s has. I couldn’t be more proud of my team, and I look forward to growing our business and serving our communities with them in the future.”

Long-term service is point of pride for the building supply retailer. In the commons area of their headquarters building is a display listing their 500 most tenured employees.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average employment tenure in the United States is 4.1 years, with retail jobs like McCoy’s typically having a shorter tenure at 2.9 years. The building materials retailer breaks the mold for both categories with longer than typical tenure from its employees. The average employee tenure at McCoy’s is 6.3 years.

McCoy’s shatters many standards for typical retailer behavior, including their long-standing tradition of remaining closed on Sundays.

company that allows them dependable time with their families each week. This simple expression of respect for the private lives of our employees is repaid many times over in loyalty.

Although I know some customers enjoy being able to shop whenever they wish, others shop with us six days a week precisely because we are closed on Sundays.”

Past recipients of the Pro Dealer of the Year award include Curtis Lumber, Carter Lumber, ProBuild Holdings, BMHC, Builders FirstSource, 84 Lumber, Shelter Products, Leeds Building Products and Foxworth-Galbraith.

– FROM HOME CHANNEL NEWS www.homechannelnews.com Article printed from San Marcos Mercury: www.sanmarcosmercury.com

San Marcos Breaks Ground on Airport Tower The City of San Marcos broke ground a new $2.2 million control tower on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at San Marcos Municipal Airport.

The tower will be part of the Federal Contract Tower Program and staffed by four to six civilian Air Traffic Controllers.

The 9-story facility will have 2,295 square feet, including a base building, elevator, and control cab where professional air traffic controllers will manage flights in and out of the reliever airport.

Staffing levels will be determined by the FAA and the contracted agency based on factors including traffic volumes and daily patterns of activity. Salaries for the controllers will be paid by the FAA. The $2.2 million project will be built by Zapalac/ Reed Construction of Austin and is expected to be completed in the spring and operational in the summer of 2010 following FAA certification.

The airport tower will mean safer air operations at the reliever airport, which serves as home base for more than 200 aircraft, the Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, 12 airport businesses and hundreds of transient flights each month.

“We are also moving forward on the North Side Development, which will create a new front door to the airport and provide executive hangars, new utilities and new apron areas for aircraft,” Mayor Narvaiz said.

In the next 12 to 18 months, some $8 million in federal, state, local and private funds will be invested at San Marcos Municipal Airport.

Speakers at the ground breaking included City Manager Rick Menchaca, Mayor Narvaiz, and Chuck Nash, Chair of the Airport Commission.

The Commemorative Air Force marked the ground breaking with a flyover of World War II aircraft preserved at the CAF museum located at the airport. The 1,350-acre air field first opened during World War II as a training base for the U.S. Army Air Corps.

San Marcos Municipal Airport is located on Highway 21 adjacent to Gary Job Corps Center, which also was created out of the original air base in 1965.

“This project represents the leading edge of several initiatives to advance our airport,” said Mayor Susan Narvaiz.

Do something Big! Show a young person a path to success by becoming a Middle School Mentor at Goodnight Middle School.

The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas are making Big things happen!

We’re working to pair caring adult role models (Bigs) with students in need (Littles) in order to build one-to-one relationships that have lasting impacts.

Learn more about becoming a volunteer mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the San Marcos Chamber at www.bigmentoring.org or contact Aileen Hays at ahays@bbbscentraltx.org or 753-9346.

“An important part of our leadership development is the understanding that every person’s personal life is important,” said McCoy. “Our team members appreciate being a part of a

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2nd Annual San Marcos Education Fair On Saturday Oct. 10, SOAR held the second annual San Marcos Education Fair at the San Marcos Activity Center.

SOAR - which stands for “Seeking Opportunities, Achieving Results”, is a group of educational partners in San Marcos who are committed to achieving higher educational attainment.

The San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, a proud partner of the SOAR initiative, recognizes the extreme importance of higher educational attainment levels to the economic future of our region.

Workforce and Talent Development is critical to the economic well being of our community. Without an educated and trained workforce, we cannot attract the quality jobs we desire. To make that happen, education must remain priority in our community and we must continue to encourage San Marcos businesses to support educational initiatives aimed at bringing up our attainment levels. It's not just a matter of community support. It simply makes good business sense.

An educated community is a more prosperous and engaged community.

Higher educational attainment levels increase lifetime earnings significantly. This is the basis of SOAR's primary message to San Marcos –

that education pays.

Step one is graduating from high school. Many students from economically disadvantaged homes are tempted to drop out for financial reasons. But doing so limits their future opportunities. Staying in school guarantees them an average income of over $1 million dollars more than a student who does not stay in school and graduate. Yes - you heard it right – choosing not to drop out pays off – over $1 million dollars over a lifetime of earnings. That is significant.

Step two is enrolling in a trade school, college or university. Graduating from college will bring in an additional $2.1 million dollars over a lifetime.

The San Marcos Educational Partners brought this message home to San Marcos students and families in a fun and informative way at the annual San Marcos Education Fair.

Fifty five community and education partners were present at the second annual fair, offering everything from information on social services, tutoring, college access, and educational support services to fingerprinting and mentoring.

As an added bonus – there were drawings for prize giveaways for families that attended the event.

Every family attending the Education Fair was presented with an Education Passport. After visiting a minimum of 6 booths, passports were turned in and attendees were then eligible to enter drawings to win laptops, i-Pods, gift cards, bicycles and other great prizes.

The first Education Fair, held in 2008, attracted an estimated 1,500 attendees. This year's attendance topped 2,100 as students and families came to participate in workshops, handson activities and learn more from the many exhibitors at the event.

SOAR is a collaborative effort and welcomes the help and support of any organization wishing to make a difference in San Marcos Education.

SOAR encourages partnerships and collaboration and looks for ways to create greater impact by combining resources and eliminating duplication of effort.

The San Marcos Education Committee, a volunteer committee of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, proudly partners with SOAR to make a real difference in education attainment in San Marcos.

For more information on how you can participate and make a difference please call the Chamber at (512) 393-5900.

Weekly E-Newsletter and Quarterly Newsletter Advertising Opportunities

2010 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Weekly E-Newsletter Emailed every Monday (except when a holiday falls on a Monday, then emailed on Tuesday) Camera-ready art must be received by noon the Thursday before the newsletter is sent out. Formats Accepted: jpg, bmp, gif, pdf, psd, png, tiff, pub or ai**

2010 Calendar of Events

Business Card Size Ad: Link to your Website $30 per ad, for businesses $25 per ad, for Non-Profits Free Business Card ad in Quarterly Newsletter if your ad is run in 8 consecutive Weekly E-Newsletters

Block Size Ad (up to a 1/3 page size): Multiple links can be inserted, e.g., to company Website, email addresses, promotional flyers, etc. $75 per ad, for businesses $65 per ad, for Non-Profits Free Half Page ad in Quarterly Newsletter if your ad is run in 8 consecutive Weekly E-Newsletters

Quarterly Newsletter Formats accepted: jpg, bmp, gif, pdf, psd, png, tiff, pub or ai** Camera-ready art is due the third Friday of the month prior to the month of the publication Business Card (3.5”w X 2”h): 6 spaces available per newsletter $150 per ad, for businesses $125 per ad, for Non-Profits

1/4 Page Ad (8” w X 2.5”h): 2 Spaces available per newsletter $250 per ad, for businesses $200 per ad, for Non-Profits

Half Page Ad (8”w X 5.5”h or 4.25”w X 10.5”h): 1 space available per newsletter $500 per ad, for businesses $400 per ad, for Non-Profits

Full Page Ad (8”w X 10.5”h): 1 space available per newsletter $750 per ad, for businesses $625 per ad, for Non-Profits

Ad Design We will design your ad for an additional $20.00 for Business Card sized ads, $40.00 for Block and half-page ads or $50.00 for full-page ads. You must provide us with the text, graphics and/or pictures you would like in the ad in one of these formats: jpeg, bmp, gif, pdf, pub, psd, png or tiff. All text, graphics and pictures must be received within two weeks of newsletter distribution.

If you would like to find out more about advertising in the Chamber’s Weekly E-Newsletter or Quarterly Newsletter, please contact Eric Bonar, Communications Manager, by phone at (512) 393-5913 or by email at ericb@sanmarcostexas.com

CAMPO 2035 Transportation Plan WHEN: Thursday, December 3, 2009 WHERE: San Marcos Activity Center 501 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos, TX TIMES: 7:00 a.m. - Registration & Networking 7:05 a.m. - Breakfast line opens 7:30 a.m. - Program begins

SPONSORED BY: Halff & Associates www.halff.com

COST: $10.00 - If RSVP received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 27, 2009; $12.50 for walk-ins and non-Chamber members

January 14 Eggs & Issues 21 Prime Time Mixer February 18 Business after Hours 20 Bowl For Kids Sake 26 Economic Outlook Luncheon March 18 Eggs & Issues 20 Green Living Showcase 25 Business after Hours April 15 22-25 29

Eggs & Issues Central Texas Golf Fest Business after Hours

May 13 20

Eggs & Issues Business after Hours

June 10

Chamber Luau

July All month: “Early Readers Become Leaders” Book Drive 22 Business After-Hours 29 Legislative Update Luncheon August 25-26 San Marcos Business Expo September 16 Eggs & Issues 23 Speed Networking October 9 San Marcos Education Fair 14 Eggs & Issues November 12 Annual Awards Gala December 2 Eggs & Issues 9 Business after Hours If you are interested in sponsoring an event in 2010, please contact the Chamber by phone at (512) 393-5900, or by email at chamber@sanmarcostexas.com 15

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 152 San Marcos, Texas 78666-2310

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

Quarterly Calendar of Events For additional information, please visit the Chamber’s Online Community Calendar at www.sanmarcostexas.com

October 10/1 10/2 10/5 10/6 10/8 10/10 10/12 10/13 10/14 10/15

10/16 New Member Orientation 10/19-10/23 Chamber of Commerce Week 10/19 City Candidates Debate 10/22 Business Development Committee meeting 10/26 Natural Resources Committee meeting 10/28 Leads Group 2 meeting Board of Directors meeting 10/30 Last day for Early Voting New Member Orientation from Membership Event 10/31 Halloween Texas State Bobcats Homecoming Game

Education Committee meeting Leads Group 1 meeting Austin-San Antonio Growth Summit Last day to register to vote Ambassador Club meeting Eggs & Issues Breakfast: TexHealth Central Texas Education Fair (p 14) San Marcos Pet Fest Columbus Day Special Events Committee meeting Leads Group 2 meeting Government Affairs Committee meeting Leads Group 1 meeting State of the City Address

November 11/3 11/5

11/6

11/10 11/11

Election Day Ambassador Club meeting Rollin’ on the River San Marcos Property Tour (p 8) Education Committee meeting Leads Group 1 meeting

11/18 11/19

11/23 11/25 11/26

Chamber Awards Gala Banquet & Auction

Special Events Committee meeting Veterans Day (Chamber offices closed) Leads Group 2 meeting

Board of Directors meeting (moved up 1 week) Government Affairs Committee meeting Leads Group 1 meeting Experts to Debate the Impact of Healthcare Reform on Business and Economy (p 10) Natural Resources Committee meeting Leads Group 2 meeting Thanksgiving Chamber offices closed 11/26 & 11/27

December 12/1 12/3

Ambassador Club meeting Eggs & Issues Breakfast: CAMPO 2035 Transportation Plan (p 15) Education Committee meeting Leads Group 1 meeting 12/8 Special Events Committee meeting 12/9 Leads Group 2 meeting 12/10 CTMC Holiday Mixer 12/11 Hanukkah

12/16 12/17 12/21 12/23 12/24 12/25 12/31

Board of Directors meeting (moved up 1 week) Government Affairs Committee meeting Leads Group 1 meeting First Day of Winter Leads Group 2 meeting Christmas Eve (Chamber offices closed) Christmas (Chamber offices closed) New Year’s Eve - Chamber offices closed