Klc biz 11 14 by Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce

Volume 6, No. 11

November 2014

Business Kelso Longview

Calendar Tuesday

November 4 ELECTION DAY Be sure to Vote!

Tuesday

November 4 – 5:30 p.m. Business After Hours Gibbs & Olson 1157 3rd Ave., Ste. 219, Longview

Wednesday

November 5 – 7:30 a.m. Education Foundation Committee Canterbury Park 1335 3rd Ave., Longview

Connection Chamber of Commerce

Don’t let the Grinch steal your holidays

Thursday

November 6 – 7:30 a.m. Ambassador Committee Canterbury Park 1335 3rd Ave., Longview

Monday

November 10 – Noon Government Affairs Committee Teri’s 3225 Ocean Beach Hwy., Longview

Thursday

November 13 – 5:30 p.m. LCP Bunco FUN-raiser The “Eagle’s Nest” 1526 12th Ave., Longview

Wednesday

November 19 – 5–7:30 p.m. Port Report Cowlitz Regional Conference Center 1900 7th Ave., Longview

Thursday & Friday

November 27 & 28 Chamber Office Closed

Every Wednesday

Chamber Connections KEDO/1400 AM – 3-4 p.m. Stream live at www.threeriversradio.com Local guest and current events

By Brenda Sexton For the Kelso Longview Chamber The holidays can be a boon for small businesses, but getting hit by theft in any form can turn seasonal joy into bah-humbug. Theft of packages and holiday boxes, whether on your doorstep at home or at your business, rises in November and December. There are no national statistics on doorstep thefts, but reports of local episodes abound – most recently a large group that was investigated by the Sheriffs office. Kelso Police Chief Andrew Hamilton said some thieves follow UPS and FedEx delivery trucks along their routes and nab the gifts, while others simply drive through residential neighborhoods looking for unat-

tended packages. “This is common at this time of year,” Chief Hamilton said. “We’re trying to take a proactive approach to curtail this.” Americans make more and more online purchases each year, with many of them being left on doorsteps, providing ample opportunity for thieves to strike. Hamilton said the Better Business Bureau now recommends customers be proactive, asking their shipping companies for tracking numbers and requiring signatures upon delivery. If they are not at home, customers should ask for their packages to be held at a local shipping center, or have someone there to receive the package.

Please see Crime, page 2

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Crime from page 1

• Build • Gender

SHOPLIFTING

• Clothing (top to bottom and inside out)

The holidays often bring more foot traffic into stores, making it hard for a smaller staff to keep and eye on, or provide service to, everyone at the same time. This can increase the opportunity for shoplifters to take advantage of business owners.

• Direction of travel (give a landmark) • Vehicle (color, year, make, body style and license plate. Remember CYMBAL

“What happens in your store is something you have a great deal of control over,” Hamilton said. He offered these tips:

For example: This is John Smith from the store XX, we have two white males about 18 years old who just took some picture frames. They left and are running west toward Grade Street. One is about 5'10" with a black ball cap, red Nike T-shirt and white shorts. He has a goatee. The second male is over 6' with short brown hair, heavyset and is wearing a blue basketball jersey over a white Tshirt and baggy black pants. They got in an 80s full size Olds Cutlass, blue with wide tires. It looks like an Oregon plate, TTS-513 or something close to that. They left toward the theater.

• Greet people as they walk in. • Place your workstations / cash registers near the front doors. • Work with other stores to alert each other of problems. • Have the items, which are easily shoplifted, protected in a case, placed out in the open up high, packaged in larger packing. Customer service is the best deterrent, the non-professional will think twice once recognized and spoken to, Hamilton said.

Be brief, breathe and be to the point. The dispatcher will cue you on much of the information needed.

OBSERVATION IS THE KEY: EMPLOYEE THEFT

• Does the person fit your store?

Other times, Hamilton said, the theft comes from within the business. Employees, especially since often they are quickly hired to help with the busy holiday season, have been known to take money and merchandise. Here are a few quick tip offs:

• Do they belong there during the time of day? • Are there more than one? Lookouts accompany the thief. • What are they carrying to use to steal merchandise? • What department are they in? Do they fit?

• Look for the obvious, for example, $17,000 from a store where the average price of an item is $5.

• Are they spending a long time milling around?

• Listen to what others are telling you.

• Are they coming and going outside repeatedly?

• Make sure your policies are being followed.

• Does their clothing look funny? For example, a big, baggy jacket when it’s 88 degrees outside.

• NO ONE ever steals money from an employer; they just borrow it and then can’t pay it back.

• Does the stroller look different now than when they came in? WHAT TO REPORT:

FRAUD and FORGERY

There are specific things you can do to report a shoplifting crime that will help responding police officers.

The spirit of giving can strain even the best of budgets, but some people rely on criminal activity to put their gifts under the tree. Be on the look out, and protect yourself and your business, from use of:

1) Describe What You Have Shoplift in progress, shoplifter in custody with /no problems, shoplifter running with or without merchandise, shoplifter just assaulted clerk, etc.

• Stolen checks

2) Describe the Suspect(s)

• Stolen credit cards

• Age

• False returns

• Race

Wednesday, November 19th Cowlitz Conference Center 5:30pmâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;7:30pm Great things are happening at our Cowlitz County Ports! We will have the Executive Director from Woodland, Kalama and Longview Ports to give you an update on what is happening and what the future holds for one of the only shipping areas left in the United States that can offer rail, trucking and Cargo shipping via a deep water port. Presented by the CEDC and Kelso Longview Chamber

$25 in Advance (by Nov. 17th) $35 at the door.

Heavy hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres, desserts, coffee, sodas and a no host bar.

Geir-Eilif Kalhagen

Jennifer Keene

Mark Wilson

Chief Executive Officer

Executive Director

Port of Longview

Port of Woodland

Port of Kalama

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

CEO’s Message

Guide makes planning for life after high school easier By Bill Marcum CEO – Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Research confirms that high school-age students depend foremost on their parents to help them plan their education/career, yet parents have little in the way of resources to guide them. High School and Beyond gives parents the information they need to help their children prepare for the future. It includes detailed sections on career assessment; career pathways; graduation requirements; education, technical training, and apprenticeship options; financial aid; job search; and community resources. Best of all, the content of the guide was developed by local high school counselors and career specialists in consultation with school administrators and the Longview Kelso Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation.

In recent conversations with friends and family who have college-bound children, I’ve come to realize how much things have changed since I attended college. It certainly didn’t seem complicated back then. You had many of the same choices you have today – join the military, enter the workforce, attend a trade school or go to college, but the options within those areas were much more narrow and the process toward acceptance into these programs much more clear. It’s enough to make a kid's head spin and overwhelm parents, creating additional stress, quite frankly, during what should be a time of joy. That’s why I’m excited to be part of the upcoming High School and Beyond: A Family Resource Guide.

In 2015 we will be producing a digital version and a printed version called www.Myhighschoolandbeyond.org and it will be made available to every high school student in Cowlitz County. To accomplish this task we will need to raise nearly $15,000 in contributions from our local businesses and education resources. So, if you are looking for an end of the year donation or just planning for 2015, please include this instrumental publication in your budgeting. You can view the previous guide at http://issuu.com/kelsolongviewchamber/docs/hsb-1215-web/1?e=5295546/5882640

In 2009-10 the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce’s Education Foundation with community support produced a resource guide for the parents of Cowlitz County youth. It is now time to produce this guide again for the next generation of our youth graduating during the next three years and help them plan for life beyond high school.

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Team

To participate, with your tax-deductible contribution call Karen Sisson at the Chamber 360-423-8400 or e-mail ksisson@kelsolongviewchamber.org. Thank you for helping families and students in our local school systems plan for a productive future and family wage jobs.

Bill Marcum, CEO Karen Sisson, Project Manager Amy Hallock, Bookkeeper

Special thanks to those of you who supported in 2010

Kelso Longview Business Connection is published monthly by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce. 105 N. Minor Road • Kelso, WA 98626 • 360-423-8400

Banda’s Bouquets, City of Longview, Corwin Beverages, Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Tech Prep, Ecological Land Services, Foster Farms, Happy Kids Dentistry, LCC, M&R Painting, TOYOCOM, WorkSource, WSU-Vancouver, Youth Workforce Program and Cowlitz PUD. Funding was also provided by every high school in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties.

To advertise, call Bill Marcum, 360-423-8400 or e-mail bmarcum@kelsolongviewchamber.org. Ad Deadline: 20th of each month.

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Economy rising to expectations By Ted Sprague President – Cowlitz Economic Development Council

change and other areas of the county show we are finally recovering from one of the deepest recessions in our nation’s history. Our unemployment rate, which is typically higher than state average, is down to 7 percent. Admittedly, many eligible in the workforce have dropped out, but jobs are being created and filled and workers are re-entering the workforce. If the two largest projects looking to locate at the Port of Kalama (NW Innovations) and Port of Longview (Haven Energy) come to fruition, I would say we may even be looking at a shortage in the workforce. The two projects alone will require more than 1,200 construction workers for more than three years. What a nice problem we would have… Every respected economist who addressed the recession back in 2009/2010 said it would take four to six years to recover. To this point they have been correct. We are now seeing evidence that the recovery is full steam ahead and it will lead to further diversification of our economy and better days for our tax base, working families and companies.

As evidenced by our recent brush with a tornado, the winds of change in Cowlitz County are blowing. The staff of the Cowlitz Economic Development Council (CEDC) took an opportunity October 23 to have dinner with the Woodland Quality Community Coalition to describe who we are and what we do. The idea behind the meeting was to coordinate planning so we are not duplicating efforts, but complementing and enhancing them. This fun and informal meeting is just the type of gathering that other communities participate in as well and they do an excellent job of advancing the mission and vision of community leaders. The growth that is taking place in the downtowns in Cowlitz County is impressive by any measure. New businesses are moving in, beautification and quality is on the rise and there is a general sense of community pride growing from Woodland to Castle Rock and all points in between. Not only is the commercial sector of downtowns on the rise, the new investments at the Three Rivers Mall, the Kelso inter-

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Anne O’Connor onthemark associates

Bianca Lemmons Cowlitz County Title Company

Michael Julian Kelso Theater Pub

Chris Bailey Lower Columbia College

Clayton J. Bartness, DC Longview Chiropractic Clinic

Chet Makinster Longview City Council

Jerri Henry, Past President Futcher-Henry CPA Group Joel Hanson, President KLOG/KUKN/The Wave

Dennis Weber Cowlitz County Commissioner Bob Crisman Gallery of Diamonds

Michael Claxton Walstead Mertsching

Ted Sprague Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Lance Welch PeaceHealth

Steve Taylor Kelso City Manager

Diane Craft, Vice President Koelsch Senior Communities Linda DiLembo Three Rivers Mall Julie Rinard Community Home Health & Hospice Neil Zick, Treasurer Twin City Bank

Saturday 12-20-14

Saturday, 12-20-14 in Historic Downtown Longview

Saturday December 20, 2014

It’s back with bells on! Jingle All the Way to this annual mega holiday event! Run, walk and be entertained by local musicians. Visit Santa and his holiday friends. Experience the downtown shops and eateries. Festive holiday costumes are encouraged as prizes will be awarded to best individual and group attire. Get on board for a magical evening!

4:00 pm The Rudolph Run/Kids Event

Saturday December 20, 2014

Kids Run put on by the Sandbaggers at Commerce & Broadway COST: FREE for Kids 9 and under. No registration required*

It’s back with bells on! Jingle All the Way to this annual mega holiday event!

*Parents must sign waiver for children to participate between 3-4 p.m. at race location.

Run, walkAwarded and be entertained by localofmusicians. Visit5 and Santa and heat his PRIZES: to top 3 ﬁnishers 9-6 heat and under holiday friends. Experience the 5:00 pm 5k Run/Walk

downtown shops and eateries. Festive

holiday costumes are encouraged as prizes Historic will be awarded At Commerce & Broadway in Downtown Longviewto best COST*: shirt/$20 noonshirt / $65 4 including 4 shirts individual$25 andwith group attire. Get board for aFamily magicalofevening! (more family registrations can be purchased for additional $10 with shirt) *A portion will beneﬁt the Chamber’s Lower Columbia Professionals Scholarship Fund

Company Discounts**: $2 off per registration (25-99 employee registrations) or $5 off per registration (100+ employee registrations)

4:00 pm The Rudolph Run/Kids Event

**Company Teams must sign up through Chamber Office directly

PRIZES: Awarded to by 1stthe three male and female ﬁnishers Kids Run put on Sandbaggers REGISTRATION DEADLINE: at Commerce & Broadway Friday, December 5th (to get a shirt) COST:forFREE for Kids andavailable under. Nothrough registration Registration no-shirt will9be dayrequired* of race *Parents must sign waiver for children to participate between 3-4 p.m. REGISTER: www.kelsolongviewchamber.org at race location PACKET PICK-UP: December 19th at the MERK building PRIZES : Awarded to top 3 finishers of 9-6 heat (Commerce & Broadway) 10am-5pm and 5 and under heat

5:00 pm 5k Run/Walk At Commerce & Broadway in Downtown Historic Longview COST*: $25 with shirt/$20 no shirt $65 Family of 4 including 4 shirts (more family registrations can be purchased for additional $10 with shirt) *A portion will beneﬁt the Chamber’s Lower Columbia

Professionals Scholarship Bronze Bell Sponsors: Family Health Center,Fund ServPro, Humane Society, Onthemark, Summerland Catering, Company Discounts**: Frontier Rehabilitation & Extended Care, Ashtown Brewing Co., Americana Health & Rehabilitation, Gallery of Diamonds, Cowlitz Valley Runners, Wilco, The Merk,registrations) American Medical Response, Scoops & Sweets $2 off per registration (25-99 employee

or $5 off per registration (100+ employee registrations) **Company Teams must sign up through Chamber Office directly

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Mind Your Own Business (at the Library)

Rocking the world of leadership

By Chris Skaugset Director – Longview Public Library

Another hugely successful coach is Phil Jackson who has won 11 NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers. In Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success, Jackson and co-author Hugh Delehanty not only tell Jackson’s life story but ultimately how to get the most out of not only yourself but, more importantly for business owners, those around you. While sports fans might be disappointed in the lack of meaty details about his professional career as a player and a coach, others looking for insights into leadership and perhaps a different way of leading will find useful information here. From the professional realm one might also take a look at The Winning Spirit: 16 Timeless Principles that Drive Performance Excellence by Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana and Tom Mitchell. We next turn to a much earlier leader in James C. Rees’ George Washington’s Leadership Lessons: What the Father of Our Country Can Teach Us about Effective Leadership and Character. Rees, the executive director of Mount Vernon, takes the reader on a journey into Washington’s character and how that made him not only successful as a military leader and a president, but as a businessman, and entrepreneur, as well. It is his character and his vision that made him successful then and that the author believes should be emulated by leaders today. Another title in the same vein, but a little older, that might be worth checking out is Xenophon’s Cyrus the Great: The Arts of Leadership and War edited by Larry Hedrick. The success of each of these authors/subjects in their chosen fields goes without question and each of them has something to teach the reader willing to take the time to not only read the books in question but see how what they learn can make them better leaders and ultimately more successful.

Leadership is necessary in many aspects of life and in many careers. There are shelves and shelves of books on leadership written by business leaders; ranging from good to bad and helpful to useless. However, there have been other leadership books written by people whose first career isn’t business but have experience (and interesting stories) that make for valuable information to anyone interested in leadership or improving their leadership skills. I’ve pulled out a few of the more interesting ones to introduce you to here. All of these, and many more, can be found at your local Longview library where you can…whatever it is you want to do. The first is a new book by rock legend, and always, shall we say, interesting guy, Gene Simmons called Me, Inc.: Build an Army of One, Unleash Your Inner Rock God, Win in Life and Business. The bass player from KISS, whose entrepreneur endeavors expand into reality television and sports team, record company, and restaurant chain ownership, has written a book inspired by Lao-Tzu’s Art of War. In this fascinating book, Simmons gives entrepreneurs stories and tips to being successful not only in business but in life as well. If you want another perspective, you might turn to the classic book that inspired Simmons. Mike Krzyzewski, better known as Coach K, the Hall of Fame basketball coach who has built one of the greatest college basketball programs at Duke University, gives his own take on how to be successful in his book Beyond Basketball: Coach K’s Keywords for Success co-written with Jamie K. Spatola. While not necessarily overtly stating the connections between successful coaching and successful business leadership, the authors do an excellent job of showing the five fundamental qualities that have made Krzyzewski successful in coaching, and in life overall, and that he looks for, and teaches, in his program: communication, trust, collective responsibility, caring, and pride. The reader also might take a look at legendary coach John Wooden’s Wooden on Leadership written with Steve Jamison for another similar perspective.

Facilitating Growth Through Leadership and Action

We are a membership based not-for-profit organization. Join us today! Resources • Access • Partnerships

1452 Hudson St. • US Bank Building Suite 208 • Longview, WA 360.423.9921 www.cowlitzedc.com

We need your help!

Hundreds of lights not working,

lighted displays need repair, Help us continue this wonderful and magical community event. Donate at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Please Donate Today!

This year, the event is on Saturday, December 6th. The parade begins at 5:00 p.m., running down Commerce Ave., Maple, 14th, Broadway and around the Civic Circle by the library, ending in front of the Monticello Hotel. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in their sleigh at the hotel, as a local choir sings â&#x20AC;&#x153;Here Comes Santa Claus.â&#x20AC;? Santa then turns on the lights inside the Civic Circle park with a little holiday magic. St. Nick will be available for kids to visit with, and hot chocolate will be served by the local Altrusa group. Mark your calendars for this wonderful community event!

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Business Toolbox

Buying or selling your business By Jerry D. Petrick Certified Business Adviser On a regular basis I work with buyers and sellers of businesses. In this article, I thought I would walk you through some considerations from an adviser’s point-of-view when helping you in buying/selling a business. As you read this, think about it as if you were in the position to buy or sell your business. The business purchase or sale situation presents an opportunity to educate the client to the reality of the situation. Among the issues I seek to assess and assist with are: • Seller motivation and goals • Buyer capability and motivation • Education on the business buy/sell process SELLER MOTIVATION AND GOALS For the seller, I want to know “why you are selling?” and we will almost always have to dig beyond the initial rationalization. Many times it is an act of desperation or surrender rather than a valid exit strategy. A rule of thumb in the M&A (mergers and acquisitions) game is that sellers decide to sell two years after they should have. In small business, there is a huge difference between exit and escape, the latter being almost always at a loss. Businesses without revenues are generally only worth break-up value. THE BUY/SELL PROCESS The private sale of any business, regardless of size, follows a certain procedure. People think they can streamline the process for a very small business sale transaction and cut right to the sale. That is very dangerous. The steps to successful business buy/sell are: 1. Seller chooses sale as exit strategy 2. Seller packages and markets business 3. Buyer does initial evaluation 4. Buyer submits conditional offer 5. Negotiation and acceptance

6. Due Diligence 7. Final negotiation 8. Execution of Purchase and Sale Agreement 9. Transition of ownership and operations Skipping any of these essential processes may result in a sale, but it will always cause problems after the sale, likely for both parties. The first three steps involve valuation of the business. First and foremost, a valuation provides a reality check on the feasibility of a purchase or sale so the overly optimistic buyer or seller is stopped before a lot of time and resources are wasted. PACKAGING A BUSINESS FOR SALE It may not be easy for an entrepreneur to reorganize the business so that he or she is not essential to its operation, but that is crucial if it is to be sold. Improving efficiency is also a good strategy to improve the valuation. Finally, cleaning up for a good presentation helps attract buyers. The initial sales material includes a description of the business and a summary of assets included by category and sales and profit figures for the last three years. It should also include a mention of added value intangibles like leases, patents and contracts, again, without the details. Expense details and customer lists should never be disclosed at this point because they can be very damaging in the hands of a competitor and encourage a potential buyer to become one. “When can I talk to the employees?” is a question buyers will ask and sellers should consider long before they do. It is part of that packaging for sale. Identifying key personnel and making them part of the transition plan must be done before the business can be marketed. A seller may be hesitant to put an asking price in the initial sales material for fear of precluding a higher offer but the buyer of anything wants to know the price early on. There is nothing wrong with the strategy of putting the asking price at the high end, leaving room to negotiate, but asking much more will shut out any

Please see Petrick, page 11

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Petrick from page 10

probably with a different basis. A transfer price over the seller’s basis is a recapture of depreciation, taxed as ordinary income to seller. Equipment $xxx – generally depreciated in 5 to 10 years from in-service date. Generally the buyer will depreciate over the remainder, probably with a different basis. Allocation over seller’s basis is a recapture of depreciation, taxed as ordinary income to seller. Inventory $xxx – expensed as it is sold. Usually priced below cost, which was a write-off to seller in prior accounting periods, without affecting buyer. Goodwill $xxx – depreciated over 15 years from the transfer so buyer usually wants to minimize this allocation. Allocation over basis is a capital gain to seller, so sellers usually want to maximize goodwill value. This component is often negotiated fiercely. Transition Services (services provided by seller after the sale to facilitate transition to new owner) $xxx – expensed over the time services are rendered, ordinary income to seller. It is common that the payment for the allocation for transition services be done when services are rendered according to terms, not at the closing. Non-Compete Agreement $xxx – expensed over the life of the contract. Like transition services, payment may be deferred. Note: There is quite a bit of leeway in valuing transition services and a non-compete agreement because they are intangibles. Often these components can make up for slack in negotiations over the value of hard assets. Purchase price allocation is often overlooked but has huge long-term implications! • This offer is valid until noon on <date>. If it has not been accepted in writing by seller by that time, it shall be considered withdrawn and have no binding effect. • From the date of seller’s acceptance of this offer, buyer shall have <number> of days to perform due diligence of the business, during which period buyer shall have full access to all business records and assets. Optional: Buyer shall execute a non-disclosure agreement in favor of seller at the commencement of due diligence. • A closing will take place no later than <date>and a purchase and sale agreement, which shall include any of these conditions still applicable, shall be executed at that time. Optional: There

potential buyer with the business savvy necessary to operate the business. Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advisers cannot act as agents and most brokers will not handle the smallest of business deals. Often the most likely buyers already have a relationship with the business – stakeholders like employees, competitors, customers and suppliers. BUYER MOTIVATION AND GOALS Buyers should also be alerted to seller “tricks” that appear to add to valuation but have a cost after the sale. Deferring maintenance or capitalizing it instead of expensing, buying sales by sacrificing margins, infusing owner cash and cutting necessary staff or owner salary below market are common tricks. Many of these do not show until due diligence – by historical comparison or measure against industry standards. THE OFFER NOTE: The following is not a substitute for competent legal and/ or accounting advice. The advice of these professionals should be sought prior to taking any actions in these areas. No contract is legally enforceable without an offer and acceptance. The buyer’s offer is the first step to the deal to transfer the business. Unfortunately, there are many wrong ways to make the offer. Firstly, the buyer should never offer to buy “the business” without defining what that is. Otherwise it is perfectly legal for the seller to remove any assets and claim they were not included in the deal. The buyer may not have had access to the asset records or depreciation schedule before making an offer. The fact that the seller refused to provide them until an offer is made is not a red flag. The offer must also be conditional to protect the buyer’s interest. Common conditions include: • The purchase price stated above will be allocated as follows: Land $xxx – cannot be depreciated so buyer would want a lower valuation. The seller may feel opposite as the increase over basis is a capital gain at lower tax rates than ordinary income. Buildings $xxx – depreciated over 29 years from original build date. Generally the buyer will depreciate over the remainder,

Please see Petrick, page 20

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Business After Hours

Tours and Treats Staff at Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery offered tours to Chamber guests during the October 14 Business After Hours event.

Bianca Lemmons and Vern Foster gobbled up treats.

See more photos on the Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facebook page or click here.

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Business After Hours

Rachel Zdilar, Longview Memorial Park, Sally Irvine and Lisa Romane, Walstead Mertsching, catching up.

Diane McCallum, Heritage Bank, Tiffany Stephans, Longview Memorial Park, and Peter Bennett, Millennium, enjoying the food.

Tiffany Stephens, Longview Memorial Park, baked a delicious array of Halloween treats for the eveningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guests.

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Council of Governments

COG among several local Governor’s Smart Choices Award recipients By Bill Fashing Executive Director – Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments

City, the Port, and COG were recognized

The City of Kalama, Port of Kalama, and the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments (COG) were recently presented with the Governor’s Smart Choices Award. The awards were announced in July; however, a representative from the Washington State Department of Commerce delivered the awards to Kalama City Hall recently. The award recognizes the outstanding efforts of local communities and their partners to create quality communities through achieving community development objectives. The

specifically

for

the development of Kalama’s Mixed-Use Zoning District. COG staff serves as the City of Kalama planning staff and assisted in the development of the Mixed-Use Zoning District. Adam Smee, Kalama city administrator, presented the award to the COG Board of Directors on October 23.

November 3, 2014 Member Notification of Nominations for the Kelso-‐Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to fulfill a three year terms on the board replacing the directors whose regular terms are expiring or have expired. There are currently three positions open on the board of Directors including one position continuing for a second term. Slate of Nominations to fill expired Director Positions for January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017 are: Proposed New Board Members: Frank Panarra, Foster Farms Wendy Hutchinson, Millennium Re-‐Election to a second board term: Julie Rinard, Community Home Health Hospice As accordance with our Bylaws – Additional candidates for Director may be nominated by petition bearing the genuine original signatures of at least twenty (20) members of the Chamber. Such petition shall be filed with the Nominating Committee within ten (10) days after publication of the nominations. The determination of the Nominating Committee as to questions concerning the petition shall be final.

William G. Marcum Jr Chief Executive Officer Kelso-‐Longview Chamber of Commerce 105 Minor RD Kelso, WA 98626

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Coupons...Don’t Count! By Chuck Nau Retail Consultant and Sales and Management Trainer Murray & Nau, Inc.

In other words, a good method to track advertising effectiveness is to track revenue changes. Two weeks PRIOR to scheduling their first ad in an advertising campaign, the retailer should review total revenue for the entire store in a given time period (e.g. each day). The retailer should then monitor total revenue DURING the advertising campaign (e.g. while the ads are running) and, finally, the retailer should analyze total revenue for the entire store in the same given time period (e.g. each day) two weeks AFTER the ad campaign is completed. In this manner, the retailer is able to observe any revenue shifts due, in part, to their advertising investment. Many variables may affect the response to a retailer’s coupon offer – price, merchandise, percent of discount offered, coupon face value, store inventory, media used, weather, competitive offerings and location of the coupon within the media (... location on the page, page location within the vehicle, coupon location among other coupons within the vehicle). Additionally, market characteristics or demos may preclude high coupon redemption plus the age-old adage... “I forgot it!”

Did you schedule or place a coupon advertisement for your business, today? Did you schedule a coupon ad with your local newspaper or in some other media to count responses or in other words, to measure or track your advertising in that particular media? If you did, you may be putting your advertising investment, your business’ image and reputation, and your own personal and business success AT RISK! Coupons... Don’t Count! Coupons are a promotional tool. Coupons give bearers of the coupon an extra bonus, typically, in the form of a price reduction, and to promote a specific product or promotion within their business or service franchise for a limited time basis. Coupons... Don’t Count!

Coupons... Don’t Count!

Coupons are a call to action used by knowledgeable businesses to motivate potential buyers to act now to receive a limited offer or price or to participate in a time sensitive promotional event. Coupons may also bring in a less profitable customer.

Coupons are a promotional tool. When a retailer or potential advertiser considers using a coupon, he is reducing his profitability on that particular product or service. Noncoupon ads that include a simple, easily recognizable layout, with a dominant element (illustration/artwork) or theme, and an attention-grabbing benefit headline may generate a more loyal and profitable customer! If you, or your business, are planning on using a coupon in your advertising, be sure to ascertain what marketing strategy you want to accomplish by using a coupon. Using a coupon to motivate customers, who may be less profitable to your business, for a one time visit or purchase may significantly impact your bottom line. Don’t forget the value equation. A business that guarantees lowest price or features continual sale efforts will need a

Coupons... Don’t Count! Coupons should NOT be used by a small business, retailer or service provider to count responses or to track “so-called results” in a particular media vehicle (... direct mail, online, magazine, newspaper). If a retailer or potential advertiser wishes to count or TRACK response to a particular advertisement or a series of ads, the retailer should monitor a variable (total number of transactions, sales totals for ALL inventory, sales totals for ADVERTISED item(s) or revenue) over a given time period.

Please see Nau, page 17

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Nau, from page 16 larger dollar investment in advertising to continually reinforce this message. When you advertise price, or if you are only selling price you have to continue to lower the price, or come up with enhanced incentives, on an ongoing basis in

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Lower Columbia College

Lower Columbia honors those who have served with Smart Service By Chris Bailey President – Lower Columbia College Each year more than 10,000 military service members leaving active duty are projected to make Washington state their home. Even as overseas actions wind down in future years, that number is expected to remain about 6,000 annually after 2016. Our state is consistently third or fourth highest in the nation for Army Unemployment Compensation recipients. Lower Columbia College (LCC) has seen many new veterans, and their dependents, enroll this fall to prepare for careers in the civilian workforce. Our goal is to help them make the most of their education benefits to secure family-wage jobs and to become part of the skilled workforce that supports our regional economy. Most of the 154 students qualifying for benefits through the GI bill at LCC this fall are post-911 veterans and dependents of veterans. In addition to the services available to all of our students, we have a talented four-person team, three are veterans themselves, who assist our student veterans with navigating the college process and the requirements to access their education benefits. LCC veterans are very focused on completing their programs of study in order to re-enter the workforce, according to Alyssa Joyner, a Vet Corps member assigned to LCC. Alyssa is a veteran of the Gulf War, 2004-2009, who clearly understands the special needs of returning veterans. She is available to meet with student veterans at the Veterans Corner, upstairs in the LCC Student Center. Working closely with her are Leszek Cromwell, Ian Meskew and Betty Sjoblom. Leszek, a veteran of Desert Storm 1990-1994, is an educational planner in the LCC Advising Office and adviser to the LCC Veterans’ Alliance student organization. Research shows that students who are part of a cohort and involved in campus

activities outside the classroom are more successful in completing their academic programs. Leszek is working with student veterans to create opportunities to socialize and network together on campus, like Monday morning coffee sessions. In recognition of Veterans Day on November 7, a Color Ceremony has been organized for 8 a.m. on the plaza west of the LCC Student Center. A local Army Honor Guard will present the colors and the national anthem will be played in a traditional ceremony which carries significant meaning to veterans and service members. The campus and community are invited to participate to recognize all those who have served our country through military assignments. They’ll be reminded about the observance by dozens of American flags planted around campus that morning. LCC’s Financial Aid Office has a Veterans Window staffed by employees knowledgeable about veterans’ benefits. Longtime employee Betty Sjoblom provides expertise in helping our student veterans with aid processes. Student veterans are given preference to register for their classes in advance of priority registration each quarter. They are encouraged to begin the college and aid application processes about six weeks before the start of classes to ensure their benefits paperwork is complete and aid to pay for tuition and other expenses is received on time. LCC staff can also assist veterans with receiving credits for military school and experiences, which are granted according to the publications of the American Council on Education to help jump start their college studies and hasten their path to degree completion. Ian Meskew is an employment specialist in the LCC Career Center who assists student veterans with exploring career fields and preparing for job searches, including practice in-

Please see LCC, page 19

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

LCC, from page 18 terviews and resume building. He served in the U.S Marine Corps from 2008 to 2013, including two tours in Afghanistan. Through the LCC Career Center veterans can search local job listings and local employers can post available jobs. LCC also offers Career-Related Learning Experiences, which are a great way for business and industry employers in our community to help students gain job-related knowledge, hands-on experience and employer connections. Several ways that employers can help include: guest speaker, company tour, job shadow, career fairs, informational interview, academic competition judge and internship/project support. All area employers are encouraged to join LCC in supporting our returning veterans in their educational journey to prepare for new careers in our community.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Petrick, from page 11 may be agreed compensation (penalties) if there is a failure to close. • From the time of acceptance until the closing of the transaction, seller shall not make any but normal and reasonable transactions and may not increase his or her salary and benefits nor sell or remove any assets of the business without buyer’s written approval. • If there is an agent who is due a commission on this transaction, the payment of said commission will be the responsibility of the seller, personally, not through the business. • The offer is subject to verification of financial data previously provided to buyer and sales at or above $xxx and net income at or above $xxx for the most recent fiscal year. • All business equipment is in serviceable condition (a demand for a seller warrantee for 30-90 days past the closing is common here). • All inventory is saleable. Damaged or obsolete inventory has been written off by seller over the course of business as provided by generally accepted accounting principles. • There are no liens, judgments or pending legal actions against the company. There are no existing violations of code or law. Seller shall be personally responsible for the cost of remedy to any such undisclosed contingencies. • The seller has the legal right to make the transaction. • Seller will discharge any tax liabilities of the business existing at the time of closing, or file a short term tax return forthwith, post-closing, and personally pay any taxes due. • Seller will provide <specific> transition services after the closing (optional: payment terms). • Seller will execute a <specific> non-compete agreement within the purchase and sale agreement (optional: payment terms). • This offer is subject to buyer securing approval for a bank loan no later than <date> in the amount of $xxx to finance the proposed transaction. This condition may state a maximum interest rate or other terms. This type of condition may also be made for investor capital. For a business entity sale (versus asset sale): • The <legal Entity> is in good legal standing and all required filings have been done and fees paid to the date of the closing

• The trade debts of the company do not exceed $xxx • All other debts of the company do not exceed $xxx • The trade receivables of the company are at least $xxx and will be assumed by buyer at the closing • Seller is responsible to file short-year income state and federal tax returns for the company and satisfy all income tax obligations as of the date of closing. • Seller shall be personally responsible for the accuracy of all tax filings for the company up to the closing date and shall indemnify buyer for any underpayment of taxes up to the closing date. Once the conditional offer is accepted (in writing), it is binding on both parties, but it provides the buyer with protection. If any situation is subsequently discovered that violates any of the conditions, the buyer can invalidate or amend the offer. If the seller has been forthright and honest and has run the business properly, he or she should not be concerned with any

Please see Petrick, page 21

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Petrick, from page 20

nancial future of his or her family, the employees and customers – or none of those. It is up to the buyer to try to understand the motivation behind the answer to “why are you selling?” While seller financing may make the sale possible, it is usually seller’s last resort. It should be noted that the tax advantage to the seller for installment purchase only exists if the seller is a cash basis taxpayer. Individuals all are, but any business with an inventory must be an accrual basis taxpayer. An accrual basis taxpayer recognizes all of the income and pays all of the tax in the year the transaction takes place, regardless of when payment is made. This adverse tax situation arises when there is an asset sale by an accrual-based business.

but the condition on financing (bank loan). Before the seller accepts the offer, he or she should do a credit check on the buyer, perhaps running the deal by his own bank. Otherwise, the seller risks wasting time that could be used to get a qualified buyer. DUE DILIGENCE At this point in the business buy/sell process, there should be no holds barred (locked file drawers) by the seller. Restrictions on access to any part that constitutes the entity to be sold are a red flag deceit warning. One possible exception is customer identity. A seller is justified in keeping that confidential until the closing, but the distribution of sales should be revealed. If, for example, one customer is responsible for a third of sales, that bears looking into to assess the likelihood of continuity. One aspect of due diligence that must be addressed, and possibly negotiated, is access to employees. For reasons of continuity and stability the seller may not want employees to know their employer is in play. On the other hand, the buyer may want to be sure key employees will stay with the business. The scope of due diligence follows the size and nature of the transaction. A review of financial records may be sufficient for a deal under $100,000, but transactions over $1,000,000 usually extend to an audit of receivables and payables, environmental surveys, mechanical inspection of production equipment and verification of the value if intangibles like patents and know-how. Due diligence is where deal becomes real and there is no “I did not know” excuse for the buyer afterwards. Buyers should be cautioned not to rely too heavily on tax returns. Yes, one is less likely to lie on a tax return than on the internal books, but the purpose of tax returns is only to minimize taxes. Looking at expense detail that does not show on tax returns is the best way to spot deferred maintenance, margin shrink and emerging problem expenses. The buyer should be willing to execute a non-disclosure agreement at the start of due diligence. Refusal to do so is as telling of deceit as that locked file drawer.

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT This is the final step that formalizes the transaction and negotiation should be well over. There is no substitute, no matter how small the deal, of having an attorney experienced in P/S contracts participate. There are “canned” contracts available, but the parties are not likely to understand the long term implications of the clauses without legal counsel. For help buying or selling a business contact your local SBDC adviser for confidential assistance. This article was prepared by Jerry Petrick, MBA, CGBP, SPHR, PMP and Certified Business Adviser with the WSU Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Longview. Jerry provides nocost, confidential business advisory services by appointment. He can be reached via email jerry.petrick@wsbdc.org

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council

Business-After-School: Connecting youth to industry By Chelsea Chunn Youth Initiatives Manager – Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council Is your industry projected to be hit by labor shortages in the coming years? As your long-time employees retire, are you concerned about finding new workers to replace them? If so, you’re not alone. These are some of the issues the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC) and our partners at the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce, Cowlitz Economic Development Council, Lower Columbia College and corresponding organizations in Clark County are hoping to help address through a new event, Business-After-School. Four times a year, an industry will be highlighted. Businesses will sponsor the program and host two-hour, after-school events for high school-aged youth at their locations, providing a combination of company tours, hands-on activities, demonstrations and discussions of education, skills, job prospects, etc. The goal of the event is two-fold: 1. Expose youth to career opportunities, industries and jobs they might not know exist. 2. Provide companies an opportunity to showcase their business, make connections with potential future employees, spark career interest in a young person and connect with possible interns, summer or part-time employees. Business-After-School will launch February 16-18 with Engineering Week. Subsequent weeks of focus will be Healthcare (May), Manufacturing (October) and Computer Science (December). Businesses will provide opportunities on-site for students Monday through Wednesday. Site visits will be two hours and companies may choose the time that works best for them from 3 to 5 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m. or 5 to 7 p.m. The number of events will be limited and companies will be signed up on a first-come, first-served basis. Businesses wishing

to participate may sponsor the entire four-week series for $2,500 or a particular industry week for $250 or $500 to support this nonprofit program. To be successful in today’s workforce, young workers need to participate, grow and learn about a variety of professions, careers and industries so they can build the necessary skills to compete in the global workforce. As a community we have a key opportunity, through events like Business-After-School, to prepare our youth workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Please join us in our efforts to develop meaningful, relevant and hands-on learning experiences for your future workforce. Our youth and our community would benefit from your company’s involvement. I hope you will participate! To learn more, please contact me at cchunn@swwdc.org or 360-567-1066.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Warming Up for Winter Skyler Lee, president of Warm Coats, Warm Hearts, with her mom Alissa Lee of Canterbury Park, joined on-air personalities Carey Mackey and Nick Luminere during Bicoastal Media's broadcast of Chamber Connections October 22. Sandra Moore, owner of A Barber Shop Style for Men, also joined the broadcast.

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Ambassador of the Month

October honorees a treat for Chamber Chris Roewe and Lonnie Knowles were named Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce’s October Ambassadors of the Month. Roewe, a partner/broker at Woodford Commercial Real Estate, graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration; majoring in finance. He became a partner at Woodford October in January 2009. Prior to this, Roewe Chris Roewe practiced Real Estate in southwest Woodford Commercial Washington for three years and was in Real Estate bank management for two years. He enjoys being active in his local community including Kelso Rotary, Kelso Eagles, Chamber Ambassador, and LeTip of Longview. Roewe is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), and also belongs to Meaningful Arrangement of Real Estate Transactions (MART) in which he has won Transaction of the Year honors three times. He has broad experience in all fields of Real Estate, including multi-family (both large and small), commercial investments, leasing, sales, creative transactions, alternate financing methods, and really enjoys number crunching. Knowles, marketing director at Stewart Title, is no stranger to

the Chamber’s Ambassador program, having been one for nearly a decade. In addition to spending time with his teenage son and daughter, he enjoys volunteer work with the Salvation Army, CAP Foundation, United Way, Lower Columbia Professionals, Ki-

October

Lonnie Knowles Stewart Title

made up of active Chamber volunteers whose responsibilities include meeting and greeting at Chamber events, welcoming new members and assisting at ribbon cuttings and community events. Ambassadors juggle busy professional careers while making time to assist the Chamber at a variety of events year long. If you would be interested in wearing a red coat and representing the Chamber, contact CEO Bill Marcum at the Chamber office.

During Our Hiring Drive November 1st - December 31st, 2014 Let’s put Cowlitz County back to work!

Join us in our effort to help put 100 people to work in our community in, bringing hope and encouragement to them and their families.

360.414.1200 • www.expresslongview.com MAKE A DIFFERENCE

1. HIRE: Express employee duringpeople the weeks To learn more about Pay Join us inHire ouraneffort to help put XXX to workCONSIDER in our community that week, bringing hopethe and • File clerk of November 1,to 2013 – December 2013. Not It Forward Holiday Hiring encouragement them and their31,families. • Data entry clerk

your needs, but that worker will earn a paycheck

• Accounting clerk

before the holidays. 2. REFER: Provide the Express employee a work

• Receptionist

Drive and how you can

participate, contact your local 24 Express office:

• Administrative

reference letter he or she can use in their efforts to

assistant

gain future employment opportunities.

• General labor

2013 and earned the Chamber’s 2012

gral part of the Chamber of Commerce. The Ambassador team is

Hiring Drive as we strive to place 100 job seekers in Cowlitz County during the weeks of November 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013. Being out of work during the holidays can be particularly tough, and we would like to make sure as many people as possible earn a paycheck just in time for the holidays.

only will you gain a qualified worker to help meet

merce’s Business Person of the Year in

Chamber Ambassadors, known as The Red Coats, are an inte-

CREATE HOPE POSITIONS TO

He was voted the Chamber of Com-

Ambassador of the Year.

If 200 workers are placed we will donate $1000 to Give the gift of employment by joining Express Employment Professionals’ the PaySalvation It ForwardArmy! Holiday

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wanis, Eagles and other local groups.

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Date: Tuesday, December 3rd Lower Columbia College Rose Center Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cost: $25 advance/$35 at door

Ticket to the event includes two beverage tickets, entry in to raffle for over 30 prizes, food catered by Summerland Catering, beverages provided by Kendallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Distributing. They will have several beers and wines available. Register at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Applied Applications Inc.

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Kelso

Longview

Financial picture looking better

City’s vision starts to take shape

By Mayor David Futcher

By City Councilman Ken Botero

The council has begun the ever-exciting budget process for 2015 and 2016. For what feels like the first time in years, the prospect of further staffing cuts is not looming. The city has dropped from 88 fulltime equivalent personnel at the start of the recession down to 71, a reduction of nearly 20 percent.

Summer has gone, the leaves are falling, and Longview is blooming. After many years of looking ahead and wondering what Longview will look like in the future, the wait is almost over as the beautiful Streetscape project is in the final stages. The new entry into the city on Tenant Way is about to begin, and the Vintage District is going strong on Commerce Avenue with several new restaurants and vintage shopping.

While cuts can help trim any inefficiencies that are inevitable in large organizations, public or private, the city is staffed at a level that seems to just barely leave it able to keep up with the regulatory and citizen demands it must meet. The initial budget suggested we could maintain the current staffing with the expected income for 2015, but not return additional help for departments still struggling to “do more with less”.

It has been a long time coming, but the vision is slowly appearing. New economic theories point out that cities and regions that thrive in the 21st century will be differentiated by their lively neighborhoods and business districts, cultural and recreational attractions, and a great sense of place, with a deep PRIDE in local character. We need only to look at our community’s enhancements, the new science facility at the college, the renovation of downtown Longview with its new businesses, the Stageworks Northwest Theater, activities at the Columbia Theater, the new sewer system, even our water treatment situation. These are all items that will bring pride to our community.

Council heard requests from department heads for possible additional staffing needs, and decided to add two positions in the draft budget. One would be to the police department, where four officers were reduced in the last several years. The police also have five officers eligible to retire immediately, and another four that will be eligible in the next two years. Because hiring another officer can take anywhere from four to 10 months for a transfer, or 12 to 18 months for a new hire, the council chose to hire one position in advance of any retirements, so that any staffing shortage won’t increase overtime costs as sharply or leave fewer officers on the street.

In a down economy it is tempting to cut back on these planning ideas thinking that they are frivolous, but disregarding these plans in the name of saving money can create a downward spiral that causes our local economy to lose its competitive edge. To succeed any project must become a working partnership with the PEOPLE of its community. Creating a community consensus around economic development will ultimately speed up action and attract more partners, financiers, and possibly the help of countless

Council also decided to add an engineer position in the Community Development department. This position would assist in the planning for the city’s capital infrastructure needs, and help pursue grant funding to accomplish those needs. Any grants would help lessen the cost to the city’s

Please see Longview, page 27

Please see Kelso, page 27

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Kelso, from page 26

Longview, from page 26

residents and utility users.

individuals who want to be part of the plan. Too often community leaders and citizens get in the mode of treating each other as the enemy. If we are to improve the City of Longview, we need to build upon a shared vision for the future.

To cover the costs of these positions, the council is favoring increasing a 2 percent B&O (business and occupation) tax that basically transfers funds from our utility funds to the general fund. Because the cuts in staffing that have been made have lessened the strain on the utilities, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely that much of the extra tax they pay to the general fund wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even be passed on to residents, but borne internally. The budget process is never sexy, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to keep the city, like your business, financially viable, and to keep our customers satisfied. These steps, we hope, will help do that.

To thrive in the coming years we have to do a better job of protecting local resources. People naturally take pride in their local food, places, history, landscape, and businesses. It is time to make sure we give these local assets as much support as we can. Working with our many partners such as the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Administration, city and county local governments, and our building trades, we can make a positive impact on our vision of providing a Quality of Place for our community.

The Sky is the Limit! We started in a garage in April 2007. Twin City Bank has provided us the necessary funding to grow our business into a multi-million dollar company. By early fall Twin City Bank will help us move into our new 15,000 square foot facility with room to continue our growth. Jon Hansen General Manager Fabricast Valve

729 Vandercook Way Longview, WA 98632 1-800-319-2265 | 360-414-4101 twincitybank.com

Creating products to fuel the world

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Ribbon Cutting

ď&#x20AC;´ Watch the Video

Barber Shop â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Man Cave Sandra Moore, owner of A Barber Shop Style For Men, along with Chelcie Thorsen and Danielle Madden, used the Chamber's scissors to snip the ribbon at her shop at 5612 Ocean Beach Hwy. Chamber Ambassadors Lonnie Knowles, Carrie Medack, Chris Roewe and Eric McCrandall made themselves at home during the October 28 event. The barber shop caters to men with TVs at each station and more.

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Welcome New Members

Chamber membership has its privileges Celebrate new Chamber members with us

Business Association with opportunities to promote trade through Chamber socials, special events and committee participation.

* A Barber Shop Style For Men, owner Sandra Moore

* Longview Pawn Brokers, owner Adam Brooks * Warm Coats, Warm Hearts, president Skyler

• Annual Meeting and Banquet • Networking Events • Committee Participation

Lee

• Business Contacts

* KinetiQ Group, Kenneth Grams

• Quarterly Membership Meetings • Civic Representation

• Legislative Representation

• Monthly Business After Hours

• Issues Tracking and Information

Business Services include marketing for your business, referrals and access to Chamber publications and research data.

• Task Forces • Candidate Forums

• Mailing Labels

• Legislative Update Breakfast

• Membership Window Decals

• Demographics Publication

• Member Referrals • Ribbon Cutting • Website Links

Packages

• Member to Member Discounts

Basic Membership Package – $275 or $26 per month.

• Membership Directory

Bronze Membership Package – $500 or $46.66 per month.

• Tax Deduction

Silver Membership Package – $1,000 or $86.33 per month.

• Newsletter

Gold Membership Package – $2,500 or $211.33 per month.

• Business Card Display

Platinum Membership Package – $5,000 or $416.66 per

• Use of Chamber Logo

month. Diamond Club Membership Package – $10,000 or $834 per

Representation through action committees, Candidate Forums and up-to-date Action Alerts.

month.

Join today! Call 360-423-8400 29

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Lower Columbia Professionals

Angela and Chris Brand

Pam and Destry Fierst

Carey Mackey Maxine Newell

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Ghoul to do? Do you know her? Go to our Facebook page and make a guess

Chamber members and their guests got into the spirit of the season during the Lower Columbia Professionalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Spooktacular Halloween Party and membership drive October 25 at the Kelso Elks Club.

Andrew and Carrie Medack

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Spooktacular

Halloween Hip Costume creativity ranged from the cute to the crazy at the LCPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spooktacular event. The event generated enough for three $1,000 scholarships for local students going on to college. Do you know them? Go to our Facebook page and make a guess Hollie Olson

Sam Longtain

Lonnie Knowles

Maxine Newell

Rick and Pattie Bond

See more photos on the Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facebook page or click here.

LCP Thanks All of You!

Patrick Palmer Jeri Uddy

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

PeaceHealth

The importance of protecting your employees this flu season Each flu season nearly 111 million workdays are lost due to influenza. That equals approximately $7 billion per year in sick days and lost productivity. Through education and planning, you can help protect your employees. Encourage your staff to get a flu shot early. It’s best to get vaccinated before the flu begins to spread. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to provide full protection. So the sooner employees get vaccinated, the more likely it is they will be fully protected when it begins to circulate within your community.

health programs you may contract with. These are conveniently available. It’s a safe and an effective way to keep all of us healthier this season.

Even if your employees are healthy, they still need immunization. Influenza (flu) is a contagious disease which often affects the lungs and can lead to serious illness, including pneumonia. Pregnant women, young children, elderly, and those with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease are at increased risk of serious flu-related complications. Therefore, getting a yearly flu vaccine is especially important for them. Flu vaccinations are recommended for two reasons. First, the flu viruses are constantly changing and the vaccine is updated each year. Second, an individual’s immunity from the vaccine declines over time. The CDC recommends annual vaccination for optimal protection.

LeeRoy Parcel Manager/LPO leeroy@cascade-title.com

The Washington State Department of Health in January reported that nationally less than 40 percent of Americans received the flu vaccine, compared to the 80 percent necessary to best prevent the virus from spreading within the community. Remember, flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States ranged from a low of 3,000 to a high of almost 49,000 people. If our community should experience a flu pandemic, the impact would be significant both in loss of life and productivity. The time taken for employees to get a flu shot is insignificant, relative to lost work time or passing the flu on to the public.

Alison Peters Bonnie Woodruff Diane Kenneway Dennis Bird Escrow Officer/LPO Escrow Officer/LPO Escrow Assistant Senior Title Officer alison@cascade-title.com bonnie@cascade-title.com diane@cascade-title.com dennis@cascade-title.com

Lindsey McTimmonds Marketing/Recording recording@cascade-title.com

There are many options for flu vaccination to include your doctor’s office, pharmacies, local flu clinics or occupational

1425 Maple St. Longview, WA 98632 360.425.2950 www.cascade-title.com

Connie Bjornstrom Receptionist/Typist connie@cascade-title.com

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

In the News

Washington Way Bridge construction scheduled to begin in November

their favorite homemade gift ideas from the kitchen, the garden, the sewing room and the craft room. Giving handmade gifts to others brings a personal touch to the holidays, yet it can be difficult to decide what to make. Look no further for ideas for gifts that will be eagerly welcomed as the holiday season draws near.

The City of Longview contracted with Carter and Company, Inc. from Salem, Ore., to construct the new Washington Way Bridge. The work includes demolition of the existing bridge, installation of piles for the bridge foundation, and construction of the new concrete bridge, including sidewalks, street lighting and landscaping.

Lunch will be provided so please register for this workshop by contacting Gary Fredricks at 360-577-3014, ext. 3, or garyf@ wsu.edu. The free program, sponsored by Washington State University Extension, will take place at the Cowlitz County Administration Building, Room 300, 207 4th Ave. N., Kelso.

The contractor will start construction on November 17, with project completion scheduled for November of 2015. During this time, Washington Way, between Nichols and Kessler boulevards will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to use alternate routes during the road closure. Detours will be set up along Nichols Boulevard., 20th Avenue, and Kessler Boulevard. Pedestrians may use the Hemlock foot bridge to cross the lake.

Cowlitz County Commissioners name Junker Public Works Director

Lake Sacajawea pathways under the bridge will also be closed during construction. Pedestrians will be routed to pathways crossing Washington Way at Kessler and Nichols boulevards.

Cowlitz County Commissioners made the decision to name Ron Junker the Director of Public Works for Cowlitz County, effective November 1. Junker will be responsible for managing and supervising the staff at the Public Works Department and the Facilities/Parks Department.

Information about the Washington Way Bridge project can be viewed on the City’s website at www.mylongview.com, and construction updates will be posted regularly on Facebook.

Commissioner Michael Karnofski said in a press relrease, "We are pleased that Ron has accepted the director of public work’s position and look forward to continuing to provide excellent service to Cowlitz County’s citizens."

Community Hospice offers additional recreational vehicle parking for families

Ron Junker has held the position of Facilities Maintenance Director since February 1, 2006.

Community Hospice announces the addition of recreational vehicle (RV) parking at the Longview Hospice Care Center. Patients’ families may park their RV in the on-site spaces for short-term use during their family member’s stay at the center. Community is pleased this service will allow families to stay near loved ones during a difficult time.

Holters nominated for Governor’s Employers Awards Program

The spaces have electric and water hook-ups. Access may be obtained atthe care center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. RV parking is free, however, donations are graciously accepted.

The Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment (GCDE) and the Washington State Business Leadership Network (WSBLN), recently congratulated Jim and Jillene Holter of Screen Print Northwest for its nomination for the Governor’s Employers Awards Program.

Create homemade gifts for the holidays with WSU and 4-H program participants

As a nominee, the Holters received a certificate of appreciation and Screen Print Northwest was highlighted in the presentation and program hosted by Microsoft Inc. at the awards October 29 at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond.

On November 18, at noon, join in the fun as representatives from the Washington State University (WSU) Extension Master Gardener, 4-H and clothing and textile programs share

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Boot Camp

Booting Up Customer Service Lower Columbia College President Chris Bailey presented at the Chamber's Customer Service Boot Camp the morning of October 10. Thirty-eight business leaders attended the event to learn how to provide their customers with improved service. Boot Camp 2015 starts March 6.

Kelso Longview Business Connection

November 2014

Longview Downtown Partnership

Shedding light on downtown after dark By Alice Dietz Longview Downtown Partnership President

uncomfortable after the sun goes down? No, but there is a solution that I believe is currently under way.

I always read the comments in The Daily News after an article that pertains to something that interests me is published. It gives me a feel for what the community’s response is to main events taking place in our county. A few weeks back, Marissa Luck reported on the development and growth taking place in downtown and I was pleasantly surprised by the mostly positive comments. We are seeing growth in downtown Longview and I wouldn’t just attribute that to the new businesses and the effort of the existing businesses, but to the community and their support as a whole.

Mill City Grill, The Urban Saloon, Gyee Lay Gyee, Holo’s Yoga, Ashtown Brewing and Broderick Gallery are all additional businesses that are committed to staying open after 5 p.m. With the Streetscape under way that will provide more lighting and this influx of new, after-hours businesses to the downtown corridor we will be able to create more reason for more people to congregate and patronize the downtown businesses. There is safety in numbers and as a community we are supporting this downtown corridor to continue to develop.

What the comments did say was a very relevant and real issue we have to deal with downtown; people do not feel comfortable downtown after dark. Is there an overnight cure for folks being

Business Shout Out! Teague’s Interiors, 1267 Commerce Ave., your Annie Slone Chalk Paint supplier! Check out Teague’s for all your interior design, furniture and framing needs.

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Let’s step up and make our businesses look great to the many friends and guests that visit our community each year.

Mint Valley Golf Course

Does Your Business Have Curb Appeal? Your company’s curb appeal goes a long way toward winning customers over and growing revenue. Even if you are not a retail business your curb appeal sends a message to passer-buyers about the quality of your work. Your business appearance projects an image to potential customers and local residents making them more or less inclined to visit or otherwise support your business.

Win the Mayor’s Award for “Best Curb Appeal” All Longview businesses are eligible to win a Mayors award for Best Curb Appeal Improvement. During the months of June-July 2014, you can nominate a business that has made the be best improvement by posting a “before” and “after” photo. Go to our Facebook page: Make Longview Beautiful. Those visiting this page can “Like” the one they feel has made the best improvement. The one with the most “Likes” wins! Visit this page often and make sure you vote.

Thank you!

Go Here & Vote!

Lake Sacajawea

Japanese Garden

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All ads include full color and any design work. Deadline is the 21st of the month prior to publication. Digital files: high resolution PDF, Tiff and JPEG. Non-Members of the Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce please add 30% to above rates. To advertise or request additional information please contact Karen Sisson at 360-423-8400 or ksisson@kelsolongviewchamber.org or CEO Bill Marcum at 360-423-8400 or bmarcum@kelsolongviewchamber.org

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