Klc biz 1 16

Volume 8, No. 1

January 2016

Business Kelso Longview

Connection Chamber of Commerce

CEO’s Message

Calendar Friday

January 1 Office/Visitor Center Closed

Monday

The 2016 Building Bridges Business Expo will include a tourism component.

January 4 – Noon Government Affairs Committee Teri’s Restaurant

Wednesday

January 6 – 7:30 a.m.

Education Foundation Committee LCC Student Center 210A, Conference Room January 6 – 11:30 a.m.

Ribbon Cutting Sweitzer Drain & Rooter Service Chamber Office 105 Minor Rd., Kelso

Thursday

January 7 – 7:30 a.m.

Ambassador Committee Canterbury Park

Tuesday

2016 loaded with activity starting January 12

Monday

By Bill Marcum CEO – Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Monday

January 11 – 11 a.m.

Ribbon Cutting Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of SW WA 1338 Commerce Ave., Ste. 309, Longview January 12 – 5:30 p.m.

Business After Hours KLOG/KUKN/The Wave Hosted at the Kelso Theater Pub 214 Pacific Ave. S., Kelso January 18 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day Office Closed

Thursday

January 21 – 1:30 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting Highlander Place 114 Corduroy Rd., Kelso

Monday

January 25 – 7 a.m.

Legislative Briefings Begin Red Lion Hotel, Kelso

January 2016, can you believe it?

Below is a list of some of our events for 2016. Put them on your calendar, plan to attend and plan to have a good time networking with other businesses working to do the same thing as most of you... improve business in 2016.

Tuesday

Business After Hours for 2016 was filled by early October, so if you are interested in hosting please contact us for next year. Yes, that’s right contact us now for 2017. We can always put you on a wait list for this year in case one of the members listed below is unable to host.

Thursday

January 12 – KUKN-KLOG-The WAVE (held at Kelso Theater Pub). This is a free event for all members thanks to Joel Hanson and the crew at KUKN.

January 26 – Noon Board of Directors Longview Country Club 41 Country Club Dr., Longview January 28 – 5:30 p.m.

Lower Columbia Professionals Meet & Greet – No Charge Event Triangle Tavern

Every Wednesday

Chamber Connections KEDO/1400 AM – 3-4 p.m.

Stream live at www.threeriversradio.com Local guest and current events

February 9 – Foster Farms (held at the Red Lion). The first 30 who sign up for this After Hours will be able to take a tour of the Foster Farms Plant at 5 p.m. that day. The rest of us will meet at 5:30 at the Red Lion for food and beverages provided by Foster Farms.

March 15 – Three Rivers Christian Schools

Please see 2016, page 3

lineth ! d a e D h 15 Marc

2016 VISITOR & MEMBERSHIP GUIDE

Let businesses know about your business! ✔ Used year round by hundreds of local and out-of-area companies. ✔ A resource guide for the community. ✔ To provide resources and leadership for business success.

Space is limited - Call today! 360-423-8400

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Ad Sizes

Ad Rates Full Page ...................................$2,230 2/3 Page ...................................$1,595 1/2 Page ...................................$1,235 1/3 Page ......................................$935 1/6 Page ......................................$715 1/12 Page ....................................$505 Additional listings in directory .......$55

7.83”w x 10.34”h

Full Page

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All ads are full color at no extra charge.

Premium placement including back cover, inside cover, page 2, 3 and 4: add 15%

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Mechanical Specifications Electronic Files • Should be emailed to bmarcum@kelsolongviewchamber.org • Please include your company name and publication in the subject line.

5.0833”w x 2.1875”h

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1/6 Page

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Logos, Images, Photos • Formats: JPG, EPS, TIFF, PDF • Resolution must be 300 dpi. Images from the internet cannot be used.

Full Files • PDF format, 300 dpi, with fonts embedded Images for Scanning • Photographs (up to 8.5” x 11”), stationery, menus, business cards, etc.

• Artwork for scanning must be clear and unmarked • Digital artwork is preferred as this will give a higher quality result.

Visit Play Wor k Stay

If you have any questions regarding acceptable artwork, please call 360-423-8400 or email bmarcum@kelsolongviewchamber.org

105 Minor Road Kelso, WA 98626

360-423-8400 www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

2016, from page 1 April 12 – Goodwill May 17 – Fibre Federal Credit Union June 14 – Prestige Senior Living Monticello Park July 12 – Express Employment Professionals August 9 – Lower Columbia School Gardens, sponsored by Fibre Federal Credit Union September 13 – ServPro October 11 – Mill City Grill will be celebrating their 2nd anniversary November 8 – Cowlitz County will host a free event at the Cowlitz County Conference Center, inviting our members to attend and learn more about the County and enjoy great food by Summerland Catering

Who will be this year’s best dressed team at the Chamber Golf Classic in June?

Rivers Mall. More than 500 people participated last year and we are hoping for a similar turnout again this year. In December we’ve scheduled our final major event of the year the annual Holiday Mixer at LCC. The date has yet to be set for this fun event that brings more than 200 people together to celebrate the holidays.

December TBA (date to be determined) – Holiday Mixer at the Lower Columbia College (LCC) Rose Center A few of our major events for the year include March 9 for the Building Bridges Business and Tourism Expo. A partnership with Cowlitz County Tourism, stay tuned for more on this fun event.

May 11 will be our annual Business and Education Awards night.

The location is still to be determined. June 6 will be the annual Chamber Golf Classic, this year being played at one of our other golf course members, Three Rivers Golf Course. Same great format, great food and very marginal golfing skills will be on display.

August 6 will be our new event last year...The Color Dash at Three

We will also have four Quarterly Meetings, scheduled for March 24, June 29, September 28 and November 16. Locations and topics for these meetings have not been set at this time.

Boot Camp will start up again March 4 with six classes on Boardsmanship, followed by six classes on Business Basics 201 starting May 6 and the final six classes beginning September 9 on Social Media.

Starting January 25 at 7 a.m. at the Red Lion is our Legislative Briefings. This is your opportunity to speak directly to our legislators representing your business in Olympia. Find out what they see as important pieces of legislation that will affect your business.

How they stand on those issues and more. There is no cost to attend. Breakfast is available. One of the hot topics is going to be the statewide minimum wage...how are you going to deal with a $12 to $15 minimum wage? Make your voice heard before the decisions are made. We will meet each Monday morning until the session is over, attend, be involved, express your concerns.

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Team Bill Marcum, CEO Karen Sisson, Project Manager Amy Hallock, Bookkeeper

Wow, I have not even covered the Lower Columbia Professionals events for 2016, Ambassadors meetings, Education Foundation meetings and board committee meetings. I guess I will have to save that for next month. As I have mentioned your Chamber has more than 90 total events, meetings and ribbon cuttings per year, with nearly 500 members there should be something for each of you that can help your business be more profitable in 2016.

Kelso Longview Business Connection is published monthly by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce.

105 N. Minor Road • Kelso, WA 98626 • 360-423-8400 To advertise, call Bill Marcum, 360-423-8400 or e-mail bmarcum@kelsolongviewchamber.org Ad Deadline: 20th of each month.

Looking forward to helping you accomplish that goal.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Lower Columbia College

Lower Columbia College wants new vocational building

By Chris Bailey President – Lower Columbia College

is limited and the mechanical systems are reaching the end of their service life. Much has changed since 1960, and size and configuration of our vocational space does not meet current programmatic needs. The proposed building will be providing instruction space for some of our highest demand programs.

Lower Columbia College (LCC) is excited to be one of 10 Washington community and technical colleges allowed to compete for funding for a new campus building in the upcoming year. Based on current state bonding capacity, it is anticipated that three of the 10 projects will be funded for future construction. The proposal will be for a 50,174-square-foot vocational education and classroom building to house, among other things, its machining and welding programs, other vocational offerings, and general classroom space.

The Don Talley Building will remain and continue to house LCC automotive and diesel programs. The proposed project is the first priority of the LCC Master Plan, which was recently completed.

The up to 10 competing projects will be scored through a system approved by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) after the January 4 submission date is closed. It is expected that the scored results will be available on February 19.

At that time, LCC will learn if its project made the top three. Even if approved as a competitive project, there are no guarantees until funding is approved through the legislative capital budget process.

Moreover, it may be several years before construction money is ultimately approved by the Legislature. It took over 10 years to construct our last major project, the LCC Health and Science Building.

The proposed building would replace three single-story buildings (averaging 51 years of age) with a new three-story complex.

The current “Vocational” and the former “Science” Buildings at LCC are 55 years old. These buildings were among the first buildings to be constructed on the campus in 1960. In 2013, the Science building was noted as having less than five years of useful life.

The “Physical Science” building is now 44 years old. In addition to vocational programs, these buildings also house our transitional studies program (students transitioning into college coursework), which enrolls roughly one-third of all LCC students. The existing buildings have numerous infrastructural and programmatic deficiencies and are in serious need of replacement. Electrical capacity

Best wishes on a fulfilling 2016 from the Lower Columbia College community!

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Diane Craft, President Koelsch Senior Communities

Chris Bailey Lower Columbia College

Michael Julian Kelso Theater Pub

Julie Rinard, President Elect Community Home Health & Hospice

Clayton J. Bartness, DC Longview Chiropractic Clinic

Bianca Lemmons Cowlitz County Title Company

Lance Welch, Vice President PeaceHealth

Ken Botero Longview City Council

Frank Panarra Foster Farms

Joel Hanson, Past President KLOG/KUKN/The Wave

Bob Crisman Gallery of Diamonds

Tom Rozwod NORPAC/Weyerhaeuser

Neil Zick, Treasurer Twin City Bank

Linda DiLembo Three Rivers Mall

Ted Sprague Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Michael Claxton, Legal Counsel Walstead Mertsching

Wendy Hutchinson Millennium Bulk Terminals

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Steve Taylor Kelso City Manager Dennis Weber Cowlitz County Commissioner

Connect with Legislators Legislative Briefing Breakfast Begins Monday, January 25, 7am, RED LION and continues each Monday throughout the Legislative Session

Each week contact is made with our local legislators, either in person or by conference call, for an update on the bills and issues currently under consideration. Gary Chandler from the AWB is our main source of information as to what is going on in Olympia from a business perspective.

As a business, you often feel the impact from some of the decisions made by our State Legislators on your ability to do business in Washington State. These breakfast briefings give you an opportunity to discuss personally with your elected officials issues that impact your business and seek options that provide for better business operations in Washington.

Two major issues to be addressed during this session that WILL affect your business: Statewide Minimum wage ($12 - $15) and Predictive Scheduling. What is that? Come find out! Be heard!

January - April Legislative Update Breakfast Mondays RED LION, Birch Room 7:00 a.m.

May - December Legislative Committee Meetings First Monday of each month Location for 2016: Teri’s Restaurant - 12:00 Noon

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Government Affairs Committee

New year a time to encourage leaders to renew focus on issues at hand

By Ken Grams Chair – President/CEO, KinetiQ Group

mittee meeting, both Rep. J.D. Rossetti and Sen. Dean Takko shared a sense of excitement as they discussed their vision of transitioning into their new roles. While both were enthusiastic about their respective education committee assignments (house and senate) and others, they are mindful of being in the freshmen class with little to no seniority. The committee provided them with our Chamber’s commitment of being available as a positive resource when considering legislation impacting our community, along with informal feedback on certain hot topics related to a pro-business agenda going into their 2016 session.

Our Chamber is a proud Grassroots Alliance member of The Association of Washington Business (AWB) and it’s been a good resource. For more information: awb.org/governmentaffairs

It’s a new year with an opportunity for us all to renew or refocus with the tradition of resolutions. Historically, according to Wikipedia, Babylonians made promises at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. While in the Medieval era, the knights took the “peacock vow” at the end of each Christmas season to reaffirm their commitment to chivalry…and both seem to be quite positive endeavors on various levels.

In light of our new year and upcoming Washington State legislative session (scheduled for January 11), here are some resolutions for our politicians to consider: • • • • •

Stop procrastinating Don’t forget your own talking points Prudently fund education to resolve the McCleary decision Support fair and timely approval permitting process for our businesses Keep State of Washington competitive (wages, environment, regulations) for businesses

Facilitating Growth Through Leadership and Action

Though the above seems pretty straightforward and reasonable, our politicians (as a whole) have been at odds to be efficient, as we experienced just this past year with that triple overtime session. In this new year, we can be hopeful that our businesses (large and small) can remain viable, competitive, and simply successful to be an economic engine to support our families and broader communities…while we all (businesses, voters, and politicians) should note that it is an election year!

In December, during our recent Government Affairs Com-

We are a membership based not-for-profit organization.

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Resources • Access • Partnerships

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

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Cowlitz Economic Development Council

The winds of change blow positive for county’s economic growth

By Ted Sprague President – Cowlitz Economic Development Council

dent on manufacturing employment.

The latest employment numbers reveal a positive trend for Cowlitz County. The November unemployment rate is 6.8 percent, down from 8.2 percent in November 2014. For perspective, the state average is 5.4 percent. The lower unemployment rate is somewhat attributable to people coming off the unemployment roles due to lack of gaining employment, but that does not tell the whole story. Over the past month Cowlitz County saw an increase of 956 citizens gaining employment.

When this positive employment trend is coupled with the significant capital investment projects looking to our area, it is difficult to not be optimistic for our community. Share the news and stay positive. We are blessed to live in a hard working, beautiful area where the signs of growth and prosperity are all around us. I hope you and your loved ones have a safe and fun holiday season.

Rain. Flooding. Windstorms. Enough of the gloom and doom!

While the weather outside is frightful, our economy is becoming more and more delightful. Cowlitz County has more than $4 billion in capital investment either in permitting or pre-permitting.

The county has not seen this type of potential for economic activity since R.A. Long’s plans began to take shape in the early 1920s.

Nearly a century later, we are on the precipice of significant economic and social change.

Historically, the Cowlitz County unemployment rate trends 2 percentage points higher than the state average. This trend began in the 1980s with the eruption of Mount St. Helens, spotted owl and manufacturing being less reliant on manual labor. Productivity has increased through the use of computers, machines and efficiency.

With these workplace changes, we have seen our unemployment rate increase because our counties workforce is still heavily depen-

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council

Engineering is focus of next Business After School event

By Julia Maglione Communications Manager – Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council of work they do.

Youth participants commented that attending Business After School events was informative and gave them good exposure to the types of work engineers do. They also felt it was beneficial for them to have learned about different forms of engineering and technical careers.

Businesses interested in hosting an event during Business After School Engineering Week should submit an application by January 21. Applications and information may be obtained at www.business-after-school.org or by contacting Justin McDaniels at jmcdaniels@swwdc.org or 360-567-3172.

As teenagers, many of us learned about work by having a parttime or weekend job. Through that job, we may have learned about careers that eventually led to full-time work. Today, those types of opportunities largely do not exist for teens and young adults.

So, how do they learn about work or get ideas for possible careers to explore? Many schools and organizations, including the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC), are collaborating with businesses to develop “workbased learning opportunities.” Among other things, these programs will enable teens and young adults to interact with business people and visit employer locations.

Business After School (BAS) is one example of a work-based learning opportunity. For a week each quarter, BAS focuses on a specific high-growth industry and provides opportunities during that week for teens and young adults, ages 16 to 24, to visit employer locations to learn about the company and the industry.

Engineering Week is February 22-26 and SWWDC is seeking engineering firms and companies with STEM-related jobs, including industrial engineers, structural analysts, test engineers and more to host a two-hour Business After School event at their location.

Participating businesses will provide a company tour, handson activity and discuss types of jobs available in their company or field, education and training requirements, salary ranges and, if they exist, opportunities at their company for job shadowing, summer employment, internships and/or mentoring.

Businesses that participated in the prior Engineering Week said they appreciated the opportunity to connect with and hopefully inspire young people. They felt connecting with youth interested in their field of work was rewarding and they enjoyed providing tours of their businesses so youth could see they type

• • • •

2016 Business After School Industry Weeks Engineering: February 22-26 Health care: May 9-13 Manufacturing: October 10-15 Computer Science: December 5-9

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Cowlitz County Commissioners

No significant changes in activities or level of activities in 2016 budget

By Michael A. Karnofski County Commissioner

eral Fund budget which covers the County government operations that most people are familiar with; Courts, Corrections, Law Enforcement, Auditor Treasurer, etc. The General Fund does not include the Road Fund, and most of the Health and Human Services activities, and Building and Planning activities

On December 15 the Cowlitz County Commissioners approved the 2016 and 2017 budgets. The process started in July and involved elected officials and staff input as well as numerous opportunities for public input. The total County budget for 2016 is $196.4 million. This is a decrease of $15.4 million (-7.3 percent) from 2015.

Please see Commissioners, page 11

The budget that has the most effect on the public is the Gen-

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Commissioners, from page 10

this shortfall and to provide a cash reserve for cash flow. This is

which are Special Revenue Funds. The General Fund budget for 2016 is $49.8 million compared to $49.7 million in 2015, an increase of 0.2 percent. The Law and Justice functions (Courts, Sheriff, Corrections, Prosecuting Attorney, Public Defenders, etc.) continue to account for almost 3/4 of the General Fund expenditures. Personnel (salaries, wages and benefits) account for about 2/3 of expenditures when viewed as an area expenditure.

General Fund revenues will decrease $1.4 million (-3.3 percent) when comparing 2015 to 2016. In 2016, $2.7 million will be shifted from the Road Fund to the General Fund to cover

a decrease from the $3.2 million shifted in 2015. Since property taxes, which account for almost 50 percent of General Fund revenues, are only paid twice per year a significant cash reserve is required to cover cash flow.

There will be no significant changes in activities or level of activities in 2016. We will continue to work to improve our customer service and look forward to providing the citizens the best service that we can provide with the resources available.

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

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

‘

How much should a retailer invest in dollars on advertising? ...depends on a number of factors!

By Chuck Nau Retail Consultant and Sales and Management Trainer Murray & Nau, Inc.

And, of course, a new business will need a larger dollar investment in advertising unlike an established business that already has local awareness, familiarity and trust.

Two questions frequently asked when I am working with small and midsize businesses, retailers and service providers typically seem to be related to, “How much should I spend on advertising for my business?” and “How do you establish an advertising budget?”

Another question often asked would be “What works best, one at a time, hit or miss, or a planned long range advertising program?”

So, the focus of this month’s column will be to answer those questions.

Investing in your business or the service you provide through advertising depends on a number of factors. But first, let’s clarify a basic assumption. Advertising to promote your business or service is NOT a cost. Rather, as I just stated, advertising is an INVESTMENT in your business or the service that you provide to the community. It’s also an investment in YOUR community.

Let’s explore the four contributing factors in determining the amount of your advertising investment. Let’s also review what happens when you advertise price or if you are only promoting (selling) based on price alone.

• Business Location – You have heard it before...location, location, location! High traffic area? Low traffic area? The lower the traffic, the more rural or out of mainstream flow, the larger the dollar investment in advertising required.

• Competitive Market – Do you know who your competitors are? Have you reviewed your competitive advantages...what benefits set you off from others in your community? What’s unique about your business or service?

Businesses in a market with a number of competitors will need a larger dollar investment in advertising as opposed to a one of a kind business in a market.

• Price vs. Value – It’s ALL About Value! What’s the value of your business or service? Teach your staff (and remind yourself) NOT to give “facts”. Rather talk BENEFITS or how the facts or features you offer will help solve a need or problem (or opportunity) your customer has. Facts create objections...BENEFITS reinforce your value and sell your goods or services.

A business that only guarantees lowest price or features ongoing sales must continually reinforce this message and therefore will require a larger dollar investment in advertising. 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 order to continue building your customer base. Value! It’s all about value...your business or service value!

Now that you have clarified some of the factors to consider as you move forward with your advertising investment planning...the next question is how to establish an advertising budget.

Most retailers set their investment in advertising dol-

• Top of Mind Awareness – Or, as I like to say...“Name a (business) in your community?” Will YOUR business name or service be “Top of Mind” or quickly identified?

Please see Nau, page 13

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Nau, from page 12 lars based on a percentage of sales. In other words, if your monthly sales goal is $10,000 to maintain a positive cash flow and GROW your business, most retailers would consider a $300 (3 percent of monthly sales goal) to $500 (5 percent of monthly sales goal) monthly ad budget BEFORE taking the aforementioned contributing factors into consideration.

In closing, do not allow your advertising investment to be wasted. One time or “hit and miss” advertising has a very high likelihood of generating minimal, if any results.

Planning an advertising campaign (a series of ads, with a set aside/allocated budget, within a timeframe, to meet an IDENTIFIED need, problem or opportunity, with a DE-

SIRED outcome) will maximize your advertising investment dollars.

© Murray & Nau, Inc. Chuck Nau of Murray & Nau, Inc. is a Seattle area based publishing consultant and sales and management trainer. He has been a speaker for and conducted advertising, marketing, management and sales training workshops with newspapers, niche publishers, publishing groups and press associations, throughout North America. Comments and questions are welcome and may be directed to Chuck via e-mail: murnau@ nwlink.com. or at 425-603-0984.

Business & Corporation Law

Attorney Michael A. Claxton

Walstead Mertsching serves businesses of many sizes and in various stages of development. Whether your company is a small sole proprietorship or a large corporation, we can provide assistance and guidance. Utilizing a solutions-oriented approach toward achieving defined objectives, our goal is to allow our clients to successfully execute their business plans.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

PeaceHealth

New year, new resolutions for a healthy workforce

By John Schapman Supervisor of Operations Occupational and Employee Health PeaceHealth Medical Group

Each year, we take stock of our personal lives and create resolutions to make ourselves healthier and happier. However, do you do that with your business? Employees spend a good portion of their lives working with and around each other.

more difficult to navigate through the system to ensure your company is compliant.

PeaceHealth Occupational Health can assist. Our account managers and Board Certified Occupational Health Provider can meet with your organization to assist you in reviewing how you are doing with meeting your Occupational Health

Ensuring a safe environment in the worksite is important to the long-term health of your employees. However, it can be tough to know what your business needs specifically are. Each year as regulations continue to grow, it becomes more and

Please see PeaceHealth, page 15

Keep your work family healthy.

PeaceHealth Medical Group Occupational Health helps prevent and contain on-the-job injuries for you and your employees. peacehealth.org/phmg/longview 360-414-2332.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

PeaceHealth, from page 14 and Wellness needs. Contact us today to set-up an appointment to meet with our staff 360-414-2776.

What’s new this year at PeaceHealth Occupational Health?

More Scheduled Services Coming to Occupational Health With the start of a new year, PeaceHealth Occupational Health wants to give you and your staff the gift of time. We are now scheduling services such as Audiograms, Respirator Fit Testing, Vaccines, and Pre-placement Drug testing. We still accept walk-in for these services, but if you schedule in advance, your workers can skip the wait times.

chased a new mobile unit to perform hearing testing, onsite drug testing, and pre-placement physicals. This new unit has state of the art audiogram equipment and the space needed to complete physicals at your location. To learn more call and schedule a time to tour our new unit.

New Mobile Unit Come check out our new Mobile Unit. This last year we pur-

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Kelso

Longview

Running on an outdated charter?

Visit our beautiful city in 2016

By Mayor David Futcher

By City Councilmember Ken Botero Greetings from the beautiful City of Longview, a city filled with pride and dreams. As we start the new year in Longview let’s take a look at some of the positive, and awesome, successes in the community.

The City of Kelso operates under both the state’s code spelling out how cities are to run, and under its own charter specifying additional provisions.

We’re the only city in the whole state that operates that way, and I think the time has come to leave it behind.

As you enter the City of Longview from the interstate you are welcomed with a beautiful waterfall greeting sign at 7th Avenue and Tennant Way. As you continue down Tennant Way, you are greeted by a revamped entry way with beautiful trees and flowers that lead to the historic downtown area along Commerce Avenue, or you can continue to the Gem of the Northwest, Lake Sacajawea, with its new and beautiful Washington Way Bridge, that has just been replaced, giving the community the opportunity to venture across town to the wonderful renovations taking place at R.A. Long Park, better known as Civic Circle.

The charter lets citizens specify some additional rules for operating the city. If you didn’t have a charter, the state has a whole structure under which you can operate instead. Most of the state’s code is essentially identical to Kelso’s charter.

The biggest differences that have come into play recently relate to ways a councilmember could be removed from office. Our charter states that any member missing six meetings is out of a job. While that provision was frankly pretty handy last month,

You can take a little time to wander through the facilities of Lower Columbia College with all its new and exciting offerings for visitors and local citizens. You can continue your journey over to Commerce Avenue and the historic downtown, which is host to many restaurants, shopping venues and the arts, including the historic Columbia Theatre and Stageworks Northwest. Included in your tour, you will also find thrilling performances at the Wollenberg Auditorium at Lower Columbia College, and additional shopping at the Triangle Mall across from the college.

state code would still have that happen if a member missed three consecutive meetings without being excused.

The problem comes with our ward system. One ward has only about 200 registered voters, where the other three, more like 1,000. Because the borders were specified in the charter, we can’t change them without a vote each time. And when the West Kelso seat becomes vacant, as it is right now, very few

If it is sports that fills your needs you will find our two high schools R.A. Long and Mark Morris among the top rated in sports, and academics, in the state. The sports activities at the Lower Columbia College will set the stage for outstanding performance from both the women and men’s teams. Longview is very proud to present a host of youth sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, and, yes, we even

people are eligible to apply. We could still have a ward system if we abandoned the charter, but its boundaries would be reviewed after each census, to make sure that they’re balanced.

The council has talked about this problem for years, but I hope 2016 will be the year we actually get something out for

Please see Longview, page 17

voter consideration. We need a civic structure that makes sense.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Longview, from page 16 have Frisbee golf at Roy Morse Park. Speaking of golf, take in one of the most beautiful golf courses in the northwest as you play the 19-hole course at Mint Valley.

Picture Perfect Service

Welcome to Longview, where we welcome you as citizens and guests to our Quality of Place. Here’s to the positive adventures that lie ahead for you to enjoy, to shop, and to do business in a great community. This is a great invitation to start the new year right, and welcome you to join us as PROUD LONGVIEW CITIZENS with a lot to offer.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Business Toolbox

5 keys to building a strong business in 2016

By Jerry D. Petrick Certified Business Adviser Most business owners have a strong desire to improve their business. A strong business is one that can withstand the ups and downs of an economic cycle; it can replenish itself through profits; it’s agile, flexible, and communicates well; and it can support the owner’s lifestyle. A strong business is based on a true business opportunity and a sound business model. While a business opportunity is shaped by the market environment; a business model is the shaped by the owner. An enlightened way of looking at and defining your business model can be found at www.businessmodelgeneration.com There are at least five keys to building a strong business: • the owner’s ability to lead and manage; • a focus on customer needs and wants; • systematized processes and procedures; • hiring and investing in the right people; • managing cash LEAD AND MANAGE Whether your business consists of one person or many, a clear vision and mission is imperative. These drive goals and objectives that are timely, measurable, and accountable. Amid many distractions, it keeps the owner focused.

If the owner can effectively engage employees to embrace the vision and achieve company goals, the probability of success is high. In fact, the most important things an owner can do is stay focused on what the company does well and help employees do their best work. These concepts are driven home in books like “Good to Great” by Jim Collins and “The E-Myth” by Michael Gerber. One adage that is worth minding as a business owner: We manage things and we lead people.

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MAINTAIN A CUSTOMER-DRIVEN FOCUS A customer-driven business is one that is synchronized with what customers really want and need. Most important is what customers and prospective customers value. These can be many things: a fair price, convenience, fast turnaround, quality, etc. The reward for meeting their needs is predictable sales and growth. However, “customers” include more than the buying public. They may include shareholders, suppliers, bankers, employees, and others who rely on an owner’s ability to keep his or her promises. A strong business balances the needs of all these “customers.”

USE SYSTEMATIC PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES Customers don’t really care how it’s done, they just want their needs met. However, to meet the needs of everyone – especially shareholders – production and delivery of goods and services must be efficient. The process of creating value to customers is based on a total management system originally used by Toyota and described in “The Machine that Changed the World” by J. Womack, D. Jones, and D. Roos.

A useful tool for those looking to reinvigorate their business is the book by Eric Ries, “The Lean Start-up”. This work describes approaches to innovation and time-to-market such as “Minimum viable solution” and “Opportunistic adaptation”. This is a good read for sparking your thought processes and encouraging you to think differently.

HIRE RIGHT (WELL) An owner soon realizes that building a strong business is tough to do alone. At a minimum, an external team including a banker, insurance agent, certified public accountant, and attorney may be required. At some point, though, employees will

Please see Petrick, page 19

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Business Toolbox Petrick, from page 18 be needed to manage day-to-day functions as the business grows.

An owner needs to assemble and lead people to apply principles and practices systematically and coherently. The key to assembling the right people is hiring well. This means selecting people for their talents and building on their strengths. Once people have joined your team the next order of business includes investing in their talents, listening to their thoughts, assisting them in their jobs, and rewarding them for work well done. In the book, “First, Break All the Rules”, authors Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman share the results of in-depth interviews revealing how the world’s greatest managers use these techniques.

MANAGE CASH Every strong business depends on a predictable, consistent cash flow. A profit plan measures true profitability and is the best mea-

sure of efficiency. However, a cash budget that predicts and monitors cash flowing into and out of a business is a good measure of sustainability. If an owner can predict and budget cash flow, then he or she can make better decisions on how and when to use cash.

When businesses extend credit to buyers, incoming cash lags behind sales. When sales are made, assets (like inventory or labor) are required to complete the transaction and these assets require cash. Therefore, a lot of cash is going out and not a lot of cash is coming in throughout seasonal or cyclical fluctuations. Since the business owner can’t pay bills with negative cash, he or she has to either borrow cash or inject it. Managing cash with a budget helps the owner predict cash shortages so funds can be arranged (often with a bank loan) to fill the gaps. When collections create excess cash, the short term loans can be paid back. Even profitable businesses can go bankrupt if they haven’t balanced the cash flow cycle.

While many factors contribute to building a strong business, these five deserve special attention. Strong businesses support their local communities and are the foundation upon which the economy grows.

These and other strategies will help you re-examine your business in 2016 and make your business prospects better than ever!

Happy New Year!

This article was prepared by Jerry Petrick, Certified Business Adviser for the Washington State University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Longview. He provides confidential, business advisory services by appointment. He can be contacted jerry.petrick@wsbdc.org

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Council of Governments

Housing for economic development

By Bill Fashing Executive Director – Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments The Southwest Washington Economic Development District has identified Housing for Economic Development as a focus issue for the 2015-2016 year. The CWCOG serves as the lead entity for the District and has been researching the issue throughout the threecounty (Cowlitz/Wahkiakum/Lewis) region. A few of the findings from that research and the emerging questions are shared here with a focus on Cowlitz County.

Nationally, there is a major discussion going on regarding affordable housing and housing availability. Our market is unique but shares many of the same challenges and obstacles seen in similar communities nationwide. Based on initial review of the Census numbers, it appears we may not have a housing shortage like some communities but that instead we might be facing a housing marketability issue. At the same time, talking to those involved in the market clearly indicates their concerns of a housing shortage in both the rental and purchase markets.

In Cowlitz County and the region as a whole, housing growth (which incorporates both owner-occupied and rental units) is outpacing population growth. Over the last 14 years we have seen a population change of 7.6 percent and a change of 12.7 percent in housing units, which might indicate available housing. Yet there is currently a significant pressure on the housing market. Some rental agencies are reporting vacancy rates of less than 1 percent of their inventory. By comparison, looking at Clark and Thurston counties as the greater “commute shed� for the three-county region, Thurston County is producing housing units at only about 1 percent over the population growth, while Clark County is about 2 percent shy of the housing growth it needs to keep up with its population. The numbers for Thurston and Clark counties could imply

that relocating to this region would be a good choice for some portion of the people residing within the commute shed.

This basic analysis does not take into consideration portions of the housing stock that may not be readily available for occupancy by local residents. Examples include seasonal housing and cabins, units that have been sold or rented but which are not occupied, and other units in transition that are not occupied for some reason.

There is the additional factor of foreclosures. According to RealtyTrac, one in 963 homes in the county is known to be under foreclosure (around 43 homes), but this probably does not reflect the full influence of this factor. After deducting such units, the numbers start to show a tighter housing market.

Other factors that might contribute to a tight housing market include the possibility of a shrinking per household population and population increases more significant than current estimates show. The 2000 and 2010 Census respectively show the county at a fairly steady rate of 2.53 and 2.51 persons per household. A drop in household size to an average of 2.41 people per household would create a substantial strain on the market. This level of shift would lower the ability to house around 4,000 people based on the current housing stock. If these factors are applied to the Clark County market, we also start to see a significantly different scenario and a very tight market contributing to stresses in Cowlitz County.

With the strained market in Clark County, there will be new housing pressures on Woodland and the rest of Cowlitz County. Are we seeing a small housing demand bubble that is not yet showing up in the official statistics? Time will tell, but for now we are seeing

Please see CWCOG, page 21

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

CWCOG, from page 20 challenges relating to housing that may impact economic development efforts and will definitely impact those looking for housing.

The census also shows that between 2000 and 2010, the number of residents age 65 and older increased by 2 percent. The general preference of the aging population is to try to remain in their home for as long as possible before downsizing and/or needing assistance or intensive medical care. As the population ages, it is also more likely we will see the loss of a spouse resulting in the downward pressure on the average household size. We are all aware of the aging community and may be seeing one of the many impacts as baby boomers continue to age.

Other housing issues in the region relate to the age of the current housing stock. More than half of the housing stock within Cowlitz County was built before 1990, and a third prior to 1960. Unless it has been significantly remodeled, it’s more likely to be dated and lacking in contemporary amenities, and major systems and components may be reaching the end of their life cycles.

More than half the homes within Cowlitz County are valued at less than $200,000, compared to only 35 percent in the commute shed. This may be indicative of how desirable homes are in terms of things like maintenance/upkeep, location, spaciousness, proximity to services, neighborhood amenities, school quality, etc. – the kind of things families with good-paying jobs will be looking for when choosing to upgrade or to relocate to the area. It could be that some of these older homes are off market due to condition and the inability of the owners to afford improvements to make them habitable; however, this is not just a matter of condition but how they compete with a neighboring county that has a much greater selection of housing stock that is newer. Overall homes and rooms are larger; they have contemporary appliances; they are more likely to have attached garages, centralized heating systems, and other amenities.

The National Association of Home Builders says the age of housing stock is an important indicator for the housing market. Ag-

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ing homes require remodeling and renovations as these structures are, for example, less energy-efficient than new construction. The smaller share of new construction, together with an aging housing stock, represents an opportunity for builders and developers as housing demand increases. From 1993-2013, the median age of homes increased from 27 to 37 years, signaling a growing market for remodelers as older structures normally require additional remodeling and renovations. It also implies additional demand for more new construction over the long run.

Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies’ Remodeling Futures Program says home improvement spending is projected to pick up pace moving into 2016, according to its Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released October 15, 2015. The LIRA projects annual spending growth for home improvements will accelerate from 2.4 percent in the last quarter to 6.8 percent in the second quarter of 2016. “Although we expect remodeling activity to strengthen through the first half of 2016, further gains could be tempered,” cautions Abbe Will, a research analyst in the Remodeling Futures Program. “Current slowdowns in shipments of building materials and remodeling contractor employment trends, as well as restrictive consumer lending environments, are lowering remodeler sentiment and could keep spending gains in the mid-single digit range moving forward.”

The local market is seeing an increase in interest from outside the area. Funds are flowing to the region to support the purchase and update of properties for resale and in some cases for the rental market. This will continue to fuel increases in housing costs in the county that are already creeping up for both rentals and owner-occupied residences. Over the last four years, we have seen a steady increase in the monthly mean sales prices over the previous year.

Questions we are exploring include how to attract new investment in housing to expand the supply of market rate apartments and single family homes. How do we preserve housing availability for the aging population and for the working families that have experienced financial strains over the past decade? How can we work to improve housing options throughout the county to enhance the quality of place and the overall desirability of the region?

Efforts are under way to develop a set of strategies to address housing issues for the “40 for 2020” event scheduled for late January. Your thoughts and comments on the topic and the challenges and opportunities for housing are welcome. You can reach me at bfashing@cwcog.org

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Longview School District

Kelso School District

Every Student Succeeds Act replaces NCLB

The standards and beyond for students

By Superintendent Dan Zorn

By Superintendent Glenn Gelbrich Federal and state policy makers have spent recent years in earnest trying to define, measure and hold educators accountable for a quality education for all students. This is a standard that is unprecedented worldwide. No society has ever educated all of its students to such high achievement.

Nevertheless, it is a worthy goal and one to which all educators in Kelso aspire.

The U.S. Congress recently approved the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) as a replacement for the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation that has been in place since 2002.

This new legislation will lessen the federal government’s role in our public schools and return school governance to states and locally elected school boards. While not a perfect law, ESSA assures that decisions regarding the education of our children are made much closer to the communities that are affected – a positive shift in direction.

The challenge comes in three forms for school districts across the country: 1) believing in it, 2) organizing the work in a way that achieves it, and 3) adequately resourcing it with state and local funding. Our teachers, administrators and support staff believe in the goal of success for every child and it is evident in their efforts everyday. There are countless examples of employees at every level of our school district going well beyond their job responsibilities to enhance the success of “one more” student.

Meanwhile, ESSA maintains a focus on improving student achievement levels. It continues to require the annual testing of students in the 3rd through 8th grade, and once in high school, but states will now have flexibility over what tests are used and the length of these tests.

In Kelso, there is a fourth challenge. Our community – including our employees – wants more for our students. In addition to preparing our students for academic learning and skills in the trades, our community and our employees expect us to partner with them in developing young people who are proud of our country and our community. We expect students to know and experience the value of giving back to their community. From our Veterans Day celebrations to holiday giving to community service everyday, our youth are actively participating in civic and patriotic acts under the careful tutelage of our staff.

Under the new legislation, federal and state decision makers will be responsible for making sure that school districts set and reach appropriate goals for student achievement levels. Schools that fail to meet acceptable levels of performance will continue to be monitored, however the remedies for “failing schools” will be left for individual states to determine.

This is a positive trend, and one that will provide our local public schools greater flexibility in the approaches and interventions we can take to meet the needs of our students.

Longview Schools have already begun to work with our local legislators to assure that we take advantage of this newfound flexibility to craft educational solutions that work for Longview and the State of Washington.

We are immensely grateful to the many community partners who help us provide these rich work, service, and educational opportunities for our students. Without them, the daunting goals we have for student learning would seem unachievable. With the unparalleled dedication of our employees and the unyielding support of our community, every child can be successful.

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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.

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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

kelsolongviewchamber.org

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Holiday Mixer

Happy Holidays!

Lower Columbia College President Chris Bailey and KLOG/KUKN/The Wave President Joel Hanson were gracious hosts for the December 14 celebration at LCC’s Rose Center for the Arts.

Tiffany Stewart and Linda Clark with LCC did a beautiful job setting up the Rose Center. Thank you!

Jadon Kreinheder with Koelsch Senior Communities carried away an armful of holiday cheer.

Natalie Lassen, Danette Traver, Barbara Sudar with Pacific Surgical Institute.

Chamber Ambassador Carrie Medack and CEO Bill Marcum got into the giving spirit with LeeRoy Parcel of Cascade Title Co.

See more photos on the Chamber’s Facebook page or click here.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Mind Your Own Business (at the Library)

Make a resolution to learn another language this year

By Chris Skaugset Director – Longview Public Library

even try something like Malay, Tagalog, or Swahili. Finally, for those of you with a more salty bent you

It’s 2016 (or at least it will be by the time that you are reading it). Welcome to the new year and with it the numerous resolutions and other levels of commitment to do things differently, or to improve some aspect of our lives. One of the things that you can do in this new year is learning another language. Many of us took some sort of foreign language back in high school or in college. These were usually (depending upon your age) Spanish, French, German or maybe Latin. Now there are numerous other languages to learn especially here in the Pacific Rim, people now learn Japanese, Korean or Chinese.

can even learn Pirate. There is also English for those new to our country and who want to learn English as a Second Language. All of these are conversationally based and there are even some films in the language with English subtitles to help you learn in another way. All of these are available to you right now. If you go to the library’s website (www. longviewlibrary.org) you will find Mango as part of our 24/7 library under Online Databases. You will need your library card number from the back of your card and your PIN, which

You can do this at your Longview Library in several ways, including a new and exciting one. We have a number of books, ranging from specific language dictionaries, grammar guides, and a few actual workbooks. We also have a number of books written in other languages including Spanish, French, German, and Vietnamese to name just a few.

Better than that, we have audiobooks that help teach you a variety of languages. So, if you’re an audio learner you might rather listen and learn in your car, or while you’re working on something around your house, audiobooks might be the best option for you. We also have a few foreign movies with subtitles. If you’re a more visual person this might be another way to brush up on some dormant language skills.

should be the last 4 digits of your phone number. You can also download the Mango app from wherever you download your apps.

If you’re looking to improve your skills in English or learn it as a second language, contact Elizabeth Partridge who is in charge of our adult literacy program, Project Read. She matches up learners with volunteer tutors to help people achieve whatever language goals they have whether it’s to improve their conversational skills, pass the GED, or become a United States citizen. She is also always looking for volunteer tutors to match up with potential learners. No specific back-

Beginning this year, library patrons will have access to an online language-learning portal called Mango. With your Longview Library card you will have access to 71 different languages and a variety of skill levels. These include all of those languages I mentioned previously but include others such as Hindi, Irish, Arabic, Farsi, or Icelandic. You might

ground necessary (you will get all the training you need), just a desire to work one-on-one with someone who is trying to improve his or her lives. So, begin your new year by making a resolution to visit your local library and see what we can help you accomplish.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Ambassador of the Month

Busy volunteer effort wraps up December honor for Fierst In December, Pam Fierst is part of a group that dresses up and makes appearances as the characters Grinch, Max and Cindy Lou from the Christmas classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” She’s at the Christmas parade handing out candy and taking pictures, ringing a bell for the Salvation Army, helping out with the Jingle all the Way run, and snapping up photo opportunties with visitors at the Castle Rock Festival of Lights It’s part of the reason the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce picked Fierst as its Ambassador of the Month for December.

Fierst serves as Director of Sales and Catering/Manager with the Red Lion Hotel and Conference Center in Kelso. Her venture with the Chamber Ambassador program began 17 years ago. She was working as general manager at the Ramada and looking to network with other businesses but was having a hard time approaching them. Then one day she spied a group wearing blue jackets (Ambassadors now wear red blazers).

“At that time they were blue, so I asked them what they were about and thought that would be a great way to get started,” she said.

Like other Ambassadors, Fierst enjoys being on the front lines when new companies come to town through ribbon cutting assignments and getting a better understanding of companies

through Business After Hours events.

She also likes making connections for members.

“I guess this is something that happens quite often,” she said. “But when

December Pam Fierst

Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center – Kelso

a new member comes in and thinks that they don’t know anyone and you start talking to them and introducing them to others and they find out the they have been doing business with them or that they have talked with them on the phone a number of times and then they go off on their own and start networking with other business.”

Fierst volunteers at a number of events throughout the community and with a number of organizations. She and her husband Destry will soon be empty-nesters as their last child graduates from high school this year. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, fishing and traveling, carryovers from her younger years growing up on a farm and from her earlier life when she participated in rodeos as a barrel racer and taught hunter education classes.

SCORE! We’re on your team!

Chamber Ambassadors, known as The Red Coats, are an integral part of the Chamber of Commerce. The Ambassador team is made up of active Chamber volunteers whose responsibilities

Express can help you find, screen, test, hire, train & motivate employees.

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.

360.414.1200

If you would be interested in wearing a red coat and representing

www.expresslongview.com

the Chamber, contact CEO Bill Marcum at the Chamber office.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Longview Downtown Partnership

Gingerbread contest brings down the house

By Marcel Goulet President – Longview Downtown Partnership

Gail Wells of R.A. Long High School served as the judge of what she described as a very difficult job of choosing from the excellent entries.

Regardless of all the wind and rain and floods, there is no mistake that we just sailed through the Christmas and all the holiday events that go with it.

The winners announced were the following: • Jan Ferguson and her gingerbread house, 1st place in the adult category • Summer Little and her gingerbread house, 1st place in the youth 13 to 18 years old category

The Downtown Partnership sponsored the now traditional Gingerbread House Contest on December 5.

The event was organized and took place at the Broadway Gallery thanks to the efforts of Jamie Bayer, artist and gallery manager, and Laurel Murphy, president of the Longview Outdoor Gallery.

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• Erin McKee’s gingerbread dinosaur scene, People’s Choice Award in the adult category You can see their entries and others at the Gallery’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheBroadwayGallery.

Later that very same day, the Downtown Partnership sponsored its 30th Longview Christmas Parade.

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• Emily Williams with her gingerbread outhouse, 1st place in the youth 9 to 12 years old category

Thanks to the great job of Alice Dietz, the PUD communication specialist senior, and her team with the Cowlitz PUD’s Connect to Community Committee, everything went off without a hitch.

Bianca Lemmons VP/Manager/LPO

Of the 74 participating floats and bands in the parade, here is the list of award winners: • Best in Show: Carl’s Towing • Community Spirit Award: Longview Soccer

Deanna Cornelison Escrow Officer

• Athletic Entertainment: Kelso Band

Shelby Caufman Escrow Officer

• Santa’s Pick: Girl Scouts • Best Retail: Superior Tire • Best Use of Lights: Family Health Center

Linda Comley Escrow Officer/LPO

Leah Stanley Escrow Assistant

■ ■

Rita Lawrence Escrow Assistant

Kristy Norman Escrow Assistant

1159 14th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632 ■ Phone: 360.423.5330 ■ www.cowlitztitle.com

Despite a light drizzle, the city residents and families all had a great time thanks to the collaborative efforts of the members of the Longview Downtown Partnership, Alice with her team from the PUD, and the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce.

Yes, the weather has been “frightful” but let there be no mistake that we were in the midst of a very traditional Longview Christmas, which once again has been enjoyed by many.

The Longview Downtown Partnership wishes all a very merry and safe holiday season and a very happy new year.

27

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Chamber Connection

Living Well Lonnie Knowles gives Russ Chittock of Prestige Senior Living Monticello Park and Brooke Fisher Clark with United Way of Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties his thumbs-up seal of approval for the work they do in the community.

As a family-owned business, Kristoffer and Erlyn Sweitzer introduced the kids to the radio studio and listeners to their Longview business, Sweitzer Drain and Rooter Service.

Lonnie Knowles, Carey Mackey and Tara Parker, scheduling coordinator of Apple Family Dental and their new office Longview Family Dental, are all smiles.

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Chamber Connection

Howdy!

Carey and Lonnie throw in a little song and dance for The Soap Factory owner Dawn Gregg.

Cold weather creates a need for toasty outerwear is the message Warm Coats, Warm Hearts founder Skyler Lee is getting out.

“Your Chamber Connection�

EVERY Wednesday Hosts of the Show: Carey Mackey, Red Canoe Credit Union ; Lonnie Knowles, Stewart Title, and Karen Sisson, Kelso Longview Chamber.

Would you like an opportunity to be on Your Chamber Connection or to have more information about the qualifications of an open house or ribbon cutting? Contact Bill or Karen at the Chamber 360-423-8400

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Stream live at www.threeriversradio.com Local guest and current events

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Chamber Connection

Catching up with Mill City Grill owner Trina Viuhkola. Bill Spencer also dropped in to talk about a recent fundraiser.

Work! Work! Work!

Julie Nelson of American Workforce Group stopped by to talk about programs.

Amelia Nesbit, owner of Body Rock Dance Space promoting “ish� with hosts Lonnie Knowles and Karen Sisson.

Columbia Theatre Director Gian Morelli updated everyone on the great shows planned for 2016!

30

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

In The News Greater Vancouver Chamber appoints McDonagh as interim CEO

supporter and community leader,” said Eric Olmsted, Board Chair of GVCC. “He will provide steadfast leadership during this transition period. The Chamber is in good hands.”

The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) announced recently the appointment of Interim CEO John McDonagh, Publisher of the Vancouver Business Journal. McDonagh will serve in the leadership position on an interim basis while GVCC conducts its search for the permanent CEO/President.

Kelso City Council accepting applications for Position 3

McDonagh has been active in local community affairs with leadership roles in a number of organizations including: the Clark County Fair Association, the Greater Clark County and Vancouver Rotary Clubs, Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC), the School of Piano Technology for the Blind and Visually Impaired and is the past Chair of both the Board of Directors for Share and the Vancouver Civil Service Commission.

“We welcome John McDonagh as a long time chamber member,

The City of Kelso is seeking applicants to fill Council Position No. 3, which was vacated by Jared Franklin, December 8. Applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, 203 S. Pacific, Suite No. 217 and on the City’s website at www.kelso.gov. These applications will be accepted through January 4, 5 p.m.

The Kelso City Charter, under eligibility for office, states that only those registered voters of the City who shall have resided in the City for one year shall be eligible to hold the office of council member. Potential council members must live in a geographical area termed as the ‘west ward’. The west ward consists of the area within the city limits between the Cowlitz River west to the city limits. The appointed individual will fulfill this Council position term ending December 31, 2017.

The City Council will hold a special meeting January 12 to review applications and anticipates filling the vacancy prior to the January 19 regular meeting.

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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

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

LIC. #SWEITDR851MF

ANY DRAIN UNBLOCKED 360-751-8406

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

SOME RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY, PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS OR VISIT WWW.SWEITZERDRAIN.COM

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Welcome Back!



We at the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce would like to give a SHOUT OUT and a big THANK YOU to the following loyal members for renewing their partnership with us.

*American Medical Response *Beacon Hill Sewer District *Cascade Title Company *CCS *City of Kelso *City of Longview *Comcast Spotlight *Costco Wholesale *Cowlitz County *Cowlitz County CASA *Cowlitz County P.U.D. *Cowlitz County Title Company *Cowlitz Wahkiakum Council of Governments *David E. Houten, DDS *Diamond Showcase *Document Management Archives *Dorothy Bain Hanson *Emerald Kalama Chemical *Express Employment Professionals *Freddy’s Just for The Halibut *Gordon Sondker *Interwest Benefit Consultants *KapStone *Koelsch Senior Communities *L.G. Isaacson Company *Longview Memorial Park, Funeral Home & Crematory *Lower Columbia College *Miller Paint *onthemark associates *Pacific Tech Construction, Inc. *Port of Longview *Rodman Realty, Inc. *Steel Painters/Railco *Swanson Bark & Wood Products, Inc. *The Golden Palace *The Red Hat *Three Rivers Eye Care

*Walstead Mertsching, PS *Watkins Tractor & Supply Co. *Acupuncture Northwest *Budget Blinds of Longview *Columbia Bank *Columbia Funeral Service *Columbia River Carpet One *Columbia River Mill Outlet *Compendium Consulting *Continental Investors Services, Inc. *Cowlitz County Guidance Association *DeFrancisco Lampitt and Brado PS *DSU Peterbilt *Estetica Day Spa *Fire Mountain Grill & Summerland Catering Services *G L Booth – JG Davis & Associates *Green Hills Crematory – Cascade NW Funeral Chapel *Kay Green *Signature Transport, Inc. *State Farm Insurance – Scott Fischer *Teague’s Interiors *Diamond Residential *Applied Application *Broderick Gallery *American Legion *Coleman Cellular *Port of Woodland *Advanced Dental Services *All Out Sewer & Drain Services *Baker Lumber Company *Brusco Tug and Barge *Carl’s Towing Service & Repair *Carlson’s Heating & Air Conditioning *Cascade Natural Gas Corporation *Coldwell Banker Bain *Cole’s Appliance Repair *Comfort Inn

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*Community Home Health & Hospice *Cowlitz Credit Union *Cutright Wholesale Plumbing Supply *Family Health Center *Industrial Packing *Interiors Plus *Life Works *Longview Housing Authority *Longview Orthopedic Associates *Longview Public Schools *McDonald’s of Longview *Pacific Fibre Products *Nipp & Tuck *Paperback Galore *Rush Insurance/Financial Services *Schlecht Construction *Somerset Retirement Home and Assisted Living *T.C.’s RV and Mini Storage *United Finance *Viking Automatic Sprinkler Company *Wasser & Winters Company *William (BJ) R. Boatsman *Errand Girl *American Family Kari-Ann Botero *Guild Mortgage *Interstate Wood Products, Inc. *Lower Columbia CAP *M & R Painting, Inc. *Mint Valley Federal Credit Union *Newrock Homes, Inc. *Northwest Auto Specialist, Inc. *Retirement Strategies *Simpson Timber Company *Superior Tire Service, Inc. *The OM Home *Triangle Bowl *Cowlitz County Chaplaincy *Biggs Insurance Services

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Welcome Back! *Clay Bartness

*PNE Corp

*Stirling Honda

*Comcast

*Pro-Caliber Longview Motorsports

*Sweet Spot Frozen Yogurt

*Dick Hannah Toyota

*Red Canoe Credit Union

*Taco Time

*Fred Meyer, Inc.

*Red Canoe Credit Union 30th

*The Daily News

*Heritage Bank, Kelso

*Red Canoe Credit Union Washington Way

*The Roof Doctor

*Heritage Bank, Longview

*Safway Services, Inc.

*Twin City Glass Co.

*Hometown National Bank

*Searing Electric & Plumbing

*Twin City Service Co.

*Island Sun Tanning, Inc.

*Steel Chapel Longview Memorial Park

*Weatherguard, Inc.

*Kemira Water

*The Dog Zone

*Wilcox & Flegel Oil Company

*Longview Engineering and Design

*Utilize I.T., Inc.

*Workplace Wellness

*McCord Bros. Nissan Dodge

*Wal-Mart

*WorkSource Cowlitz/Wahkiakum

*Millennium Bulk Terminals

*Red Leaf Coffee

*B & R Mini Storage

*Minuteman Press

*BA Design

*Banda’s Bouquets

*Professional Communications Services

*American Red Cross

*Be Cause Business Resources, Inc.

*Servpro of Longview/Kelso

*Animal Health Services

*Best Western Aladdin Inn

*Sierra Pacific Mortgage

*Suzanne Arnitz

*Busack Electric

*Sterling Insurance

*Baxter Auto Parts

*Calportland

*Twin City Bank

*Behrends Body Shop

*Columbia Security

*U.S. Cellular

*Bob’s Sporting Goods

*Copies Today Speedy Litho, Inc.

*Waste Control Recycling, Inc.

*Burger King

*Cowlitz Container & Diecutting

*Woodford Commercial Real Estate

*Collins Architectural Group

*Edward Jones-Nick Lemiere

*United States Army

*Country Village Nutrition Shoppe & Café

*H & S Enterprises

*Lexi’s Pizza

*Day Wireless Systems

*Habitat For Humanity Cowlitz County

*B & B Air Conditioning & Heating – Entek

*Esteem Salon

*Hart Radiator

*Ethnic Support Council

*Heartsong Massage

*Fiesta Bonita Mexican Grill & Cantina

*J. L. Storedahl & Sons, Inc.

*Foster Farms

*Kaiser Permanente

*Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts

*Gallery of Diamonds

*Les Schwab Tire Center

*Community Health Partners/Cowlitz Free

*Global Images Graphic Design & Marketing

*Longview Timber Corp

Medical Clinic

*Hilander Dental

*Longview Urology

*Craig Stein Beverage

*Hydraulic Service, Inc.

*Ocean Beach Self Storage

*Dahl McVicker Funeral Homes

*Kelso Rotary

*P. T. Northwest

*Frontier Rehabilitation & Extended Care

*Les Schwab Tire Center

*Pacific Office Automation

*Northwest Motor Service

*Papa Pete’s Pizza – Longview

*Gibbs & Olson, Inc.

*Overhead Door Company of Southwest

*PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center

*Humane Society of Cowlitz County

*Washington

*Pets, Pawns & Imports

*Life Mortgage

*Peter C. Wagner, D.M.D., PS

*SW Washington Symphony

*Music & More D.J.s

*ProBuild

*The UPS Store

*Noelle McLean PS

*Propel Insurance

*TSYS Merchant Solutions

*Pacific Lumber & Shipping Co.

*Shamrock Tavern

*Washington State University Vancouver

*Papé Machinery

*Shirley L. Smith

*Zip Local

Corp. *Bicoastal Media dba KLYK/KRQT/KEDO/ NEW COUNTRY

Center

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Tuesday, January 12, 2016 5:30-7:30pm

Kelso Theatre Pub is the host site for this month‛s Business After Hours featuring Pizza and Italian cuisine, beer, wine and fountain drinks.

There is NO CHARGE for this event as owner Joel Hanson and the staff want to make sure that all their fans and clients can attend!

You must register at: www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Welcome Back! *Brown & Brown Northwest Insurance *Corwin Beverage *Cowlitz River Rigging, Inc. *Educational Service District No. 112 *Emergency Support Shelter *Employers Overload *Fairway collections *Futcher Group *Kelso School District *Kelso Theater Pub *Kelso-Longview Television, Inc. *KeyBank

*Longview Country Club *Lower Columbia Economic Development *Council *Motion Industries, Inc. *Mt St Helens Creation Information Center *N. W. Deli Distribution, Inc. *Pathways 2020 *Prestige Senior Living Monticello Park *Progress Center *Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center *Riverview Community Bank *Sessions Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

*Longview Early Edition Rotary *Longview Eye & Vision *Longview Physical & Sports Therapy *Longview Self Storage *Northwest Hardwoods, Inc. *Opsahl, Dawson & Company, P.S. *Renaud Electric Company, Inc. *Reprographics, Inc. *Solvay *Southwest Washington Blood Program *United Way of Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties *Willamette Dental *Anderson & Anderson Advisory, LLC *Berkshire Hathaway *Better Business Bureau *C's Photography *Cowlitz County Museum *Cowlitz Economic Development Council *Cowlitz Indian Tribe *Cowlitz River Dental *Epson Portland *Erickson Glass Co. *Estetica Day Spa *Fibre Federal Credit Union - Castle Rock *Branch *Guesthouse Inn & Suites *Kellogg Supply, Inc.

*Three Rivers Christian School *Timothy E. Nelson, DDS *Weyerhaeuser *Advanced Message & Dispatch *Beacon Hill Rehabilitation *Bob Beal Insurance Agency Inc. – State Farm *Building Industry Association of Clark County *Cascade Networks, Inc. *Cascade Select Market *Columbia River Reader *Davis & Associates, CPAs, PS *Eldon Robbins Auto Sales, Inc. *Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region *Longview Downtowners *Longview Pawnbrokers & Bail Bonds *North Pacific Paper Corporation/NORPAC *Performance Sheet Metal, Inc. *Prographyx *Snap Fitness *Stageworks Northwest *Stewart Title *Super 8 of Kelso/Longview *Three Rivers Mall *Youth & Family Link

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OUR LATEST RENEWING MEMBERS *Altrusa International Inc. of Longview-Kelso *Be Cause Business Resources, Inc. *Canterbury Inn *Columbia Ford Hyundai Nissan *Ecological Land Services, Inc. *Eoff Electric Company *Fibre Federal Credit Union - Main Branch *Jansen Flowers & Gift Gallery *KLOG/KUKN/the WAVE Radio Stations *Longview Radiologists, P.S., Inc. *Omelets & More *PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center Foundation *Suburban Propane *Take Shape for Life with Brenda Courser *Teri's Restaurant *Dream Dentistry *Reality Homes *Longview Eagles *Service Master *Ricoh *Planet Fitness *WA Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

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.

* Woodland Care Center * Teevin Bros. Land & Timber * Triangle Tavern * Avon * 19 Mile House * Service Surplus & Crafts * Century 21 R.E. Lund Realty * Bateaux Cellars

• Annual Meeting and Banquet • Networking Events • Committee Participation • Business Contacts • Quarterly Membership Meetings • Civic Representation • Monthly Business After Hours

• Legislative Representation • 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 • Membership Window Decals

• Legislative Update Breakfast

• Member Referrals

• Demographics Publication

• Ribbon Cutting

Packages

• Website Links • Member to Member Discounts

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

• Membership Directory

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

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

• Tax Deduction

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

• Newsletter

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

• Business Card Display

month.

• Use of Chamber Logo

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

Representation through action committees, candidate forums and up-to-date action alerts.

Nonprofit Package – $180 or $18 per month.

Join today! Call 360-423-8400 36

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Ribbon Cuttings

Ahhh!

Elle and Jake Beach, owners of Elle’s Essential Massage, opened their doors at 803 Vandercook Way in Longview in time for the stressful holiday season. Several Ambassadors were on hand for the December 2 ribbon cutting.

Open Again

Ambassadors and dignitaries showed up December 2 for the much anticipated reopening of the Washington Way Bridge.

Seasonal Shopping The Salvation Army opened its annual Holiday Store with the Ambassadors and a ribbon cutting December 7.

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December 29, 2015 The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce defines its vision as being “the catalyst for business and community prosperity�. One of our critical roles is to foster a successful economic environment within the community for our nearly 500 member companies.

Millennium Bulk Terminals has reinvested in an underutilized industrial facility in Cowlitz County to conduct environmental remediation on the site, and plans to upgrade the existing import/export bulk facility and construct a coal receiving, storage, and shipping terminal. As part of this development, Millennium is required to follow the complex permitting process with the Army Corps of Engineers, Cowlitz County, and the Washington State Department of Ecology, along with strictly adhering to existing State & Federal regulations.

The coal export terminal will result in economic and fiscal benefits to the local area and to Washington, while mitigating pre-existing environmental issues on the site. The project represents an opportunity to locate a world-class industrial facility on underutilized industrial land. State and local benefits will include new and significant jobs, wages, output, and tax revenue. It is also expected that the majority of the positions will be filled from the local labor pool with family wage jobs. We believe that the coal export terminal will be good for businesses in our community, because the wages and tax revenue will provide support to local commerce and community services.

For the above reasons, the Kelso Longview Chamber supports Millennium’s permit application and asks for a fair and timely approval process to enable this development to proceed.

Diane Craft 2015 Chamber Board President 105 Minor Rd Kelso, WA 98626

Julie Rinard 2016 Chamber Board President 105 Minor Rd Kelso, WA 98626

Kelso Longview Business Connection

January 2016

Jingle All the Way

Holiday Spirit is in the Bag The Jingle All the Way Committee and members of the Lower Columbia Professionals preparing runner bags for the 4th annual Jingle 5K.

A cast of characters and Miss Cowlitz County turned out for the event.

See more photos on the Chamber’s Facebook page or click here.

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Bumble the Abominable Snowman watching over racers who were dressed in holiday style.