May 2017 Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

May

2017

Volume 9, Issue 5

Business Connection Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

The first two Business Back 2 School events were well attended and educational.

Learn about the next stop in the series on Page 2.

Business learns with Back 2 School I

t’s been a number of years since Cowlitz PUD human resources specialist Teedara Garn sat in a Kelso High School classroom. She recently returned as a participant in the Chamber’s Business Back 2 School program.

“Classes have changed a lot since I graduated in 1999,” Garn said, recalling her first Business Back 2 School at her alma mater in October. “I was amazed by how the school structure had evolved and they were taking more measurements to get kids placed into classes that are aimed towards where they would be successful in their careers.

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Team Bill Marcum, CEO Lindsey Cope, Project Manager Amy Hallock, Visitor Information Center and Office Manager Kelso Longview Business Connection is published monthly by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 105 N. Minor Road • Kelso, WA 98626 • 360-423-8400 kelsolongviewchamber.org To advertise, call Bill Marcum, 360-423-8400 or email bmarcum@ kelsolongviewchamber.org Ad Deadline: 20th of each month

Teedara Garn and other Kelso Longview business leaders are learning how to prepare for today's graduating high school students through the Chamber's Business Back 2 School partnership with local districts.

Business Back 2 School

May 25 – Starting at 8:30 am Join us for a tour of Career and Technical Education programs at R.A. Long and Discovery High School.

This is a great opportunity to see and experience how education has changed in the past 40 years.

Cost is $15 Includes bus ride, coffee, lunch

“I found it interesting how the classes are structured to be hands-on and allow the kids to use practical knowledge to build their skill set. There is no more just looking at a textbook and figuring things out. In these CTE classes kids are using state of the art tools, computer software and hand on techniques to actually help them build resumes directly after high school.”

Garn said she has also learned about community programs for business to be more involved and help foster partnerships with local high schools.

The Business Back 2 School program has helped her and her employer PUD build a relationship with CTE directors from Kelso and Longview For more Business Back 2 School, see page 3

Business Back 2 School

Join us for a tour of Career and Technical Education programs at R.A. Long and Discovery High School! This is a great opportunity to see and experience how education has changed over the past 40 plus years.

May 25, 2017 R.A. Long & Discovery High School

Tentative Schedule:

Class Options Include:

8:30 am – Meet at Lowe’s Parking Lot, Ocean Beach Hwy. 8:45 am – Bus departs for R.A. Long High School

• Bio Medical Science • Fashion Marketing • Business and Marketing

9:00 am – Arrive at R.A. Long High School: Welcome and Review Class Schedule in Room 115

• Woodworking

9:15 am – 9:45 am – CTE Tour at R.A. Long & Discovery

• Theater Technology

9:55 am – 10:20 am – Session I - In selected classes

• Horticulture

10:25 am – 10:55 am – Session II – In selected classes

• Microsoft IT Academy

• Foods and Nutrition

11:00 am – 12:30 am – Lunch Period: Q&A, debriefing, evaluation 12:45 pm – Bus back to Parking Lot Cost is $15 and includes bus ride, coffee, lunch.

Bus ride to the school is mandatory - parking is extremely limited

Sign up today at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org Watch for Future

Business Back 2 School Sessions!

Business Back 2 School continued from page 1 school districts. Through this relationship, they are currently working on a half-day career day for the CTE students to help educate them about jobs available in the utility field and the levels of education needed to be hired in these positions.

“I think this is a great program and anyone looking at hiring in our local area should attend,” Garn said.

The big yellow Business Back 2 School bus rolls again May 25 to tour Career and Technical Education programs at RA Long and Discovery High School. This tour will include areas in food and nutrition, fashion marketing, business and marketing, woodworking, horticulture and theater technology, along with the Microsoft IT Academy.

Classes today are under the heading, Career and Technical Education or Career and College Readiness, said Longview Public Schools Director of Career and Technical Education Jill Diehl. Her job is to implement and manage all secondary CTE programs for the district’s three middle schools, two comprehensive high schools and one alternative high school.

In Longview, district leaders are increasing and enhancing the opportunities for students and have a vision for continued growth in programs and course offerings. Four years ago, Diehl began adding CTE programs at the middle schools. The plan expands offerings next year to include Medical Detective forensic science classes, computer science/coding classes in the middle schools and expanding medical intervention programs, manufacturing, fabrication and construction technology programs at the high school level.

“Our future goals include expanding our construction technology programs to include apprenticeship opportunities in the high school and expanding our foods/nutrition program into a full-scale culinary arts program that includes chef preparatory classes and catering,” Diehl said. “Career and Technical Education is always evolving and changing because programs are required to meet labor market demand and industry standards.

“The biggest changes in CTE are the increase in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses and an incredible infusion of high levels of technology into all programs. We have been on the cutting edge of providing students with the opportunity to develop strong technology skills in all programs and because of that, programs look very different today than even 10 years ago.”

Diehl believes many in the community would be surprised by the variety of programs and courses offered to today’s students and the high levels of technology.

Business Back 2 School often gives business leaders a hands-on experience in today's CTE classroom.

“Our virtual welder, for example, is a piece of equipment with cutting edge technology that engages students and prepares them to meet industry certification standards,” she said. “Most people in our community probably don’t think of a welding class as having “cutting edge technology” like ours does. The level of technology in each of our middle and high schools has increased dramatically over the past five years that I’ve been the CTE director.”

Bringing the community, especially local business leaders, into the classroom through Business Back 2 School is a win-win.

“It increases awareness of what today’s students are learning and the advanced technical skills their learning in preparation for future careers in local business and industry,” Diehl said. “For students, it gives them an opportunity to showcase their skills and connect with a professional or community member. For some of our students they have met professionals in business or industry related to their courses and that gives them an opportunity to learn from each other, as well. Students enjoy meeting people who work in a career field where they have an interest, it can often lead to job shadow or internship opportunities.”

Response to Business Back 2 School has been positive. Chamber CEO Bill Marcum and those involved, like Diehl, envision it as an annual event at each of Kelso and Longview’s high schools.

“I love that it gets the community into the schools and the opportunity to see and experience what we’re teaching students,” Diehl said. “I think there is a perception that CTE isn’t as prevalent in schools and the reality is that we have a significant number of programs and they’re growing and changing all of the time. “

May 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 3

Cowlitz County Commissioners

By Dennis Weber

Shelter, parks and plan updates Closure of Love Overwhelming Shelter – Following over two years of neighborhood turmoil, the low-barrier shelter operated adjacent to the County Administrative Building closed at the end of March. County commissioners heard from Kelso city officials, neighboring residents, nearby churches operating childcare centers, county employees witnessing aberrant behaviors in county restrooms and outside of the shelter, and citizens seeking building permits or licenses or paying taxes and being forced to deal with those loitering on doorsteps and in the courtyard. When the shelter’s landlord approached the county with an offer to buy the building, the commissioners quickly agreed – “provided the building was vacant.” After a three month delay during severe winter weather conditions, the shelter was finally closed. Local community groups continue working on strategies to help former residents address the conditions leading to their homelessness.

Property Sales near Riverside Park – During the past several months the county has accepted purchase offers for several parcels in Lexington near Riverside Park. Two vacant lots on Cowlitz Drive were sold at asking price and a third lot with an abandoned house was purchased

by Lower Columbia CAP for an affordable housing rehab project. In addition, the Lexington community will soon benefit from a new apartment complex being built next-door to the District No. 2 Fire Station on the site of the former Community Hall, torn down nearly 30 years ago.

Money from these sales will go toward park improvements and well as facility improvements as needed elsewhere in the county.

Comp Plan Nears Final Update – Commissioners continue their careful review of the proposed update of the Comprehensive Plan for guiding development in the unincorporated areas of the county. Replac-

ing an earlier plan adopted more than 40 years ago, the original draft was outlined by a citizen-led steering committee, chaired by retired County Commissioner Joel Rupley. After the original consultant was replaced, the draft was rewritten by county staff based on steering committee recommendations and reviewed by the Planning Commission, another citizen group advising the BOCC. All told, well over 25 public meetings were held throughout the county listening to landowners concerns. Since the entire county commission has turned over nearly twice since the comp plan project began, the additional review has also led to further refinements, reducing redundant language and reducing the quantity of policies. Once the BOCC gives tentative approval to the final draft, one more public review process will take place – the state-required environmental impact statement.

Public Works Continues to Tackle Storm Damage – Two consecutive winters of unseasonable rain has dramatically altered the priorities of the Public Works Department. Leveraging road fund reserves with state and federal grants, County Engineer Brad Bastin and his staff are aggressively pursuing road repairs countywide. The most damage has occurred along Kalama River Road, including a major slide that has forced upriver residents to rely on Weyerhaeuser logging roads to provide alternative travel routes. Preliminary estimates show the costs for county repairs from 2015 and 2016 approaching $5 million, some of which qualifies for federal assistance. Repairs on state routes like the Lewis River Road and I-5 are borne by the state’s Department of Transportation. While several federal programs finance repairs in relatively short order, FEMA reimbursements, unfortunately, takes many years to receive, as evidenced by the final approval earlier this year of a repair dating back to 2009.

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Lance Welch, President

Chris Bailey Lower Columbia College

Nick Lemiere Edward Jones

Clayton J. Bartness, DC Longview Chiropractic Clinic

Chris Roewe Woodford Commercial Real Estate

Neil Zick, Treasurer

Ken Botero Longview City Council

Tom Rozwod NORPAC/Weyerhaeuser

Michael Claxton, Legal Counsel

Bob Crisman Gallery of Diamonds

Ted Sprague Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Julie Rinard, Past President

Wendy Hutchinson Millennium Bulk Terminals

Steve Taylor Kelso City Manager

Joel Hanson, Past Past President

Wendy Kosloski Teague's Interiors

Dennis Weber Cowlitz County Commissioner

PeaceHealth

Linda DiLembo, President Elect Three Rivers Mall

Frank Panarra, Vice President Foster Farms

Twin City Bank

Walstead Mertsching

Community Home Health & Hospice KLOG/KUKN/The Wave

4 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

Calendar Wednesday May 3 – 4:30pm open/6pm start Pillars of Strength Business & Education Awards Rose Center for the Arts Lower Columbia College 1600 Maple St, Longview Thursday May 4 – 3:30pm Ribbon Cutting Innovative Sleep Centers 1700 Hudson St, Ste 202, Longview Friday May 5 – 11:30am Ribbon Cutting Applebee's 620 Triangle Shopping Center No 400, Longview Tuesday May 9 – 5:30-7:30pm Business After Hours (Free) Amada Senior Care 1106 Florida St, Longview Thursday May 11 – 5:30pm Ribbon Cutting Lara Casa Real Cigars at Roland Wines 1106 Florida St, Longview Friday May 12 – 7:30am Small Business Bootcamp Website v. Facebook Communication LCC Heritage Room 600 Maple St, Longview May 12 – Noon Paid Family Leave Seminar Cowlitz PUD Auditorium 961 12th Ave, Longview Thursday May 18 – 11:30am Ribbon Cutting CIC Credit Employment Screening Chamber Office 105 N. Minor, Kelso Friday May 19 – 7:30am Small Business Bootcamp Everything You Need to Know LCC Heritage Room 600 Maple St, Longview Friday May 26 – 7:30am Small Business Bootcamp Advertising with Facebook LCC Heritage Room 600 Maple St, Longview

Lower Columbia College

By Chris Bailey

President

Washington’s community and technical college system turns 50 This month, Washington’s community and technical college system is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Meanwhile, House and Senate budget negotiators are working hard to craft a two-year spending plan for our state. The two events are closely connected, because the decisions made in the final budget will decide the fate of Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges and their students in the years to come.

When Gov. Dan Evans signed the Community College Act in 1967, he threw open the doors to higher education for all residents at a more affordable cost. He recognized that everyone deserves a chance at upward mobility just as employers need skilled workers in order to thrive. While several colleges already existed, the 1967 legislation knitted colleges together under a unified system with a common vision. This allowed the college system to become a powerful force not just for local economies, but for regional industries and the state as a whole. Although LCC was established in 1934, becoming part of the statewide system in 1967 provided a significant boost for the college that positively impacted the surrounding community.

Today, about 381,000 students attend our 34 community and technical colleges. At Lower Columbia College, we serve more than 6,000

students each year. Our graduates land wellpaying jobs or transfer to universities. Yet collectively, the state’s colleges are operating at 2007 funding levels. This is damaging to our students, our state economy, and our businesses that so desperately need qualified employees.

Consider this: of the 740,000 job openings in Washington in the next five years, more than half will require a college certificate or degree.

At LCC, we offer courses in more than 70 different programs and disciplines designed to lead to employment in fields such as manufacturing, computer science, education and healthcare. We also help people who already have jobs stay up-to-date in their fields.

Investments in higher education pay off many times over for Washington state. A new economic impact study shows that Washington’s community and technical colleges — including current and former students — add $20.5 billion to the state’s economy each year.

Decade after decade, our unified community and technical college system has offered real opportunities, to real people, in real time.

Additional investments by the Legislature would ensure our colleges remain a strong and vital part of Washington’s economy in the years ahead.

Monday May 29 Memorial Day Chamber Office Closed Every Monday Through May 24 – 7 am Special Session Legislative Briefing Breakfast Red Lion Hotel, Birch Room 510 Kelso Dr, Kelso Every Wednesday Chamber Connections KEDO/1400 AM – 3-4 pm Stream live at www.kedoam.com

May 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 5

Chamber CEO’s Message

By Bill Marcum

Sponsorship opportunities abound Just last week I was asked several times about opportunities to sponsor events at the Chamber. Not very often does someone come to you and ask, “How do I get involved? And, can I sponsor that event?” So, I created the list below to give all of you an idea of the opportunities.

Quarterly Luncheon – $250 per Quarterly (4 total, $1,000) These luncheons are designed to provide our membership with an opportunity to learn valuable information that will help grow their business, manage and motivate employees, understand tax implications and market and sell products. The last Quarterly of the year is actually an evening event in cooperation with the Cowlitz Economic Development Council as a Legislative Report by our Senate and House representatives (November). Each event attracts between 100 and 145 people. Your sponsorship helps to offset the cost of producing this event. Each sponsors logo will be included in a PowerPoint presentation shown prior to, and after, the event. A banner will be hung in the banquet room showing your business as a sponsor of the event and your company logo will be included on all marketing materials promoting the event to members and non-members.

Small Business Boot Camp – $250 per session (3 sessions total, $750) Boot Camp is designed to assist small businesses with basic information and knowledge to help them run a more efficient and profitable business. Each session has six classes, with approximately 16-30 attendees. Sessions include information on reading a financial statement, preparing a business plan, budgeting, taxation, human resources, hiring and firing, process and procedures, company handbook, sales, sales people, marketing, social media, customer service, pricing for profit, business strategy, compensation and legislative issues. Sponsors banners are positioned at the event and a company logo will be included on all marketing materials promoting the event to members and non-members.

Chamber Golf Classic – $200 to $500 (Monday, June 19) The Chamber Golf Classic brings in more than 30 teams and more than 120 golfers each year. Sponsorships are available for lunch, dinner, cart, team photos, dessert, golf holes, beverage cart, putting contest and hole-in-one prizes. This is a fun-filled day that includes golf, lunch and dinner for all participants, awards, raffle prizes and lots and lots of laughs. Sponsor a hole or the desserts, play golf or do all three.

Business and Tourism Expo – $500 to $2,500 sponsorships available The Expo (March) consists of nearly 100 businesses showcasing their products or services in a full-day event designed on a businessto-business stage to bring awareness among businesses located in our area that can provide services and products to other local businesses.

The second part of the Expo is to invite local business owners, managers and staff, who were unable to set up a display at the event, to a more social atmosphere later in the day so they can also see what our local 6 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

businesses have to offer. Your sponsorship includes a table or booth, a banner at the event, logo on all marketing material, newspaper advertisements, radio spots and e-blasts.

Pillars of Strength Awards – $280 to $500 sponsorships available The business and education awards are given out at this event (May), including scholarships for our local youth. The event attracts more than 250 attendees each year. The $280 sponsorship is a table (eight tickets) we invite the scholarship winner and his/her parents to the event at no cost to the family. The Table Sponsors host one or two families depending on the number of tickets the business needs for their own employees. The $500 is to help offset the cost of event, this year taking place at the Rose Center on the Lower Columbia College campus. Sponsors receive recognition on the big screen prior to, and after, the event via a PowerPoint presentation. Logos from sponsors will be printed on the program, which list the nominees each business and education category, along with the Kelso Longview Chamber and Lower Columbia Professionals scholarship winners. Last year 14 scholarships were awarded for a total of $15,000. Your company logo will also appear on all marketing and communication used to promote the event.

Christmas After-Hours – $500 sponsorship is available This is the premier After Hours of the year, hosted at Lower Columbia College. More than 200 local business professionals attend this event. Sponsors receive 10 tickets ($250 value) to the event and logo on all marketing and promotional information used to advertise the event to our members. In 2015, we were able to provide two $1,000 scholarships to an LCC student from the proceeds of this event. The sponsorship funds are used to offset the cost of the event and provide for at least one scholarship.

Advertising Opportunities Chamber Newsletter – $50 to $400 depending on size and frequency The Chamber Newsletter is published around the first of each month and distributed electronically to members. Members of our larger businesses, the county, and cities, both school districts and Lower Columbia College all forward the electronic version to their staff via e-mail. The total distribution is estimated today at 6,200 copies. The pricing also includes your ad on the Chamber’s website at no additional charge. Take a look www.kelsolongviewchamber.org Today the newsletter is 39 pages with more than 13 guest columnist focused on business, government, education and news.

If you are interested in additional information about any of the sponsorship opportunities or advertising in the Kelso Longview Chamber Newsletter please contact me at 360-423-8400 or bmarcum@kelsolongviewchamber.org.

PORT OF KALAMA:

Strengthening Cultural, Recreational and Employment Opportunities

East Port Expansion Under Way Spencer Creek Business Park Breaks Ground Haydu Park: 45 Acres of Recreational Amenities The Port of Kalama strives to balance the economy, environment and quality of life to make Kalama the best possible place to live. www.portofkalama.com 360.673.2325

2017 Small Business

BOOT CAMP 2017 Series continues Friday, May 12 Friday Mornings ★ Lower Columbia College

7:30 am - 9 am ★ Heritage Room at LCC - Admin. Bldg.

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May 26

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June 2

Media Panel Facilitators: Panel from Radio, TV and Newspaper

June 9

Integrated Digital Marketing Strategy Facilitator: Fox Wu, Northwest Innovation Works

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❝ The Boardmanship Boot Camp is perfect for those boards who want to go to the next level. From basic board principles to finances to strategic planning, it has everything your board needs to make the next year what you want it to be. If you’re sick of just getting by and want to be an active board of directors to help your non-profit, I highly recommend this Boot Camp for you.

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360-423-8400

www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Cowlitz Wahkiakum Council of Governments

By Bill Fashing

Executive Director

Participate in state's Career Connected Learning Summit Is your local qualified applicant talent pool too small to meet your hiring needs? Would you like the chance to ‘test-drive’ a potential employee’s fit in your workplace or company culture? Are you having difficulty solving your entry-level job requirements? Join other local businesses to learn more about how to resolve these labor market challenges by engaging young adults in your local workforce. You’re invited to attend the state’s first Summit on Career Connected Learning to learn more and be a part of the conversation.

The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments (CWCOG) and the Wahkiakum County University Extension office are co-sponsoring the regional site for the Governor’s Summit on Career Connected Learning on May 31. The meeting is scheduled for the River Street Meeting Room, 255 Second St., in Cathlamet, Wash., from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

According to the state, there will be 740,000 job openings over the next five years in Washington. Many of those jobs will go unfilled without efforts to train our youth today. This event is focused on promoting real world, hands-on career connected-learning in the state. The target audience for the event includes industry, policy and education leaders. This effort will wrap up 18 months of effort by the Governor’s office and the Workforce training and Education Coordinating board.

Plan to join us for our regional group meeting in Cathlamet. The agenda will include presentations from a number of speakers including: Elaine Papadakis, executive director, Washington Workforce Board; Chris Reykdal, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Governor Jay Inslee. Speakers will be linked from

the central summit in Redmond, Wash. The formal presentation will be followed by a local discussion focusing on the needs and priorities of those in attendance. We will serve as one of 25 regional sites that will provide policy input from our regional discussions to the Governor’s office for inclusion in the final efforts.

SUMMIT GOALS: • Inspire and support business, industry, labor, and education stakeholders with actionable steps they can take in their own communities to support high-quality career-connected learning and pathways to great jobs.

• Build a network of champions committed to supporting early, frequent, and excellent career-connected learning opportunities for Washington’s youth, especially those from underrepresented populations.

• Highlight promising practices and programs in career-connected learning.

At our regional session, we will focus our discussion on the following items: • Creating a strong fit between the community and the career-connected policy recommendations • Identifying career-connected assets, gaps and determining local action steps and priorities The cost is $17 and includes lunch and beverages.

Register today at www.washingtonstem.org/GovernorsSummit.

You may e-mail me at bfashing@cwcog.org with any questions.

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May 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 9

Business Toolbox

By Jerry D. Petrick

Certified Business Adviser

Transitioning out of your business – what is your plan?

As you well know, small business owners are a special breed.

For many small business owners, their company is their ‘baby’. It’s where they invest the majority of their time and resources to ensure the business stays healthy and has opportunities to grow and thrive. In my experience, few business owners focus on preparing for that inevitable time when they will need/want to hand their ‘child’ over to someone else.

This may help explain why only about 30 percent of the almost 19 million family owned small businesses in America succeed into a second generation of family ownership; and only 15 percent make it to a third generation.

Succession planning is a critical issue for all businesses; however, it can literally be a matter of survival for a small business. Due to the added complexities of aging, illness, death, divorce, finances, and overall family dynamics business discussions and decisionmaking in family owned firms can be unusually emotional and are often avoided or delayed.

A key factor to remember is that ownership, control, and management are NOT the same thing – nor must they reside with the same people or entity. It is very important to appreciate that all things being equal, it is usually much more important to CONTROL an asset than to OWN it.

An effective succession strategy is one that: • Supports an orderly transition of ownership interests and management responsibilities while minimizing complications between heirs/beneficiaries/spouses [personal estate planning is vital to provide guidance in this effort and should ideally be developed concurrently – the personal and company affairs are usually very intertwined and need to be addressed holistically] • Identifies and provides economic support for relevant parties • Preserves value and wealth by minimizing tax liability • Reflects the values and principles the business owners hold dear and wish to carry forward or preserve (legacy) – sometimes this is the first real opportunity to clarify your values and decide how to memorialize them Thus ensuring that the business (and family) you worked to build and care about continues to thrive – if that is your desire – after your retirement or death.

DEVELOPING YOUR SUCCESSION PLAN As with most things in life and business, there is no ‘one size fits all’ succession plan or solution, and the details will vary based on your unique situation. Here are some important considerations to keep in mind as you develop your succession strategy:

10 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

Start Early! – Begin this process as early as possible; I encourage my clients to include their exit strategy in mind as they write their first business plan. As Stephen Covey says... “Begin with the end in mind.” If you do this, you are less likely to have circumstances make your decisions for you – by virtue of timing or lack of planning.

Choose Your Successors Wisely – If you dream of keeping your business in the family this could be one of the most important and difficult aspects of the process. It is possible those family members you have always envisioned or expected would take over the business may have no interest or the skills to do so. I suggest taking an objective look at the relative skills, abilities, and interests of potential successors – with an eye toward the different roles of owner and manager (which may not be the same person). You may also look at longtime, key employees who might be suitable to pass the baton to.

Given the potential dicey issues of family politics, greed, and emotional attachment; you may want to engage a professional to help walk you through this process in a deliberate, objective manner. Although this can seem to be an unneeded expense – you will find it money well spent. You will not likely have an opportunity for a ‘do-over‘. Keep in mind, the best interests of the business may be served by a non-member of the family – trusted employee, outside expert etc. Your family members can still retain ownership and/or control without managing the operations of the business.

Choose a Legal Structure for Transfer of Ownership – Depending on your plans for the business after you leave, there can be significant financial impacts including tax consequences based on the method of transition. If your business is passed on from you without thoughtful succession planning (in the event of sudden death without plans/structures in place) the fiscal and family impacts can be dire. It is not uncommon for a forced sale of the business to pay the taxes resulting from inadequate planning; as a result the business is no longer in the hands of those envisioned to succeed the owner. I recommend consulting tax and legal advisers for advice for your unique situation. Among the various methods for legal transfer of your business you may want to consider: Selling Your Business – Sometimes the most straightforward plan; especially if there are no appropriate successors. Selling your business can create a cash flow to support your retirement interests and lifestyle. You can choose when you wish to sell and under what terms. Again, it is advisable to consult the appropriate professionals to help structure and value the business.

Using a ‘Buy-Sell’ Agreement – This agreement prearranges the sale of your business interest enabling you to maintain conFor more Petrick, see page 11

Petrick continued from page 10 trol until the event that the agreement specifies, such as retirement, divorce, disability, or death. When this happens, the buyer becomes obligated to purchase your interest in the business from you or your estate at the fair market value. Because the terms and price are pre-arranged, buy-sell agreements eliminate the possibility of a fire sale upon illness or death. Buy-sell agreements are often helpful when partners are involved. The agreement provides the remaining partner(s) certainty about the future of the business ownership.

Set-up a Family Limited Partnership – This structure is designed to limit tax estate and inheritance tax liabilities. Creating a partnership with both general and limited interests; you would transfer your business to the partnership, retain the general partnership interest for yourself, maintaining control over the operation of the business, while incrementally gifting the limited partnership interest to family members.

Engage the Pros – As you can see from this brief discussion, succession planning can have numerous aspects depending on your specific circumstances and wishes. This is not a time to be cheap – remember; it is not what something costs that is important...rather, what is it worth? It is strongly recommended that you consult with an attorney and a financial adviser to help you structure a legally sound succession plan. As with any plan, make sure you review it regularly (every three years or so) and when there is a material change in your circumstance (death, divorce, retirement, significant tax code change) to make sure your plan still meets your needs.

This article was prepared by Jerry Petrick, MBA, CGBP, SPHR, PMP and Certified Business Adviser with the Washington State University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Longview. Jerry provides no-cost, confidential business advisory services by appointment.

He can be reached via email jerry.petrick@wsbdc.org

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ancmovers.com May 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 11

City of Kelso

City of Longview

By Mayor David Futcher

By City Councilman Ken Botero

Funding to help complete West Main Kelso recently received notice that an allocation of $3 million was included in both the House and Senate transportation budgets to help complete the second phase of the West Main realignment project. While we still need to find additional funding to meet the budgeted cost of $6 to $7 million for this phase, the state funds will fund a sufficient portion of the project to make obtaining the additional funds much simpler for city staff.

The value of this project to the community at large – not just Kelso – is evidenced by the funding that has been received for both the initial and now final phases. The City of Kelso has invested far less than $1 million to date, with the vast majority of the funding coming from regional, state and federal sources.

Completing the final phase of the realignment will bring the current route into better alignment with Ocean Beach Highway by expanding the roadway to allow an extra couple lanes. The expansion will be to the south of the existing roadway, and should eliminate the current bottleneck of merging from two lanes each way into one as you head west. The funding will help us acquire some residential properties and at least a portion of the former OfficeMax building needed to widen the street.

I’ve always believed that this project wasn’t going to be a complete success until it was complete. What you’ve seen the last five years is going to be very different from the final product. We’ll have a betterfunctioning corridor, a renewed West Main for business growth, and new streets on both routes. Yes, you’ll still have to remember that you no longer have a free left turn out of West Main onto Cowlitz Way, but I have faith in your ability to adapt.

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12 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

Developing community Greetings from the Jewel of the Northwest, Longview, Wash.

Now that spring is finally here, in theory, I have been thinking about what community development really entails and what the real meaning of community development means. I came across a very positive article, as a matter of fact a couple of articles , that gave me a wider understanding of the desired outcome of community development.

One of the articles stated, “Rural community development is a process conducted by community members. It is a process where local people can not only create more jobs, income and infrastructure, but also help our community become fundamentally better able to manage change.

“The concrete benefits of community development, such as employment and infrastructure, come through local people changing attitudes, mobilizing existing skills, improving networks, thinking differently about problems,, and using community assets in new ways. Community development improves the situation of a community, not just economically, but also as a strong functioning community itself.”

It continued, “Rural community development builds the five capitols of a community – physical, financial, human, social and environmental.

It is through participation in their community that people rethink problems and expand contacts and networks: building social capital. They learn new skills, building new capital. They develop new economic options, building physical and financial capital and they also improve their environment.”

In Longview we are privileged to have several committee’s that work with council and staff to provide for community development. How do we include community members in providing concerns and understanding community problems? Do we educate the community and listen to their concerns? This is something that every community should work with to provide for our quality of place. Community learning and development contributes to strengthening social capital by improving the knowledge, skills, confidence, motivation, networks and resources that the individual citizens and groups in our community have.

I would invite all of our citizens in Longview and Kelso to unite and be a part of the solution in providing for our quality of place. Attending what some might call boring meetings, including council and planning commission meetings, are one of the first steps in gaining an education concerning YOUR COMMUNITY. I for one am very proud to live in a positive and forward looking community.

PORT TALK PORT OF LONGVIEW NEWSLETTER

The Port of Longview signage handing proudly in 1955.

WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITY, FOR OUR COMMUNITY The Port of Longview has been a hub for international trade for nearly 100 years. Although we have gone through a lot of changes and modernizations, stimulating the local economy has always been our primary purpose.

Lori plays an essential role in finding new Port employees

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: LORI FULLER, HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER How long have you been employed at the Port?

I have been working at the Port of Longview since 1991.

I just celebrated my 25 year anniversary last year!

To operate the Port, the Port and businesses that work with us hire local workers and make local purchases from companies in our community. Through local purchases, the Port of Longview is boosting local business and fueling our economy.

With one in ten local jobs related to Port operations, it’s likely you know many people who contribute to the Port’s success.

Know anyone who works at Wood’s Logging Supply, Wilcox and Flegel or Superior Tire Service? With a list of local vendors several pages long, there’s no doubt you likely know someone working with or for the Port of Longview.

What’s the best part about being Human Resource Manager?

For example, the Port of Longview owns two mobile harbor cranes that require significant maintenance. Just one of the cranes has a 3,500 gallon fuel tank and 88 rubber tires, both of which are provided by local businesses, and that’s just for one crane. The Port owns and operates nearly a hundred pieces of rolling stock, all with similar maintenance needs.

WILLOW GROVE PARK UPDATE As part of the ongoing effort to improve Willow Grove Park, the Port is seeking a Willow Grove Park Host.

A local crew maintaining all 88 tires on one of the Ports harbor cranes

From safety supplies to nuts and bolts—and everything in between —the Port of Longview relies on local businesses every day to uphold its title as Washington’s Working Port.

COMMISSIONERS

COMMISSION MEETINGS

Jeff Wilson / District 1 Doug Averett / District 2 Bob Bagaason / District 3

Regular meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at 10:00 am and are open to the public. Meeting times are subject to change. For more information, visit portoflongview.com.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Norm Krehbiel

PORTOFLONGVIEW.COM

By working with local companies everyday, we are stimulating local businesses and supporting living–wage jobs that keep our community moving forward.

The Port of Longview’s business impacts reach far beyond the docks. Local businesses are an integral part of the Port’s day-to-day operations, supplying the goods and services that keep cargo moving.

I get to meet and work with people who are genuinely excited to be a part of the Port of Longview. It is rewarding to be able to engage with employees and watch them grow throughout their career at the Port.

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and pass a background check.

“Ports were established by the state for the economic benefit of our community,” said Communications Associate Brooke Hendrickson. “The Port of Longview is committed to being our local economic engine.”

PORT OPERATIONS RELY ON LOCAL BUSINESSES

My job allows me to have an impact on the success of the organization and the lives of the people in it. At the end of the day, I get to go home feeling like I’ve accomplished something.

To apply for this volunteer position and to learn more, visit www.portoflongview.com/community or stop by our office to pick up an application.

Local businesses benefit from a busy Port and so do their employees.

When money is spent, it doesn’t just disappear. It turns into paychecks and is spent over and over again in our community to buy groceries, dinners out, school supplies and haircuts. It’s a ripple effect felt throughout our community and it benefits our local economy daily.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PORT Is there information you would like to see in Port Talk, or do you have questions related to a story that was featured? Please email info@portoflongview.com, or call 360.425.3305

T. 360-425-3305 F. 360-425-8650

10 PORT WAY LONGVIEW, WASHINGTON 98632

By Chuck Nau

Retail Consultant and Sales and Managment Trainier – Murray & Nau, Inc.

When is your creative time?

When’s your creative time? Do you have any creative time? Yes! No! I do not know!

Well, let’s pause for a moment, and allow me to ask you to do this simple search. Take a look at last week’s calendar, or for that matter, look at the last two weeks or past month, and highlight those times you set aside for your creative time.

Surprised? You are at a loss inasmuch as you cannot find any such time...exactly the point of this month’s column.

As a small business owner, retailer or service provider, creativity is fuel for the ongoing nurturing and growth of your business. It not only feeds your business, it feeds your soul! New ideas, new products or services, new questions in search of answers and new opportunities to target for your business’ revenue enhancement – all need some time on your calendar to bubble up into that “aha!” moment.

According to my artist son and many of his fellow artists, creativity is play. That’s the easy part. Learning to allow ourselves to play is the hard part and the hard work, my son will tell you. Likewise, to live a creative life, one must lose the fear of being wrong.

Let’s pause again for a moment…some of this sounding familiar to you?

In today’s changing and challenging environment, finding your creative voice is one of the most critical skills you can invest in. As things change around us, we sometime forget that things need to change within us also. The heart of that change is inside us – the seeing, the observing, the awareness.

Enhancing your creative voice to find new ideas, new answers and new solutions will keep you at the forefront, setting you apart from others and a step ahead of your competitors. To discover new things, you will find yourself stepping out of your comfort zone, conceiving and developing some new ideas while challenging and overcoming some accepted norms. You’ll observe along the way that as you ASK (Always Seeking Knowledge) questions and uncover new possibilities you will develop a hunger and a motivation for new learning and SUCCESS! Let’s pause one more time...and clarify this thing called creativity.

Creativity is simply being able to conceive, develop and utilize new ideas or strategies when working with existing resources.

Your creative thinking will flourish best in an ASKing environ-

14 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

ment that allows increased questioning and thinking plus an acceptance of challenging the ordinary while utilizing your past experience and knowledge.

Much like changing a habit or driving a different way to and from work...the change itself will cause you to notice things in a new way, to increase your awareness of what’s out there.

Creativity is your personal treasure! Enhancing it ever so slightly will help you develop new approaches and find new solutions for every day challenges.

Discipline yourself, a step at a time, to use the power of questions ...within yourself, brainstorming with yourself, to stimulate your creativity and assure both your continued learning and growth... continual questioning will help stimulate the flow of creativity.

Once you are comfortable (and confident) with yourself and your newfound creative freedom, considering bringing your staff and fellow employees into the loop. Again, the benefits to your business, your work environment and your life will grow.

When’s your creative time? To find it...schedule it! Start slowly... reserve one hour a day, three days a week, for the first month. At the end of the first month, check how well you did and then challenge yourself to do more next month. The best time to schedule your creative time? Creative people will often tell you it is first thing in the morning, as soon as you wake up and begin your day. And yes, it’s ALWAYS best to do it BEFORE you check your phone or email!

Last, but not least, something good is going to happen today... make sure you are looking for it! © Murray & Nau, Inc. Chuck Nau of Murray & Nau, Inc. is a Seattle area based consultant and sales and management trainer. He is a 25-year veteran of advertising, sales, media and management, who knows and understands the everyday challenges of starting up, growing, and surviving in today’s ever changing retail climate. He has spoken to and conducted workshops for a number of local retail and chamber organizations, national publishing groups, national retailers and manufacturers, state press associations, and newspaper groups.

Comments and questions are welcome and may be directed to Chuck via email: murnau@nwlink.com or at 425-603-0984.

Kelso-Longview Chamber

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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.

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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!

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Japanese Garden

facebook.com/pages/makelongviewbeautiful

Size 1/16 Page 1/8 Page 1/4 Page 1/2 Page Full Page

1 - 3 Issues 4-7 Issues 8-10 Issues 12 Issues $110 $90 $70* $50* $175 $140 $105* $75* $205 $170 $140* $100* $325 $290 $245* $190* $625 $570 $480* $400*

Dimensions 2" x 2.5" (*Includes ad on website) 4" x 2.5" (*Includes ad on website) 4" x 5.25" (*Includes ad on website) 4" x 10.5" (V) or 8" x 5.25" (H) 8" x 10.5" (*Includes ad on website)

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 Lindsey Cope at 360-423-8400 or lcope@kelsolongviewchamber.org or CEO Bill Marcum at 360-423-8400 or bmarcum@kelsolongviewchamber.org

Business After Hours

Like a Good Neighbor

Jessica Wade welcomed attendees as host for the Chamber's Business After Hours April 11 at her Kelso State Farm office.

Jessica presented Louis with one of many door prizes for attendees.

Summerland Catering supplied the organic food and Flying Pig Bakery dessert.

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

16 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS presented by:

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TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2017 at Roland Wines - 1106 Florida St., Longview Amada offers four types of services for seniors and their families: in-home senior care, senior housing advising, home monitoring, and financial care coordination. Come meet the Longview Amada Team while making new contacts at a beautiful location!

www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Ashtown Brewing Co. Beer & Roland Wines & Pizza Raffles Prizes & Networking

Kelso School District

Longview School District

Director of Student Support Services Don Iverson

Superintendent Dan Zorn

Resiliency trumps ACEs! You might call it a silent epidemic. Up to one in five kids living in the U.S. shows signs or symptoms of a mental health disorder in a given year (Center of Disease Control, 2013). That means, in an average seventh-grade classroom of 25 students in Cowlitz County, five of them may be struggling with the same issues many adults deal with within our community: depression, anxiety, abuse. That number may be as high as 960 students within a district of 4,800 students.

Educators and mental health specialists face the simple fact that often, because of a lack of resources (there just aren’t enough people to tackle the scope of the job). And the ones who are working within this area are often drowning in huge caseloads. Kids that are in need can fall through the cracks. Nearly 80 percent of children who need mental health services won’t get them in our community (Center of Disease Control, 2013). Whether treated or not, the children live in our communities and do come through each of our doors. The problems they face can mirror the problems found throughout our workforce: chronic absenteeism, lack of motivation, and low performing skills.

There are no magic wands available for us to single-handedly remove the barriers that many of our students within our community face. Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, have a tremendous impact on lifelong health and opportunity for our students and future citizens. As such, early experiences are an important public health issue that we must continue to address within our community. Much of the research in this area has been referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs. Students of Adverse Childhood Experiences in our schools may suffer from physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as physical and emotional neglect. They may also have a parent who is mentally ill, an alcoholic, a substance abuser, in jail, or a victim of domestic abuse, as well as the absence of a parent through divorce, death, or abandonment. Research has shown that traumatic or stressful events in childhood injure a child’s brain, impairing the brains physical development and function. ACEs often cause kids to have difficulties learning, making friends, and trusting adults.

This information is incredibly important for our schools and communities, where our rates of child abuse, poverty and domestic violence are high. From low income to lung cancer, the likelihood of a host of problems rises along with ACEs’ trauma scores. Not surprisingly, so does Medicaid participation. The good news is if children have positive influences in their lives, they can overcome trauma.

The catch phrase among those of us who support our students and their families on a daily basis is, “Resiliency trumps ACEs!” One of the advances that the Kelso School District has made is in the area of school-wide climate systems to support children of ACEs. These initiatives include proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting students to create positive school environments.

This is commonly referred to as Positive Behavior Interventions and For more Kelso Schools, see page page 23 18 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

Facilities bond request The Longview Public Schools Board of Directors adopted a building bond request on April 24 that will come before Longview’s voters November 7. The bond proposal is the first building request since March 2001. The last elementary school replacements – St. Helens and Robert Gray – were completed in 1997.

Today’s elementary revitalization plan asks voters for $121.6 million to replace Mint Valley, Northlake and Olympic elementary schools. It also earmarks $12.5 million for the district’s preschool program, which is presently housed at Broadway School. The school board is committed to continuing the district’s partnership with Head Start in serving preschool aged students from low-income households. The measure also provides for security and safety upgrades in schools throughout the district.

The recent decision culminates two years of considerations and community input. At the request of the board of directors, the Facility Advisory Committee (FAC), made up of community and district representatives, embarked on developing a long-range facility plan in March of 2015. Construction Services Group (CSG), a division of the service agency Educational Service District (ESD) 112 in Vancouver, was retained as the independent consultant group for this project. Between April and July 2015, CSG representatives gathered data and visited all schools to: 1) determine physical condition of facilities; 2) assess how well the building functions as a good learning environment; 3) calculate the permanent capacity, and; 4) provided consultation for Facility Advisory Committee and School Board of Directors meetings. During this period of time, the FAC conducted community input events and shared presentations with district sites and many community groups.

Community members also weighed in during the district’s digital input process “Thoughtexchange: Join the Conversation” this fall and were invited to comment at numerous special sessions and, finally, at a public hearing on April 24 prior to the board’s decision.

The district is looking forward to continued community involvement and will provide information in the weeks and months ahead regarding its plans to invest in the community’s future by investing in the community’s schools. If you have a civic group or social club that would be open to hearing more about the building bond, please let me know at dzorn@ longview.k12.wa.us.

TUNE IN every Wednesday Your Chamber Connection

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Wednesday, May 3, 2017 Lower Columbia College Rose Center for the Arts 4:30 pm ~ Doors Open Cocktails and Dinner Buffet 6:00 pm ~ Program begins

$25 per person or $280 for a table of 8 www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Your Locally Owned Stations

Mind Your Own Business (at the Library)

By Chris Skaugset

Director – Longview Public Library

Business playbooks keep your head in the game When I began to think about this month’s column my mind, as it usually does, went around a myriad of ideas about what to write about. While I try to include, as many small business-related books as I can, there really aren’t a lot of them published and even less that seem worth adding to the library’s collection. Because of that, I often turn to other topics and subjects in order to let you know some of the many other resources that you can find at the library. However, this month’s column definitely falls under the small business-related field, if only with a little imagination. Below are some recent titles that we’ve added to our collection that I thought you might find interesting, entertaining, or maybe even enlightening (not to put too much pressure on the reader). Come visit us online or in person and see what you can discover, learn, or accomplish today at your Longview Library.

The first title I want to tell you about this month is “The Entrepreneur’s Playbook: More than 100 Proven Strategies, Tips, and Techniques to Build a Radically Successful Business” by Leonard Green and Paul Brown. While Green’s book is called a playbook, it, thankfully, isn’t a collection of plays or lists of platitudes about being successful. Instead it is offers advice on many of the aspects of starting a business that the reader is most likely not thinking about or perhaps just reluctant to consider. This includes such things as borrowing (i.e. begging) for money from family members, product distribution, failure, and how much free time a new business will truly absorb. Guess what, it’s a lot. If you like your business-starting information succinct, intelligent and truly helpful, this may be a book you want to take a look at sooner rather than later.

“Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook” is the latest from financial guru Anthony Robbins. This one, written with noted

financial adviser Peter Mallouk, actually is a playbook, but since we’re talking about step-by-step ways to improving your financial situation, that might not be such a bad thing. Robbins is the bestselling author of any number of financial help books that are also motivational and perhaps even inspirational.

Next, I thought I would mention David Smick’s “The Great Equalizer: How Main Street Capitalism Can Create an Economy for Everyone”. Investment adviser Smick takes on Corporate Capitalism and its top-down mismanagement and backroom dealings as the source of our current economic malaise. This book is written for a general audience and is bursting with ideas, including a 14-point plan for the next U.S. president on how to make the change to a less regulated, bottom-up type of capitalism. The author’s persuasive and hopeful prescription to cure many of our economic woes should be popular with all readers, but should be especially popular for anyone who feels disenfranchised by the current state of economics.

“On the Edge: An Odyssey” is a different sort of book than the others I’ve shared with you, but I think it fits in nicely nevertheless.

You may not have heard of it, but it is authored by a Northwest author Stephen Murphy. This is Murphy’s memoir of risk taking and redemption and the circuitous path that life often leads us on. It tells of his graduation from the University of Washington and what happened instead of attending the Harvard Business School. It’s also a tale of his life through his travels around the world, including experiences with typhoons, Brazil, Hollywood and inside the Beltway in both Bush administrations. The chapters focus on the “turning points of life” as Murphy sees them. This is an inspiring book that not only tells Murphy’s fascinating story, but also provides advice to anyone who is trying to find his or her place in life.

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20| Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

1157 Longview, 3rd Avenue, WA Suite 98632 218 1157 3rd360.952.3100 Avenue, Suite 218 Longview, WA 98632 Longview, WA 98632 www.amadaseniorcare.com 360.952.3100 360.952.3100 www.amadaseniorcare.com www.amadaseniorcare.com

2017

Monday, June 12th 1pm Shotgun Start Make your Reservations Early!

Early Entry Fee $500 per Team of 4 (Price goes to $600 on May 26th) $125 per Individual ($150 after May 26th) Includes: Lunch, driving range, $5,000 putting contest, awards ceremony, BBQ dinner, 18 holes of fellowship, $10,000 hole-in-one opportunity and two carts per team.

We will give you a call the first week of June to secure the people playing on your team.

Register at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

PeaceHealth St. John Susie Griffin

Wellness Services Coordinator

Wellness in the workplace: How to stress less “It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.” – Hans Selye I’ve recently taken up mountain biking. This sport challenges me to stay upright and moving forward while navigating over, around and through roots, stumps, branches, rocks and mud. Sometimes I am successful and other times I am not. In those latter times, I receive a painful lesson from which I gain experience and knowledge to apply the next time around. This is an appropriate analogy to life…at work.

Experiences at work can elicit all of the emotions mirrored in the previous paragraph: anxiety, adrenaline, stress, pain, success, accomplishment and confidence. How do we help encourage and support our employees to balance work stressors? Communicating the importance of implementing one, if not all of the following wellness initiatives will make a positive difference in your employee’s wellbeing and your business doing well.

1. Go Outside: Getting away from your desk, out of your cubicle and into the outdoors rewards you with not only Vitamin D exposure, which has many health benefits, but it literally expands your world and increases the opportunity to move. Moving means that you are not sitting, which increases the risk of events associated with cardiovascular disease by 125 percent and an increased risk of death from any cause by 50 percent. In addition, it stimulates the area of the brain responsible for creativity.

Research has also shown that hospital surgery patients whose room windows overlook any form of Mother Nature (trees, bodies of water, animals, grass, fields) recover quicker. Take that 10-minute walk around the block.

2. Volunteer: Giving of yourself, time and resources to other people, organizations and/or causes increases social engagement, ones sense of purpose and confidence. The Day of Caring is months away, which allows for workplaces to designate a local nonprofit organization to help. Recruit your coworkers and have a work party. The sense of feeling good by doing good is immeasurable.

3. Play with Animals: Petting animals immediately reduces one’s heart rate, blood pressure, anxiety, depression and stress. Touch increases the body’s production of the ‘feel good’ hormone, oxytocin. Even watching animals at play, is healthful. It makes us smile and laugh. While having one’s pet in the office, is not a luxury supported by most workplaces, consider taking your next lunch hour walking a dog from the Humane Society. It will double your health benefits by combining No. 2 and No. 3 on this list!

For more PeaceHealth, see page page 23

Leave your joint pain behind You’ve got more important things to do with your time. Joint replacement can help you leave the painful ache of arthritis behind.

Don’t wait, take the next step today.

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22 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

PeaceHealth, continued from page 22 4. Be Grateful: Taking time out of the day to stop and express gratitude for what’s going right in our lives, brings us into the present, reduces anxiety, depression and replaces it with a feeling of happiness and increased self-esteem. One of my coworkers has a Gratitude Jar in which she places a thought of gratitude. At the end of the year she opens it up and relives her year of gratitude.

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5. Play: Play not only allows us to move but also gives us a positive outlet to express our emotions. Stuart Brown, PhD, has a powerful TED talk on the positive impact of play on our health and wellbeing. Please check it out: https://www.ted.com/talks/ stuart_brown_says_play_is_more_than_fun_it_s_vital This is by no means an exhaustive list of choices to implement wellbeing into your workplace. However, by choosing at least one of these, you are already one step further away from where you were and on your way to stressing less.

Levine, James A., MD, PhD, retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org/ healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sitting/faq-20058005

Kelso Schools, continued from page 18 Supports (PBIS) and is in place in part, through the commitment of our district to hire and retain climate specialists at each of our elementary schools. Climate specialists each strive for students to achieve social, emotional and academic success, regardless of their background, home life, and ACEs. Stable, nurturing relationships with caring adults within the community and at schools can prevent or reverse the damaging effects of toxic stress in many cases.

Our cities’ and county’s future prosperity depends on its ability to foster the health and well-being of the next generation. The most effective treatment is to reduce young children’s exposure to adverse conditions early on, such as abuse, neglect, violence, mental illness or substance abuse. However, even under stressful conditions, providing early intervention can mitigate the negative consequences of toxic stress.

Through more effective prevention of ACEs, our county will enhance the lives of our citizens so they can be healthier and more productive, while also reducing the burden that ACEs has on our economy. Together, we can meet this challenge and make our Three Rivers communities an even better place to grow up.

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Lower Columbia Professionals

Caps, Corks and Cupcakes

The Lower Columbia Professionals teamed up with Roland Wines, Frosting the Town and Five Dons Brewing Co. April 20 to raise money for scholarships for Cowlitz County students.

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

24| Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

April Ambassador of the Month Marlene Johanson

Heritage Bank

Johanson makes it two in a row For the second straight month, Marlene Johanson has been named the Chamber's Ambassador of the Month.

either by car or on foot. She also enjoys reading and can often be found juggling the storylines of three books at a time.

Johanson is the Vice President, Branch Relationship Manager, at Heritage Bank, where she is responsible for ensuring the branch grows its relationships with existing customers and meets with prospective customers to share the Heritage story with an ultimate goal of achieving loan and deposit growth goals. She also assists with empowering her team to grow in the knowledge that allows them to better assist their customers.

“Marlene is always lending a helping hand,” Chamber Project Manager Lindsey Cope said. "I couldn’t do half of what I do without our Ambassadors and Marlene is a great asset. Thank you for being our chair this year and for all that you do!”

An Ambassador for six years, Johanson often mentors new members, attends most ribbon cuttings, and welcomes guests at Business After Hours events. When she is not sporting her red coat, she is working with the United Way, CAP, and LeTip of Longview. She has been married to her husband, Keith, for 25 years and they have three adult children. For fun, she enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest

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 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.

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(360) 353-3799 1324 VANDERCOOK WAY, LONGVIEW

WWW.M-Y-AGENCY.COM May 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 25

Workforce Southwest Washington

Tribeca Transport honored for commitment to hiring veterans Tribeca Transport recently received the Employment Security Department’s Hire-A-Veteran award. This award recognizes Tribeca’s commitment to hiring veterans, as demonstrated by their participation in the YesVets program. Tribeca Transport was the first YesVets recipient in Southwest Washington when the program launched last year.

The YesVets program encourages hiring of veterans and recognizes businesses that intentionally hire veterans. To participate in the program, employers go to www.YesVets.org and provide information about the veterans they have hired. A WorkSource representative then contacts the company to schedule presentation of a YesVets decal.

Hiring veterans is nothing new to Tribeca Transport.

Approximately 30 percent of its workforce are veterans and they plan to expand that to 40 percent. According to Tribeca COO Eric Thwaites, a veteran of the Army, “We don’t look at hiring veterans, guard and reserve members as a choice. We look at it as our duty and honor.”

To demonstrate its commitment to hiring veterans, Tribeca Transport partnered with Lower Columbia College (LCC) to launch a commercial driver’s license (CDL) class. Thwaites is on the LCC College Advisory Committee and two of Tribeca’s drivers are instructors for the class. The standards for training are higher than a typical truck driving school and exceed the minimum Federal guidelines. Students receive diverse training that gives them more drive time and specific training on operating tankers and dump trucks, which are in high demand.

Tribeca’s willingness to partner with other organizations to promote the hiring of veterans is evident in the relationship the company has established with WorkSource. Donna Hughes of the Business Services team at WorkSource Cowlitz/Wahkiakum has been assisting Tribeca Transport with job postings and last year was able to fund on-the-job (OJT) training for a veteran CDL driver.

With on-the-job training, your company can recoup up to 50 percent of a new employee’s salary while they learn skills customized to your business.

WorkSource will help you find candidates and reimburse you, up to 26 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

WorkSource Cowlitz/Wahkiakum Administrator Nona Mallicoat recently honored Tribeca Transport for its commitment to hiring veterans. In addition to Mike Behrman, president of Tribeca Transport, who accepted the award, Lower Columbia College's Tamra Bell, dean of instruction, Heidi Hamer, program coordinator – Continuing Education, Lynell Amundson, program manager – Continuing Education, Steve Pattison, CDL instructor, and Tribeca Transport's Eric Thwaites, COO, and Garrett Behrman, were on hand.

Photos courtesy Michael Benko, WorkSource, and Lynell Amundson, Lower Columbia College

$5,000, for the trainee’s salary. Your company may also qualify for tax credits for hiring certain candidates, such as veterans.

At the ceremony, Thwaites challenged other businesses to take part and hire more veterans, saying, “The military defines leadership as providing purpose, direction and the proper motivation to complete the mission. That same definition easily transfers over to civilian life. With that, I ask that other companies get on board, develop a hiring plan that includes veterans, guard and reserve members. And do your part to ensure ‘No soldier gets left behind.’”

Before you hire your next employee, contact WorkSource to learn more about on-the-job training, tax incentives and no-cost recruitment and training programs.

Contact Donna Hughes at WorkSource Cowlitz/Wahkiakum at 360578-4259 or dhughes@esd.wa.gov.

Can your business afford this?

HB 5032 the proposed new paid family and medical leave bill would provide up to $1,000 per week for 26 weeks for a child’s birth or adoption or for a family member’s “serious health condition,” and another 12 weeks of paid leave for the individual’s own “serious health condition.” Workers could apply for both benefits in the same year, meaning they could receive 38 weeks of paid leave in one year. Employees would be eligible for the paid leave upon working just 340 hours (that’s an average of 6.5 hours per week).

Gary Chandler, VP of Government Affairs with the Association of Washington Business will be in Longview, Friday, May 12th to discuss this critical piece of legislation how it can affect you and what you can do about it right now.

Something must be done or face another initiative in November that will have a devastating impact on Washington businesses

Friday, May 12, noon—1:30pm Cowlitz PUD Auditorium No cost to attend.

In The News

Community employee wins state healthcare award Community Home Health & Hospice (Community) is proud to announce that administrative manager Cari Clizbe won Support Staff of the Year honors at the 24th Annual Home Care Association of Washington (HCAW) Awards Conference.

Community is so fortunate to have such a positive contributor to our agency’s mission! She is so deserving of HCAW’s Support Staff of the Year award.”

United Way announces distribution of funds following successful campaign

The annual awards recognize individuals who share a high level of dedication to their profession and community. Award winners are honored for meeting personal and industry-related challenges with vision and positive energy, tirelessly advocating for their agencies, patients and colleagues.

In her role as administrative manager at Community, Clizbe acts as the executive assistant to CEO Greg Pang and also oversees Community’s buildings, grounds, facilities, housekeeping, maintenance, DME delivery, and telephone and physical reception. Since her start with the agency in April 2013, Clizbe has created a stellar reputation; collaborative, fun, responsive and professional.

“Cari is always willing to go above and beyond, put in extra time, and she really doesn’t consider taking any credit for her excellent work,”Community President & CEO Greg Pang said. “She takes pride in a job well done and puts others in the limelight, particularly always commending her staff. She lightens our work life and creates a positive atmosphere wherever she goes. Cari is such an amazing employee, and

The 2016-17 United Way campaign has been very successful. The total pledges promised in the campaign was $535,915, an increase from the prior campaign by 5.9 percent. From the total pledge amount, $27,941 was designated to specific agencies. The board policy is to award additional agency grants based on what is in the bank as of March 31, 2017, the last day of the fiscal year and campaign, and not on the pledge total. This is to protect all stakeholders since some pledges may not fully materialize in a given campaign. The board voted to award $300,000 in agency grants, a $52,000 increase from the prior campaign distribution.

Twenty-one United Way partner agencies will receive grant funding in quarterly distributions from April 2017 to January 2018 as follows: Been There Done That: $6,000 Boy Scouts (Cascade Pacific Council-Chinook District): $6,000 Castle Rock Senior Center: $10,000 Children’s Justice & Advocacy Center: $20,000 Community Caring Project (Parent’s Place): $12,000 Community Health Partners: $12,000 For more In The News, see page 29

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28 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

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

Ductless heating and cooling systems provide year-round comfort and saves you up to 50% on your electric heating bill. With an $800 rebate from Cowlitz PUD, installing a ductless heat pump has never been this easy and affordable.

Get started now by finding an experienced local installer at GoingDuctless.com

In The News continued from page 28 Community House on Broadway: $20,000 Cowlitz County CASA: $13,000 Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Legal Aid: $7,000 Emergency Support Shelter: $30,000 Ethnic Support Council: $15,000 FISH: $15,000 Progress Center: $25,000 Life Works: $10,000 Longview Senior Center: $9,000 Oxford House (Chapter 9): $7,000 Lower Columbia Head Start/ECEAP: $20,000 St. James Family Center (Cathlamet): $28,000 Volunteer Services (Catholic Community Services): $10,000 YMCA of Southwest Washington: $15,000 Youth & Family Link: $10,000 Executive Director Brooke Fisher-Clark conveyed the campaign saw an increase in leadership giving (donations of $500 or more), and many former donors, who gave in the past, returned as supporters.

“The organization is strong and moving in the right direction,” FisherClark said. “We have the right policies and systems in place, an engaged board and staff, and a united determination to improve lives in our community.”

Women Who Care The 100+ Women Who Care Lower Columbia Chapter raised $12,970 for Harlie's Angels. 100+ Women Who Care is a group of women who gather four times a year for a one-hour meeting, learn about local charities, and each donate $100 to a charity the group selects. This donation makes an impact, without timeconsuming fundraising events and planning. For information, visit 100wwclowercolumbia.com

tickets online at www.chhh.org or call 360-703-0314.

This event supports Community’s charity care program which provides home health and hospice services for patients here in the community. Last year, Community provided more than $1 million in charity care, which is an increase of 51 percent over the previous year.

This year’s event includes dinner, live entertainment, specialty drinks, mystery gifts, dessert island dash, wine wall and a game of heads or tails.

Bob and Celeste Crisman of The Gallery of Diamonds, Inc. donated a specially designed piece of jewelry fitting the red carpet theme which will be raffled at the event. Red Carpet sponsors are Columbia Security, KLOG-KUKN-101.5 The Wave and KapStone Kraft Paper Corporation. After guests purchase tickets, they may RSVP at www.facebook. com/carecomfortlove and check in at the event.

The campaign also encompassed the Day of Caring that united hundreds of volunteers for local projects, embraced the power of female philanthropy at the Power of the Purse event, and fed thousands of hungry citizens through a United Way partnership with the Association of Washington Student Leader’s conference, which resulted in 99,600 packaged meals, produced by 800 Washington State Leadership students, and distributed to five local food banks in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties.

United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties is proud of other accomplishments this campaign. The board and staff cheered the savings for Cowlitz and Wahkiakum residents of $95,306 in 2016 for pharmaceutical prescription discounts due to the use of the FamilyWize discount card. FamilyWize is a nation-wide partner of United Way, helping improve financial stability in medicine savings. United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties also administers the funding process for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program under the Department of Homeland Security when Cowlitz County is awarded – $58,000 from Phase 33 was distributed to six local food or shelter organizations to improve lives – $60,000 will be awarded to seven local Cowlitz County agencies in 2017 for Phase 34 to support needed services.

Party with a purpose by supporting Community’s charity care fundraiser Community Home Health & Hospice (Community) announces tickets are on sale for its annual charity care gala. The fundraiser will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. May 5 at the Cowlitz Regional Conference Center. The event celebrates Community’s 40th anniversary with a red carpet theme. Cocktail attire optional. Tickets are $75 each and tables for eight are $500 (tickets will not be available at the door). Purchase May 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 29

Chamber Connection

Springing Forward

Your Chamber Connection welcomed Port of Longview Commission President Doug Averett, who talked with hosts Carey Mackey and Karen Sisson about upcoming Port of Longview projects.

Teedara Garn joined the fun to pump Kelso Youth Baseball's opening ceremonies April 15, which included a Chamber ribbon cutting. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Brian Sharp joined Lindsey Cope and Karen to share information about Lower Columbia College's annual Career and Networking Fair.

While Daniel Ritacco and Paul Green with Comcast Business discussed Comcast Cares Day and their new surveillance product.

“Your Chamber Connection� EVERY Wednesday Hosts of the Show: Carey Mackey, Red Canoe Credit Union ; Brooke Fisher-Clark, United Way, Karen Sisson, NORPAC, and Lindsey Cope with the 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 Lindsey at the Chamber 360-423-8400 30 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

Chamber Connection

On Deck

Michelle Honey and Julie Rinard from Community Home Health & Hospice shared information regarding their annual charity care gala set for May 5. Also joining Carey and Lindsey in the booth, was Bicoastal Media's Rich Coleman, who discussed the company's annual Wheels of Hope campaign.

Grady Tweit, head coach of the Cowlitz Black Bears, dropped by to talk about the upcoming season which starts on June 1. Your Chamber Connection airs every Wednesday on Bicoastal Media Longview KEDO 1400 AM and 99.1 FM (#Radio #KLCC #ChamberofCommerce).

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

LegalShield Independant Associate Sarah Jean Dye explained how the pre-paid legal service works. Your Chamber Connection returns May 10 with more interesting local community leaders.

May 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 31

Chamber Connection

Run for Awareness Marissa Carpentier from Columbia Wellness encouraged everyone to join the Run the Path Mental Health Awareness Walk/Run on May 6.

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

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360-747-7902 www.dailylifebenefits.com 32 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

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Chamber Connection

Red Carpet Gala

Michelle Honey and Heidi Rheaume reminded listeners to purchase their tickets for the Community Home Health & Hospice gala on May 5 because they won't be available at the door. Go to CHHH.org to buy your tickets now! Stacey from Emergency Support Shelter also swung in to talk about the Hops for Hope event they recently hosted at Ashtown Brewing Company.

Amy and Carey chatted about the tons of NEW and gently-used clothes at 8 to 28 Woman's Clothing Exchange. Go to 8to28clothingexchange.com or stop by their store on the corner of 5th and Cowlitz Way in Kelso. While Kim Crosby and Molly Monroe from Amada Senior Care came to talk about their upcoming Business After Hours May 9.

May 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 33

New Members

Add your business to our growing membership – Call 360-423-8400 Today!

Innovative Sleep Centers 1700 Hudson Street, Ste. 202 Longview, Wash. 98632 360-353-3080 www.innovativesleepcenters.com Sarah Dye LegalShield Independent Associate 360-747-7902 www.dailylifebenefits.com

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

• Annual Meeting and Banquet • Networking Events

Lara Casa Real Cigars Jaime Lara, Owner 213-453-5244 laracasarealcigar@gmail.com Boyd’s Custom Plumbing, LLC 1806 Bloyd Street Kelso, Wash. 98626 360-747-9595 Bcplumb2016@gmail.com

• Newsletter • Business Card Display • Use of Chamber Logo Representation through action committees, candidate forums and up-to-date action alerts.

• Committee Participation

• Legislative Representation

• Business Contacts

• Issues Tracking and Information

• Quarterly Membership

• Task Forces

Meetings

• Candidate Forums

• Civic Representation

• Legislative Update Breakfast

• Monthly Business After Hours

• Demographics Publication

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

• Mailing Labels • Membership Window Decals • Member Referrals • Ribbon Cutting • Website Links • Member to Member Discounts • Membership Directory • Tax Deduction 34 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nonprofit Package – $180 or $18 per month.

Welcome Back!

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. *Interwest Benefit Consultants *Columbia River Carpet One *Compendium Consulting *Cowlitz County Guidance Association *Estetica Day Spa *State Farm Insurance – Scott Fischer *Diamond Residential *Applied Application *Broderick Gallery *American Legion *Coleman Cellular *Port of Woodland *Cowlitz Credit Union *Industrial Packing *Pacific Fibre Products *Errand Girl *American Family Kari-Ann Botero *Guild Mortgage *Hometown National Bank *Island Sun Tanning, Inc. *Kemira Water *Sterling Insurance *United States Army *Lexi’s Pizza *B & B Air Conditioning & Heating *Community Health Partners/Cowlitz Free Medical Clinic *Pro-Caliber Longview Motorsports *Red Canoe Credit Union Washington Way *Red Leaf Coffee *BA Design *American Red Cross *Esteem Salon *Hydraulic Service, Inc. *ProBuild *B & R Mini Storage *Banda’s Bouquets *Be Cause Business Resources, Inc. *Best Western Aladdin Inn *Busack Electric *Calportland *Columbia Security *Copies Today Speedy Litho, Inc. *Cowlitz Container & Diecutting *Edward Jones-Nick Lemiere *H & S Enterprises *Habitat For Humanity Cowlitz County *Hart Radiator *Heartsong Massage

*J. L. Storedahl & Sons, Inc. *Kaiser Permanente *Les Schwab Tire Center *Longview Timber Corp *Longview Urology *Ocean Beach Self Storage *P. T. Northwest *Pacific Office Automation *Papa Pete’s Pizza – Longview *PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center *Pets, Pawns & Imports *SW Washington Symphony *The UPS Store *TSYS Merchant Solutions *Washington State University Vancouver *Zip Local *Berkshire Hathaway *Cowlitz River Dental *Dream Dentistry *Reality Homes *Longview Eagles *Service Master *Ricoh *Planet Fitness *WA Division of Vocational Rehabilitation *ASAP Business Solutions *My Agency *Area Agency on Aging Disabilities of Southwest Washington *Dino Doozer *Windemere Kelso-Longview *Advanced Dental Services, LLC *Cutright Wholesale Plumbing Supply *Longview Housing Authority *Schlecht Construction, Inc. *Longview Outdoor Gallery *The OM Home *Triangle Bowl *Cowlitz County Chaplaincy *Professional Communication Services *Bicoastal Media LV DBA KLYK/KRQT/ KEDO/KBAM/KPPK *Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts *Craig Stein Beverage *Dahl McVicker Funeral Homes *Entek Corporation *Frontier Rehabilitation & Extended Care Center *Gibbs & Olson, Inc.

*Humane Society of Cowlitz County *Lemondrops Photography *Life Mortgage *Music & More D.J.s *Noelle McLean, PS *Office Depot Max *Pacific Lumber & Shipping Co. *Papé Machinery *PNE Construction *Red Canoe Credit Union *Red Canoe Credit Union - 30th *Safway Services, Inc. *Searing Electric & Plumbing *Steele Chapel Longview Memorial Park *The Dog Zone *Umpqua Bank *Utilize I.T., Inc. *Walmart *Animal Health Services, Inc., PS *Arnitz, Suzanne *Baxter Auto Parts Inc. *Behrends Body Shop *Bob's Sporting Goods *Burger King - Longview (Main) *Collins Architectural Group, PS *Country Village Nutrition Shoppe and Cafe *Day Wireless Systems *Ethnic Support Council *Fiesta Bonita Mexican Grill & Cantina *Foster Farms *Gallery of Diamonds *Global Images Graphic Design & Marketing *Hilander Dental *Kelso Rotary *Les Schwab Tire Center *Longview Tire Sales, Inc. *Northwest Motor Service *Overhead Door Company of Southwest Washington *Peter C. Wagner, DMD, PS *Propel Insurance *Shamrock Spirits & Grill *Shirley L. Smith *Stirling Honda *Sweet Spot Frozen Yogurt *Taco Time *The Daily News *The Roof Doctor, Inc.

May 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 35

Welcome Back! *Twin City Glass Co. *Twin City Service Co. *Weatherguard, Inc. *Wilcox & Flegel Oil Company *WorkPlace Wellness *WorkSource - Cowlitz/Wahkiakum *Brown & Brown Northwest Insurance *Corwin Beverage *Cowlitz River Rigging, Inc. *Educational Service District No. 112 *Emergency Support Shelter *Fairway Collections *Futcher Group *Hart C's Steakburger & Thai Food *Kelso School District *Kelso Theater Pub *Kelso-Longview Television, Inc. *KeyBank *Longview Early Edition Rotary *Longview Eye & Vision *Longview Physical & Sports Therapy *Longview Self Storage * Mobile Mic Entertainment *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 *Better Business Bureau *C's Photography *Cadillac Island Casino *Cowlitz County Museum *Cowlitz Economic Development Council *Cowlitz Indian Tribe *Epson Portland *Erickson Glass Co. *Estetica Day Spa *Fibre Federal Credit Union - Castle Rock Branch *Fibre Federal Credit Union - Kelso Branch *Fibre Federal Credit Union - Ocean Beach Branch *Fibre Federal Credit Union - West Kelso Branch *Fibre Federal Credit Union - Woodland Branch *Guesthouse Inn & Suites *Kellogg Supply, Inc.

*Longview Country Club *Lower Columbia Economic Development Council *Motion Industries, Inc. *Mount 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. *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 *Altrusa International Inc. of Longview-Kelso *Be Cause Business Resources, Inc. *Canterbury Inn *Columbia Ford Hyundai Nissan *Craig Martin The Voice dba Martin Audio Services *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

36 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2017

*Teri's Restaurant *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 PUD *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 *KapStone *Koelsch Senior Communities *L.G. Isaacson Company *Longview Memorial Park, Funeral Home & Crematory *Lower Columbia College *Miller Paint *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 *U.S. Cellular *Walstead Mertsching, PS *Watkins Tractor & Supply Co. *Canterbury Gardens *Canterbury Park *Congressman Brian Baird *US Senator Patty Murray *Acupuncture Northwest *Budget Blinds of Longview *Columbia Bank - Longview Branch *Columbia Funeral Service *Columbia River Mill Outlet *Columbia Wellness *Continental Investors Services, Inc. *DeFrancisco Lampitt and Brado PS

Welcome Back! *DSU Peterbilt *Fire Mountain Grill & Summerland Catering Services *G L Booth – J G Davis & Associates *Green Hills Crematory - Cascade NW Funeral Chapel *Kay Green *Lower Columbia Contractors Association *Signature Transport, Inc. *State Farm Insurance - Scott Fischer *Teague's Interiors *All Out Sewer & Drain Service, Inc. *Baker Lumber Company, Inc. *Brusco Tug and Barge, Inc. *Carl's Towing Service & Repair, Inc. *Carlson's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. *Cascade Natural Gas Corporation *Coldwell Banker Bain *Cole's Appliance Repair *Comfort Inn *Community Home Health & Hospice *Family Health Center *Housing Opportunities of SW Washington *Interiors Plus *J H Kelly, L.L.C

*Life Works *Longview Orthopedic Associates, PLLC *Longview Public Schools *Masthead Restaurant *McDonald's of Longview *McDonald's of Longview II *Nipp & Tuck Inc. *Ocean Beach Animal Hospital *Pacific Fibre Products, Inc. *Paperbacks Galore, Inc. *Real Living The Real Estate Group *Rush Insurance/Financial Services, Inc. *Somerset Retirement Home and Assisted Living *T.C.'s R.V. & Mini Storage, Inc. *United Finance *Viking Automatic Sprinkler Company *Wasser & Winters Company *William (B. J. ) R. Boatsman *Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce *Interstate Wood Products, Inc. *Kalama Chamber of Commerce *Lower Columbia CAP *M & R Painting, Inc.*Mint Valley Federal Credit Union

*Newrock Homes, Inc. *Northwest Auto Specialist, Inc. *Retirement Strategies *Simpson Timber Company - Longview Lumber Operations *Superior Tire Service, Inc. *Woodland Chamber of Commerce OUR LATEST RENEWING MEMBERS *Biggs Insurance Services *Clay Bartness *Comcast *Dick Hannah Toyota *Fred Meyer, Inc. *Heritage Bank - Kelso *Heritage Bank - Longview *Longview Engineering And Design *McCord Bros. Nissan Dodge *Millennium Bulk Terminals *Minuteman Press *Servpro of Longview/Kelso *Sierra Pacific Mortgage *Twin City Bank *Waste Control Recycling, Inc. *Woodford Commercial Real Estate

Your Locally Owned and Operated Community Bank • Checking, Savings and CDs • Business Loans • Construction Loans • SBA Loans 729 Vandercook Way, Longview

(360) 414-4101 www.twincitybank.com

There’s a Difference.

May 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 37

Ribbon Cuttings

Swing Time

Kelso Youth Baseball's opening ceremonies April 15 included a Chamber ribbon cutting.

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

Kid Kindness

Chamber Ambassadors welcomed Children's Justice and Advocacy Center to the fold, and in turn, Charlie and Kristin welcome the community to help spead the word that April was Child Abuse Prevention Month. During April, they planted pinwheel gardens at the Longview Public Library, the Castle Rock Police Station, and Toteff Park in Kalama to bring awareness to the issue. They also appeared at the County Commissioner meeting.

Watch our video welcoming them on our facebook page.

38 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | May 2018

Ribbon Cuttings

Newest Member

The Chamber hosted LegalShield Independent Associate Sarah Jean Dye's ribbon cutting April 27. She educated Ambassador's on LegalShield, a pre-paid legal service for individuals, families, and businesses. For a low monthly rate, clients get comprehensive legal coverage from a law firm. They help with a variety of issues and provide advice when needed. For more information, go to www.dailylifebenefits.com

Walmart Remodel

Longview Mayor Pro-tem Mike Wallin and Ambassadors welcomed the crowd and thanked Walmart for all it puts back into the community in the way of more than 300 jobs and community support. Donations to Cowlitz County Chaplaincy and Lower Columbia School Gardens highlighted the ribbon cutting.

Business & Corporation Law

Attorney Michael Claxton Licensed in WA & OR

Attorney Brian Brault LL.M. in Taxation

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.

• Formation, Reorganization, and Dissolution • Mergers and Acquisitions • Purchases and Sales • Succession Planning

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A Full Service Civil Law Firm for over 90 Years CIVIC CENTER BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR 1700 HUDSON ST., LONGVIEW, WA

(360) 423-5220 Longview www.walstead.com May 2017 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 39