March 2013 Business Connections

Volume 5, No. 3

March 2013

Business Kelso Longview

Connection Chamber of Commerce

“A community event designed to help students explore their passion, pursue their vision and determine their own success.” – STEM Fest

Today’s STEM job training expected to meet future demand

In September, the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (SWWDC) will host the area’s first Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical festival.

STEM Fest connects K-12 youth directly to the local STEM industry

Please see STEM, page 3

STEM jobs in Cowlitz County account for about 19 percent of total jobs, while in Clark County they account for 26 percent of total jobs. EMSI2013

Calendar Monday

Friday

Sunday

March 4 – 11 a.m.

Ribbon Cutting American Workforce Group, Inc. 1104 14th Ave., Longview

March 8 – 11:30 a.m.

Ribbon Cutting 360 Elite Fitness: F.O.E. CrossFit 1426 12th Ave., Longview

Wednesdays

March 6-April 10 – 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Small Business Boot Camp Financial Six Pack Heritage Room Lower Columbia College

March 12 – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Business After Hours LifeWorks 906 New York Street, Longview $15 in advance/$20 at the door www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

March 28 – 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Lower Columbia Professionals Night Longview Eagles No. 2116 $10 advance/$15 at the door www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Thursday

Wednesday

March 28 – 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Quarterly Luncheon: State of Education Cowlitz Regional Conference Center $25 advance/$35 at the door www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

March 7 – 2 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting Family Health Center Kelso Clinic 300 Oak St., Kelso

Tuesday

March 13 – 11 a.m.

Ribbon Cutting Longview Eagles No. 2116 1526 12th Ave., Longview

March 24 – 3 p.m.

Open House StageWorks Northwest 1433 Commerce Ave., Longview

Thursday

Thursday

Small Business

BOOT CAMP Wednesday Mornings ★ Lower Columbia College 7:30 am - 9 am ★ Heritage Room (LCC Admin. Building)

Six Pack

-

$

100 Member Price

160 Non-Member Price

$

Register Online Today!

Tools You Can Use to Help Your Business Lim

it 25 p Cam er p Se ssio n!

Immediately!!

Financial Six Pack

March 6 Cash is King - Understanding your business’s cash generating capability and value.

Facilitator: Frank McShane, Cascade Networks March 13 Budgeting - Income, Expenses and Pay Roll. Room Main 147. Facilitator: David Futcher, Futcher-Henry CPA March 20 Income Taxes - City, State & Federal.

Facilitator: Jerri Henry, Futcher-Henry CPA March 27 Monthly Financial Statements - How to read them and what to look for? Facilitator: Joel Hanson, KLOG-KUKN-the WAVE April 3 QuickBooks - Using it? Any reports any time. Simple. LAB at WorkSource. Facilitator: Frank McShane, Cascade Networks April 10 2013 Legislative Session: How is it going to affect my bottom-line? Facilitator: Gary Chandler, Vice-President Government Affairs AWB

BONUS

Boot Camp

NO Charge if YOU have attended at least one Six Pack !

Wed., Oct. 23 Critical Thinking and Problem Solving -Utilize your own think tank to solve Critical issues. Facilitator: Chris Bailey, President Lower Columbia College

360-423-8400

Human Resources Six Pak

Marketing and Sales Six Pack

Sept. 4 Marketing - Behind the scenes, analysis, budgeting and understanding Facilitator: Chuck Nau, Murray Nau, Inc. Sept. 11 Marketing - On Stage, Strategies, tactics, implementation Facilitator: Chuck Nau, Murray Nau, Inc. Sept. 18 Social Media Marketing - What is it really and why do I need it? Facilitator: Norma Davey, KLOG, KUKN and the WAVE Sept. 25 Sales People - Value, expectations, inspection of those expectations Facilitator: Bill Marcum, Kelso Longview Chamber Oct. 2 Sales 101 - Bring your sales people any and all. This session is for them. Facilitator: Chuck Nau, Murray Nau, Inc. Oct. 9 Customer Service - How to answer the phone to working with difficult customers. Facilitator: Chris Bailey, President Lower Columbia College Bring any and all of your employees, this involves the entire business.

May 1 Hiring the Right Person - Does the person fit the job? Company? Facilitator: Darcy Hoffman, WorkSource May 8 Employee Handbook -Important? You Bet! Facilitator: Don Schilling, HR Director, Weyerhaeuser May 15 Most Common HR Mistakes -They could cost you money. Facilitator: Christopher Bradberry, COO Fibre Federal Credit Union; Stephanie West, HR Manager May 22 The New Marijuana Law -How to protect your business/employees. Facilitator: Robbie Berg, HR Director, Cowlitz PUD May 29 Attract and Keep your best Employees - What the experts say. Facilitator: Kendra Sprague, HR & Legal Affairs Director, Lower Columbia College June 5 Firing in an at will state - Risks and Rewards.

Facilitators: Lisa Straughan and Kari White, Express Employment Professionals

Chamber Members Non-Chamber Members

ring … B per, p u Sign ookkee r, ge rb you r mana you spouse e! r you a charg xtr no e

100 per Six Pack

$

or $25 per Camp

160 per Six Pack

$

or $35 per Camp

Register Online Today!

www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Kelso Longview Business Connection

March 2013

STEM, from page 1 through fun-filled, career exploration activities hosted by local businesses.

Students, their parents, and teachers will be invited to travel to local companies to participate in one- to two-hour activities including tours, contests, experiments, excursions and talks to raise their interest level in and knowledge of the local STEM industry. Businesses will be able to choose the age group of the students they’d like to attend (elementary school, middle school or high school), the number of participants, the day of their activity (Sept. 20, 21 or 22), the time slot, and type of activity.

If you are interested in hosting an activity or just participating in the event, please visit the STEM Fest website at http:// stem-fest.com or contact Mary Brown at mbrown@swwdc. org.

Individuals employed in STEM jobs in Cowlitz County earn about 14 percent more than those employed in non-STEM jobs. EMSI2013

CH A E B N A E C O STORAGE SELF

ls siona rofes P E G ORA E ST R U SEC Your • Camera Surveillance System • Resident Manager • Completely Fenced, Lighted & Paved • Lots of Room Between Units • 24-Hr Computer Controlled Gate Access • Large Variety of Unit Sizes Available • Carports and RV/Boat/Trailer Spaces • RV Sewage Dump Available • Credit/Debit Card Accepted

STEM Jobs in Cowlitz County are anticipated to grow by 8 percent through the next five years. EMSI2013

Facilitating Growth Through Leadership and Action

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

Join us today!

Resources • Access • Partnerships

360.577.1760

www.oceanbeachselfstorage.com

SECURITY YOU CAN TRUST RATES YOU CAN AFFORD

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

5800 Ocean Beach Hwy • Longview, WA 98632

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Business Connection

March 2013

WorkSource provides job seekers with skills needed for your business

By Darcy Hoffman Southwest Business Liaison WorkSource

her to earn an industry credential or certificate, have we got the program for you. For those eligible, our ProSTEP grant offers funding for training (credentials, certificates, degrees, etc.) PLUS offers a 50 percent wage reimbursement for the first several months (up to $5,000).

Welcome back! Today we’re talking about the WorkSource talent pool and the type of classes and training many of our clients have received.

Or maybe you’re interested in helping us educate the community about job search, resume writing, interviewing, applications, do’s and don’ts of job search, etc.? We would welcome you into any of our workshops to speak from your perspective about what you look for in job applicants. There’s nothing more valuable to our clients than this type of advice shared by a business…and who knows, maybe your next employee will be sitting in the classroom.

Did you know...we offer a series of FREE cutting-edge workshops for job seekers…resume writing, skills and abilities, job search strategies, perfecting applications and computer basics? There’s not a person on the planet that wouldn’t learn something from these classes…even me! Every time I sit in through the workshops to observe the latest curriculum (yes, we’re always reinventing and incorporating the most up-todate practices into our workshops) I learn something new!

To get connected to a Business Services Consultant whose expertise lies in your industry, and who can connect you to our talent pool, our workshops, or our training completers, contact Darcy Hoffman, Business Services Manager, at 360735-5038 or dhoffman@esd.wa.gov.

This brings me to the whole point of today’s article…we provide job seekers with the skills they need to be ready for YOUR jobs. We’re busy preparing them. And guess what else… We not only give them the skills it takes to find the job, such as how to target their resume, get the interview, and then ace the interview, but we also operate several different state and federal programs that are designed to provide workers that have been impacted by a layoff, the skills, education and certifications they need for today’s careers. Careers like registered nurse, machinist, welder, truck driver, project manager, accountant, bookkeeper, IT professional, underwater basket weaver, and every other demand occupation in southwest Washington (okay, maybe not underwater basket weaver…I was just making sure you were paying attention).

Are you interested in learning more about the specific occupations we train people in? Maybe you’d even like to find out specifically who we have that’s about to graduate in a field that matches the skills you’re seeking in a new hire? Let us know and we will gladly connect you to these job ready candidates. If you are a business hiring someone in an IT or advanced manufacturing occupation and you need him or

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

March 2013

Mount St. Helens season planning meeting March 22 The 2013 Mount St. Helens tourist season planning meeting is set for 9 a.m. March 22 at the Cowlitz Regional Conference Center in the Coweeman Room.

The business community is welcome to be a part of the growing network of players making Mount St. Helens a world-class tourist destination. Come learn what is happening around the monument, share your ideas and build relationships.

Each agency/business will get 10 minutes to present their upcoming season plans in an effort to keep everyone informed and further Cowlitz County’s goals of working together around our monument.

Please RSVP to Alice Dietz at 360-423-9921.

The Music on the Mountain series returns in June.

The Sky is the Limit!

We started in a garage in April 2007. Twin City Bank has provided us the necessary funding to grow our business into a multi-million dollar company.

By early fall Twin City Bank will help us move into our new 15,000 square foot facility with room to continue our growth.

Jon Hansen, General Manager Sid Somers and Steve Norby Fabricast Valve

729 Vandercook Way Longview, WA 98632 1-800-319-2265 | 360-414-4101 Creating products to fuel the world

www.knifegates.com

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twincitybank.com

Kelso Longview Business Connection

March 2013

Business Toolbox

You’ve won a government contract – now what?

By Jerry D. Petrick Certified Business Adviser Washington Small Business Development Center

some may have been overlooked. Important clauses may have been incorporated by reference so be sure to look those up as well. Some common clauses that impact costs include Davis Bacon Act, which prescribes labor standards on construction projects in excess of $2,000, and Service Contract Act for service contracts valued more than $2,500. Regulations like these can significantly impact your costs and non-compliance could lead to fines, termination, or debarment.

Terms and conditions often describe your rights as a contractor (i.e. to get paid promptly), rights of the government (i.e. termination for convenience), how to invoice, how to ship, inspection requirements, Buy American Act, etc. An understanding of these terms and conditions is essential for being the responsible contractor the government requires.

Recently, the Washington State University Small Business Development Center in Longview presented the latest installment of its Best Business Practices Series of workshops specifically designed to help business owners to improve their business’ performance – the topic was Growing Your Business Through Government Contracting. Several businesses were represented in the workshop and the attendees really appreciated the expertise and support available to them at no fee.

As a follow up to the workshop, I thought I would provide fellow business owners some important contracting tips and reminders to improve your success in this market segment.

This information is provided thanks to our partners at the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) in Thurston County.

Small business owners who succeed in the federal government contracting marketplace for the first time often experience a brief moment of celebration immediately followed by anxiety and questions – lots of questions. Did I bid the job correctly? Are there regulations I didn’t know about?

How do I get paid? To answer these questions and successfully perform on the contract, consider the following five steps to federal contracting compliance.

Step 4 – Be sure you are ready to be paid. The federal government is mandated by the Prompt Payment Act to pay contractors within 30 days of receiving a proper invoice. To ensure you submit a proper invoice and are set up to receive the electronic funds transfer, your firm must be active in the System for Award Management (SAM), found at www.sam. gov.

For contracts with the Department of Defense, it is likely you will need to submit an invoice online through Wide Area Work Flow. First time Defense contractors should set aside several hours to register and learn how to use this system before submitting an invoice.

Step 1 – Read the contract. Re-familiarize yourself with the entire contract and your proposal.

Step 5 – Keeping your pipeline of projects full. Now that you won a government contract you may be feeling pretty optimistic about your firm’s future. Businesses that perform well on their government contract work are more likely to win contracts in the future. However, you can win only if you bid. Keep a close eye on federal procurement posting sites like www.fbo.gov and www.fedbid.com so that you don’t miss out on future opportunities.

Step 2 – Review the statement of work. As you review, track deadlines for work elements and reporting. Consider setting project benchmarks to ensure the scope of work is completed on time.

Step 3 – Understand terms and conditions. Ideally, you have a strong understanding of these prior to submitting the bid, but in the flurry of last minute proposal writing

Please see Petrick, page 7

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Business Connection

March 2013

Petrick, from page 6

Get High-Speed Internet

Questions? Washington PTAC, a program of the Thurston EDC, provides no-cost technical assistance to help Washington firms compete for government contracts. Visit www. washingtonptac.org for more information about the Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center or to find a PTAC counselor near you!

The next Best Business Practices workshop will be April 4 – our topic will be cash flow (the lifeblood of your business) the session is called: I Have Profits…So Where is My Cash?

Register now – space is limited. To register go to: http://wsbdc.org/training-calendar

GET ON WITH BUSINESS.

This article was written by Tiffany Scroggs, Program Director, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Thurston Economic

Get High-Speed Internet for a fast, worry-free connection in your business or home.

Development Council and brought to you by Jerry Petrick, MBA, SPHR, PMP and Certified Business Adviser with the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Longview. Petrick provides no-cost, confidential business

Easy to Order Call for a FREE Site Survey

Call Today!

360 414-5990

advisory services by appointment. He can be reached by email: jerry.petrick@wsbdc.org.

www.cni.net

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

Bianca Lemmons Cowlitz County Title Co.

Michael Julian Kelso Theater Pub

Chris Bailey Lower Columbia College

Clayton J. Bartness, DC Longview Chiropractic Clinic

Chet Makinster Longview City Council

Frank V. McShane, Past President Cascade Networks, Inc. Jerri Henry, President Futcher-Henry CPA Group

Dennis Weber Cowlitz County Commissioner Joel Hanson, President Elect KLOG KUKN The Wave

Michael Claxton Walstead Mertsching

Ted Sprague Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Sarah Cave PeaceHealth

Steve Taylor Kelso City Manager

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Diane Craft, Vice President Koelsch Senior Communities Ginny Whiffen Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center Julie Rinard Community Home Health & Hospice Neil Zick, Treasurer Twin City Bank

April 17, 2013

1:00 pm - 7:00 pm Cowlitz County Regional ConfeRenCe CenteR

Building Bridges

A RegionAl BuSineSS ShowcASe

Booth Space (36 Available) Chamber Member (any area Chamber Member)

$450 before March 15 $550 after March 15

Table Space (84 Available) Chamber Member (any area Chamber Member)

$250 before March 15 $300 after March 15

Sign up now!

Up to $100 off for early sign up.

Includes 2 lunch tickets • extra tickets $15

Non-Chamber Member $600 before March 15 $700 after March 15 For information on joining the Chamber visit: www.kelsolongviewchamber.org/members/become-member

Includes 2 lunch tickets • extra tickets $15 each

Non-Chamber Member $350 before March 15 $400 after March 15 For information on joining the Chamber visit: www.kelsolongviewchamber.org/members/become-member

Sponsorship Packages Available Includes booth space, logo on all printed material, logo on website, banner at event and all advertising.

Call today 360-423-8400 or register online www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Kelso Longview Business Connection

March 2013

Be the Best of the Best – Build, Excel, Sell and Teach

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

the best possible way.

How might you develop a best of the best philosophy utilizing a focused, disciplined, and supportive (for themselves and their employees) environment?

Consider adding the B.E.S.T. principle to your business strategy and everyday operational procedures. Let’s walk through a quick best of the best refresher...

• Everyday you need to build your business. Your action plan, your continuity of effort and your consistency at enhancing your customers’ perceptions all play a significant role in building, growing, and defining your business.

• Each and every day, you, your employees, and your business should look for opportunities to excel...opportunities to excel in meeting your customer’s needs or problems, opportunities to excel and overcome competitive encroachments and market changes, opportunities to excel, to position yourself and your business to capture new market share or grow a new product line or service.

• Selling, servicing, and offering goods or services are the lifeblood of your business. That lifeblood comes with the realization that the goods or service you, your employees, and your business offer are of value to your customers. Keeping the lifeblood flowing depends on core values...integrity, trust, follow up, to name a few. Fate, the urgency to survive, the hunger to succeed will all test your core values ... don’t let fate, the good times, the bad times or uncertainty, tear down everything you have built, and thereby destroy your business identity.

• You need to be a teacher. To teach your employees the ins and outs of the business they have joined is part of your responsibility. Teach employees their role in helping the business achieve its goals, identifying, understanding and working with its customer base, your personal and your business’ core values, and most of all, helping your employees understand that everyone (including YOU!) continues to learn and grow as the business builds and grows.

Last but not least, remember that by creating a public

As a referee, I had numerous opportunities to observe some of the best of the best athletic teams. These teams typically have been coached in a highly focused, disciplined, and supportive environment. These same principles apply to the world of sales and marketing.

In working with retailers, chambers of commerce, community marketing groups, and retail organizations I have often found it helpful, as I initiate my work with them, to remind them to be the ‘Best of the Best’. This helps to refocus and reinforce some earlier learned (and often forgotten!) business tips to improve both retailing or service management while enhancing customer service and selling professionalism.

Which action steps, which things to do NOW, which right moves should you undertake in times when business is tough to get, to be the best of the best? Reflecting on my many discussions with owners, managers, franchisees, regional managers, operational directors, senior management and others involved in retailing, the following traits consistently surfaced as benchmarks of the best of the best retailers who are in touch with their community and growing and changing as their community grew and changed.

• In good times or bad, best of the best retailers consistently assesses their resources, acknowledging their strengths and weaknesses. Likewise, they also consistently assess their community, both today and tomorrow. Rather than trying to change the past, they focus on designing the future.

• In good times or bad, best of the best retailers, create an action plan, focusing on both their business and community assessment to put their resources and strategies to work for their business ... they commit to themselves and to their business to DO SOMETHING...TO ACT rather than react!

• When business gets tough, best of the best retailers raise their standards, they sharpen their pencils, further enhancing their strengths and competitive advantages, working smarter (not necessarily harder) to do whatever they do in

Please see Nau, page 10

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

March 2013

Nau, from page 9

Business Plus Checking: The Healthy Choice for Your Business

“I am interested in helping people become healthier.

Patients are always amazed at how powerful and capable their own bodies are and how much better they feel after acupuncture treatments.”

awareness of who you are and what you do or sell you help your community, your business and yourself GROW. © Murray & Nau, Inc. Chuck Nau of Murray & Nau, Inc. is a retail consultant and sales and management trainer. He has been a speaker for and conducted advertising and marketing workshops with retailers, chambers of commerce, community marketing groups, and retail organizations throughout North America.

Based in Seattle, Nau 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.

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

- Patty Kuchar, L.Ac., Owner of Acupuncture Northwest and happy Fibre Federal business account holder

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Team

Business owners will also find plenty to be amazed

Bill Marcum, CEO Amy Hallock, Bookkeeper Brooke Fisher, Project Manager

about with Business Plus Checking. Electronic deposits via Remote Deposit Capture, Business Online Banking, QuickBooks, multiple user access, and account sweeps are just some of the

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

1563 Olympia Way • Longview, WA 98632 • 360-423-8400 To advertise, call Brooke Fisher, 360-423-8400 ext. 16 or email bfisher@kelsolongviewchamber.org.

Ad Deadline: 20th of each month.

benefits that separate Business Plus Checking from other business checking accounts. Call us or visit our web site for more information on how Business Plus Checking will help you keep your business or

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

March 2013

CEO’s Message

Building Bridges, Boot Camp offer business growth

By Bill Marcum Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce CEO Boot Camp starts this week and there are still a few seats left.

Give us a call if you want to participate in growing your business.

save up to $100 if you sign up for your booth space or table space prior to March 15. Time goes quickly, you only have a couple weeks to get signed up.

This year, we have changed the time so it is not such a long

The first session, a Six Pack of Financial Workshops, is designed to help you understand cash flow, budgeting, the taxes your business pays, preparing and understanding a financial statement, QuickBooks (a lab at WorkSource) and the final class is a review of the 2013 Legislative session – what has happened in Olympia and how it will impact the profitability of your business. Each session starts at 7:30 a.m. and concludes by 9:30 so you can get back to your business and helping customers.

day for our local businesses. We are also not combining the

For as little as $16 you and another person from your business can attend these workshops and learn the tricks of the trade from people who are business owners just like you. These people can explain how they use these items to improve their business bottom line and how you too can make that happen.

ers will be able to network with other business owners and

Even if you miss the first session you can still attend the other five in the session or any one within a session for $25. So, why wouldn’t you want to help your business be more successful?

Give me a call and sign up today, or go online at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org to sign up.

business showcase with the April Business After Hours. Each business that signs up will be given a customized invitation to email, mail or hand deliver to 50 of their best customers and venders. We expect about 10 percent will attend the event bringing some 1,200 people to see what our local businesses have to offer. There will still be that great business-to-business networking opportunity throughout the day as business ownmangers who are present at the showcase.

You also will not have to be in the night before to set up your booth or table. With a 1 p.m. start you will be able to enter the Expo Center by 8 a.m. A boxed lunch will be provided for each vender at noon and a speaker will be on hand at the lunch gathering to present you with ideas and suggestions to help make the most of your day.

Chamber members can participate in the Building Bridges

I would also like to give a huge thank you to Chris Bailey, President of Lower Columbia College, and the staff for providing the Heritage Room to host Boot Camp.

Showcase for $450 for a booth (less than last year) and $250

The second session of camp starts May 1 with the Human Resources Six Pack.

$600 for a booth and $350 for a table until March 15, at which

Building Bridges, A Region Business Showcase (formerly Cowlitz County Expo) will take place from 1 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 17. More than 115 businesses participated last year and we have room for 120 total. Right now, you can

for a table until March 15, at which time the pricing will go up $100 each. Non-members of the Chamber can participate at time the price will go up $100.

Boot Camp and Building Bridges Showcase, two great ways the Kelso Longview Chamber is providing opportunities to grow your business. But, it only works if you participate.

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Join us Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

906 New York Street in Longview to learn about the many incredible programs Life Works has to offer for people with disabilities in our community.

Come and take a tour of the Life Works community service center while enjoying great food, fun, and prizes while networking with fellow community business members! $15 in advance/$20 at the door Register online at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Kelso Longview Business Connection

March 2013

Longview Downtown Partnership

Planning, leadership, meetings key to 2013 success

By Janice Aday-Forbes President, Longview Downtown Partnership Owner, Highlander Cycling

member locations. The March meeting will be at JT’s Steakhouse at 5:30 p.m. Guest speaker, Joel Hanson, President of KLOG, KUKN and The Wave, will share with us a new, local and interactive marketing tool that could very well transform your business! Come join us for a no-host dinner meeting and enjoy networking opportunities as well as relevant and timely information that could propel your business or organization forward.

Three topics are in the spotlight this month for your Longview Downtown Partnership: The strategic plan for 2013, Board re-organization and elections, and monthly membership meetings.

A new year brings new opportunities to become involved and engaged in the worthy effort of evolving Downtown Longview. If you would like to serve on the Board, speak as a guest at a membership meeting or want more information about the strategic plan, please contact me at janice@highlander-cycling.com.

2013 Strategic Plan The Partnership held its 3rd Annual Strategic Planning session in January to develop a game plan for the year in four key areas of opportunity including: membership, Board composition, fundraising and events. The following include specific tasks that are not included in this article to support the achievement of each goal. The membership voted to adopt the plan at the February meeting.

MEMBERSHIP: Recruit, retain and communicate with membership. Retain all members and increase membership by 25 percent.

BOARD COMPOSITION: Return to five-member Executive Board with Standing Committee Chairs appointed as necessary to fulfill the established goals of the annual strategic plan.

Standing Committee Chairs will have Board voting rights.

FINANCE AND FUNDRAISING: Actively pursue new funding models and sources.

EVENTS: Sponsor and support established events, as resources are available. Note: The LDP has decided to forgo Friday Night Downtown LIVE this year.

Won’t You Join us For the

Big Bunco Bash!

Saturday, March 16th Canterbury Park 1335 3rd Avenue, Longview Enjoy a delicious box lunch at 12:30 pm Bunco game starts at 1:00 pm Game prizes awarded and Win fabulous door prizes!

Board Re-organization, Nominations and Elections Once a year the LDP Board is elected. A nominating committee is formed in February, nominations are made in March, a vote is held at the April general membership meeting and the new Board takes its place in May. Elected positions include President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Seating is limited, RSVP by March 13th $5 per person (360) 501.5100

General Membership Meetings

CANTERBURY

The LDP moved the monthly member meetings to the third Tuesday of each month. The previous established day and time conflicted with the monthly chamber events. Additionally the meetings will take place at various downtown restaurant

PARK

Independent Living www.koelschseniorcommunities.com

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Kelso Longview Business Connection

March 2013

Kelso

Longview

The bridge to development

Year brings new council rules and roles

By Mayor David Futcher Have you ever been to the Three Rivers Golf Course? If so, you know that one of the craziest streets in Kelso is the short stretch of Yew Street, between South Pacific and the railroad tracks. It’s a twisted ramp that makes you feel like you’re either going to roll your car or bottom out, depending which way you turn.

Because that unusual access is about the only way to get to South River Road, the area surrounding the golf course has been slow to develop. Without better emergency access that wouldn’t have to wait for a passing or parked train, you’ve got to be careful how many people live out there. And, the state plans to add a third track through Kelso, which would exacerbate the problem with higher train traffic.

We’ve been examining options to improve access to that part of Kelso ever since we sold some property along the river to a condo developer, and found out that the access would be an obstacle to that type of dense residential development. Recently, the results of a study on the topic found that the cheapest option would be building a bridge over the railroad to allow better access.

That’s the cheapest option, but maybe “cheap” is misleading.

That least expensive option is $28 million. Friends, that’s a lot of cheddar.

Fortunately, we expect nearly all of the funding to come from the federal and state government. Local taxpayers don’t have to worry; we’re not going to assess a $2,200-per-person charge to cover the project.

By Mayor Don Jensen The City Council has been busy recently. Every year we have a goal-setting retreat to talk about the New Year and where this city should be headed with the resources we have.

The meeting ran for three hours on Friday night and another eight-hour session on Saturday.

At this goal-setting meeting we advised staff on how we would like the City to run for the next year.

We also made some changes to procedures for the Council meetings. We welcome input from citizens; however, we will not allow citizens to make personal attacks on Council Members. Should this occur their time will be ended and they will be asked to leave the podium.

Council also changed when the citizens will speak to ordinances and resolutions. In the past we have waited to let the citizens speak after Council had finished its deliberation. We changed the order so citizens will speak

If we do find the funding for the bridge project, I think it would spur riverfront development. As I said way back in a 2005 article The Daily News provocatively headlined “Condos or Kids?,” property with a river on one side and a golf course on the other would be a natural fit for a retirement condo complex. Just keep the owners off of Yew Street.

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after the reading by title, a motion to approve, and a staff report. Council will then debate the issue and then go to a vote.

I would like to thank the Chamber for allowing me to be involved with this publication.

Kelso Longview Business Connection

March 2013

Chamber Board Spotlight Chris Bailey President Lower Columbia College

Lower Columbia College reaches deep into the communities it serves About 18 months ago, Chris Bailey added President of Lower Columbia College to his impressive resume.

the communities. Lower Columbia is well known for Head Start, an early education program, but it also provides programs for middle and high school students, workforce learning, associate degrees for transfer to four-year programs and classes for senior citizens.

“It’s a dream job,” said Bailey, who is also a lawyer, business owner, educator and took a run at the state House once. “I’m in my career that I really love right now. I love my job.”

Although his career path sing-songs like a classic nursery rhyme, it takes a great deal of hard work and good timing to pull off a series of roles like those Bailey has experienced.

“For us, we really are a place for individuals to better themselves,” Bailey said.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Washington University and a law degree from the University of Washington School of Law.

Lower Columbia is one of 34 technical and community colleges in Washington State. The 39-acre Longview campus serves Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties and enrolls between 4,000 and 5,000 students each quarter with about 400 employees keeping the college humming.

He’s been teaching business and law courses, many of them at Centralia College, for 22 years. In addition to working as an attorney, he also served as president and general manager for a Thurston County gravel company.

A few years ago, he teamed up with his then 19-year-old son Brennan and started Vistas Northwest Real Estate. Brennan not only inherited his dad’s flair for business, but service. At 23, he sits on the Chehalis School Board.

“People are eager to innovate to make the college better each and every day,” he said.

In addition to its Head Start program, nursing is by far the largest and most popular major with 200 students each year. Bailey said there are plans to partner with Washington State University and expand it to a four-year program.

Bailey’s run was for the state House of Representatives. That was back in 1988, he said, a long time ago. He was actually declared the winner the night of the election, but when the votes were finally counted he wasn’t the one going to Olympia. “But it opened a lot of doors,” he said.

LCC has partnerships with a number of larger universities.

As a Chehalis Foundation founder and Lending Network leader, Bailey sees LCC as a partner in the area’s economic development too. His work with the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce helps him make those connections.

Doors seem to fling open for Bailey.

He was moonlighting – teaching night classes when he was tabbed for the LCC presidency. At the time he was also serving as Vice President of Human Resources and Legal Affairs at Centralia College.

He was recently elected to the Chamber’s Board of Directors and is slated to speak at the Chamber’s State of Education quarterly lunch March 28 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Cowlitz Regional Conference Center.

“I like being in the classroom,” he said. Although his schedule is much tighter these days, he still makes time to teach a leadership development program.

His diverse background is akin to the wide range of offerings one finds at Lower Columbia College.

He and his wife Tonya are settling into their new home and he said in his free time he enjoys playing tennis. His workload hasn’t allowed him much time on the courts, but he’s been able to get away to explore the area and meet people.

“We are all things to all people,” he said, noting the college’s location and its “cradle to grave” educational options make it a hub for

“It’s a great community,” he said. “They’ve welcomed me and I love it here.”

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Apply Now! The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce recognizes that the skills required of businesses today typically demand post secondary education, and has identified that many students in our area are in need of financial assistance in acquiring additional education after completion of high school. As a business organization, benefiting from the contributions the educational system has provided us; we need to assist students in their endeavor to improve their skills for the workforce of tomorrow.

Students can apply for the Maria Harris Scholarship or the Lower Columbia Professionals Scholarship on the Kelso Longview Chamber website: www.kelsolongviewchamber.org/applications/scholarship-information AMOUNT It is the intent of this program to award scholarships in the amount of $500 or more. As the funds for these scholarships are based upon the voluntary contributions of our members, the actual amount is dependent upon the level of contributions to the scholarship fund.

CRITERIA  The scholarship is to be used at a post secondary institution for tuition.  The student/applicant must be a resident of Cowlitz County.  The student/applicant must demonstrate financial need.  The student applicant must have a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.25 or better.

Kelso Longview Business Connection

March 2013

Ribbon Cuttings

Calling on the Red Coats The Chamber Ambassadors turned out in numbers to welcome Coleman Cellular Communications at a ribbon cutting Feb. 13.

Coleman Cellular Communications is located at 200 Kelso Dr., No. 222, Kelso.

Personal Touch The Chamber and Ambassadors welcomed Absolute Massage to the family with a ribbon cutting Feb. 22. Absolute Massage, 109 N.W. 1st Ave.

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Business Connection

March 2013

Business After Hours

Wine and Coffee Mt. St. Helens Cellars was a hit at the Chamber’s February Business After Hours. The Feb. 12 event was hosted by Grounds for Opportunity and Family Health Center. The night included great food by GFO and tours of the new Kelso Family Health Center Clinic.

The Right Workplace Care Here.

Right

SERVICES INCLUDE: Injured Worker Care

Respiratory Protection

Pre-employment, DOT, and HazMat Exams

Drug and Alcohol Screening

Hearing Conservation

CPR and First Aid Training Mobile Unit Services

1405 Delaware St., Longview, WA

www.peacehealth.org/st-john

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360-414-2332 After hours drug and alcohol testing on call 24/7 at

360-501-0337

at

Date: Thursday, March 21, 2013 Host: Longview Eagles #2116 Location: (1526 12th Ave., Longview ) Time: 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Cost: $10 advance/$15 at door Register at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Business Connection

March 2013

Welcome New Members

Chamber membership has its privileges Celebrate these new Chamber members with us Business Association with opportunities to promote trade through Chamber socials, special events and committee participation.

• Annual Meeting and Banquet • Networking Events • Committee Participation • Business Contacts • Quarterly Membership Meetings • Civic Representation • Monthly Business After Hours 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 • Web Site Links • Member to Member Discounts • Membership Directory • Tax Deduction

*Family Financial Resource Center *American Workforce Group, Inc. *360 Elite Fitness: F.O.E. CrossFit *Cowlitz Valley Runners

Packages

• Newsletter • Business Card Display • Use of Chamber Logo Representation through action committees, Candidate Forums and up-todate Action Alerts.

• Legislative Representation • Issues Tracking and Information • Task Forces • Candidate Forums • Legislative Update Breakfast • Demographics Publication

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.

Join today! Call 360-423-8400 Spring into action with us!

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

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1413 Commerce Ave. 360-575-9804 www.elamshf.com

360.414.1200 • www.expresspros.com Chamber March 2013

FREE LOCAL DELIVE RY

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The Education Foundation Committee presents: 3LOODUV RI 6WUHQJWK %XVLQHVV (GXFDWLRQ 1RPLQDWLRQV Awards Dinner May 15, 2013

Business It is time to nominate who you feel should be recognized for the following: Education: Top Administrator, Top Teacher, Top Support Person Workforce: Best Practice (Company), Individual Achievement Business: Business Person, Small Business, Large Business Nominations can be filled out at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org Deadline for nomination submissions: March 31, 2013

Education

Business Connection

March 2013

Lower Columbia Professionals

Triple the Fun at Pie@Trio’s Thank you to everyone who attended Lower Columbia Professionals Night at Pie@Trio’s Pizzeria Feb. 21. A special thanks to Sam Miller and staff for putting on an outstanding event. The pizza was delicious!

Trusted.

Since 1982, Cowlitz County Title has been the company the community turns to when buying, selling or refinancing a property.

1330 Commerce Ave. Longview

360-353-3790

Whether you need title, escrow or property search information, come in for our exceptional service. Leave with the confidence that your real estate investment is properly insured and protected.

just in: new bmx lines!

Bianca Lemmons

exclusive santa cruz mountain bike dealership!

Vice President/Manager

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

www.highlander-cycling.com

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Business Connection

March 2013

Radio Connection Kalei Lafave, United Way of Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties, and Marlene Johanson, Heritage Bank, at a recent Chamber Connections Radio Show.

TUNE IN every Wednesday Your Chamber Connection

KEDO AM 1400 – 3 to 4 p.m.

Contact the Chamber to schedule YOUR 10-minute business spotlight

Our years of experience add up to Consistent, Courteous & Complete Title & Escrow Services.

Connie Bjornstrom

Dennis Bird

Lindsey McTimmonds

Alison Peters

Phone: 360.425.2950 Fax: 360.425.8010

LeeRoy Parcel

Bonnie Woodruff

Joel Lengyel

1425 Maple St. Longview, WA 98632

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Quarterly Luncheon Cowlitz Regional Conference Center 1900 7th Avenue, Longview Thursday, March 28, 2013 11:45a.m. -1:30 p.m.

Kelso Schools Superintendent Rob MacGregor

Longview Schools Superintendent Dr.Suzanne Cusick

Lower Columbia College President Chris Bailey

You are invited to attend the Kelso Longview Chamber’s 1st Quarter Membership Luncheon.

Please join us as we hear from Longview and Kelso Superintendents and Lower Columbia College President on the current progress, challenges and opportunities with education, and how they are handling the issues during the hard economic times.

$25 in advance/$35 at door (Price includes lunch buffet)

Register at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org