November 2023 Business Connection

Business Connection Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Karen Sisson Interim CEO

k November 2023

Volume 15 • Issue 11 Business Connection is published monthly by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 105 N. Minor Road • Kelso, WA 98626

Everyone wins when we connect students with local businesses

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n Oct. 26, and in partnership with our school districts, the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce hosted its third Career Exploration Expo. For those of you not familiar with the event or concept, it was a vision Bill Marcum had in 2018 after speaking with graduating seniors.

STAFF

Karen Sisson, Interim CEO Pam Fierst, Project Manager Ella Tiefenthal, Bookkeeper, Office Manager, Social Media

k CONTACT US

360-423-8400 kelsolongviewchamber.org To advertise, call Pam Fierst 360-423-8400 or pfierst@kelsolongviewchamber.org Ad Deadline 20th of Each Month

Bill knew the Chamber has the duty to help our businesses find qualified talent after graduation, but if the talent does not know the jobs exist or where to find them, we have a serious problem. By the end of the school year, eighth-grade students must make a career pathway choice. How can you make such a choice when you have no idea of the options businesses have available, especially locally? Bill reasoned, if we can give eighth, ninth and 10th graders three years of attending a county wide Career Expo, by the time they are juniors or seniors they will have a better understanding of what jobs/careers are available right here in our area. Bill enlisted the help of Chamber Education Foundation members Melissa Boudreau and Jill Diehl who were super supportive in tackling this issue and welcomed the input and professional knowledge of our local business professionals. The idea of a county wide Career Fair spread with the help of ESD 112.

They contacted all the schools in Cowlitz County and the Wahkiakum School District and all the eighth, ninth and tenth grade teachers asking them to participate.

Bill then needed to get the buy-in from our businesses throughout Cowlitz County. To his pleasant surprise they were excited to hear about the event and eager to participate. That same excitement and encouragement is still true in this third year. With the help of two generous grants from Alcoa Foundation and Career Connect SW ESD 112, and our Chamber sponsors, Gibbs & Olson and BiCoastal Media, we were able to continue this event at no cost to all those that participated. We had representatives from manufacturing, construction, For more CEO, see page 3

2 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023

Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

CEO from page 1

Marlene Johanson, President Heritage Bank

health and home care, financial and insurance institutions, military armed forces, first responder organizations, and a wide variety of other professional services.

Jason Gentemann, Vice President Foster Farms

The Career Exploration Expo has evolved to working with 10th, 11th and 12th graders, but the mission remains the same. Educating our young adults on career opportunities in Cowlitz County and businesses looking ahead 10-15 years and hiring these same students they met in October.

Lisa Straughan, Past President Express Employment Professionals Neil Zick, Treasurer Twin City Bank

Thank you to the students, teachers, school districts, businesses and KLCC Education Foundation for your participation and support. I can only see this event getting bigger each year as students change over and our future employment pool grows.

To see more photos from the Career Exploration Expo click here

Michael Claxton, Legal Counsel Walstead Mertsching Rich Coleman Bicoastal Media Diane Craft Koelsch Communities Duane Dalgleish Cowlitz PUD Rich Gushman Gibbs & Olson Keenan Harvey City Council, Kelso Sean Kiffe NORPAC Nick Lemiere Edward Jones Cherelle Montanye St. John/PeaceHealth John Paul KUKN-KLOG-101.5 The Blitz Ted Sprague Cowlitz Economic Development Council Michael Vorse Minuteman Press MaryAlice Wallis City of Longview Mayor Dennis Weber Cowlitz County Commissioner Pam Whittle Realty One Group Pacifica

Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023 | 3

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Business Toolbox Jerry D. Petrick

Certified Business Adviser

Is there a new/renewal commercial lease in your future?

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ne thing many new (and continuing) business owners fail to consider is how their No. 1 fixed expense, real estate, can influence their profitability. So much goes into selecting the property, from the “right location” to building out the tenant improvements, the actual lease details are easily overlooked. But if you don’t read through each clause carefully, you could severely undermine your bottom line. I highly recommend having an attorney who specializes in commercial leases and who represents tenants look over a lease before you sign it. As a certified business adviser with the Washington Small Business Development Center who has worked with hundreds of clients in dozens of industries, I have come across many horror stories (and some big wins) regarding lease negotiations.

Here are my top five things to consider when reading your lease: 1.

2.

3.

HOW IS THE RENT CALCULATED? Is it a base rent plus triple-net expenses, or does it include a portion of your sales? How are the “NETS” calculated? Triple net, or NNN, is where the lessee pays a part of the building’s real estate taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Are the “NETS” calculated by square footage or by the percentage of the building occupied? What is included in the maintenance portion? I have had clients who signed their lease for base rent plus NNN who were expecting to pay $1,500 per month only to find out the triple net totaled more than $860 and could be adjusted any time without notice. When we asked to see copies of the property owner’s tax and insurance statements, the owners refused. The tenant had no choice but to pay or be evicted. Remember ignorance (or not understanding what you signed) is not a defense.

CONSIDER THE LEASE TERM CAREFULLY. Many times your landlord will offer tenant improvements or “build to suit” if you sign a long-term lease. But if you are planning to move or expand in three to five years, you will want a shorter-term lease with an extension option. Depending on the market, you may be offered a concession of three to six months free rent, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will come at the beginning of the term.

Read through the clause carefully so you know exactly how your concession will be applied. If you are adding tenant improvements, try to negotiate the concession to take effect while you are doing your build-out before occupying the space. Additionally, if you are leasing new construction, ask if there are provisions should the project run late? A delay can severely affect your business – like missing the ability to open for a holiday season.

CAN YOU SUBLEASE? If you want to supplement your

6 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023

income by sharing space with complementary businesses, be sure the lease does not prohibit subletting. The ability to sublet can also be important if you outgrow your space and need to move to expand long before your lease term ends.

Most landlords want to have all lessees on contract so they limit their risk exposure. I had a chiropractor client, and the rent they collected from a massage therapist, acupuncturist, and physical therapist was a significant part of their revenue.

It was a severe blow when they discovered that the rental agreement prohibited sub-leasing. After negotiating with the landlord, the other service providers were allowed to stay, but they had to pay their rent directly to the property owner, which took away any profit my client would have realized.

4.

WHICH UTILITIES ARE INCLUDED? Are they separately metered? You wouldn’t want to pay half the water if you shared your building with a laundromat, for example. Is there internet/Wi-Fi currently? Is it sufficient/robust enough to support your business needs?

I recommend doing a thorough walk-through to locate all the utility panels: water, electricity, gas, and cable. Contact the utility companies and request the average bill history.

Don’t rely on what the leasing agent tells you. You can often find out when the last service was and if there have been any issues that could require substantial investment.

Remember, everything on your side of the wall is your responsibility to maintain. I found this out the hard way when a client had to replace all the gas lines leading to their office suite in their 1941 building.

5.

IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY YOUR BUILDING WILL BE SOLD OR CONDEMNED? What plans does your city have for development in the area? How likely is your landlord to sell the building you are/will be occupying? What provisions are there in the lease to protect you should either occur? I always advise my clients to become active members of their community, not just for networking purposes, but also so they know what direction the city is headed and what that could mean for the future of their business.

Every situation/location/building is unique – taking a fresh look at your specific needs and the agreements either in place or planned to be agreed to. We are happy to help you think through your needs and the options available to your business.

This article was prepared by Jerry Petrick, MBA, and certified business adviser with the Washington State University Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Jerry provides no-cost, confidential business advisory services by appointment. He can be reached via email jerry.petrick@wsbdc.org

City of Kelso Mike Karnofski Mayor

Tree lighting kicks off city's holiday season his month will be an update of some of the main activities in Kelso. The most important one is the annual Christmas tree lighting. This will occur at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 in front of City Hall. Kids will have plenty of activities for entertainment.

There will be chili, cookies and plenty of warm drinks. All free, thanks to CPI, Kelso Rotary and the City of Kelso.

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conjunction with the Rotary Lights in the Park. More information will be available soon.

At a recent meeting, the Council approved $500,000 to improve streetlights. This was working closely with the PUD. Also, the Council approved $150,000 for traffic light improvements.

Some projects that will start early next year are the Senior Center improvements, Train Station improvements and the Hazel Street Overpass.

The Kelso Business and Community Association has developed plans for additional flower planters for next year including West Kelso. Also, they are planning a lighted vehicle cruise in

And last, but not least, the parts for the Spray Park improvements have arrived and it will be in operation next summer.

23-BRAN-497401-Columbia Network-Print Ad.indd 1

As far as Lights in the Park, Kelso Rotary continues to add additional features. Come to Tam O’Shanter park and enjoy this event Dec. 15 through Dec. 24.

5/26/23 12:40 PM

Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023 | 7

Shop Local

LONGVIEW

CENTRALIA

1413 Commerce

1530 S. Gold St.

360-575-9804

360-807-1211

Lower Columbia College Chris Bailey President

The things you find at Lower Columbia College

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s I close in on retirement after nearly 12-1/2 years as Lower Columbia College (LCC) president, I am amazed at the many tidbits of individual history I discover here nearly every day. I thought I’d spend this column sharing just two of the stories I encountered this month from a single newspaper clipping.

I was in the hallway of the Administration building, and stopped to ponder the old, yellowed newspaper clippings and other historical memorabilia hanging in cheap frames near the entrance to the LCC Board Room. I was intrigued by one particular news clipping, entitled “Top Graduates.”

The undated article, I believe from The Daily News, included photos of two individuals in cap and gown, with tassel. The top photo was of a young white man in black round-lens glasses, in his 20s. The bottom photo was of a young black woman, also in her 20s. Below the photos was the following short descriptor: “Daryl Reagan, upper, was graduated summa cum laude from Lower Columbia Junior College Sunday evening, while Miss Inez Freeman was graduated cum laude. They were the highest-ranking students in the class. Both are from Longview.”

I wondered, “What year was this?” I also thought, “These were two very successful students, but were they successful in their lives?”

I went upstairs to my office and began searching the internet for answers. The stories I uncovered did not disappoint.

LCC had recently received news from Daryl’s spouse, Trudy, that Daryl had died in August 2021, and I learned a little about his life from her contact. Daryl said to her his time at LCC had changed his life and the LCC president was the person that talked Daryl into applying to Stanford University, where he excelled in science courses.

I Googled to find out more and found his obituary and full story in The Daily News. The article revealed a person and a scientist to make us proud. Daryl became a nationally recognized nuclear scientist.

Daryl Reagan was born in 1925, just two years after the city of Longview was founded. He was drafted into World War II and after service overseas, LCC gave him credits for his military service.

Through the G.I. Bill, he obtained his PhD at Stanford University in physics in 1955. Later, Daryl was involved in the planning for the SLAC National Laboratory (the first atomic accelerator project) at Stanford.

Inez Freeman was also a trailblazer, but in a very different way.

When I Googled Inez, an article came up from Reed Magazine, the official publication from the prestigious Reed College in Portland, Ore. In 1947, as an incoming freshman, fresh from her graduation from LCC, Inez was the only African American student at Reed. The article (look it up for all the details) spotlights the discrimination she endured both in Longview and in Portland. Inez grew up in Longview at a time when black people were banned from many restaurants and the local ice-cream parlor. Black families were “red-lined” to live only in a “black section” of town. Her parents, James and Victoria Freeman, were among the first black residents of Longview. James worked for the railroad. Victoria served as a nurse and midwife. Victoria Freeman became Longview’s leading civil rights activist, forcing the town to integrate her children into its allwhite public schools in 1924. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

Inez excelled at R.A. Long before attending LCC where she graduated with honors and was elected to the national honor society.

She was an accomplished violinist and decided to attend Reed after attending a piano recital there in 1946. Inez received a Negro Scholarship, from an anonymous alumna donor, that covered her full tuition.

In her first year at Reed, 20-year-old Inez went to a cocktail lounge in Portland, a popular college hangout, with a male friend.

She was denied service and was asked to leave because of her race.

The rest of her Reed classmates, witnessing the event, also left the bar, never to return. The incident at the bar sparked a citywide boycott. The discrimination galvanized the Reed campus to boycott the bar, and Reed students then joined with nine other Portland schools to campaign for a Portland city ordinance that would ban discrimination based on race, ethnicity or creed. Businesses that made the pledge received a decal for the storefront window. Those who refused faced a potential student boycott.

After graduating from Reed, Inez pursued graduate studies at San Francisco State. She returned to the Pacific Northwest to work as a schoolteacher and a social worker. She continued her studies at both Lewis and Clark College and Eastern Washington State College. After marrying, she studied at the University of Chicago while working as a journalist for the Negro Digest from Johnson Publishing Company, which also produced both Ebony and Jet magazines.

Every day at Lower Columbia College, we hear interesting stories about our current and former students. Many are trailblazers who have made a significant difference in the progress of our country. It’s been an honor to add my own individual story to Lower Columbia College’s incredible history. So many of you have added to that history, too! LCC Proud (Forever)!

Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023 | 9

Longview Public Schools Dan Zorn

Superintendent

Athletic complex: Dream to rousing reality

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s I write this column, the leaves are falling, the cool weather has returned and the holidays are fast approaching.

We started the school year with the grand re-opening of the Memorial Stadium athletic complex, which underwent a replacement of the track and field. The new turf field and track now provides a much safer and effective surface for our student athletes competing in football, track, and soccer. It is also providing additional PE opportunities for our students at R.A. Long and Monticello and has made it possible for us to significantly expand its usage.

A famous quote from the film “Field of Dreams” was, “If you build it, they will come.” Meaning that if you put the time and resources into making dreams a reality, people will start flocking towards it, helping them to realize their dreams. The renovation of this complex has been a dream for many in our community for a long time. Thanks to the generous support of Longview voters, who passed the Capital Projects and Technology levy, it is now a reality and will effectively serve our students and community for many years to come.

We are pleased to report that the new field has been used all but a few days since opening this fall and was booked for use every day in the month of October! Both of our high schools, all three middle schools, the Timber Baron’s soccer team and Lower Columbia Youth Football are currently using the complex. As I write this column, other organizations are lining up to use it as well.

Some days there are multiple competitions on the field! This is an excellent example of how local levy dollars improve the community we live in and enrich lives when available resources are put to good use. The new track and field will serve future generations of Longview families and is helping expand student and community access to the district’s high quality athletic facilities.

I want to thank you for all of your support in making the Memorial Stadium renovation a reality. It is heartwarming to see so much increased use because it means our community has given our youth increased opportunities to thrive and develop into confident, coachable, responsible individuals and teams.

Have a great holiday season.

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10 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | September 2023

A Full Service Civil Law Firm for nearly 100 Years CIVIC CENTER BUILDING, 3RD FLOOR 1700 HUDSON ST., LONGVIEW, WA

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LOWER COLUMBIA PROFESSIONALS PRESENTS

A gathering Friday, November 17 The Regent/The Original Woodshed 3353 Washington Way, Longview

Food and Networking 5:30 pm to 6:15 pm

First Dice Roll at 6:30 pm

Fantastic Raffle Prizes!

$20

includes tasty food from…

100% of proceeds benefit the LCP Scholarship Fund!

Register online at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

360-423-8400

Longview Downtowners

CALENDAR

Josh Carter

November 2

Chamber Ambassadors Meeting 7:30am, Canterbury Park

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Ribbon Cutting VIP Mortgage 11am, 209 W. Main St., Ste, 103, Kelso Ribbon Cutting Blueberry Hill – Vintage Mercantile 2pm, 123 Cowlitz St. W., Castle Rock

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17

21

Business After Hours 5:30pm, Windermere Real Estate 209 W. Main St., Ste. 200, Kelso

President

Harvest Fest: A smashing success

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arvest Festival happened in downtown Longview Oct.14.

Luckily the rain stayed away long enough for many of the vendors to sell out of product. We saw around 4,000

visitors and enjoyed the company of our community. The day took a lot of planning and sponsors, and running around, but somehow,

LCP Bunco 5:50pm, The Regent/The Original Woodshed 3353 Washington Way, Longview

it’s always worth it.

Ribbon Cuttings Unicorn Training & Consulting and The Rising Phoenix Services 5:30pm, Explorer Brewing Company 209 Ash St., Kelso

on the big stage and we loved it.

The Boomtown Saints flew in from Nashville, Tenn., to play for us

Every day the Downtowners are working to make downtown a more exciting an accessible place. Coming soon, the Saturday

23-24 Thanksgiving Chamber office closed

after Thanksgiving, we’ll be celebrating Small Business Saturday.

Your Chamber Connection Radio Show, Wednesdays, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 6pm KEDO 1270 AM or 99.9 FM

downtown with the same vigor you’d use to storm the halls of a big

LOOKING AHEAD

This is a day with one unified message – “We’re open!” Come shop

box store and your entire community benefits, as do you and those you choose to bestow your gifts on!

December 7

Chamber Ambassadors Meeting 7:30am, Canterbury Park

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Jingle all the Way 5:30pm, Civic Circle, Longview

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Holiday Mixer 5:30pm, The Roxy Theater 1101 Commerce Ave., Longview

22, 25 Christmas Chamber office closed Your Chamber Connection Radio Show Wednesdays, Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 6pm KEDO 1270 AM or 99.9 FM For a complete list of Chamber and Community events, check out our website.

12 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023

“Your Lenders For Life” Mortgage Consultants pictured left to right: • BRANDON NICKEL, Loan Officer NMLS #2042243, (971) 506-0927 • KATIE DILLINGER, Loan Officer NMLS #1576918, (360) 353-8290 • BRITTANY HOWELLS, Loan Officer NMLS #1669059, (971) 777-3321 (360) 414-4000 www.lifemort.com 842 Washington Way, #110 Longview, WA 98632

New Members Add your business to our growing membership.

Call 360-423-8400 Today!

Membership packages to fit your needs

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 • Website Links • Member to Member Discounts • Membership Directory • Tax Deduction • Newsletter • Business Card Display • Use of Chamber Logo

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

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

Membership Packages Basic • $275 or $26 per month Bronze • $500 or $46.66 per month Silver • $1,000 or $86.33 per month Gold • $2,500 or $211.33 per month Platinum • $5,000 or $416.66 per month Diamond Club • $10,000 or $834 per month Nonprofit • $180 or $18 per month

Look Who Joined in October Eden-Health

Julie Sheldon 1700 Hudson Street Ste. 100 Longview, WA 98632 360-425-8510 Executivedirector433@eden-health.com

Clear Choice Dermatology

Adriene Caba 1815 Hudson Street Longview, WA 98632 360-562-9800 adroene@clearchoicederm.com

Unicorn Training and Consulting

Teedara Wolf 1000 Elm Street Kelso, WA 98626 360-430-6126 Unicorntrainingandconsulting@gmail.com

TBC Entertainment

Cliff Verhoeff 295 Beech Street Longview, WA 98632 425-210-2686 cliff@tcbebtertainment.org

Blueberry Hill – Vintage Mercantile Nancy Pollock 123 Cowlitz Street W Castle Rock, WA 98611 360-270-5081 Blueberryhill.antiques@yahoo.com

The Rising Phoenix Service

Vashti Langford P.O. Box 675 Longview, WA 98632 360-442-8673 therisingphoenixservice@gmail.com

Silver Lake Resort

Alan Kahn 3201 Spirit Lake Hwy Silver Lake, WA 98645 360-274-6141 alan@heyalan.com

Cor Tech Plumbing & Mechanical LLC Cory Harren 1358 S. 13th Avenue Ste. 150 Kelso, WA 98626 360-644-4571 charren@cor-tech-plumbing.com

United Finance

Eugene Read 1070 14th Avenue Longview, WA 98632 360-425-3333 longview@untiedfinance.com Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023 | 13

Radio cohost Katie Keaton and Teyonna Townsel, The Cooks Creation located in the Three Rivers Mall

Chamber radio host Shawn Green, ServPro, and Cowlitz Economic Development Council President Ted Sprague

Your Chamber Connection Radio Show Wednesdays at 6 pm KEDO 1270 AM or 99.9 FM Brad Frostad, co-owner and brewmaster Explorer Brewing Company

Rich Coleman, BiCoastal Media

Contact Karen Sisson at 360-423-8400 or ksisson@kelsolongviewchamber.org to schedule your interview

Jane Ditewig, Longview Library Foundation Board, Heather Palow, communications and marketing Longview Library

14 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023

Nick Hadler, general manager, Grant’s at the Monticello Hotel

LeAnn Whitcomb, property manager and Realtor, and Elisha Jolma, broker, Sho'me Real Estate and Property Management

meadowlark club membership Includes: 2 cleanings per year, 2 annual exams and x-rays for $350 - A $1200 value.

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We make switching banks easy, and your dedicated business banking team will guide you through each step of the process.

Scan the QR code or visit HeritageBankNW.com to learn more and connect with a banker near you.

Shout Outs!

Futcher Group CPAs has combined with Opsahl Dawson and will take their name and logo moving forward. Opsahl Dawson is a regional accounting firm headquartered in the Pacific Northwest. Opsahl Dawson was founded in Longview, and maintains that office as well as their headquarters in Vancouver, Wash.

The partnership is bringing with it a change – we’ll now be known as Opsahl Dawson – many aspects of working with us will remain unchanged: • David Futcher will head up the operations in the office.

• The staff will remain in their current roles and will continue to operate from the current office location.

• Past services and service will continue to be offered.

PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview announces the completion of the 8th floor renovation, the last floor of the tower restoration project.

The caregiver-designed unit contains 20 new private rooms with colors and patterns that echo the Pacific Northwest’s environment, while promoting a sense of comfort and healing.

The unit is equipped with state-of-the-art patient care technology and furnishings.

The 8th floor will also be home to the hospital’s orthopedic joint replacement and fracture programs, including a large, renovated space dedicated to pre-op orthopedic exercise classes, group physical therapy and patient discharge instructions aided by modernized audiovisual technology capabilities.

Emerald Haven has expanded holiday hours 1-9 p.m.

Wednesday-Friday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

The Coldwater Science and Learning Center at Mount St. Helens is changing to a winter operating schedule. This facility will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. It is recommended to call ahead during inclement weather to check on road conditions as winter snow can occasionally block access to the Center 360-274-2131.

Coming Up Tree Lighting Festival, 6-8pm, Dec. 1, Kelso City Hall, 203 S. Pacific Ave. www.kelso.gov Festival of Trees, Dec. 1, Cowlitz County Event Center Longview Christmas Parade and Civic Circle Tree Lighting, Dec. 2 www.mylongview.com Jingle all the Way 5K Run/Walk, 6pm, Dec. 8, Civic Circle, Longview www.kelsolongviewchamber.org Kelso Rotary Lights in the Park, Dec. 5-24 kelsorotary.org Share your brief business news with us for possible publication – email ksisson@kelsolongviewchamber.org

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Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023 | 15

Business News Lower Columbia College Foundation receives nearly $4 million gift The Lower Columbia College (LCC) Foundation recently announced receipt of the remaining $3.6 million of the Charles “Chuck” L. Klawitter Estate, resulting in the second largest gift in the Foundation’s history.

Klawitter was born Nov. 27, 1945, in Longview. He grew up in south Kelso and graduated from Kelso High School in 1964. He attended LCC, then graduated from the University of Washington in 1968 with a chemical engineering degree. He went to work for Dow Chemical Company in Michigan and Louisiana until he retired in 2004.

After retiring, Klawitter returned to Kelso and became an active fundraiser with the Kelso Lions Club. He managed food concessions at Kelso High football games, and organized the newspaper recycling program. Proceeds were used to support local Lions Club charities.

He led the Lions Bicycles for Kids program, which provides repaired used bikes to children in need. He also kept himself busy remodeling pre-World War II homes in south Kelso.

The endowment will provide nearly $200,000 in unrestricted support to the college to be used for the college’s highest priorities in perpetuity.

“Lower Columbia College was a foundational part of Chuck’s education, and he was always appreciative of the opportunities that resulted from his time at the school. It was important to Chuck that after he passed, he invested in the future of the school and students from the Kelso-Longview area through the donation of his estate,” said Carla Kneipp, Klawitter’s niece and executor of his estate.

Klawitter had three siblings, brother Dan and sisters Barbara Sweeney and Adele Kneipp, all attended LCC. In 2015, they established the Chuck and Anita Klawitter Scholarship in honor of their parents and the importance they placed on education. After Sweeney’s passing in 2020, the fund was endowed and renamed the Chuck and Anita Klawitter and Barbara Sweeney Scholarship. Since 2015, the Klawitter siblings have generously provided nearly $103,000 to the scholarship fund, intended to support Kelso High School graduates.

For more News, see page 17

16 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023

Special Ribbon Cutting

The ninth squirrel bridge is now up on Kessler Boulevard, near the Japanese Gardens just down from Maple Street. The new bridge is based on an actual bridge in Longview's sister city of Wako, Japan. This bridge, 16-feet long and 16-inches wide, was built by Lower Columbia College welding students. The project was brought together and completed by: LCC Welding Instructor Tasha Allen and her students, Topper Industries, Waites Specialty Machine Works, Wood’s Logging & Industrial Supply, Rick Johnson and the Sandbaggers.

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Whether it’s a simple or complex transaction, we like to ensure our members have a complete understanding of the process from start to finish.”

Patricia Flores, Commercial Loan Documentation Manager

News from page 16

SCORE SW Washington workshop catalog available Getting Started and Planning The Startup Roadmap This SCORE course is a comprehensive guide to successfully starting a business. Registrants are invited to take any one or more of the 12 modules comprising the program covering topics such as Starting Your Journey, Validating Your Idea, Pricing and Sales, Staffing, etc. The course series may be taken online. Alternatively, any one of the modules could be conducted in-person as a local seminar or webinar by SCORE Certified Mentors. Additional information is available with this link.

Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch This workshop talks about building a customer-focused marking program and the key role an elevator pitch can play in it. You will hear examples of elevator pitches, be presented with a format for composing your own and, working in small groups interactively create, critique, revise and present your own 30-second, “commercial”.

Offered as a 90 to 120-minute seminar. Due to planned in-class activities, a longer program may be considered based on registrant count.

Business Plan Basics

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Bring your business to Fibre Federal for Business Plus Checking, Business Online Banking, Remote Deposit, low-cost loans, and incredible member service.

Contact us for your business needs today at fibrecu.com.

This three-hour seminar will cover the basics for writing your own business plan. Following the seminar, registrants may schedule free, confidential one-on-one meetings with Certified SCORE mentors to turn your concept to reality. Generally offered as a 75 to 90-minute webinar or in-person seminar, this workshop can be expanded to a four-hour presentation with in-class case study exercises.

Paths to Entrepreneurship SCORE supports America’s small business owners and there are but three ways to make the jump to For more News, see page 18

(360) 952-3100 1135 3rd Ave. Suite S-101, Longview

fibrecu.com | 800.205.7872 Federally Insured by NCUA

Social Media

www.amadalongview.com Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023 | 17

The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce would like to THANK the following loyal members for renewing their partnership with us this month.

Davis & Associates, CPAs, PS Fairway Collections Beacon Hill Rehabilitation PeaceHealth St. John Foundation

News from page 17

entrepreneurship: Start a business on your own from scratch, buy an existing business or consider a franchise opportunity. This learning event addresses the advantages of franchise ownership.

Offered as a 75 to 90-minute webinar.

Shortcut to the Business Plan: The Business Model Canvas An outline on how the business model canvas (BMC) can help the starting entrepreneur organize the critical components in preparation of drafting a formal business plan. SCORE mentors find the BMC to be a worthwhile starting point to preparation of a formalized business plan. Offered as a 75 to 90-minute webinar or as an in-person panel discussion seminar.

Bob Beal Insurance Agency Inc – State Farm Twin City Service Company Cowlitz Wahkiakum Council of Governments Teri's Steak & Fish House Prographyx Mill City Grill Dream Dentistry Planet Fitness Kelso Kelso Car Wash LLC Buddy's Home Furnishings Cascade Networks by Wave

Consistent Courteous Complete Title and Escrow Services

Affordable Hearing Inc Meadowlark Family Dentistry Hop Valley Brewing Company S & R Cleaning Services Ryan's Detailing LLC

1425 Maple Street • Longview, WA 98632

360.425.2950

www.cascade-title.com 18 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023

Business After Hours Hosted By Explorer Brewing Company Explorer Brewing Company hosted a fabulous October Business After Hours in Kelso, showcasing their beer and seltzers. Co-owner Steve Baker (below) shared the establishment's story with our members.

20 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023

Ribbon Cuttings Welcome New Members

Thank you to these Ambassadors who participated in ribbon cutting celebrations during October!

Lisa Allen American Legion Kelso Peter Clarke ANC Movers Diane Craft Koelsch Communities Jeni Dow KUKN/KLOG/The Blitz James Hoyt

Heritage Bank

Longview Nutrition

Elisha Jolma Sho'me Real Estate and Property Management Joy Klein Umpqua Bank Eric McCrandall Family Health Center Carrie Medack Diamond Residential Mortgage Pam Whittle Realty ONE Group Pacifica Longview Pickle Call Club and Parks and Recreation courts at John Null Park

Betsy Wyatt RE/MAX Premier Group

Our featured flavors: • STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE • AVER SI TE LATTE • OREO • STRAWBERRY BANANA • MANGO PINEAPPLE • COOKIE LATTE • MOCHA • PUMPKIN SPICE • ORANGE CREAMSICLE • FRUITY PEBBLES

453 Oregon Way #200 Longview, WA (360) 644-3862

Covenant Funeral Home and Cremation

Our mission is to enrich lives, one shake at a time.

Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023 | 21

Ribbon Cuttings Welcome New Member Direct Auto Insurance

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.

22 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023

Ribbon Cuttings Welcome New Member

Ethnic Support Council

Kelso Longview Business Connection | November 2023 | 23