Chamber Chatter

Volume 17, Issue 11 November 2019

Visit us on Facebook Visit www.coolidgechamber.org

Board of Directors

2018-2019 Officers

Jim Garrett -President Garrett Motors

Debie Neely-Vice President

Kiva Insurance

Shelley Brown-Secretary/Treasurer

Brown’s Coolers, Furniture & Appliances

Board of Directors

Rai Hankins Spektrum Print & Embroidery

Tom Shope Shope’s IGA

Juan Salas Disabled American Veterans

Matthew McCormick Saint Holdings

Ronda Whitney

Arizona Public Service

Charles Dewsnup

Heritage Environmental Services

Contact Information

351 N. Arizona Blvd

Coolidge, AZ 85128

(520) 723-3009

(520) 723-9410 fax

Email: info@coolidgechamber.org

Website: www.coolidgechamber.org

Lynn Parsons-Executive Director

Amy Norwalk–Executive Assistant

Dorothy Chambers-Membership Administrator

Ryan Lara-Visitor Center Clerk

November Membership Luncheon

Guest Speaker:

Date: NO LUNCHEON THIS MONTH

Location: Artisan Village

Address: 351 N. Arizona Blvd., Coolidge. AZ

Time: 12:00pm—1:00pm

Cost: $12with RSVP/$15 with late RSVP

Non-Members $15 with RSVP

RSVP by Monday, October 14, 2019

(RSVP required for lunch)

Coolidge , Home of the Casa Grande Ruins

Volume 17, Issue 11 Chamber Chatter November 2019

We held our Chamber Membership Luncheon at the Artisan Village this month on October 16th. Our Speaker was Superinten-

dent Charie Wallace with a presentation on the upcoming election on November 5th for the CUSD 2019 Bond Election. Charie

first explained about bonds in general and the process to give us a better understanding and purpose of a bond issue. She said

that bonds (a form of funding “suggested” by the state) are com-

monly used by public school districts to raise money for large ex-

penditures. It is required that because bonds are funded by taxpay-

ers, that school districts must inform and then allow the voters to

approve or deny the proposed spending. Bonds are paid back

through property taxes by homeowners, land owners and business

owners in the district. The last bond election was held in 2008, ap-

proved and used to renovate West School, the Round House, pur-

chase new buses, repaint all schools and more. Charie further ex-

plained that public schools and charter schools are funded by the

state differently, and when public school budgets were cut in 2010,

charter schools were not. CUSD lost close to $10m in funding.

PASSAGE means that CUSD would be authorized to sell $5m in

bonds in the first year. The average Coolidge homeowner would

see an approximate $21 tax bill increase in 2020. The District

would obligate funds for the following projects: CHS south tennis

courts replacement, CHS track replacement, Performing Arts Cen-

ter Upgrades (including new curtains and rigging repairs), Safety

storefront at Heartland Ranch and improvements to West student

pickup/drop off. The tennis courts and track cannot be repaired; they

must be replaced. The Performing Arts Center has not been reno-

vated since it was built in the 1970s. And the HVAC units at the

PAC are at risk with overage and failing units. None of the CUSD

Bonds will be expended on the aquatic center. Separately, the City

of Coolidge is asking voters to approve or deny a new aquatic center.

F A I L U R E

means: to con-

tinue to keep

the Performing

Arts Center

closed, to close

the south tennis

courts and only

use the north ones, to close the track and relocate the program for the ath-

letic season, and continually review the budget for reopening of facilities

and HVAC replacements. Districts have bonding capacity based on overall

assessed value. Bonds are paid back over 20 years. CUSD is asking for

$21m to be spent over 10 years. The first bond sale would be for $5m.

Then in May 2023, the District can begin public discussions with the gov-

erning board to decide if another bond sale is needed, of the remaining

$16m. The bond election will be on November 5, 2019 with all mail ballots. For more information go to

www.coolidgeschools.org. We would like to thank our speaker, Charie Wallace for the presentation, our caterer KFC and busi-

nesses that donated door prizes: APS, the Windmill Winery and Garrett Motors.

October Membership Luncheon

Volume 17, Issue 11 Chamber Chatter November 2019

November Business Spotlight

Corporate Sponsors

Arizona Public Service

SRP

Chairman Sponsors

Central Arizona College

Florence Copper

SRP

Education Excellence

Arizona State University

Heritage Environmental Services

Arizona Public Service

Business Leader Sponsors

Felix Construction Company

The Tire Factory

Saint Holdings

Community Leader Sponsor

Garrett Motors

Wal-Mart

Beverage Sponsors

Shope’s IGA

Shaw’s Interiors Inc.

Kenworthy Team-RE/MAX A Bar Z Realty

High 5 Spirit Sponsor

Rotary Club of Coolidge

Volume 17, Issue 11 Chamber Chatter November 2019

On October 11 The Rivers Edge Dental office was open for

business and hosted a grand opening and ribbon cutting from 5

– 7 PM. Dr. Blane Jackson, owner and Dr. Yama Gerhardt are

the dentists and they will be offering services of a hygienist

soon (his wife Stephanie Jackson). The office location is 1185

N. Arizona Boulevard (adjacent to the State Farm building) in

the old office of Dr. Randy Reasch. The dentists were on hand

with staff, friends and family for the occasion, with Coolidge

Mayor Jon Thompson, Coolidge Chamber Board Member

Rhonda Whitney and Chamber Director Lynn Parsons (and

staff) assisting with the ribbon cutting. The Rivers Edge Den-

tal, said Stephanie Jackson, is “a patient focused dental office

that wants to make each patient experience great by providing

wonderful service and care.”

Absolute HCBS held an open house and ribbon cutting on Oc-

tober 11, at 11 AM at their new office located at 801 N. Ari-

zona Boulevard (behind the chiropractor’s office). Absolute

HCBS provides in home respite, habilitation and attendant

care services to individuals of all ages with developmental

disabilities. Local Area Manager Ronny Mays and East Val-

ley Area Manager Hilari Howard were on hand with staff, cli-

ents and friends, joined by Coolidge Mayor Jon Thompson,

Chamber of Commerce Board Member Rhonda Whitney and

Director Lynn Parsons and staff to celebrate the Coolidge

opening and welcome this new business.

Volume 17, Issue 11 Chamber Chatter November 2019

Business of the Year (1-5 Employees)- Saint Holdings

Business of the Year (6+Employees)-Arizona Public Service

Non-Profit-Hospice of the Valley

Teachers of the Year

Coolidge Unified-Christina Cooper

CAVIT-William Snyder

Imagine-Joanie Kronebusch

Support Staff of the Year

Coolidge Unified-Blasa Ornelas

CAVIT-Angela Terry

Imagine-Ansley Duran

Community Partner-Dreamline Motors

Youth High 5 Award-Tazhon Speights

Good Neighbor-Heather Holsinger & Renee Garling

Volume 17, Issue 11 Chamber Chatter November 2019

Volume 17, Issue 11 Chamber Chatter November 2019

Customer Service Award

Have you received excellent Customer Service at a local busi-

ness? You can now nominate the employee and the company

at the Coolidge Chamber of Commerce. We award a business

and employee every quarter.

Just submit a nomination form found at several businesses, to

the Coolidge Chamber office, or on our website;

www.coolidgechamber.org.

Do you have a skill or time you would like to

share?

If you would like to volunteer please contact the

Chamber office (520) 723-3009.

The Chamber of Commerce

Artisan Village of Coolidge

Coolidge Historical Museum

Volume 17, Issue 11 Chamber Chatter November 2019

The holidays may feel like a magical time of whimsy for con-

sumers, but for American business owners, the end of the year

represents a mad dash to ensure their e-commerce strategies

drive sales and expand their global reach. Even though there

has been a whirlwind of upheaval in some parts of the world

this year that threaten to cause major economic headaches this

holiday season, a newly released survey suggests American

businesses are confident that online sales will warm up as the

temperature gets colder.

Conducted earlier this year by DHL, researchers wrote that

the 2019 Holiday Shipping Survey was intended to "gain in-

sight into business preparations and expectations for the up-

coming holiday season." More than 4,000 DHL customers and

other American e-commerce businesses responded to the sur-

vey.

Through the survey, researchers found that holiday online

spending habits will continue to increase as we head into 2020.

According to data from the National Retail Federation released

earlier this year, 2018 e-commerce sales during the holidays

totaled $126 billion, marking an uptick from the 2017 figure of

$108.2 billion. Furthermore, recent data from Bazaarvoice sug-

gests that 63% of global shoppers will "make most of their holi-

day purchases online."

While confidence in holiday online sales remains strong this

year, researchers pointed out that animus between governments

around the globe could still make an impact.

The impact of politics on holiday shopping

To say this year has been a tumultuous one for American and

global politics would be an understatement. As major figures

across the globe deal with personal and international strife,

businesses brace for potential economic blowback.

One major issue on everyone's mind as the year draws to a

close is the schism between the United Kingdom and the Euro-

pean Union known as Brexit. While the entire Brexit issue is

still largely up in the air, uncertainty on how shipments will be

handled once the political and economic divorce is finalized

remains a top concern.

Couple that major crisis with the ongoing trade dispute and en-

suing tariffs between the U.S. and China, and you have a situa-

tion where 72% of respondents expect these global economic

issues to impact sales this holiday. Additionally, 24% of re-

spondents said they expect the aforementioned issues to have a

"significant impact" on holiday e-commerce figures.

Along with tariffs and Brexit, researchers found that recent de-

velopments with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

(USMCA) could affect where businesses look to find additional

international markets. Approximately 30% of respondents said

they expected most of their sales to come from Europe this

holiday season, with 27% coming from Pacific Asia, 25% from

Mexico and Canada, and 18% from Central and South Amer-

ica.

Retailers prioritize fast shipping for holiday sales

Making sure your holidays go without a hitch as a small busi-

ness owner usually means making sure you have ample stock

on hand and doing what you can to keep your customers happy.

Researchers found that most American businesses are looking

to do the latter by providing fast shipping. When asked what

the most important thing was for a successful holiday season,

49% of respondents said fast international delivery was para-

mount. [Read related article: Shipping Rules and Regula-

tions Your Small Business Might Be Violating] While covering the logistical side of the holidays is important,

researchers found that American business owners are willing to

endure a lot to ensure strong e-commerce sales this holiday sea-

son. According to the survey, 37% said they would commit

significant mental self-harm by subjecting themselves to listen-

ing to the Chipmunks Christmas album on repeat if it meant

they would see a 50% increase in their holiday sales. Another

27% said they would forfeit their holiday gifts, and 17% said

they would volunteer as a mall Santa.

Showing even more dedication to having strong holiday sales,

19% of respondents said they would overeat and gain 10

pounds if it meant better sales.

By Andrew Martins Businesses Aticipate Strong Holiday Sales Despite Economic Concerns

Volume 17, Issue 11 Chamber Chatter November 2019

Volume 17, Issue 11 Chamber Chatter November 2019

Coolidge Historical Museum

Open

Friday and Saturday

10:00am-2:00pm

520-723-7186

161 W. Harding Ave.

Coolidge, Arizona

Fred’s Cigars Fred Jordan

108 N. Arizona Blvd., Suite B

Coolidge, Arizona

(520)213-9425

www.fredscigarllc.com

Tulu’s Precious Hands, LLC Nichelle Ellis

(520) 424-5363

241 S. 16th St.

Coolidge, Arizona

The Rivers Edge Dental

170 S. Arizona Blvd.

Coolidge, Arizona

(520) 723-7695

Domino’s Pizza

1417 N. Arizona Blvd.

Coolidge, Arizona

(520) 464-9628

www.dominos.com

Volume 17, Issue 11 Chamber Chatter November 2019

524

82

4 2

612

0

247

480

6015 3

556

287

2018 2019

05000

100001500020000

Casa Grande Ruins Visitors

2017 2018 2019

050001000015000

Casa Grande Ruins Visitors

2015 2016 2017 2018

Chamber Stats

September

Coolidge Sales Tax

2019 Retail Sales Tax Municipal Tax

September $209,777.56 $299,460.29

FYTD Total $634,797.31 $975,253.35

SEPTEMBER NEW BUSINESS LICENSES

5

Casa Grande Ruins Visitors

City Building Permits September 2019 YTD

New Residential Buildings # of

Permits Valuation

# of

Permits Valuation

One-Family Houses, detached 24 $3,443,178 151 $23,038,098

Mobile Homes 6 $390,000

New Nonresidential Buildings

Industrial Buildings

Schools/Other Educational Build-

ings, Publicly Owned 1 $150,000

Other Nonresidential Buildings $

Structures Other than Buildings 39 $170,504 202 $888,056

Additions and Alterations

Residential Buildings 8 $122,026 83 $1,066,808

Residential Garages, Carports and

Patio 1 $2,000 19 $62,965

Commercial/Industrial Buildings 3 $104,478 19 $1,504,840

All other Buildings and Structures 2 $78,410

Total 75 $3,842,186 485 $27,489,177

Plan Review Only 5 $875,950

Total 76 $3,863,986 491 $27,569,577

Re-Investments for September

Hospice of the Valley Walton Orthodontics Steward Health Choice Arizona The Arizona Jackpot Kiva Insurance Dragon City CAVIT Hospice Copmassus Mayor Jon Thompson Phil & Sue Bacon

New Members for September

Kiss the Chef Catering, LLC Coopers BBQ Co., LLC Desert Providers Representative David Cook AFLAC Saraya Dalton

Volume 17, Issue 11 Chamber Chatter November 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

Fly-In

Annual Awards

Banquet

3 4 5 6

Ribbon Cutting/

Grand Opening

Fred’s Cigars

7

Breakfast with the

Mayor

Demonstration @ CG

Ruins

8

Demonstration @

CG Ruins

9

Demonstration @

CG Ruins

Veteran’s Day

Parade

10

Demon-

stration

@ CG

Ruins

11

City Council

CLOSED for

Veteran’s Day

12 13

Writer’s Workshop

14

15

Demonstration @

CG Ruins

16

Demonstration @

CG Ruins

17

Demon-

stration

@ CG

Ruins

18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25

City Council

26 27 28

Thanksgiving

CLOSED

29

CLOSED

30

November 2019

Visit our Website for more information

www.coolidgechamber.org

Coolidge , Home of the Casa Grande Ruins

Contact Information

351 N. Arizona Blvd

Coolidge, AZ 85128

(520) 723-3009

(520) 723-9410 fax

Email: info@coolidgechamber.org

Website: www.coolidgechamber.org