Connections 9 Ribbon 2 Cuttings 9 Events 3 Calendar 9 Grow Dothan 4 9 Workforce 6 Development 9 Business Briefs 7-10 9 Small Business 11 Development 9 CONNECTIONS C H A M B E R WHAT’S INSIDE October 2015 9 www.dothan.com (334) 792-5138 Quote of the Month “The world of achievement has always belonged to the optimist.” — Harold Wilkins Wiregrass WORKS Workforce Opportunity Requires Knowledge And Skills The National Center for Education Statistics stated in 2014 that about 75 percent of students who began college over the last 10 years actually completed college degrees even though 66 percent of high school graduates had transitioned directly from high school to college. So what do the non-graduates do to earn a good living and support their families? How can they be prepared to be hired into those high wage jobs when industry is recruited for our area? Answer - Wiregrass WORKS - Workforce Opportunities Requires Knowledge and Skills. In order to give students in the Wiregrass area a chance to see what else is available for high-paying career options, the Wiregrass Development Council of Alabama, Region 10 Inc. will present Wiregrass WORKS to all eighth-grade students in the Wiregrass area, to include public, private and home-schooled students, at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds Wednesday-Thursday, Feb. 24-25. This career experience is a long-term initiative to create awareness about exciting career options among students and educators while addressing workforce needs in the Wiregrass area, consisting of Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike counties. In the past several years, it has been noted there is a shortage of technical skilled persons nationwide. The comments have been made that everyone desires for their child to attend academic college so they can get a good paying job. Now for the news flash: Technical skill jobs pay as well as academic jobs and even better. Not all students desire a traditional academic education, but are very interested in something in the technical, hands-on career field. “We must provide them with the chance to live their dream and be happy at what they do for their career,” stated Mike Tew, WDCA Region 10 president. Wiregrass WORKS will host approximately 4,500 eight-grade students who will be given the opportunity to become aware of exciting career options available in the region. According to one of the co-chairs of the project, Bart Liddon, “Wiregrass WORKS will be an educational, fun, hands-on experience that students won’t soon forget. The Wiregrass WORKS experience is a way for students to become familiar with a broad overview of high demand, high-wage career opportunities in the Wiregrass area. Students will be afforded the opportunity to become familiar with areas of Agriculture/Agribusiness, Automotive Technology, Aviation/Aerospace, Construction, Health Care, Logistics/Transportation, Manufacturing; Public Service/Military and Utilities.” So how does the Wiregrass WORKs event work? Students are brought from their respective schools over a two-day period at designated times to experience areas in which they have an interest in learning more about for their future careers. Students will be engaged in hands-on experiences while they are on site. They will be given a student guide to the Wiregrass WORKS Experience. This will not be a distribution of handouts, but a real look at great career opportunities. What is Wiregrass WORKS goal? To have informed students who can make good career choices, whether it is academic or technical, to allow them to be productive members of society and earn great wages plus enjoy their career choice. Many Wiregrass area businesses and industries will be present to engage students in their fields of career opportunities. The event is not a “give the students a brochure and trinkets” event, but a meaningful experience. If your business or industry is one of the areas noted above and would like to be part of the experience, contact one of the representatives listed below. Volunteers are also needed and welcomed to participate. Also many sponsors have agreed to assist with offsetting the cost of the event; however, more sponsors are needed. Sponsors for student guides, supplies, backpacks, T-shirts, signage, hospitality and banners, etc. are needed. There are different levels of sponsorship and even small businesses can be a part. Donations are also tax deductible as the Wiregrass Development Council of Alabama, Region 10 is a 501c3 corporation. For more information, or to find out how to become an exhibitor or sponsor, contact Bart Liddon at (334) 596- 9500, Tucson Roberts at (334) 333-0964, Hayden Camp at (334) 791-1391 or Mike Tew at (334) 790-3260. 2016 Wiregrass WORKS Career Experience Feb. 24-25, 2016 National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds Mike Tew, Workforce Development Council of Alabama, Region 10 president, provides opening remarks at a recent Wiregrass WORKS press conference. Mark Saliba, Alfred Saliba Corp. and Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce’s Grow Dothan chairman, talks about how workforce development and growing the economy are tied together. David Norwood, Alabama Power business office manager, reviews the importance of business and industrial involvement in Wiregrass WORKS 2016. Bart Liddon, Wiregrass Works Steering Committee member, provides an overview and purpose of the Wiregrass WORKS event.
Transcript
Connections9Ribbon 2Cuttings
9Events 3Calendar
9Grow Dothan 4
9Workforce 6Development
9Business Briefs 7-10
9Small Business 11Development
9
CONNECTIONSC H A M B E R
WHAT’SINSIDE
October 2015
9 www.dothan.com(334) 792-5138
Quoteo f t h e M o n t h
“The world of achievement has always belonged to the optimist.”
—HaroldWilkins
Wiregrass WORKSWorkforce Opportunity Requires Knowledge And Skills
TheNationalCenter forEducationStatisticsstated in2014thatabout75percentofstudentswhobegancollegeoverthelast10yearsactuallycompletedcollegedegreeseven though 66 percent of high school graduates hadtransitioneddirectlyfromhighschooltocollege.Sowhatdothenon-graduatesdotoearnagoodliving
and support their families? Howcan theybepreparedto be hired into those highwage jobswhen industry isrecruited forourarea?Answer -Wiregrass WORKS -WorkforceOpportunities RequiresKnowledgeandSkills.In order to give students in
the Wiregrass area a chance tosee what else is available forhigh-paying career options, theWiregrassDevelopmentCouncilofAlabama,Region10Inc.willpresent Wiregrass WORKS toall eighth-grade students in theWiregrassarea,toincludepublic,private and home-schooledstudents,attheNationalPeanutFestivalFairgroundsWednesday-Thursday,Feb.24-25.Thiscareerexperienceisalong-terminitiativetocreate
awareness about exciting careeroptions among studentsand educators while addressing workforce needs in theWiregrassarea,consistingofBarbour,Coffee,Covington,Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pikecounties.In the past several years, it has beennoted there is a
shortage of technical skilled persons nationwide. Thecomments have been made that everyone desires fortheir child to attend academic college so they canget agoodpayingjob.Nowforthenewsflash:Technicalskilljobspayaswellasacademicjobsandevenbetter.Notallstudentsdesirea traditionalacademiceducation,butarevery interested in something in the technical, hands-oncareerfield.“Wemustprovide themwith the chance to live their
dream and be happy at what they do for their career,”statedMikeTew,WDCARegion10president.Wiregrass WORKS will host approximately 4,500
eight-grade students whowill be given the opportunitytobecomeawareofexcitingcareeroptionsavailableintheregion.Accordingtooneoftheco-chairsoftheproject,Bart
Wiregrass WORKS experience is a way for students tobecomefamiliarwithabroadoverviewofhighdemand,high-wage career opportunities in the Wiregrass area.Studentswillbeaffordedtheopportunitytobecomefamiliarwith areas of Agriculture/Agribusiness, AutomotiveTechnology, Aviation/Aerospace, Construction, HealthCare, Logistics/Transportation, Manufacturing; PublicService/MilitaryandUtilities.”
So how does the WiregrassWORKs event work? Studentsarebroughtfromtheirrespectiveschoolsoveratwo-dayperiodatdesignated times to experienceareas in which they have aninterest in learning more aboutfortheirfuturecareers.Students will be engaged
in hands-on experiences whilethey are on site. They will begiven a student guide to theWiregrass WORKS Experience.Thiswillnotbeadistributionofhandouts,butareallookatgreat
careeropportunities.What is Wiregrass WORKS goal? To have informed
studentswho canmake good career choices,whether itisacademicortechnical,toallowthemtobeproductivemembersofsocietyandearngreatwagesplusenjoytheircareerchoice.Many Wiregrass area businesses and industries will
be present to engage students in their fields of careeropportunities. The event is not a “give the students abrochureandtrinkets”event,butameaningfulexperience.If yourbusinessor industry isoneof the areasnoted
thecostoftheevent;however,moresponsorsareneeded.Sponsorsforstudentguides,supplies,backpacks,T-shirts,signage,hospitalityandbanners,etc.areneeded. Therearedifferentlevelsofsponsorshipandevensmallbusinessescanbe apart. Donations are also taxdeductible as theWiregrassDevelopmentCouncilofAlabama,Region10isa501c3corporation.Formoreinformation,ortofindouthowtobecomean
Mike Tew, Workforce Development Council of Alabama, Region 10 president, provides opening remarks at a recent Wiregrass WORKS press conference.
Mark Saliba, Alfred Saliba Corp. and Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce’s Grow Dothan chairman, talks about how workforce development and growing the economy are tied together.
David Norwood, Alabama Power business office manager, reviews the importance of business and industrial involvement in Wiregrass WORKS 2016.
Bart Liddon, Wiregrass Works Steering Committee member, provides an overview and purpose of the Wiregrass WORKS event.
RIBBONcuttings NEWmembers
RENEWINGmembers
Clip and add these to your Membership Directory.
Alpha and Omega Educational ServicesLaChristy Gartmond106 N. Lena St. (Dothan)P.O. Box 352Webb, AL 36376Ph: (334) 791-0480EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Blue Line Police Support Services Inc.John Gormley313 N. Foster St., Suite 4P.O. Box 2121Dothan, AL 36302Ph: (334) 333-5646Fax: (800) 826-7681FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING
Carr AllisonEric M. Wade256 Honeysuckle Road, Suite 6Dothan, AL 36305Ph: (334) 712-6459Fax: (334) 712-0902ATTORNEYS
Enco Electronic SystemsRonald Murphy165 Hostdale DriveP.O. Box 8683Dothan, AL 36304Ph: (334) 983-6269Fax: (334) 983-9049ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
Episcopal Church of the NativityPeter Wong205 Holly LaneDothan, AL 36301Ph: (334) 793-7616Fax: (334) 671-9440RELIGIOUS GROUPS - CHURCHES - EPISCOPAL
Fatback’sMike Bryan3850 W. Main St., Suite 801Dothan, AL 36305Ph: (334) 479-0073RESTAURANTS
Florida Certified Sign ErectorsDavid Hughes2824 Horace Shepard DriveDothan, AL 36303Ph: (334) 984-0194Fax: (334) 984-0196SIGNS - INSTALLATION & SERVICE
Latta Music Co.Larry Latta3332 W. Main St.Dothan, AL 36305Ph: (334) 793-6011MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS - DEALERS
Mary Kay Cosmetics (Bennett)Pam Bennett376 Westgate Parkway (Physical)722 Shorewood DriveDothan, AL 36303Ph: (334) 333-3839COSMETICSSKIN CARE
Mary Kay Cosmetics (Ham)Jennifer M. Ham376 Westgate Parkway (Dothan)4643 Kimbell RoadGreenwood, FL 32443Ph: (850) 209-4961COSMETICSSKIN CARE
Red Barn In Grimes, LLCJamie Lolley2424 County Road 112 (Physical)106 Ariel LaneDothan, AL 36305Ph: (334) 405-7455EVENT VENUE
Your membership is an investment inthe future of your business and the economic
progress of the Wiregrass area.
Thank you!
AreyouanewChambermember?Hasyourbusinessexpandedorrelocated?Areyoubreakinggroundforanewfacility?Ifyouansweredyestoanyofthesequestions,youmaywanttoscheduleaChamberRibbonCuttingorGoundbreakingevent.These events take place weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Chamberstaffwillworkwithyoutochoosethedateandtimethatbestfitsyourschedule.Youreventwillbe included in theCalendarofEvents sectionof theChamber Connectionsandyourpicturewillalsobefeaturedinthenewsletteraftertheevent.For more information or to book an event, contact LaRhonda Robinson,
Small Business Seminar: Are You Ready For The New Overtime Rules? – 11:30 a.m.Location:102JamestownBlvd.(Chamber)*Seepage11formoreinformation.Pre-registrationrequired(334)792-5138
CongratulationstotheAmbassadorandDiplomatTeam of the Month “The Total Package” forclaiming this month’s title. Pictured (seated l-r)are Beth Kenward, Humana; Sarah Register,Sarrell Dental Center;Mary Reed, Dothan Eagle;(standing) Lauren Pike, Covenant Hospice;Brandon Ziegenfelder, SlingluffUnited Insurance;Rich Merrell, PRemployer Inc.; andFaye Turner, MidSouthPavingInc.NotpicturedisClay Williams,FriendBank.ThankyoutoallourAmbassadorsandDiplomats
whoserveastheeyesandears fortheDothanAreaChamber of Commerce. It is their dedication andsupportthatassistyourlocalChamberinmeetingitsgoals.Be sure to check out next month’s Chamber
Connectionstoseewhowillclaimthetitle.
Rich MerrellPRemployer Inc.
Star Of The Month
Ambassadors & DiplomatsTeam Of The Month
The Total Package
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More Great News Dothan!Alabama Earns A “B”
For Small Business Friendliness
Small businesses gave Alabama a “B” for smallbusinessfriendliness,accordingtoThumbtack.com’s annualSmallBusinessFriendlinessSurvey.Completeresults for Alabama where published at www.thumbtack.com/al/Wednesday,Aug.8,2015.Nearly 18,000 U.S. small business owners
responded to the survey, including 89 in Alabama.Thestudyaskedrespondentstoratetheirstateandcitygovernments across a broad range of policy factors.Thumbtack.com then evaluated states and citiesagainstoneanotheralongmorethanadozenmetrics.“Small business owners on Thumbtack have
consistently toldus that theywelcome support fromtheir governments but are frequently frustrated byunnecessarybureaucraticobstacles,”saidJonLieber,chief economist of Thumbtack.com. “Alabama’s Bgradefromsmallbusinessownerstellsusthestatedoeswellwithloweringbarriers,butcouldprovidemoreintheformofdirectsupportforbusinessowners.”“Our state has always been pretty friendly
•Birmingham, Alabama earned an A- for overallfriendliness.
•Alabama’sworst scorewasaD+ for trainingandnetworking.
•Neighboring Tennessee earned an overallfriendlinessscoreofanAandranked#7nationally.
Would you like to see a minor league baseball team in Dothan to improve our quality of life and enhance economic development?
Do you think Dothan needs a multi-purpose stadium to host concerts, community events and family outings?
Let us know what you think by completing a community-wide survey at http://surveys.customintercept.com/CSL/2015/DothanBallpark2015/.
Survey sponsored by:
Minor League Baseball And Multi-Purpose Stadium
In Dothan?
The Dothan Metropolitan Statistical Area remainsthe lowestcostof livingarea in the state.Among the271urbanareasthatparticipatedinthesecondquarter2015ACCRA Cost of Living Index,DothanMSAcameinat85percentforitstotalindex.ThisindexrepresentsthattheoverallcostoflivingfortheDothanareais15percentbelowthenationalaverage.When compared to the eight Alabama urban areas
TheACCRA Cost of Living Indexmeasuresregionaldifferencesinthecostofconsumergoodsandservices,excludingtaxesandnon-consumerexpenditures,forprofessional and managerial households in the topincome quintile. It is based on more than 90,000prices covering 60 different items for which pricesare collected quarterly by chambers of commerce,economic development organizations and universityappliedeconomiccentersineachparticipatingurbanarea. Small differences should not be interpreted asshowingameasurabledifference.The composite index is based on six component
categories – Housing, Utilities, Grocery Items,Transportation, Health Care and MiscellaneousGoodsandServices.
What Does Gasoline Cost?Eachquarter,C2ERcollectsmorethan90,000prices fromcommunitiesacrosstheU.S.fortheCost of Living Index.Overthepast few quarters, we have watched gasoline pricesdrop significantly and gradually rise, streamingsteadyinrecentmonths.Consideringsecondquarterpriceswerecollectedintheseasonofspringbreakandvacations,C2ERdecidedtolookatthemostandleastexpensivecitiestobuygasandhittheroad.Dothan’s Gasoline index was $2.115
ACCRA Cost of Living Index (COLI)Second Quarter 2015
National Average for 279 Urban Areas = 100
Five Most Expensive Urban AreasRanking Urban Areas COL Index
12345
Manhattan, N.Y.Honolulu, Hawaii San Francisco, Calif.Brooklyn, N.Y. HIlo, Hawaii
219.7183.9176.1173.1156.4
Five Least Expensive Alabama AreasRanking Urban Areas COL Index
12345
Dothan, Ala. Decatur-Hartselle, Ala. Anniston-Calhoun, Ala.Huntsville, Ala. Florence, Ala.
85.087.488.090.190.5
ACCRA Cost of Living Index (COLI)Second Quarter 2015
Gasoline PricesNational Average for 271 Urban Areas = $2.376
Five Least Expensive Alabama AreasRanking Urban Areas COL Index
12345
Decatur-Huntsville, Ala. Dothan, Ala. Montgomery, Ala.Huntsville, Ala.Anniston-Calhoun, Ala.
$2.105$2.115 $2.140$2.159$2.169
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WORKFORCEDeveLOpment
$2.105$2.115 $2.140$2.159$2.169
Students from Dothan, Houston and HenryCounty high schools will participate in the annualHouston-Henry County College and Post-SecondaryOptionsFairThursday,Oct.22,atNorthviewHighSchool,ConvocationCenter,from8a.m.until1p.m.Representativesfrommorethan40colleges,
universities and armed service agencies willbe on hand to answer questions, disseminatematerials and help students and parentsunderstandallthedetailsaboutattendingtheirspecificinstitution.Thefairisopentopublic,privateandhome-schoolstudentsandtheirparents.The college fair is presented annually by the
Dothan Education Foundation in partnership withtheDothanAreaChamberofCommerceandWallace
CommunityCollege.Itcontinuestogroweachyearandisrecognizedasoneofthelargestandmost successful college fairs in the state.Thepartnersareproudtoofferlocalstudentsmoreopportunities to succeed through events likethis.Findthecollegethatistherightfitforyou.
Education Foundation at (334) 794-6585 orvisitwww.dothaneducationfoundation.org.
Find The Right College That’s The Right Fit For You
Will you, or someone you know, be graduatingfrom high school in the spring of 2016? Do youreceiveyourelectricityfromapublicpowerutilityinAlabama?Then if your answer to thesequestions is“yes,” youcouldbe eligible to receive a scholarshipfromtheAlabamaMunicipalElectricAuthorityandits11membercities/utilities.Since 1992, AMEA and its members (Alexander
City, Dothan, Fairhope, Foley-Riviera Utilities,LaFayette, Lanett, Luverne, Opelika, Piedmont,Sylacauga andTuskegee) have provided scholarshipsto area high school seniors through the AMEAScholarship Program. Scholarships, totalingapproximately $82,500, were awarded in the 2015program.Eachyear,AMEAanditsmembersmakeavailable
33, $2,500 scholarships, which include regular and
technicalschoolscholarships.Tobeeligibleforeitherof AMEA’s scholarships, a student’s family mustreceiveelectricservicefromamember’selectricutilityand the studentmust attend anAlabama collegeoruniversity.Applications are currently available from school
counselors in these member cities, or you can goonline to the AMEA website www.amea.com, ScholarshipProgram.Applicationsarereviewedandwinnersareselected
byanindependentpanelofMontgomeryareacollegeguidancepersonnel.ApplicationdeadlineisMonday,Feb.1,2016.For more information on the program, contact
your school counselor or Pamela Poole, AMEA’sScholarshipProgramcoordinator,at(334)387-3504,(800)239-2632,[email protected].
AMEA And Its Members Kick Off 2016 Scholarship Program
Coleman Worldwide Moving recently awardedscholarships to16 college studentswhowill attendvarious higher learning institutions in six differentstates.ThecompanyawardstheVirginiaM.ColemanMemorial Scholarship annually to assist with thegrowingcostofacollegeeducation.Those qualifying and awarded the scholarship
interestsineducationincluding:counseling,criminaljustice, engineering, various medical professions,musicandothers.TheVirginiaM.ColemanMemorial Scholarship
honors longtime matriarch of the Coleman familyandColemanWorldwideMoving.“Itisatruehonortoassistthesedeservingstudents,”
said John Coleman, Coleman Worldwide Movingexecutive vice president. “Each of them begins anexciting journey of education that will ultimatelyservetheworldinsomanyways.VirginiaColemanwasadedicatedwomanwhopersonifiedhardwork,persistenceandadesiretogivebacktothosearoundher.Iamconfidentthisyear’sscholarshiprecipientswillcontinueherlegacyintheirstudiesandbeyondintheirfamily,workandcommunitylives.”FormoreinformationaboutColemanWorldwide
Moving, call (800) 239-7700 or visit www.colemanallied.com.
Coleman Worldwide Awards $16,000 In College Scholarships
Asisoftensaid,“workforcedevelopment is primarilyreactiveinnature.”Thisisduetochangingoccupationalneedsin the local economy. Aftertracking U.S. Departmentof Labor projections ofregional jobs for 12 yearsand comparingprojections toactualemploymentchanges,itisobvioustomethatmakingaccurate projections is achallengingtask.
Astechnologychangesandisintegratedintomoreprocesses skill requirements change and jobs arecreated, destroyed and morphed. The function ofworkforcedevelopment initiatives is toprovideskillsneededbylocalemployersforlocaljobs.Transferringpeopleintotheareatofilllocaljobsbecausetheskillsdonotexistinthecurrentworkforceisnotworkforcedevelopment,andisnotthedesiredmethodoffillingjobopenings.The first task of any workforce development
initiative is to identify localskill shortages,withthesecondtaskbeingtofindwaystodevelopthoseskillsinthelocalworkforce.Withthisphilosophyinmind,twoworkforceinitiativeshavebeendevelopedrecentlyandtheyareactivelyaddressingidentifiedskillneedsinourcommunity.CJET Academy is training aircraft sheet metal
workersforemploymentatCommercialJetServices,LLCandhasbeendoingsoforayearnow.Thecurrentclasswill finish inOctoberandanewclass starts inNovember.WiththecompletionoftheOctoberclass,theyareapproaching100completers.Another shortage being addressed is welders.
WallaceCommunityCollege has both30-week and60-weekprogramsinwelding,bothbeingcertificateprograms.They recentlyexpandedtheirwelding labto accommodate the high demand, making it thelargestweldingprograminthestate,andtheyhaveawaitinglistforenrollment.Wallace Community College is working on
the development of two other programs to meetidentifiableandquantifiableneedsforemploymentinAgricultural Technology/Equipment Servicing andRepair andnon-aircraft related sheetmetal bendingand fabrication. Both of these programs are beingdesignedtoaddresstheshortageofqualifiedworkerstofilllocalemployerneeds.The mechanism employed for recognizing the
magnitudeoftheshortageofworkersskilledintheseareaswasameetingofregionalmanufacturers,whichhas been named the Wiregrass Industry Group,WIG for short. WIG participants have adopted anopenforumtodiscuss issuesofmutualconcernandhave engaged in cooperative efforts to help eachotherovercomeobstacles,especiallyas itpertains toworkforcedevelopment.
Local Workforce Initiatives
Steve Turkoski, Project Manager
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Spotlight on Business
25th ANNUAL TRADE SHOW2016
2016
A Night At
The Movies!
This year’s Spotlight on Business will be held Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, at the Dothan Civic Center from 3-7 p.m. This trade show allows members to showcase their products and services to fellow Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce members, as well as the general public.
This is your opportunity to reach over 1,500 potential customers.
Booths go on sale Nov. 12, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. at the Chamber. A registration table will be in the Chamber lobby for reservations one day only. We will not accept any reservations before then. If you are not able to register that day, please mail or fax your registration to the Chamber on or after the 12th.
The cost for each booth is $350 (+$25 for electricity if desired). Exhibit spaces are available on a first-come basis and payment is required with your reservation. You will be able to choose your booth location at the time of registration.
For more information, contact LaRhonda Robinson at (334) 792-5138 or email [email protected].
Two Great Publications,One Great Idea!
Last Minute Reservations Welcome!
You want to reach new residents and the business community. They want to know how to find you. The best way to achieve both goals is to advertise in the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Dothan’s Official Welcome Guide and the 2016 Membership Directory & Business Guide.
The Dothan Area Chamber and Print Services Inc., the Chamber member awarded this project, have begun the ad sales campaign for these 2016 publications. Chamber members (primary contact and/
or advertising agent) recently began receiving the Chamber’s project introduction letter, verification form(s) and a “Reserve Your Space” brochure.
Print Services will be contacting members about the advertising opportunities and has a media kit available online at www.psiprinter.com.
The Welcome Guide and Membership Directory & Business Guide will be mailed to Chamber members in late January 2016. High visibility through great distribution has been the key to the Welcome Guide’s success. Increased usage of the Membership Directory is a direct result of its convenience to find fellow business members to promote our business-to-business relationships. Don’t miss out on these important publications! Your company will benefit greatly by reaching all who look to the Dothan Area Chamber for information about Dothan businesses in 2016.
Distribution of the Welcome Guide (10,000) includes economic development prospects, new residents, prospective retirees and relocation families requesting information through the Chamber, 14 Chamber member apartment complexes for new residents, 20 Chamber member hotels/motels in-room distribution and the Dothan Utilities and Wiregrass Electric Authority offices to all new service customers. Great web exposure is another avenue of distribution for the 2016 Welcome Guide. The publication will be on the following websites: The City of Dothan, Houston County, Dothan Convention and Visitors Bureau, Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce and Print Services Inc.
For more information about this opportunity, please contact:
Scarecrows in the GardenOct 1-31DothanAreaBotanicalGardens.Takeastrollthroughthegardenstoseeallthedifferentscarecrowscreativelydesignedanddecoratedbylocalschools,civicorganizationsandlocalartists.Thisyear’sthemeis“Imagination.”Theeventisfreeandopentothepublic.Formore information, call (334)793-3224orvisit www.dabg.com.
Foster FestOct. 16 • 6 p.m.Foster Street Downtown Dothan. Hostedby The Downtown Group, this is a free,pet-friendly event showcasing downtownDothan, the local arts, crafts,music scene,downtown businesses and classic cars. Formoreinformation,contactTheDowntownGroup at (334) 793-3097 or visit www.thedowntowngroup.com.
Cuttlefish Casting WorkshopOct. 17 • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.Wiregrass Museum of Art & ConferenceCenter. This workshop with metal artistBarbaraMannwillgiveparticipantstheskillsandinspirationtocastjewelryorsmall-scaleobjects in sterling silver using the ancienttechnique of cuttlebone casting, Studentswill also learn tomakemodels intowhichmoltenmetalcanbepoured.Toregister,orformore information, callWMA at (334)794-3871orvisit www.wiregrassmuseum.org.
Fall Farm DayOct. 17 • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.LandmarkPark.Therewillbesyrupmaking,cooking demonstrations, blacksmithing,hearth cooking, antique tractor andengine displays. Admission is $8 adults,$6seniorsandactivemilitary,$4kids,andfreetomembersandchildren2andunder.ConcessionswillbeavailableandtheMartinDrugstore and Shelley General Store willbe open. For more information, call thepark at (334) 794-3452 or visit www.landmarkparkdothan.com.
Dead Man Running 5KOct. 24 • 5 p.m.Wiregrass Museum of Art & ConferenceCenter.Hosted by theDothan Eagle, youdon’t want tomiss this costumed 5K runand the Dead Man’s Party at the FrenchQuarter after the race. To register, visitwww.dothaneagle.com/zombie or callStephanieMaddenat(334)792-3141.
The Joy FM SharathonOct. 26-30 The Joy FM studio. The Joy FM 94.3will host its annual Sharathon beginningMonday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct.30. Giving listeners of the Joy FM makeit possible for the station to be a goodneighborintheDothancommunityandallacrosstheWiregrass.Formoreinformation,or todonate, call (334)699-5672or visitwww.alabama.thejoyfm.com.
Upcoming Member Events
Run,Walk, or Donate!
For Sponsorship, Registration or Questions, call3 3 4 . 6 7 3 . 4 1 5 0
or visit us on the webs am c fou n d at i on . org
5K &10K Race
Spirit Walk
Kohl’s Kids FitChallenge
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Saturday,October 17, 2015
A l a b a m a C o l l e g e o f O s t e o p a t h i c M e d i c i n e
Continuing its extraordinary growth servinghomeowners, Mosquito Squad was recentlyrecognizedasoneofAmerica’sfastestgrowingprivatecompanies by Inc. Magazine on its 34th annual500/5,000 list, anexclusive rankingof thenation’sfastest-growingprivatecompanies.ThisisthefifthconsecutiveyearMosquitoSquad
veteranDavidA.Davis,MosquitoSquadispartofanorganizationthatrackedupathree-yearsalesgrowthof198percentandanumber1,980ranking.Specializing in eliminating mosquitoes and ticks
from outdoor living spaces, the company operatesmorethan180locationsin32statesandtheDistrictofColumbiaand in2015,openednewserviceareasin Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana,
forvotingusthebestmosquitocontrolserviceintheDothan Eagle’s Best of theWiregrass competition,”saidDavis.“This has beenquite a year for the Squad. From
openingmore than30newoffices toworkingwithTVhostandyardexpertJasonCameronasourbrandambassador, our franchisees and corporate teammembers have been singularly focused on meetingour clients’ needs,” said Chris Grandpre, chairmanandCEOofOutdoorLivingBrands,parentcompanyandfranchisorofMosquitoSquad.For additional information on the Mosquito
Squadof theWiregrass, or to become a franchisee,visit www.mosquitoqquad.com or www.mosquitosquadfranchise.com.
Mosquito Squad Named One Of America’s Fastest Growing Companies
Ameris Bank will host its 2015 Helping FightHungerinitiativebeginningThursday,Oct.1, and continuing through Saturday, Oct.31. All items and money collected in theDothanareawillbedonateddirectlytotheWiregrassAreaFoodBank.
Since its launch of the Helping FightHungerinitiativein2010,AmerisBankhasdonated
over1,743,000non-perishablefooditemscompany-wide.
Ameris Bank invites you to help fighthungerbydonatingnon-perishableitemsateitherofthebank’sDothanlocation:3299RossClarkCircleor2200E.MainSt.
Wireless Advantage, a VerizonWireless premiumretailerbasedinDothan,Alabama,anditsfounder/owner, Steve Maddox, have received the honor ofbeing named a 2015 Alabama Retailer of the YearbytheAlabamaRetailAssociationandUniversityofAlabamaBirminghamCollatSchoolofBusiness.Celebrating its 16th year, the prestigious
award recognizes outstanding retailers who havedemonstrated a blend of sound business practiceswith commitment to their communities, customersandemployees.Over the last 14 years, Wireless Advantage has
grown to 47 locations in rural and metro marketswithinthesoutheasternportionoftheUnitedStates;23ofwhichare inAlabama.Thecompanyprovidesemployment for 158 people in Alabama, operatesthree locations in Dothan, maintains corporate
operations off Brannon Stand Road, and plans toopen a new anchor location in early 2016 onU.S.Highway 84 West across from Grove Park on thedevelopingpropertynexttoMcDonalds.“WearesoexcitedtobeawinneroftheAlabama
Retailer of the Year Award for 2015. Our businesshasgrownexponentiallysinceourfirststoreopenedin2001.Wehavemanyloyalcustomers,friends,andcurrentandpastemployeestothankforthissuccess,”saidMaddox. “We are proud to use the power ofVerizonWireless to benefit our local economy.Welook forward to continued and sustainedgrowth inAlabamaandsurroundingstates.”For more information, contact Jennifer Kelley
Wireless Advantage Wins Retailer Of The Year Award
Child and Family Services of Southeast Alabamais announcing a new children’s discussion grouptitled“InsideOut”withgoalstohelpraisechildren’semotionalintelligence.BrandiReeves,MSLPCwillleadanduse the recentDisneymovie as atoolfordiscussion.Thegroupisdesignedtoenablechildren
toprocessandunderstandtheirownfeelingsand the feelingsofothers.Theywill learnthat all feelings are necessary and how tolet“joy”drivetheirbrainmostofthetime.CFS also offers social skills groups
and grief groups for children. Groupsare divided by age and are convenientlyscheduledduringafter-schoolhours.Topicsforsocialskillsgroupsinclude:howtomakeand keep friends and how to read bodylanguage,mannersandidioms.The Learning Center adjoins Child and Family
Services.TheLearningCenterprovideshomeschoolsupport, tutoring for all levels of learning and testproctoring.Child and Family Services has been providing
counseling and psychological services fortheWiregrassareafor30years.Theirteamof psychologists, psychometrists, licensedprofessional counselors and a speech-languagepathologistaddressawidevarietyof topics: developmental delay, learningissues, psychological testing, IQ testing,family counseling, co-parent training,blended family counseling, marriagecounseling, anxiety, depression, eatingissues,grief,speechandmanymore.Formore information about the“Inside
Out”grouporanyotherservicelisted,call(334) 793-2237 or visit www.childfamilyservice.com.
CFS Announces New Children’s Discussion Group
Berkshire HathawayHomeServices ShowcaseProperties is excited tointroducereaderstoitsnewestsales professional, BreannaKern.Born and raised in
Alabaster, Alabama, Kernattended the University ofAlabama and graduated witha degree in French languageand literature. She also
studiedItalianandarthistory,andwasan internattheBirminghamMuseumofArt.After college, she
worked as a f light attendant based in WashingtonD.C.,PhiladelphiaandCharlotte.After moving to the Wiregrass, Kern began a
new career in real estate combining her experiencein customer service with her interest in homes anddesign. She is excited to have the opportunity toconnect with clients and meet all their real estateneeds.KernlivesinDothanwithherhusband,Brian,and
their two rescued dogs, Pippa and Plutonium. Inherfreetime,sheenjoyscooking,walkingherdogs,tailgatingAlabamafootballgamesandtraveling.To reachKern, contact her at (205)492-5815or
Gulf Coast Dermatology recently announcedthat, after almost a decade of providing advancedtreatments and care to the communities they serve,includingDothanandEnterprise,theyarechangingtheirnametoDermatologySpecialistsofAlabama.Thepracticebeganin2006inPanamaCity,Florida,
andopened theDothan locationonWestsideDrivein2011.Thegroup’s10dermatologistsandclinicalteams now see patients in more than 20 locations.Alabama clinics are located in Dothan, Enterprise,AuburnandHuntsville.“We’ve outgrown the name ‘Gulf Coast’, as we
arenowseeingpatientsinothergeographicalregionsliketheWiregrassandnorthernAlabama,aswellasthe central andAtlantic coastal regionsofFlorida,”saidDothandermatologistDr.JeffreyStricker,DO.“While our name has changed, our commitmentremainsthesame.Wearededicatedtotheprevention,detectionandtreatmentofskincancer.”CEOChrisBrooksadded,“DermatologySpecialists
ofAlabama is honored to serve theWiregrass area.When we came to Dothan several years ago, therewere longwait times to get an appointmentwith adermatologist.Butunderstandingthatearlydetectionleads to an easier cure for skin cancer, we believepatients shouldnever have towaitmore than a fewdaystoseeaspecialist.”Dermatology Specialists of Alabama also holds
a physician-supervised medical spa. Aqua MedicalSpa offers a full menu of cosmetic treatments andaesthetician services, including facials, chemicalpeels, body sculpting, phototherapy and cosmeticinjectables.For more information, contact Carol Whiting
Mammography.Early detection is a beautiful thing.A mammogram can help detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. The American Cancer Society recommends that women 40 and older, or those considered at risk, receive a mammogram every year.
As a trusted resource for women, the physicians and staff at Flowers Hospital are here to help you protect your health through regular screenings and the early detection of breast cancer. Board-certified surgeons, radiologists and oncologists on the medical staff work with our case managers, physical therapists, registered nurses, registered mammography technologists and a certified breast health navigator to offer comprehensive cancer care that is focused on you. To schedule your mammogram today, call 334-793-5000, ext. 1990.
Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis. An order from a physician or qualified healthcare provider is not required, but the patient must provide a physician/provider name when an appointment is made. If the patient does not have a physician/provider, a list will be provided for the patient’s selection. All mammogram reports will be sent to the physician/provider and follow-ups are the responsibility of the patient.
Headlandisgearingupforits44thAnnualHarvestDay Festival Saturday,Oct. 10, from9 a.m. until 3p.m. This fun-filled event takes place downtown inandaroundthebeautifulcitysquare.
The Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank‘sBrownBagProgramcurrentlyhasanurgentneedforvolunteerstoadministertheprogram.Asupplementalgrocery program that benefits seniors age 60 andolder who primarily depend on SocialSecurityfortheirincome,theprogramgives seniors groceries on the thirdWednesday of the month to helpbridge the gap between checkswhentheirfundshavenormallybeendepleted.The Brown Bag Program has 19
distributionsitesspreadthroughoutBarbour,Coffee,Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties. The
program is supported entirely by contributions andvolunteers.In Dothan, volunteers are needed from 7:45–
11a.m.Sept.2,Oct.7,Nov.4 andDec.2 tohelppack food for the six-county area. To sign
up to volunteer in Dothan, call ShirleyHendersonat(334)794-4499.Volunteersareneededonanongoing
The Southeast AlabamaChild Advocacy Centerwelcomes Tiffani Thompsonas the new communitydevelopment manager. Agraduate of HuntingdonCollege,Thompsonbrings24years ofmarketing, sales andcommunicationexperience totheCAC.Thompson and her family
have just relocated fromPrattville, Alabama whereshewas thedevelopmentand
marketing director at Prattville Christian Academy.SheisexcitedtojointheCACteam,andiseagertobecomeinvolvedinthecommunity.“Iamhonoredandexcitedtohavetheopportunity
theCAC team thatprovides valuableprograms andservicestofamiliesintheWiregrassarea,”shesaid.Last year, the Child Advocacy Center provided
servicestomorethan2,000childabusevictimsandtheir supportive family members. The clinical staffprovides crisis intervention, counseling and supportservicesforclientsatnochargetothem.CAC’smissionistoserveasadvocatesforchildren
and to reduce the trauma and anxiety for childvictimsofsexualandseverephysicalabuse.TheCACcontinuously strives to ensure child abuse victimsareabletobeginthehealingprocessandbelieveinabrightertomorrow.Thompsonwillbeworking throughoutHouston,
Henry, Dale and Geneva counties to strengthenpartnerships with businesses, government agencies,civicgroups,volunteersandCAC’smultidisciplinaryteammembers.Formore information, contact theCAC at (334)
671-1779orvisitwww.southeastcac.org.
CAC Welcomes New Employee
Tiffani Thompson,Community Development Manager
Dothan Pediatric Clinic isproudtoannounceDr.AllisonWalker, DO has recentlyjoined its team as pediatrichealthcareprovider.A native of Birmingham,
Alabama, Dr. WalkergraduatedMagnaCumLaudein 2007 from Birmingham-Southern College with herbachelor’s degree in biology-psychology. She received her
Doctor ofOsteopathicMedicine degree fromKansasCityUniversityofMedicineandBiosciencesin2012.After receivingherdegree,Dr.Walker completed
a three-year Pediatric Residency program at theUniversityofAlabamainBirmingham.Sheisaproudmember of the Alabama Chapter of the AmericanAcademyofPediatrics.Dr. Walker is married to Homer Walker and they
havethreechildren:KayleeBeth,RileyandKatherine.Sheenjoysspendingtimeridingbikeswithherfamilyattheparkandvisitingthezoo.For more information, contact Debbie Yurevich,
marketingdirector–staffphysicianrecruiter,at(334)793-1881, ext. 2272 or email [email protected].
Dothan Pediatric Welcomes New
Physician
Dr. Allison Walker, DO
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Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation
As of September 30, 2015 (required by U.S.C. 3685)
Average number of copies per issue during
the past 12 months reported:
Actual number of copies for a single issue published
nearest to filing date:
Total number of copiesPaid and/or request mail subscriptionsTotal paid and/or requested circulationFree distribution by mailFree distribution outside the mailTotal free distributionTotal distributionCopies not distributedReturn from news agentsPercent paid or requested circulation
2,5002,1262,12602002002,326174092%
2,5002,1262,12602102102,336134091%
The title of this publication is Chamber Connections.Thepublicationnumber is700-660. Chamber Connections was publishedmonthlyat102JamestownBlvd.,Dothan,AL,36301.Therewere12issuesduringthefiscalyear ending Sept. 30, 2015. The publisher
is the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerceand the editor is Melia McKean. There areno bondholders,mortgages or other securityholders.Thepurpose,functionandnonprofitexemptstatus forFederal incometaxdidnotchangeduringthepreceding12months.
Beasley Pharmacy is celebrating 60 years ofbusiness and invites you to join them Saturday,October10,at2p.m.
Located at 113 E Church St., Columbia,owner John Beasley opened the pharmacy doorsin October 1955 and through all these years, thepharmacy has been a constant staple in Columbia’sbusiness community providing excellent service toits customers. The pharmacy has also been a long-standingChambermemberforover50years.
Stopby and extend your congratulations toMr.BeasleyandtheBeasleyPharmacyteamonajobwelldone.
For more information, contact thepharmacy at (334) 696-4611 or visit theirFacebook page www.facebook.com/Beasley-Pharmacy-126399247414674/timeline/.
Beasley Pharmacy To Celebrate 60 Years
John Beasley 2015John Beasley 1965
Dothan Civic Center
“Moonlight & Mistletoe” Preview Party Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 p.m.
$30 per personBe the first to shop before the sale opens to the
public. Enjoy a cocktail party, silent auction, live entertainment and heavy hors d’oeuvres
as you shop the best selection.
Shopping DaysOct. 23-24
9 a.m. until 8 p.m. (Friday) 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. (Saturday)
General Admission $6Children 10 and under free
Tickets:Dothan Civic Center (334) 615-3000, www.eventsatcovenant.org/holiday
or Covenant Hospice office.
All proceeds benefit the Dothan Covenant Hospice. For more information, call (334) 794-7847.
Wilbert Glanton Jr., a heart of the house teammember at the LongHorn Steakhouse in Dothan,Alabama, was recently presented with the TeamMemberoftheYearaward,thecompany’stophonorforrestaurantteammembers.Deaf,acancersurvivorandaLongHornveteranof
18 years,Glanton is one of just four teammembersselected this year from the more than 28,000LongHornSteakhouse employees inNorthAmerica,makingthisatrulyprestigioushonor.Presentedannually,thisawardrecognizeslocalteam
members who consistently demonstrate outstandingresults by providing LongHorn guests with expertlygrilled steaks and a memorable dining experience.In addition, honorees are recognized for embodyingLongHorn’s core values, such as treating everyonewithdignity,respect,honesty,integrityandbymakingsignificantcontributions to theoverall successof therestaurant.Glanton’s recognition is a result of an ongoing
commitmenttoLongHornteammembersandguestsalike.Hehasbeenan importantpartof theDothanLongHorn Steakhouse team since the restaurantopenednearly20yearsago.“Wilbert is avery importantpartofour teamand
truly deserving of the Team Member of the Yearaward,” saidMaghanSolomon,managingpartneroftheLongHornSteakhouseinDothan.“Hedoesn’tletanyhurdleskeephimfromgoingaboveandbeyondinhiseverydayduties.Hetakesprideinhiswork,exudesjoyandbrightenseveryone’sday.”VisitGlantonandhisteamattheDothanLongHorn
Steakhouselocatedat3411RossClarkCircle.
LongHorn Steakhouse Employee
Awarded Top Honor
Wallace Community College Foundation willpresent its annual fundraiser, An Evening onBroadway/NewYork,NewYork,Thursday,Oct.29,beginningat6p.m.attheDothanCivicCenter.An Evening on Broadwaywill include a night of
decadentItaliancuisinewithentertainmentprovidedbymembersof theWallaceSound,a jazzensemble.Attendeeswill also have the opportunity to bid onsilent and live auction items while socializing withfriendsandmeetingnewpeople.TheWCCFoundationworks in partnershipwith
thecollegetoensureaccesstoeducationandtohelpachievesuccessforitsstudents.Over175scholarshipsare awarded each year to deserving students whowouldnototherwisebeabletoattendcollege.Because of generous giving from community
memberstotheWCCFoundation,thecollegeisableto provide excellent transfer education, nursing andallied health education, skills training, and customtrainingforlocalbusinessandindustry.General admission will be $75 per person and
sponsorshipswillrangefrom$500to$2,500Formore information regarding sponsorships, to
purchaseticketsorgeneralinquiries,contactMelissaMason at (334) 556-2426 or email [email protected].
WCC Foundation To Host An Evening
on Broadway/New York, New York
FOUNDATION
11
SMAllbusinessDEvElOPMENT
Mark your calendar and join the Dothan Area Chamberof Commerce, in conjunctionwithCarr Allison, for the smallbusinessseminar“AreYouReadyfortheNewOvertimeRules”Wednesday,Oct.7,at11:30a.m.attheChamberfacility.This one-hour program, presented by Bricker Daughtry,
Are You Ready For The New Overtime Rules?Dothan Area Chamber • Oct. 7 • 11:30 a.m.
Part III: ADA Signage
All businesses have signs in their facilities.Whether your signs are a form ofmarketing that direct patrons to products or simply identify restrooms, it isimperative your business adheres to the Americans with Disabilities standardsconcerningsignage.Signsaremeanttodrawattentiontoandidentifyavarietyofthingstoprovideaccommodationsfordisabledindividuals.Amissinghandicappedparkingsignisaredflagfortheindividualsandlawfirms
searchingforADAviolations.Businesses providing goods or services to the public are called public
accommodationsundertheADA.Ifyouown,operate,leaseorleasetoabusinessthatservesthepublic,then,YOUhaveanobligationtoensureyourfacilitiesadheretoADAguidelines.FailingtocomplywithADAregulationsmaylikelycostyouaconsiderableamountoftimeandmoney.Recently,ADAlawgroupshavestartedagrowingtrendoflawsuitsagainstbusinessesforADAviolations.Itonlytakesonedisabled customer to visit your establishment andnotice a violation toplace theburdenofanADAlawsuitonyourbusiness.Themanner inwhich signs are hungmay often be overlooked by businesses;
however, the ADA requirements governing signage are highly technical andoftentimes included in ADA lawsuits. Take a look at the following regulationsregardingpropersignage:
• Doall inaccessibleentranceshavesigns indicating the locationof thenearestaccessibleentrance?
• Are ADA compliant parking spaces identified with a sign that includes theInternational Symbol of Accessibility mounted at least 60 inches off of theground?
regarding compliancewithADA regulations, you can contactBrickerDaughtry,shareholderwithCarrAllisoninBirminghamat(205)949-02914or(205)908-1111orEricWade,shareholderwithCarrAllisonat256HoneysuckleRoad,#6,Dothan,Al36305,(334)678-5019.Free building compliance assessment are also offered through the Alabama
Department of Rehabilitation Services. For more information, contact JeffreyMega, rehabilitation technology specialist at (334) 678-5019 or [email protected].
This is the third and final article of a three-part series on the Americans with Disabilities Act issues facing businesses in the Wiregrass area by Attorney Bricker Daughtry, shareholder with Carr Allison in Birmingham, Alabama.
DothanAttorneyLibbyGlasgow,FarmerPriceHornsby&Weatherford,willhost Employment Law Seminars for Business at the Dothan Area BotanicalGardensOct.8,15,22and29, from2-4p.m.Thisseries isdesignedtohelpbusinessowners,managers andhuman resourceprofessionalsunderstand andcomplywiththelawsaffectingemployerstoday.Eachclasswillfocusonaparticularareaofemploymentlawwithanemphasis
onstrategiesforlawsuitprevention.Topicsinclude:2016wageandhourchanges,updates with the ADA and FMLA, a new look at drug and alcohol testing,theuptick inhiring litigation,newrules for independentcontractors,makingchangestoseveranceandconfidentialityagreements,terminations,harassmentand discrimination prevention, background checks, employee coaching anddiscipline, documentation, employee medical issues, workers’ compensation,non-competeagreements,handbooksandpolicies.Glasgow has been practicing law for 28 years and provides legal services
to employers in Alabama, Florida and Georgia including litigation defense,administrativerepresentationbeforetheEEOC,DepartmentofLaborandtheNLRB. She also assists with investigations, handbooks, policies, compliancereviewsandcontracts.These seminars areopen to thepublic and continuing education credit for
org/rolltideorwww.bcatoday.org/wareagleandshare in150wordsor lesswhy a 2016 football sponsorship would be a game-changer for their smallbusiness.Applicationsmustbesubmittedby5p.m.CSTFriday,Jan.29,2016.“SmallbusinessesaretheeconomicengineofAlabama,”saidBCAPresident
andCEOWilliamJ.Canary.“TheBusinessCouncilofAlabamarecognizesthatsmallbusinessesprovidethemajorityofjobsforAlabamians,andtheBusinessCouncilofAlabamastandsinthegapeverydayonbehalfofsmallbusinessmenandwomen.Aseasonfootballsponsorshiptoeitheruniversityisagamechangerfora smallbusinessand is justanotherway theBusinessCouncilofAlabamaprovidessmallbusinessesavoiceandtherecognitiontheydeserve.”Afullslateofcorporatepartnerbenefitswillbeactivatedforthe“champion”
businessduring the2016 football season, includinghospitality,game tickets,in-venuelogorecognitionandexposurethroughthegame-daypublications,andmore.ThecompaniesawardedthesponsorshipswillbenotifiedMarch1,2016,and
Editor's Note: Sources for this information vary; call the Chamber for details. Data as of 9/08/15. Visit www.dothan.com for the most current information.
Labor Force for the Dothan MSA for July:63,049in2014;63,558in2015
58,202in2014;59,187in2015Employed
Unemployment for the Dothan MSA for July:7.7%in2013;6.9%in2014
Residential Building Permits for the City of Dothan for July:27issued($7.31million)in2014;25issued($7.58million)in2015
Home Sales in Dothan for July:104soldin2014;126soldin2015
enplanements for Dothan Regional Airport for July:4,474in2014;4,608in2015
Houston County & Dothan Sales and Use Tax Collections ($) for July:$1,449,493in2014;$1,543,895in2015(County)$4,802,774in2014;$5,406,856in2015(City)
