Klc october 2013

Business ConnectionK e l s o L o n g v i e w C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e

Volume 5, No. 10 October 2013

CalendarThursday

October 3 – 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.State of the Cities

Quarterly LuncheonRed Lion Hotel

$25 advance/$35 at doorwww.kelsolongviewchamber.org

TuesdayOctober 8 – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Business After HoursHeritage Bank

927 Commerce Ave.$15 advance/$20 at door

www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

ThursdayOctober 10 – 4 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting/Open HouseThree Rivers Law Center

1655 Hudson St.

FridayOcotober 11 – 11 a.m.

Ribbon CuttingSharp Property Management

1406 Tenant Way

FridayOctober 18 – 6 to 9 p.m.

Chamber Halloween BashThe Empress Estate

(Empress Lane, Woodland)$20 if you are driving yourself to location/$30 for Chamber

provided transportation to and from event

All proceeds go to the Lower Columbia Professionals

Scholarship Fundwww.kelsolongviewchamber.org

WednesdayOctober 23 – 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Boot Camp BonusCritical Thinking and

Problem SolvingLCC Heritage Room

Business owners could sway

Initiative 517 voteBusiness owners will get their say on the

Tim Eyman-sponsored Initiative 517 ballot measure November 5.

I-517 will read on the November 5 bal-lot like this:

Initiative Measure No. 517 concerns ini-tiative and referendum measures.

This measure would set penalties for inter-fering with or retaliating against signature-gatherers and petition-signers; require that all measures receiving sufficient signatures appear on the ballot; and extend time for gathering initiative petition signatures.

Should this measure be enacted into law? [ ] Yes [ ] No

Both the Washington Retail Association and the Association of Washington Busi-ness are encouraging a no vote on Initia-tive 517 because it gives special rights to signature gatherers and would hurt private property rights for business owners, would make petitioning more intrusive and would increase election costs.

Supporters for the Initiative claim it will protect voters who want to sign a petition from bullying and retaliation and puts the citizen back in the initiative rather than big business.

The Kelso Longview Chamber encourages its members to educate themselves. Infor-mation is available at weiapplets.sos.wa.gov, www.retailassociation.org, www.no517.org, www.yesOn517.com and www.awb.org.

Beginning 18 days prior to every election, six

curbside ballot drop boxes will be available 24 hours per day for you to return your voted ballot. The curb-side ballot drop boxes close promptly at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Curbside ballot boxes require no postage and are located at:

• Longview, Broadway St., East of the Longview Post Office boxes.• Longview, Civic Center Circle,

across from Broadway St., near Longview Post Office boxes.• Kelso, 3rd Ave., between Allen and

Academy, near the Kelso Post Office boxes.• Castle Rock, 137 Cowlitz St. West,

in front of the Castle Rock Library.• Kalama, North 1st St., near the

Kalama Post Office boxes.

For questions, contact the Cowlitz County Elections Department at 360-577-3005 or e-mail at [email protected] or visit the website at www.vote.wa.gov/cowlitz.

Negotiating in these tough times

2

Kelso Longview Business Connection October 2013

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

Negotiating, or the simple art of working with another to reach an agreement, is often challenging in good times. Layer on top of that challenge a tough economic environment, and it’s easy to understand how troublesome seeking resolution, compromise or agreement with another can become.

Very often in your selling and managing career you are called upon to negotiate, and that alone may cause you a certain amount of anxiety. More often than not, many of us might anticipate that any and all negotiations are difficult situations...

To help diffuse your anxiety, minimize some of the con-sternation, and strengthen your confidence, remind yourself that in negotiating, your objective is not to win or lose at the expense of the other. Don’t look at the negotiation as a problem, but rather an opportunity to excel! Your objective is to seize the opportunity to build a bridge and establish, or reestablish, a relationship, with your client, a vendor, a coworker or a friend.

As you approach your client, a vendor, a coworker or a friend in a negotiating mode, consider, if you will, the follow-ing...

• Be Prepared. Prior to meeting with your client, coworker or a friend make every attempt possible in a timely fashion to learn all you can regarding the current situation and any prior contributing factors. Think through your options, ob-jectives and goals in relation to the current circumstances.

What would you like to do? What can you do? Initially begin to prioritize some of your options.

• Set the Parameters. At the outset, work to establish open and honest communication between all the involved parties, strive to develop trust, and remember that in order to gather information you need to LISTEN.

Don’t tell...rather, ask questions. Be sure that individuals you are negotiating with are able and willing to make any necessary decisions.

• Don’t Delay. Procrastinating or putting off the negotia-tions ‘til tomorrow may not be in ALL of the parties best interest. Then again, allowing all parties time to let the emo-tions subside may, indeed, be of benefit. The key is to com-municate in a timely fashion, set a resolution timetable, and be faithful to it.

• Take the Initiative. Be empathetic. Demonstrate, to ALL individuals involved, that you and your small business have a course of action in place to meet and resolve some, if not all, of the parties’ key issues. Be willing to acknowledge an error, but don’t necessarily apologize, and be prepared to articulate what steps you will take to prevent its reoccurrence.

• Go or No Go. At what point will you feel it necessary to stop the negotiations or bring in additional support or deci-sion makers? If this situation develops, what would be your next step and will it jeopardize not only the current situation but your future relationship with this advertiser, coworker or a friend?

• Walk Softly. Don’t be concerned with how fast you are moving toward a compromise, rather be sure you are headed in the right direction. Small compromises along the way may build to an acceptable overall solution.

• Thank You. Express your appreciation to the client, ven-dor, coworker or friend for bringing this, and possibly other (or past) situations to your attention.

• Call Back. After an agreement has been reached, touch bases with your client, vendor, coworker or friend to see if their expectations or understandings were met, continue to reinforce your resolution and the value you (and your business) place on the relationship with that client, vendor, coworker or a friend?

• Reestablish Your Relationship and Marketing Partner-Please see Nau, page 3

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Team

Bill Marcum, CEOAmy Hallock, BookkeeperBrooke Fisher, Project Manager

Kelso Longview Business Connection is published monthly by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce. 105 Minor Road • Kelso, WA 98626 • 360-423-8400

To advertise, call Brooke Fisher, 360-423-8400 ext. 16 or e-mail [email protected] Deadline: 20th of each month.

TUNE IN every WednesdayYour Chamber Connection

KEDO AM 1400 – 3 to 4 p.m.Contact the Chamber to

schedule YOUR 10-minute business spotlight

ship. Working through a successful compromise and establish-ing common goals now will help you reestablish and strength-en a future long term relationship and partnership.

Last but not least, remember, again, that in negotiating, your objective is not to win or lose, at the expense of the other. Sim-ply put, it’s the simple art of working with another to reach an agreement, a compromise, a first step forward. Good luck!

© Murray & Nau, Inc.

Chuck Nau of Murray & Nau, Inc. is a Seattle area based consultant and sales and management trainer. He is a 25-year veteran of advertising, sales, media and management, who knows and understands the everyday challenges of starting up, growing, and surviving in today’s ever changing retail climate. He has spoken to and conducted workshops for a number of local retail and chamber organizations, national publishing groups, national retailers and manufacturers, state press associations, and newspaper groups. Comments and questions are welcome and may be directed to

Chuck via e-mail: [email protected] or at 425-603-0984.

3


Nau, from page 2

In November, the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce will again partner with Ted Sprague and the Cowlitz Eco-nomic Development Council to host the 2014 Economic Summit.

The two entities are currently rounding up speakers to pres-ent the economic forecast in the critical areas of education, real estate, healthcare, politics and business. Within the next couple of weeks we will have the speakers in place that will give you as community leaders insight into what 2014 will bring to Cowlitz County and local businesses.

The 2014 Economic Summit will take place Thursday, No-vember 21, at the Cowlitz Conference Center. The evening begins at 5 p.m. with a 45-minute, no-host social and heavy

hors d’oeuvres. So, plan to attend early, enjoy some great food and have a chance to mingle and ask questions of our speakers prior to the program that is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and conclude at 7:30.

This year’s event is sponsored by KapStone, Heritage Bank, Cascade Natural Gas.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.kelsolongview-chamber.org for $25. Tickets will also be available at the door for $35. We are anticipating a thought-provoking event so please plan to attend, be engaged, be informed and ready for a successful 2014.

Economic Summit provides sneak peek at 2014


4

Please see Center, page 6

From abstract to reality: LCC’s University Center open for businessBy Chris Bailey President – Lower Columbia College

Just an abstract idea one year ago, the University Center at Lower Columbia College is now home to staff from four universities and more than two dozen students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Education, Early Childhood Education, Inter-disciplinary Studies and Applied Technology. By next fall, degrees in Business Administration and Nursing will be added.

The goal of the new Center is to significantly increase the number of adults with bachelor’s degrees in Cowlitz and Wah-kiakum counties. Currently, that number is half the state aver-age. The local center provides a way for residents of Cowlitz, and surrounding counties, to earn bachelor’s degrees without moving away or a lengthy commute. It also increases the num-ber of professionals qualified to fill supervisory and manage-ment positions with local companies.

A more highly-educated workforce, and the opportunity for workers to acquire additional training, are both expected to help with economic development by attracting new compa-nies and industries to the region and strengthening existing businesses.

Respected University Partners Are KeyLCC’s primary partner is Eastern Washington University,

whose campus in rural Cheney serves a geographic region not unlike Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties. Another similarity, Eastern has developed innovative online learning resources and courses using the same tools as LCC programs.

Jennifer Cockrill, a Longview native, has been hired by EWU to advise local students seeking degrees through Eastern. Next fall, EWU business program faculty members are scheduled to join her at the Center. An EWU instructor already teaching classes for the Applied Technology major in Vancouver, will commute to Longview to teach local students enrolled in that program.

Paul Denhert, advisor for the City University of Seattle pro-gram in Elementary Education at LCC, has also moved to the Center. A dozen education majors started their final year of

local studies and student teaching in Septem-ber with the third program cohort scheduled to begin in Fall 2014. Early Childhood Education majors can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University through local classes and online studies, with the Center serving as home base for Longview students and classes in this second program cohort.

An adviser from Washington State University Vancouver will be available to meet with LCC transfer students at the Center this year. Plans are under way for a Bachelor of Science in Nurs-

ing cohort to begin studies here in August 2014 for LCC RN graduates and local nurses.

Center Grand Opening SetStudents and community members are invited to celebrate

the grand opening of the University Center at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16. It is located in the Alan Thompson Library. A short program will feature representatives from each university, then staff from the four colleges will rotate giving presentations about their respective degree programs and also be available to speak with students and community members through 3 p.m.

Last year, a campus and community survey revealed the top preferences for degree programs to be offered at the new fa-cility in addition to the education programs already under way at LCC. The top three choices – BS in Nursing, Business Administration and BS in Applied Technology – will all be available within a year. The second EWU degree launched this fall, a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, is less well known but prepares graduates for a variety of career choices.

Degree Builds Valued EmployeesGraduates of interdisciplinary programs have the ability to

learn quickly, see connections among concepts and adapt to changing situations. These important skills, valued by employ-ers, lead to employment opportunities in a wide range of ca-reer fields.

Lower Columbia College

Hosted by:

Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Location: Heritage Bank (927 Commerce Ave., Longview)

Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Cost: $15 advance/$20 at door

Join the Heritage Bank team for an evening of fabulous food and beverage prepared by Summerland Catering, and wonderful networking opportunities with fellow

Chamber members.

6


Students combine multiple areas such as com-munications, psychology, sociology, business, and computer science into a comprehensive degree that is flexible, adaptable and engaging. With the guid-ance of department chairs and the Interdisciplinary Studies Director, students design their courses into a program that emphasizes cognitive skills, theo-retical and research abilities, and content knowl-edge related to a specific career or graduate studies.

Some examples include:• Jobs which utilize writing skills and digital com-

munications such as journalism, editing, advertis-ing or public relations.

• Careers that combine the arts with other fields, like art history and business leading to a job in mu-seum or gallery management, or theatre and visual arts for a position in set design.

• Combine sociology with Spanish to work for a social service agency as a translator.

Next Step For Technical WorkersThe EWU Bachelor of Science in Applied Technology edu-

cation program is designed for students who have graduated with an Associate in Applied Science or an Associate in Ap-plied Science Transfer degree from Lower Columbia College in Information Technology Systems or an Associate in Applied Science degree in either Electronics or Computer Technology. This allows students to continue their education by taking ad-vanced technology courses, general education coursework, and supporting courses to complete a bachelor’s degree in or-der to qualify for jobs or work promotions in a career field requiring an advanced degree.

Rapid advances in technology across all industries, from education and finance to healthcare and manufacturing, will continue to increase the demand for technology professionals with current training.

Business and Nursing DegreesWith small businesses contributing a large number of new

jobs nationally, LCC and EWU business degrees promise to prepare a local skilled workforce for both entry-level and su-pervisory jobs. Job creation at small companies has almost doubled in the last six months, reaching 82,000 jobs at firms with 49 or fewer employees in July, according to payroll pro-cessor ADP.

At the same time, the educational standard for nurses has also increased. Officials at PeaceHealth-St. John’s Medical Center have met with both LCC and WSU Vancouver to facilitate cre-ation of the local BSN cohort in order to raise the percentage of nurses with that credential on the hospital staff. An esti-mated 39 PeaceHealth nurses and 26 nurses working at Kai-ser Permanente in Longview have indicated a desire to earn a BSN. The local program will make it possible for working RNs to upgrade their credentials and for RN graduates from LCC to continue their studies toward an advanced degree.

More Opportunities On The HorizonThe University Center also has a positive connection with

LCC’s International Student Program initiative by providing an option for students from other countries who begin studies here to complete a bachelor’s degree, an opportunity which could increase enrollment in that program. Discussions are under way with several university partners to bring additional degree options to Longview, such as the popular EWU Mas-ter’s in Social Work, engineering-related programs and hu-man development.

We are thrilled to provide greater access to bachelor degrees for our region and appreciate the support of our university and community partners. We believe a University Center on the LCC campus will serve as a gateway to advanced degrees and brighter futures!

Center, from page 4

Lower Columbia College’s University Center will serve as a gateway to advanced degrees.

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By Scott Patterson Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments Executive Director

The Columbia River Channel Deepening Project has gener-ated increased pressure to move freight efficiently on the re-gional transportation network. The State Route 432 Rail Re-alignment and Highway Improvements Project will upgrade both rail and highway transportation systems to address con-gestion, freight capacity, safety, mobility and system reliability. Improvements are necessary to address existing congestion as well as increased rail and highway traffic in the future. Im-provements to the SR 432 corridor will benefit existing busi-nesses, employees, and citizens and will help the region com-pete globally to attract new business and industry.

Following the Columbia River shipping channel deepening, the City of Longview invested in the Mint Farm Industrial Park and the Port of Longview invested in the Industrial Rail Corridor and purchased the Barlow Point property. These de-cisions paid off by attracting companies like EGT, LLC to in-vest $200 million at their facility in Longview. A safe, efficient, integrated transportation system is needed to address existing transportation and freight concerns and foster economic de-velopment, job growth, and quality of place.

Large projects take time to study, obtain permits, secure funding, and construct. The first SR 432 corridor study was completed in 1989 and a route development plan was com-pleted in 2001. Later in 2008, a feasibility study evaluated sep-arating the road and rail systems along the corridor to make travel and freight movement more efficient.

The SR 432 Rail Realignment and Highway Improvements Project is currently in the Concept Development Phase, which involves brainstorming potential solutions to address the is-sues of congestion, safety, mobility and freight capacity that are anticipated to impact the functioning of the rail/highway system over the next 20 years. Concepts will be generated from an array of sources: prior planning documents, data col-

lected during 2013 from system users and stakeholders, input from key stakeholders and the community. The project has a Technical Advisory Committee and an Executive Commit-tee, which include representatives from each local jurisdiction within the study area. A Project Advisory Group—represent-ing a cross-section of community and business interests—has been formed and will be meeting to review project progress and to provide input.

An open house will take place later this fall to present the project purpose and need and to gather ideas about factors that should be considered in developing and selecting project concepts. A second public house is scheduled for early 2014 to present project concepts for feedback. The Technical Ad-visory and Executive committees will use all of this informa-tion in evaluating and selecting a suite of project solutions that will move forward for detailed environmental study in 2014. As the current study moves forward, conversations with the community and key stakeholders will occur throughout the project regarding specific concerns related to the concepts developed, traffic congestion and environmental issues, and available funding options, which could include public-private partnerships.

For more information, please visit the project website at www.SR432Corridor.org or contact Melissa Taylor at the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments at 360-577-3041.

SR 432 project heads into concept development phase

Council of Governments

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Business After Hours

Clocking OutSeptember’s Kelso Longview Chamber Business After Hours event gave Suzanne Arnits, Terry and Lynn Frost, Carrie Medack and others the opportunity to cut loose and relax. September’s hosts were The Office 842, RE/MAX, Life Mortgage and Newrock Homes.

Representatives from Costco, Twinstar Credit Union and Goodwill Industries

enjoyed the event.

9


By Dani Trimble Work Based Learning Manager Lower Columbia College

At a recent presentation by the Washington State Labor Mar-ket and Economic Analysis branch of the Employment Secu-rity Department, state economists gave a snapshot of the state of the economy in Washington compared to the overall U.S. economy. As a whole, the state of Washington has followed a similar recovery as the rest of the country, although Cowlitz County remains sluggish compared to the rest of the state.

One sector of the population that has been hit the hardest by the economic recession is those individuals with a high school education or lower. While unemployment rates have increased for all education attainment levels, higher education has helped to damper the effects of the recession for job seek-ers (see chart). Additionally, as jobs become more skilled and technologically advanced, required education levels have and

Higher education continues to play a role in employment

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics / Haver Analytics

Please see Education, page 12

October 1, 2013

Member Notification of Nominations for the Kelso-‐Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to fulfill a three year terms on the board replacing the directors whose regular terms are expiring or have expired. There are currently three positions open on the board of Directors and four positions on the board whom will be continuing for a second term.

Slate of Nominations to fill expired Director positions for the 2014 through December 31, 2016 are: Proposed New Board Members: Lance Welch, PeaceHealth Linda Dilembo, Three Rivers Mall Bob Crisman, Gallery of Diamonds Re-‐Election to a second board term: Bianca Lemmons, Cowlitz County Title Co. Michael Julian, Kelso Theater Pub Neil Zick, Twin City Bank, Treasurer of the Board Joel Hanson, KLOG-‐KUKN, incoming President of the Board

As accordance with our Bylaws – Additional candidates for Director may be nominated by petition bearing the genuine original signatures of at least twenty (20) members of the Chamber. Such petition shall be filed with the Nominating Committee within ten (10) days after publication of the nominations The determination of the Nominating Committee as to questions concerning the petition shall be final.

William G. Marcum Jr Chief Executive Officer Kelso-‐Longview Chamber of Commerce 1563 Olympia Way Longview, WA 98632

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ReferenceUSA effortlessly offers data at your fingertipsBy Chris Skaugset Longview Public Library Director

One of the most powerful tools for the new, or seasoned, small business owner available at the Longview Public Library is the online data-base ReferenceUSA. ReferenceUSA is a database providing access to in-formation on more than 25 million businesses and more than 262 mil-lion consumers. Business listings include such information as company names, phone numbers, complete addresses, key ex-ecutive names, SIC Codes, number of employees, sales volume, geo-codes for mapping, contact details, franchise and brand in-formation, news, liens, judgments and bankruptcies, and credit rating scores.

Residential information comes from more than 5,200 White Page telephone directories, with each listing as it appears in the phone book. Information is available eight to 12 weeks after the phone book and is continuously updated. U.S. residential list-ings also contain recent census information, including median household income, median home value, a Google map, and percentage of owner-occupied housing.

From our subscription you can access the following databases: U.S. Businesses, U.S. New Businesses, Canadian Businesses, U.S. Consumers/Lifestyles, and U.S. Standard White Pages. There are a couple of tutorials to help you get started finding the information you are looking for. Just be warned that they are done by a couple of universities so that while they are generally helpful there are a couple of areas that don’t quite make sense to someone who is not a student at said university.

That being said, you will soon discover that there is an enor-mous amount of information to be found in these databases. All the available databases allow both a quick search and a custom search mode, with the former finding bare-bones information

(for example, company name, executive name, city, state, and phone for U.S. businesses) and with custom options including extensive, user-friendly choices that allow for incredible speci-ficity and truly targeted list compiling.

The Custom Search in the U.S. Businesses database allows us-ers to search and limit by such factors as company name; brands and products; executive name, title, gender, or ethnicity; key-word/SIC/NAICS; major industry group; geographic limiters from state down to neighborhood; map-based search, area code; number of employees; sales volume; public/private com-pany, foreign parent, home-based business, government office, stock exchange, ticker symbol, credit rating, business expendi-tures, web address, Fortune 1000, Yellow Page ad size, years in database, year established, and square footage, just to name a few.

ReferenceUSA’s incredibly easy, yet extremely sophisticated search capabilities are remarkable. This is one of the most use-ful tools that a small business owner, or someone exploring the possibilities of owning their own business, or anyone else for that matter, will come across.

So, whether you are looking to evaluate a potential market, find information on the companies, or simply exploring the possibility of starting your own business, ReferenceUSA is a great place to start. You can access ReferenceUSA from home with a library card or from one of two dedicated computers at the library. From home just go to the library’s webpage at www.longviewlibrary.org and click on Online Databases from the list on the left-hand side of the page and then choose Referen-ceUSA from the list. If you’re accessing it from home you will need your library card number (the entire number, no spaces) from the back of your card and a pin which should be the last four digits of your phone number. If you have questions don’t hesitate to contact the library at 360-442-5300.

Mind Your Own Business

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continue to increase in most sectors of the economy. Due to this, higher education plays an increasingly important role in the economic recovery within Cowlitz County and beyond.

Increased partnerships between local labor and industry representatives and Lower Columbia College continue to be a crucial initiative at the college. Collaboration between educa-tion and the community not only help to prepare our students (and the future workforce) towards gainful employment, but can also attract businesses to our region and increase econom-ic development.

How to Get InvolvedAre you interested in serving on the Worker Retraining

Advisory Committee at Lower Columbia College to provide input on labor and employment trends in your industry? This committee provides valuable input to the College regarding educational program offerings and their relevancy to the work-

force. Committee members are asked to attend meetings twice per academic year.

For more information or questions about how Lower Colum-bia College can partner with you to serve your business needs, please contact:

Dani Trimble

Workforce Services Manager

Lower Columbia College

[email protected]

360-442-2622

Check out our jobs board online at www.lowercolumbia.edu/hireconnections to post available positions, applications and more.

Call Liz Newman360-673-2325

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Education, from page 10

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Taking your business to the next level

By Jerry D. Petrick Certified Business Adviser

Ever ask yourself the following:• How can I evaluate new business opportunities?• How can I determine whether to sell one of my three busi-

nesses?• How can I better plan for future contingencies?• Will I be able to sell my business in 10 years and afford to re-

tire?These questions and others like them are critical and business

owners should be asking themselves on a regular basis.As often happens, we become complacent when all appears to be

going well; we can take a breath and even take a vacation. Howev-er, businesses take on a life of their own and may find themselves heading down a path that is not what the owner has envisioned. The owner just hasn’t told the business about his or her vision.

Taking your business to the next level involves planning that ad-dresses this disconnect and answers the question: ‘Where is my business going?’; ‘Where do I want my business to go?’ and ‘How is it going to get there?’

First Step – Testing Your Current RealityTo begin this type of planning you need to know and understand

where you and your business really are – what is your current re-ality? This involves some data gathering and analysis. While this will look a little different for each business, there are four main areas you will want to examine to assess your current situation: finances, marketing, talent (employees), and facilities. Let’s briefly look at some of the issues related to each area.

Finances: Do you prepare monthly financial statements (profit and loss/income statement; balance sheet)? If not, then this is where you must start! If you do have these financial statements, do you analyze them? What do you see? What do they tell you? What trends do you detect in revenues (sales) and major expense categories? What direction are the numbers trending? Improv-ing, degrading? Fast, slow? Why? How do your results compare to your goals? How do your results stack up against your industry?

By calculating a few standard financial ratios, you can quickly understand what is going on in your business and how your results compare with your industry competition. Essentially, we want to take your company’s vital signs – kind of like when you go to the doctor – blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, etc. Just like your doctor can quickly as-sess the performance of your body’s primary systems; you can do the same thing with your business. (If you have never done this or are unsure what to measure or how – we can work on this together – just email me for a confidential, no fee appointment – [email protected].)

Marketing: How much do you know about your customers and prospects? Who are they? Where do they live? What other de-mographic data do you know about them? What influences their buying decisions? Has your customer base changed over time? Is one type or class of customer more profitable than others? Which one? Who is your competition (direct and indirect – direct = those offering essentially what you offer; indirect = those offering alternatives or substitutes for what you sell); What are your com-petitors’ weaknesses? What is your ‘unfair’ competitive advantage – why should customers buy from you versus your competition? How do you stack-up to your competition on...price, quality, ser-vice, support, and convenience?

What about your prices – are they too low?Talent (employees): Do your people know what you expect

from them? How do you know? How do you share job perfor-mance expectations? How and how often do you evaluate em-ployee performance?

How versatile are your people – how well have your cross-trained them across the different job responsibilities? What are your company values and philosophies? Do your people know them? Do you model them in your own behavior?

Do you share the goals and performance of the business with your employees? Do you seek their input to improve processes?

What is your employee turnover rate? Is that good? What does

Business Toolbox

Please see Petrick, page 21

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By Ted Sprague President – Cowlitz Economic Development Council

On September 17 at the Cowlitz Expo Center the scoping pro-cess for the Millennium Bulk Terminal project began its public process in earnest. The day-long event had the feel of a high school pep rally. It was interesting theater to see all of the red and blue shirts worn by those either supporting or opposing the project. Thankfully, everyone was respectful of the process and it was good to see the passion that both sides brought was re-strained and genuinely polite. There was plenty of concern prior to the meeting that some sort of mayhem may break out during the hearing, but the audience was generally quiet throughout the meeting.

At the outset of the hearing ground rules for speakers and the audience were defined and there was a tone set that disruption would not be tolerated. Some in the room thought the tight re-strictions were overkill, but I was pleased to hear the meeting would have high expectations to be run in an orderly fashion. With approximately 1,800 people present, without strict rules, control of the meeting could have been lost.

There was plenty of interesting testimony given, and there was a lot of opportunity to have voices heard in the large group set-ting or in one of the smaller rooms with a comment record-

er. The system is put in place so citizens and groups could request the regulatory agencies to review specific aspects of the proposed project. My comments stuck to the process. I requested the agen-cies to consider sticking to a rea-sonable timetable to complete the process. The initial request for scoping of the permit was submitted in February of 2012. For private business to have to wait so long for permitting can be detrimental to meet the needs of the business cycle. I also requested the agencies to keep the permitting decisions based on the project and where the project is located. The NEPA and SEPA permitting process is quite detailed and will examine con-cerns related to land use, transportation, uses at the site, etc. etc. To also study global impacts of this project, in my view, is overreaching.

There are four more scoping hearings scheduled around the State of Washington and comments can still be submitted to http://www.millenniumbulkeiswa.gov/submit-comments.html. Let your voice be heard on this topic, they will take comments until November 18.

Moving on with the permit process

Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Anne O’Connoronthemark associates

Chris Bailey Lower Columbia College

Frank V. McShane, Past President Cascade Networks, Inc.

Jerri Henry, PresidentFutcher-Henry CPA Group

Michael ClaxtonWalstead Mertsching

Lance Welch PeaceHealth

Bianca LemmonsCowlitz County Title Company

Clayton J. Bartness, DCLongview Chiropractic Clinic

Dennis WeberCowlitz County Commissioner

Joel Hanson, President Elect KLOG/KUKN/The Wave

Ted SpragueCowlitz Economic Development Council

Steve TaylorKelso City Manager

Michael JulianKelso Theater Pub

Chet Makinster Longview City Council

Diane Craft, Vice PresidentKoelsch Senior Communities

Linda DiLemboThree Rivers Mall

Julie RinardCommunity Home Health & Hospice

Neil Zick, TreasurerTwin City Bank

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

15


Chamber Members in the News

KapStone tallies more than one million safe hours

KapStone Kraft Paper Corporation’s mill in Longview recently eclipsed one million safe hours worked and now has its sights set on surpassing the two million safe hours worked milestone, one day, one decision at a time.

It was the second time in as many years that the mill, one of the largest, most complex pulp and paper mills in the nation, surpassed one million safe hours worked. The mill exceeded the one million safe hours worked milestone for the second time on August 14.

Mill Manager Paul Duncan credits the mill’s evolving safety culture with the achievement. “Here, safety is more than a pri-ority; it is a value, a way of life. Priorities can change, values do not,” Duncan said.

Duncan said mill employees continually work to be safe, each day, every day. “Even with all we’ve accomplished, we know that

we are only as safe as our next decision,” he said. “This is why, as we go forward, we will continue to hold safety as a core value and a prerequisite for work.”

About 1,028 people work in the KapStone Longview mill.

Formerly part of Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging, Inc., the mill and other Longview assets were purchased by Kap-Stone Paper and Packaging Corp. on July 18, from Brookfield Asset Management Inc. of Toronto.

The mill is the only U.S. producer of high-performance exten-sible multiwall sold into global markets, and is a leading manu-facturer of high quality containerboard and specialty kraft pa-pers.

The KapStone Longview mill has capacity to produce 1.6 mil-lion tons/year of pulp and 1.3 million tons/year of kraft paper and containierboard.

16


Ambassador of the Month

SeptemberPam Fierst

Red Lion Hotel

Pam Fierst was named Chamber Ambassador of the Month for September.

Chamber Ambassadors, known as The Red Coats, are an integral part of the Chamber of Commerce. The Ambas-sador team is made up of active Chamber volunteers whose responsibilities include meeting and greeting at Chamber events, welcoming new members and assisting at ribbon cuttings and community events. Ambassadors juggle busy professional careers while making time to assist the Cham-ber at a variety of events year long.

Would you like to wear a red coat and represent the Cham-ber, contact Brooke Fisher at the Chamber office.

729 Vandercook Way Longview, WA 986321-800-319-2265 | 360-414-4101

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Chamber recognizes Fierst for dedication as an Ambassador

By Bill Marcum Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce CEO

The Visitors Center/Chamber of Commerce building is finally in place. The three parts of the building were delivered and se-cured into place last week. The plan, as of today, is to move the Chamber of Commerce to its new location beginning Tuesday, October 15, with three days planned to get the office set up, Internet connected, computers networked, phones working, desks and chairs together and then open for business on Mon-day, October 21.

It will take the next couple of months to really get the Visitors Center looking like a visitors center. We will be working with the City of Longview, City of Kelso, Cowlitz County Tourism and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe to decorate the walls of the center to illustrate to our visitors the history and beauty this area has to offer.

There will also be a Mount St. Helens display showing the ac-tivity surrounding May 18, 1980. Again, it will take at least a couple months to get all the arranging, decorating and the dis-

plays in tip-top shape. This has been nearly a year and a

half project to bring the City of Kelso, Cowlitz County and the Kelso Longview Chamber together to provide a building more representative of our area, one that is inviting to visitors, tourist and our community.

The Visitors Center in the past has attracted more than 12,000 visitors during the year, with about 65 percent coming between the months of May and September. With this beautiful new building and our location across the street from Starbucks and Jack-in-the-Box we are expecting more than 20,000 to stop in and allow us the opportunity to tell them what is available in our communities, county and businesses.

We are planning an open house for some time in the early spring just prior to the rush of visitors we are expecting. So look for your invitation in your e-mail or in this newsletter.

Also, if you have any time available on the October 15 we could use help loading, transporting and unloading the Cham-ber from our location at 1563 Olympia Way to our new location at 105 Minor Road in Kelso. So, throw on your work cloths and come help us out.

17


Count down to office move under way

CEO’s Message

The Chamber is one step closer to moving into its new building on Minor Road since the building arrived the last week in September.

18


Kelso

West Main realignment falling in lineBy Mayor David Futcher

The West Main realignment project has been out there for what seems like forever. It’s a project we were committed to even before I joined the council in 2005, and whose purpose has seemed forgotten by some through the years. As we finally begin to see actual physical movement on the project, I thought it time to revisit that purpose and answer the common ques-tion, “Why?”

1. That intersection is messed up.I’m sure there’s some way the engineering types might say

that better, but the reality is, the intersection of Ocean Beach, Cowlitz Way and West Main just doesn’t make sense. It’s crazy to jog over a block to essentially go straight. If you wouldn’t build it like that today, and the funding has been provided by state and federal sources to fix it, why wouldn’t you?

2. Catlin Street is in rough shape.If nothing else comes from this project, the city will get a fresh

overlay on Catlin Street. That alone is worth more than the small amount of local funds required by the project. Past prob-lems with sewer lines in the area caused substantial issues with Catlin. While the causes have largely been remedied, the poor pavement condition remains.

3. We can create a new commercial corridor.I know one of the biggest issues some folks have had is that we

had to displace some businesses, notably Furniture World, in order to begin this project. That’s a temporary setback. At the completion, I believe we will have two streets, West Main and what is now Catlin Street, capable of supporting commercial activity. Right now, Catlin is largely reserved for the back of the West Main buildings on one side, with some older residences on the other. That can transform to a thriving commercial hub once the project is complete.

One important thing to keep in mind: the current activity is only the first phase of the project. We know the new street will need to be wider. We’re working on getting that portion funded, so please understand that what you’ll see by year end isn’t the final product.

For more on the project, please visit Kelso.gov.

Longview

Volunteers play vital role for the cityBy Assistant City Manager Dave Campbell

We could write something new in this column every

month simply by highlighting different community volunteers and the work they’re doing. The fact is that local government couldn’t function without volunteers.

Some people volunteer by serving as members of various committees, boards, and commissions, advising elected officials and staff about a variety of issues. In Longview you can help shape future land use and development, parks and recreation programs, historic preservation decisions, stormwater regula-tions, sister city activities, downtown development, library services, public artwork, Mint Valley Golf Course, and the list goes on. Appointments to these committees, boards, and com-missions usually last for a few years and require people to work with other volunteers in a rather structured environment in order to make decisions and recommendations.

Other people volunteer on their own, or perhaps with a few of their friends and neighbors, to offer their opinions at city coun-cil meetings. Whether it’s during formal public hearings about specific issues, or during the open public comment portions of meetings, we benefit from the thoughts and ideas of the public before decisions are made, and we learn of problems and con-cerns in the community and can try to resolve them. Some-times the best we can do is to explain why something can’t be resolved exactly like someone might want it to be; sometimes legal and financial reasons, or the need or desire to balance the interests of others, leads to a decision that not everyone likes, but at least has the “moral strength” of being one in which people had the opportunity to be heard.

And then there are the people who lead or volunteer for par-ticular projects that may have defined beginning and ending points but which yield results that last for years, and it’s a few of those that I’d like to salute now.

*Going back more than 10 years, John Chilson and Jeff Wil-son have devoted countless hours and their own expertise and money to restoring the Long-Bell Shay locomotive in prepara-tion for its return to the Longview Public Library grounds.

Please see Longview, page 19

19


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This project involves aspects of Longview’s history and old-time railroading. John and Jeff would be the first to give credit to the hours that other individuals and groups have volunteered for the project, too – which is certainly true – but those two men have been the champions, cheerleaders, and wrench-turners at the heart of it. Several weeks ago Brian Magnuson volunteered to serve as the project manager for construction of the new shelter for the locomotive, and now it’s time for others to step up and contribute money, materials, and skilled labor so that its display on the library grounds will shine and educate people for decades.

*The Longview Outdoor Gallery task force installed its second show of sculptures downtown on Commerce Avenue in Sep-tember. Like their first show, it’s put both fun and serious pieces of art on public display for a two-year period. Many people in the community have contributed financially so that several pieces from the first show can remain on display permanently, but in the middle of it all, there’s been about 12 to 15 LOG task force volunteers who came up with the vision and who have spearheaded this project – again, one that will result in a positive visual impression that the rest of us can enjoy for years.

*Finally, almost no volunteer recognition in Longview would be complete without mentioning Bill Kasch somewhere in the process. His latest project – a gateway welcome sign at the border of Longview and Kelso – is another of his gifts to the community that reminds us of our history. With proper care, it, too, will stand attractively for years. Bill couldn’t have done it by himself, but it wouldn’t have been done at all without him.

You might notice that a common thread in these three projects is that the people involved were and are volunteering to improve the community, not city government. There may be public prop-erty and permitting processes involved, but their labors of love have been given to residents and visitors to Longview largely without having to deal with policies and politics. It’s important to know you can help in that way, too.

Longview, from page 18

20


Longview Downtown Partnership

By Alice Dietz Longview Downtown Partnership President

In so many different instances in the work place I hear peo-ple say that we cannot try new things or take chances because we’ve tried before and it did not work. I think that’s a lousy excuse and will stifle creativity and change. We are constantly moving, growing and adapting. So why can’t something that has failed in the past be successful now or a few years down the road?

Michael Jordan didn’t make his high school’s varsity basket-ball team as a sophomore. Could you imagine what the world of sports would be like if he took that as failure and ended his basketball career?

Last year, the Longview Downtowner’s tried to create a Business Improvement District (BID) and it was not suc-cessful. The idea behind a BID was that the business owners in the downtown district would contribute to the salary of a downtown manager by paying a monthly due. The downtown manager’s position would assist in business development and recruitment, lease and sales of property, street clean up, safety and overall downtown management.

The BID project did not move forward for a variety of reasons. I would like to see in the next few years the pav-ing of the way for the introduction of another BID project. What will hopefully have changed by then is the buy-in and the development of the idea needs to be one that not only the downtowners support, but everyone in the community. We need to take the next few years and gain the support of businesses and patrons beyond the downtown jurisdiction. I am not throwing the BID aside, but instead working with the Longview Downtown Partners to create a strong outreach that will promote downtown and show the community how we are not a thing of the past but a means to a strong future.

Last night, I was looking at my Facebook page and some-thing caught my eye. One of my friends, Summer D. Clemen-son from Exclaim Media Video and Marketing, said, “I can’t believe that there is nothing to do in Downtown Longview. Not even a restaurant is open! It is only 5:30 p.m. Feeling disgusted!” That single comment got so many people en-gaged with their opinions on downtown and the idea of what you can do in town on a given night that it gave me hope for our future. Negative or positive comments, people have their opinions and are looking for things to do in town. It’s a community effort and one that I believe Longview is ready to support.

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21


turnover cost you (lost productivity, overtime, morale, customer satisfaction, training, recruitment, selection, hiring – once you really understand the true cost of turnover you may change your view on what ‘costs too much vis a vie benefits, training, wages)? Why do employees leave and where do they go?

Facilities: Is your space adequate? Can you expand? What would it take to grow your business in your current space? What do your customers and employees think and feel when they walk into your space? How well does your location and building reinforce your brand promise? Your place of business speaks loudly about you and your business. If you haven’t consciously taken an objective look at your business now would be a good time to do so. My sus-picion is that you will see clutter, inefficiencies and opportunities hidden in plain sight. Have a ‘stranger’ walk through your business with you – they will see things differently than you will. When I do a walkthrough with a client I start with the employee restrooms – amazingly, it is usually a good indicator of how healthy the busi-ness is or isn’t and the quality of their financial information.

The Next Step – Creating Your Vision and a PlanWhere do you want your business to go and what do you want it

to accomplish? Now that you have a sense of where your business IS you can begin creating a vision of what you want as your future business reality. Your vision can be broad in scope, including per-sonal goals and goals for your community.

Now ask yourself what part your want your business to play in fulfilling the vision. Your answer to that question becomes your mission statement (what your business is there to do). Armed with a firm understanding of your current reality and what you want your future reality to be, you can prepare an action plan that will help you bring your vision to life.

Where to Find HelpAt the Washington State University Small Business Development

Center (SBDC), we work with business owners to help them gain an understanding of their current situation, create a vision, and de-velop a plan to get there.

Recently, we worked with the owner of two businesses who want-ed to have more opportunity to enjoy life and position one or both of his businesses for sale. She had a good understanding of her cur-rent reality and some elements of a vision for the future state of her businesses. We worked with her to fine-tune her vision, and we helped her develop an action plan that incorporated a business report card to help her track her progress at a glance. Not only did she get more excited and engaged in her business, she actually de-cided to expand her existing businesses before considering any op-portunities to sell them.

Businesses are never standing still; they are either growing and changing, or shrinking and changing. Let’s work together to give you and your business new energy and thrive.

This article was prepared by Jerry Petrick MBA, SPHR, CGBP – Certified Business Advisor with the WSU SBDC Longview office. The SBDC provides confidential advisory services to business owners at no charge. To contact Jerry for a confidential appointment e-mail him at [email protected]. Check out the SBDC website for more information www.wsbdc.org.

Petrick, from page 13

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By Brenda Sexton For The Kelso Longview Chamber

Today when Amy Hallock looks at Longview through the eyes of an adult, it’s a world of wonder, beauty, amazement and gratitude.

“I was born and raised here, but I’ve learned a lot I didn’t know about this area,” said Hallock, the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce’s office manager. “Brooke (Fisher, Chamber project manager) and I are both from this area and we are always talking about how, ‘we didn’t know that.’ We are learning a lot about our community and we’ve lived here all our lives.”

Some of Hallock’s great discoveries include Music on the Moun-tain, kayaking, hiking and a multitude of monthly events and happenings.

“I’m realizing how much is really going on here,” she said. “There are a lot of things to do. There are a lot of things here you can do with your children.

“Washington is really a very beautiful place. I don’t think you realize it until you’re an adult.”

Hallock has a son who is an eighth grade student at CVG and a 16-year-old daughter who is a junior at Mark Morris High School, where she also participates in Running Start at Lower Columbia College.

Lower Columbia College has played a major role in the Hallock family’s education.

Hallock earned her associate’s degree in business management there and later a finance certificate, both which led to work at

Longview Tire and G. Loomis before joining the Chamber in June 2012.

Her husband Len was a residential electrician, who during the recession decided to change careers and went back to school to become a registered nurse. He now works with dialysis patients, and, according to Hallock, has found his niche.

“He’s amazing,” Hallock said. “I cannot tell you how proud I am of him.”

Her family’s connection with LCC is just one of the many at-tributes Hallock brings to the table. She is also an active volunteer in the community. She has spent years donating her time to the American Legion. She is active in her children’s schools and works diligently with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which is near and dear to her heart.

Since joining the Chamber staff, she has become a member of the Lower Columbia Professionals Committee, which raises money to provide scholarships for graduating high school seniors.

“For me, my volunteer work means the most to me,” she said. “I get the most enjoyment out of that.”

It’s those local experiences and connections that make her an advocate for the Chamber.

“I feel there’s so much I can share,” she said.

22


Chamber Spotlight

Amy Hallock – Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Benefits to living in area continue to add up for Chamber bookkeeper Kelso Longview

Chamber of Commerce’s Amy Hallock above with her husband Len and to the left with her family.

Please see Spotlight, page 23

23


By Marc Ogata WorkSource Business Services Consultant

Remember when…• You were on the phone with your best friend and the cord got

wrapped around you and you couldn’t get out?• Or more recently when pagers were attached to our belt and they

would notify us with a beep that there was a message for us and we actually had to call that person back and talk to them?

• And even more recently, when there was only dial-up Internet service and it would take forever and a day to download one page on your screen.

Now fast forward to today. We have smart phones with e-mail, in-stant messaging, texting, Twitter, Facebook and…you get the point. With all of this technology at our fingertips available for communi-cating, are we losing the ability to use our interpersonal skills? What about Gen Y, Millennials and the latest, Gen Z the digital generation? When left with a choice, they will avoid conversation altogether and are more than willing to text or tweet what’s on their mind.

We have been talking about how important soft skills are in the workplace for decades and according to employers, they are as im-portant today as they were in the past. The question is where did those who are currently in the workforce, or are going to be enter-ing the workforce learn these skills? There is a smattering of training going on in the workplace and in the education system but nothing formal to speak of. And what are these so-called soft skills employers are looking for? Generally speaking, they are: communication skills, adaptability, teamwork, integrity, work ethic, and a positive attitude.

So where are the resources available to gain knowledge and be

trained?Did you know the Department of Labor de-

veloped a training program called “Skills to Pay Bills” designed for youth in an attempt to bridge

the soft skills gap? The targeted audience is 14 to 21 years of age and the course provides training on career and workforce readiness skills. There is also valuable information on the Internet regarding soft skills and training programs available for companies.

The bottom line is if we want a job ready workforce, as a commu-nity we need to partner with educators to provide the input and training necessary to help young people develop interpersonal skills. It will “take a village” to give young people the tools necessary to suc-ceed in the workplace. We all would benefit from this effort. What could you do to help the cause? As an employer, you could be a guest speaker in classes educating students on the importance of develop-ing soft skills and why they are necessary to get and keep a job. You could also provide internships or serve on a board or committees formed to discuss and implement programs to address this need.

In order to compete globally today, we not only need to provide the technical skills but also the soft skills necessary to have a productive workforce. We can no longer assume that young people are learning these skills at home or that they are being taught then in school. As a community, we need to “wear it” and do what we can to help in the cause. Everyone will all benefit from the effort.

Helpful resources:www.opportunitynation.org/youthandbusiness/.../soft-skills-de-

velopmenthttp://www.ncwd-youth.info/www.pacer.org/publications/parentbriefs/InfoBrief_Feb2012_Is-

sue34.pdf

How important are soft skills to you?

“I love our working relationship,” Hallock said of the Chamber and its three-person staff. “I’m the bookkeeper, but it’s not all crunching numbers. I get to be involved. I get to be a part of the planning and have an opinion and contribute, and I really enjoy that.”

This month, when the Chamber opens the doors to its new office and joins forces with the Visitor Center, Hallock will have even more opportunity to share her experiences with those passing through or looking to stay. Part of the extended duties of her now full-time position will be managing the Visitor Center.

“Part of the Chamber’s mission is to let people know what’s going on here,” she said. “We don’t want them to get back on the freeway

and head out of town. We want them to stay for a while, maybe even a couple of days.”

Hallock may be looking to make connections with folks, but friends may want to connect with her – even more now that she and her husband have mastered home brewing beer.

Len recently won a home brewing contest at Fort George Brew-ery and Public House in Astoria, Ore. It was his first entry and his first victory.

Hallock just brewed her first batch – a raspberry, pale ale. Rumor has it coworker Fisher was “quite impressed.”

“My husband’s been doing it for some time now,” Hallock said. “I’ve always sat on the sidelines and was never hands-on.”

Spotlight, from page 22

24


Ribbon Cuttings

A New Business BrewingChamber Red Coats Erika Agren, Shannon Cahoon, Marlene Johanson, Maria Palofox-Key, Pam Fierst and Carrie Medack

helped Ashtown Brewing Company owners Jarrett and Erik Skreen cut the ribbon on their new business September 13.

25


Ribbon Cuttings

School’s in SessionAmbassadors went back to school for Kessler Elementary’s Renovation Celebration on September 23.

Big Name in Sports

Big 5 received some additional support for its ribbon cutting

from a host of Chamber Ambassadors September 26.

Date: Friday, October 18, 2013

Location: The Empress Estate

(460 Empress Ln., Woodland, WA)

Time: 6-9 p.m.

Cost: $30 (includes private charter transportation)

$20 (without transportation)

Register at: www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

(Must register by October 15th)

*Charter transportation will depart at 5:30 p.m. from Fibre Federal Credit Union (796 Commerce Ave.-Ops Center) and leave the party at 9:00 p.m.

*Prizes awarded for best individual and duo costumes!

Wear your Halloween costumes and mingle with your fellow Chamber members as you dance to spooky tunes and indulge in scary eats , treats and creepy drinks provided by The Oak Tree. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Lower Columbia

Professionals Scholarship Fund to benefit graduating Seniors in their quest for higher education!

Hosted by:

The Empress Estate

27


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

• Annual Meeting and Banquet• Networking Events• Committee Participation• Business Contacts• Quarterly Membership

Meetings• Civic Representation• Monthly Business After Hours

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

• Mailing Labels• Membership Window Decals• Member Referrals• Ribbon Cutting• Web Site Links• Member to Member Discounts• Membership Directory• Tax Deduction

• Newsletter• Business Card Display• Use of Chamber Logo

Representation through action com-mittees, Candidate Forums and up-to-date Action Alerts.

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

PackagesBasic Membership Package – $275 or

$26 per month.Bronze Membership Package – $500 or

$46.66 per month.Silver Membership Package – $1,000 or

$86.33 per month.Gold Membership Package – $2,500 or

$211.33 per month.Platinum Membership Package –

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

$10,000 or $834 per month.

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Bianca LemmonsVice President/Manager

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Resources•

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28


Boot Camp

Getting Down to Business

Chuck Nau (above) and Norma Davey (right) at the

Chamber’s Business Boot Camp series in September.

Saturday December 14, 2013It’s back with bells on! Jingle All the Way to this second annual mega holiday event! Run, walk and be entertained by local musicians. Visit Santa and his holiday friends. Experience the downtown shops and eateries. Festive holiday costumes are encouraged as prizes will be awarded to best individual and group attire. Get on board for a magical evening!

4:00 pm The Rudolph Run/Kids EventA Backwards Run put on by the Sandbaggers at Commerce & BroadwayCOST: FREE for Kids 9 and under. No registration required**Parents must sign waiver for children to participate between 3-4 p.m. at race locationPRIZES: Awarded to top 3 finishers of 9-6 heat and 5 and under heat

5:00 pm 5k Run/WalkAt Commerce & Broadway in Downtown Historic Longview COST*: $25 with shirt/$20 no shirt/$65 Family of 4 including 4 shirts(more family registrations can be purchased for additional $10 with shirt)*A portion will benefit the Chamber’s Lower Columbia Professionals Scholarship Fund Company Discounts**: $2 off per registration (25-99 employee registrations) or $5 off per registration (100+ employee registrations)**Company Teams must sign up through Chamber Office directlyPRIZES: Awarded to 1st three male and female finishersREGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, November 29th (to get a shirt)Registration for no-shirt will be available through day of raceREGISTER: www.kelsolongviewchamber.orgPACKET PICK-UP: December 13th at the MERK building (Commerce & Broadway) 10am-5pm

Questions? Contact (360-423-8400)Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Jingle All the Way 5K The Sequel

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