Potpourri for 100

Dear Friends, Occasionally Lots of Things Are Going on at Once So, I think I'll take a couple of minutes to chat about a couple of things. No rhyme or reason, just thoughts for the last day of June.

St. Albans Town - Gear Up for 1% Tax Hike Someone mentioned that I should say something about the upcoming additional 1% tax hike in the Town. I said, really - you want me to be the bearer of that news. They said - no, just make sure your businesses are informed so that they can properly collect and report the new tax.   Good point. If you are a business in St. Albans Town or any one of the other 11 towns in Vermont using the Local Option, then make sure your cash registers and accounting tools are reprogrammed to start collecting and reporting the tax increase beginning tomorrow - July 1, 2014.  Read More    Zoning Commission Speaking of St. Albans Town, I sat in on a Public Zoning Hearing last week conducted by Maren Hill from the Town office. If you are wondering "where are the opportunities to be heard in my town," well here was one. And from what I understand, there will be others. Several people sat around the table and interjected their thoughts and ideas that should be taken under consideration when the Town revisits it's zoning by-laws. Local government at work. Don't miss out on these chances - this is where you get heard.   New Board of Director Members Let me introduce you to our four new Franklin County Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors - Adam Paxman (Swanton), Tammy Ryea (Richford), Sandy Lovelette (Enosburg) and Nate Meuhl (Fairfax). We are thrilled to have these new members join our leadership team and look forward to their help as we move into the second half of 2014. Welcome.   Another shameless Plug! The Great Race is just a handful of days away (That is, if you are the six fingered man, who killed my father. Name that movie?). Stop by the Chamber office and pick up a registration form or register on line at ACTIVE.COM (key word: Great Race XXXV). We still can use additional volunteers - call (802) 524-2444.

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick

The End Game

Dear Friends, Do You Want to Ride Off into the Sunset? Proper planning today can make a world of difference in how you enter your Golden Years of Retirement. Have you thought about your End Game? If your Strategy for Success is based on winning the lottery - think again - I've already taken that one!

Let Me Tell You a Story or Two I have been part of a few start up companies in my career. For the most part these are some exciting times for any company - growth is exciting, building new products is a blast and building a network of wonderful clients takes the cake. But in two separate cases, a failure to think out the End Game caused grief, pain and a sense of loss.   In the first instance, Company A had a great business plan and a sound product line. The single mistake was that the location they chose never panned out. The exit strategy was to one day close the doors and send everyone home - bummer.   Company B was a bit more complex. The President of the company probably never had any plans of ever retiring. However, the CEO and Board had visions of an IPO and a nice retirement for all the vested employees. Since there was no agreement at the top, when the time came the President used his veto power to crash the buy out. Very few made any money, the company floundered, the President was fired and many lost their jobs - bummer.   I tell you these two sad stories to reiterate a famous saying "If your fail to plan, you plan to fail."   Strategies For Success This week, Will Hinman and John Holzscheiter from the Vermont Agency will be presenting a seminar on "Retirement Planning for Business Owners." This is your chance to talk to experts about successful strategies for your End Game. Join us in the St. Albans Free Library on Thursday, June 26 from 3:30 to 5:00. Admission is free. Register Here.    Shameless Plug! The Great Race is part of our Fourth of July tradition. Stop by the Chamber office and pick up a registration form or register on line at ACTIVE.COM (key word: Great Race XXXV). Don't want to race but would love to help out - call (802) 524-2444.

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick

The Great Race is Great!

Dear Friends, I Can't Imagine a Fourth of July Weekend WITHOUT the Great Race  For the first five years we lived in Franklin County we celebrated the Fourth of July like all but 500 Americans. We did the BBQ, the beer, the Red-White-Blue shirts and the great bay fireworks. Very patriotic - we didn't know any better. Then we found out about The Great Race and now we celebrate like the other 500.

Community 200 teams and about 500 participants in and of itself is enough reason to want to be part of the 35th Annual Great Race. But when those same 500 are your friends, neighbors and great visitors from out of state, well then there is no place better to be. If you look around and can't find your neighbor on the Sunday morning of the Fourth weekend - then they are probably at the bay. The sense of joy and community brings people back year after year.   Camaraderie Friends and families come together to form teams and participate in one of the three legs - running, cycling or paddling while the die-hards take on all three in the Ironman or Ironwoman categories. Don't like the water - try the Duathlon and skip the paddling. No matter what category you choose, you will be participating right next to another close friend or family member. There is no other time of the year when this many people are all gathered in one place just to have fun and be together.   Competition It wouldn't be a race if we didn't have a little competition. I mean, we have trophies, we have mugs, we have glasses and we have ribbons. Somebody is going to win something. Each year I tell myself; "self, take it easy, enjoy the scenery, no big deal." And then the gun goes off and self says; "yeah right, I want a glass." I am at it working as hard as I can to catch that person who is right in front of me, like we are racing for the goldest of gold.   Count Me IN! For the past 15 years we have made the Great Race a part of our Forth of July family tradition and that is what makes the Great Race - GREAT! Interested? Stop by the Chamber office and pick up a registration form or register on line at ACTIVE.COM (key word: Great Race XXXV). Don't want to race but would love to help out - call (802) 524-2444.

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick Executive Director  802 524-2444

Invest In Our Youth

Dear Friends, "Recent Graduate Returns to Franklin County"  Is it just a dream or is it possibly a real headline? And why would such news even qualify as headline material? Well, over the past few years several of our own have returned to Franklin County and are starting their careers in the very towns where they grew up. Thanks to those who have contributed to this "internal measure of community success."

Internships Each time a student gets an opportunity to experience work in a business close to home, the more likely that student is to staying in that job and setting up house in that town. Each time a student gets a feeling of belonging, they will consider that a tremendous pull to set up in that area. We all like to feel wanted and welcomed. If we don't create the internship opportunities in Franklin County then we are to blame if our homegrown move on to greener pastures. Kathy Lavoie will be speaking to local businesses in July to help them understand how easy it is to set up an internship program that will attract our most valuable and most sought after resources - our kids.   Mentoring All children need attention. Often a child needs more attention than parents can give. It is our responsibility to reach out an additional helping hand. I contend that in order for a child to have the greatest chance at success, they need at least four hands holding them up. Children who have that kind of loving support go on to be more productive students and have a greater appreciation for home. Students with a greater appreciation for home will look for jobs in the area. Beth Crane is building strong mentoring opportunities - reach out and lend her you hand. Once again we are investing in our most valuable resource - our kids.   Alternative Education Opportunities Franklin County provides a variety of learning formats to meet the ever changing needs of the 21st Century student. We have great high school programs, tech center programs, community college bridge programs and alternative adult learning centers. There is more than one way to educate our next workforce population. By showing flexibility in our teaching methodology, we show that we care about the education of our most valuable resource - our kids.   Changes in Infrastructure It is important that we take a close look at the infrastructure we provide in Franklin County for a young adult to set up home. Affordable housing has to be top on the list. It is not cheap to live in Franklin County. Rising taxes and utilities add to the burden placed on a new pay check. And, let's face it, an entry level salary will not meet the high bills we face in this area. We need to be looking for ways to make it affordable for a young adult who choses to stay in our area. Supporting - our kids.   Big Smiles This past weekend I saw several pictures of weddings and young couples starting their lives in Franklin County. I notices other young adults dancing and celebrating. But best of all, I saw parents smiling and sharing time with the next generation of Franklin County. Something to smile about - our kids.

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick Executive Director  802 524-2444

Energy - Part 2

Dear Friends, A Few Words of Thanks to Start the Week  I want to thank all those who unselfishly give of their time, their careers and their lives to ensure the freedom of our great land. Memorial Day is just a small token of our true appreciation. I want to thank all of the legislators who have unselfishly given of their time to help me better understand the "Capital Hill" process. I believe that through your help, we are in a better place to support the legislative voice of the Chamber membership in a more timely fashion in the coming years.

St. Albans Power Play Efficiency Vermont and Shelter Analytics have teamed up to bring a fresh approach to energy services. Available until the end of 2014, "St. Albans Power Play for Small Businesses" is a free service offering speedy attention to assist local business owners with identifying areas where energy is being wasted. The project will help define appropriate solutions, and when necessary, identify financial assistance to get the work done. In addition, the team will also facilitate the actual improvement projects, helping busy business owners get quality work done on schedule and on budget.    Learn More Dave Corliss, Account Manager with Efficiency Vermont, will be presenting "Boost Your Bottom Line by Cutting Energy Waste" at our upcoming Strategies for Success Seminar this Thursday, May 29th from 3:30 to 5:00 at the St. Albans Free Library. Mr. Corliss describes the relationship between Efficiency Vermont and Shelter Analytics as an opportunity to provide additional layers of support and financial resources making the efficiency improvements almost turnkey.    How Do I Get My Business Involved? The project will begin by identifying the businesses that are good candidates for improvements. They will be looking for a few leaders willing to champion the cause of reducing energy costs and conserving natural resources. To learn more, attend the Strategies for Success Seminar on May 29th. Register Here...    Energy and Knowledge are Still King The more we know about our options and available programs the better we are prepared to make the right decisions. Take a few minutes this week to learn more about the energy saving programs that we have at our disposal in Franklin County.

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick Executive Director  802 524-2444

Energy - Part 1

Dear Friends,

"Save Energy - Earn Bonus"

Just this morning I saw the above headline rewarding employees with bonuses for turning off lights, adjusting the room temperatures and doing a better job of recycling. Once again energy impacts the bottom line. 

Energy IS a Big Deal Whether you are burning more energy, saving energy or converting energy, almost every aspect of our day is impacted by how we think about energy. Our doctors, trainers, and employers what us to burn more calories so we lose more pounds so we save our hearts and other parts of our bodies. Burn More Energy. Turn off the lights, change the types of bulbs we use, adjust our thermostats, and put my computer on sleep mode reflects the cry of many a CFO. Saving Energy. And, let's separate our paper, plastic, metals and trash so we can do a more effective job of converting our trash into something we can use again. Converting Energy.     We Know Why? There isn't a single human being who lacks in the knowledge of why all of this is important. The education of the masses has been very successful. We know why and in most cases we even know how. So why is it still an issue? Well... Why do people still smoke? Why do people still text and drive? Why do people still throw plastic in the trash? One word...Motivation.   What's In It For Me? As the headline suggests; "Save the company some money and we'll share the savings with you." Ask anyone who has ever run a corporate wellness program how many t-shirts and water bottles they gave away in an effort to get employees off their duffs. "What if I gave you a different insurance deductible, will you stop smoking?" or "Click It or Ticket." We are motivated by incentives.   So, How Can We Make This Happen? Franklin County is very fortunate to have a series of incentives coming down the pike. Whether you are looking for ways to save money by saving energy; or you are hoping to start wellness program in your company or community group; or you want better information on how to effectively re-cycle; help is on the way.   Save Energy Efficiency Vermont and Shelter Analytics are teaming up to bring a fresh approach to energy services. They are introducing "St. Albans Power Play for Small Businesses," a free service offering business owners assistance with identifying where energy is being wasted. In addition, they will be offering additional layers of support and financial resources. To learn more, attend the Strategies for Success Seminar on May 29th. Learn More...    Burn Energy Later this summer you will be introduced to one of the most exciting Community Health Initiatives that this area has ever seen. Organizations from all corners of our County have combined their "energy" and resources to unveil a wellness program that has the potential to reach thousands. I can't tell you any more at this time but stay tuned...    Convert Energy We are fortunate to have resources in our community that know everything there is to know about converting trash into re-usable and useful forms. Barry Domina from the Northwest Solid Waste District will be on hand later this summer to fill us all in on the best way to capture the most out of our trash. And as an added bonus keep an eye on SunCommons and some of the creative programs they have coming to convert the sun into electricity for you.

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.  As a reminder, if you have missed a pass issue of the Director's Desk, check out the archives. Click the link below...

Dave Southwick Executive Director  802 524-2444

Legislative Mindset

 

Dear Friends, "Legislative Session Closes - Some Items Shelved." So ends another season for our state lawmakers. And like many years past, some are happy, others are not happy and still others just shrug their shoulders. For me, I sit, scratch my head and wonder, what can we do better next session?

What's Next? My number one goal is to better understand how the Chamber can best represent our members with an active voice in Montpelier. I have spent the last several months trying to meet with businesses, legislative leaders and other groups who closely follow the politics of Vermont. Now I want to put together a strategy that puts us in a position to be in front of the curve going into the next session.     Why? While I don't believe that the Chamber should have it's own opinion, I do believe that it should be in tune with the opinions of our Chamber members. We should know if our members are for or against an issue or if they are split right down the middle. Because, I do know that people will ask us what we think. So, the more we know about how you think, the better armed we can be to represent that position.   Timing Is Everything I had a member call me one morning and ask if I was planning on attending the Legislative Breakfast later that week. I said yes I was - happy to at least know one was coming to town. The caller then proceeded to suggest that what we had to say at this time was a bit too late to have much impact in the decisions that were being debated in Montpelier at that time. My take away was that these conversations need to take place much earlier in the game. Timing!       So, How Can We Make This Happen? I will begin to make a list of the topics that the next session will be debating. As this list becomes clearer, I'll begin to survey the membership to get a read on their stance on each topic. I'll compile the results and be prepared to march that voice on down to the Capital. The VT network of Chamber Executives have a couple of vehicles at our disposal to get our voice heard - Franklin County will be part of that voice.   What Can You Do? Great question. When a survey crosses your desk, take a couple of minutes and let me know what you are thinking. I promise the surveys will be quick, easy and timely. Let us know how you feel so we can pass it on to those who ask for our thoughts.   Will It Make a Difference? Yes, we have to believe that our voice will be heard. I can guarantee you that if we don't speak up, we will never be heard. What our legislative representatives do with our information is why we get to vote for them in the first place. I believe in the process and the more we know the better off we will be in the long run. Stay tuned...

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.  And - if you have missed a pass issue of the Director's Desk we now have an archive for your convenience. Click the link below...

Dave Southwick Executive Director  802 524-2444 Not a member? Give me a call...                                             Director's Desk Archive