• CHAMBER NEWSLETTER

     



    Manufacturers are invited!

    The Chamber’s Industrial Association will hold a “Lunch and Learn” September 19- noon at the Gateway. The North Carolina State University - Industrial Extension Service will speak on “Innovation and Growth for Manufacturers.” RSVP’s are required by calling 704-633-4221 or by email: info@rowanchamber.com. If you are a major employer, a manufacturer and not an Industrial Association member, please call the Chamber for more information.

    Be sure your business information is accurate for the 2013 Business Directory and Relocation Guide~It's time to check! 

    The Chamber’s 2013 Business Directory & Relocation Guide is in the process of being designed. Please check your listing at the Chamber’s new website at www.rowanchamber.com. You can login and adjust any information for your business webpage. You will receive two free listings (1-alpha, 1-main category) in the 2013 Chamber Business Directory/Relocation Guide. You will receive your printed version in January and The Salisbury Post handles all advertising. Please contact Chris Ratliffe for ad information at 704-797-4235 or email cratliffe@salisburypost.com.

    Rowan County Chamber of Commerce officials walked away with another award at this year’s Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (CACCE) Annual Management Conference. Chamber President Bob Wright accepted the award for “Outstanding Membership Directory – 2012” for both North and South Carolina. CACCE is a two state professional development organization for Chamber of Commerce Executives. The award was part of a new package of communication awards given out this year for the first time.

    The Chamber won in the only category (out of six) that it entered. Wright said, “There was a lot of competition for these new awards so we are quite proud to be able to bring home the trophy.”

    The Chamber’s Business Directory and Relocation Guide is produced annually in partnership with The Salisbury Post. Over the years, it also has won six awards from the North Carolina Press Association.  “The whole idea behind the publication is to promote Chamber members, keep dollars in Rowan County and assist those looking to relocate here.”

    Salisbury Post Advertising Manger Chris Ratliff said, “This is great news and a great example of local partnering to benefit the Rowan County business community. It’s nice to be recognized by your peers as being among the best in the two Carolinas.”

    Chamber Welcomes New Teachers

    The Chamber annually sponsors the New Teacher Breakfast at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) for Rowan Salisbury Schools. This year's event had over 100 in attendance and was kicked off by Chamber President Bob Wright. Wright talked about the Chambers' Education Programs including Workforce Development  (www.gearedup4success.com,) Rowan Partners for Education, Communities In Schools and the Chamber's 'Teacher of the Year' sponsorship. 

    RCCC President Carol Spalding hosted the event. The Chamber and the business community welcome all New Teachers to Rowan County!

    Speed Networking- It's Fast, It's Fun & It Works!

    The Chamber's Business Council will again be hosting their “Speed Networking' Event which has been a great success- November 13 at 9 a.m. Cathy Griffin (Century 21 Towne & Country) is Chair. The goal is to build relationships with people in 7 minutes. You will be directed to ask specific questions that will allow you to get to know that person very quickly. The end of the session will allow you to exchange business cards or literature with a total of 25-50 people.

    Speed Networking is held in the 2nd floor Food Lion Board Room at the Gateway building, 204 East Innes St. The event starts promptly at 9 am and ends at 10 am. It is open to Chamber Members only and is free. Due to limited seating, RSVP's are required, please call 704-633-4221 or info@rowanchamber.com

    Membership Drive Team Captains are competing for Early Bird Prizes!

    Each team listed below has until September 24 at 5 pm to sell memberships for the Early Bird Competition. If you would like to help these Team Captains recruit Chamber members and earn great prizes, give them a call or the Chamber’s Membership Director at 704-633-4221. Who will be the winner?

    Bank of America, Dave Murdaugh

    Bare Bulb Marketing- Holly Czuba

    Ben Mynatt Nissan- Todd Rakes

    Community One Bank- Marla Rayfield

    First Bank- Lisa Houston

    Food Lion- Cathy Green Burns

    Lutheran Services for the Aging- Bill Johnson

    Maia’s Fashions/ Renu Derma- Maia Smith

    Rodney Cress

    Rowan-Cabarrus Community College- Jeanie Moore

    Rowan Regional Medical Center- Dari Caldwell

    Vantage South Bank- Seamus Donaldson


    Ensure your business can be found ONLINE

    Can people find your business online? How effective are your search features? Are you pleased with your rank on search results on the Internet? No? Let's update your information on your business webpage at www.rowanchamber.com by logging in with your member name and password.

    Business Name: 85 characters available
    Description: 500chars available
    Hours of Operation: 100chars available
    Driving Directions: 200 chars available
    Map Feature: If you want customers to come to you…
    Keywords that will maximize search engines: 8 different keywords or phrases (30 character max.)
    MarketSpace Coupon: 3 month expiration, need title of offer & offer in detail which must save the consumer $10 minimum.

    The Chamber's website is search engine optimized and updated quarterly. The more information you login, the better referrals you will receive!


    Chamber urges Congress to avoid impending fiscal doom

    The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce recently wrote to Senators Richard Burr and Kay Hagan and US Representative Howard Coble strongly urging Congress to swiftly enact legislation that appropriately addresses America's impending fiscal cliff.

    Failure to address the automatic tax increases and spending cuts would reduce economic growth and could jeopardize economic recovery. Congress must address the long-term fiscal imbalance through comprehensive tax reform and fundamental entitlement reform.

    In the immediate-term, legislation must be enacted to extend all of the 2001 and 2003 tax rates (including current marginal rates, dividend and capital gains rates, and estate tax relief), to extend vital expired and expiring business tax provisions and to provide alternative minimum tax (AMT) relief. A long term plan to address America's excessive spending, particularly entitlement spending, would quickly reduce the current deficit, stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio and put it on a downward trajectory within five years and approach a balanced budget within 10 years.

    The Chamber urges Congress to act now to secure America's fiscal stability and economic future. 


  • SMILE- YOUR PHOTO MAY BE ON THE CHAMBER’S FACEBOOK PAGE!

    The Chamber has an average of 900 members and our Facebook page has 377 lifetime 'likes' which are users/friends/subscribers.  This page also has a weekly reach of over 1,100 people. This is a great communication tool and gives members exposure. All users check the page monthly, 50% of them check weekly and 35% check daily. We feature Business After Hours, Ribbon Cuttings, Industrial Association Tours, Networking Events, Leadership Rowan Classes and so much more.

     Please “Like” the Chamber’s Facebook page-

    http://www.facebook.com/RowanChamber

     


  • CHAMBER TAKES STAND ON INPORT-EXPORT BUSINESS FINANCING


    The Chamber has communicated to the US House of Representatives and Congress its support of H.R. 2072, the “Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012.” Thanks to Chamber letters from across this country, this reauthorization bill passed and renewed business lending until September 30, 2014.      

    Ex-Im Bank is a vital resource in helping U.S. companies both large and small to successfully engage in international trade. The bank is a self-sustaining federal agency that assists in financing and insurance of exported U.S. goods and services to international markets at lower interest rates than other countries. This business resource is needed due to financing gaps for U.S. exports to developing countries where commercial bank financing is unavailable or insufficient. The loans given are low risk because they are backed by the collateral of goods being exported with a buyer ready to purchase. 

    Without the reauthorization, our country’s exporters would not have been able to compete effectively in the global marketplace. Failure to enact this bill would also put at risk the nearly 300,000 American jobs at 3,600 companies that depend on Ex-Im to compete in global markets. Tens of thousands of jobs of smaller companies which supply goods and services to large exporters would also have been affected.

     


  • CHAMBER SUPPORTS TRANSPORTATION BILL


    The Chamber recently wrote to President Barak Obama, Senator Richard Burr, Senator Kay Hagan, Representative Mel Watt and Representative Howard Coble in favor of a long term federal highway, transit and safety bill. The long-delayed reauthorization of federal highway and public transportation programs was a major piece of unfinished business that could provide a meaningful boost to the U.S. economy and its workers and already has broad-based support.      

    The topics addressed are sustainable transportation infrastructure investments that will create jobs and economic activity over the short term. Maintaining and increasing federal funds for road, bridge, public transportation and safety will also improve America's export and travel infrastructure. 

    The Chamber supports this initiative because it would make dollars stretch even further and reduce the time it takes transportation projects to get from start to finish.


  • INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION CHAIR URGES MEMBERS TO JOIN


    Rowan County Chamber of Commerce Industrial Association Chair Mark Seifel (Schneider Electric, USA) invites Chamber member major employers and manufacturers  to become involved in the Chamber’s Industrial Association.

    This group is made up of key personnel from Rowan County's major employer and manufacturing sectors. By attending quarterly luncheons and tours, members can get exposed to current industry information, new processes and business models to help them improve performance and production.

    The sessions include visits to local operations. You will hear local business challenges and successes, performance programs and network with industry leaders. These venues are perfect for managers, controllers and buyers.

    For more information, please call 704-633-4221.


  • NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR CHAMBER CHAMPION SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

        
    For more information Click here....