309 Broad Street, Suite 2 New Bethlehem, PA 16242 (814) 275-3929 Fax: (814) 275-4269 www.newbethlehemarea.com nbchamber@alltel.net Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 2 Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 2009 has been an exciting year for the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce. Our active board has spent the year revamping our processes with a goal to make the chamber an organization whose main goal is to support out existing business community, as well as work together with other regional organizations to develop a business friendly environment for new and growing businesses in the Redbank Valley area. I have every confidence in our existing board, but no organization lives solely on the efforts of its board membership; so during 2009, we will continue to work to involve more of you in areas that will help support our goals. The goals of our redesigned newsletter are to help keep the communication flowing both directions and to provide a method for our businesses to support each other. With the current economic pressure we are all facing, it is a good time to re-evaluate everything we do. Please consider working to keep our chamber “team” a viable resource, to keep our downtown lively and attractive to new and renewed businesses, and to provide services to keep all of us on top of the wave. I am looking forward to working with all of you this next year. Eileen Conners Chamber President BUS INES S BRIEF S… Edgewood Heights assisted living community in New Bethlehem is looking for volunteers to help with activities, crafts and games. Edgewood Heights is also looking for groups who can provide entertainment—music, drama, comedy, etc. If you are interested, please contact Lori Smith at 814-275-2790. You can support WRC Senior Services’ charitable mission of “Providing Choices for Generations,” simply by surfing the web. Use www.goodsearch.com (powered by Yahoo!©) as your search engine. Type in WRC Senior Services as your charity and start searching. Each search you do will raise one cent for charitable care! Moore Physical Therapy is located at 987 Brookville Street, directly across from Redbank Valley High School. They held an open house on December 5th to celebrate five years of serving the community, and their recent expansion and renovation. The current plan for the monthly business meeting on the 2nd Thursday at Noon at the Library is to have an informational meeting on even-numbered months, and a member spotlight on odd-numbered months. The Promotion Committee is seeking information from Chamber members on “Business Brief,” items (for example—new product lines or services, new employees, successes, expansions, etc.) The Committee is also looking for volunteers for business spotlights in the newsletter and at every other Chamber meeting. The Chamber hopes to provide member benefit by helping businesses help each other, through greater awareness of what businesses have to offer. Please contact Sandy Mateer or Sara Seidle—Promotion Committee Co-Chairs—to volunteer or suggest a topic. New member, Pam Comorski of The Sewing Box (814-275-1715), was introduced at the July meeting. Pam can reupholster, design and create just about anything; from car sets, fancy furniture, window treatments and pillows, to lamp shades. She also provides consultation on interior design and decorating and will even help you hang the drapes. She has appeared on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and has done work for the New York Governor’s Mansion. You can see her display in the former Curves building window. She is also one of only about fifteen artists in the country who create floral bouquets, and other decorative items, from French glass beads. We’re glad to have her back home in Putneyville! Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 4 Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 5 BUS INES S BRIEF S—CONTINUED At the September business, we spotlighted the merger of the Law Office of Sara Seidle (814-275-9947), with the Clarion firm of Charles Alexander, Jim Alexander and John Troese. Jim Alexander gave an informative presentation. The firm of Alexander, Alexander, Troese and Seidle will offer a full range of legal services from both the Broad Street and Clarion locations; including criminal and civil cases, family law, mediation, wills and estates, personal injury and real estate transactions. In November, we were treated to a very informative meeting on current technology by John George of Wespen Audio Visual Co. (814-365-5001). Now in their 65th year of business serving small to very large clients, they carry a full range of audio-visual equipment and provide consultation and great customer service. Check out their website at www.wespen.com. COMMUNICATIONS The next quarterly newsletter will be out in March with a submission deadline of February 15, 2009. If you would like to submit a business brief or other communication, please send it to Rich McGarrity, Secretary (nbchamber@alltel.net), Promotion Committee Co-Chairs and Newsletter Editors, Sandy Mateer (scmateer1@comcast.net) or Sara Seidle (sjseidle@windstream.net). The newsletter guidelines are available from the Chamber office or on the Chamber website, www.newbethlehemarea.com. We’ll try to include them in a future newsletter if space permits. In order to keep costs down, if you are able to receive the newsletter by e-mail, please forward your e-mail address to Rich McGarrity, Secretary (nbchamber@alltel.net). Please note if it only for internal communications, or if you would like your e-mail listed on the Chamber’s business directory. Here’s wishing you all a wonderful holiday season, and a very healthy and prosperous 2009! NEWS YOU CAN US E Federal Minimum Wage for 2008 is $6.55/hour. Effective July 24, 2009, it will be $7.25/hour. The 2009 Social Security wages subject to tax will be $106,800 up from 2008’s $102,000. Please see the following link about the 2009 IRS Standard Mileage Rate: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id-200505,00.html. More information on the background, history and calculation of the rates is on the website, which you can access through the above link on your computer or at the Public Library. For those without computer access, here are the essentials: IRS Announces 2009 Standard Mileage Rates IR-2008-131, Nov. 24, 2008 WASHINGTON —The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2009 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2009, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: . 55 cents per mile for business miles driven . 24 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes . 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle. In addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for any vehicle used for hire or for more than four vehicles used simultaneously. Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates. Revenue Procedure 2008-72 contains additional information on these standard mileage rates. Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 6 Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 7 THINKING AHEAD… The SBDC, in cooperation with Ben Franklin Technology Partners, sometimes offers a $25,000 contest prize that is awarded to the best business plan for a new company involved in manufacturing and technology. The 2008 deadline to qualify for eligibility was February 4, 2008, with a threepage plan and other required submissions. Finalists had to submit at 10-page plan by March 7, 2008. Watch for 2009 deadlines, so that you can apply. USEFUL WEBS ITES Clarion County Economic Development Corporation www.callclarionpa.com This site provides useful information on business assistance and developments in the County. Clarion University’s Small Business Development Center http://web.clarion.edu/sbdc/ Check this site for many free and low-cost programs that provide assistance to local businesses. Redbank Renaissance www.redbankren.org Check the Community Calendar to avoid conflicts with other scheduled events, and check the links to many websites that provide business assistance. CALENDAR OF EVENTS Our Annual Dinner is tentatively scheduled for March 21, 2009. Monthly Business Meetings – 2nd Thursday at Noon at the Library. Ev e n t s A Look Back and to the Future One of the initiatives of this year’s Board has been to take a careful look at our events and programs and to ask each Chair to document procedures so that when a new chair takes over, the whole process will be easier, less time-consuming, and more beneficial to the members and the community. EVENTS—CONTINUED Casino Night Josh Walzak, 2008 Chair Fireworks Tim Murray, Chair The Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce held its 2nd Annual Casino Night at Redbank Valley Municipal Park on April 5, 2008. The sold-out event awarded about 25 prizes to the 100 attendees—including a trip to the Bahamas, a night’s stay and dinner at the Foxburg Inn and the Gateway Lodge, gift certificates, sports autographs and much more. The event generated more than $3.300 profit to be used for the Chamber’s Independence Day Fireworks displays. Because of the funding raised, the chamber has not been forced to solicit its members for donations for the fireworks in the past couple of years. The evening also offers members a great opportunity to showcase their products and services by donating prizes or sponsoring one of the gaming tables. Planning for the April 2009 event will begin soon. A chairperson is being sought for the committee this year. The 2009 July Fireworks will be scheduled for July 3rd to get more bang and sparkle for out buck. We will be holding another casino night in April to help benefit this event. Watch for tickets to Casino Night to be available, since we always sell out. “Chili with Billi” is going to be revamped and possibly moved to Gumtown Park in 2009. We are changing the name to “Tim and Jim’s Hillbilly Chili,” and are hoping to generate more sales through the addition of a band on the stage. (If anyone knows of someone who would like to play on an open stage, let me know. This would be a free show.) We would be there with the Farmer’s Market during that day. This will be scheduled sometime in September or early October, depending on Redbank’s football schedule. The Farmer’s Market Sandy Mateer, Chair Now in its 5th year, the Farmers’ Market began on June 19th and continued every Friday through October 17th. Additional vendors were added, and the market seemed to draw more regular customers into town this year. Plants, flowers and fresh produce (in season) were made available, in addition to tasty baked goods and other products and crafts. More local vendors and crafters are being sought for next season. The market will be held a bit earlier, from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM on Fridays, starting June 5, 2009—to catch the early-season, mouth-watering strawberries—through frost, or Oct. 16, 2009. Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 8 Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 9 Bi-Chamber Golf Outing MarkWyant, Co-Chair Community Yard & Sidewalk Sales Sandy Mateer & Laura Neiswonger, Chairs The preparation for the 2009 Clarion and Redbank Valley Bi-Chamber Golf Outing will begin shortly with the first meeting to occur in January. The 2009 outing is planned for Friday, April 24th, at the Clarion Oaks Gold Club. Our continuing goal is interaction between members to strengthen business relationships and expand opportunities within our communities. Of course, raising of funds for each of our chambers is also a worthy goal. In 2008, we each netted $3,687. 90 from the event. Anyone wishing to help with the event should contact Mart Wyant via email mwyant@leachagency.com. Thank You. The 2008 Community yard sales, chaired by Sandy Mateer, were held a bit later this year on June 19th and 20th. About 24 families participated in the event. The sales were advertised in local papers and brought many people into town. The 2009 date is tentatively set for June 12-13. The yard sales were held in conjunction with sidewalk sales, but feedback indicated that the two events compete, rather than complement. The sidewalk sales, chaired by Laura Neiswonger of RMS Furniture, are tentatively set for June 26th. The 2008 Peanut Butter Festival Amanda Coon & Jackie Quinn 2008 Co-Chairs The 13th Annual Peanut Butter Festival was held on September 12 - 14, 2008. The 3-day event, although very rainy the first two days, was filled with activities for all ages and entertained many visitors. We offered crafters and food vendors for all three days. On Friday, September 12th, we highlighted Armstrong County Memorial Hospital’s Health Fair. They held screenings for many people in the tent located next to the chamber tent. In the evening, the Peanut Butter Festival Queen Crowning was held at the Methodist Church due to the rain. It was a nice ceremony with four girls participating. Alana Watson, daughter of Glenn and Amy Watson, was crowned as Peanut Butter Festival Queen. Continued . Peanut Butter Festival--Continued Saturday started off with the 5K Race/Health Walk in Gumtown Park at 8:30 AM—chaired by Lisa Hrinda and Ryan Wells. The Mountain Bike race— chaired by Sandy Mateer—started from the First United National Bank at 10:30 AM. Both events were great successes! We had over 200 people participate between the two events—including many from Pittsburgh and some from West Virginia, Ohio and Indiana. Many stayed around to enjoy the festival and parade. Despite the rain, the Mountain Bike Race had a new record number of participants, including more college and sport racing teams. The race is developing a good reputation, and growth in the number of participants is anticipated. The races could not be held without the generous contribution of the landowners, sponsors, and the many volunteers who prepare and monitor the courses. The Carnival and Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides were popular, and were offered both Saturday and Sunday. MegaRock held a live remote broadcast at 11 AM, behind the Chamber tent in Gumtown Park. Clarion Hospital hosted a “Healthy Home, Healthy You” luncheon at Shirey Overhead Doors to encourage people to winterize both their homes and their bodies. We had a full entertainment schedule in the afternoon with Andy Mangini playing on the stage until the start of the Parade. After the soggy parade, the Jerry Schickling Band preformed two sets of music leading up to the awesome fireworks display at dark, which many people stayed to see. Sunday was a beautiful day, and we welcomed it for the Car Cruise on Water Street. Over 100 cars lined the street from Redbank Chevrolet the entire way down to the festival at Gumtown Park. We had a great bluegrass band, The Allegheny Drifters, to finish our weekend entertainment. Despite the weather, the Committee was pleased with the great turnout for the festival. The Committee tried to improve advertising for sponsors this year with additional signage, announcements, and displays; as well as additional advertising for the festival itself on the radio, in print ads, event guides and in press-releases. Next year a student window contest is also being considered. The Festival Committee and Chamber Board sincerely thank all of the many volunteers and sponsors, who helped to make the festival special and successful. The Chamber is currently looking for chairpersons for the 2009 Peanut Butter Festival—perhaps a team would be best, so it is not so much work for one person to handle. If you are interested in helping out as a chair, or on any event or aspect of the festival, please contact the chamber office as soon as possible, We’ll be glad to answer any questions and would appreciate any feedback. The 2009 festival will be held September 18 – 20. Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 10 Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 11 BUSINESS SURVEY In an effort to make the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce more valuable to its members and to coordinate efforts with other local municipalities and organizations, we’re looking for information to help the Chamber and its members. Please take a few minutes to respond to this survey and return it by email, fax, mail or in person to: Rich McGarrity, Executive Secretary nbchamber@alltel.net Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce 309 Broad Street, Suite 2 New Bethlehem, PA 16242 Fax: 814-275-4269 PART A – PARKING 1. Where do your customers typically park? . I have my own parking in this parcel. (How many spaces for customers? ____ ) . On the street . In a public parking lot . I rent space in a third party private lot . Other: ______________________________________________ . Suggestions/comments: ________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ 2. Where do your employees typically park? . I have my own parking this parcel. (How many spaces for employees? ___ ) . On the street . In a public parking lot . I rent a space in a third party private lot . Other: ___________________________________________ . Comments/suggestions: ____________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ PART B – RETENTION & FEEDBACK 3. What community events have best increased your foot traffic? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 4. What community events have best increased your sales volume? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 5. What 3 products or services would you most like to see available downtown? _________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 6. What 3 businesses would you most like to see move into downtown? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 12 Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 13 PART B – (CONTINUED) 7. Would you consider participation in a Saturday business exposition to advertise your business to the community? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 8. Would you consider participation in a business exposition during the Peanut Butter Festival? _____________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ 9. Would you consider joint advertising efforts on radio or television? ___________________________________________________ 10. What suggestions do you have as to how the Chamber can assist you? _______________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ PART C – INFORMATION NEEDS In which of the following areas could you use information or technical assistance through articles, presentations, consultations or other means? . Exterior store curb appeal and window display . Internal merchandise presentation . Merchandise selection/marketing . Customer Service . Developing/revising a business plan . Improving advertising and promotions . Identifying and capturing new markets . Accounting and record keeping . Planning for business expansion . PART C – (CONTINUED) In which of the following areas could you use information or technical assistance through articles, presentations, consultations or other means? . Inventory control . Using Computers to assist my business . Developing a website . Selling my goods and services on-line . On-line order fulfillment . Personnel management and training . Financial assistance . Complying with local, state and/or federal regulations . Business succession as I near retirement . Other____________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ PART D – NEWSLETTER We would like your feedback, suggestions and comments. ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 12 Redbank Valley Chamber Newsletter December ’08 13 Thank you very much for responding to this survey! Contact Jamie Lefever to discuss how to take control of your financial future. Are Your Financial AssetsWorking as HardasYouAre? Trust and Investment Services Jamie Lefever, Vice President NexTier Wealth Management Jamie Lefever NexTierWealthManagement 101 East Diamond Street Morgan Center Butler, PA 16003 724-841-6631 jlefever@nextierwealth.com Wealth Management R