MEMBER-TO-MEMBER: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR JULY 31, 2015

From Ryan Craig 
Executive Director
Logan County Chamber of Commerce
ryancraig@loganchamber.com

VENTRA PLASTICS WINS INAUGURAL CORPORATIONS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH AWARD

Congratulations to Russellville automotive parts manufacturer Ventra Plastics and General Manager Ron Barbe on winning the inaugural Corporations for The Commonwealth award  "for a civic-oriented large business." State Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes was in Logan County Wednesday to present the award to Barbe, who is a member of the Chamber Board of Directors, and the Ventra crew. Despite the very warm temperatures there was a standing-room only crowd and Secretary Grimes also toured the plant after the award was presented.

Ventra Plastics was nominated for the state-wide award by Paula Timberlake with LEAD. The Corporations for The Commonwealth Award recognizes Kentucky businesses that demonstrate a commitment to corporate giving, a drive to improve local and/or regional social conditions, and a culture of giving within their organizations. We should all be proud the first of this kind of award went to a Logan County business!

SOUTHERN HOME DESIGNS

The Chamber would like to congratulate chamber member Southern Home Designs on their Open House/ Ribbon Cutting on July 21. Rob Johnson was the winner of a beautiful mirror. Be sure to drop by Southern Home Designs on Nashville Road; you will be impressed with their great selection. I found gifts I didn't know I was even looking for!

DAYMAR NETWORKING, LEVINE GROUP RIBBON CUTTING COMING UP

Mark your calendars now for the Daymar College Networking Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 11. Also, the Chamber will be having a ribbon-cutting celebration for the Levine Group Inc. Russellville office on Aug. 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 8 a.m. Look for more info on both events in coming weeks.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS SEPT. 3

We are excited to announce the Women In Business Luncheon will be on Sept. 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Logan County Extension Facility. The cost is $15. The speaker this year is Mrs. Evelyn Richardson, who will discuss the role women have played in businesses in Logan County. We have a full house each year, so get your tickets now! Call Amanda at the Chamber at 270-776-2206.

TOBACCO FESTIVAL SPONSORS, SCHEDULE

We are still working on the Logan County Tobacco and Heritage Festival sponsorships, and if you want to sponsor an event, contact us at the Chamber. Also, the Tobacco Festival Steering Committee met last week and was able to set the complete schedule for the festival. Look for a rundown of events, times, dates and places in the coming weeks.

That is all for this week. If you need me or want a visit sooner than later, please feel free to call or email me and I'll be glad to come visit or help you in any way I can. After all, the Chamber is a service organization and its members are its lifeblood. Let us know what we can do for you.

Ryan

Plan for zero | SmallBizSurvival.com

Plan for zero Posted: 27 Jul 2015 04:01 AM PDT How do wheat farmers survive the ups and downs of good years and bad years? They Plan for Zero. Photo by Becky McCray.   There will be times in business when your income is zero. You might as well plan for that right now. For farmers, a wheat crop might be entirely hailed out, and they may lose the entire year’s income. They have to plan for that or it’s going to put them out of business. The same thing can happen to any business. There will be times when at least part of the business generates zero income, whether that’s a zero for the month or a zero for the year. Small town people use a couple of different tactics to plan ahead for those lean times. One tactic is to think long term. Knowing that I have to plan for five years of really variable income, what I can do now to make that better? That’s taking a really long term perspective. When my friend Rob Hatch‘s business received a windfall of unexpectedly strong sales, he said he kept thinking to himself, “plan for zero, plan for zero.” So he set aside money for future lean times. That’s taking a long term perspective. The other tactic is cultivating multiple lines of income. This also comes from farming. If you know that your entire wheat crop may fail, then you may also plant milo or soybeans, or you may take in livestock and raise cattle to help even out the variation. That’s also something that any of us can do. We can look at our business and say, “What would be another line of income that would be compatible here that would help even out some of the volatility that I know we’ll face?” Small town people also extend this further, to even unrelated businesses, like say a liquor store and a cattle ranch. When the cattle market is headed down then we like to hope that the liquor market at least will be stable or maybe will be up. Plan for Zero is one of the Small Town Rules that any business can use to thrive in today’s economy. New here? Take the Guided Tour. Like what you see? Get our updates.

MEMBER-TO-MEMBER: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR JULY 17, 2015

From Ryan Craig 
Executive Director
Logan County Chamber of Commerce
ryancraig@loganchamber.com

THE ROAD TO RETAIL

The Retail Initiative Committee met for the first time this week and we were able to have a great meeting with Mike Harris, a former Logan Aluminum Executive and owner of Zaxby's franchises in Franklin, Murray and Evansville, Ind. Mr. Harris was very informative and spoke with the committee about his experiences with his franchise, the difficulty of bringing a "fast casual" restaurant to small towns like Franklin and Murray and what Russellville and Logan County are lacking to attract certain types of retail.

Mr. Harris also shared some wisdom and gave advice on how cities and counties with twice Logan's size do not have available information and maps on what land, storefronts and areas are available for retail. While the meeting was mostly informational, it was a great way for the committee to be able to speak face-to-face with a person who has invested, built and then ran a franchise in a small town in Kentucky. A big thanks to Mr. Harris and we will be sure to take his advice very seriously as we move forward . 

Look for more in the coming months on our retail initiative.

BLUEGRASS CELLULAR RIBBON CUTTING

We had a great crowd earlier this week for the ribbon cutting/coffee and networking event at the remodeled Bluegrass Cellular store in Russellville. Besides the food and fellowship Chamber President Shane Hayes was able to present a $100 check for the "Stuff The Bus" program to Bluegrass Cellular. Bluegrass is accepting donations, which will be matched, for the program to help with school supplies locally.

SOUTHERN HOME DESIGNS RIBBON CUTTING NEXT WEEK

Southern Home Designs, a new furniture business in Russellville, will be having a ribbon cutting starting at 8 a.m. on July 21. Southern Home Designs is located at 1211 Nashville Road and let's try to have a big crowd to support this new business!

CAREER FAIR OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG WORKFORCE

GIVE US SOMETHING FOR THE BRAG BASKET

Don't forget to send us good news, an upcoming sale, or even a profile on one of your employees for our brag basket. Send your brags to amanda@loganchamber.com or ryancraig@loganchamber.com.

That is all for this week. Don't forget to check out our "Chamber Chat" on the Electric Plant Board's SmartTV3 each weekday starting at 11:30 a.m. and at noon. The shows are also replayed each afternoon at 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. So far we have had good reviews, which is a miracle considering who hosts the show! 

Ryan

MEMBER-TO-MEMBER: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR JULY 10, 2015

From Ryan Craig 
Executive Director
Logan County Chamber of Commerce
ryancraig@loganchamber.com

TIME FOR THE BRAG BASKET

Every so often on Smallbizsurvival.com — a website I occasionally reference on this blog — there is a request for material to fill what they call "The Brag Basket." After some conversations with members and Chamber President Shane Hayes I decided that perhaps we aren't using our new electronic mediums to the fullest of potentials.

That is why, each week, the membership will receive a reminder to pass along something for our brag basket. We will put your upcoming sales, promotions, events or even something as simple as a profile of your new, retiring or employee of the month. We then will promote it on social media. It is another way we can give exposure and value to your membership.

So, give some thought to what you want to put into the Chamber Brag Basket and send an email to ryancraig@loganchamber.com or amanda@loganchamber.com.

Don't worry if you forget, we will be using our new email program, Constant Contact, to remind you of the Brag Basket and how to fill it up.

 

THE YOUNG TALENT INFUSION

Earlier this week I attended a short seminar sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Association that asked what "your community is doing to engage your young talent?"



Click on image to make larger.

Unless you have been under a generational rock then you probably have heard a whole lot about the "Millennials." Millennials (born from 1982 to 1995) now are the largest percentage of the U.S. workforce at 39 percent. One expert quoted the Brookings Institution as saying that by 2025 Millennials will make up 75 percent of the nation's workforce.

The Millennials could be the largest generational workforce ever, even larger than the Baby Boomers, and they have many, many different ideas when it comes to work and how they live their lives. As one chart we were given in the seminar pointed out that the Traditional (Silent) generation (born 1922-1945) has nearly left the workforce; Baby Boomers (1946-1964) are leaving the workforce in large numbers; Generation X (1965-1981) my generation will never compromise any more than 22 percent of the workforce, but the Millennials, literally, statistically and inevitability will be the driver of the future and that worries many.

Millennials however don't seem to be worried about the same kind of things the generations before them care about. A chart comparing generations passed out by the TVA showed that Millennials are more tech savvy, are more ethnically and racially diverse, tend to be educated but burdened with student loans, innovative multi-taskers with a heightened environmental and social conscience.

Most of all, though, they value access to things over ownership, most of the things they do are for the experience and they work to live, rather than live to work.

The topic of Millennials and embracing our community's up-and-coming generation will figure into most businesses very soon, if not already, so the Chamber will soon be taking a suggestion from the TVA and asking our young people questions, taking a survey, if you will, of Logan Countians and determining if Logan County is a place Millennials find desirable to live.

TOBACCO AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL SPONSORS

First, without our sponsors there would be no Tobacco and Heritage Festival each year. Your support and love of community is THE driving factor of the biggest event in Logan County. On behalf of the Chamber, the board and staff, the Tobacco and Heritage Festival steering committee and all those who enjoy the Festival we can't thank you, the sponsors, and those who volunteer their time to create something special each fall, enough.

We sent the original letters to supporters in May, but with school being out, vacations and how busy life can be, we know there are some donors who donated last year but haven't given yet. We will be sending out another reminder letter next week, but we just want you to know that we appreciate all you have done for us in the past and we hope, with your support, to continue that tradition. If you have donated in the past, or want to donate for the first time and do not want to wait for the letter, call the Chamber office at 270-726-2206. Thanks again to all who make the Festival possible.

RIBBON CUTTING FOR BLUEGRASS CELLULAR

There is a ribbon cutting scheduled for the remodeled Bluegrass Cellular store next Wednesday, July 15, from 8 to 9 a.m. This will be a little bit different than most ribbon-cuttings since after the ribbon-cutting portion around 8 a.m. it will basically change over to a coffee and networking event afterward. So, let's all make plans to attend this event. The Bluegrass Cellular store is located at 303 N. Main Street in Russellville.

WHITE NEW PRESIDENT OF AUBURN BANKING COMPANY

Brian White has been named the new President of Auburn Banking Company. According to the News Democrat and Leader, Brian is one of the company's youngest presidents at 43 and brings over 21 years of experience and a passion to help he community with their financial needs. Brian is also the 2010 President of the Chamber of Commerce, a former board member and a great supporter of the Chamber. Congratulations to Brian and if you see him tell him tell him how proud we are of him.

AT&T NEWEST MEMBER; BARNES TO RETIRE

We welcome our newest member, AT&T/Spring Mobile. Most of you know where the AT&T store located, but in case you don't it is locate at 125 Sam Walton Drive in Russellville. Come by the AT&T store for all your mobile, home, business and internet needs.

Please remember to stop by Barnes Insurance next Friday, July 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to honor the retirement of John Lee Barnes for this 46 years of service to the insurance agency as well as to the community. Let's all make plans to come out and wish John a happy retirement.

That's all for this week. Have a great weekend and if you have any questions, comments or want a visit from me sooner rather than later be sure to give me a call!

Ryan
 

MEMBER-TO-MEMBER: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR JULY 2, 2015

From Ryan Craig 
Executive Director
Logan County Chamber of Commerce
ryancraig@loganchamber.com

   With all the noise and all the debate (especially if you have a Facebook page, I could see the flames from my keyboard) going on in our nation right now, it is good for us all to stop this weekend and think about our Independence Day, because there surely are many, many places in this old world where speaking one’s mind would be considered dangerous.

   So, at some point, maybe it is while you are “Oooohing and Ahhing” at the fireworks or having your 1,776^th commemorative hot dog, just take a moment to think about our freedom and, despite all the noise, that this is still the best place to live and raise our children.

   We are, indeed, fortunate to live in the U.S.A.

LOGAN COUNTY/RUSSELLVILLE HELPING HANDS RIBBON CUTTING

   Congratulations to Logan County/Russellville Helping Hands who had the group’s grand opening this past Tuesday. There was a good crowd and we all had a great time. Helping Hands is a service organization which has opened its doors in Russellville. The group’s facility is located on 1211 Nashville Street, Russellville Ky., where the ABC Plumbing used to be located.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT LEADERSHIP LOGAN

(This is a repeat of last week’s post, but we are making sure you see this!)

With school being out of session and people on vacation, it has been easy to forget the deadline for Leadership Logan is drawing near. With only five weeks left until the Aug. 1 deadline, our 2015-16 Leadership Logan Class is only half full. We know there have been several who have asked about the class, but haven’t signed up. Go to www.loganchamber.com and click on the link. We will also be sending out e-invites for Leadership Logan with links on the email to make it easy to find. If you have any trouble finding the link on our site, call Amanda Baker or myself at 270-726-2206 and we will be glad to help you. Leadership Logan is a great opportunity and if you know anyone who has participated please ask them about it and I’m sure they will tell you how much they learn about Logan County, its businesses and its people.

CHAMBER CHAT SET TO START RUNNING IN A COUPLE WEEKS

We are in the “production” phase of the “Chamber Chat” show on the Russellville Electric Plant Board’s smartTV3 channel. So far the interviews have been awesome (Don Neagle almost* made me cry!) and we hope the show is both entertaining and teaches the viewers about the Logan County Chamber of Commerce membership! Despite the host, the show seems to be coming along nicely. (* = maybe just a single tear or two.)

JULY 4^TH ON THE SQUARE EVENT

Here is the info on the July 4^th on the Square event to be held Saturday. The event will start with the annual Russellville-Logan Kiwanis Club Kiddie Parade at 10 a.m. on the Square in Russellville (the lineup begins at the Guion home on 8^th Street at 9:30 a.m.), with the National Anthem by Molly Bell. The speaker for the event will be Joe Harlan and the Ft. Campbell Color Guard will be in attendance as well. If there is rain, the event will be moved to the 4^th Street Theatre.

That is all for this week! Have a safe Fourth of July and let’s all try to not eat too much, get bitten by too many bugs and, for you amateur firework buffs, keep all your digits!

Ryan