MEMBER-TO-MEMBER: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR NOV. 24, 2015

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

YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM’S AMBITIOUS PROJECT

It was a great idea developed by several members of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce and with the unwavering support of both school system superintendents Youth Leadership Logan was created and has been an unequivocal success.

Still, even with all the accolades so far, the group of sophomores from Logan County and Russellville high schools has gone far above what anyone would have thought with their ambitious project this year.

The Youth Leadership Program has decided to do a can food drive as their community project.  The drop off locations will be the Family Resource Centers at Russellville and Logan County high schools. 

The drive will begin in Dec. 1, 2015 through Feb. 5, 2016.  There will also be drop box locations in the lobby of each high school during the Clash of the Cats games in January and February.  Please help these students reach their goal of 1,500 cans or non-perishable food items.  All food collected will help local food banks restock after the Holiday rush.

Though the students come from rival schools, in just a few minutes earlier this month they came together to draft a plan that will help many.

Let’s all make plans to spread the word about the project and make plans to give to a cause.

We should all be proud we belong to a Chamber that supports such a group of teens and be proud to live in a place with so much potential for our future.

GERALD PRINTING WINS AWARD FOR FESTIVAL LOGO

Gerald Printing came away with some big awards recently when the Sloan Convention Center hosted the Bowling Green Professional Marketing Association’s (PMA) Annual Markie Awards Banquet on Tuesday, November 17th.

Gerald Printing won a gold award for its logo design it created for the Chamber of the 2015 Logan County Tobacco and Heritage Festival. The Festival Committee Steering Committee instantly fell in love with the logo and we are proud of Gerald Printing for providing with a top-tier logo.

Also, Gerald Printing also won gold for best Rackcard/Brochure/eBrochure and was named Best of Show.

 

LOGAN MEMORIAL NAMED 2014 TOP PERFORMER ON KEY QUALITY MEASURES

Logan Memorial Hospital announced last week that it has been recognized as a 2014 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures^® by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in the United States.
Logan Memorial Hospital was recognized as part of The Joint Commission’s 2015 annual report “America’s Hospitals: Improving Quality and Safety,” for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance for Pneumonia and Immunizations.  Logan Memorial Hospital is one of only 1,043 hospitals out of more than 3,300 eligible hospitals in the United States to achieve the 2014 Top Performer distinction.

The Top Performer program recognizes hospitals for improving performance on evidence-based interventions that increase the chances of healthy outcomes for patients with certain conditions. The performance measures included in the recognition program including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, children’s asthma, inpatient psychiatric services, stroke, venous thromboembolism, perinatal care, immunization, tobacco treatment and substance use.

This is the fifth consecutive year Logan Memorial Hospital has been recognized as a Top Performer. Logan Memorial Hospital was recognized in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 for its performance on accountability measure data for Pneumonia.

WEST NEWEST PARTNER FOR CRI RUSSELLVILLE OFFICE

Carr, Riggs & Ingram, CPAS and Advisors, takes pleasure in announcing that Shannon N. West, CPA is a new partner in our Russellville office.  Shannon has worked with our clients in our Russellville office since 1996.  As a CPA with over 19 years of experience, she provides tax services for individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, estates and not-for-profit entities.  She also provides audit, review, and compilations services to governmental entities, not-for-profit organizations and construction companies.  Shannon is a 1996 graduate of Austin Peay State University with a degree in accounting.   She is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Logan, member of Logan-Todd Baptist Association finance committee, church treasurer and board advisor of Russellville Area Technology Advisory Council.

AT&T RIBBON CUTTING ON REMODEL SET FOR DEC. 3

Next week, AT&T will be celebrating their retail store’s new remodel with a ribbon cutting. The event next Thursday (Dec. 3) will start at 7:30 a.m. and go through 8:30 a.m. The ribbon cutting will be at 8 a.m. The AT&T store is located at 125 Sam Walton Drive, Russellville, in the shopping center across the street from Wal-Mart. Make plans now to attend and support our local AT&T store.

TOURISM NETWORKING LUNCH HAS BIG CROWD

It was hard to say just how many people were at the annual networking luncheon the Chamber has with Logan County Tourism. The food was excellent, the networking was great, and I enjoyed visiting with Tourism Director Dee Dee Brown and the wonderful folks on the Tourism Board of Directors.

CHAMBER CHAT IS BACK WITH ALL NEW SHOWS

We are in full swing on filming a whole new slew of Chamber Chats for the Russellville Electric Plant Board’s SmartTV3 Channel. If you are interested in shooting a Chamber Chat, call the Chamber and we will set you up. Can’t do it before Christmas? Don’t worry, we will start back filming in January so even if you can’t right now, let us know and we will schedule something after the first of the year.

If you are asking yourself, “I don’t live in Russellville and I have no idea what a Chamber Chat is really about?” Then feel free to browse the EPB’s YouTube Channel. It also has other local programing you might find enjoyable.

The link is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeq4_2_JRoI7VxCuPq2OJ4Q

WOMEN IN BUSINESS CHRISTMAS CRAFT LUNCH

The Logan County Chamber would like to announce the Women in Business Christmas Craft Lunch on Dec. 9 from 11:30 to 1:00, sponsored by Marilyn Dillingham with Edward Jones and Poppables … Mini Cakes and More.
Where:  The Loft
What:    Creative Canvas by You will have a great craft for your decorating pleasure!
Food:     Catered by Southern Ego, and Poppables.
Cost:      $20.00 Per person, includes lunch and all craft supplies
(Limited to the first 25 paid participants.)

—

That’s all for this week! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Ryan

MEMBER-TO-MEMBER: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR NOV. 18, 2015

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

You may have already met the new managing business partner for the Russellville McDonald’s, but if you haven’t, make a point to go out and talk with Jose Graffe.

Jose, a tall, smart and pleasant man, is the Managing Business Partner for G&L Management, the new owners of the Russellville McDonald’s. Jose asked to meet with me recently and I found his story — from managing McDonald’s stores internationally, to working for “Hamburger University” to now being part-owner in franchises — fascinating.

Jose and I compared photos of our children, talked about retail development in Russellville and I marveled at his business plan.

G & L Management has purchased two McDonalds in Tennessee and the one here in Russellville. Read more about it in this story by Jim Turner in The Logan Journal: http://www.theloganjournal.com/Stories.aspx?Article=news627

We look forward to working with Jose, who told me he wants to be as active has he can be in the Logan County Chamber, and we look for big things from him.

TOURISM LUNCH NETWORKING EVENT

 

This Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. we will be having a Lunch Networking Event with our friends at Logan County Tourism. The event will be in the Historic Logan County Courthouse and let’s try to get a good crowd out for Director Dee Dee Brown and her board of directors. Be sure to bring business cards, wear your networking hats, and visit with each other and the fine people at Logan County Tourism.

ARBY’S RIBBON CUTTING

 We had a fun time and good sausage and a biscuit on Nov. 11 celebrating the remodeling of the Arby’s located at Logan Plaza. Thanks to Manager Dale Meacham and all his staff for making us feel so welcome.

REMEDY VAPOR RIBBON CUTTING
 

On Nov. 4, we celebrated the opening of the Russellville location of Remedy Vapor, located at 252 N. Main Street in Russellville. Owner Sam Freeman, a Logan County native, also has locations in Bowling Green and Glasgow. Come by and see Sam and his staff for all your e-cigarette and vapor accessories.

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP BREAKFAST

We had a nice crowd out for our Annual Membership Breakfast held each year at Logan Memorial Hospital on Nov. 12. We were welcomed by Logan Memorial CEO Jim Bills and 2015 Chamber President Shane Hayes introduced 2016 Chamber President Joe Hendricks. Joe, in turn, introduced new Chamber Board members for 2016 Kathy Edmonds, Marie Gamble and Mandy Hendley. Thanks to Mr. Bills and his staff for a great morning and I look forward to working with our new board members!

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

Here are the businesses participating in the Christmas Open House and Craft Show on Nov. 22 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

** Denotes NEW Business this Year

Ariella’s, Betty’s Antiques, Blossom Shop, Crabtree Furniture, DeJaNew,  the Gallery, **the Loft, McCormick Antiques, Northern’s Nursery, Oak & Ivy, **Pawley’s Pottery, Pearl’s Antiques,**Pink Blueberry, **Poppables, Republican Headquarters, **Remedy Vapors, Riley-White Gifts, **Saul Photography, Shoppe on the Square, **Southern Home Design, Spectacular Hair Salon, State Farm – Amanda Gossett, Studio T Salon, Tina’s Treasures, Trembley’s Pool & Spa, Twisted Vapors and Wired for Life.

Vendors at 4^th Street Theatre: Design’s by Linda, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Premier Jewelry Design, Tangled Trunk, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Tupperware, Hoptown’s Treasures, Blankets by Julie.

At Parks & Rec: Logan County Crafters.

And More vendors will be found on the sidewalks throughout the Downtown Area!!

—

That’s all for this week! Thanks for reading and supporting your Chamber of Commerce!

Ryan

 

MEMBER-TO-MEMBER: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR NOV. 5, 2015

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

Are you hungry? Or, do you think you might be hungry on Nov. 12?

We’d like to feed you, thank you for being a Chamber member and introduce you to our newest board of directors at our Annual Logan County Chamber of Commerce Membership Breakfast.

We will gather at Logan Memorial Hospital’s cafeteria on Thursday Nov. 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. This is a membership breakfast so we want all who can come to show up. It will be a chance to meet with our staff, our current and new 2016 Chamber Board members. Be sure to come out and enjoy a breakfast on us and visit with our members. After all, it is YOUR Chamber of Commerce and we want to see you there.
 

REMEDY VAPOR RIBBON CUTTING THIS WEDNESDAY

A new e-cigarette and vapor accessories store has just joined the Chamber of Commerce and we will be having a ribbon cutting ceremony this week to celebrate the opening of this new business.

The ribbon cutting will be this Wednesday from 7:30-8:30 a.m., with the ribbon being cut at 8 a.m.

Logan County native Sam Freeman is the owner of REMEDY VAPOR, which is located on 252 N. Main Street (Unit 3) in Russellville. It is located across the street from The Carpenter Center and next to Personal Finance Company.

Remedy Vapor’s web site is www.remedyvapor.com.
 

POPPABLES MINI CUPCAKES AND MORE RIBBON CUTTING

 

We had a really sweet time at the ribbon cutting for new member Poppables Mini Cupcakes and More … on Oct. 21. Poppables is located just off the alley beside Crabtree Furniture on N. Winter Street in Russellville. Make sure to stop by and try their delicious, gourmet treats!

They can be reached at 270-772-1858 and check out their daily specials on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Poppables/timeline.

 

REMODELED ARBY’S TO HAVE RIBBON CUTTING

If you have been by Arby’s at the Logan Plaza in Russellville lately you might have noticed that Arby’s has remodeled its restaurant and it looks great! We will be celebrating Arby’s new look on Nov. 11 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. with the ribbon cutting at 8 a.m. Put this event on your calendar and make plans to attend.

 

NETWORKING EVENT WITH LOGAN COUNTY TOURISM

The Chamber will also be having a networking event with Logan County Tourism on Nov. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Historic Logan County Courthouse. Make sure to bring some business cards and prepare to network while we visit with our friends at Logan County Tourism.
 

TOBACCO AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL STEERING COMMITTEE WRAPS UP 2015

The committee had a productive and lengthy meeting on Oct. 26 to talk about what went right and what we can improve to make the 2016 festival even better. What a great bunch of caring people who really have the best for Logan County in their hearts.

 Thanks to the Chair Paige Dockins for all her hard work and to Co-Chair Krystal Gunderson for all her help this year. Krystal will soon be making an announcement about who will be her Co-Chair next year.

If you have any suggestions or ideas for Krystal and next year’s steering committee, email me at ryancraig@loganchamber.com and I’ll be glad to pass them along.

Also, and this is just an aside I’m very proud of, the estimated total attendance has been amended to one of the biggest parade-day crowds in a long time. The estimate now is somewhere between 28,000 to 30,000 people. And if you tried getting food (or just walking around the square after the parade) that feels about right for such a sea of people. Let’s hope for an even bigger crowd next year!

LOGAN ALUMNIUM ANNOUNCES EXPANSION

Photo by Russellville News Democrat and Leader

Congratulations to Logan Alumnium, which had Gov. Steve Beshear and State Rep. Martha Jane King and other dignitaries in for a ground-breaking last week, to celebrate a massive manufacturing expansion of their north Logan County operations.

Here is the official press release from the Governor’s Office:

Gov. Beshear: Logan Aluminum Inc. Expands to Support Aluminum Can, Automotive Plants
Project to create 190 jobs, bolster Kentucky’s aluminum-industry leadership

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 28, 2015) – With $240 million in approved investments and an additional $50 million under evaluation, Logan Aluminum Inc., a mill making rolled sheets for beverage cans, will join Kentucky’s growing list of automotive suppliers, Gov. Steve Beshear announced today as he joined company officials and community leaders in Logan County.

“Strong, lightweight materials are quickly becoming standard in vehicle production and Logan Aluminum’s expanded operations contribute to Kentucky’s position as a global leader in the aluminum industry,” Gov. Beshear said. “Logan Aluminum sets the example of how innovative Kentucky companies can add capacity, products and jobs by reacting to market forces.”

Already employing more than 1,000 and ranking as one of Logan County’s largest employers over the past 30 years, Logan Aluminum’s project will create approximately 190 jobs. The additional pending $50 million investment would grow the company’s current production of rolled sheet for beverage cans.

Logan Aluminum, in conjunction with Tri-Arrows Aluminum (TAA), will expand its recycling/new ingot casting facility to provide additional capabilities and increased capacity at its rolling mills, scalping and pre-heating operations.

The changes will allow the plant to produce heavier gauge material, allowing for expansion into other products including automotive sheet.

Logan Aluminum’s ingot casting facility will include a new 280,000-square-foot building on the existing plant site to produce approximately 600 million pounds of cast ingot annually.

An additional 68,000-square-foot expansion will accommodate new equipment for aluminum sheet production to support its expanded capabilities including the auto industry.

“Logan Aluminum has become a world leader in the supply of rolled aluminum sheet through the team members’ dedication to continuous improvement since the start-up in 1983,” said Randy Schumaker, president of Logan Aluminum. “These investments provide the base for continuing industry leadership for Logan Aluminum as the aluminum marketplace transforms over the coming years.”

“This expansion project will enhance both the capability and capacity at the Logan rolling mill,” said Steve Shiraishi, CEO and president of Tri-Arrows Aluminum. “The investment will significantly strengthen TAA’s position in rolled can sheet markets, providing greater assurance for the reliability of supply to our customers. Additionally, it provides us with greater commercial flexibility by extending the breadth of our product offering to other markets, including automotive. We are very pleased to contribute to economic growth and creation of employment in this region through the project.”

The company expects to start the project in 2015 and plans to start producing heavier gauge sheet in 2016 and casting ingots in early 2018.

Logan Aluminum began production in 1985 as a joint venture between Louisville-based Tri-Arrows Aluminum and Atlanta-based Novelis Inc. The company currently makes primarily two types of coiled sheet aluminum used for tops and bodies of beverage cans.

The company sends its finished coils by truck and rail to customers in North America. As well, it exports to foreign customers. Approximately 45 percent of North America’s beverage cans contain aluminum from the Logan County facility.

The Commonwealth boasts more than 150 aluminum facilities – from mills to makers of end-user products – and the industry employs nearly 18,000 full-time workers. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Kentucky has the greatest capacity to produce aluminum in the nation. Aluminum accounts for $2 billion in the state’s gross domestic product.

“I am so pleased with Logan’s decision to take advantage of these incentives. I appreciate their continued commitment to Logan and surrounding counties to grow, create new jobs and expand into the automotive industry,” said Rep. Martha Jane King, of Lewisburg. “I am very proud of my affiliation with Logan Aluminum for over 30 years and was glad to support this legislation which allowed companies to reinvest and expand.”

“Logan Aluminum has been a great asset to our community since their beginning of operation,” said Bert Adler, mayor of Lewisburg. “We are proud they are a part of our community and their growth will have a positive impact on our economic growth. I am looking forward to the continued Partnership with Logan.”

“Logan County is delighted to help with the expansion of Logan Aluminum,” said Logan County Judge-Executive Logan Chick. “They provide good-paying, world-class, advanced manufacturing jobs in Logan County. We are very blessed to have them here. This expansion has been highly anticipated and we truly appreciate their continued job creation and investment in Logan County.”

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $5.2 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

Additionally, Logan Aluminum was preliminarily approved by KEDFA for $1.8 million in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing.

Logan Aluminum also is eligible to receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies are eligible to receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. Last year, the Kentucky Skills Network trained more than 84,000 employees from more than 5,600 Kentucky companies.

For more information on Logan Aluminum, visit www.logan-aluminum.com.
 

That’s all for this week! Be sure to come out and support our local businesses!

Ryan