Serving You 12-5

Community Betterment | Convention & Visitors Bureau | Economic Development

Economic Indicators | Membership Services & Outreach | Public Policy

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FOCUS GROUP TALKS “GREEN”

The Chamber of Commerce’s Natural Resources Committee partnered with NBU to host a focus group last Tuesday in Honors Hall. Local businesses ranging from small to large were in attendance to discuss their interests in resource conservation as well as identifying any tools they may need, or want, to help them increase their energy and water efficiencies. NBU will take the information gathered and analyze it and come up with suggested implementation strategies. Information on water resources is a NB 2020 goal and the Chamber of Commerce and NBU will continue this effort in 2012.

BUILD NB LEADS NUMEROUS

Your Chamber of Commerce BUILD NB staff briefed the Advisory Team last Friday afternoon on job and wealth creation activities since the last briefing on October 21. The briefing included over twenty different topics as well as the status of additional higher education opportunities locally, airport development, the annual economic benchmarks, sales and franchise tax permits, and demographic and income profiles for various retail centers in the area. The Advisory Team is composed of the Mayor, CEO of NBU, Chairman of the EDF, President of the 4B Board, Comal County Auditor, and City Manager and is briefed by Chamber President Michael Meek.

SITES SELECTORS CONVERGE ON AUSTIN

A major economic development trade periodical is sponsoring a Site Selectors Forum in Austin through Tuesday. Chamber President Michael Meek is representing BUILD NB at the forum. Over 100 economic development professionals from eight states are in attendance and meeting one-on-one with the site selectors in attendance. Site selectors handle over 50% of the expansions and relocations each year in the United State and is a key recruitment strategy for local economic development agencies.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE TAKES FLIGHT

The Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee will hold their final meeting of the year, tomorrow December 6 beginning at 7:30 am in Honors Hall. The guest presenter will be New Braunfels Regional Airport Manager Lenny Llerena. Ian Taylor of NBU is the Chair of the committee this year and will preside at the meeting. There will also be a year-in-review of local projects given by City Public Works Director Steve Ramsey, Comal County Engineer Tom Hornseth, and TXDOT Engineer Ben Englehardt. The first meeting of 2012 will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2012.

FESTTAGE EVENTS CONTINUE

Following last Thursday’s well-attended Wassail Fest and last weekend’s Christmas Tour of Homes, Festtage events continue with multiple festive activities. Thursday is the Holidays in Gruene – Holiday Come and Taste It and over the weekend a Christmas Charity Auction, more live performances at the Phoenix Saloon, an open house at Gruene Outfitters, the Canyon Lake Christmas Parade, fun activities at the New Braunfels Farm to Market, and photos with Cowboy Kringle. Go to the Chamber of Commerce website at www.nbcham.org for details.

TIME TO SPEAK OUT ON RIVER PLAN

The City River Ad Hoc Committee will have two meetings this week, one of which is designed to allow residents to give input on initial proposals by the group. That meeting will take place today beginning at 7:00 pm in the McKenna Events Center. Then on Wednesday, December 7 the committee will reconvene and discuss what they heard as well as make final recommendations to move on to City Council for their consideration December 12. Initial recommendations include an access fee to area rivers in the city limits through public parks, new park and ride locations, and new shuttle pick up logistics at the last exit. Your Chamber of Commerce C&VB is studying various communication strategies on the new rules for next season.

LEADERSHIP DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Thirty-one members of the Youth LNB Class (10th and 11th graders from CHS, NBHS, and NB Christian Academy) will meet tomorrow December 6 for their monthly class session. Details of the program and a class roster are available at www.nbcham.org/ylnb . The twenty-seven members of the Leadership NB Class will meet on December 13. The topic will be on economic development as they receive presentations and take tours of local job creators. For information on Leadership New Braunfels and a class roster go to www.nbcham.org/lnb .

BANQUET “SAVE THE DATE”

Chamber members have been mailed “save the date” invitations for the 93rd annual Chamber of Commerce banquet set for Friday, January 27, 2012. Members are urged to make their reservations now as the event will be a sellout with limited seating. Attendees will be treated to a social hour prior to a served dinner and a program including motivational speaker Bob Goshen and a brief awards ceremony. Following the banquet, attendees will have free access to an “after party” in the Civic/Convention Center ballroom with live entertainment. Attendees will also receive a special gift memento. Get your table put together now with friends and colleagues!

NEW MEMBERS – BLUE COATS “MIX” THIS WEEK

On Tuesday Chamber of Commerce Blue Coats will hold their final “mixer” of the year in Honors Hall beginning at 4:45 pm. Prospective new Blue Coats for 2012 will be selected. Then, on Wednesday, December 7 a new member reception is slated for the Landmark beginning at 4:30 pm. These have become very popular with new members being able to receive one-on-one attention from Chamber committee leaders and officers, as they become familiar with Chamber programs. Members earning their Blue Coats in 2012 will be given their coats at the annual Chamber banquet.