The Week Ahead:
Tuesday:
11:45 am - NBMA
Wednesday:
9:00 am – RAP Council
12:00 pm – EDF Officers
12:30pm – 1:00 pm - "Inside the Chamber" Radio Show
1:30 pm – Austin San Antonio Corridor Board
Thursday:
7:30 am – Business-Education Partnership Committee
7:00 pm – Texan of the Year Reception
Friday:
8:45 am – Texas Legislative Conference
Find Us On:
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CHAMBER BOARD GETS “GOVERNED”
The Board of Directors of your Chamber met for their regularly scheduled meeting today at noon in Honors Hall. Government Affairs was the main topic with a focus on this week’s 44th annual Texas Legislative Conference as well as activities of the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. Advisory Committee Member State Representative Doug Miller briefed the Board on the conference later this week and Government Affairs Chair Mark Hampton gave the Board an update on two questionnaires currently available to members.
MEMBERS VOICE TOP NATIONAL ISSUES
Chamber members over the last two weeks have been giving their input on what they feel are the top five national issues that the Chamber should be working on on their behalf in 2010. You can click here and take the one-question questionnaire this week before it closes out. To date, the top issues are education and workforce development, healthcare reform, taxes, energy and the environment and transportation. The Chamber’s National Affairs Subcommittee led by Mark Leita of The SCOOTER Store and Ted Cook of First State Bank will be focusing their group on those issues for the remainder of the year. Chamber members will also be able to access www.nbacts4business.com for more information on those issues. Tell us what you think!
GOT TWO MINUTES? JUSTICE CENTER 101
The Chamber’s Local and State Government Affairs Subcommittee last Wednesday afternoon placed a questionnaire out to the Chamber membership on the proposed Comal County Justice Center. Like the questionnaire on national issues priorities, this is a very short questionnaire taking less than two minutes to take. Let us know if you are in favor or in opposition to the Justice Center, on the ballot May 8. Questionnaire takers will also have the opportunity to express what your top two reasons are for being in favor or in opposition. Local political actions committees are being formed on both sides of the issue. What do you think? Please click here to take the questionnaire.
CREEKSIDE TO WELCOME NEW HOSPITAL
The big economic news last week was the announcement from the Baptist Health System that they had purchased a 56-acre site at the Town Center at Creekside development for a future hospital. The multi-use development now houses major retailers with more announcements in that sector coming soon. The new hospital is slated to open in 2012 with over 300 direct jobs and over 300 indirect jobs. The healthcare industry in the community is now a top three industry and growing.
CTTC LOOKS TO EXPAND
At last Thursday’s New Braunfels Industrial Development Corporation (4B Board) meeting, Board members heard a presentation from CTTC Advisory Board Member Paula DiFonzo regarding the school’s expansion needs. Before the school was created in 2005, a study was contracted for by the Clarus Corporation of Nebraska to basically answer the question, “If we build it will they come”. The school was built and they did come, now in record-setting numbers! An updated study by the Clarus Corporation would help in getting state and federal grants for the project. Seguin’s 4A Board would be participating with the local 4B Board in funding the education usage update. Stay tuned.
IT PAYS TO ATTEND “MIXERS”
Last Thursday evening, Natural Bridge Caverns hosted the monthly Chamber business after hours “mixer”. Approximately 400 Chamber members and guests were in attendance. The jackpot drawing was up to $1,250 and Weldon Preiss was present when his name was drawn. Congratulations, Weldon! Next month’s “mixer” will be held on Thursday, April 15 and be sponsored by New Braunfels Aero Services. The event will be held at the New Braunfels Municipal Airport. See you there!
GET “COUNTED”! CENSUS FORMS ARRIVE THIS WEEK
New Braunfels area residents last week received a letter from the U. S. Department of Commerce U.S. Census Bureau stating that they would be receiving their 2010 census form in the mail this week. Results from the 2010 census will be used to help New Braunfels get its fair share of government funds. Without all of us filling out the short ten questionnaire form, we will not receive our fair share as a community. Remember, its 10 questions, takes 10 minutes, and will last for another 10 years!
JANUARY SALES TAX RECEIPTS TAKE POSITIVE TURN
For the first time in the last eight months, sales tax receipts in the City of New Braunfels increased over the same period from the previous year. The State of Texas was down nearly 9% with January receipts while New Braunfels enjoyed a 5.7% increase. New Braunfels has fared much better than most Texas cities during the current recession and it is hoped that this is a positive signal that even better days are ahead. Economists predict that this area was one of the last in the nation to enter the recession and would be one of the first to come out of it. Let’s hope they’re right!
GOLFFEST EVENT FLIGHTED
Golf professionals from the six Central Texas Men’s Invitational Golf Fest completed flighting the tournament late last week in Honors Hall. This year’s event takes place April 22 – 25 and your Chamber serves as the administrative entity for the event. New golf courses have been added along with a new format of play. There are a limited number of pairings available in each flight remaining. It’s not too late to be a part of this great event. Call the Chamber at 830-625-2385 for more information.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It’s about connecting people, ideas, and money."
David Spencer, Board Member, The Center for Entrepreneurship
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Apr.10-11
