Community Betterment | Convention & Visitors Bureau | Economic Development

Economic Indicators | Membership Services & Outreach | Public Policy

ISSUE: 27 JULY 12, 2010

NB "GREEN" WITH ENERGY

Your Chamber has been a catalyst for the Texas Greenbelt Coalition as well as the use of compressed natural gas in public entities fleets. The Greenbelt Coalition will be hosting a meeting in Honors Hall next Monday to discuss carbon credits. The workshop will be facilitated by SunOne Solutions, the number one carbon aggregator in North America. For more information about SunOne Solutions see www.sunonesolutions.com or call 303-500-5017 and speak with John Hodges.

ZeitEnergy, a CNG Energy Company from Dallas, will be hosting a workshop on Tuesday, July 20 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. The workshop will be held at the Comal ISD Service Center offices at 1401 IH-35 in New Braunfels. Breakout sessions will discuss the benefits of compressed natural gas as well as propane-powered vehicles, how to evaluate fleets of vehicles, the environmental impact of retrofitting and the options of purchasing retrofit and new equipment for such fleets. Go to www.cngconnect.com or email Clint Beauchamp at clint@zeitenergy.com .

TRUANCY INITIATIVE TIMELY

The Chamber's Business-Education Partnership Truancy Initiative Subcommittee will meet in Honors Hall on Thursday, July 29 at 7:30 am. Comal County Court at Law Judge Charles Stephens chairs the subcommittee. The group has been working on a truancy initiative since late last year. Recommendations will be sent to the full committee about intervention truancy and drop out prevention programming soon. Representatives to the committee include the Police Department, Sheriff's Deputies, school representatives, and local probation staff. Social and educational issues are two of the primary factors contributing to poor attendance and drop outs.

NBIDC TO CONSIDER MARKETING PLANS

The New Braunfels Industrial Development Corporation, known locally as the 4B Board, will hear a presentation Thursday from the Chamber regarding a proposed marketing and professional services agreement for the next two fiscal years. The highly competitive environment as well as continued national recession calls for a very aggressive approach including four additional missions, two additional trade shows, the addition of aviation, data centers, package and processing and bio to the mission schedule, two full scale marketing campaigns, a new incentive form piece, the addition of live person/live chat, incorporation of the airport business plan marketing recommendations, medical products marketing, a possible new regional marketing effort from San Antonio, a new brochure/video, and five new directory listings. The personnel for the program will remain the same as previous years at 3.2 full time equivalent staffers.

SPONSORS "STAYING ALIVE" AT TRADE SHOW

The Chamber's annual Business Trade Show, set for September 14 - 15 in the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center, has a few booths available. The theme for the 22nd show is "Business in New Braunfels is Staying Alive". Sponsors to date include Alarm Automation, Estes Audiology Hearing Center, First State Bank, First Commercial Bank, Ernesto's Jewelry Factory, Heart of Texas Promotional Products, Money Mailer CENTEX, New Braunfels Smokehouse and Hill Country/Tip Top Cleaners & Tuxedos. Call the Chamber at 625-2385 for more information. Show updates can be viewed at www.nbtradeshow.com .

COUNCIL CONVENES TONIGHT

A special City Council meeting will be held at 5:30 pm today at 424 S. Castell Avenue to interview applicants for terms on the City's Zoning Board of Adjustments. The regular session will convene at 6:00 pm with a twelve-item consent agenda that includes an extension of a lease agreement with the Wurstfest Association and improvements to the Hinman Island footbridge, springfed pool and Cypress Bend Park following the June 9 flood. A special presentation will be made by the Interim Police Chief on Memorial Day Weekend activities as well as five individual items for consideration that includes opposing a federal lawsuit that could negatively impact the Comal Springs. The meeting can also be viewed on Time Warner Cable Channel 21.

CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION UPDATE

The July 2010 issue of "Free Enterprise" from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce gives a "Capitol Roundup" of current major bills that could have a major impact on local businesses. HR 4213 would extend certain expired tax provisions according to bill writers, but the U.S. Chamber believes the bill would do more harm than good with new tax increases on small businesses. The U. S. Chamber opposes any tax hikes on businesses that hinder job creation, decrease the competitiveness of American businesses, and deter economic growth. The bill passed the House May 28 and is now in the Senate awaiting a vote. HR 5116 is the "America Competes Reauthorization Act of 2010" and would provide additional support for efforts to recruit and train K-12 math and science teachers. The U. S. Chamber supports this legislation that would strength U.S. competitiveness. The bill passed the House May 28 and is awaiting a Senate vote. S.3084 is the Export Promotion Act of 2010 and would increase the resources to small businesses interested in engaging in international trade. The U.S. Chamber supports legislative to help small businesses and the bill was introduced in the House May 27 and is awaiting a vote in committee.

TRUST SUPPORT GROWING

The new support group for the Braunfels Foundation Trust, a local 501(c)3 not-for profit organization dedicated to youth education, is growing. The Barons and Baroness' of the Trust now have well over 70 members on their way to the maximum of 100. The steering committee will next meet July 19 and a meeting of the entire group is planned to occur in September prior to the 6th Living Legends of New Braunfels event set for October 12 in the Civic/Convention Center. Stay tuned for the announcement of the next three "Living Legends" of New Braunfels in early August.

ISD'S CONSTRUCTION MEANS BUSINESS

Economic impact can come from the public sector as well as the private sector. Case in point is the continued growth of the Comal ISD with new school construction on an annual basis. The Austin-San Antonio Corridor Growth Summit will take place September 17 in the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center and economic impact awards will be bestowed. Each year your Chamber nominates an organization or individual that has made a major economic impact during that year. Last year Doug Harrison with The SCOOTER Store was honored and the year before that the Town Center at Creekside project was honored. Chamber staff are meeting with Comal ISD officials to quantify data for a nomination of the district for their economic impact on the area in 2010.

The deadline to register for the PAC/TAC cards is September 15. Participation is FREE to your business and more than 35,000 cards are distributed throughout the school year. Where can you reach so many potential customers? Easy to participate. Just Click Here to complete the form. Provide a discount from the regular retail price such as 20% discount, $1 off or a free item. For more information contact Sandi at 830-608-2807 or sandi@nbcham.org .

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Animals don't have an agenda; except cats. Dogs have owners, cats have staff."

Bryan Dodge, Dodge Development Inc.

The Week Ahead:

Monday:

6:00 pm – City Council

Tuesday:

7:30 am – Executive Committee

11:30 am - Ribbon Cutting at Kinghaven Counseling Group, Inc.

Wednesday:

11:30 am – Ribbon Cutting at Studio of Dance

12:30pm – 1:00 pm - "Inside the Chamber" Radio Show