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On-line Perspectives
Did you know that you can have The Chamber's email periodicals sent to all your employees? Simply log onto our website and click on the "join our email list" button on the right-hand side of the screen. It's as simple as that!
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 The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama honored outstanding business and entrepreneurial excellence during the 18 th annual Entrepreneurs of the Year awards program held Wednesday, May 3 rd at the Four Point Sheraton Hotel. The annual program is designed to spotlight achievements and contributions of area business owners and entrepreneurs the area's economic vitality and progress. Sam Parks of the First National Bank of Central Bank, who served as the Chair of the Entrepreneurs Awards Committee of The Chamber stated: "Tuscaloosa County is very blessed with exceptional business talent, and each of our honorees this year reflected leadership, high standards of excellence, and the entrepreneurial spirit."
Awards were presented in five categories: Pettus Randall Entrepreneur of the Year; the Rising Star Award, designed to recognize new, young organizations; Advocate of the Year; Innovator of the Year; and the Lifetime Achievement Award, given to honor long-term business leadership and service to Tuscaloosa County and West Alabama. In addition, the first annual Women In Business Achievement Award was presented from The Chamber's Women In Business Council.  The 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award honored William D. (Billy) Jamison, CPA and shareholder with Jamison, Money, Farmer & Company. The first annual Women In Business Achievement Award was presented to Beverly Phifer, President & CEO of Phifer Wire Products, Inc.  The 2006 Advocate of the Year was presented to Mary Nell Hallman, Senior Vice President of The Bank of Tuscaloosa. The Innovator of the Year honors went to Jeanie Barber Designs, Inc. of Tuscaloosa.  Named as 2006 Pettus Randall Entrepreneurs of the Year were: Alex Gatewood and The Locker Room; Jeff Wilson and The Globe Restaurant; Tim Foster & Michael Chambliss of The Pottery Grill; and Sherri & Matt Smith of Treesmith, Inc.
 The Rising Star awards were presented to: Jeffery Sealey of JS Enterprises, LLC; Derek Babin & Greg Hobbs of Tuscaloosa Rehabilitation & Hand Center; Chad Ezell of Jackson Industrial Supply; Mary Cartee of Northridge Fitness Center; and Cret & Monique Shamblin of Supreme Metal Products."We had wonderful participation in this year's program", according to Sam Parks. "The nominations represented a cross-section of area firms and individuals, and recipients certainly reflected the very essence of private enterprise. We are very proud of our honorees and congratulate each for their achievements." Chamber President Johnnie Aycock also extended congratulations to the 2006 award winners and expressed appreciation to the volunteer-led committee. "Our volunteer task force worked hard and provided dedicated leadership to make this program successful. Their efforts mirror the award winners, all of which display a high level of business expertise, civic responsibility, and a commitment to build a healthy and prosperous community." |
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The Board of Directors of The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama adopted a policy statement and position on commercial and retail incentives during their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, May 25th, according to Chamber President Johnnie Aycock.
"This policy statement is designed to provide a reasonable framework for development of public policy in Tuscaloosa County", stated Aycock, "and will hopefully contribute to a more defined understanding of economic incentives for commercial and retail projects, including new investment as well as redevelopment of existing commercial centers."
"The policy underscores The Chamber's interests in promoting a positive climate for business and a more competitive environment as well as public policy that promotes the overall quality of our area. It is important that the public and private sectors work in partnership to stimulate trade, retail growth and expanded commercial activity", Aycock said.
Within the adopted policy are basic principles, which include in summary:
1. Any activity or expenditures must be in accordance with Alabama laws and ordinances and demonstrate a public purpose. Among public purpose objectives are promotion of prosperity, economic competitiveness, job creation and overall betterment of the community.
2. Reasonable, objective reviews should be completed by an independent and qualified financial analyst accepted by the public and private sector entities to define the benefits of the development for the community and its economic competitiveness, including the scope of the proposed project, job creation, investment and return, and impact on short and long term tax revenues.
3. A developer should be able to provide reasonable, demonstrable proof substantiating any projected or forecasted net increases in revenue. Reasonable disclosure of relevant aspects of the project should be encouraged, but with an understanding that confidentiality is of critical importance to the success of a project. A developer should provide background and examples of successful experiences with similar projects and be able to demonstrate expertise and knowledge.
4. A proposed new development or redevelopment should be of such magnitude in size, scope, features and retailers, including new jobs and new net revenues, that it adds to the overall economic vitality and competitiveness of the area as well as distinguishes it from existing developments.
"Our basic objective is to build a viable, competitive regional marketplace," said Aycock, "and we believe it is essential to promote effective public-private partnerships to achieve this objective and to encourage expanded commercial and retail investment."
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 Nancy Hubbard, manager of the Academy Drive Branch of the Bank of Tuscaloosa, outpaced the 19 other members of the Campaign '06 Team, which spent a month recruiting new members for The Chamber.
Using business relationships for her prospect list, Nancy sold 11 memberships, and, even though the campaign ended officially on April 14, Nancy indicates she will continue to sell The Chamber.
Next highest number of memberships sold by a member of the team was four, by Ronnie Lewis of Security Bank.
In all, nearly 60 new investors came into The Chamber during the month-long effort. |
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The Chamber of Commerce, over a two-week period, will reach out and touch every one of its 1,100 or so investors.
Volunteers-Board of Directors members, Ambassadors, Committee Chairpersons, Staff, and others-will get on a cell phone in The Chamber's conference room during the week of June 12 and the week of June 19 to accomplish two objectives:
(1) Thank the member for investing in The Chamber and supporting its programs and activities, and
(2) Verify The Chamber's data base as it applies to the member (correct address, telephone numbers, contact persons, and, most importantly, accurate and up-to-date electronic mail addresses.
"This is an important effort for The Chamber, and we're thankful we have so many committed volunteers to help us with it," said Chamber President Johnnie Aycock. "Our priority is to tell all our members how much we appreciate their investment in The Chamber and their support of its programs and activities.
"We also want to make sure that the information we have in our system about each member is accurate, especially e-mail addresses," Aycock said. "More and more, we're communicating with our members electronically, so we need to have a good e-mail address or addresses for each member."
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