Jun 12-23 Member Appreciation Campaign Jun 19 Northport Advisory

Jul 27 Board of Directors' Meeting

Aug 2 Adopt-A-School Annual Breakfast Seminar

The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama believes that local consumers and shoppers should be able to save money on back-to-school purchases for one August weekend and that the area's retail sector would be more competitive and stimulated by increased sales.

To accomplish this, The Chamber's Board of Directors, along with their Retail Development Council and Public Affairs Council, has voted to support and encourage local governments in Tuscaloosa County to implement the "sales tax holiday", that was authorized during the 2006 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature and signed into law by Governor Bob Riley.

 

Under the legislation, the first weekend in August will be a "sales tax holiday" in Alabama annually.  The 'sales tax holiday' provides that state sales tax will not be collected on specific items purchased for students returning to school, including clothing, computer items, school supplies, instructional materials and other related consumer goods.

Local municipalities and county governments have the option to hold a local 'sales tax holiday' as well during the first weekend in August, exempting the specified items from local sales taxes.  The local option requires approval by the various city councils and county commission in Tuscaloosa County, none

of which have agreed to extend a 'sales tax holiday' locally.

 

 "Surrounding, competing communities in Birmingham, Hoover, Bessemer, Demopolis, Montgomery, and others have already made the decision to participate and be competitive on this 'tax holiday', " emphasized Chamber President Johnnie Aycock, "and The Chamber believes that our local governments need to move forward and offer this opportunity to the consumers and families of Tuscaloosa County as well."

 "Our leadership and members have indicated that our local governing bodies need to act and implement the 'sales tax holiday', which will be of real value to the area's consumers and economy, " stated Aycock.

 

Denise Connell of University Mall and Chair of The Chamber's Retail Development Council says, "our city and county governments should absolutely participate in the upcoming 'sales tax holiday'.  In addition to providing savings to local shoppers preparing to send their children back to school, participating in the tax free weekend will also stimulate retail sales, keeping our market competitive."

 

"Other states that have similar tax holidays have shown increased retail sales overall as well as increased tax revenues from additional exempt items purchased during the weekend," Connell said.  "The tax holiday could and should be an incredible shopping weekend for both our customers and for local retailers."

In a release following the Alabama Legislature's approval of the "sales tax holiday", which will be held August 4^th - 6^th in Alabama, Rick Brown, President of the Alabama Retail Association stated, "the Alabama back-to-school sales tax holiday will be good for Alabama parents, good for Alabama teachers, good for Alabama retailers, and good for Alabama's economy."

 

In Tuscaloosa County, The Chamber is encouraging the Mayors, City Councils
and County Commissioners to get on board and support implementation of the local option and expand the 'sales tax holiday'.   "This will be a good opportunity to see how competitive our market is and can be," Aycock pointed out, "and will certainly be a plus for area families, consumers and the marketplace."

Click Here to log in and send your message of support.

 

Mark your calendar for one of the biggest networking events of the summer!  The Chamber Ambassadors, working with the three local chapters of the Business Network International (BNI) organization, are planning an after-hours social to express appreciation to members of both The Chamber and BNI.  That social will be held 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, at the new offices of the First National Bank of Central Alabama on Greensboro Avenue downtown.

 

Over 70 volunteers and staff members are involved in a special "Membership Appreciation Campaign" currently, with the goal of reaching every Chamber member to say thank you for your support.  Built around a 'phone-a-thon', volunteers are calling each member to express our appreciation as well as verify member contact information.

"An important aspect of our campaign is make sure all of our members are receiving both our printed communications as well as our electronic communications," emphasized Chamber President Johnnie Aycock.   "Since we have moved more aggressively to the use of technology and email for the majority of our communications, it is important that we link to each member correctly."

The Chamber is now producing three key communications online -  Perspectives Online, which is The Chamber's magazine; Chamber News, a weekly update on activities and member information; and The Agenda, our newest publication aimed at governmental and public affairs information.  Often, most of The Chamber's alerts, workshop and seminar information, and reminders about upcoming activities are also generated through electronic means.

Therefore, correct email and website information is essential.

It has also been determined that many of our members may not be getting our information via electronic mail due to SPAM filters that block receipt of email messages.  We are asking each member to review your system and if your system does have a filter, The Chamber can send you information about how to change the filter to allow Chamber information to flow through and reach your inboxes.

It is important to keep contact information current and updated, including changes in any vital communications contact numbers as well as key contacts for each member firm.  Anytime there is a change or you want to update and/or add additional employees to your membership, simply call The Chamber at 758.7588 or go online to www.tuscaloosachamber.com .

In addition, make sure to link your firm's website to The Chamber's website - and make The Chamber's website your home page.  It's easy to do and makes a positive difference.

The final word?  It's thank you for being a member, investor and supporter of Your Chamber! Together, we make such a positive difference in building a stronger, healthier economy and quality of life.

An upscale residential and retail development in the heart of Downtown Tuscaloosa has been announced.  The innovative project, "Metalworks", is slated for completion in December, 2007 and will occupy a prime site on 21^st Avenue, just south of University Boulevard, in the hub of the Downtown Tuscaloosa renewal district.

The $20 million Metalworks condominium community will sit on the former location of the 1920's Metal Works facility, at the junction of the Tuscaloosa Riverfront District, Downtown Renewal area, and the Queen City Park & Transportation Museum.   As part of the four-story complex, there will be 89 condominiums, 4,400 square feet of retail space, and underground parking.

Andy Turner, Managing Partner of Park Place, LLC, the development firm, emphasized the commitment to Downtown Tuscaloosa.  "Our most valuable assets are our historic downtown and the pristine riverfront", said Turner.  "The city is making great strides in maximizing value in these districts, and we want to accelerate the momentum."

He added, "all of us are part of the Tuscaloosa community, and we want to make sure we create a positive development our city will be proud of.  Quality is at the core of Metalworks, and we have taken every step to ensure we have the best people in every phase of this project."

Metalworks will feature Tuscaloosa's first true "live/work" and "loft" floor plans designed for maximum flexibility.  "A distinctive addition to the Tuscaloosa landscape, Metalworks will have signature styling with a beautiful streetscape complimenting the Riverwalk, " said Turner.  "We are creating a place where people want to go downtown to stay."

For more information, call Andy Turner at 345.0116 or 394.4286

 

The riverfront along the Black Warrior River continues to develop with new and exciting commercial and residential opportunities, and the latest is Riverwalk Place. 

 

This new community of luxury condominiums will be built along Jack Warner Parkway, just a few blocks from Downtown Tuscaloosa, within a mile of The University of Alabama, with additional cultural, entertainment and recreational highlights and more within arm's length from Riverwalk Place.

 

Under development by partners Bill Lunsford, Alan Goode and Wally Price, Riverwalk Place units have gone on sale.  Riverwalk Place units will include an extensive array of luxury features and amenities, from the parking area on the first level to the sixth floor penthouses.

For more information, contact Bill Lunsford at Bill Lunsford Construction of Iris Hinton at 344.4545.

Celebrating twenty-one years of supporting area schools, the annual Adopt-A-School Breakfast Seminar scheduled for Wednesday, August 2^nd will officially kickoff the 2006-07 Adopt-A-School Year.  Traditionally scheduled the week before teachers officially report to area schools, the Adopt-A-School Breakfast Seminar provides a unique opportunity for school personnel in both the Tuscaloosa County System and the Tuscaloosa City System to meet together and network with community businesses and leaders.   Attending the seminar will be representatives from all 48 public schools in the Tuscaloosa City and County Systems, as well as, business leaders representing the 80 business and professional organizations who have chosen to adopt area schools. 

  

Dr. Malcolm Portera, Chancellor for The University of Alabama System will give the keynote address during the opening session.  The theme, "Community Connections: Making a Difference", will be presented throughout the seminar and workshops.  Following the opening session, school coordinators and business coordinators will attend breakout workshops and develop plans for the 2006-2007 school year.  "The seminar and workshops are a great opportunity for our partnerships to meet, network, and develop new strategies for the upcoming school year," said Loo Whitfield, Adopt-A-School Director.  Four partnerships that have just completed their twentieth year together will be recognized, as well as, two businesses who have been involved with Adopt-A-School over a period of twenty years.  Compass Bank & Central Primary School; Wachovia & Tuscaloosa County High School; Jim Walter Resources & Brookwood High School; Randall - Reilly Publishing & Central High School; Stillman College and Junior League of Tuscaloosa have all been a part of Adopt-A-School since 1986.   Additionally, one partnership and one organization will also be recognized for completing their tenth year with the program.  Omega Psi Phi Alumni & Martin Luther King Elementary and Alpha Phi Alpha Alumni have participated in Adopt-A-School since 1996.