Annual Report 2016-2017 FYE
MISSION To provide leadership for a strong and positive business environment that enables new and existing businesses to flourish.
VISION Our Chamber is the organization of influence that enables Shoals area citizens to achieve a higher standard of living and a better quality of life through the economic success of its members.
2016-2017 Board of Directors …………………………………………………………………….. 2016-2017 “Turn It Up!” Campaign Investors …………………………………………………… Message from 2016-2017 Chairman, Andy Mann ………………………………………….….. Finance & Administration ………………………………………………………………………….. Education Workforce Readiness …………………………………………………………………. Public Policy & Activism ……………………………………………………………………………
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Business Growth …………………………………………………………………………………… Entrepreneurship & Innovation ……………………………………………………………………
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Investor Relations and Marketing …………………………………………………………………
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Message from 2017-2018 Chairman, Dr. Greg Carnes ..……………………………………….
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Chamber Professional Staff ………………………………………………………………………..
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2016-2017 Annual Report
2016-2017 Board of Directors Marty Abroms, Abroms & Associates
Dr. Kenneth Kitts, University of North Alabama
Will Beadle, SBS Electric
Scott Lovelace, CB&S Bank
Janet Blazer, Milstead Insurance Agency
Andy Mann, Progress Bank
Larry Bowser, Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa
Mickey McClure, Bank Independent
Dr. Greg Carnes, University of North Alabama
Jason Morgan, Bishop’s Hawg House Bar-B-Que
Mike Hamilton, Buffalo Rock-Pepsi Cola
Alex Parrish, Alabama Interconnect
Billy Hammock, Creative Jewelers
Judge Deborah Bell Paseur, Johnson, Pasuer & Medley
Quinton Hanson, Associated Insurors
Mark Reid, Reid Construction of Florence
Steve Hargrove, Sheffield Utilities
Hank Robbins, Robbins Properties
Kidada Hawkins, Shoals Hospital
Shaler Roberts, Florence Housing Authority
Trav Hovater, Hovater Construction
Darrell Sandlin, Times Daily/TN Valley Media
Jan Ingle, SBS Electric
Paul Storey, Helen Keller Hospital
Rob Jones, Singin’ River Brewing Co.
Bud Ward
Rose Jones, Northwest-Shoals Community College
Scott Williams, Southwire
Mark Keech, North American Lighting
2016-2017 Executive Committee Andy Mann, Chairman of the Board
Quinton Hanson, Vice Chairman of Public Policy
Dr. Greg Carnes, Chairman-Elect
Billy Hammock, Vice Chairman of Community Development
Jan Ingle, 2nd Chairman-Elect
Shaler Roberts, Vice Chairman of Finance & Administration
Mitch Hamm, Immediate Past Chairman
Scott Lovelace, Vice Chairman of Investor Relations & Marketing
Janet Blazer, Vice Chairman of Business Growth
Scott Williams, Vice Chairman of Education Workforce Readiness 1|Page
2016-2017 Annual Report
Rhythm of Commerce “Turn It Up!” Campaign Investors Abroms & Associates Agrium Alabama Land Services, Inc. AllState Insurance, Teresa Rogers American Wholesale Book Company Anderson & Anderson Applied Chemical Technology, Inc. Associated Insurors, Inc. Assurance Group, Inc. B Electric, Inc. Bank Independent BBVA Compass Bank BH Craig Construction Bigbee Steel Buildings, Inc. Buffalo Rock – Pepsi Cola Carbine Construction Co., Inc. CB&S Bank Centiva City of Florence City of Muscle Shoals City of Tuscumbia Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated Constellium Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital ES Robbins Corporation First Bank
First Metro Bank First Southern Bank Florence Gas & Water/Wastewater Department Florence Housing Authority Flournoy Yacht Charters Forsythe & Long Engineering, Inc. Freightcar America Helen Keller Hospital Herald Printing & Technology Hovater Construction Co. J. T. Ray Co. Johnson Contractors, Inc. Johnson Products Lewis Electric Supply Co., Inc. Life Data Labs, Inc. Listerhill Credit Union Long-Lewis of the Shoals Marriott Shoals Hotel, Conference Center & Spa Martin Inc. Milner Rushing Discount Drugs Navistar No’Ala Studios North American Lighting, Inc. Northwest-Shoals Community College Party Pros USA Patterson, Prince and Associates, CPA
Pet Depot, Ltd. Pounders & Associates, Inc. Printers & Stationers, Inc. Progress Bank & Trust Ray Miller Buick GMC Regions Bank Ricatoni’s Italian Grill SCA Tissue Sheffield Utilities Shoals Hospital Singing River Dentistry Southwire SunTrust Bank Tasus Corporation Times Daily – Tennessee Valley Media, Inc. TVA Community Credit Union University of North Alabama Valley Credit Union Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
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Message from the 2016-2017 Chairman
Andy Mann
I am truly proud to have led the Shoals Chamber through another successful year – one of growth and transition. We continue to focus our efforts into the Rhythm of Commerce “Turn it Up!” Campaign which is now in its fourth year. In order to maximize its impact, we have expanded our collaborative efforts resulting in the creation of such programs as Shoals Alabama Launchpad, Shoals Idea Audition, CO.STARTERS, and the Shoals Shift movement. The Chamber was a vital part of the inaugural Shoals Innovation Week and looks forward to a continued focus on innovative, forward thinking within our business community. As we draw near to the end of our search for a new Chamber President, it is amazing to consider the progress that has been made despite that vacancy. We are fortunate to have a professional staff that led the Chamber during a year of transition and built positive momentum in each area, highlighted by an eight percent increase in membership! I look forward to seeing what the Chamber will accomplish under new leadership and will continue to advocate for the importance of the Chamber and its invaluable work within our community.
2016 – 2017 Chairman
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2016-2017 Annual Report
Finance & Administration Networking Events 1% Golf Tournament 2% Invest Relations 5%
Public Policy 7%
2016-2017 INCOME Committee Income 1%
Annual Meeting 6% Membership Dues 31%
Entrepreneurship & Innovation 12%
New Member Sales 6% Business Growth 14%
Education Workforce Readiness 15%
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2016-2017 Annual Report
Finance & Administration 2016-2017 EXPENSES
Committees Miscellaneous 1% 0% Printing and Publications Other Networking 1% Events 0%
OtherExpenses 0%
Operations 15%
Networking Events 0% Golf Tournament 1%
Contract Services 4%
Salary & Benefits 35% Annual Meeting 4% Invest Relations 7%
Public Policy 8%
Education Workforce Readiness 14% Business Growth 5%
Entrepreneurship & Innovation 5%
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2016-2017 Annual Report
Education Workforce Readiness Objective Convene parties impacted by employees’ illegal use of drugs to determine strategy. Action:
Based upon feedback from employers, “Jobs, Drugs & Reality,” a new, two-part program for middle schools in Colbert and Lauderdale Counties, is being developed. It is expected to start in the Fall of 2017.
“Jobs, Drugs & Reality” will focus on the consequences of substance abuse in the workplace. o Part 1: A dynamic school assembly led by Pete Key (which will reach up to 8,600 students) o Part 2: Small classroom discussions led by trained business and community volunteers (for up to 1,800 students)
Objective Continue BEST Robotics & STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) Programs. Action:
21 teams participated in the 2016 BEST Robotics Competition representing 538 students.
Teams were comprised of 59% males and 41% females; 2% African Americans, 1% Asian Americans, 5% Hispanic, 5% Native Americans, 83% White, and 4% other.
87.4% of students said participation in BEST increased their interest in pursuing STEM careers.
At the South’s BEST Regional Championship, held December 3rd and 4th at Auburn University, Brooks took 2nd place in the BEST Award as well as 2nd place in Marketing Presentation and 3rd place in CAD Drawings. Alaina Pettus, Brooks’ teacher-sponsor received a Teacher of the Year award. Stephanie Newland received the Volunteer of the Year award.
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2016-2017 Annual Report
Education Workforce Readiness Objective Continue to encourage high schools and colleges to develop specific internship programs which meet the existing industry needs in the Shoals. Action:
A new high school business and industry tour program, “Career Café” will encourage students to pursue job shadowing, co-ops and internships with the businesses they tour. The program is expected to start by Winter 2018. o UNA’s CIS class will assist us in developing the Career Café website. The website will allow businesses to post their tour opportunities and schools to register their students for tours. o The tours will be open to all 11th and 12th grade students in Colbert & Lauderdale Counties, or approximately 2,500 students. If seats are not filled by high school students, college students will be encouraged to register.
The Chamber’s Job Board will have a new section for Internships, Co-ops, and Job Shadowing opportunities.
The Pathfinder Model (developed by Muscle Shoals Career Academy and Lyons HR) is also available statewide for any K-12 Career Tech Schools interested in meeting the qualifications to place students in internships with participating businesses.
Objective Continue to support the education and training needs of all people in the Shoals who wish to be employed ensuring that they are qualified to work in their field of choice. Action:
The Chamber assisted Northwest Shoals Community College in producing a community-wide Job Fair in July 2016.
The Chamber continues to promote and encourage educational opportunities for all ages through Chamber programs and other community efforts. 7|Page
2016-2017 Annual Report
Education Workforce Readiness Objective Create a workforce readiness matrix and resource guide to identify duplication of services and expose service delivery gaps. Action:
A Skills Gap Survey & Report was completed in March 2016 by Horizon Point, Inc.
There are several existing online sources for much of the information which would be included in the planned resource guide. Therefore, it was decided that it would be an unnecessary duplication to create another guide based upon the findings of the Skills Gap Survey. However, these resources and links thereto will be made available on the Chamber’s website on a workforce-related resources page or section.
2106 BEST Robotics Game Day at Northwest-Shoals Community College.
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2016-2017 Annual Report
Public Policy, Advocacy & Activism Objective Host meetings for those seeking election to meet with Chamber members. Encourage Chamber members to actively support candidates and pending legislation with “pro-business” platforms and implications. Action:
NextGen Shoals hosted the Shoals Mayoral Debate on July 19, 2016. The Shoals Mayoral Debate was held at Norton Auditorium, streamed live via Facebook Live and broadcasted on 102.7 KISS FM. The event included mayoral candidates from Sheffield, Florence, Tuscumbia, and Muscle Shoals. The estimated reach for this event was more than 5,000 community members with approximately 400 in attendance.
Objective Organize Chamber trips to Washington, D.C. Action:
The Chamber traveled to Washington, D.C. on March 21st through 23rd, 2017 as a part of a contingent from Northwest Alabama, including NACOLG, Northwest Shoals Community College, and the University of North Alabama. Meetings were held with Rep. Robert Aderholt, Rep. Mo Brooks, Senator Luther Strange, Senator Richard Shelby, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Objective Invite local area leaders to participate in sessions with the Chamber to discuss local issues/public policy with the Local Issues Committee. Action:
The Local Issues/Legislative Affairs Committee hosted breakfasts for each of the newly elected mayors and councils within Colbert and Lauderdale Counties with the purpose of encouraging an exchange of ideas among our leaders and the Chamber’s Local Issues/Legislative Affairs Committee. Local Issues/Legislative Affairs Committee facilitated the recording of videos for mayoral and council candidates in Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. 28 videos were recorded (6 mayoral and 22 council candidates). All videos were available for public viewing on YouTube and Facebook. The Chamber hosted its annual “Lunch with our Legislators” on Wednesday, January 25th. Representative Lynn Greer and Senators Tim Melson and Larry Stutts were updated on the issues most important to our cities prior to the start of the Regular Session on February 7th. 9|Page
2016-2017 Annual Report
Business Growth Objective Recruit five new-to-market retail businesses each year. Action:
The Shoals Chamber has facilitated and promoted 46 ribbon cutting events within the last fiscal year. o Twenty-nine of those events, or 63%, were new-to-market retail businesses.
The Chamber has facilitated and/or promoted five groundbreaking ceremonies within the last fiscal year: North Alabama Medical Center, the expansion of Highway 43, Mitchell Hollingsworth Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Point Blank Range, and Riverhill School.
Objective Ensure a united approach in the complete economic development equation in the Shoals through “lock-step” between the Chamber, SEDA, and SIDC. Action:
Shoals Chamber of Commerce Interim President, Barry Auchly, Chairman of the Board, Andy Mann, and other members of the Chamber’s Executive Committee regularly attended SEDA and SIDC meetings throughout the last fiscal year.
Barry Auchly and SEDA President, Forrest Wright, held routine meetings and shared relevant information on economic development during Barry’s nine-month tenure with the Chamber.
Caitlin Holland, V.P. of Investor Relations & Public Policy, attended a recruiting visit with Forrest Wright and Kevin Jackson of SEDA, Keith Jones of NACOLG, Warren Hicks of TVA, and Thomas Tyson of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
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2016-2017 Annual Report
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Objective: Facilitate collaboration among the various stakeholders to foster culture of technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Action:
Shoals Shift continues to meet every four to six weeks in order to discuss and further local projects affiliated with the entrepreneurship and innovation movement. o
Members of this committee represent the Chamber, UNA, the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center, the Florence/Lauderdale Public Library, Florence/Lauderdale Tourism and Florence Main Street.
o
Projects furthered by Shoals Shift include but are not limited to Shoals Alabama Launchpad, Idea Audition, Big Idea, CO.STARTERS, BizBuzz, Strategic Doing, and 3-Day Startup.
In August, the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center, UNA, and the Shoals Chamber were chosen to receive a one million dollar “Power Grant” from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The money will be used by a new program called Shoals Shift, a three-year plan to accelerate the growth of a digital economy.
Idea Audition 2016 was held at UNA on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at the Guillot University Center. Idea Audition is presented by the Shoals Chamber, UNA, and Bank Independent. o The winner, Harriette Rost, was awarded $5,000 for her product, TomiTurn. It allows immobile, bed-ridden patients to be turned easily in their beds by caregivers. o Second-place and $2,500 were awarded to Jeff McKinney and the Colbert County Future Farmers of America student group for their Eco-Cool Trailer. o The third place, $1,000 prize went to Steve Richerson - better known as Steve Trash - for his idea to create children's television content with a social message of respect.
The Shoals has been chosen to host the first regional competition in association with the statewide Alabama Launchpad competition for startup businesses. A press conference was held on September 13, 2016 at the Ritz Theatre to introduce Shoals Alabama Launchpad to the community. o
The Shoals Alabama Launchpad Finale was held at Gas Design Studio in Tuscumbia on Tuesday, February 21, 2017. Five local companies took home a share of $100,000 in available grants: Alchemy (Ashley Morrow) - $20,000; Luxe Brand (Ryan Mason) - $7,000; nSide (Dr. Steve McKinney) $15,000; Southern Swaddle (Adam & Miriah Brink) - $26,000; Sycamore Physician Contracting (Lee Medley & Hasan Husainy) - $27,500.
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2016-2017 Annual Report
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Objective: Provide leadership and Chamber support of the CO.STARTERS program. Action:  
The first local CO.STARTERS cohort began on June 7, 2016 and was led by Jackie Hendrix of Party Pros USA, a former Shoals Chamber Board Chairman. o Seven individuals graduated from the first cohort on August 2, 2016 with a celebration at Singing River Brewery. A second cohort began on January, 2017 and was led by Dr. Santanu Borah, Janyce Fadden, and Mitch Hamm of UNA.
The winners of the inaugural Shoals Alabama Launchpad startup competition at GAS Design Center, Tuscumbia.
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2016-2017 Annual Report
Investor Relations & Marketing Objective: Conduct quarterly events for major five-year plan investors. Action:
The “Shrimp Boil Soiree” was held on Thursday, June 9, 2016 and was hosted by Interim President of the Shoals Chamber, Barry Auchly, and his wife, Brenda, at their beautiful lakefront home. It was an appreciation event exclusively for our “Rhythm of Commerce: Turn it Up!” investors. Those in attendance enjoyed an authentic shrimp boil prepared by Mitch Hamm, desserts by Rhoda P’s Catering, and drinks mixed by the Shoals Chamber staff. The evening concluded with sunset boat rides.
“Summer Eats and Rockin’ Beats 2.0” was held on Thursday, July 21, 2016. This event celebrated all of our Shoals Chamber members and their investment in the community. This was the second Summer Eats event held at the Shoals Chamber, and we saw a growth of more than 100 attendees, with total attendance of 423. This event allowed members to network with one another, learn more about the Shoals Chamber, and enjoy a fun summer evening with multiple door prizes, food, and great entertainment.
On November 30th, investors were invited to a luncheon at the Chamber of Commerce. Janyce Fadden, Executive-in-Residence at the UNA College of Business spoke about Shoals Shift and the major impact that its programs are having in the arenas of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
This year’s Holiday Open House, “A Spirit of Giving,” welcomed over 350 guests and featured twenty Chamber member restaurants’ signature appetizers. The event helped raise $1,500 in donations for the Leadership Shoals’ group project, a t-shirt sale to purchase new wigs for local cancer patients.
The Chamber’s Annual Meeting and 30th Anniversary Celebration was held on March 16, 2016 at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center. Approximately 450 were in attendance for the event.
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2015-2016 Annual Report
Investor Relations & Marketing Objective: Conduct program/satisfaction surveys of both Chamber members and non-members. Personalize said surveys to each Rhythm of Commerce investor. Action:
A Chamber intern has been working with Chamber staff to develop meaningful surveys for our investors and members, as well as a strategy for disseminating the survey and collecting the responses therefrom.
“Small Business, Big Ideas: A Florence Listening Session,” included invitations to 75 chamber-member-businesses located in the “35630” zip code of Florence. The feedback received from this meeting included: o Establish small focus groups of Chamber members who meet monthly to learn from each other. We plan to launch this initiative in Summer, 2017. o Create a lunch and learn event focusing on the new FLSA overtime/labor laws. This event occurred on July 28, 2016 with facilitators Katy Beth Carr and Bricker S. Daughtry, both of which are attorneys with Carr Allison. More than 45 business representatives were in attendance. The Shoals Chamber will continue to educate our members regarding the new labor laws which are set to take effect December 1, 2016. o Look into re-establishing a “Networking at Noon” event for those who cannot attend breakfasts or “After Hours.” The first “Networking at Noon” event was held on November 15, 2016 with host Chick-fil-A of Florence.
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Message from 2017-2018 Chairman
Dr. Greg Carnes It is an honor to assume the role of Chairman of the Board for the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, and I look forward to working with the staff and Board to build upon previous successes of the Chamber. The past year has been a year of transition that is laying a foundation for the Shoals Chamber to expand its influence and impact in the region. Andy Mann provided excellent leadership to the Chamber Board last year. Our membership increased by approximately 70 members, thanks to the work of Barry Auchly and the Chamber staff. I also appreciate the work of Macke Mauldin, chair of the Search Committee for the next President of the Shoals Chamber, and the members of the committee. We have been engaged in a national search that will identify the next great leader for our organization. We have continued to focus upon the five tenets of the Rhythm of Commerce “Turn it Up!” Campaign - Education & Workforce Development, Business Growth, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Public Policy & Activism, and Investor Relations & Marketing – and are making remarkable strides thanks to the continued generosity and support of our Investors. Through collaborations with the University of North Alabama, Northwest-Shoals Community College, the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center, the Shoals Economic Development Authority, Colbert County and Florence/Lauderdale Tourism, our municipalities, and many others, we will continue to create innovative opportunities for the growth and improvement of The Shoals. In February 2017, the Shoals Chamber worked with some of these groups to host Shoals Alabama Launchpad, the state’s first regional Launchpad competition. Events such as this exemplify the value that the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama believes our region is contributing to innovation and entrepreneurship. I look forward to a year of continued success! If we can assist you or your organization in any manner, please let us know.
2017 – 2018 Chairman 15 | P a g e
2016-2017 Annual Report
Chamber Professional Staff
Barbara Hunt Sr. Vice President of Finance and Administration bhunt@shoalschamber.com
Rhonda Dewalt Customer Service Specialist rdewalt@shoalschamber.com
Hope Frederick Director of Web & Digital Media hfrederick@shoalschamber.com
Suzanne Gardner Customer Service Specialist shoals@shoalschamber.com
Caitlin Holland Vice President of Investor Relations & Public Policy cholland@shoalschamber.com
Chelsea Kauchick Director of Marketing & Leadership ckauchick@shoalschamber.com
Judy Keenum Director of Membership jkeenum@shoalschamber.com
Stephanie Newland Vice President of Education Workforce Readiness snewland@shoalschamber.com
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