December 2018 Business Connections

December

2018

Business Connection

Volume 10, Issue 12

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Last year the race location shifted from downtown Longview to Civic Circle.

Holiday Run 7 Times More Fun than Originally Anticipated Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Team Bill Marcum, CEO Amy Hallock Project Manager Pam Fierst Office Manager Joelle Wilson Social Media Services

Kelso Longview Business Connection is published monthly by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 105 N. Minor Road • Kelso, WA 98626 • 360-423-8400 kelsolongviewchamber.org To advertise, call Bill Marcum, 360-423-8400 or email bmarcum@ kelsolongviewchamber.org Ad Deadline: 20th of each month

T

here’s no better way to celebrate 7 years of Jingle all the Way Family Fun Run success than hosting this year’s event on Dec. 7 with 7 laps around Longview’s Civic Circle for a registration fee of $7 and an after-party that begins at 7 p.m.

The Jingle as it’s become known is more than a community-builder and fund-raiser, it was the proposal that landed Brooke Fisher-Clark the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce’s project manager position in 2012.

Chamber CEO Bill Marcum ask finalists for the position to present plans for a December event that would bring people to the heart of downtown during the holiday season. The event had to promote the Chamber and local businesses, and engage the community.

Fisher-Clark presented a winner.

“I ask each to come back with a concept for 12.12.12 to raise funds for the Chamber,” Marcum said.

“Brooke’s idea was the Jingle all the Way 5K – logo, PowerPoint presen-

Since the first event in 2012, dressing nutty has put the fun in the run for Jingle all the Way.

tation... it was awesome. She got the job and the rest is history.”

In a 2016 Chamber article Fisher-Clark recalled, “My background was in event planning, but at the time, I was also personally invested in training for a half marathon, and decided to cross that off my bucket list. Running was a part of my daily routine and in my thoughts. So, I rose to the occasion, and quickly sparked a big idea that would cause me a lot of work, but create something magical for all. A 5K fun run/walk in the streets of downtown Longview.”

For more Jingle, see page 3

Friday, December 7, 2018

6:00 pm

at The Civic Circle in Longview

Costume Contest: Friday, 5:30 pm at the Monticello Hotel Packet Pickup: Thursday, December 6, 10:00 am - 5:30 pm at the Monticello Hotel Late Registration: Day of Race: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

7

th year

7

laps

7

$

*

to register * by November 30

Register online at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Jingle, continued from page 1 That first Since its run/walk ininception the volved a lot of Chamber has effort. For the tried to make city permit, Jingle all the Fisher-Clark Way a fun, had to get sigholiday event natures from for all ages. the business owners along Commerce Avenue and 14th Street, plus all the intersecting roads. She rounded up Chamber businesses as sponsors and local musical ensembles, cheer squads and school bands to perform along the course route. She invited downtown businesses to put information and giveaways in participant packets.

“The idea was to make this a very family-friendly, holiday festive event that would hopefully become a regular staple for our community and cornerstone event for the Chamber,” Fisher-Clark said.

The goal was to draw 300 participants for that first race. To everyone’s surprise 800 runners turned out with bells on, literally, and festive costumes and smiles.

Jingle all the Way Dec. 7, 6pm Longview Civic Circle

At the time, Fisher-Clark called it one of the most gratifying things she had done because people looked so happy.

When Fisher-Clark left the Chamber to become the executive director for United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties, the Jingle all the Way 5K’s success turned to Karen Sisson. Sisson focused her energy on bringing company teams on board to participate, making it part of their wellness programs. She also beefed up promotion with inflatables and changed up the route to keep it fresh for runners. Sisson passed the baton to Lindsey Cope, who in turn, last year handed off operations to current project manager Amy Hallock, who said she enjoys working with Fisher-Clark, who now volunteers during the race.

“It’s her creation,” Hallock said of Fisher-Clark. “Her vision. She’s so passionate about it.”

It’s like a tradition; all the former project managers find time to volunteer in one way or another with each new coordinator bringing their own flair to the event.

Created to bring awareness to the downtown business corridor, the race recently outgrew that location but remains in the heart of Longview at Civic Circle. It’s family-friendly with a visit from Santa, holiday music and the costume contest featuring teams in tutus, twinkle lights, elf hats and plenty of red and green.

This year, Hallock’s team and Cope's Longview Downtowners is adding an official after-hour party, Mingle after you Jingle, at Mill City Grill. Participants who wear their Jingle T-shirt or bring their runner number can enjoy extended happy hour throughout the restaurant and a 21 and older party upstairs.

Rain may be in the forecast, but weather has never dampen the spirit of participants, who after torrential rains blasted through the area in 2015 slogged through ankle-deep water smiling and laughing.

There is still time for late registration, including day of race between 4:30-5:30 p.m. Visit the Chamber website for more information.

sQuatch Fest Adds Corn Hole and Live Music

B

igfoot is a big deal, especially for the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce as it gears up for its annual sQuatch Fest. This year’s event is scheduled for Jan. 26 at the Cowlitz County Event Center. Doors open at 10 a.m.

“The event has grown in the two years,” said Chamber Project Manager Amy Hallock. “It’s a fun day. People talk about it all year long.”

Last year more than 2,000 folks from across the region attended. The standing-room-only crowds for the guest speaker series forced Hallock to make a couple changes.

sQuatch Fest

Jan. 26, 10am-8pm Cowlitz County Event Center

To alleviate the bottleneck created as people move in and out of areas to hear speakers, this year, and event speakers will be in the same area as vendors.

Hallock and crew have lined up some of the nation’s top Bigfoot speakers like author and anthropology professor Jeff Meldrum, Olympic Project researchers Derek Randles and Shane Corson, Finding Bigfoot television personalities Cliff Barackman and “BoBo” Fay and author Joe Beelart.

The Chamber is also partnering with Treadway Events and Specialty Events to set the tone and bring the outdoors inside.

“It will be like walking in the woods,” Hallock said.

A few steps away, the Chamber will set up the Brew Mountain Beer Festival, which will feature 15 breweries, two wineries and a cider producer. This space is for those 21 years old and older. Many of the offerings with appropriate Sasquatch-theme names to be carried around in a collectible mug. And money raised through beer sales benefits the Chamber’s scholarship fund for local graduating high school seniors.

Simultaneously, Brew Mountain will be hosting a corn hole tournament featuring 80 to 100 players from Washington and Oregon. And, later in the evening local band Giants in the Trees will take the stage. The band, which includes bassist Krist Novoselic, a founding member of Nirvana, will perform, among other selections, Sasquatch.

Big talk. Big sound. Bigfoot. Big appetite? There’s plenty of food vendors will be on hand including Sasquatch BBQ. sQuatch Fest is family friendly thanks to CalPortland, which sponsors the Kids Cave. Kids Cave is full of crafts, games, Sasquatch related activities and entertainment from Emmy Blue and The Squatchie. Doors are open between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for kids under 15. Prices include all events and a collectible ticket and lanyard. For ticket information visit www.kelsolongviewchamber.org.

December 2018 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 3

Chamber CEO’s Message

By Bill Marcum

Gratitude for Chamber support It’s the time of year set aside to express gratitude. It has been an amazing year and I want to give some special thank you notes to some of our members who have supported the Chamber and its events at an exceptional level.

First, the Chamber has FIVE Diamond Members. These are members who have committed in excess of $10,000 per year toward the Chamber and sponsor every event we produce. Foster Farms, C’s Photography, KUKN-KLOG-The Wave, PeaceHealth and Bicoastal Media have all supported the Chamber in a HUGE way this past year and I want to thank them for their participation, sponsorships, marketing assistance, and their full support. The people who make that happen within those organizations get a special shout out – Frank Panarra and Toni Cooper, Foster Farms; Bruce Pollock and Rich Coleman with Bicoastal and their staff; Cherelle Montayne and Cathy Barr, PeaceHealth and the PeaceHealth Foundation; Don and Cassandra Cianci for all the photos they take throughout the year at our events, of our board members, our ambassadors and staff; Joel Hanson, John Paul and Josh Carter KUKN/KLOG/The Wave, all of you are special people who we at the Chamber can count on to help us in any way you can. Thank you all.

We also had some businesses that always seem to go above and beyond – KapStone/WestRock, NORPAC, Fibre Federal Credit Union and Red Canoe Credit Union. Those businesses sponsor a lot of our events like the Chamber Golf Tournament, bingo, Building Bridges Expo, the Holiday Mixer, Jingle all the Way 5K Fun Run/Walk and Small Business Boot Camp, and then also participate in them and get their employees to participate in them. Thank you Rosemary Purcell, KapStone; Tom Rozwod, NORPAC; Shannon Cahoon, Fibre Federal, and Carey Mackey, Red Canoe.

Millennium Bulk Terminals is another company that supports the Chamber all year long. They are one of our Quarterly Membership sponsors, support our Education Foundation with scholarship funding and sponsor numerous events throughout the year. Special thank you to Peter Bennett, Wendy Hutchinson, Gena Ramey and retired CEO Bill Chapman, you see them at nearly every event the Chamber has during the year.

Gibbs & Olson has been a fabulous member/sponsor of events at the Chamber. Gibbs & Olson has been one of our Quarterly Membership sponsors for the past four years and participates by bringing staff to nearly every event the Chamber hosts. Thank you Rich

4 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2018

Gushman and your super team. Rich will also join the board of the Chamber beginning in January 2019.

Stiling Motors has been the major sponsor of our golf tournament the past six years and I must thank them for putting up the funds, bringing their vehicles down to be placed on the golf course and supporting one of the biggest events of the year. They also enjoy the day by playing in the golf tournament with two teams. Thank you.

A huge thank you also to our committee chairs: Government Affairs, Peter Bennett, Millennium; Education Foundation Committee, Jill Diehl, Longview School District; Lower Columbia Professionals, Pam Whittle and Tina Hart; and Ambassadors Committee, Marlene Johanson, Red Canoe Credit Union. These people put a lot of time and energy into these committees and the many events the Chamber does during the year.

I added up all those committee meetings, committee events, Chamber meetings, Boot Camp classes, mixers, Quarterly Membership meetings, Legislative Briefings, Ambassador meetings, ribbon cuttings, Business After Hours, sQuatch Fest, Expo, golf tournament, Crystal Apple and Pillars of Strength Awards Dinner, Jingle all the Way, bingo and all the committee meetings that go along with all those big events and we have had 222 total meetings and events this past year. With 527 members, we have had between eight and 1,979 people attending those events in 2018. Most of those events involve an Ambassador or 10, who help with checking in attendees, handing out raffle tickets, drink tickets and name badges, inviting new members, introducing those new members to other members, attending ribbon cuttings and in general providing the staff with a HUGE hand in everything we do. Thank you to all 25 Ambassadors. And believe it or not, we could use more volunteers willing to wear the Red Coats and be involved.

So that leaves the rest of you who have been a member of a committee, attended an event, hosted an event, sponsored an event and introduced someone to the Chamber, thank you for your support, attendance and passion for the Kelso Longview Chamber. With two and a half staff members we could not do 220-plus events without the help of so many of our members and volunteers. A sincere thank you from all of us.

Happy holidays from Pam, Amy and Bill.

City of Kelso

City of Longview

By City Councilman David Futcher

By City Councilman Ken Botero

West Main realignment funded One of the biggest projects we’ve worked on over the years in Kelso is the realignment of West Main Street, so that it lines up with Ocean Beach Highway. Recently, we learned that the project was awarded the full funding request of $4.5 million from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB). Combined with a $3 million state budget allocation and $1.5 million from the federal gas tax, this award gives us the full targeted funding of $9 million for this final phase of the project.

While the street was technically realigned during the first phase, I warned at the time that the full benefit of the project could not be received until phase two was done. We’ve spent the past few years in a traffic pattern that’s still very functional, but not optimized. Phase two should make it a corridor we can all appreciate.

The biggest chunk of the second phase money involves purchasing properties along the south side of Catlin Street. The most visible acquisition will be the building (or some portion thereof) formerly housing OfficeMax. Those negotiations should be interesting, and may be simplified now that no tenant is in the facility. I’m optimistic that perhaps the entire parcel can be rearranged and redeveloped to take better advantage of the ideal location at the busiest intersection in the area.

With the street being widened to the south side, so that the intersection lines up more closely with Ocean Beach Highway and contains at least four lanes all the way through the Allen Street bridge and on to the interstate. Combined with Ocean Beach, travelers will now have a fourlane path all the way from the Willow Grove area to I-5 in east Kelso.

This project actually began before I even got onto the council in 2005, so it will be nice to see it finally completed. Yes, you might have to learn a couple new moves in the intersection, but I know you’re up to the challenge.

For more information on the project, please visit Kelso.gov and search for West Main.

1157 3rd Avenue, Suite 218

1157 Longview, 3rd Avenue, WA Suite 98632 218 1157 3rd360.952.3100 Avenue, Suite 218 Longview, WA 98632 Longview, WA 98632 www.amadaseniorcare.com 360.952.3100 360.952.3100 www.amadaseniorcare.com www.amadaseniorcare.com 6 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2018

Bask in the city's holiday spirit Ho! Ho! Ho! And a merry Christmas and happy new year from the jewel of the northwest, Longview. With all of the interesting political events a thing of the past, let’s take a good look at what makes us proud to be Longview citizens and positive community members.

We have accomplished many goals this past year and we invite you all to enjoy the positive results. This holiday season we invite you to visit our beautiful Lions Island at Lake Sacajawea with the holiday lighting provided by the Longview Pioneer Lions Club and the City of Longview Parks and Recreation department. We invite you to join us in celebrating the tree lighting ceremony with our new gazebo at the R.A. Long Park and the outstanding holiday decorations along our historic downtown corridor. While there stop for a few moments and think about how Christmas past may have looked and how the community came together during the holidays to celebrate. And, don’t forget the awesome Christmas parade with community members expressing their joy and spirit of the holiday season.

Our historic Columbia Theatre will once again provide the production of “The Nutcracker” with our local youth and community members bringing the holiday season together. As you drive around the City of Longview, gander through the neighborhoods and partake of the awesome feeling of a community bringing joy and happiness, not only to the city and its visitors, but to all that have that feeling of something special.

Along with our special recognition for all those who participated in the election process we thank you and look forward to working together to bring that quality of place to the citizens of Longview and our guests. The future gets better with time and partnerships, and we know that each of you will be a positive part of our dream for tomorrow.

The City of Longview, city staff, and our community partners such as the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce, Association of Washington Businesses, Association of Washington Cities, Economic Development Council, Cowlitz Regional Airport Board, Longview Port Commission, Pathways 2020, Longview School District, Lower Columbia College and our many amazing citizens wish all a very merry Christmas and a positive, exciting new year. Happy holidays; next month we get back to business. This month is a special month to reflect on the happy and positive thoughts that make us a family with a dream.

Lower Columbia College

Calendar Wednesday December 5 – 7:30-8:30am Education Foundation CEDC December 5 – Noon Speakers Dan Zorn, Longview School District and Mary Beth Tack, Kelso School District, review their list of priorities for the 2019 Legislative session.

Teri’s Restaurant Thursday December 6 – 7:30-8:30am Ambassadors Meeting Canterbury Park Friday December 7 – 7:30-9am Business Boot Camp Paid Family & Medical Leave LCC Heritage Room December 7 Jingle All the Way Fun Run Civic Circle Tuesday December 11 – Noon Chamber Executive Board Mill City Grill December 11 – 5:30-7:30pm Business After Hours Holiday Mixer Monticello Hotel

By Chris Bailey President

LCC Art Gallery Named for Carl and Alona Foresberg

On behalf of the Lower Columbia College Foundation Board of Directors, we are pleased to announce the naming of the Forsberg Art Gallery in the LCC Rose Center for the Arts. The LCC Foundation recently received a $500,000 major gift in support of the LCC art program. The gift also includes scholarships for students majoring in art or business.

You may have noticed the addition of the Forsberg name on the art gallery sign as well as a new plaque in the Rose Center Art Gallery. This signage is to honor the generosity of Mr. Joe Fischer in memory of Carl and Alona Forsberg through a legacy gift that will provide scholarships and program support for LCC’s art programs. “This naming is a tribute to Carl and Alona who thought highly of LCC and the opportunities LCC provides to the local community,” said Fischer.

For additional gift details, please see the Nov. 15 press release: Forsberg Art Gallery LCC is fortunate to receive such amazing support from our community as we continue to Build Healthy Futures! When you see a “naming” around campus, it is because the community believes in and invests in the im-

portant work that LCC does each day! Each naming is an example of community support for our local community college.

If you or anyone you know is interested in a LCC Campus naming opportunity, please contact myself or Kendra Sprague, at the LCC Foundation. Naming opportunities can be secured with a one-time gift, a pledge over time, and/or by becoming a member of the Wertheimer Society through a bequest, trust, or other planned gift. All funds to be designated by donor. For more information on how and where to give, please visit the LCC Foundation webpage at lowercolumbia.edu/ foundation.

The LCC Foundation provides extraordinary support for students through its funding for scholarships and activities. This fall, the Foundation provided more than $420,000 in scholarship funds! It gives close to $500,000 annually in program support. The Foundation’s innovative efforts to provide funding stability to support student success and other significant college needs through development of endowed funds have been widely recognized.

LCC Proud!

Tuesday December 18 – Noon Chamber Board Meeting Mill City Grill Monday December 24 Christmas Eve Office Closed Tuesday December 25 Office Closed Christmas Every Wednesday Chamber Connections KEDO/1400 AM or 99.1 FM 3-4pm Stream live at www.kedoam.com

December 2018 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 7

Cowlitz Economic Development Council

By Ted Sprague CEO

Problem Solver – Northwest Innovation Works Throughout our life we face many obstacles and challenges to overcome. Whether it is in our work life or home life, we feel a sense of accomplishment when an obstacle is faced and overcome. For those of us in economic development we have seen permitting large industrial projects in Washington state become a tougher and tougher obstacle to overcome. With the permitting process Northwest Innovation Works (NWIW) has faced, it makes me wonder when the final obstacle will be overcome and they can move forward, employ our friends and family and bring $2 billion in much needed capital investment to our community.

Let’s look at two of the specific challenges NWIW faced through the permitting process and how the company dealt with them. Initially, environmental groups were mainly concerned with the amount of wastewater the manufacturing process would put into the Columbia River.

Despite the fact NWIW already committed to cleaning the water to a higher standard than the permits required, they pledged to be the first company along the Columbia River to install a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system. The ZLD system eliminates all wastewater discharge into the Columbia River. You cannot do any better than zero.

Another challenge raised by the environmental community was air emissions. Once again the NWIW team members rolled up their sleeves and committed to Ultra-Low Emission technology (ULE) which will reduce carbon emissions by up to 90 percent compared to coal to methanol manufacturing and 75 percent less than conventional methanol production. In fact, back in August of 2015, Governor Inslee was so excited about ULE and the project; he came to the Port of Kalama to praise the work done to that point. Using ULE again showed NWIW is committed to environmental stewardship and convinced many that this is a company that faces criticism and concern with in-

novation and solutions.

That brings us to this weeks’ release the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) and Supplemental Greenhouse Gas Analysis prepared by Cowlitz County and the Port of Kalama. The analysis provides a comprehensive assessment of net Green House Gas (GHG) emissions associated with the project.

Public Hearing The DSEIS also discloses NWIW’S commitNorthwest ment to mitigate 100 percent of the climate Innovation Works change causing greenhouse gas (GHG) emisDec. 13, 6 pm sions produced in Washington state in conCowlitz County nection with the plant. The company’s unique Event Center mitigation program will continue as long as the facility operates.

The report’s findings are impressive. The study concludes that by displacing methanol production from coal-based plants in China, production of methanol at the proposed Kalama facility will: “… result in net GHG reductions ranging from 9.7 to 12.6 million tonnes CO2/ year.” In the study’s chosen baseline scenario, the amount of annual emissions the Kalama methanol plant would remove from the atmosphere is equivalent to taking approximately 2.2 million cars off the road.

Time and time again, NWIW has met obstacles head on and surpassed expectations with their innovative solutions. This is the type of company we want in our community. Please take the time to attend a public hearing regarding the project at the Cowlitz County Event Center, at 6 p.m. on Dec. 13. If you cannot attend that night, please contact me about how you can get involved in supporting this critical project.

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Frank Panarra, President

Chris Bailey Lower Columbia College

Nancy Malone Mayor of Kelso

Bianca Lemmons, Vice President

Clayton J. Bartness, DC Longview Chiropractic Clinic

Cherelle Montanye St. John/PeaceHealth

Neil Zick, Treasurer

Ken Botero Longview City Council

Bruce Pollock Bicoastal Media

Michael Claxton, Legal Counsel

Bob Crisman Gallery of Diamonds

Tom Rozwod NORPAC/Weyerhaeuser

Wendy Hutchinson Millennium Bulk Terminals

Ted Sprague Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Marlene Johanson Heritage Bank

Dennis Weber Cowlitz County Commissioner

Foster Farms

Cowlitz County Title Twin City Bank

Walstead Mertsching

Nick Lemiere, Executive Board Edward Jones Chris Roewe, Executive Board Woodford Commercial Real Estate

Wendy Kosloski Teague's Interiors

8 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2018

Business Toolbox

By Jerry D. Petrick Certified Business Adviser

Your Business Through Your Customer's Eyes How would your customers grade your business? Is it an exciting and inviting place to enter? Can they find what they are looking for efficiently? Do they make multiple purchases on each visit?

People judge your store (including your website) by its cover; treat your business front as an impulse item intended to stop

do to spruce up your business.

•

Window displays (attractive, clean, changed/refreshed regularly, uncluttered, current).

•

Is there a welcoming message like: “Welcome, Please Come In and Browse” or “Through These Doors Walk the Nicest

them in their tracks.

People in the World.” We all like to be greeted.

When was the last time you took a fresh look at your place of business? Now is a good time to get honest with yourself about how your business appears to others. You may have been com-

Inside:

ing into the same building (maybe even through a back door) for

•

Customers read your business like a book – looking left to

years and you can’t remember the last time you actually took a

right – and research tells us that the ‘sweet spot’ is the space

REAL look at the impression your business communicates.

from straight ahead to about 45 degrees to the right.

This time of year is a perfect time to refresh and renew the look

•

and feel of your business. Try this:

new products, bundles etc. Just like the restaurant, we are conditioned to read the ‘daily specials’ to pique our interest.

Invite at least five people (employees, fellow retailers, customers etc.) to help.

Try a chalkboard near the front door announcing specials,

•

Are complementary items displayed together? Doing so can

Have them approach your business from across the street –

greatly increase average sales transaction and tends to help

ask them to write down the first five things they see; don’t stop

customers ‘remember’ the accessories they really wanted

or dwell.

anyway.

Have them do the same as they enter your place of business.

What to do next?

The result of this exercise is great insight to the natural focus

As we head into the new year your vendors/suppliers will be

points and clues about placement of items outside and inside

contacting you for orders after the holiday season. It is common

your business.

that vendors will have programs and tools to help you create im-

What will you learn?

From across the street: •

Signage (clear, clean, attractive, illuminated if appropriate)?

•

Color scheme (attractive, fits your surroundings and business brand)?

•

pact in your store. Never hurts to ask.

The great news is that most of the eye-catching sprucing up and rearranging can be done with little or no investment and is totally within your control. A side benefit of re-energizing and freshening your business is the boost you will feel in your mood as well as the mood of your employees and customers!

Does your business stand-out or blend in?

This article was compiled by Jerry Petrick, MBA, and Certified

At the front door:

Business Adviser with the Washington State University Small Busi-

•

Building maintained (moss, chipped paint, missing or

ness Development Center (SBDC) in Longview. Jerry provides no-

burned out lights, torn awning, sidewalk clean and safe,

cost, confidential business advisory services by appointment. He can

windows clean etc.)? Amazing what a fresh coat of paint can

be reached via email jerry.petrick@wsbdc.org December 2018 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 9

Business After Hours

Merry Mercantile November's Business After Hours at Tibbett's Mercantile provided a beautiful backdrop for socializing, shopping and sizing up raffle winners like Gretchen Fritz and Lauren Morin pictured below.

See more photos on the Chamber’s Facebook page or click here.

10 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2018

018

2

Holiday Mixer Tuesday, December 11, 2018 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the historic Monticello Hotel

Ticket includes two beverages and delicious food from the Monticello Hotel as well as entry into some great raffle prizes and celebration with over 200 holiday attendees!

Register today at: www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

25

$

presented by:

in advance

Applied Applications Int’l

â?„

35

$

at the door

Discover!

www.portofkalama.com

What projects is the Port now working on—and are they are a part of the Comprehensive Scheme?

Visit Us Today! http://portofkalama.com/discover-projects-port-now-working-part-comprehensive-plan/

Cowlitz Wahkiakum Council of Governments

By Bill Fashing Executive Director

Economic Development for the Masses

Over the years I have been asked countless times what economic development really is and how the average person might impact the regional economic development efforts. There are groups like the Cowlitz Economic Development Council all over the country working to attract investment to their community. These economic development organizations are on the forefront of the news and helping to make economic development happen.

There are other economic development efforts going on throughout the region that are much less visible yet support the overall economic development effort. The Cowlitz Wahkiakum Council of Governments (CWCOG) runs the Economic Development District and completes the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the region. The CWCOG role is one primarily of planning. The cities and counties include economic development in their efforts as well. The Small Business Development Center, Lower Columbia College and numerous local nonprofits also impact economic development efforts. Their efforts can work to improve the local quality of life, worker readiness and other important factors that support economic development. Groups like the Kelso Longview Chamber also play an important role in our economic development efforts.

According to the International Economic Development Council, “Economic development is the intentional practice of improving a community’s economic well-being and quality of life. It includes a broad-range of activities to attract, create, and retain jobs, and to foster a resilient, pro-growth tax base and an inclusive economy. The practice of economic development comprises of a collaborative effort involving industry, government and myriad community stakeholders”.

I have always thought of the economic development process as a collaborative effort to force positive change in the community. In most cases economic development does not just happen. It is something that must be planned and then forced to happen. Any business or resident can play a role in instigating economic development, or for that matter, building roadblocks to slow the process. A community cannot sit back and wait for the change to happen, it must work cooperatively to be that change. We are doing things today to make tomorrow better, and we must remember that economic development is a long-term process. The good things happening today were put in motion months, and in some cases, years ago. Good work today will pay dividends somewhere in the future.

Economic development should not necessarily be growth for growths sake; it should be part of a larger understanding of the community including its assets and challenges. As mentioned before, economic development is about forcing the change that we want to see, but reality constrains each community as it approaches the economic development puzzle. A systematic approach to getting from our current position to that desired level of community vitality is required and can be reached by building upon our strengths.

The economic development conversation generally focuses on bringing new money in from outside the community. With the Ports in the region, our access to I-5, and the rail backbone, we have the building blocks for a stronger economy. Our region is situated to

support and benefit from our unique economic factors.

What does it take to move the conversation about a better economy to a new reality? We as a community should recommit to an improved region for all. We should continue efforts to attract new investment to the region, and work feverishly to maintain the current businesses we have and support their growth and development. This includes a focus on the traded sector firms, those bringing new dollars into the region, and efforts to attract their suppliers and buyers to build the strength and breadth of the sector. We must also work to support the establishment and growth of new businesses that will bring new skills, opportunities and revenues to the region. These efforts will support existing and future family wage jobs.

We must also work to support and build our infrastructure base.

This includes everything from our transportation system to strong water, sewer and electrical systems. We need to continue to search for opportunities to diversify the economy beyond the existing traded sector drivers. Employer diversity will do wonders for the region in challenging times, as it will in times of economic growth.

We have historically depended on value added production in a variety of forms. Despite ongoing threats to the extraction industries that have supported the region, they will play a long-term role in our economy. Forest products, agriculture and mining products will continue to fuel the ports and related businesses in the region. We must continue to protect those industries, and the jobs they produce as businesses continue to find ways to lower their impacts to the environment and meet consumer needs.

What can you do, as an individual, to assist in the overall economic development efforts of the region? Consider your role and involvement in some of the following activities.

Maintain a positive outlook and find the bright side as we approach community issues • Support youth programs • Provide your employees ongoing education and training • Invite associates from outside the area to set up shop here in the Lower Columbia region • Support financial literacy • Be a mentor to a business start-up • Seek, support and encourage positive change • Purchase regional food products when available • Pull together a group of associates to pool investments for a local startup • Support efforts to help people move out of poverty • Engage in your community in a way that supports your passions • Remember that neither the Ds or Rs have all the answers • Support a local art or mural project For more Fashing, see page 15 December 2018 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 13

Kelso School District

Longview Public Schools

Superintendent Mary Beth Tack

Superintendent Dan Zorn

Opening minds, and doors, with AVID Revered change-maker Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Education is indeed a powerful thing. Not only can it be used to change the world at large, but it can also be used to change the individual worlds of our youth.

At Kelso School District, we believe the real purpose of education isn’t just to acquire knowledge, but also to acquire the skills and tools that foster curious minds and critical thinking. By implementing the AVID program in our secondary schools, and at Wallace Elementary, we’re introducing some powerful and proven tools that will change the way our students learn, think and what they believe is possible for their lives.

AVID stands for “advancement via individual determination.”

The national program’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. By engaging students in AVID who are experiencing a low socioeconomic status and would be the first in their families to go to college, we’re working to open their minds to all that’s possible for them and give them the tools to change their world.

The strategies AVID students learn help them to think logically and apply reason when faced with challenging problems. They learn focused note-taking skills and how and when to revisit the information they’ve been taught for maximum understanding and retention.

These are things that will benefit them the rest of their lives and help them succeed in work as well as in school.

In 2016, 15.9 percent of adults over 25 years old in Cowlitz County had a college degree; compared to 33.4 percent of all U.S. adults. For the 2015 graduating class, 52.3 percent of Kelso students were enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year college, versus 59.9 percent of students statewide. Rates for students applying, getting accepted and acquiring a college degree are significantly higher among AVID students.

You can visit avid.org/data for national numbers; here are some of our own: • 153: Kelso students in 7th-11th grades participating in AVID • 364: elementary students benefiting from AVID strategies • 4: schools in our district with the AVID program • 55 percent: of Kelso High AVID students are taking UW College in High School classes this trimester • 86 percent: of our AVID students would be the first in their families to go to college • 77 percent of our AVID students qualify for free and reduced lunch • 75 percent: of KSD teachers trained in and applying AVID tools in their classrooms • 13: number of college visits KSD AVID students will make if For more Kelso, see page 15 14 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2018

District postpones capital bond vote At the Nov. 5 school board meeting the board voted unanimously to postpone the capital bond ballot measure. Originally the board approved a capital bond measure for the ballot in April 2019, but felt more time was needed to properly prepare and communicate with constituents. The bond measure was rescheduled for the November 2019 ballot.

In November 2017 Longview Public Schools put forth a $122 million capital bond proposal to voters. The measure failed by just 215 votes, which was disappointing.

Since the last measure failed the school district has worked hard to understand what the community wants from a facilities perspective for the years to come.

Two Thought Exchange events were held. Thought Exchange is an online tool that allows community members to share thoughts on the November 2017 capital bond, see what others in the community are saying, then rate most important thoughts. Thought Exchange feedback from the past bond and a separate process on the topic of safety and security were both insightful.

With Thought Exchange information and feedback from numerous in-person meetings with community members the district’s Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) started meeting again. The FAC met eight times since November 2017 to study the facilities needs of the district and find a path forward.

The FAC heard presentations from the City of Longview planning department’s John Brickey about potential future housing developments and studied current bus routes to understand where families live, which school they attend and how change might affect them.

The FAC also listened to in-depth information from the Construction Services Group (CSG), which is part of the Educational Services District No. 112, whose mission is to support school districts. CSG reviewed building conditions, fields, portables and stadiums then developed high level cost analysis and options for replace or repair decisions.

The options CSG developed were then discussed by the FAC at length to understand what might be the best solutions for teachers, staff members, students and the community.

Three different scenario options were presented to the board at the Nov. 5 school board meeting along with a recap of the process taken to develop them.

The board will be studying the options, taking public comment and asking questions in their quest to find an acceptable solution to the district’s facility needs.

In the coming months the board will make final choices in terms of what specific things will be on the November 2019 ballot measure.

Public comment will be requested and taken over the course of several months, with the district providing information and facts about For more Longview, see page 15

Longview, continued from page 14 the bond.

We wanted to let you know about the process and timing of the next capital bond measure. As the process unfolds both the district and a citizen’s committee will be providing information about the bond.

If you have questions please reach out, I’d be happy to meet with you.

And thank you for supporting Longview Public Schools.

Kelso, continued from page 14 they’re in the program in middle and high school • 10 percent more 10th grade AVID students passed the math SBA than 10th graders overall • 15 percent more 10th grade AVID students passed the ELA SBA test than 10th graders overall • $49,043: annual median earning for Cowlitz County adults with a college degree

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• $27,297: annual median earning for Cowlitz County adults with a high school diploma We first implemented AVID into our district in 2016, and we’re already seeing great strides in student achievement. With Kelso High, both middle schools, and one elementary offering AVID, we plan to continue implementing this opportunity for the kids of Kelso.

Fashing, continued from page 13 • Facilitate the development of a mini library in your neighborhood to promote literacy • Organize a community cleanup in your neighborhood • Take action to be part of the solution The bottom line of economic development is the business bottom line. Businesses will not invest in a venture unless they expect to make money. In order to make money they need a productive labor force, a product or service that others want to buy, and margins that will provide the profit to make the business viable over the long-term. Your buy in and action can make the region stronger and more attractive for those of us who live here with the longterm benefit of attracting the interest of outside investors.

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December 2018 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 15

Workforce Southwest Washington

By Julia Maglione Communication Manager

Future of Work is Now, but it's also Evolving

How you do business. How and where you work. It’s a brave new world and changing by the minute. As the saying goes, “the future is now” and businesses and individuals alike must prepare for it.

online platforms only a few months a year and gig work is used to supplement incomes from other jobs.

The Future of Work (FOW) is a phrase I’m seeing just about every place. Several FOW topics you’ll likely hear more about in the coming months are:

As pointed out in a July 2018 Brookings Institution article, “Understanding the difference between who chooses to be a gig worker and who is forced to work multiple jobs with no benefits out of necessity will help labor market experts (and employers) design policies for improving job quality and job security while maintaining flexibility.”

Impact of Automation In the next four years more than 75 million jobs may be affected by the impacts of automation. On a positive note, 133 million new jobs may be created during that time, according to the World Economic Forum’s recent “Future of Jobs Report.” This will require new and emerging technical skills for the America worker.

Just about every industry will experience some disruption due to advances in technology. A key challenge for companies will be how quickly they invest in improving the skills of their workforce and how adept our workers, and by extension our educational and training institutions, are at acquiring the skills necessary to work in our rapidly changing economy.

According to the report, “To prevent an undesirable lose-lose scenario — technological change accompanied by talent shortages, mass unemployment and growing inequality — it is critical that businesses take an active role in supporting their existing workforces through reskilling and up-skilling, that individuals take a proactive approach to their own lifelong learning and that governments create an enabling environment, rapidly and creatively, to assist in these efforts.”

Our state is taking notice. The Washington State Legislature established a Future of Work Task Force earlier this year to work alongside our public workforce development system. It is charged with developing policy recommendations to help advance the opportunities our local workforce development system invests in as technology changes impact jobs, skills and wages. You can learn more at http:// www.wtb.wa.gov/futureofwork.asp.

Gig Economy Conventional wisdom for the last few years has been that many of us might become gig workers, doing contract or task work rather than having a permanent job and single employer.

The sustainability of gig work may be in question. A JP Morgan Chase Institute study released in September says the pay for gig workers has dropped over the past two years. Many work through 16 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2018

For some, gig work is a choice, for others, it’s a necessity.

How will the rise of gigs that replace traditional jobs impact healthcare and social security which are typically provided through employers? What are the implications to individuals, families and the economy? Time will tell.

Multiple Generations With approximately 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 each day and projected to retire in droves, it is imperative for companies to ensure knowledge transfer is occurring between the generations and to put succession plans in place.

With different life experiences, work expectations and goals, it may be a challenge to keep things running smoothly with up to five generations in the workplace. Companies have had success creating mentor/mentee relationships by pairing experienced workers with new or younger employees. Younger generations are used to being coached and the experienced workers have shown pride in talking about their jobs. There will be growing pains. Conveying your expectations to all employees is key, as is communications between individuals.

We have a solution If you’re concerned about any of the above, Workforce Southwest Washington is ready to partner with you to develop solutions to enable your business to meet its current and future workforce needs.

Reach out to us.

This article originally appeared in the Vancouver Business Journal, reprinted with permission.© 2018

Julia Maglione, Communications Manager at Workforce Southwest Washington can be reached at jmaglione@workforcesw.org or 360-5673176.

Site Development

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Saturday, January 26, 2019 Cowlitz County Convention Center • 10 am - 8 pm

Dr. Jeff Meldrum

Derek Randles

• Author Dr. Jeff Meldrum • Researchers Derek Randles and Shane Corson from the Olympic Project • Cliff Barackman and “BoBo” Fay from Finding Bigfoot • Author Joe Beelart • Live music from Giants in the Trees • Kids’ Cave sponsored by CalPortland featuring Emmy Blue and The Squatchie • Food & Craft Vendors • Brew Mountain Beer Festival featuring 15 breweries, 2 wineries and cider • Lots more for everyone! $25 for Adults, $5 Kids 15 and under Tickets available at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Emmy Blue and The Squatchie

“BoBo” Fay

Cliff Barackman

Joe Beelart

By Chuck Nau Retail Consultant and Sales and Managment Trainier – Murray & Nau, Inc.

No Money to Advertise...?

In today’s struggling retail environment, uncovering available dollars to INVEST locally in advertising to support (…and grow) your retail business, service or small business continues to be an ongoing challenge.

pacting customer service or revenue, and shift those savings into an advertising or marketing dollar investment?

Take a look at initiating a joint neighborhood marketing effort.

Ask Bill Marcum at the Chamber or inquire at other city agencies

“No money to advertise!” Simply stated, this is an all too fre-

to see if neighborhood promotional dollars or marketing oppor-

quent rationalization for not digging deeper to find those nec-

tunities are available for the asking. This strategy may also open

essary and needed business investment dollars in a challenging

the door for additional and NEW local businesses to partner with,

business climate.

too!

However, when business is tough to get and the retail or ser-

Challenge yourself (…and your investors) to review your own re-

vice provider sector continues to be challenging, you must (…to

muneration schedule your salary (!) (…and their expected return

survive AND grow) investigate every source and resource to find

on investment). Remind yourself and others within your business

investment dollars for one’s business, service or small company.

that a small reduction in your (…and their) personal income this

Easily said! But, where does one look to find dollars that may be utilized to invest in your business through advertising and promotion.

Within your business and without increasing your budget or without additional cash input, ADVERTISING or MARKETING DOLLARS DO EXIST to invest in your business. Here are six areas to consider in your search for those elusive ad dollars…

Explore reducing overall salary expense…by reviewing your business’ hours of operation. Opening an hour later or closing an hour earlier without impacting customer service or revenue

year may reap big benefits for your business and subsequently for you (…and yours) next year and down the road!

Last, but not least, clarify where your business dollars are going in support of your local community. Do some services or charities or groups duplicate others…would a realignment of your dollar commitments maximize results while better allocating those funds?

“No money to advertise!” …may simply be a challenge offered to you by a challenging economy to find the money! Good luck and have fun!

generates 20 hours (one hour/day x 20 days) of saved expense that may be converted to a $200/month ad budget (20 hours x $10/ hour in payroll expense).

© Murray & Nau, Inc. Chuck Nau of Murray and Nau, Inc. is a Seattle area based con-

Bring your vendors and suppliers into the conversation…in-

sultant and sales and management trainer. He is a 25-year veter-

quire from each and every SUPPLIER that you do business with

an of advertising, sales, media and management, who knows and

if co-op advertising or extra promotional dollars exist to support

understands the everyday challenges of starting up, growing, and

THEIR product placement in your business. Leverage enhanced

surviving in today’s ever changing retail climate. He has spoken to

product placement in your store or in your ads for those vendors

and conducted workshops for a number of local retail and chamber

willing to contribute to the promotion of THEIR product or ser-

organizations, national publishing groups, national retailers and

vice.

manufacturers, state press associations, and newspaper groups.

Review your current inventory and purchasing habits and controls. (Again) is it possible to tighten your inventory without im-

Comments and questions are welcome and may be directed to Chuck via email: murnau@nwlink.com or at 425-603-0984.

December 2018 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 19

In the News

Help those experiencing homelessness with Columbia Bank's Warm Hearts Winter Drive On any given night, more than 37,000 people struggle with homelessness in the Northwest. Columbia Bank's Warm Hearts Winter Drive is helping to keep our neighbors in need warm during the cold winter months by raising funds for more than 50 local shelters and aid organizations. Donate today and bring warmth to those who need it most this season. One hundred percent of the funds raised remain in the community where it was donated. For more information visit warmheartsdrive.com.

Orson Welles' 'A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play' running through Dec. 16 Orson Welles’ “A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play” by Larry E. Fox, Robin Pollack and Steve Jensen and directed by Larry E. Fox will play at Stageworks Northwest in Longview through Dec. 16 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The year is 1939. Orson Welles is at the microphone and radio magic is “On the Air” as Welles, Lionel Barrymore, and his team of talented actors perform this classic tale for their radio audience, complete with overacting, Christmas carols, sound effects, and holiday spirit! This presentation gives the audience an up close look at the actors and crew at work as they bring to life the tale of the miserly

Ebenezer Scrooge.

Tickets are $15 adults; $12 seniors (55 years old and older); $7 children (through middle school); $10 each for groups of 10 or more. For information visit https://app.arts-people.com/index. php?show=85636 Show times: Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 and 16 at 2 p.m.

City of Longview to make changes to its curbside recycling program beginning Jan. 1 Effective Jan. 1 glass will no longer be accepted in the City of Longview curbside recycling program.

It was discovered that during the collection and processing of the curbside recycling materials, most of the glass would be crushed during the baling process. Broken glass is a huge contamination concern and has a direct impact to Longview’s market prices. By removing glass from the curbside program, it will reduce contamination and provide for a better marketable material which will in turn, benefit the ratepayers of Longview.

Residents will be asked to either discard their glass bottles and jars into their green garbage containers or to bring them directly to Waste Control for recycling.

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Chamber Events

Safety in the Numbers Longview Fire Chief Jim Kambeitz was joined by Cowlitz County 911 Executive Director Phil Jurmu, Kelso Fire Chief Dave Lafave, Kelso Chief of Police Andy Hamilton, Longview Chief of Police Jim Duscha, and Cowlitz County Sheriff Brad Thurman for the Cowlitz Public Safety Forum. The event took place Nov. 15 at the Cowlitz County Event Center. Thank you to sponsors Foster Farms, Millennium Bulk Terminals, Gibbs & Olson, Walstead Mertsching, Applied Applications Inc., Port of Longview, Ecological Land Services, Lower Columbia Contractors Association, and Cowlitz County Title.

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The Executive Corner

By Frank McShane Square Peg Consulting

The Impact of Good vs. Bad Managers

What kind of boss would you want to work for? Last month’s article, Retaining Good People in a Tight Labor Market, referred to the Top 5 reasons for unwanted turnover from a Harvard Business Review study.

The No. 1 reason was terrible boss. This month, I am going to share the key findings from a recent survey that shows the clear differences between good and bad managers in today’s work environment. The study was conducted by the Predictive Index, a company with which I am affiliated. It included 5,103 respondents across 22 industries. On a scale of 1 to 10, the results were broken down into three groups: • Great managers were rated 9-10 • Good managers were rated 7-8 • Poor managers were rated 1-4 Finding No. 1 – The 10 most common traits among poor managers rated 1-4: 1. Doesn’t communicate clear expectations – 58 percent (this trait was chosen 58 percent of the time) 2. Plays favorites – 57 percent 3. Doesn’t show concern for my career and personal development – 55 percent 4. Badmouths people behind their backs – 54 percent 5. Isn’t open or interested in feedback – 54 percent 6. Wants to prove himself/herself right – 52 percent 7. Isn’t self-aware – 51 percent 8. Betrays trust – 51 percent 9. Doesn’t listen – 50 percent 10. Puts his/her needs first – 48 percent Finding No. 2 – The 10 most common traits of great managers rated 9-10: 1. Has a strong work ethic – 82 percent 2. Is honest – 80 percent 3. Has a sense of humor – 79 percent 4. Is confident – 79 percent 22 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2018

5. Has a positive attitude – 79 percent 6. Makes good decisions – 78 percent 7. Recognizes me when I do good work – 76 percent 8. Is passionate about her/his job – 75 percent 9. Is highly knowledgeable in the area she/he manages – 75 percent 10. Has a good grasp of the entire business – 75 percent Finding No. 3 – Managers have an outsized impact on their employees work experiences: • 94 percent of employees with great managers have passion and energy for their work vs. 59 percent of employees with bad managers • 18 percent of employees with great managers plan to leave in the next 12 months vs. 77 percent of employees with bad managers Finding No. 4 – There are more good managers than bad ones: The good news in the study was that 70 percent of the managers were rated as either good or great (7-10)!

Finding No. 5 – Men and women and different generations in the study match up evenly as managers: • The breakdown of managers by gender was roughly 50/50 at each rating level. Women averaged a 7.3 rating while men averaged 7.2.

• The same held true when comparing ratings for Baby Boomer, Gen X (42-52 years old), and Gen Y (Millennials).

Conclusion: The most striking result from both the Harvard Business Review study on unwanted turnover and this study was the clarification of just how much impact managers really have on their employees’ engagement, productivity, and retention regardless of gender or generation. Managing people well is hard work but appears to be worth the effort. It helps if you are leading by example so your people have something to model.

Try objectively assessing yourself and your managers/supervisors to see where you stand.

For the full study, go to www.predictiveindex.com/managementsurvey-2018/ Frank McShane is president of Square Peg Consulting. To provide questions or comments contact him at fvm@SqrPegConsulting.com or 360-562-1077.

2019 January 15: Specialty Rents February 12: PeaceHealth March 12: Business and Tourism Expo April 9: Three Rivers Christian School May 14: Life Works

June 11: Antidote July 9: Three Rivers Eye Center August 13: Monticello Park Prestige September 11: Cowlitz County Title October 8: Steele Chapel

November 12: Silver Star December 10: Holiday Mixer

Mind Your Own Business (at the Library)

By Elizabeth Partridge Adult Services Librarian/Literacy Coordinator

Partnerships that Increase Reach and Effectiveness I recently attend the Washington Workforce Association conference as a presenter with the group Washington Libraries Work on how libraries around the state are developing partnerships with other organizations to help everyone in the community have better access to small business, education and job readiness, and workforce development tools. While there, I attended a session on developing partnerships based on shared goals, missions, and visions. At the library, we want to be the most effective we can be with what we do and with what we have. We would not be able to provide the quality programming we do without strong partnerships based on shared goals and visions.

The Small Business Hub at the library relies on these partnerships to provide the best, most accurate information we can for people in our community trying to start a new business or learn more to grow their existing business. Two of the partnerships that have proven very effective and have been positive for our community are with SCORE Vancouver and WorkSource Cowlitz/Wahkiakum.

The library began its partnership with SCORE two years ago.

Through SCORE, anyone who is interested in learning about small business can come take one of their 10 seminars offered every year at the library. The topics range from writing a business plan or learning QuickBooks to opening a nonprofit or learning small business selling techniques (Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., register at the link below).

SCORE normally charges people to attend theses classes, but through generous funding from the Friends of the Longview Public Library, we are able to offer these seminars free to anyone who wants to attend.

SCORE offers one-on-one mentoring for entrepreneurs for free, too.

You can schedule a session with a mentor on their web page, www.sco-

revancouver.org, and make arrangements to meet in the Small Business Hub at the library.

The second partnership I would like to highlight is with WorkSource Cowlitz/Wahkiakum. This partnership allows us the opportunity to help more people in our community. The Longview library has been hosting WorkSource classes on the first and third Fridays of the month covering job searching and resume writing for almost two years. Having WorkSource offer classes at the library helps a lot of people have better access to the services they provide. We also have one-on-one resume assistance with the generous help of volunteers. Anyone can schedule an appointment through our information desk, 360-4425300.

Due to the success of this partnership, we have added a monthly hiring event to our calendar. Local employers work with Donna Hughes at WorkSource to have a table during the hiring event at the library to meet potential employees. The central location of the library is convenient for people to access and the space available allows for more employers to participate. If you are looking for new employees, or are ready to add some more, contact Donna at WorkSource to get a table at the next hiring event.

These are just two examples of how partnerships based on shared goals can make the organizations involved more effective and reach more people. The Longview Public Library is always looking for new partnerships based on shared goals and visions to better serve our community. If you would like to learn more about these partnerships, or maybe start your own, please give us a call.

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24 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2018

Longview Downtowners

By Lindsey Cope President

Downtown Lights Up for the Holiday Season

There is something special about this time of year. The lights, the music, the community's generosity paired with knowing we will get to spend extra time with those we love makes everything seem a little brighter.

We would like to thank the City of Longview, Bobby Davis, Ron and Wendy Kosloski (Teague’s Interiors), Lonnie Knowles, Pat Palmer (Copies Today), and more for assisting us in hanging our holiday decorations downtown making everything merry and bright!

November featured Small Business Saturday and Pop Up Market. We would like to thank everyone who came downtown to shop local, and a huge thank you to the generosity of CPI Properties, Realty One Pacifica and all the businesses and vendors that participated. It was a great day!

This December we are really pulling out the stops! On Dec. 1, we had the annual Home for the Holidays Christmas Parade hosted by the Cowlitz PUD. Watching the thousands of community members lining the streets, listening to the crowd comment on the excellent floats and seeing the excitement of the children collecting candy would even make the Grinch smile! Thank you, Cowlitz PUD! Dec. 7 is the seventh annual Jingle all the Way Family Fun Run around Civic Circle. Headquarters for this year’s event is The Monticello Hotel.

Register now at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org. Come Mingle after you Jingle in downtown Longview at Mill City Grill. From 7 p.m. to

close we will be hosting a 21 years old and older party upstairs, and family-friendly specials downstairs if you wear your Jingle T-shirt or bring your runner number. Thank you Trina, Doug and the Mill City Grill team for hosting this event.

Dec. 8 from 2-4 p.m., we will have a mystery Christmas character at a mystery downtown business. Visit our Facebook page to find out where you can find him or her for a photo. Also Dec. 8 is the Wizards of Winter performance at the Columbia Theatre. You won’t want to miss this.

Dec. 13, the Longview Downtowners membership meetings are at 8 a.m. at Creekside Café or 3 p.m. at Mill City Grill. Our meetings are open to anyone who is interested in the promotion, preservation and development of downtown Longview.

Dec. 15 and Dec. 22 from 2-4 p.m., we will have Mr. and Mrs. Claus downtown. Come finish your shopping and grab a photo. You can find their location on our Facebook page.

Thank you for supporting our downtown businesses and events this holiday season! Shopping locally invests in our community, keeps dollars local, fosters economic development, and builds our community by creating personal relationships.

Happy holidays to you and yours from the Longview Downtowners.

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Ribbon Cuttings

Resource Center

In November, Ambassadors helped open Lower Columbia College's Veterans Resource Center on campus.

Student Aide

The Mark Morris High School student center officially opened with our ribbon cutting ceremony.

See more photos on the Chamber’s Facebook page or click here.

Eye for Details We were able to attend the Grand Opening of EYE Clothing Company’s new location at 1141 Commerce Ave., Longview and help them celebrate with a ribbon cutting.

26 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2018

November Ambassador of the Month Teedara Garn Cowlitz County PUD

Chamber Grateful for the Volunteer Effort “She is a real asset to our Chamber and our community,” Kelso Longview Chamber Project Manager Amy Hallock said of November’s Ambassador of the Month Teedara Garn. “We have lots of pictures of her on our facebook because she is involved in just about everything we do!”

Teedara, human resources specialist with Cowlitz County PUD, became a Red Coat six years ago and last earned Ambassador of the Month honors in August. In addition to her role as an Ambassador, she sits on the Chamber’s Education Foundation, helps with the Jingle all the Way and sQuatch Fest committees and is a member of Lower Columbia Professionals. Teedara, the Chamber’s 2017 Ambassador of the Year, was nominated as a Rising Star at the Pillars of Strength business and education awards this year.

Away from the Chamber, Teedara is very involved in

Kelso Youth Baseball and a 12 (Seattle Seahawks fan).

Chamber Ambassadors, known as the Red Coats, are an integral part of the Chamber of Commerce. The Ambassador team is made up of active Chamber volunteers whose responsibilities include meeting and greeting at Chamber events, welcoming new members and assisting at ribbon cuttings and community events. Ambassadors juggle busy professional careers while making time to assist the Chamber at a variety of events year long. If you would be interested in wearing a red coat and representing the Chamber, contact CEO Bill Marcum at the Chamber office.

Teedara Garn and Amy Hallock spreading Christmas joy.

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New Members Add your business to our growing membership – Call 360-423-8400 Today!

Early Words Toastmasters No. 3657 Toni Cooper/Patrick Locke 120 Manor Rd. Woodland, WA 9674 360-957-9632 earlywordstmi@gmail.com

Business Association with opportunities to promote trade through Chamber socials, special events and committee participation.

• Annual Meeting and Banquet

• Website Links • Member to Member Discounts • Membership Directory • Tax Deduction

• Networking Events

• Newsletter

• Committee Participation

• Business Card Display

• Business Contacts

• Use of Chamber Logo

• Quarterly Membership Meetings • Civic Representation

Representation through action committees, candidate forums and up-to-date action alerts.

• Monthly Business After Hours

• Legislative Representation Business Services include marketing for your business, referrals and access to Chamber publications and research data.

• Mailing Labels

• Issues Tracking and Information • Task Forces • Candidate Forums • Legislative Update Breakfast

• Membership Window Decals

• Demographics Publication

• Member Referrals • Ribbon Cutting

Early Words Toastmasters Helping Leaders Lead and Members Succeed. https://3657.toastmastersclubs.org

Every Tuesday Morning 6:05 am to 7:30 am

Canterbury Park Community Room • Second Floor 1335 3rd Avenue Longview, WA 98632 Guests Always Welcome!

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Packages Basic Membership Package – $275 or $26 per month.

Bronze Membership Package – $500 or $46.66 per month.

Silver Membership Package – $1,000 or $86.33 per month.

Gold Membership Package – $2,500 or $211.33 per month.

Platinum Membership Package – $5,000 or $416.66 per month.

Diamond Club Membership Package – $10,000 or $834 per month.

Nonprofit Package – $180 or $18 per month.

Welcome Back!

The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce would like to give a SHOUT OUT and a big THANK YOU to the following loyal members for renewing their partnership with us.

Altrusa International Inc. of Longview-Kelso Canterbury Inn Columbia Ford Hyundai Nissan Ecological Land Services, Inc. Fibre Federal Credit Union – Main Branch KLOG/KUKN/The WAVE Radio Stations Longview Radiologists, PS, Inc. Office Depot Max Omelettes & More PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center Foundation Suburban Propane Teri's Restaurant

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Chamber Connection

All Ears!

Pam and Morgan with American Workforce Group got into the Halloween spirit with hosts Karen Sisson and Russ Chittock, while below Lindsey Cope and Marc Silva talk about Small Business Saturday and Rich Coleman updated listeners on the comings and goings at Bicoastal Media.

“Your Chamber Connection� EVERY Wednesday

Stream live at www.kedoam.com Local guest and current events 30 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2018

Hosts of the Show: Carey Mackey, Red Canoe Credit Union; Karen Sisson, Stewart Title; and Russ Chittock, Enlivant Would you like an opportunity to be on Your Chamber Connection or to have more information about the qualifications of an open house or ribbon cutting? Contact Bill or Amy at the Chamber 360-423-8400

Chamber Connection

Guess Who's Coming to Town?

November Ambassador of the Month Teedara Garn took a few moments to plug a visit from her favorite man, Santa.

Lisa Nathan provided informatin about Express Employment

Host Shawn Green and Spencer Boudreau with the Monticello Hotel, which will serve as headquarters for the Jingle all the Way Family Fun Run.

Kristen Mendez brought listeners up to date with the work at Child Justice and Advocacy.

December 2018 | Kelso Longview Business Connection 31

Lois Retires

Goodbye Good Friend

Kelso Mayor Nancy Malone made a surprise visit to the Visitor Center to thank Lois Sigurdson for her many years of helping visitors to our area. Lois retired from the Visitor Center Nov. 1.

See more photos on the Chamber’s Facebook page or click here.

Diane and Ruby from Koelsch Senior Communities along with Dawn from Cowlitz Tourism made a special visit to thank Lois for her service.

Your Locally Owned and Operated Community Bank • Checking, Savings and CDs • Business Loans • Construction Loans • SBA Loans 729 Vandercook Way, Longview

(360) 414-4101 www.twincitybank.com

There’s a Difference.

32 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2018