December 2019 Business Connections

December

2019

Business Connection

Volume 11, Issue 12

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

Students filled the conference center Nov. 14 to learn about career opportunities offered close to home.

Chamber CEO’s Message

By Bill Marcum

EXPOsure: First-time event opens career paths to students 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

W

ow! What an event Nov. 14. During a four-hour stretch, 70 businesses and more than 2,400 students packed into the conference center. Busloads after busload of students were dropped off to discover and learn more about local career opportunities. Students flooded the conference center, talking to local business owners, human resource managers, doctors, nurses, police and fire personnel and so many more.

In our school system, by the end of eighth grade, a student must make a career pathway choice. Basically, that means a ninth-grade student has been in their pathway for three months and 10th-graders a year and three months without much working knowledge of that career. By 11th and 12th grade students have between six and eight opportunities to attend a job fair, career expo or hiring event a year. Our goal with the Career Expo was to provide 8th, 9th and 10th grade students exposure to career opportunities.

So a HUGE thank you to all the employers who took time from their busy schedule to help educate these local students. And a HUGE thank you to the schools for participating and bringing their students. Next year we hope to have all Cowlitz and Wahkiakum county schools attend.

Students meet with a corrections officer and learn about her job.

Overall the Expo was a BIG success. Yes, we have a few tweaks to do to make it even better. But, for our first countywide event most every business owner or manager I spoke with said they will be back, and the educators who were there with stuFor more Career Expo, see page 3

Career Expo

The Port of Kalama provides a number of local jobs.

Business leaders connected with interested students.

Finding a Road to the Future The inaugural Career Expo, sponsored by the Chamber, Gibbs & Olson, Southwest Washington STEM Network and Real Country, drew 70 community businesses and more than 2,400 students to the Cowlitz County Event Center.

Diane Craft, Koelsch Senior Communities, greets students.

2 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2019

Students learn The Daily News offers more than journalism.

Career Expo, continued from page 1 dents were surprised and impressed with the business community turnout. Great job everyone.

December is a busy month at the Chamber Friday, Dec. 6 is our Quarterly Luncheon and our speaker for this event is Chris Paolini, manager of the Southwest Washington Regional Airport. With some new investors and a new multi-year strategic plan there is a lot to talk about. This airport is strategically positioned, with rail, water and a major interstate to support the growing economic impacts to come to southwest Washington. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door. See the flyer on page 13.

Tuesday, Dec. 10 is our Country Holiday Mixer, taking place this year in the Floral Building at the fairgrounds. We have a great evening planned with music from Couldshine, country decor, food from Hop-N-Grape, barrels of ice-cold beer, wine and more than 30 “very nice� raffle prizes to be given away. The cost is $25 to attend. Come enjoy the Holiday Mixer with more than 200 of your friends and colleagues. All proceeds go to our LCC scholarship fund.

Last year we were able to award a student a two-year scholarship for $1,000 per year. Special thank you to all our sponsors. See the flyer on page 22. Wear your boots, jeans and cowboy hat and come ready to kick up your heels.

Friday, Dec. 13 is the eighth year for our Jingle all the Way Run/ Walk. We will be doing eight laps around the beautifully decorated Civic Center. Cost is $25 to participate with a commemorative glowin-the-dark black shirt. The cost to participate is only $10 without a shirt. About 400 kids and adults dress up and enjoy a fun evening that features glow-in-the -dark bracelets, hot cocoa, and holiday

Area firefighters rolled up a fire truck so students could get a first-hand and hands-on look at equipment. music from the Kelso High School choir and jazz band. This event amazes me every year... seems the worse the weather the more people come out and participate. See the flyer on page 19 Hope to see you there...

From Amy, Pam, Joelle and myself we wish you a special holiday season and a big year in 2020.

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

Ken Botero Longview City Council

Bruce Pollock Bicoastal Media

Bianca Lemmons, President Elect Cowlitz County Title

Bob Crisman Gallery of Diamonds

Tom Rozwod NORPAC

Chris Roewe, Vice President Woodford Commercial Real Estate

Rich Gushman Gibbs & Olson

Ted Sprague Cowlitz Economic Development Council

Neil Zick, Treasurer Twin City Bank

Marlene Johanson Heritage Bank

Lisa Straughan Express Employment Professionals

Michael Claxton, Legal Counsel

Wendy Kosloski Teague's Interiors

Michael Vorse Minuteman Press

Foster Farms

Walstead Mertsching

Nick Lemiere, Executive Board Edward Jones

Nancy Malone Mayor of Kelso Cherelle Montanye St. John/PeaceHealth

Dennis Weber Cowlitz County Commissioner

December 2019 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 3

City of Kelso

City of Longview

By Councilman David Futcher

By City Councilman Ken Botero

Streets, streets, streets

Reflection on 2019 is clear

What are the three most important issues in city government?

Sometimes it seems akin to the old adage about the three most important factors in real estate: streets, streets, and streets.

Holiday greetings to all from the Jewel of Southwest Washington, the beautiful city of Longview. As we come to the close of another exciting year here in southwest Washington, we are proud to look back over the past 12 months and reflect on the positive adventures in the city of Longview.

Our streets are a common denominator that we all share. They’re something we use regularly, and often when we’re in a state of mind that doesn’t exactly lend itself to forgiveness and understanding. So, when lights turn red at an inopportune time or we hit a bump while already stressed out from being late, it’s hard to stay patient. Ergo, we receive many comments about street quality.

With the passage of Initiative 976, voters clearly said they wanted to pay less for transportation. Kelso had a transportation benefit district (TBD) in effect for about six years. It provided us with $20 per vehicle each year on the car license fee, or about $170,000 a year. The funds were required to be used on streets. On top of that, we throw around $400,000 of general fund money for maintenance. However, depending on the study, we need to be spending close to $1 million a year just to keep the streets from deteriorating further.

Kelso pledged our TBD revenue to pay for projects that let us efficiently improve areas like Minor Road and Yew Street years before we would otherwise have been able to do so. Since the initiative removed our ability to collect that $20 annual fee, we will have to allocate about half of our general fund maintenance money to pay back those loans. Kelso will likely end up with worse streets unless something changes.

Quality transportation infrastructure is a huge part of attracting investment in the community. Back in the day, our car tabs used to be hundreds of dollars per year. I completely understand the appeal behind paying less for our car tabs. But, that doesn’t mean that the road system is going to be any less expensive to maintain. Until, we as drivers are paying for what we use, we can’t expect our infrastructure to improve.

As we begin our journey through 2019 here in the Jewel of Southwest Washington, Longview, we see the positive activity of new prospects at the thriving Mint Farm Industrial area, creating future employment opportunities within the community. The newest project in development of the outstanding Beech Street properties, creating a positive growth economically in the community. Advances in the Industrial Way / Oregon Way transportation development opening avenues for economic development. The Longview city staff, along with the Longview City Council, have engaged in upgrading and maintaining the local road system and making sidewalk repairs; worked to enhance our parks and recreation programs; and have made remarkable advances in promoting a positive vision for our historic downtown corridor. Longview is now set to begin the adventure of a Safe Streets program to enhance health and safety in the community.

Yes, we in Longview have had an outstanding year and are thankful for the positive direction and guidance provided by our citizens, local businesses, staff, and many visitors working together in providing for our quality of place.

With the coming year, we do have a perfect “2020” vision of what the future will look like as we welcome our newly-elected Longview City Council officials, our staff, community leaders, and our awesome community citizens. What lies ahead? Follow us down that positive path to success, and watch Longview become that quality of place that you will want to provide for your families, children and friends.

We wish each of you the happiest of holidays and invite you to join the citizens of Longview with their “2020” goals.

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Lower Columbia College

Calendar Wednesday December 4 – 7:30-8:30am Education Foundation Goodwill

Thursday December 5 – 7:30-8:30am Ambassadors Meeting Columbia Bank

Monday December 9 – Noon Chamber Executive Board Mill City Grill (Budget Approval)

Tuesday December 10 – 5:30-7:30pm Business After Hours Holiday Mixer Floral Building

Friday December 13 – 6pm Jingle all the Way 5K Run/Walk Civic Circle, Longview

Tuesday December 17 – Noon Chamber Board Meeting Mill City Grill (Budget Final Approval)

Tuesday-Wednesday December 24-December 25 Chamber Office Closed Christmas Holiday

Every Wednesday Chamber Connections KEDO/1400 AM or 99.1 FM 3-4pm Stream live at www.kedoam.com

By Chris Bailey President

Why LCC is 'the Smart Choice'?

People are beginning to recognize the incredible value of America’s community colleges. Currently, approximately 40 percent of all baccalaureate degrees are earned in the United States by way of a community college.

Community colleges are also a key to developing a skilled workforce. Below, I list some of the many reasons why Lower Columbia College (LCC) is “the Smart Choice” for so many of our area residents.

Quality Instruction. LCC students do well in their “next steps.” Our LCC graduates have surveyed at a 98 percent satisfaction rate from area employers. Our transfer students do as well or better in their final two years of college as the students who start at our state’s public universities. The average gradepoint average for LCC graduates is currently around 3.18 for those final two years.

Low Cost. Tuition at community colleges is considerably lower than at other colleges and universities. Going local can also save on housing and transportation costs. Tuition at Lower Columbia College can be as low as 10 percent of the cost at a private university.

Students can graduate with lower debt or go further (post-graduate) with the savings.

Myriad of Program Offerings. In addition to a college or university’s standard academic offerings, community colleges also offer a myriad of one year certificates and two year degree programs to serve the workforce. Professional and technical certificate and degrees are offered in welding, machining, automotive, diesel and manufacturing, among others.

Great Facilities. Lower Columbia College has amazing facilities and instructional equipment. Our Health and Science Building is one of the finest in the country. We are one of the few community colleges in the nation to have a cadaver, a simulated cadaver,

and an electron scanning microscope in its science building. Our labs are state-of-theart. Our recently remodeled Stoller Athletic Center is one of the nicest facilities in the Northwest Athletic Conference. Our original building on campus, Main Building, has recently been renovated to house our mathematics department. Next up for LCC will be a 55,000-square-foot vocational building, which is currently on the state of Washington’s capital projects list.

Accessibility. Lower Columbia College takes all students, regardless of prior success in school. LCC has received national recognition for its work in getting students college ready. We also offer GED and high school diploma opportunities.

Smaller Class Sizes. LCC has significantly lower teacher-student ratios than at larger colleges and universities. Classes are taught by credentialed instructors, not by graduate students. We have a remarkable peer-to-peer tutoring program on our campus.

Personal Touch. One of the key benefits of a smaller school, like LCC, is that you can get to know your professors and administrators on a first-name basis. This can pay dividends when a student needs a letter of recommendation for the transfer university, for a graduate school application, or for a future job reference.

Community colleges are definitely making a difference in educating America; and, this state’s system was recently ranked for having the best community college system in the United States. Lower Columbia College is proud of its place in our local community for the past 85 years. LCC will continue to transform local lives and local families through education.

LCC Proud.

December 2019 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 5

The Executive Corner

By Frank McShane Square Peg Consulting

Improving Productivity: Doing the Right Things Right

Most company owners and managers are interested in increasing

ing efficiency on high value products, service, or customers is worth

the productivity of their people. The goal is typically less cost per

much more than increased efficiency on lower profit outputs. Any

unit of output. That output could be a manufactured item, a service

improvement you make with those products, services, and custom-

delivery, or a sale. In my experience, though, management tends to

ers that generate 80 percent of your profit will have four times the

focus only on the part of productivity called efficiency. This leads

impact compared to improving the ones that generate only 20 per-

to a preoccupation with cost instead of profit and less than optimal

cent (80/20 = 4). High efficiency could be called “doing things right”.

results.

Productivity, though, is the company’s total cost per unit. It includes all the time and costs that are not directly tied to producing

What’s the difference between efficiency and productivity?

the output.

Efficiency is certainly a key component of productivity, but only a part. Efficiency measures the time or cost for producing one unit of output. Improvement initiatives tend to involve areas such as machine speeds, work rates, time per delivery, or sales close rates.

These are all important areas for improvement. However, improv-

Utilization – the other opportunity for improvement The other key component of productivity is utilization. This measures the percent of time employees are involved in actually producing output. Utilization can be improved in two ways. The first is to eliminate or minimize distractions from actual production time – distractions like machine downtime, unnecessary travel time for deliveries, or too many sales meetings and reports.

The second and most effective method is shifting the employees’

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efforts to the higher value products, services, and customers. Again, any increase of time spent on the parts of the business generating 80 percent of the profit will have a four-times impact compared to those creating only 20 percent. High utilization would be “doing the right things”.

Efficiency x Utilization = Productivity Putting efficiency and utilization together yields productivity. I recommend improving utilization (doing the right things) first by focusing more employee time and resources on the highest profit products, services, and customers. Once that has been accomplished, turn to improving efficiency. With both improved, you will be generating the highest profit per output and “doing the right things right”.

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Frank McShane is president of Square Peg Consulting. For questions or comments, please contact him at fvm@SqrPegConsulting.com or 360-562-1077.

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In The News

Port of Longview CEO to retire The Port of Longview’s Chief Executive Officer Norm Krehbiel recently announced his plans to retire from the Port at the end of February, after nearly 30 years with the organization.

Krehbiel joined the Port of Longview in 1993 as the director of facilities and engineering. In 2008, he was appointed deputy executive director and later chief operating officer before being named CEO in 2016.

“Norm’s contributions to the Port, both in leadership and facility development, have greatly contributed to the Port’s success,” said former Port Operations Director and current Port Commission President Doug Averett. “I have worked with him both as a peer and Commissioner. He will be greatly missed.”

Throughout his Port career, Krehbiel managed the construction and maintenance of more than 800 acres of infrastructure and property development. Key projects completed under his leadership include the construction of the Port’s Industrial Rail Corridor and both Berth 8 and Berth 9 cargo handling docks.

“I was recently asked what has kept me at the Port all these years,” said Krehbiel to Port staff in a meeting announcing his retirement.

“It’s you, it’s this team of people that has made my career so enjoyable.”

In retirement, Krehbiel looks forward to more time with his family and doing part-time engineering consulting work.

The Port Commission will announce a plan to fill the vacancy at a future date.

WSW CEO elected chair of Washington Workforce Association Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) CEO Kevin Perkey has been elected Chair of the Washington Workforce Association (WWA) for a two-year term beginning January 2020.

As Chair, Perkey will work closely with the other 11 Washington Workforce Development Board CEOs to coordinate the state’s workforce system which includes multiple state agencies, community colleges, community-based organizations, businesses and labor unions.

Prior to joining WSW, Perkey was CEO of South Central Pennsylvania Works, a regional workforce development board investing more than $12 million of public workforce investment resources annually across an eight-county region of South Central, Pennsylvania.

Perkey serves on the boards of the Columbia River Economic For more In The News, see page 9

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In The News, continued from page 8 Development Council, Cowlitz Economic Development Council, and Mount St. Helens Institute and on the STEM Network Governance Committee and the U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council (serving as Policy Committee co-chair).

cept feedback, NORPAC hired seven out of the eight youth who completed the program.

“The world of work is changing every day. Advances in technology, emerging markets for new businesses of all types and sizes, changing worker preferences and values around work/life balance, and multigenerational workplaces all influence the future direction of workforce development,” Perkey said.

NORPAC Hires Multiple Graduates of Industrial Training Program November marked the end of a sixmonth Industrial Training Program for eight local youth. Over the course of the program, interns were placed in various departments at NORPAC, building valuable industrial skills and earning industry certifications. Interns were paired with a mentor onsite, received steady feedback on their performance, and participated in professional development workshops with Goodwill.

Lower Columbia College (LCC) signed a 5-year partnership with Wako Kokusai High School, Wako, Saitama, Japan. The international high school will be sending students to study at LCC. Forty-five students and 15 parents attended the information session. LCC also celebrated its fifth anniversary in partnership with Atomi University.

Atomi University, Tokyo and Niiza, Japan, sends its students twice each year for short-term English language and American culture programs. A record 17 students will be coming for the February three-week long program.

Based on performance factors and their abilities to work on a team and ac-

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Business Toolbox

By Jerry D. Petrick Certified Business Adviser

5 Keys To Strengthening Your Business In 2020

Most business owners have a strong desire to improve their business.

A strong business is one that can withstand the ups and downs of an economic cycle; it can replenish itself through profits; it’s agile, flexible, and communicates well; and it can support the owner’s lifestyle.

A strong business is based on a true business opportunity and a sound business model. While a business opportunity is shaped by the market environment, a business model is the shaped by the owner. An enlightened way of looking at and defining your business model can be found at: https://canvanizer.com/new/business-model-canvas There are at least five keys to building a strong business: • the owner’s ability to lead AND manage • a focus on customer needs and wants • systematized processes and procedures • hiring and investing in the right people • managing cash LEAD AND MANAGE Whether your business consists of one person or many, a clear vision and mission is imperative. These drive goals and objectives that are timely, measurable, and accountable. Amid many distractions, it keeps the owner focused. If the owner can effectively engage employees to embrace the vision and achieve company goals, the probability of success is high. In fact, the most important things an owner can do are stay focused on what the company does well and help employees do their best work. These concepts are driven home in books like “Good to Great” by Jim Collins and “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber. One adage that is worth minding as a business owner: We manage things and we lead people.

MAINTAIN A CUSTOMER FOCUS A customer-driven business is one that is synchronized with what customers really want and need. Most important is what customers and prospective customers value. These can be many things: a fair price, convenience, fast turnaround, high quality, etc. The reward for meeting their needs is predictable sales and growth. However, “customers” include more than the buying public. They may include shareholders, suppliers, bankers, employees, and others who rely on an owner’s ability to keep his or her promises. A strong business balances the needs of all these “customers.”

USE SYSTEMATIC PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES Customers don’t really care how it’s done, they just want their needs met. However, to meet the needs of everyone–especially shareholders–production and delivery of goods and services must be efficient.

The process of creating value to customers is based on a total management system originally used by Toyota and described in “The Machine that Changed the World” by J. Womack, D. Jones, and D. Roos.

A useful tool for those looking to reinvigorate their business is the 10 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2019

book by Eric Ries, “The Lean Start-up”. This work describes approaches to innovation and time-to-market such as “minimum viable solution” and “opportunistic adaptation”. This is a good read for sparking your thought processes and encouraging you to think differently.

HIRE RIGHT (WELL) An owner soon realizes that building a strong business is tough to do alone. At a minimum, an external team including a business advisor, banker, insurance agent, CPA, and attorney may be required.

At some point, though, employees will be needed to manage dayto-day functions as the business grows. An owner needs to assemble and lead people to apply principles and practices systematically and coherently. The key to assembling the right people is hiring well.

This means selecting people for their talents and building on their strengths. Once people have joined your team the next order of business includes investing in their talents, listening to their thoughts, assisting them in their jobs, and rewarding them for work well done. In the book “First, Break All the Rules” authors Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman share the results of in-depth interviews revealing how the world’s greatest managers use these techniques.

MANAGE YOUR CASH Every strong business depends on a predictable, consistent cash flow. A profit plan measures true profitability and is the best measure of efficiency. However, a cash budget that predicts and monitors cash flowing into and out of a business is a good measure of sustainability. If an owner can predict and budget cash flow, then he or she can make better decisions on how and when to use cash. When businesses extend credit to buyers, incoming cash lags behind sales.

When sales are made, assets (like inventory or labor) are required to complete the transaction and these assets require cash. Therefore, a lot of cash is going out and not a lot of cash is coming in throughout seasonal or cyclical fluctuations. Since the business owner can't pay bills with negative cash, he or she has to either borrow cash or inject it. Managing cash with a budget helps the owner predict cash shortages so funds can be arranged (often with a bank loan or line of credit) to fill the gaps. When collections create excess cash, the short-term loans can be paid back. Even profitable businesses can go bankrupt if they haven’t balanced their cash flow cycle.

While many factors contribute to building a strong business, these five deserve special attention. Strong businesses support their local communities and are the foundation upon which the economy grows.

These and other strategies will help you re-examine your business in 2020 and make your business prospects better than ever!

Happy New Year!

This article was prepared by Jerry Petrick, senior certified business adviser with the Washington State University Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC provides confidential, no-cost business advisory services by appointment. Jerry can be contacted at: jerry. petrick@wsbdc.org

Discover!

www.portofkalama.com

Did you know the Port, Schools & Businesses educate students on career opportunities?

Port businesses interested in exploring internships or project work for students are encouraged to connect with the Kalama School District.

Did you know that businesses at the Port of Kalama employ more than 1,200 people? When you drive by the Port you may not see a lot of people or corporate neon signs, but Port of Kalama businesses combine to create a formidable employment community in Cowlitz County.

From family-owned ventures to Fortune 500 companies, there are over 30 industries conducting global business and commerce including import/export, manufacturing, marketing, welding and fabrication, steel manufacturing, recycling, trucking and myriad other commercial and industrial enterprises. They choose Kalama for its ideal location in the heart of the Pacific Northwest and proximity to highway, railroad and the Columbia River.

The annual Kalama Career Fair offers students a program to learn about the companies in Kalama and throughout Cowlitz County, the wide range of careers available here, the skill sets required, and the pathway to obtaining those jobs. The event, which is organized like a trade show with booths and spokespeople, invites local businesses to participate and share tips on what students should be thinking about and learning in order to secure their job and career path.

Now, as an extension of that career learning, the Port of Kalama is working with the faculty of Kalama Schools to engage the business community in quality internships for students. The key is offering real world experience and activities that will further the career education for Kalama high school students.

Local businesses interested in exploring on-the-job opportunities and internships for students, should call 360-673-5212 or email Cory Torppa, Career and Technical Education Director at the Kalama School District, cory.torppa@kalama.k12.wa.us.

“We have a strong commitment to our community—we exist to create economic opportunity for our region, now and into the future,” says Mark Wilson, executive director at the Port of Kalama and a collaborative partner of the Kalama Career Fair. “It is important for us to help create a balanced opportunity for students to learn about a range of careers and business opportunities— we are encouraging any Port businesses who may have jobs or projects for local interns to offer our kids an invaluable learning opportunity.”

https://portofkalama.com/discover-the-port-collaborateswith-schools-and-businesses-to-educate-students-on-career-opportunities-right-here-at-home-2/

Cowlitz County Commissioners

By Arne Mortensen

Homeless Issue Needs Real Definitions, Real Plans and Real Goals

Smart politicians tell you what you already know, and they accen-

the USA, one already has won the lottery, makes poverty a hard sell.

tuate the positive–sort of like Dr. Pangloss in Voltaire’s “Candide”–

There are food banks, clothing handouts, electronic benefits transfer

suggesting that they are the source of these good things. For these

(EBT) cards, Medicare, etc. –most of the seven-plus billion people

pages, I look for reality and fundamental principles, so I guess that

in the world don’t have that. The amount of wasted resources in the

makes me a dumb politician. However, it doesn’t make me a pes-

homeless camps would be a boon in many parts of the world.

simist, because I still try to give perspective and rationale to combat the misapplication of “xxxx happens” to situations that are caused by people. Why? Because I believe that overwhelmingly people share a common goal of good will toward their fellow man, and they need real data to figure out whether they have chosen a productive path.

A case in point is the homeless situation that is plaguing Cowlitz County. It doesn’t matter to me that the problem largely is confined to the municipalities in the county; it is everyone’s problem. Except for pathological cases, all of us want to see the homeless be happy

Does poverty explain the filth and degenerate state of the encampments? When hunters camp for days during hunting season do they leave behind a fetid mess? Poverty does not excuse this.

• INCENTIVES: With no incentives, even the best of humans fall prey to the desire to use the “easy button.” “Free” money doesn’t help much here. If it did would we see suicides in Hollywood elites? People need a reason to live. Blindly taking care of them is destructive to their soul.

and productive. An observer from Mars would have to conclude;

• PUBLIC POLICY: Does it make sense to tax productivity and

however, that our current course to remedy the situation is not

subsidize homelessness? Let’s not forget that taxes suppress activity

working. They would also note that the vitriolic dialogue of accusa-

while subsidies grow [the subsidized] activity.

tions of malevolence exacerbates the problem.

• RESPONSIBILITY: Who is responsible for the homeless? Here

Most of the governmental plans I have seen to date have great simi-

there is contention. But, notice, that demanding that your neighbor

larities; they dig into a presumed endless public coffer and require

fix something you want fixed never works (well). That bit of wisdom

little to no responsibility on the part of the homeless.

goes back a long time: https://fablesofaesop.com/the-lark-and-

There are many aspects in the detailed discussions of homelessness,

her-young-ones.html.

but we could get lost in the forest because of all these trees. Instead

Can we fix this problem overnight? Hardly! No, but we would be

of arguing, say, about whether it is this type or that type of homeless-

wise to start to right the process. One clue to a solution was given

ness, let’s look at the high-level assumptions to see if there are some

to us by a constituent who gave public comment at a recent Tuesday

systemic principles working for or against us.

morning County Commissioners regular hearing. That constituent

• NO (real) BUDGET: Most of us know that without a budget we

explained that the reason Kalama and Castle Rock do not have a

get into financial trouble. I have asked in vain for someone to tell

homeless encampment problem is because they do not offer services

me what they think is a reasonable per capita amount of money to

there. Does that mean that our programs invite problems? We find

spend on the homeless. I set aside the complexity that we don’t even

almost invariably with government solutions that the cure is worse

agree on how to define homelessness, and we don’t agree on many

than the disease. Are private (aka voluntary) solutions any better?

other factors. If we had a number, we could then start the process of

Almost always; those that do not offer a solution wither away.

prioritizing our efforts and focusing on results. So far, the answer I get is something like “whatever it takes.” Clearly that is an unworkable answer.

• POVERTY: Is poverty the problem? Given that just being born in 12 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2019

What can we do practically with all the government money captured for this problem? We can we accept all the above bullet points and develop real definitions, real plans and real goals. We must look for sustainable solutions.

Premier Sponsor

Southwest Washington Regional Airport Chris Paolini, Airport Manager Friday, December 6, 2019 Kelso Elks Lodge - 900 Ash St. Kelso 11:45 — 1:30 pm $25 in Advance (by December 4th) $35 at the door.

Register at: www.kelsolongviewchamber.org With accelerating advancements in technology, airplanes are faster, quieter and more efficient, bringing aerial transportation to a larger customer base. Additionally, the massive growth in unmanned aerial vehicles for cargo and passenger transport has airports scrambling to figure out their future roles. With its immediate proximity to land, sea, and rail transportation, our regional airport is in a prime position to support this growth. How are we preparing to support the inevitable growth and ensuing economic development? Come find out!

Chris Paolini

Airport Manager

Our Recent Project

JLE Truckwash in Sumner, Washington needed more space at their facility. They hired Mountain View Commercial Contracting to do the work. JLE Truckwash now has a new exterior truck bay with a canopy for trailer washouts.

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Mind Your Own Business (at the Library)

By Chris Skaugset Director – Longview Public Library

Library Podcast: Tune In For Good Discussion On Good Books

If you didn’t know it, the Library has a podcast and on Monday of the week I’m writing this, we had a live recording of the podcast at the Library talking about books and titles that different staff members have liked, why they liked them, and who might enjoy them. I had so much fun working on them that I thought I would share two of the books that I talked about with you this month (and maybe in the future I can share the others). You can find all of the books that we discussed at the Library. The Library’s podcast, Your Shelf or Mine, can be found on any sites where podcasts can be accessed.

Elizabeth Partridge and Becky Standal do an outstanding job of doing the podcast mixing great information with interesting topics, humor and good books, and Daniel Tate on the back end does an outstanding job taking what they do and making it work. So enjoy the podcast and the titles.

“Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover”, 2018. Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and sleeping with her “head-for-the-hills bag”. As she grew older, she learned herbalism and midwifery from her mother, fully expected to assume her role.

It was an isolated and sometimes violent upbringing. Then, lacking any formal education, and with the help of one of her brothers, Tara began to educate herself. Eventually admitted to Brigham Young University, she studied history, learning for the first time about important world events like the Holocaust and the civil rights movement and in this world, she excelled. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge. It was only then that she wondered if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home. Educated is an account of the struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty and of the grief that comes with severing the closest of ties.

Westover has crafted a universal coming-of-age story that gets to the heart of what an education is and what it offers: the perspective to see one’s life through new eyes and the will to change it. It’s a very big story and a very personal one.

I loved this book. By no stretch of the imagination did I grow up in anything close to the situation she did, I, however, did grow up with a similar thirst for knowledge and learning, and it wasn’t too difficult to put myself in her shoes and to wonder what I would do if I couldn’t quench that thirst. Her story was fascinating, empowering and a reminder of how important education is and made me wondering what other great minds, and great discoveries, are we missing because of a lack of universal education.

Anyone who enjoys memoirs will enjoy this book. Lovers of stories about underdogs and the idea of the American Dream will also like this book. It’s a Horatio Alger rags to riches kind of story that even though you know the ending, you still want to discover how it happened.

“Cork Dork” by Bianca Bosker, 2017. This fabulous book is a surprising, entertaining and hilarious journey through the world of wine. Like many of us, tech reporter Bianca Bosker saw wine as a way to unwind at the end of a long day, or a nice thing to have with dinner and that was about it. Until she stumbled on an alternate universe where taste reigned supreme, a world in which people could, after a single sip of wine, identify the grape it was made from, in what year, and where it was produced down to the exact location, within acres. Where she tasted wine, these people detected not only complex flavor profiles, but also entire histories and geographies. Astounded by their fanatical dedication and seemingly superhuman sensory powers, Bosker abandoned her screen-centric life and set out to discover what drove their obsession, and whether she, too, could become a cork dork. Thus, begins a year and a half long adventure that takes the reader inside elite tasting groups, exclusive New York City restaurants, and a California winery that manipulates the flavor of its bottles with ingredients like Mega Purple, and even a neuroscientist’s fMRI machine as Bosker attempts to answer the most nagging question of all: what’s the big deal about wine? Funny, counter intuitive, and compulsively readable, Cork Dork illuminates not only the complex web of wine production and consumption, but how tasting better can change our brains and help us live better lives.

This book was life changing for me. This book helped open my eyes to the world of wine in ways that I couldn’t imagine. Grapes and winemaking have become a passion in my life and ultimately this book is one of the biggest reasons why. I love narrative nonfiction (that is true stories written in a form much like a novel). Think Mary Roach, Susan Orlean, Mark Kurlansky, or Anthony Bourdain for that matter. She looks at wine scientifically, historically, socially, and geekily and does it in fascinating way that makes you want to pop open a bottle and join her on her adventures.

Lovers of books about food and wine should enjoy this book. Lovers of narrative nonfiction as I mentioned previously should also love this book. Finally, people who like to read about science will enjoy this book Bosker explores not only the science of taste but also the often overlooked sense of smell that makes taste possible.

December 2019 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 15

Kelso Public Schools

Longview Public Schools

By Superintendent Mary Beth Tack

By Superintendent Dan Zorn

Our whole child focus

Levies versus bonds

A whole child approach to education is defined by policies, practices, and relationships that ensure each child, in each school, in each community, is healthy, safe, engaged, and supported; not just academically, but socially and emotionally, as well.

School district funding can be confusing. When someone asks the school district what the difference is between bonds and levies we say, “Bonds are for building and levies are for learning.”

Our whole child focus centers on the following: • Each student enters our schools healthy and is provided support in their social and emotional development.

• Each student lives and learns in an environment that is physically and emotionally safe.

• Students are actively engaged in learning and are connected to the school and broader community.

• Each student is challenged academically and will graduate with the knowledge, skills and attitude to excel in post-high school opportunities and throughout life.

In Kelso, we’ve mapped out a three-tiered plan to help us reach these goals. It started with implementation of social emotional learning strategies in all of our elementary schools. Currently, 100 percent of K-5 classrooms in our district start their day with social-emotional learning. We’re working on rolling out these strategies in our secondary schools now.

The second tier is collaboration and coordination between our district and community partners. We are so grateful to work with 13 organizations for coordination of care: A First Place, Child and Adolescent Clinic, Columbia Wellness, Community Integrated Health Services, CORE Health, Cowlitz Tribe, ESD 112, Great Rivers Behavioral Health, Kaiser, Youth and Family LINK, PeaceHealth, SEAMAR, and United Way. These partnerships are vital for the third tier of our plan, which is providing direct services to students and families. We have the full-time equivalent (FTE) of 10 and a have counselors working in the district (4.2 FTE elementary, 9 FTE secondary). We also have two substance use disorder specialists and two homeless support staff. Last year, our district staff made 326 referrals to outside agencies for mental health services for students.

As part of our whole child focus, we continue to offer a variety of things that support and challenge students in other areas of interest. District-wide, we have 139 extra-curricular clubs and activities and 40 sports available. The enrollment for these is an impressive 4,587.

Looking at our students and supporting them in wholistic ways is one of our roadmaps to student success, and will help us achieve our goal of having 100 percent of students graduating with postsecondary enrollment in college, career or the military.

16 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2019

School districts put capital bond measures on the ballot to build new schools and upgrade existing facilities. Districts place educational levies on the ballot to help fund daily school operations.

Early next year, we will submit a “replacement levy” for voter consideration. It’s commonly called a replacement, or renewal levy, because citizens approved an existing levy in 2018 that expires at the end of 2020.

Some ask why the district needs a local levy and what does it fund?

Local levies fill gaps state funding does not cover. State funding of school districts is based on a formula, and the funds generated from this formula are not adequate to meet the day-to-day operation of our district’s schools. The state understands this and provides the levy system so that local school districts can secure the funds needed to meet the needs of the students we serve.

The local levy helps fund salaries for teachers, counselors, custodians, paraprofessionals, student athletics and activities, and staff training. Approximately 13 percent of our school staffing is paid for by the local levy.

Why is a local levy important?

The local levy accounts for about 13 percent of our total budget and is crucial to continue providing the education our community expects and our students deserve. One of the goals at Longview Schools is to graduate “work ready” students. We know business owners need new employees every year and our goal is to be part of the solution. The work we’ve done in the past several years upgrading vocational facilities and programs will provide more qualified applicants for local companies. These improvements would not have been possible without the local levy.

Voters understand how important the school levy is. Historically, support from the community for local levies has been fantastic. The 2018 educational levy passed with 61.3 percent approval, which we’re thankful for.

For more Longview Schools, see page 17

Longview Schools, continued from page 16 Some of you may be wondering about property taxes. Are citizens paying more for schools now or less?

Citizens are currently paying a much lower tax rate for schools.

In fact, taxpayers are paying the lowest school related property tax rates in years. In 2013, Longview homeowners paid $7.38 per $1,000 of assessed home value for schools. In 2019, Longview homeowners will pay $5.42 per $1,000 of assessed home value – or about 26.6 percent less.

When a business invests money it expects a return on investment. So what is the return for investing in our kids?

“First Class Service at Fibre Federal.”

“Fibre Federal has assisted us with several of our business needs.

They are knowledgeable, friendly, and go out of their way in assisting us with our stringent business needs. We appreciate all they do for us.”

Graduation rates are now above the state average for the third year in a row. High school students can now join the pre-apprenticeship program and study how to be an electrician, metalworker or other trade. Test scores in reading and math are improving faster than the state average – the school district is on the right path.

We appreciate the support of the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses. More information will be coming soon about renewing the educational levy. In the meantime, if you have any questions or thoughts, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you for supporting our schools!

Donna Marko, Owner of Great Escapes Travel Shoppe

Great Escapes Travel Bring your business to Fibre Federal for Business Plus Checking, Business Online Banking, Remote Deposit, low-cost loans, and incredible member service.

360.423.8750 1.800.205.7872 www.fibrecu.com

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December 2019 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 17

Longview Downtowners and Kelso Downtown Revitalization Association

By Lindsey Cope President

The Holidays Roll Into Downtown With Tree Lightings, Productions and More Downtown Longview is ready for all your Christmas needs! Shopping, services, dining, entertainment, gifts – we have it all!

Way family fun run around Civic Circle. Headquarters are at The Monticello Hotel. Register now at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

We would like to thank the City of Longview, Bobby Davis, Ron and Wendy Kosloski and more for assisting us in hanging our holiday decorations downtown, making everything merry and bright on Nov. 24.

Dec. 14 is the Johnny Cash Christmas performance at the Columbia Theatre. You won’t want to miss this!

Small Business Saturday occurred on Nov. 30. We would first like to thank everyone who came downtown and shopped local!

Next, a huge thank you to the generosity of Realty One Group Pacifica for use of their beautiful space for one of the downtown pop-up markets and photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Thanks to Corey James Photography, Bella Torrente Events, Mr. and Mrs. Claus and others who made those free photos possible.

Additionally, we were thrilled to have another new addition this year with gift wrapping by the Lower Columbia Professionals (LCP). Donations from the gift wrapping will go to the LCP Scholarship Fund. Last year they gave more than $20,000 to local graduating high school seniors for college and technical school.

This year we had four other businesses who hosted their own pop-up markets. The Roxy Theatre, Jade Ann Clothing with the Merk, Halo Salon and Boutique and The River’s Edge Makers Market within Mill City Grill. They brought a unique variety of crafters, artisans, and small businesses into the fold and we love it! U.S. Bank sponsored carolers on the street and the Children’s Discovery Museum hosted its grand opening.

Along with the 70-plus downtown businesses that participated it was our greatest day yet! We are so grateful for the community of downtown Longview.

You can catch a Longview Stageworks performance of “A Broken Badge Christmas” through Dec. 8. Full of local thespians, this performance is sure to fuel your love of the season.

We will begin Dec. 7 with the Santa Ride. Meet at R.A. Long Park at 11 a.m. dressed in your Santa finest. What a fun and healthy way to get into the holiday, meet some new friends and enjoy the area!

We end Dec. 7 with the annual Home for the Holidays Christmas Parade hosted by 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 for your partnership in making this happen. We appreciate you!

Dec. 13 is the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Jingle all the 18 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2019

Dec. 23 is Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at the Columbia Theatre. Dine downtown before the performance and end with a coffee and chocolate at Storyboard Delights. Or swap those. Either way, it’s a great plan!

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!

Kelso Please join us for the annual Tree Lighting Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. The City of Kelso along with Kelso businesses have partnered to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season in Kelso. Our theme this year is “Rockin’ around the City”. We will be lighting the tree at 6:10 p.m. and Santa will arrive shortly after. Christmas music will be provided throughout the evening. There will also be refreshments, games, prizes, a hayride, children’s crafts, children’s face painting, cookie decorating and a special visit from Santa and his elves.

Kelso is a special city with special partners. Only eight months ago, I held an open meeting inviting anyone I could think of to CPI’s conference room and we ended up with standing room only. In only eight months we have partnered with businesses and the city to provide 40 concrete flower baskets, banners, two clean ups, support of the Avery’s Show and Shine, and more.

This group works as a community along with the Cowlitz Economic Development Council on bolstering Kelso business. We are pulling in stakeholders, having open dialog and demonstrating partnership with city leadership, and really working in sync on how to retain and attract businesses through multiple strategic avenues.

If you are interested in the economic development, promotion, preservation, public art, and Kelso business, please join us at our next meeting Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. at Kelso City Hall in the council chambers. You can find more about our group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ kdrakelsowa

Friday, December 13, 2019

6:00 pm

at The Civic Circle in Longview

Costume Contest: Friday, 5:30 pm at the Monticello Hotel Packet Pickup: Thursday, December 12, 10:00 am - 5:30 pm at the Monticello Hotel Late Registration: Day of Race: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

8

th year

8

laps

10

$

*

to register * by November 30

Register online at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Norman Agency

November Ambassador of the Month Pam Whittle Realty One Group Pacifica

Ambassador Goes Above and Beyond Thumbs Up!

Pam Whittle was named November Ambassador of the Month and answered our questions below:

Pam is a great Ambassador, because...At our November Lower Columbia Professionals bunco fundraiser, Pam met Margaret. Margaret was visiting our area and spied a flyer for our bunco event and decided on her last night in town to attend, have some fun and support a good cause.

In the course of conversation, Pam discovered Margaret was in need of a ride to the airport the next morning. Pam generously offered to give her a lift.

This photo is from their morning run to the airport.

Family? Three kids and two grandkids.

How long have your been an Ambassador? Since 2015 What prompted you to be an Ambassador? I love meeting the new business that join the Chamber What do you like most about volunteering with the Ambassadors? Working the registration table, it gives me a chance to become familiar with employees from the companies.

Your favorite Ambassador story? I don’t really have just one!

Do you volunteer with any other organizations?

Lower Columbia Professionals

eBill

What are you most proud? The impact I’ve been able to make on my community. I have been associated with some great organizations and work for a company that encourages me to make an impact. By putting people to work, raising money and volunteering, I have been able to play a part in the growth and improvements in people and my community.

What do you like to do for fun? Visit breweries, glamp, play with my granddaughter Birthday date? Jan. 21 Favorite snack? All things pickled, almonds and jerky

Sign up TODAY

Receiveit

$

5

cred

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.

20 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2019

computer. tablet. phone. sign up today at 360.423.2210 or https://www.cowlitzpud.org/ebill

Entertainment for The Holidays & Beyond!

CLASSIC FILM SERIES: HOLIDAY

Thursday, December 12th 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant in a rom-com about a man who’s torn between his freedom and the traditions of his wealthy fiancée’s family. Tickets $8 each.

A JOHNNY CASH CHRISTMAS

with James Garner and the Travelin’ Three

Saturday, December 14th 7:30 p.m.

James Garner and his Travelin’ Three perform favorite Johnny Cash songs from his Christmas album and 6 decades of concerts.

Enjoy seasonal melodies and well known tunes plus stories of the career of Johnny Cash. Tickets $35-$45. Students $20.

Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Monday, December 23rd 7:30 p.m. It’s been said that the most popular stories are ones about redemption or time travel: this show has both! Take a breath, pause, and celebrate the Christmas holiday. Tickets $35-$45. Students $20.* * This show is a “$2 FOR THE SCHOOLS” program participant—benefiting Hudson Park Elementary PTO in Rainier, Oregon.

CLASSIC FILM SERIES: TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT Thurs., Jan. 9th 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

A 1944 drama set during World War II— Bogart and Bacall’s first film together.

Tickets $8 each.

PABLO CRUISE

Saturday, January 18th 7:30 p.m.

“Whatcha Gonna Do When She Says Goodbye?” and “Love Will Find A Way,” headline several other top 20’s— 7 studio albums and millions in sales.

Tickets Make Great Christmas Gifts!

C ARL FORSB & A N O L A ERG E H T MainStageSeason

Tickets $45-$55. Students $20.

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! www.columbiatheatre.com • 360.575.8499

tuesDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019

Country

HOLIDAY MIXER Cowlitz County Event Center -------- 5:30 $

Floral Building

PM ’Til 7:30 pm --------

25

in advance $35 at the door

food AND dozens of raffle prizes --

- beverages -

Live music featuring

CloudShine

Register online at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

PRESENTED BY:

Applied Applications Int’l

Business After Hours

New Location

Stewart Title hosted our November Business After Hours at their new location.

The evening included a ribbon cutting, great food and time to gather with friends. More than 200 attended the event. Welcome Stewart Title!

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

December 2019 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 23

Ribbon Cuttings

Kick Up Your Heels Our Ambassadors helped Caberet Follies of Lower Columbia take center stage in preparation of their November show at the Columbia Theatre.

Coffee Stop Dutch Bros. Coffee opened a

location in Longview along Ocean Beach Highway in November.

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

24 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2019

2020

NO TW W DAY O S!

Friday, January 24, 2020 and Saturday, January 25, 2020 Cowlitz County Convention Center Friday 4 pm - 9 pm Saturday 10 am - 8 pm

Friday, January 24 Schedule of Events Speakers:

● Mountain Monsters Huckleberry, Jeff & Wild Bill on stage ● sQuatch Talk – Tell your sQuatch stories ● Craft & Food Vendors ● Axe Throwing ● Cornhole Tournament ● Beer Garden sponsored by Antidote Tap House & Avid Cider

Something for the whole family!

Saturday, January 25 Schedule of Events

Speakers: ● Dr. Jeff Meldrum ● Olympic Project - Derek Randles & Shane Corson ● Finding Bigfoot - Cliff Barackman ● Missing 411 - David Paulides ● Ground Zero - Clyde Lewis ● Kids Cave including Emmie Blue & The Squatchie ● Cowlitz County Museum Story Time in the Bush Cabin ● Craft & Food Vendors ● Axe Throwing ● Scavenger Hunt by Guse’s Coffee ● Cornhole Tournament ● Brew Mountain Beer Festival

Mount St Helens Sponsors Hoffstadt Bluff Sponsors

Ape Cave Sponsors

Columbia River Sponsors

Elk Meadows Sponsors

105 Minor Rd, Kelso WA 98626 • 360-423-8400

www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

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

Hopscotch Toys Pamela Hayes-Kong 1339 Commerce Ave. No. 112 Longview, WA 98632 206-861-9377 pamela@hopscotchlongview.com

Trust Fall Consulting Kurt Clarkson P.O. Box 1108 Kelso, WA 98626 360-244-4589 kurtclarkson@trustfallconsulting.com

Core Health Julie Rinard 748 – 14th Ave. Longview, WA 98632 360-747-1394 juliear@choblv.org

Business Association with opportunities to promote

Village Concepts of Chehalis – Woodland Village Tonya Laeger 2100 SW Woodland Circle Chehalis, WA 98532 360-748-0095 tanyal@villageconcepts.com

• Ribbon Cutting

trade through Chamber socials,

• Website Links

special events and committee participation.

• Member to Member Discounts

• Annual Meeting and Banquet

• Membership Directory

• Networking Events

• Tax Deduction

• Committee Participation

• Newsletter

• Business Contacts

• Business Card Display

• Quarterly Membership Meetings

• Use of Chamber Logo

• Civic Representation • Monthly Business After Hours

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

Business Services include marketing for your business,

• Legislative Representation

referrals and access to Chamber

• Issues Tracking and Information

publications and research data.

• Task Forces

• Mailing Labels

• Candidate Forums

• Membership Window Decals

• Legislative Update Breakfast

• Member Referrals

• Demographics Publication

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

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

Providing Customized Leadership Coaching and Business Consulting Services to Keslo-Longview and surrounding areas www.trustfallconsulting.com

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.

26 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2019

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.

Canterbury Inn Columbia Ford Hyundai Nissan Ecological Land Services, Inc. Fibre Federal Credit Union – Main Branch KLOG/KUKN/The WAVE Radio Station Longview Radiologists, PS, Inc. Office Depot Max Omelettes and More PeaceHealth St. John Foundation Suburban Propane Teri's Steak and Fish House

Longview is home to one of the safest hospitals in America.

PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center has earned an “A” from the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. Thanks to the caregivers and providers who made this possible through their meaningful contributions to the delivery of safe, compassionate care every day.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is an elite designation from The Leapfrog Group, a national, independent watchdog that sets the highest standards for patient safety in the United States.

Learn more about PeaceHealth’s commitment to safety at peacehealth.org/patient-safety-and-quality

December 2019 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | 27

Chamber Connection

Helping Hands Barb Clausen with Bethany Lutheran Church and Rhonda Black with HEVINHelping Every Veteran In Need.

“Your Chamber Connection“ EVERY Wednesday

Stream live at www.kedoam.com Local guest and current events

Hosts of the Show: Carey Mackey, Red Canoe Credit Union; Karen Sisson, Stewart Title; Shawn Green, ServPro Longview/Kelso and Marc Silva, Columbia Bank .

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

Trusted.

For Over 35 Years.

Since 1982, Cowlitz County Title has been THE company our community turns to when buying, selling or refinancing a property.

Whether you need title, escrow or property search information, our knowledgeable staff, backed by secure underwrites, is here to help you semalessly navigate through the paperwork.

Come in for our exceptional service.

Leave with the confidence that your real estate investment is properly insured and Bianca Lemmons protected.

Making Spirits Bright We are successful because of our customers. Their trust and continued business allows us to give back to our communities. In 2019, we donated $1.5 million to local nonprofits and volunteered 4,714 hours to help our neighbors in need. Thank you for your support so we can continue to improve the lives of those around us.

VP/Manager/LPO

Kelso 1000 South 13th Ave. 360.423.7800

Title Insurance Escrow Service 1031 Exchange

Residential & Commercial Locally Owned

1159 14th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632 Phone: 360.423.5330 Fax: 360.423.5932 www.cowlitztitle.com

28 | Kelso Longview Business Connection | December 2019

Longview 927 Commerce Ave. 360.423.9800 HeritageBankNW.com | 800.455.6126 |

Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC

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Kelso-Longview Business Connection monthly newsletter is published the first of each month, posted electronically on our website and over 6,400 emailed to local business professionals, city and county officials.

To be included in this monthly email, call the Chamber office at 360-423-8400.

each mon

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1 - 3 Issues $110 $175 $205 $325 $625

4-7 Issues $90 $140 $170 $290 $570

8-10 Issues $70* $105* $140* $245* $480*

12 Issues $50* $75* $100* $190* $400*

2" x 2.5" 4" x 2.5" 4" x 5.25" 4" x 10.5" 8" x 10.5"

Dimensions (*Includes ad on website) (*Includes ad on website) (*Includes ad on website) (V) or 8" x 5.25" (H) (*Includes ad on website)

All ads include full color and any design work. Deadline is the 21st of the month prior to publication.

Digital files: PDF is preferred. JPEG accepted at high resolution(at least 300 dpi).

Non-Members of the Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce, please add 30% to above rates.

To advertise or request additional information please contact Amy Hallock at 360-423-8400 or ahallock@kelsolongviewchamber.org or CEO Bill Marcum at 360-423-8400 or bmarcum@kelsolongviewchamber.org

Advertising Agreement

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Business Name: _____________________________________ Phone: ____________________________ Contact Name: _________________

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Address: ____________________________________________________________ Zip _______________ Email: _____________________________________________ Fax: _______________________________

Number of Issues: 12 month agreement

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Plus Web Ad: 300W X 100H. Ads can be changed monthly.

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2019 January 15: Specialty Rents February 12: Port of Longview March 12: Business and Tourism Expo April 9: Three Rivers Christian School May 14: Lifeworks June 11: Antidote July 9: Three Rivers Eye Center August 13: Mary’s Bar & Grill September 11: Silver Star October 8: Steele Chapel November 12: Stewart Title December 10: Holiday Mixer