Ridge Business Journal: April 2011

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BUSINESS JOURNAL www.paradisechamber.com

Connecting the Ridge Business Community

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Vol. #1 Spring 2011

Town Manager Chuck Rough: Chamber Board Gathers to Presentation to the Reflect and Project Chamber’s Board of Directors By Monica Nolan overview of WebLink, the Chamber’s powerful By Chuck Rough Town Manager

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had the pleasure of speaking before the Board of Directors of the Paradise Ridge Chamber’s annual strategic planning meeting on February 16. At the Chamber’s request, I shared highlights of the information presented for this issue of its excellent Ridge Business Journal. Since 2008, the Town has been coping with the impacts of a recessionary economy and state budget crisis. This has been a formidable challenge for a municipal government already lean and tight with the dollar in its governance of a predominately bedroom community with a very limited tax base. However, our number one priority is the fiduciary responsibility entrusted to us by taxpayers to maintain the financial stability and fiscal solvency of the Town government. To that end, we’ve further reduced spending through a combination of actions including additional trimming of department budgets, consolidation of operations, significant reductions to our work force, two years of shared-sacrifice contract concessions by all of our employees, and public pension reforms that reduce current and long term costs. We fully expect the next fiscal year to be equally challenging.

The following conditions have impacted our local economy: Unemployment and underemployment remain high. Property values have dropped significantly as has the average home price. Foreclosures are still high. More than 22% of the properties in Paradise have been reassessed. Commercial/retail sales have been on a downward trend since 2008, until the third quarter of 2010 which showed a 3.5% increase. We also project a 5% increase for the 2010 4th quarter. While a number of businesses are struggling, there are many others in our local economy demonstrating real growth despite the recession. I mentioned that our Town’s “Growing Our Local Economy” Business Conference (held March 17) was intended to highlight local businesses that are adapting to the realities of our rapidly changing economy, building their customer base beyond our immediate market area, and re-defining the traditional concept of the “brick & mortar” store in the process. The conference was also intended to provide information about resources and assistance that are available to small businesses in our area. Business growth, expansion, revitalizaDIRECTORS, continues page 2

Membership Services Administrator

On February 16, the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce gathered to reflect on the past year and project to the next. In attendance were the Board of Directors, Deputy Town Manager Lauren Gill and Membership Services Administrator Monica Nolan. Town of Paradise Manager Chuck Rough delivered the initial “State of the Town” address. Rough’s talk detailed the town’s business-friendly practices, including support from the Business Assistance Team, known as the BAT team. The BAT team meets with all new business prospects, helps guide them through procedures, and troubleshoots projects. There followed some discussion of a Chamber role in supporting this endeavor, perhaps with a Chamber Assistance (or CAT) Team. The Town is also planning an incubator program to provide increased support to start-up businesses. The Board then broke into committee groups to plan and set goals for membership, steering, and events. The membership committee will focus on retention and growth, the steering committee will facilitate the renovation of the Chamber’s website and partner with the Town in gathering and analyzing information to best serve the needs of local businesses, and the events committee plans to implement and improve the Chamber’s signature events: Buy Local Thursday, Johnny Appleseed Days, and Business Connection Luncheons. Monica Nolan delivered a PowerPoint

and universal membership management database. WebLink demonstrates direct Return on Investment to members by providing access to referral information through its Members Only portal. Referrals track traffic to map-linked business listings. Members can utilize WebLink’s Members Only feature to handle payments, manage contact information, upload promotions and more – all in an exclusive password protected area. WebLink also manages events and accepts online registrations. The Board then reflected on its achievement of goals set in 2010, and will continue to pursue the restablishment of a direct funding program with the Town of Paradise. The Board also expressed its commitment to fostering cooperation and sharing resources with other local business associations. The Board concluded that its greatest success lay in the execution of a comprehensive communication strategy through its weekly Constant Contact eblasts and semi-monthly Ridge Business Journal. Through these means, the Chamber is serving the needs of its members desiring both hard-copy and electronic platforms to share news, views and connection. The Ridge Business Journal, through its partnership with The Paradise Post, has reached beyond the membership and into the community at large to provide a valuable resource for information, events, and promotion of our local businesses. As a Chamber publication, it is unrivalled in the County.

2011 Gold Nugget Days • April 28 - May 1 By H. Ray Harrington Gold Nugget Museum

The 53rd annual Gold Nugget Days promises to be one of the best in history. This celebration began in 1959 to commemorate the centennial of the discovery of the fabled 54pound Gold Nugget on the Willard Claim in Whiskey Flats. The theme for Gold Nugget Days 2011 is “Gold Diggins.” This year, due to a late Easter, Gold Nugget Days will be held from Thursday, April 28 through Sunday, May 1. The festival will include the traditional dazzling events. The Opening Ceremonies and Gold Nugget Queen Pageant will be held on Thursday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Paradise Performing Arts Center. This annual occasion presents fifteen high school juniors demonstrating their knowledge of the costume and culture of the 1850’s. The Queen and her court will be crowned, reign over Gold Nugget Days and become ambassadors of the Gold Nugget Museum until next year. Admission is $8 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger. Local talent will take the stage at the Paradise Ridge Senior Center when the Gold Nugget Revue returns with Olde Tyme Vaudeville at its best. The Revue will showcase hometown talent including dancers, singers, skits, local musicians and just plain good entertainment for all ages! A special feature is “The Banjo-oligist,” Gordy Ohliger, who will thrill the audience with his digital virtuosity. The Gold Nugget Revue begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30. Open seating, with admission $15.00 per seat. The Donkey Derby will begin at Whiskey NUGGET, continues page 5

Gold Nugget Days Merchant Decorating Contest A local tradition sponsored by the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the Gold Nugget Days Merchant Decorating Contest kicks off festivities. Ridge businesses paint windows, construct elaborate displays and costume themselves as miners, outlaws, lawmen and scoundrels. All Ridge businesses open to the public are invited to enter. This year’s contest is going to be a little different. Instead of a small panel of judges voting on which business did the best decorating

Business Briefs Chamber Hosts Business Connections Lunch

job, the whole Ridge community will be invited to vote. How will it happen? Online, through a link on the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce website. The Paradise Post has generously offered $500 in advertising to the First Place Winner in each category.

Important Dates and Facts: Decoration Contest Entry deadline for businesses: Monday, April 11, 2011 Applications and information on the Chamber website: www.paradisechamber.com or by calling 877-9356 Online Judging: April 18 – April 26 Small Businesses (1-10 employees) and Large Businesses (11+ employeees) are welcome to enter Awards presented at the Gold Nugget Museum Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday, April 28.

The Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce is holding its first Business Connections Lunch of 2011, Tuesday, May 3, 12:00 – 1:30 pm. at the Cozy Diner in Paradise. $15.00, lunch inclusive. Members and non-members, old and new alike are invited to join other businesses in introducing themselves in a business-to-business networking environment. The goal of the Business Networking Luncheon is to encourage communications between local businesses, provide updated education and training, and discuss best practices for ‘B-to-B’ marketing. For more information, contact cochairs Jackie Gitman, 872-0948, or Lauren Gill, 872-5915.

The Salvation Army The Paradise Social Service Center is continuing its mission to help those in need on the Ridge. In March, over 270 people from the Ridge received some sort of emergency assistance from The Salvation Army. With the poor economy and continued cold weather the office saw an increasing number of clients needing help with electricity, propane, and firewood. The center’s food pantry remained busy with people needing emergency food. Many thanks to our donors and volunteers who make all this possible! For further

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