May 2013 - Beaver County Chamber of Commerce

724-775-3944
BUSINESS
Leading Businesses....Leading Communities
May 2013
info@bcchamber.com www.bcchamber.com
BOVARD-ANDERSON:
Growing with Beaver County
Residential Listings & Sales –
Commercial Leasing & Sales –
Tracie Eckel Ward
Property Management –
Mark Kostek, CPA
Beverly Pietrandrea, SRES,
Multi-Million Dollar Producer,
Past Realtor of the Year
“Bovard-Anderson serves the owners of
more than 700 rental units encompassing
single-family homes, multi-unit apartments,
and small- to high-end commercial buildings.
We find tenants, handle maintenance, and
provide annual income and profit and loss
statements, collect rents and pay bills.”
“We don’t just sell a house, we take
you from A to Z. Our goal is to make
you happy in Beaver County, which is
our home, and we stick with you and
continue to give long after the sale.
We are blessed with a strong referral
network, as satisfied customers refer
friends and family and return to
Bovard-Anderson as their residential
needs change. Many clients have been
with us over multi-generations.”
A
s Beaver County’s economy shifts into new,
accelerated growth, Bovard-Anderson is meeting the real estate needs of the workforce who
will help drive the transition. “We monitor the pulse
of change in Beaver County,” says president/owner Ed
McLaughlin, “and our strength and knowledge keep us
nimble enough to adjust and thrive.”
Specialties – Bovard-Anderson serves clients in five
distinct sectors, providing added value through its
understanding of these markets – residential listings,
sales and rentals; property management; commercial
leasing and sales; land development and new construction; and condominium association management.
Technology – Bovard-Anderson combines the best in
technology with the personal attention that customers
appreciate. These include sophisticated tools for communication and extensive web searches for sales and
rental listings so customers can make better, faster decisions. Customers can research current target market
listings, evaluate comparable properties, see multiple
photos of a property and design their own tracking
mechanisms.
“This business isn’t really about the technology, it’s
about the people who operate the technology,” says
vice president/owner Jacqueline McLaughlin. “
Condominium Association
Management –
Colleen Debo, GRI, e-certified
“Many Beaver Countians like
the benefits of co-ownership:
maintaining control of their
residences without the burdens
of day to day ownership tasks.
We partner with condominium
association boards to allow all
residents to enjoy the lifestyle
they’ve chosen by providing
operating tools that are efficient
and effective.”
Our firm is a problem-solver, and our team is involved
every day to make sure that customers receive the
service they deserve.”
Family of Experts – As a family owned firm, BovardAnderson places great value on long-term relationships. The firm invests in its dedicated agents, promoting professional designations and 70 annual hours of
collective continuing education. In addition to real
estate licenses, its experts have earned national and
professional designations such as Senior Real Estate
Strong Referral Base:
“The Beglins have relied on the Bovard-Anderson
family for generations because they have earned
our trust. The company has consistently
demonstrated attentive customer care and
extensive knowledge of Beaver County as they
have and continue to serve our family’s
real estate needs.” – Bruce Beglin
“Commercial clients today are more
sophisticated and specialized in their
needs, which drives us to offer the
most professional customer service.
Through specialization and expertise,
we are better equipped to truly
understand a client’s requirements to
provide the choices that best suit the
long term viability and success of their
business.”
Specialist (SRES), Accredited Buyer’s Representative
(ABR), Graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI),
Certified Residential Broker (CRB), Broker/Appraiser
and E-Certification (a technology certification).
Community Connections – Bovard-Anderson’s team
takes very seriously their responsibility to give back
substantially to the local community. They donate
significant volunteer hours in leadership roles serving a
wide range of charitable needs year-round – from areas
including community service, education and housing
needs to history, nutrition and church organizations.
Customized Marketing Flexibility – Unlike larger real
estate companies governed by mandatory policies and
corporate hierarchy, Bovard-Anderson has the ability
to be flexible to create customized packages and
determining fee structure based on a customer’s needs.
Longevity – Since 1904, Bovard-Anderson has been
recognized as a real estate leader in Beaver County,
with deep real estate market knowledge of the county
and surrounding areas, helping thousands of satisfied
clients over the years. The firm has been in business in
the same office building for nearly 110 years and is in
its fourth generation of family ownership.
(www.bovardanderson.com)
Connecting the Generations:
Land Development
& New Construction –
Joseph Gradwell
“It has been our honor and privilege for
many decades to serve Beaver County as a
family-owned business, and to see that legacy
continuing in the hands of our son Ed and
his wife Jackie McLaughlin in the fourth
generation of ownership.”
– John and JoEtta “Nicky” McLaughlin Jr.
“We meet the land development and
new construction needs of a thriving
community with single and multifamily residential construction. Our
strategic partnerships with preferred
lenders allow us to offer competitive
rates, as more companies and families
look to move to Beaver County.”
A Chamber member shared with me this national study and
I thought I would be beneficial to share with members and non-members alike.
The Real Value of Joining
A Local Chamber of
Commerce
A Research Study by
The Schapiro Group.
Www.schapirogroup.com
Impact on Large
Businesses
Erica Loftus
President
Chamber membership has a
market effect on consumer
outcomes for large businesses, and a company’s
existing reputation often
changes the nature of the
impact.
There is an important caveat, however: the positive
outcomes only occur when
consumers know that a
business is a chamber member. When consumers know
that a large business is a
member of the chamber,
they are likely to patronize
the company more often, to
express favorable opinions
about the company, to know
more about he company,
and to buy the company’s
products.
Impact on Small
Businesses
Small businesses represent
the largest segment by number of most local chamber
membership rolls, so it is
important to quantify the
impact that chamber membership has on them too.
The results indicate that the
impact of a local chamber
membership on small businesses is more consistent
and more powerful than for
large, national corporations.
The caveat here is the same,
however: consumers need
to be aware that the small
business is involved with its
local chamber in order for
the benefits to emerge.
If respondents know that
a small business is a
member of its local
chamber, the business
enjoys a 44% increase in
its consumer favorability
rating, a 51% increase in
consumer awareness, a
57% increase in its local
reputation, and a 63%
increase in the likelihood
that consumers will
patronize the business
in the future.
Sincerely,
Erica Loftus, President/CEO
PAGE 2
MAY 2013
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CALENDAR
SAVE THE DATE
MAY:
Leadercast
In partnership with Beaver County Chamber of Commerce,
Leaders Serving Beaver County and the Beaver County YMCA
will be hosting a Leadercast.
Friday, May 10, 2013
LOCATION: Beaver County YMCA.
Speakers for for the day include: Jack Welch, Mike Krzyzewski,
John Maxwell and Condoleezza Rice.
Tickets are $57.00 which includes lunch.
Tickets and more information are available at
http://www.chick-fil-aleadercast.com.
BEAVER COUNTY CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE’S POWER LUNCH
JUNE: (CONTINUED)
BEAVER COUNTY CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE’S POWER LUNCH
Wednesday, June 19, 2013 • 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.
LOCATION: J.W. Halls Steak & Seafood Inn
GUEST SPEAKER: Dewitt Peart;
President, Pittsburgh Regional Alliance
TOPIC: Enhancing Opportunity in our
Region and the impact in Beaver County
Members: $15.00 / Non-Members: $20.00
RSVP by: Monday, June 17, 2013
JULY:
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 • 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.
LOCATION: J.W. Halls Steak & Seafood Inn
GUEST SPEAKER: PA Governor’s Office
TOPIC: 2013 - 2014 Budget
Members: $15.00 / Non-Members: $20.00
RSVP by: Monday, May 13, 2013
SAVE THE DATE
Chick-fil-A Afterhours Event
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Details TBA
JUNE:
AUGUST:
Annual Minuteman Press Afterhours Event
SAVE THE DATE
Annual Island Party
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
LOCATION: Z Pub & Diner
5:30 – 7:00 P.M.
Members: $18.00 / Non-Members: $25.00
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
LOCATION: Kelly’s Riverside Saloon
5:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Members: $18.00 / Non-Members: $25.00
Sponsored by: Brian Giffin
Annual Golf Outing
Monday, June 17, 2013
For more information contact golf@bcchamber.com.
Extreme Energy Solutions, Inc.
Extreme Energy Solutions is
a manufacturer, distributor,
and installer of environmental
mitigation products, green related
products and other innovative
products/services. We research,
test, manufacture, sell, distribute
and service the Extreme Xtra Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Treatments,
Extreme Kleaner Multi-Purpose
Non-Toxic Biodegradable
Cleaner-Degreaser, the SMART
Emissions Reducer, Nu-Path
Logic Diagnostic Software and
Sidewinder ATV.
Our corporate slogan, “Go
GREEN With the Same Machine”
refers primarily to the emissions
reduction product, the SMART
Emissions Reducer. Many commercial companies, municipali-
ties and private vehicle owners
throughout the country have experienced increased fuel economy,
lower emissions and extended
vehicle maintenance cycles thanks
to the SER device.
Based out of Ogdensburg, NJ,
EES has ties to Beaver County
through Midland resident and
EES shareholder / regional
representative Steve Suchin. Mr.
Suchin became an investor and
supporter of EES when he saw
the benefit of a product that can
reduce our carbon footprint and
our dependence on foreign oil
simultaneously.
The EES Corporate Family Companies include: SMART Air Fuel
Saver LLC, Fleet Worx Leasing
LLC, The Alternative Press of
Sussex County LLC, Extreme Off
Road LLC and Ecosceptor LLC.
For more information, you may
visit our web-site at extremeenergysolutions.net or contact Steve
locally at 443-547-2089 or steve.
suchin@extremeenergysolutions.
net
The BCCC’s
Breakfast Club
The Chamber’s Women’s Networking Luncheon was held
on April 16th. Thank you to the our sponsor, LIFE Beaver
County, and host, Keystone Simulation Education Center.
The Chamber office receives a number
of phone calls about Breakfast Club.
I hope this will answer your questions.
Photography by Generations Photography and Specialty Gift Shoppe.
From left to right: N. Alex Cutsumbis of Keystone Simulation Education Center,
Mary Lou Harju of LIFE Beaver County, McKenzie Cross of LIFE Beaver County
and BCCC President, Erica Loftus.
The Franklin Center of
Beaver County, Inc.
Would your business benefit from significantly reducing its taxes next year and building a
positive image as a Beaver community member? If so, consider the Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.
This program reduces business’s tax bills by
90% of the amount they donate to qualifying local educational organizations over two
years. Your savings through EITC are dollars
that your company otherwise would send to
Harrisburg to be distributed across the state.
If your company makes a donation through
EITC to a local education organization, such
as the Franklin Center of Beaver County, you
gain a number of benefits. Your company
will reduce its taxes by 90% of the amount
donated, and your money stays in the Beaver
economy, supporting job creation and regional growth. Also, you gain direct control over
how your tax dollars are spent. By directing
these dollars towards local education, you
support the young people of this region and
gain goodwill in the community.
In order to benefit from this program, your
company must apply for eligibility on July 1.
For more information, please contact Sandy
Edwards-Curry at the Franklin Center of
Beaver County at smec135@gmail.com.
Check out our Facebook Page:
The Beaver County
Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber office has
always received feedback
from business professionals looking for an opportunity to network. A
few years ago, a Chamber employee decided to
do something about the
feedback and instituted
the Breakfast Club meetings, continuing to this
day. So what exactly is
the Breakfast Club? It is
a small, weekly meeting
that provides a venue for
professionals to network
and discuss business
topics. The informal
atmosphere makes the
meeting a great forum for
not only the professionals who are easing themselves into networking,
but also for the frequent
attendees who want to
build and grow existing
relationships. Meetings
begin with each attendee
giving a 30-second commercial to the group. The
remainder of the meeting
consists of networking
activities, team-building
activities, or informational fare about business
topics through presentations, videos and group
discussions. On occasion, the Chamber will
even give away marketing opportunities such as
Egrams (email blasts) or
website advertising for
members.
“I didn’t start this group,
but I’d like to see it
continue years down the
road. My goal for the
meetings is for people
to walk away and have
something to think about,
whether it be something
they learned about a
fellow member or an
applicable business tip. I
try to make the meetings
enriching and fun. I don’t
want them to be stuffy,
formal gatherings where
attendees are afraid to
speak up and add to the
conversation. I hope the
attendees recognize and
share my feelings,” said
the BCCC’s Member-
ship Director, Rebecca
Novotny,
who conducts the meetings.
The 75-minute meetings are currently being
held on Friday mornings
from 8:00 – 9:15 am at
Keystone Simulation and
Education Center until
the end of June. Nonmembers may attend
two networking events
before a request to join
the group is made. For
more information, call
the Chamber office at
724-775-3944 or email
Rebecca Novotny at rnovotny@bcchamber.com.
ALIQUIPPA
AMBRIDGE
BEAVER
2301 Sheffield Rd.
506 Merchant St.
701 Corporation St.
BEAVER FALLS
CENTER TWP.
CHIPPEWA TWP.
1427 Seventh Ave.
3531 Brodhead Rd.
2521 Darlington Rd.
CRANBERRY TWP.
NEW BRIGHTON
FRANKLIN TWP.
2630 Rochester Rd.
800 Third Ave.
1793 Mercer Rd.
HOPEWELL TWP.
ZELIENOPLE
NORTHERN LIGHTS
2293 Brodhead Rd.
527 South Main St.
1555 Beaver Rd.
1-888-479-BANK (2265)
Member FDIC
www.esbbank.com
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PAGE 3
LEGISLATIVE
April 2013
Legislative
Update
Beaver County Youth Energy Career Day was
held on Tuesday, April 30th at the Community
College of Beaver County Dome.
The legislative committee continues to work on our member’s
behalf politically. We have been
working behind the scenes to
construct a one-stop shop for
businesses who need help with
permits and code-enforcement
issues. Although this is not
ready to launch, we have made
significant strides so far this
year. We are working in conjunction with the Beaver County
Regional Council of Governments (COG), to help streamline
the sometimes difficult process
of renovating a commercial
office space or building.
This COG consists of 35 of
the 53 municipalities in Beaver
County. Stay tuned for more
information in future columns.
this event and to Heritage Valley
Health System for hosting.
On April 2, we hosted our annual Congressional Breakfast
with newly elected U.S. Representative Keith Rothfus. Over
the course of an hour and a
half, Rep. Rothfus spoke to the
crowd of almost 100 attendees
about his work in Washington
and answered questions from
the audience about his voting
record so far and his views on
several current issues. Thank
you to Comcast for sponsoring
Finally, we are preparing for our
annual “Legislative Committee Call on Harrisburg” where
we travel to our state capitol to
meet with our state officials on
their turf. We will also meet
with the Pennsylvania Chamber
of Commerce to discuss mutual
interests and will hopefully have
an opportunity to spend a few
moments with Governor Corbett
to put in a good word for Beaver
County.
Another issue we are working
on is integrating the business
community with the education
community in Beaver County.
We have heard from our members and legislators that this
formula will help our students be
better prepared for their careers.
By working together, schools
will be able to craft appropriate curriculum to help students
properly prepare for their future
based on their interest and the
market reality. We are working
on meeting with the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit in the near
future to see how to navigate this
path. Again, stay tuned.
Chamber
Members…
NEED
COPY
MAY 2013
Thank You to all of the
Beaver County Youth
Energy Career Day
Sponsors: Marcellus Shale
Coalition, Columbia Gas
of Pennsylvania , Elliott
Group, Western Pennsylvania Laborers Education
& Training Fund, Builders
Guild of Western PA Inc.,
Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Geneva College,
Washington Greene Co.
Job Training Agency, Inc.,
Williams – Midstream,
Beaver County Board of
Commissioners and EQT
Corporation
From left to right: Joy Ruff, Marcellus Shale Coalition; Deborah Newton,
Job Training for Beaver County, Inc.; Erica Loftus, BCCC President; Congressman
Keith Rothfus; Lee Kontis, Western Pennsylvania Laborers Education & Training;
Stan Plutnicki, Western Pennsylvania Laborers Education & Training and
Mike McDonald, Western Pennsylvania Laborers Education & Training
Rothfus: America’s
Economy Can Thrive Again
By U.S. Congressman Keith Rothfus [PA-12]
Washington can grow a
healthier economy and
unleash the economic
potential of hardworking
Americans by taking some
common-sense steps.
The Obama economy is
failing workers, families,
young people, seniors, and
future generations. The
latest unemployment report
shows that more than one
million people have given
up looking for work in the
first three months of 2013.
As I travel through Western
Pennsylvania, workers,
job-seekers and small business owners tell me that
they are concerned about
jobs and economic security.
Washington can best
address those issues by
spending less, taxing less,
regulating more sensibly,
and getting out of their way
and off their backs.
Instead of applying their
time and energy to growth,
small business owners
this year spent upwards of
two billion hours trying to
comprehend and comply
with the tax code. Simplifying the tax code will help
them save money on tax
preparation that they can
then put towards growing
their businesses, hiring new
employees, and
increasing wages.
Washington must also
streamline regulations
that are strangling growth,
innovation, and entrepreneurship. The REINS Act,
which I co-sponsored and
voted for in the Judiciary
Committee, would require
that any regulation with an
annual economic impact
of $100 million or greater
be subject to a vote in
Congress.
In addition, the SKILLS
Act would help job seekers
acquire new skills and connect with employers who
are hiring. The SKILLS Act
recently passed the House
with my support.
With the right tax and regulatory policies, America’s
economy can thrive again.
MEMBER
SHOWCASE
The
Is your company
Connoquenessing
celebrating a significant
Country Club
Afterhours Event
anniversary this year?
was held on
Contact the Chamber office
April 24, 2013.
at 724-775-3944
or email
info@bcchamber.com!
SAVE
THE
DATE
Annual
Island
Party
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
LOCATION: Kelly’s Riverside Saloon
5:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Members: $18.00/
Non-Members: $25.00
Sponsored by: Brian Giffin
From left to right: Craig Pritts
of JRG Advisors and BCCC
Board Member; BCCC President,
Erica Loftus and Cindy Caldwell,
Board President of
Connoquenessing Country Club
B U S I N E S S S PA C E
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■ Top Quality Space
At An Affordable Price
■ Great Location
Value Ambridge Properties
2301 Duss Avenue • Suite 1 • Ambridge
Contact Gene Pash or Debi Leopardi
724.266.4661
www.AmbridgeRegional.com
Value Ambridge Properties is located only 11 miles from the proposed site
where Shell Oil Co. plans to build its multi-billion-dollar ethane cracker plant.
PAGE 4
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MAY 2013
NEW MEMBERS
Alliance for
Nonprofit
Resources
Alliance for Nonprofit
Resources provides
nonprofit organizations and
government entities with
administrative services
such as grant writing; IT;
fiscal supports;
management services
and marketing & design.
Securitas
Security
Services USA,
Inc.
Elite Gasfield Services, LLC
is an oil and gas field
service company providing
hauling, trucking, and general labor services.
Strassburger
McKenna
Gutnick
& Gefsky
Kelly Conger
724-431-3723
212-214 South Main Street,
Suite 1023,
Butler, PA 16001
www.anrinfo.org
Non-Profit Organizations
Elite Gasfield
Services, LLC
Selene Smyda
724-728-2929
1000 Third Street,
Suite 1,
Beaver, PA 15009
www.elitegasfield.com
Oil & Gas Field Services
Freedom
Wireless
Todd Tesner
724-728-3585
380 Beaver Valley Mall Drive,
Monaca, PA 15061
Wireless & Technology Sales
Our
mission is
to prepare,
develop and
promote the
community
for economic
growth..
Call the Chamber office at
724-775-3944
or visit our website:
www.bcchamber.com.
INTERESTED
IN
MEMBERSHIP?
Brian R. Kozera
412-852-7912
600 Waterfront Dr, Suite 105,
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
www.securitasinc.com
Security
Strassburger McKenna
Gutnick & Gefsky is a full
service regional law firm.
Harry F. Kunselman
724-846-1372
525 Third Street,
Beaver, PA 15009
www.smgglaw.com
Law Firm
Freedom Wireless provides
wireless internet, home
phone and cell phones
as well as home Comcast
service.
B E A V E R
C O U N T Y
CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE
B E A V E R
C O U N T Y
CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE
Securitas Security Services
USA, Inc. provides armed
and unarmed trained officers
for protection of property
and people.
Z Pub & Diner
Jeffrey Zahn
724-581-4247
2580 Constitution Blvd,
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
www.zpubdiner.com
Restaurants/Catering
Z Pub & Diner is a
restaurant, diner and
6-pack shop.