May 2, 2016 - Monroe Chamber of Commerce

MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT
Volume 16, Issue
18
2585854
Monroe Chamber
of Commerce
Weekly Report
Barry Erwin with the Council for a Better Louisiana and Robert Travis Scott with the Public Affairs
Research Council spoke to Monroe Chamber Members last week about the current legislative session
and the budget. Pictured above is Barry Erwin.
Picture from The News-Star
TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER
May 2, 2016
CALENDAR
Northern Exposure Slated for May 3rd
As the 2016 regular session moves past the half way point, our elected
officials are deliberating on everything from reducing TOPS to establishing
minimum wage and protecting water resources. Once the regular session
concludes on June 6th, Governor Edwards is expected to call legislators back
into a special session complete their work on balancing next year’s budget.
With the importance of all those issues, how do we keep our issues in front of
legislators, many of whom have never traveled to North Louisiana? The
answer is to take a big group for North Louisiana to Baton Rouge to listen to
and meet with legislators from across the state.
Continued on page 3
Monday May 2-Friday May 7-HAPPY WEEK!
Monday May 2 at 5:30 pm-The Ouachita
Parish Police Jury will meet at the Ouachita
Parish Courthouse.
Tuesday, May 3-Northern Exposure will be
held in Baton Rouge. Make your voice heard
during the legislative session. Tickets are $85
(which includes lunch and reception) Call
Daphne at 807-4018 for more information.
Wednesday, May 4 at 2:00 p.m.-Ribbon
Cutting for the St. Francis Community Center
bus. The ceremony will be held at the St. Francis
Community Center located at 2600 Tower
Drive.
Thursday, May 5 at6:00 p.m.-Monroe City
School Board will meet at the School Board
Office on Tower Drive.
Wednesday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m.-Ribbon
Cutting and Grand Opening for In and Out
Smart Repair. The business is located at 2252
Tower Drive.
Wednesday, May 11 at 12 noon-The Greater
Ouachita Port Commission will meet at the
Monroe Chamber office.
Thursday, May 12 at 10:00 a.m.-Ribbon
Cutting for Tropical Tan and Boutique. The
business is located at 8207 DeSiard St. in
Monroe.
Thursday, May 19 at 6:00 p.m.– The Thomas
H. Scott Awards of Excellence will be held at
the ULM Conference Center. Cost to attend is
$35. Please contact Daphne at 807-4018 or
dmcclish@monroe.org to RSVP.
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 16, Issue 18
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 16, Issue 18
Northern Exposure
Continued from Page 1
The annual advocacy trip known as Northern Exposure draws hundreds of participants to Baton Rouge.Joining the Monroe Chamber
of Commerce in hosting the event are the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce,
the Ruston Lincoln Chamber, the Union Parish Chamber, the Bastrop Morehouse Chamber and other regional economic
development organizations, chambers of commerce, institutions of higher education and city and parish governments in North
Louisiana. The function this year is co-chaired by Ann Hayward of Atmos Energy and Don Weems of The Waterfront Grill and is
slated for Tuesday, May 3rd at the Louisiana State Museum.
The speakers for Northern Exposure 2016 include Governor John “Bel” Edwards, Speaker of the House Taylor Barras; Louisiana
Superintendent of Education John White; Secretary of Economic Development Don Pierson, Secretary of Louisiana Transportation
and Development Shawn Wilson, Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain and others. The schedule for speakers begins at 12:00
p.m. and will be followed by a reception at the Louisiana State Museum Terrazzo.
Platinum sponsors for the event are ATMOS Energy, A T & T and the Northeast Louisiana Economic Partnership. Gold sponsors are
ANGUS Chemical, CenturyLink, the City of Monroe, D & J Construction, Entergy, Ouachita Independent Bank, Patty Stewart
Photography and Progressive Bank. Silver sponsors are Delta Style, Denmon Engineering, Glenwood Regional Medical Center,
Grambling State University, KTVE Fox 14, Lagniappe Broadcasting, Louisiana Tech University, The News-Star, the Radio People and
the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
rd
th
The event will be held Tuesday, May 3 at the Louisiana State Museum at 660 N. 4 Street in Baton Rouge. The cost to attend is $85
per person which includes lunch and the reception. To register or for more information call Daphne McClish at the Monroe Chamber
at 318-807-4018.
Louisiana Community and Technical College System announces winners
from 2016 SkillsUSA state championships
On April 21 and 22, students from across the state competed in the 33rd annual Louisiana SkillsUSA championships hosted by
Northwest Louisiana Technical College in Shreveport.
More than 145 community and technical college students matched their abilities against their peers' in various career
and technical education contests, which were designed and judged by over 50experts from local labor and industry.
"We are proud of the effort displayed by our student competitors at the SkillsUSA state championships," said Monty Sullivan,
president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. "This competition allows students to put into practice
what they learn in our classrooms and labs. The categories and the programs we offer a realigned with statewide labor
demands, and are at the core of what our colleges do every day, which is preparing students for the workforce and real-life
experiences in a competitive environment."
Participants competed in 37 skill areas including architectural drafting, collision repair technology, culinary arts, electrical,
industrial motor control, practical nursing, welding, early childhood education and other in-demand career fields.
"Our industry partners were genuinely excited about the talent pool of potential employees competing this year," said Patrick
Nelson, SkillsUSA Louisiana Postsecondary coordinator. "For their hard work and attention to detail, many contestants walked
away with solid job leads and prizes worth hundreds of dollars."
Twenty-four gold medal winners are now eligible to compete in the national SkillsUSA championships in Louisville, Ky, from
June 20 to June 24.
SkillsUSA is a national organization with more than 300,000 membersand is a partnership of students, teachers and industry
working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. Its mission is to help its members become world-class workers and
responsible American citizens and prepares students with employability skills that industry values.
The list of winners from Louisiana Delta Community College and the medals they received are: Team B: Lacee Collins, Brittany
Dukes, Kaitlyn Howard, Ayzha Green, Health Knowledge Bowl, Silver and Brandy Crawford, Practical Nursing, Bronze
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 16, Issue 18
UNITED WAY OF NORTHEAST LOUISIANA ANNOUNCES FLOOD THE LOVE COMMUNITY DONATIONS DRIVE TO COLLECT UNDERWEAR
AND TOILETRIES FOR RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY MARCH FLOODS
Monroe, LA - United Way of Northeast Louisiana has partnered with Geneva Academy, Highland Park Baptist Church, The Lighthouse, Renewal
Inc., Sparks Nissan Kia, and the Radio People, for Flood the Love, a community donations drive to collect basics and toiletries to distribute to those
affected by March flooding.
Items collected include:
 Underwear, New, unopened packages only (Child sizes/Girls and Boys; Adult sizes/Women and Men)
 Socks, New, unopened packages only(Child sizes/Girls and Boys; Adult sizes/Women and Men)
 Feminine Hygiene Products
 Shampoo and Soap
 Toilet Paper
 Deodorant

Donations can be dropped off at one of the following Flood the Love collection sites, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.:
 Renewal Inc./The Lighthouse: 513 Sunnyside Drive, Monroe, LA 71203
 Geneva Academy/Highland Park Baptist Church: 2507 Oliver Road, Monroe, LA 71201
Donations can be dropped off at one of the following sponsor donations collection sites during normal business hours (please check individual
operating hours before drop off):
 Sparks Nissan Kia, 1100 Auto Mall Dr, Monroe, LA 71203
 AETNA Better Health, 2400 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 200 Kenner, LA 70062
 Air Service Professionals, 6611 Cypress St, West Monroe, LA 71291
 Automated Imaging Systems (AIS), 105 Pine St, Monroe, LA 71201
 Bankruptcy Attorney E. Orum Young, 200 Washington St, Monroe, LA 71201
 Burney's Furniture, 3111 Louisville Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201
 Copeland's of New Orleans, Pecanland Mall Dr, Monroe, LA 71203
 Eskamoe's, 2800 Forsythe Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201 or 703 McMillan Road, West Monroe, LA 71291

His and Hers on Louisville, 3201 Louisville Ave, Monroe, LA 71201

Homes Plus, 904 Independence Dr, West Monroe, LA 71292





Jeff Guerriero "The Injury Attorney", 2200 Forsythe Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201
Lee Edwards Mazda and Used Car Superstore, 2218 Louisville Ave, Monroe, LA 71201

Wing Stop, 4920 Cypress St, Lot F, West Monroe, LA 71291 or 2340 Sterlington Rd, Monroe, LA 71203
Legend's Pharmacy, 222 Bell Ln Suite 5A, West Monroe, LA 71291
MidSouth Medical, 107 Bridge St, West Monroe, LA 71291
Mr. Bail - Bail Bonds, 1004 Winnsboro Rd, Monroe, LA 71202
Flood the Love t-shirts are also available for sale at teechip.com/floodthelove2016. All proceeds benefit donations purchases for Flood the Love.
Donations will be collected until community needs are met and will be distributed to the public through local non-profit agencies and churches.
Pick-up locations for Flood the Love donations will be announced after distribution points have been identified following the drive.
For more information about Flood the Love, contact Aleta Eley at 318-805-1695 or visit unitedwaynela.org/floodthelove.
Flood the Love is sponsored by Sparks Nissan Kia, AETNA Better Health, Automated Imaging Systems (AIS), Air Service Professionals, Bankruptcy
Attorney E. Orum Young, Burney's Furniture, Copeland's of New Orleans, Eskamoe's, His and Hers on Louisville, Homes Plus, Jeff Guerriero "The
Injury Attorney", Lee Edwards Mazda and Used Car Superstore, Legend's Pharmacy, MidSouth Medical, and Mr. Bail - Bail Bonds.
For more information about United Way of Northeast Louisiana's role in Flood Response and Disaster Recovery, visit unitedwaynela.org/relief, or
contact Janet Durden, President of United Way of Northeast Louisiana, at 318-325-3869, or by email at jdurden@unitedwaynela.org.
United Way of Northeast Louisiana works with volunteers, donors, and other organizations locally to create lasting community change in the areas
of Education, Income, and Health, as well as Basic and Emergency Needs-the building blocks for a good quality of life. For more information about
United Way of Northeast Louisiana, dial 2-1-1 on any landline or mobile phone, a free call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or
visit www.unitedwaynela.org.
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 16, Issue 18
What Ever Happened To Service?
Customer service consistently gets poor marks from shoppers at major retailers and restaurants, according to a study released by WSL
Strategic Retail, a consulting firm. Only 66 percent of retail customers were satisfied with their shopping experience….
Among the top complaints are rude staffs, dirty stores, long checkout lines and employees who aren't familiar with merchandise. Few of
the major retailers are finding success in these areas, the study says.
In other words… customer service is falling by the wayside.
FACT: 68% of customers who stop doing business with a company do so because of perceived indifference.
FACT: Customers who encounter poor service tell an average of 11 other people about their bad experience.
FACT: Courting new business can cost up to five times more than strengthening relationships with current clients.
On (Day), (Date) at the (Location), (You’re Name) association and (Your Sponsors) will present "A Passion for Service"®.
This workshop will help your business go to the next level of service excellence and create lifetime loyal customers. It has received rave
reviews from over 200 Chambers of Commerce and thousands of companies. The speaker, Bill Drury, has delivered over 1000 workshop
presentations the last 15 years! I highly recommend you attend with your entire staff!
“A Passion for Service”® is an action-packed 1/2 day workshop with proven strategies and techniques to help your business:
Get ready for turbulent change
Stay motivated
Build and maintain a positive attitude
Communicate respect to every customer
Remember and use customer names
Personalize their service
Listen effectively
Know who really signs their paycheck
Make a great first impression
Turn irate customers into the best customers
Overcome stress and burnout
Take pride in your job!
May 24
th
SEATING IS LIMITED -- FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE TWO IDENTICAL PRESENTATIONS ARE OFFERED
8:00AM -11:30 and 1:00PM – 4:30PM
Your investment is only:
One attendee
Chamber Member Registration (early)
Five or more
109.00 each
$99.00 each
Chamber Member Registration (late)
$129.00 each
$119.00 each
Non-Member Registration
$149.00each
Zig Ziglar said about Bill Drury
For Registration or information call Sue Nicholson at 807-4015
"...Bill has conducted over three hundred workshops for the Zig Ziglar Corporation -- we always got good reviews. He knows what he is
talking about. He has an excellent style of delivery. Your people and your company will be better off after hearing Bill Drury."
(For more information or a free MP3 demo, please visit www.apassionforservice.com)
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 16, Issue 18
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 16, Issue 18
Special Thanks to James Machine Works for the initial contribution of $20,000 to kick off the
campaign!
Help Bring Back the Train! Make check payable to LPZS & Mail to P.O. Box 155, Monroe, LA
71210-155
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 16, Issue 18
Less than One Month left to Apply for SBA Disaster Loans
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA)
Disaster Field Operations Center - West reminded small, nonfarm businesses in 20 Louisiana parishes and
neighboring Arkansas counties of the May 16, 2016, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for
economic injury. These low-interest loans are to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues
caused by the drought in the following primary counties that began Sept. 8, 2015.
Primary Louisiana parishes: Bienville, Caldwell, Claiborne, Jackson, Lincoln, Morehouse, Ouachita,
Richland, Union and Webster;
Neighboring Louisiana parishes: Bossier, Catahoula, East Carroll, Franklin, La Salle, Madison,
Natchitoches, Red River, West Carroll and Winn;
Neighboring Arkansas counties: Ashley, Chicot, Columbia, Lafayette and Union.
According to Garfield, small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses
engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for Economic
Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the
disaster. "EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be
paid because of the disaster's impact," said Garfield.
"SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that
have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the
disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the applicant suffered any property damage,"
Garfield added.
The interest rate is 4 percent for businesses and 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations with
terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant's financial
condition.
Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance.
Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of
Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary's declaration. However, nurseries are eligible for
SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure website at
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA's Customer Service Center
by calling (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or
hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. For more disaster assistance information or to download
applications, visit https://www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small
Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX
76155.
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1:30
2:3
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 16, Issue 18
33rd Annual Employer Seminar & Exposition
West Monroe Convention Center
Friday, May 20, 2015 from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
7:30 – 8:00
REGISTRATION, CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & VIEWING OF VENDOR BOOTHS
8:00 – 8:15
WELCOMING REMARKS & INTRODUCTIONS—Leigh Rodgers, President
FIRST SESSION: “Culture Engineering – Bad Business Habits to Healthy Business Models”; Speaker: Sean Allen – Founder and CEO, Culture Stick
SECOND SESSION: “Strategic Workplace Planning”; Speaker: Susan Word – Founder, forWord Connections, LLC
LUNCH & VEIWING OF VENDOR BOOTHS
THIRD SESSION: “Impact of Pending Legal Changes and Updates” ; Speaker: Price Barker – Partner, Kean Miller, LLP
FOURTH SESSION: “Diversity and Cultural Competencies” ; Speaker: Ronnie Sloan – Founder and President, The Sloan Group
FINAL SESSION: “Creating a Culture of Wellness – The Right Mix of an Old School & New School Approach”; Speaker: Lauren Swindell – Founder, mWell Solutions
$80 – SHRM & NELA-SHRM Members $105 – Non-Members
Continental Breakfast (7:30) and Lunch are included
Proceeds from this seminar help fund our NELA-SHRM Chapter Scholarships at ULM, LA Tech, & Grambling Univ.
Last Name ______________________________________ First Name_________________________________________
Company Name __________________________________ Email ____________________________________________
Position _________________________________________Telephone _______________________________________
Address __________________________________ City _____________________ State _____ Zip ________________
Please complete this form for each individual registration for the conference.
Please make check payable to NELA-SHRM – PO BOX 4582 Monroe, LA 71211 AMOUNT ENCLOSED: _______
For info: Leigh Rodgers, President 318-728-1405 lrodgers@richlandbank.net
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 16, Issue 18
Mark Your Calendar For
Happy Week
May 2-May 7
’Try to make at least one person happy every day. If you cannot do a
kind deed, speak a kind word. If you cannot speak a kind word, think a
kind thought. Count up, if you can, the treasure of happiness that you
would dispense in a week, in a year, in a lifetime! Lawrence G.
May 5, 2016 - 8(a) Certification Boot Camp
- Monroe, LA. 2 pm to 5 pm. The goal of
this workshop is to educate the small
business community on the Section 8(a)
Program and to walk you through
completion of the application forms. PRE
REGISTRATION REQUIRED. For more
information, contact: Jami Salter at
jsalter@lsbdc.org or phone: 318-342-1224.
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 16, Issue 18
MONROE CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE
212 Walnut Street, Suite 100
Monroe, LA 71201
PHONE: (318) 323-3461
FAX: (318) 812-7594
E-MAIL:
communications@monroe.org
Website: www.monroe.org
THE MONROE CHAMBER’S MISSION
IS TO LEAD IN THE CREATION
OF AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH
OUR BUSINESSES THRIVE.