CONNECTIONS - Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce

Connections
CONNECTIONS
C
H
A
M
B
E
R
WHAT’S
INSIDE
October 2015
9
Wiregrass WORKS
Ribbon Cuttings
Workforce Opportunity Requires Knowledge And Skills
Wiregrass WORKS experience is a way for students to
The National Center for Education Statistics stated in
become familiar with a broad overview of high demand,
2014 that about 75 percent of students who began college
high-wage career opportunities in the Wiregrass area.
over the last 10 years actually completed college degrees
Students will be afforded the opportunity to become familiar
even though 66 percent of high school graduates had
with areas of Agriculture/Agribusiness, Automotive
transitioned directly from high school to college. Technology, Aviation/Aerospace, Construction, Health
So what do the non-graduates do to earn a good living
Care, Logistics/Transportation, Manufacturing; Public
and support their families? How can they be prepared
Service/Military and Utilities.”
to be hired into those high wage jobs when industry is
So how does the Wiregrass
recruited for our area? Answer WORKs event work? Students
Wiregrass WORKS - Workforce
are brought from their respective
Opportunities
Requires
schools over a two-day period at
Knowledge and Skills.
designated times to experience
In order to give students in
areas in which they have an
the Wiregrass area a chance to
interest in learning more about
see what else is available for
for their future careers.
high-paying career options, the
Students will be engaged
2016 Wiregrass WORKS
Wiregrass Development Council
in hands-on experiences while
of Alabama, Region 10 Inc. will
Career Experience
they are on site. They will be
present Wiregrass WORKS to
Feb. 24-25, 2016
given a student guide to the
all eighth-grade students in the
National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds
Wiregrass WORKS Experience.
Wiregrass area, to include public,
This will not be a distribution of
private
and
home-schooled
handouts, but a real look at great
students, at the National Peanut
career opportunities.
Festival Fairgrounds Wednesday-Thursday, Feb. 24-25.
What is Wiregrass WORKS goal? To have informed
This career experience is a long-term initiative to create
students who can make good career choices, whether it
awareness about exciting career options among students
is academic or technical, to allow them to be productive
and educators while addressing workforce needs in the
members of society and earn great wages plus enjoy their
Wiregrass area, consisting of Barbour, Coffee, Covington,
career choice.
Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike
Many Wiregrass area businesses and industries will
counties. be present to engage students in their fields of career
In the past several years, it has been noted there is a
opportunities. The event is not a “give the students a
shortage of technical skilled persons nationwide. The
brochure and trinkets” event, but a meaningful experience.
comments have been made that everyone desires for
If your business or industry is one of the areas noted
their child to attend academic college so they can get a
above and would like to be part of the experience, contact
good paying job. Now for the news flash: Technical skill
one of the representatives listed below. Volunteers are also
jobs pay as well as academic jobs and even better. Not all
needed and welcomed to participate.
students desire a traditional academic education, but are
Also many sponsors have agreed to assist with offsetting
very interested in something in the technical, hands-on
the cost of the event; however, more sponsors are needed. career field.
Sponsors for student guides, supplies, backpacks, T-shirts,
“We must provide them with the chance to live their
signage, hospitality and banners, etc. are needed. There
dream and be happy at what they do for their career,”
are different levels of sponsorship and even small businesses
stated Mike Tew, WDCA Region 10 president.
can be a part. Donations are also tax deductible as the
Wiregrass WORKS will host approximately 4,500
Wiregrass Development Council of Alabama, Region 10 is
eight-grade students who will be given the opportunity
a 501c3 corporation.
to become aware of exciting career options available in the
For more information, or to find out how to become an
region. exhibitor or sponsor, contact Bart Liddon at (334) 596According to one of the co-chairs of the project, Bart
9500, Tucson Roberts at (334) 333-0964, Hayden Camp
Liddon, “Wiregrass WORKS will be an educational, fun,
at (334) 791-1391 or Mike Tew at (334) 790-3260.
hands-on experience that students won’t soon forget. The
2
9
Events
Calendar
3
9
9
Grow Dothan
4
Workforce
Development
6
9
9
Business Briefs
7-10
Small Business
Development
11
9
Quote
of the Month
“The world of achievement
has always belonged to the
optimist.”
— Harold Wilkins
9
Mike Tew, Workforce
Development Council
of Alabama, Region
10 president, provides
opening remarks at a
recent Wiregrass WORKS
press conference.
Mark Saliba, Alfred Saliba
Corp. and Dothan Area
Chamber of Commerce’s
Grow Dothan chairman,
talks about how workforce
development and growing the
economy are tied together.
David Norwood, Alabama
Power business office
manager, reviews the
importance of business and
industrial involvement in
Wiregrass WORKS 2016.
Bart Liddon, Wiregrass
Works Steering
Committee member,
provides an overview and
purpose of the Wiregrass
WORKS event.
www.dothan.com
(334) 792-5138
Ribbonc ut ti n gs
newm e m b e r s
Clip and add these to your Membership Directory.
Aqua Medical Spa
106 Westside Drive
Dothan, AL 36303
Kim O’Neal
(334) 699-3376
SKIN CARE
Alpha and Omega
Educational Services
LaChristy Gartmond
106 N. Lena St. (Dothan)
P.O. Box 352
Webb, AL 36376
Ph: (334) 791-0480
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Blue Line Police Support
Services Inc.
John Gormley
313 N. Foster St., Suite 4
P.O. Box 2121
Dothan, AL 36302
Ph: (334) 333-5646
Fax: (800) 826-7681
FIRST RESPONDER
TRAINING
Atlantic & Southern
Equipment, LLC
1923 Kinsey Road
Dothan, AL 36303
Glen Gulledge
(334) 793-9776
TR ACTOR EQUIPMENT
Carr Allison
Eric M. Wade
256 Honeysuckle Road, Suite 6
Dothan, AL 36305
Ph: (334) 712-6459
Fax: (334) 712-0902
ATTORNEYS
Enco Electronic Systems
Ronald Murphy
165 Hostdale Drive
P.O. Box 8683
Dothan, AL 36304
Ph: (334) 983-6269
Fax: (334) 983-9049
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
REMODEL
Fairfield Inn Dothan
3038 Ross Clark Circle
Dothan, AL 36301
Kenna Spicer
(334) 671-0100
HOTELS/MOTELS
Episcopal Church of the
Nativity
Peter Wong
205 Holly Lane
Dothan, AL 36301
Ph: (334) 793-7616
Fax: (334) 671-9440
RELIGIOUS GROUPS CHURCHES - EPISCOPAL
Fatback’s
Mike Bryan
3850 W. Main St., Suite 801
Dothan, AL 36305
Ph: (334) 479-0073
RESTAURANTS
Florida Certified Sign
Erectors
David Hughes
2824 Horace Shepard Drive
Dothan, AL 36303
Ph: (334) 984-0194
Fax: (334) 984-0196
SIGNS - INSTALLATION &
SERVICE
Red Barn In Grimes, LLC
Jamie Lolley
2424 County Road 112
(Physical)
106 Ariel Lane
Dothan, AL 36305
Ph: (334) 405-7455
EVENT VENUE
Retif Oil & Fuel
Natalie Jackson
534 Cowarts Road
Dothan, AL 36303
Ph: (334) 803-8953
Fax: (334) 513-7448
OIL & FUEL - WHOLESALE
Latta Music Co.
Larry Latta
3332 W. Main St.
Dothan, AL 36305
Ph: (334) 793-6011
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS DEALERS
Spa Novus
Tammy Tullos
2800 Ross Clark Circle, Suite 2
Dothan, AL 36301
Ph: (334) 699-2639
Fax: (334) 699-7548
SPA SERVICES
Mary Kay Cosmetics
(Bennett)
Pam Bennett
376 Westgate Parkway
(Physical)
722 Shorewood Drive
Dothan, AL 36303
Ph: (334) 333-3839
COSMETICS
SKIN CARE
Wint Smith State Farm
Insurance
Wint Smith
2191 E. Main St., Suite 2
Dothan, AL 36301
Ph: (334) 446-0308
INSURANCE &
INVESTMENTS
Mary Kay Cosmetics
(Ham)
Jennifer M. Ham
376 Westgate Parkway
(Dothan)
4643 Kimbell Road
Greenwood, FL 32443
Ph: (850) 209-4961
COSMETICS
SKIN CARE
renewingm e m b e r s
40 Or More Years
Bondy’s Ford Inc.
Clarion Inn & Suites
Larry Blumberg and
Associates (LBA
Hospitality)
Radiology Associates of
Dothan, PC
30-39 Years
Best Western - Dothan Inn
& Suites
Byrd Funeral Home
Dothan Surgery Center
Dothan Warehouse
Houston Academy
Manpower
McCord Contract Floors Inc.
R. Grimmer State Farm
Insurance
Time Warner Cable
Wallace Community College
Thank you!
Your membership is an investment in
the future of your business and the economic
progress of the Wiregrass area.
25-29 Years
Better Business Bureau
Five Star Credit Union
Herndon Oil Corp. - District
Office
Wayne Farms, LLC
Wiregrass Electric
Cooperative
Schedule A Ribbon Cutting!
Are you a new Chamber member? Has your business expanded or relocated? Are
you breaking ground for a new facility? If you answered yes to any of these questions,
you may want to schedule a Chamber Ribbon Cutting or Goundbreaking event.
These events take place weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Chamber staff will work with you to choose the date and time that best fits your
schedule. Your event will be included in the Calendar of Events section of the
Chamber Connections and your picture will also be featured in the newsletter after
the event.
For more information or to book an event, contact LaRhonda Robinson,
director of membership, at (334) 792-5138 or lrobinson@dothan.com.
20-24 Years
Hanson Pipe & Precast
Music South Concert Series
2
15-19 Years
Alabama South Family
Podiatry
Art Solomon Photography
Inc.
Children’s Rehab & Therapy
Services
Dixie Egg Co. - Alabama
Kiwanis Club of Dothan
Micro Support Services
Royal Cup Coffee
Southern Alabama Regional
Council on Aging
(SARCOA)
The Joy FM 94.3
Waid Parrish & Associates
Architecture
10-14 Years
Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC
Collection Bureau Associates
Don McCleod, CPA, PC
Harvest Church
Hodges Warehouse &
Logistics
Jackson Thornton Asset
Management, LLC
Oates Estates Apartments
Retina Associates of Alabama
Inc.
Silver Wings Golf Course
The Cultural Arts Center
Vantage Sourcing, LLC
Westgate Christian School
5-9 Years
84 West Inc.
Adams Inn
All Metal Roofing & Siding
Inc.
Boyle Jr., Ret. Col. Thomas P.
Publix Super Market #1369
Sixth Sense Concepts
Strategy6
The Computer Doctor
Wiregrass Church
1-4 Years
ABC Supply Co. Inc.
Arch Business Consulting
Inc.
Commercial Jet Services,
LLC
Consolidated Ace Hardware
Corridor Clean Fuels
Dothan Downtown
Redevelopment Authority
Globalstar Aerospace, LLC
Hots Deli
Ladi Vee’s Etiquette and
Consulting, LLC (LVEC)
Mighty Auto Parts
Mingledorff’s Distributors
Sarrell Dental Center
Team Linda Simmons Real
Estate
Troy Bank & Trust
Event s
S
M
October C a l e n d a r
T
W
T
F
S
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
Ribbon Cutting: Troy Bank & Trust New Dothan Location – 9:30 a.m.
Location: 3850 W. Main St., Suite 602
6
Ribbon Cutting: Hughes Supply Relocation – 10:30 a.m.
Location: 1704 Reeves St.
7
Small Business Seminar: Are You Ready For The New Overtime Rules? – 11:30 a.m.
Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)
*See page 11 for more information. Pre-registration required (334) 792-5138
8
96th Annual Meeting Luncheon – noon
Location: 900 W. Main St. (Wiregrass Church)
*Reservations required (334) 792-5138. Doors and Buffet open at 11:30 a.m.
12
Columbus Day - Chamber Closed
13
Ambassador and Diplomat Committee Meeting – 9 a.m.
Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)
Troy University Small Business Counseling – 9 a.m. to noon
Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)
*Pre-registration required (334) 792-5138
Ribbon Cutting: The Red Barn In Grimes, LLC – 2 p.m.
Location: 2424 County Road 12
Dothan Area Young Professionals’ Business Brews – 5:15 p.m.
Location: 1481 Westgate Parkway, Suite 1 (The Cellar)
Ambassadors & Diplomats
Team Of The Month
The Total Package
Congratulations to the Ambassador and Diplomat
Team of the Month “The Total Package” for
claiming this month’s title. Pictured (seated l-r)
are Beth Kenward, Humana; Sarah Register,
Sarrell Dental Center; Mary Reed, Dothan Eagle;
(standing) Lauren Pike, Covenant Hospice;
Brandon Ziegenfelder, Slingluff United Insurance;
Rich Merrell, PRemployer Inc.; and Faye Turner,
MidSouth Paving Inc. Not pictured is Clay Williams,
Friend Bank.
Thank you to all our Ambassadors and Diplomats
who serve as the eyes and ears for the Dothan Area
Chamber of Commerce. It is their dedication and
support that assist your local Chamber in meeting its
goals.
Be sure to check out next month’s Chamber
Connections to see who will claim the title.
Youth Leadership Dothan-Houston County Interviews – 6-9 p.m.
Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)
14
Ribbon Cutting: Wiregrass Rheumatology, PC Relocation – 10:30 a.m.
Location: 1118 Ross Clark Circle, Suite 702 (Southeast Alabama Medical Center Doctor’s
Building)
Youth Leadership Dothan-Houston County Interviews – 6-9 p.m.
Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)
15
Ribbon Cutting: Arch Business Consulting Inc. Relocation – 10:30 a.m.
Location: 248 North Foster St.
20
Ribbon Cutting: Smoothie King – 10:30 a.m.
Location: 1368 Westgate Parkway
21
Ribbon Cutting: Northview High School Science Lab – 4 p.m.
Location: 3209 Reeves St.
22
Leadership Dothan Health/Human Services and Quality of Life Day – 7:45 a.m.
Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)
Ribbon Cutting: The Nature Gallery – 4 p.m.
Location: 156 N. Foster St.
29
Star Of The Month
Rich Merrell
PRemployer Inc.
Ribbon Cutting: Covenant Hospice Relocation – 10:30 a.m.
Location: 1512 W. Main St.
3
GROWDO TH A N
More Great News Dothan!
Alabama Earns A “B”
For Small Business Friendliness
Small businesses gave Alabama a “B” for small
business friendliness, according to Thumbtack.com’s
annual Small Business Friendliness Survey. Complete
results for Alabama where published at www.
thumbtack.com/al/ Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2015.
Nearly 18,000 U.S. small business owners
responded to the survey, including 89 in Alabama.
The study asked respondents to rate their state and city
governments across a broad range of policy factors.
Thumbtack.com then evaluated states and cities
against one another along more than a dozen metrics.
“Small business owners on Thumbtack have
consistently told us that they welcome support from
their governments but are frequently frustrated by
unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles,” said Jon Lieber,
chief economist of Thumbtack.com. “Alabama’s B
grade from small business owners tells us the state does
well with lowering barriers, but could provide more in
the form of direct support for business owners.”
“Our state has always been pretty friendly
towards the ‘little man’,” commented a contractor in
Birmingham. “Our current governor’s primary focus
is bringing in big manufacturing plants. However, all
around those plants, small businesses are popping up
regularly.”
Key findings for Alabama were:
• Birmingham, Alabama earned an A- for overall
friendliness.
• Alabama’s worst score was a D+ for training and
networking.
• Neighboring Tennessee earned an overall
friendliness score of an A and ranked #7 nationally.
Dothan Remains
Lowest Cost Of Living
Area In State
ACCRA Cost Of Living Index
Second Quarter 2015
The Dothan Metropolitan Statistical Area remains
the lowest cost of living area in the state. Among the
271 urban areas that participated in the second quarter
2015 ACCRA Cost of Living Index, Dothan MSA came
in at 85 percent for its total index. This index represents
that the overall cost of living for the Dothan area is 15
percent below the national average.
When compared to the eight Alabama urban areas
that participated in the 2015 second quarter Index, the
Dothan area was the lowest cost area in the state. The
area also reported the lowest composite index in the state
for Utilities and Miscellaneous Goods and Services.
ACCRA Cost of Living Index (COLI)
Minor League Baseball And
Multi-Purpose Stadium
In Dothan?
Second Quarter 2015
National Average for 279 Urban Areas = 100
Five Most Expensive Urban Areas
Ranking
Urban Areas
COL Index
1
Manhattan, N.Y.
219.7
2
Honolulu, Hawaii
183.9
3
San Francisco, Calif.
176.1
4
Brooklyn, N.Y.
173.1
5
HIlo, Hawaii
156.4
Five Least Expensive Alabama Areas
Ranking
Urban Areas
COL Index
1
Dothan, Ala.
85.0
2
Decatur-Hartselle, Ala.
87.4
3
Anniston-Calhoun, Ala.
88.0
4
Huntsville, Ala.
90.1
5
Florence, Ala.
90.5
• Alabama performed better in 2015 than it did in
2014, when it ranked #20 and earned a B- overall.
• Alabama earned B+ grades for both licensing and
labor regulations.
Would you like to see a minor
league baseball team in Dothan
to improve our quality of life and
enhance economic development?
Do you think Dothan needs a
multi-purpose stadium to host
concerts, community events and
family outings?
Let us know what you think
by completing a communitywide survey at http://surveys.
customintercept.com/CSL/2015/
DothanBallpark2015/.
Survey sponsored by:
The ACCRA Cost of Living Index measures regional
differences in the cost of consumer goods and services,
excluding taxes and non-consumer expenditures, for
professional and managerial households in the top
income quintile. It is based on more than 90,000
prices covering 60 different items for which prices
are collected quarterly by chambers of commerce,
economic development organizations and university
applied economic centers in each participating urban
area. Small differences should not be interpreted as
showing a measurable difference.
The composite index is based on six component
categories – Housing, Utilities, Grocery Items,
Transportation, Health Care and Miscellaneous
Goods and Services.
What Does Gasoline Cost? Each quarter, C2ER
collects more than 90,000 prices from communities
across the U.S. for the Cost of Living Index. Over the
past few quarters, we have watched gasoline prices
drop significantly and gradually rise, streaming
steady in recent months. Considering second quarter
prices were collected in the season of spring break and
vacations, C2ER decided to look at the most and least
expensive cities to buy gas and hit the road. Dothan’s
Gasoline index was $2.115
ACCRA Cost of Living Index (COLI)
Second Quarter 2015
Gasoline Prices
National Average for 271 Urban Areas = $2.376
Five
Ranking
1
2
3
4
5
4
Least Expensive Alabama Areas
Urban Areas
COL Index
Decatur-Huntsville, Ala.
$2.105
Dothan, Ala.
$2.115
Montgomery, Ala.
$2.140
Huntsville, Ala.
$2.159
Anniston-Calhoun, Ala.
$2.169
Workforced e v e lo pm e nt
Find The Right College
That’s The Right Fit For You
Students from Dothan, Houston and Henry
County high schools will participate in the annual
Houston-Henry County College and PostSecondary Options Fair Thursday, Oct. 22, at
Northview High School, Convocation Center,
from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Representatives from more than 40 colleges,
universities and armed service agencies will
be on hand to answer questions, disseminate
materials and help students and parents
understand all the details about attending their
specific institution. The fair is open to public,
private and home-school students and their parents.
The college fair is presented annually by the
Dothan Education Foundation in partnership with
the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce and Wallace
Community College. It continues to grow each
year and is recognized as one of the largest and
most successful college fairs in the state. The
partners are proud to offer local students more
opportunities to succeed through events like
this.
Find the college that is the right fit for you.
Everyone is welcome.
For more information, contact the Dothan
Education Foundation at (334) 794-6585 or
visit www.dothaneducationfoundation.org.
AMEA And Its Members Kick Off
2016 Scholarship Program
Will you, or someone you know, be graduating
from high school in the spring of 2016? Do you
receive your electricity from a public power utility in
Alabama? Then if your answer to these questions is
“yes,” you could be eligible to receive a scholarship
from the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority and
its 11 member cities/utilities. Since 1992, AMEA and its members (Alexander
City, Dothan, Fairhope, Foley-Riviera Utilities,
LaFayette, Lanett, Luverne, Opelika, Piedmont,
Sylacauga and Tuskegee) have provided scholarships
to area high school seniors through the AMEA
Scholarship
Program.
Scholarships,
totaling
approximately $82,500, were awarded in the 2015
program. Each year, AMEA and its members make available
33, $2,500 scholarships, which include regular and
technical school scholarships. To be eligible for either
of AMEA’s scholarships, a student’s family must
receive electric service from a member’s electric utility
and the student must attend an Alabama college or
university. Applications are currently available from school
counselors in these member cities, or you can go
online to the AMEA website www.amea.com,
Scholarship Program. Applications are reviewed and winners are selected
by an independent panel of Montgomery area college
guidance personnel. Application deadline is Monday,
Feb. 1, 2016. For more information on the program, contact
your school counselor or Pamela Poole, AMEA’s
Scholarship Program coordinator, at (334) 387-3504,
(800) 239-2632, ext. 110 or pam@amea.com.
Coleman Worldwide Awards $16,000 In
College Scholarships
Coleman Worldwide Moving recently awarded
scholarships to 16 college students who will attend
various higher learning institutions in six different
states. The company awards the Virginia M. Coleman
Memorial Scholarship annually to assist with the
growing cost of a college education.
Those qualifying and awarded the scholarship
must be a son, daughter or grandchild to a Coleman
Worldwide Moving employee. For over 15 years, the
company has given some $177,000 to 177 qualifying
children and grandchildren of its associates.
The 2015 scholarship recipients seek varied
interests in education including: counseling, criminal
justice, engineering, various medical professions,
music and others.
The Virginia M. Coleman Memorial Scholarship
honors longtime matriarch of the Coleman family
and Coleman Worldwide Moving.
“It is a true honor to assist these deserving students,”
said John Coleman, Coleman Worldwide Moving
executive vice president. “Each of them begins an
exciting journey of education that will ultimately
serve the world in so many ways. Virginia Coleman
was a dedicated woman who personified hard work,
persistence and a desire to give back to those around
her. I am confident this year’s scholarship recipients
will continue her legacy in their studies and beyond
in their family, work and community lives.”
For more information about Coleman Worldwide
Moving, call (800) 239-7700 or visit www.
colemanallied.com.
5
Local Workforce
Initiatives
As is often said, “workforce
development
is
primarily
reactive in nature.” This is due
to changing occupational needs
in the local economy. After
tracking U.S. Department
of Labor projections of
regional jobs for 12 years
and comparing projections to
actual employment changes, it
Steve Turkoski,
is obvious to me that making
Project Manager
accurate projections is a
challenging task.
As technology changes and is integrated into more
processes skill requirements change and jobs are
created, destroyed and morphed. The function of
workforce development initiatives is to provide skills
needed by local employers for local jobs. Transferring
people into the area to fill local jobs because the skills
do not exist in the current workforce is not workforce
development, and is not the desired method of filling
job openings. The first task of any workforce development
initiative is to identify local skill shortages, with the
second task being to find ways to develop those skills
in the local workforce. With this philosophy in mind,
two workforce initiatives have been developed recently
and they are actively addressing identified skill needs
in our community.
CJET Academy is training aircraft sheet metal
workers for employment at Commercial Jet Services,
LLC and has been doing so for a year now. The current
class will finish in October and a new class starts in
November. With the completion of the October class,
they are approaching 100 completers.
Another shortage being addressed is welders.
Wallace Community College has both 30-week and
60-week programs in welding, both being certificate
programs. They recently expanded their welding lab
to accommodate the high demand, making it the
largest welding program in the state, and they have a
waiting list for enrollment.
Wallace Community College is working on
the development of two other programs to meet
identifiable and quantifiable needs for employment in
Agricultural Technology/Equipment Servicing and
Repair and non-aircraft related sheet metal bending
and fabrication. Both of these programs are being
designed to address the shortage of qualified workers
to fill local employer needs.
The mechanism employed for recognizing the
magnitude of the shortage of workers skilled in these
areas was a meeting of regional manufacturers, which
has been named the Wiregrass Industry Group,
WIG for short. WIG participants have adopted an
open forum to discuss issues of mutual concern and
have engaged in cooperative efforts to help each
other overcome obstacles, especially as it pertains to
workforce development.
2
0
1
6
25th ANNUAL TRADE SHOW
Spotlight on Business
Two Great Publications,
One Great Idea!
2
0
1
6
Last Minute Reservations Welcome!
You want to reach new residents and the
business community. They want to know how
to find you. The best way to achieve both goals
is to advertise in the Dothan Area Chamber of
Commerce’s 2016 Dothan’s Official Welcome
Guide and the 2016 Membership Directory
& Business Guide.
t
A
t
h
g
A Ni vies!
The Mo
The Dothan Area Chamber and Print
Services Inc., the Chamber member
awarded this project, have begun the ad
sales campaign for these 2016 publications.
Chamber members (primary contact and/
or advertising agent) recently began receiving the
Chamber’s project introduction letter, verification form(s)
and a “Reserve Your Space” brochure.
This year’s Spotlight on Business will be held Tuesday,
Feb. 2, 2016, at the Dothan Civic Center from
3-7 p.m. This trade show allows members to
showcase their products and services to fellow
Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce members,
as well as the general public.
Print Services will be contacting members about the
advertising opportunities and has a media kit available online
at www.psiprinter.com.
This is your opportunity to reach over 1,500
potential customers.
The Welcome Guide and Membership Directory & Business
Guide will be mailed to Chamber members in late January
2016. High visibility through great distribution has been the
key to the Welcome Guide’s success. Increased usage of the
Membership Directory is a direct result of its convenience
to find fellow business members to promote our businessto-business relationships. Don’t miss out on these important
publications! Your company will benefit greatly by reaching
all who look to the Dothan Area Chamber for information
about Dothan businesses in 2016.
Booths go on sale Nov. 12, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. at
the Chamber. A registration table will be in the
Chamber lobby for reservations one day only.
We will not accept any reservations before then.
If you are not able to register that day, please
mail or fax your registration to the Chamber on
or after the 12th.
Distribution of the Welcome Guide (10,000) includes
economic development prospects, new residents, prospective
retirees and relocation families requesting information
through the Chamber, 14 Chamber member apartment
complexes for new residents, 20 Chamber member hotels/
motels in-room distribution and the Dothan Utilities and
Wiregrass Electric Authority offices to all new service
customers. Great web exposure is another avenue of
distribution for the 2016 Welcome Guide. The publication
will be on the following websites: The City of Dothan, Houston
County, Dothan Convention and Visitors Bureau, Dothan Area
Chamber of Commerce and Print Services Inc.
The cost for each booth is $350 (+$25 for
electricity if desired). Exhibit spaces are available
on a first-come basis and payment is required
with your reservation. You will be able to choose
your booth location at the time of registration.
For more information,
contact LaRhonda
Robinson at (334)
792-5138 or email
lrobinson@dothan.
com.
For more information about this opportunity, please
contact:
(334) 702-4063
(334) 712-6532 Fax
www.psiprinter.com
6
BusinessB r i e fs
Mosquito Squad Named One Of America’s
Fastest Growing Companies
Continuing its extraordinary growth serving
homeowners, Mosquito Squad was recently
recognized as one of America’s fastest growing private
companies by Inc. Magazine on its 34th annual
500/5,000 list, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s
fastest-growing private companies.
This is the fifth consecutive year Mosquito Squad
was ranked on the list, joining an elite group of just
14 privately-held firms that have sustained remarkable
growth over five years.
Serving the Wiregrass area and owned by military
veteran David A. Davis, Mosquito Squad is part of an
organization that racked up a three-year sales growth
of 198 percent and a number 1,980 ranking.
Specializing in eliminating mosquitoes and ticks
from outdoor living spaces, the company operates
more than 180 locations in 32 states and the District
of Columbia and in 2015, opened new service areas
in Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana,
Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan,
New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North
Dakota, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.
“Many thanks to our customers and the community
for voting us the best mosquito control service in the
Dothan Eagle’s Best of the Wiregrass competition,”
said Davis.
“This has been quite a year for the Squad. From
opening more than 30 new offices to working with
TV host and yard expert Jason Cameron as our brand
ambassador, our franchisees and corporate team
members have been singularly focused on meeting
our clients’ needs,” said Chris Grandpre, chairman
and CEO of Outdoor Living Brands, parent company
and franchisor of Mosquito Squad.
For additional information on the Mosquito
Squad of the Wiregrass, or to become a franchisee,
visit
www.mosquitoqquad.com
or
www.
mosquitosquadfranchise.com.
Join The Fight Against Hunger
Ameris Bank will host its 2015 Helping Fight
Hunger initiative beginning Thursday, Oct.
1, and continuing through Saturday, Oct.
31. All items and money collected in the
Dothan area will be donated directly to the
Wiregrass Area Food Bank.
Since its launch of the Helping Fight
Hunger initiative in 2010, Ameris Bank has donated
over 1,743,000 non-perishable food items companywide.
Ameris Bank invites you to help fight
hunger by donating non-perishable items at
either of the bank’s Dothan location: 3299
Ross Clark Circle or 2200 E. Main St. For more information, call Ameris Bank
at (334) 671-4000 or (334) 677-3063.
Run,Walk, or Donate!
Saturday,
October 17, 2015
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
45K &10K Race
4Spirit Walk
4Kohl’s Kids Fit
Challenge
For Sponsorship, Registration or Questions, call
334.673.4150
s am c fou n d at i on . org
presented by
COH-2015-Sept-Oct-ChamberConnection.indd 1
7
Scarecrows in the Garden
Oct 1-31
Dothan Area Botanical Gardens. Take a stroll
through the gardens to see all the different
scarecrows creatively designed and decorated
by local schools, civic organizations and local
artists. This year’s theme is “Imagination.”
The event is free and open to the public. For
more information, call (334) 793-3224 or
visit www.dabg.com.
Foster Fest
Oct. 16 • 6 p.m.
Foster Street Downtown Dothan. Hosted
by The Downtown Group, this is a free,
pet-friendly event showcasing downtown
Dothan, the local arts, crafts, music scene,
downtown businesses and classic cars. For
more information, contact The Downtown
Group at (334) 793-3097 or visit www.
thedowntowngroup.com.
Cuttlefish Casting Workshop
Oct. 17 • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wiregrass Museum of Art & Conference
Center. This workshop with metal artist
Barbara Mann will give participants the skills
and inspiration to cast jewelry or small-scale
objects in sterling silver using the ancient
technique of cuttlebone casting, Students
will also learn to make models into which
molten metal can be poured. To register, or
for more information, call WMA at (334)
794-3871 or visit www.wiregrassmuseum.
org.
Fall Farm Day
Oct. 17 • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Landmark Park. There will be syrup making,
cooking demonstrations, blacksmithing,
hearth cooking, antique tractor and
engine displays. Admission is $8 adults,
$6 seniors and active military, $4 kids, and
free to members and children 2 and under.
Concessions will be available and the Martin
Drugstore and Shelley General Store will
be open. For more information, call the
park at (334) 794-3452 or visit www.
landmarkparkdothan.com.
Dead Man Running 5K
Oct. 24 • 5 p.m.
Wiregrass Museum of Art & Conference
Center. Hosted by the Dothan Eagle, you
don’t want to miss this costumed 5K run
and the Dead Man’s Party at the French
Quarter after the race. To register, visit
www.dothaneagle.com/zombie or call
Stephanie Madden at (334) 792-3141.
The Joy FM Sharathon
Oct. 26-30
The Joy FM studio. The Joy FM 94.3
will host its annual Sharathon beginning
Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct.
30. Giving listeners of the Joy FM make
it possible for the station to be a good
neighbor in the Dothan community and all
across the Wiregrass. For more information,
or to donate, call (334) 699-5672 or visit
www.alabama.thejoyfm.com.
or visit us on the web
Honoring All
Breast Cancer
Survivors & Pre-Vivors
Upcoming
Member Events
7/10/2015 2:52:41 PM
BusinessB r i e fs
Houston Academy
To Present
“The Lion King”
Houston Academy’s Lower School will present
Disney’s “The Lion King” Tuesday and Wednesday,
Oct. 27-28, at 6:30 p.m. in Dunning Hall on the
HA campus. Tickets are $5 per person and went on sale Sept.
28 in the Houston Academy administrative office.
For further information, call the school at (334)
794-4106.
Gulf Coast
Dermatology
Changes Name
Gulf Coast Dermatology recently announced
that, after almost a decade of providing advanced
treatments and care to the communities they serve,
including Dothan and Enterprise, they are changing
their name to Dermatology Specialists of Alabama. The practice began in 2006 in Panama City, Florida,
and opened the Dothan location on Westside Drive
in 2011. The group’s 10 dermatologists and clinical
teams now see patients in more than 20 locations.
Alabama clinics are located in Dothan, Enterprise,
Auburn and Huntsville.
“We’ve outgrown the name ‘Gulf Coast’, as we
are now seeing patients in other geographical regions
like the Wiregrass and northern Alabama, as well as
the central and Atlantic coastal regions of Florida,”
said Dothan dermatologist Dr. Jeffrey Stricker, DO.
“While our name has changed, our commitment
remains the same. We are dedicated to the prevention,
detection and treatment of skin cancer.”
CEO Chris Brooks added, “Dermatology Specialists
of Alabama is honored to serve the Wiregrass area.
When we came to Dothan several years ago, there
were long wait times to get an appointment with a
dermatologist. But understanding that early detection
leads to an easier cure for skin cancer, we believe
patients should never have to wait more than a few
days to see a specialist.”
Dermatology Specialists of Alabama also holds
a physician-supervised medical spa. Aqua Medical
Spa offers a full menu of cosmetic treatments and
aesthetician services, including facials, chemical
peels, body sculpting, phototherapy and cosmetic
injectables.
For more information, contact Carol Whiting
at (850) 252-4423 or email carol.whiting@
dermsolutionsgroup.com.
Wireless Advantage Wins
Retailer Of The Year Award
Wireless Advantage, a Verizon Wireless premium
retailer based in Dothan, Alabama, and its founder/
owner, Steve Maddox, have received the honor of
being named a 2015 Alabama Retailer of the Year
by the Alabama Retail Association and University of
Alabama Birmingham Collat School of Business. Celebrating its 16th year, the prestigious
award recognizes outstanding retailers who have
demonstrated a blend of sound business practices
with commitment to their communities, customers
and employees. Over the last 14 years, Wireless Advantage has
grown to 47 locations in rural and metro markets
within the southeastern portion of the United States;
23 of which are in Alabama. The company provides
employment for 158 people in Alabama, operates
three locations in Dothan, maintains corporate
operations off Brannon Stand Road, and plans to
open a new anchor location in early 2016 on U.S.
Highway 84 West across from Grove Park on the
developing property next to McDonalds.
“We are so excited to be a winner of the Alabama
Retailer of the Year Award for 2015. Our business
has grown exponentially since our first store opened
in 2001. We have many loyal customers, friends, and
current and past employees to thank for this success,”
said Maddox. “We are proud to use the power of
Verizon Wireless to benefit our local economy. We
look forward to continued and sustained growth in
Alabama and surrounding states.” For more information, contact Jennifer Kelley
at (334) 479-8777 or email jennifer.kelley@
waciwireless.com.
Berkshire Hathaway Introduces New Agent
Berkshire
Hathaway
HomeServices
Showcase
Properties is excited to
introduce readers to its newest
sales professional, Breanna
Kern.
Born
and
raised
in
Alabaster, Alabama, Kern
attended the University of
Alabama and graduated with
Breanna Kern,
a degree in French language
Realtor
and literature. She also
studied Italian and art history, and was an intern at
the Birmingham Museum of Art. After college, she
worked as a flight attendant based in Washington
D.C., Philadelphia and Charlotte.
After moving to the Wiregrass, Kern began a
new career in real estate combining her experience
in customer service with her interest in homes and
design. She is excited to have the opportunity to
connect with clients and meet all their real estate
needs.
Kern lives in Dothan with her husband, Brian, and
their two rescued dogs, Pippa and Plutonium. In
her free time, she enjoys cooking, walking her dogs,
tailgating Alabama football games and traveling.
To reach Kern, contact her at (205) 492-5815 or
email breannak.showcaseproperties@gmail.com.
CFS Announces
New Children’s Discussion Group
Child and Family Services of Southeast Alabama
is announcing a new children’s discussion group
titled “Inside Out” with goals to help raise children’s
emotional intelligence. Brandi Reeves, MS LPC will
lead and use the recent Disney movie as a
tool for discussion.
The group is designed to enable children
to process and understand their own feelings
and the feelings of others. They will learn
that all feelings are necessary and how to
let “joy” drive their brain most of the time.
CFS also offers social skills groups
and grief groups for children. Groups
are divided by age and are conveniently
scheduled during after-school hours. Topics
for social skills groups include: how to make
and keep friends and how to read body
language, manners and idioms.
The Learning Center adjoins Child and Family
8
Services. The Learning Center provides home school
support, tutoring for all levels of learning and test
proctoring.
Child and Family Services has been providing
counseling and psychological services for
the Wiregrass area for 30 years. Their team
of psychologists, psychometrists, licensed
professional counselors and a speechlanguage pathologist address a wide variety
of topics: developmental delay, learning
issues, psychological testing, IQ testing, family counseling, co-parent training,
blended family counseling, marriage
counseling, anxiety, depression, eating
issues, grief, speech and many more.
For more information about the “Inside
Out” group or any other service listed, call
(334) 793-2237 or visit www.childfamilyservice.
com.
BusinessB r i e fs
Brown Bag Program Needs Volunteers
The Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank‘s
Brown Bag Program currently has an urgent need for
volunteers to administer the program. A supplemental
grocery program that benefits seniors age 60 and
older who primarily depend on Social
Security for their income, the program
gives seniors groceries on the third
Wednesday of the month to help
bridge the gap between checks
when their funds have normally been
depleted.
The Brown Bag Program has 19
distribution sites spread throughout Barbour, Coffee,
Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties. The
program is supported entirely by contributions and
volunteers.
In Dothan, volunteers are needed from 7:45–
11 a.m. Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 to help
pack food for the six-county area. To sign
up to volunteer in Dothan, call Shirley
Henderson at (334) 794-4499.
Volunteers are needed on an ongoing
basis in Enterprise also to pack bags for
individuals from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on
the second Tuesday of each month at the
Human Resource Development Corporation,
100 George Wallace Drive. To sign up to volunteer in
Enterprise, call Regena Johnson at (334) 347-0881.
CAC Welcomes New Employee
The Southeast Alabama
Child
Advocacy
Center
welcomes Tiffani Thompson
as the new community
development manager. A
graduate of Huntingdon
College, Thompson brings 24
years of marketing, sales and
communication experience to
the CAC.
Thompson and her family
Tiffani Thompson,
have just relocated from
Community
Development Manager
Prattville, Alabama where
she was the development and
marketing director at Prattville Christian Academy.
She is excited to join the CAC team, and is eager to
become involved in the community. “I am honored and excited to have the opportunity
to represent the CAC in the local community in this
role. I look forward to becoming an integral part of
the CAC team that provides valuable programs and
services to families in the Wiregrass area,” she said.
Last year, the Child Advocacy Center provided
services to more than 2,000 child abuse victims and
their supportive family members. The clinical staff
provides crisis intervention, counseling and support
services for clients at no charge to them. CAC’s mission is to serve as advocates for children
and to reduce the trauma and anxiety for child
victims of sexual and severe physical abuse. The CAC
continuously strives to ensure child abuse victims
are able to begin the healing process and believe in a
brighter tomorrow.
Thompson will be working throughout Houston,
Henry, Dale and Geneva counties to strengthen
partnerships with businesses, government agencies,
civic groups, volunteers and CAC’s multidisciplinary
team members.
For more information, contact the CAC at (334)
671-1779 or visit www.southeastcac.org.
Mammography.
Early detection is a beautiful thing.
A mammogram can help detect breast cancer in its earliest, most
treatable stages. The American Cancer Society recommends
that women 40 and older, or those considered at risk, receive a
mammogram every year.
Headland’s Harvest
Day Set For Oct. 10
Headland is gearing up for its 44th Annual Harvest
Day Festival Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. until 3
p.m. This fun-filled event takes place downtown in
and around the beautiful city square.
The festival will feature arts and crafts, a car show,
children’s games and rides, a variety of food vendors,
and live entertainment throughout the day. Local shops
and restaurants will also have special offers and sales.
Sponsored by the Headland Area Chamber of
Commerce and the city of Headland, vendor information
and forms are available at www.headlandal.org. For more information, call (334) 693-3303 or
email headlandalchamber@gmail.com.
Dothan Pediatric
Welcomes New
Physician
Dothan Pediatric Clinic is
proud to announce Dr. Allison
Walker, DO has recently
joined its team as pediatric
healthcare provider.
A native of Birmingham,
Alabama,
Dr.
Walker
graduated Magna Cum Laude
in 2007 from BirminghamSouthern College with her
bachelor’s degree in biologyDr. Allison Walker, DO
psychology. She received her
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Kansas
City University of Medicine and Biosciences in 2012.
After receiving her degree, Dr. Walker completed
a three-year Pediatric Residency program at the
University of Alabama in Birmingham. She is a proud
member of the Alabama Chapter of the American
Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Walker is married to Homer Walker and they
have three children: Kaylee Beth, Riley and Katherine.
She enjoys spending time riding bikes with her family
at the park and visiting the zoo.
For more information, contact Debbie Yurevich,
marketing director – staff physician recruiter, at (334)
793-1881, ext. 2272 or email debbie.yurevich@
dothanpedicatricclinic.com.
The Area’s Premier
Costumed 5K
As a trusted resource for women, the physicians and staff at
Flowers Hospital are here to help you protect your health
through regular screenings and the early detection of breast
cancer. Board-certified surgeons, radiologists and oncologists
on the medical staff work with our case managers, physical
therapists, registered nurses, registered mammography
technologists and a certified breast health navigator to offer
comprehensive cancer care that is focused on you. To schedule
your mammogram today, call 334-793-5000, ext. 1990.
FlowersHospital.com
Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis. An order from a physician or qualified healthcare provider is not required, but the patient must provide
a physician/provider name when an appointment is made. If the patient does not have a physician/provider, a list will be provided for the patient’s selection.
All mammogram reports will be sent to the physician/provider and follow-ups are the responsibility of the patient.
79713_FLOW_Mammo_6_0625x5_1325c.indd 1
9
8/26/14 3:05 PM
dotha
neagl
e.com
/z o m
bie
10 .2 4. 15
BusinessB r i e fs
Beasley Pharmacy To
Celebrate 60 Years
Beasley Pharmacy is celebrating 60 years of
business and invites you to join them Saturday,
October 10, at 2 p.m.
Located at 113 E Church St., Columbia,
owner John Beasley opened the pharmacy doors
in October 1955 and through all these years, the
pharmacy has been a constant staple in Columbia’s
business community providing excellent service to
its customers. The pharmacy has also been a longstanding Chamber member for over 50 years.
Stop by and extend your congratulations to Mr.
Beasley and the Beasley Pharmacy team on a job well
done.
In case of inclement weather, the celebration will
be held in Columbia’s First Baptist Church sanctuary.
For
more
information,
contact
the
pharmacy at (334) 696-4611 or visit their
Facebook
page
www.facebook.com/BeasleyPharmacy-126399247414674/timeline/.
John Beasley 1965
John Beasley 2015
FOUNDATION
WCC Foundation
To Host An Evening
on Broadway/
New York, New York
Wallace Community College Foundation will
present its annual fundraiser, An Evening on
Broadway/New York, New York, Thursday, Oct. 29,
beginning at 6 p.m. at the Dothan Civic Center. An Evening on Broadway will include a night of
decadent Italian cuisine with entertainment provided
by members of the Wallace Sound, a jazz ensemble.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to bid on
silent and live auction items while socializing with
friends and meeting new people.
The WCC Foundation works in partnership with
the college to ensure access to education and to help
achieve success for its students. Over 175 scholarships
are awarded each year to deserving students who
would not otherwise be able to attend college. Because of generous giving from community
members to the WCC Foundation, the college is able
to provide excellent transfer education, nursing and
allied health education, skills training, and custom
training for local business and industry.
General admission will be $75 per person and
sponsorships will range from $500 to $2,500
For more information regarding sponsorships, to
purchase tickets or general inquiries, contact Melissa
Mason at (334) 556-2426 or email mmason@
wallace.edu.
LongHorn Steakhouse
Employee
Awarded Top Honor
Wilbert Glanton Jr., a heart of the house team
member at the LongHorn Steakhouse in Dothan,
Alabama, was recently presented with the Team
Member of the Year award, the company’s top honor
for restaurant team members.
Deaf, a cancer survivor and a LongHorn veteran of
18 years, Glanton is one of just four team members
selected this year from the more than 28,000
LongHorn Steakhouse employees in North America,
making this a truly prestigious honor.
Presented annually, this award recognizes local team
members who consistently demonstrate outstanding
results by providing LongHorn guests with expertly
grilled steaks and a memorable dining experience.
In addition, honorees are recognized for embodying
LongHorn’s core values, such as treating everyone
with dignity, respect, honesty, integrity and by making
significant contributions to the overall success of the
restaurant. Glanton’s recognition is a result of an ongoing
commitment to LongHorn team members and guests
alike. He has been an important part of the Dothan
LongHorn Steakhouse team since the restaurant
opened nearly 20 years ago.
“Wilbert is a very important part of our team and
truly deserving of the Team Member of the Year
award,” said Maghan Solomon, managing partner of
the LongHorn Steakhouse in Dothan. “He doesn’t let
any hurdles keep him from going above and beyond in
his everyday duties. He takes pride in his work, exudes
joy and brightens everyone’s day.”
Visit Glanton and his team at the Dothan LongHorn
Steakhouse located at 3411 Ross Clark Circle.
Statement of Ownership,
Management and Circulation
As of September 30, 2015 (required by U.S.C. 3685)
Dothan Civic Center
“Moonlight & Mistletoe” Preview Party
Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 p.m.
The title of this publication is Chamber
Connections. The publication number is 700660. Chamber Connections was published
monthly at 102 Jamestown Blvd., Dothan, AL,
36301. There were 12 issues during the fiscal
year ending Sept. 30, 2015. The publisher
$30 per person
Be the first to shop before the sale opens to the
public. Enjoy a cocktail party, silent auction, live
entertainment and heavy hors d’oeuvres
as you shop the best selection.
Shopping Days
Oct. 23-24
9 a.m. until 8 p.m. (Friday)
9 a.m. until 6 p.m. (Saturday)
General Admission $6
Children 10 and under free
Tickets:
Dothan Civic Center (334) 615-3000,
www.eventsatcovenant.org/holiday
or Covenant Hospice office.
All proceeds benefit the Dothan Covenant Hospice.
For more information, call (334) 794-7847.
Total number of copies
Paid and/or request mail subscriptions
Total paid and/or requested circulation
Free distribution by mail
Free distribution outside the mail
Total free distribution
Total distribution
Copies not distributed
Return from news agents
Percent paid or requested circulation
is the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce
and the editor is Melia McKean. There are
no bondholders, mortgages or other security
holders. The purpose, function and nonprofit
exempt status for Federal income tax did not
change during the preceding 12 months.
Average number of
copies per issue during
the past 12 months
reported:
Actual number of copies
for a single issue published
nearest to filing date:
2,500
2,126
2,126
0
200
200
2,326
174
0
92%
2,500
2,126
2,126
0
210
210
2,336
134
0
91%
I certify that the statements made here are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.
Melia McKean
Editor
Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce
10
smallb u s i n e s s development
Employment Law
Seminars for Business
This is the third and final article of a three-part series on the Americans with
Disabilities Act issues facing businesses in the Wiregrass area by Attorney Bricker
Daughtry, shareholder with Carr Allison in Birmingham, Alabama.
Part III: ADA Signage
All businesses have signs in their facilities. Whether your signs are a form of
marketing that direct patrons to products or simply identify restrooms, it is
imperative your business adheres to the Americans with Disabilities standards
concerning signage. Signs are meant to draw attention to and identify a variety of
things to provide accommodations for disabled individuals.
A missing handicapped parking sign is a red flag for the individuals and law firms
searching for ADA violations.
Businesses providing goods or services to the public are called public
accommodations under the ADA. If you own, operate, lease or lease to a business
that serves the public, then, YOU have an obligation to ensure your facilities adhere
to ADA guidelines. Failing to comply with ADA regulations may likely cost you a
considerable amount of time and money. Recently, ADA law groups have started a
growing trend of lawsuits against businesses for ADA violations. It only takes one
disabled customer to visit your establishment and notice a violation to place the
burden of an ADA lawsuit on your business.
The manner in which signs are hung may often be overlooked by businesses;
however, the ADA requirements governing signage are highly technical and
oftentimes included in ADA lawsuits. Take a look at the following regulations
regarding proper signage:
• Do all inaccessible entrances have signs indicating the location of the nearest
accessible entrance?
Dothan Attorney Libby Glasgow, Farmer Price Hornsby & Weatherford, will
host Employment Law Seminars for Business at the Dothan Area Botanical
Gardens Oct. 8, 15, 22 and 29, from 2-4 p.m. This series is designed to help
business owners, managers and human resource professionals understand and
comply with the laws affecting employers today.
Each class will focus on a particular area of employment law with an emphasis
on strategies for lawsuit prevention. Topics include: 2016 wage and hour changes,
updates with the ADA and FMLA, a new look at drug and alcohol testing,
the uptick in hiring litigation, new rules for independent contractors, making
changes to severance and confidentiality agreements, terminations, harassment
and discrimination prevention, background checks, employee coaching and
discipline, documentation, employee medical issues, workers’ compensation,
non-compete agreements, handbooks and policies. Glasgow has been practicing law for 28 years and provides legal services
to employers in Alabama, Florida and Georgia including litigation defense,
administrative representation before the EEOC, Department of Labor and the
NLRB. She also assists with investigations, handbooks, policies, compliance
reviews and contracts. These seminars are open to the public and continuing education credit for
human resource professionals may also be available.
For more information or to register, contact Cindy Elmore at (334) 793-2424.
• Are there signs directing the public to the nearest accessible restrooms?
BCA To Award Football
Corporate Sponsorships
• Is there tactile signage identifying restrooms mounted on the wall beside the
door latch?
• Are the lowest characters on your restroom signage at least 48 inches above the
floor and the highest characters 60 inches or less from the floor?
• Are ADA compliant parking spaces identified with a sign that includes the
International Symbol of Accessibility mounted at least 60 inches off of the
ground?
• Do the signs in your facilities contain Grade 2 Braille?
The above checklist represents only a very small portion of possible violations.
If you answered “no” to any of the questions on this list, your facilities may be in
violation. If this is the case, chances are that several other violations exist.
If you receive a letter regarding ADA violations or have any questions or concerns
regarding compliance with ADA regulations, you can contact Bricker Daughtry,
shareholder with Carr Allison in Birmingham at (205) 949-02914 or (205) 9081111 or Eric Wade, shareholder with Carr Allison at 256 Honeysuckle Road, #6,
Dothan, Al 36305, (334) 678-5019.
Free building compliance assessment are also offered through the Alabama
Department of Rehabilitation Services. For more information, contact Jeffrey
Mega, rehabilitation technology specialist at (334) 678-5019 or jeffrey.mega@
rehab.alabama.gov.
Mark Your Calendar!
Small Business Seminar
Are You Ready For The New Overtime Rules?
Dothan Area Chamber • Oct. 7 • 11:30 a.m.
Mark your calendar and join the Dothan Area Chamber
of Commerce, in conjunction with Carr Allison, for the small
business seminar “Are You Ready for the New Overtime Rules”
Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 11:30 a.m. at the Chamber facility.
This one-hour program, presented by Bricker Daughtry,
shareholder with the law firm Carr Allison, delivers timely information on the
Fair Labor Standards Act requirements and the proposed Department of Labor
regulation changes impacting today’s business owner.
This is an excellent opportunity to “Ask the Expert” in this complimentary
exchange of information.
The cost is $10 per person, which includes a boxed lunch, and seating is
limited. To reserve your seat, please call Susan Tatom at (334) 792-5138.
“Small Business Game Changer”
The Business Council of Alabama is offering small businesses the opportunity
to be awarded a Football Corporate Sponsorship to the University of Alabama
or Auburn University for the 2016 season.
To apply, Alabama small business owners should visit either www.bcatoday.
org/rolltide or www.bcatoday.org/wareagle and share in 150 words or less
why a 2016 football sponsorship would be a game-changer for their small
business. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. CST Friday, Jan. 29, 2016.
“Small businesses are the economic engine of Alabama,” said BCA President
and CEO William J. Canary. “The Business Council of Alabama recognizes that
small businesses provide the majority of jobs for Alabamians, and the Business
Council of Alabama stands in the gap every day on behalf of small business men
and women. A season football sponsorship to either university is a game changer
for a small business and is just another way the Business Council of Alabama
provides small businesses a voice and the recognition they deserve.”
A full slate of corporate partner benefits will be activated for the “champion”
business during the 2016 football season, including hospitality, game tickets,
in-venue logo recognition and exposure through the game-day publications, and
more.
The companies awarded the sponsorships will be notified March 1, 2016, and
(University of Alabama sponsorship) announced during the 2016 spring game;
or (Auburn University) during the 2016 A-Day Game at Jordan-Hare Stadium
on April 9, 2016.
“Small Business Game Changer” is open only to small businesses located in
the state of Alabama that are BCA members in good standing. Further eligibility
restrictions apply. The contest is void where prohibited by law. Contest began
Sept. 1, 2015, and ends at 5 p.m. CST Jan. 31, 2016. For complete contest rules,
visit one of the respective websites listed above.
11
future
th e
shaping
s h apin g
Dothan Area
Chamber of Commerce
Part III: ADA Signage
Beasley Pharmacy To
Celebrate 60 Years
Dothan Pediatrics
Welcome New
Physician
Wireless Advantage
Wins Retailer Of The
Year Award
Mosquito Squad
Named One Of
America’s Fastest
Growing Companies
Local WorkForce
Initiatives
Dothan Remains
Lowest Cost Of Living
Area In State
Wiregrass WORKS
October 2015
This
issue:
Connections
ConNections
r
e
b
meeting
ch alle n g e
m
th e
a
me e tin g
h
C
Connections
ConNections
C
h
a
m
b
e
r
A Publication of the
Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce
October 2015
Vol. 43, No. 1 (USPS 700-660)
© Copyright 2015
Chamber Connections is published monthly
(USPS 700-660) for the members of the
Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce,
102 Jamestown Blvd., Dothan, AL 36301.
Subscription rate is $24 annually. Postmaster:
Send address changes to Dothan Area
Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 638,
Dothan, AL 36302. Periodicals postage is paid
at Dothan, AL and additional mailing office.
334.340.1111
ECONOM ICIN D IC AT O RS
Labor Force for the Dothan MSA for July:
63,049 in 2014; 63,558 in 2015
58,202 in 2014; 59,187 in 2015 Employed
Unemployment for the Dothan MSA for July:
7.7% in 2013; 6.9% in 2014
Residential Building Permits for the City of Dothan for July:
27 issued ($7.31 million) in 2014; 25 issued ($7.58 million) in 2015
Home Sales in Dothan for July:
104 sold in 2014; 126 sold in 2015
Enplanements for Dothan Regional Airport for July:
4,474 in 2014; 4,608 in 2015
Houston County & Dothan Sales and Use Tax Collections ($) for July:
$1,449,493 in 2014; $1,543,895 in 2015 (County)
$4,802,774 in 2014; $5,406,856 in 2015 (City)
Editor's Note: Sources for this information vary; call the Chamber for details.
Data as of 9/08/15. Visit www.dothan.com for the most current information.