Focus on Burlington Business
Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce 

February 2012
In This Issue
First Fridays
Discover the Treasures
Chamber City & Town Council Rep
Welcome New Chamber Members
Home Expo
Burlington Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program
gia bella flower & gifts Winner for The Knot Best of Weddings
Quick Links

Find us on Facebook
Forms
2012 Corporate Partners
CHAIRMAN LEVEL
$3,500 Annual Investment
(Years participation)
Gooseberries Fresh Food Market (16)
Konicek, Kaiser, Scholze, Wanasek S.C. (7)
Runzheimer International (3)

EXECUTIVE LEVEL
$2,500 Annual Investment
Daniels Funeral Services (16)
Johnson Bank (8)
Merrill Lynch (5)
Nestle USA (16)
Schuette Daniels Furniture (16)

LEADER LEVEL
$1,000 Annual Investment
ASDA Inc. (2)
BeeLine Computer Co. (9)
Charcoal Grill (3)
Cretex Materials Inc. (5)
Talmer Bank and Trust (14)
Fox River State Bank (7)
Grand Geneva Resort (5)
Lavelle Industries (16)
M&I Bank - A Part of BMO Financial Group (12)
Mangold Insurance Agency (15)
May's Insurance Agency (15)
Quad/Graphics (16)
R.K.W. Redi-Mix Concrete (7)
Scherrer Construction Co. (15)
Stowell Catering (2)
 

Dear Chamber Members,

 

With a new year among us comes some new faces to the Chamber board. I am delighted to serve as your president for the 2012 year. Along with me comes:

Jerry Koch - President Elect

Jim Webley - VP Community Development

Dave Kmetz - VP Marketing & Tourism

Barb Bakshis - VP Planning/Treasurer

Shelly Leverenz - Past President

 

Directors

Judy Bratz

Dave Gapinski

Greg Hoffman

Michael Hohner 

John Hotvedt

Justin Mueller

Michelle Petersen

Travis Schmidt

Steve Vonderheide

 

I personally would like to thank everyone who attended our Annual Dinner or donated an item for our auction. Without your support our chamber wouldn't be able to serve our local businesses.  It was great seeing several new faces in attendance at such a wonderful event. With the annual dinner now past us, we are currently working on the Burlington Home Expo which will be held on Saturday March 24th from 

9am - 3pm at BurlingtonHigh School. If you would like to reserve a booth, please contact Jan Ludtke at 262.763.6044.

 

Your Chamber membership is much more than just your business name in a book. We offer many opportunities for you to network and meet other chamber members throughout the year. If you haven't attended our Business After Hours, please consider doing so. Our corporate membership is a great way to get your business in the spotlight. I would like to thank those who are currently corporate partners for their continued support of the Chamber.

 

And lastly, I would like to thank our Past President Shelly Leverenz and our previous board members for their time and commitment with the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. We greatly appreciate the work and ideas that you brought to the table over the past year. I look forward to having a great year in serving as your President for the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.

 

Thanks,

Eric Thomson
First Fridays

First Fridays, Your Chamber Orientation --- If you want to learn more about the opportunities your Chamber membership brings to you, you'll want to mark your calendar now. New Members will learn about Chamber Programs and activities and have a chance to meet the Chamber staff on the first Friday of the month, February 3rd at 8:00 a.m.

 

RSVP at 262-763-6044 or email us today.

February Discover the Treasures

  

The Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce works very hard every month to bring Burlington a community paperFeb discover cover focusing on business highlights, calendar of events, history of Burlington, recipes and so much more!  Look for your copy every month on newsstands around Burlington, in the Standard Press and in the Marketplace. Click on the actual picture for the February issue.

 

The Discover the Treasures is funded solely through its advertisers. Thank you to those who support this publication.  If you are interested in advertising in the Discover the Treasures please contact us at 262-763-6044 or email us.  

Burlington Chamber 2011 City and Town Council Meeting Representatives

Month         City Council          Town Council         Representative

Feb.             7/21                      9/23                        Dave Kmetz

March          6/20                      8/22                        Jim Webley

April             3/17                     12/26                       John Hotvedt

May             8/22                     10/24                       Judy Bratz

June            5/19                     14/21                        Barb Bakshis

July             3/17                      12/26                       Shelly Leverenz

Aug.            7/21                      9/23                         Justin Mueller

Sep.            4/18                      13/27                       Steve Vonderheide

Oct.             2/16                      11/25                       Mike Hohner

Nov.            6/20                       8                             Dave Gapinski

Dec.            4/18                      13/27                       Eric Thomson         

 

Welcome New Chamber Members

We thank all Chamber Members (new and old) for supporting the Chamber and our many marketing efforts through your annual membership! We would just like to say welcome to our newest Chamber members! 

 

$18 Eyeglasses Place

Animal 911 South East Wisconsin

Slades Corners Computer Repair LLC

 

Home Expo

Save the date for Saturday, March 24, 2012. The annual event will be at the Burlington High School, along with the Chocolate Extravaganza event. 

 

Register today and get the booth you want.  Get the register form now and view booth layout.

 

Stuff the Bag is Available - Space is limited, put your material in the Welcome Bag for each entrant to receive. Include a promotional item, coupon, etc. in the bag for only $50.

 

Special Section Advertising - Deadline for inclusion will be this Friday, February 3rd! Don't miss this great opportunity. Ads for a 1/8 page, start at only $75 in the Home Expo special section for the March Burlington Discover the Treasures issue. This special section contains details on free seminars, 4 Corners, Chocolate Extravaganza, and a listing of participating businesses.

 

Our Home Expo will feature over 100 exhibitors showcasing their products and/or services. The Expo is designed to introduce your business to nearly 2500 people - to let them know about the great businesses in their own backyard.  

 

The 2012 Home Expo offers an exhibit area showcasing a large variety of products and services: Indoor Living, Outdoor Living, Home Entertainment, Roofing & Structural, Pools & Spas, Heating/Cooling & Plumbing, Contractors & Remodelers, Storage Solutions, Landscaping, Furniture, Kitchen & Bath, Painting, Doors & Windows, Financial, Flooring, Electrical & Lighting, Charities, and much more!

 

For questions, 262-763-6044 or email-us today.

Burlington Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program

How Do These Loan Programs Work?

  • These programs are direct loans that partner with the bank as a secondary lender.

 

RLF Financing Structure

  • Generally 50-40-10
    • 50% Bank
    • 40% RLF participation
    • 10% Borrower (Equity)
  • RLF Loan sizes generally up to $200,000

 

Benefits of the RLF Program

  • Low equity requirement
    • Can be as low as 10%
  • Low interest rate
    • Currently 2%
  • Flexible terms such as deferral of payments when appropriate

 

When are RFL programs utilized?

  • Reduce the Equity Requirement
    • Insufficient equity for bank financing
    • Reserve Company's cash for other needs
  • Improve bank's collateral position
  • Reduce overall loan payments

 

RLF Use of Funds

  • Land and Building Acquisition
  • Equipment Purchase
  • Building Renovation/Expansion
  • Other costs are considered

 

RLF Rate/Terms

  • 2% Fixed Rate
  • Typically 3-5 years with longer amortizations
  • Balloon payments

 

RLF Eligibility Criteria

  • Refinancing Ineligible
  • Community benefit required, including job creation
    • Job creation 1/$20,000 RLF financing
  • Community benefit examples
    • Renovate/occupy vacant facility
    • Needed business in commercial corridor
    • 1st in new business park

 

Contact Information:

Carolyn Engel - Business Finance Manager

Phone: 262-898-7420  Email: cengel@businesslendingpartners.org

www.businesslendingpartners.org

gia bella flowers & gifts in The Knot Best of Weddings 2012 

gia bella flowers & gifts is pleased to announce they have been selected as a 2012 winner in The Knot Best of Weddings, a special section in The Knot Magazine and on www.theknot.com, the number-one wedding resource that's the most trusted by brides.

 

The Knot Best of Weddings 2012 provides a "by brides, for brides" guide to the top wedding professionals across the county, and is a must-have when it comes to selecting the best-of-the-best wedding resources. Engaged couples will find detailed feedback on local wedding businesses reviewed by thousands of newlyweds who had great things to say.

"Toni and Laura from gia bella flowers & gifts are magic! The flower shop is charming and you won't want to leave. My wedding was amazing and it was because of their support and eye for detail. Out of all my vendors that I used for my wedding they were the only ones who truly cared about me... I wasn't just seen as "another wedding." They came to set up that day and added the extra touches that my wedding needed. If it wasn't for them my reception room would have been set up all wrong. gia bellas's customer service is amazing, they were able to see my vision and make it come to life. I was so lucky to have found them! The one thing I have to say about gia bella flowers is they are not burnt out on weddings... like so many other designers are, gia bella's designs are fresh and modern... your wedding day won't look like everyone else's. Marnie, wedding date. 06/25/2011. 

Focus Advertising

Opportunities are available to start advertising in the Focus Newsletter. Quarterly pricing is $150.00.  Contact the Burlington Area Chamber at 763-6044 or info@burlingtonchamber.org

Lake FM 96.1 WLKG

 

www.lake961.com

True Value
REINEMAN'S TRUE VALUE 
 
1906 - 2006
PACKAGE EXPRESS CENTER
Let us Ship your Packages Using UPS
417 Milwaukee Ave., Burlington, WI 53105
262-763-3577  www.TrueValue.com
ASDA Enterprises
REFUSE & RECYCLING SERVICES
Clean up - General Maintenance
 
ANDREW NABER ~ CEO/OWNER 
33904 White Oak Dr., Burlington
Phone: 262-539-2086
Cell: 262-206-4050
Johnson Bank
PROUD TO BE PART OF Historic Downtown Burlington
 
For more than 35 years, we've been helping individuals, families and businesses achieve their long-term financial goals.
 
To learn more about our family, please visit us at 101 W. Chestnut St., 262-757-1150.
Johnsonbank.com
Banking > Investments > Insurance > Trust
Member FDIC 6202
Talmer Bank and Trust 
Hometown Banking At Its Best
Community, Integrity, Service

Burlington - Main ~ 400 Milwaukee Ave., 262-763-3581
Mini Bank ~ 100 E. Washington, 262-767-3283
Burlington - East ~ 501 East State St., 262-763-5318


www.talmerbank.com