Happy Bucks

Dick Durham

Dick Durham is 2x's happy - His wife, Shirley, has a birthday on Monday; and Dick found some items left by Barrie Town after the Board of Directors' meeting last week. The happy buck is for Barrie who does not have to buy them back at the auction.

Mark Pfoff

Mark Pfoff invites everyone to Lewis Palmer School District (LPSD) boys and girls basketball games. BEST basketball you will see anywhere.

Ted Bauman is proud of the Lewis Palmer High School Wind Ensemble. They were invited to play at the Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA) conference at the Broadmoor.

Patrick Quinlan

Patrick Quinlan is happy to return from Haiti, where progress has been made after the earthquake, but much more is needed.

Happy Birthday

Kathy Brown on Jan 22 in Garden Grove, CA

Anita Hall on Jan 22 in Leominster, MA

Steve Hall on Jan 26 in Denver, CO

Member Concerns have been moved to the Members' Only Section - Please log in weekly and read who needs special care and concern in our Club

David White, Executive Vice President, Marketing

Our guest speaker was Mr. David White, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corporation, or EDC in short. Mr. White reported on the new economic development reality of the Pikes Peak Region based on a 5-year "forward leaning" view.

David White

Mr. White stated the mission of EDC is to attract, retain, and create quality jobs and investment in the Pikes Peak Region. EDC's vision is to provide a source of leadership and achievement in the creation and maintenance of a sustained healthy economy which contributes to the quality of life. To fulfill the mission and vision, EDC has elected to merge with the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.

The focus is on primary employers, or firms that export at least 50% of their products and services outside the Pikes Peak region. The primary industries are firms such as defense and military employers, tourism, manufacturing, information technology, national nonprofits, and higher education.

Primary employers bring primary jobs, defined by EDC as jobs that pay at least $22/hour with benefits. Approximately 3,500 primary jobs must be created each year just to maintain our current economic vitality.

Current limiting factors to finding primary employers with primary jobs are the uncertainty in Washington (inability to work together, taxes, regulations, etc.), austerity on a federal level (that two-edged sword), inability to find capital and financing, worldwide economic issues, and concerns about military cutbacks.

The art of the deal pulls all the pieces together for the primary employers, which may take two to three years to complete. It always involves concessions and incentives that include tax breaks and infrastructure improvements to ease a company into the community. Both concessions and incentives are highly subjective and tailored to the firm's individual needs and aspirations. They are often the deal maker or breaker.

As far as a 40,000 foot, thumb-nail view of the Pikes Peak region over the next five years, Mr. White states the view is for slow, moderate growth. Find more information on the Economic Development Corporation

Super Bowl Boards - This is the final week to sign up to win $250 on one of five Super Bowl Boards. All net proceeds go to the Monument Hill Foundation's current year granting program, supporting such organizations as CASA, Scouts, D-38 Schools, Salvation Army, Soap Box Derby, and Tri-Lakes Cares.

Monument Hill Foundation - Russ Broshous gave an update on the

Russ Broshous

Granting Committee, listing the grants that have been awarded in the past 6-months. Over 70 grants were received requesting $135,000, and 24 grants honored, to which the Committee awarded $35,867. There is approximately $3,600 available for the Granting Committee to award in response to 'pop-up' requests arising during the year. This is in addition to the funds provided for 3rd Grade Dictionaries, Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, Tri-Lakes Cares through the Empty Bowls, and Service Leadership Program.

Jay Heinlein

Progressive Drawing - Today's pot started with $75 collected at the door. A red chip was drawn by Jay Heinlein, who returned the consolation prize of $5 back to the pot. On this 57th week of drawing, over $2,900 has been collected for the Club. 

Service Leadership Program - Several members will be attending the Rocky Mountain District Mid-Winter Conference Feb 17-19. Max Williams is asking the SLP Committee to meet after the Feb 11th MHKC meeting to discuss his presentation at the conference.

Benny Nasser, Bill and Charlaine Schmidt

MHKC Member Mixer- MARK THE CALENDAR Mar 9, 6-8:00 pm at the Woodmoor Barn. Great fun was had by all at the Fall Mixer, so Jim and Marian Taylor are organizing the Winter MHKC Member Mixer. This is not just for new members and their sponsors, IT'S FOR EVERYONE, so come one come all.

Please pay dues and take care of financial transactions prior to the start of each meeting. THANKS for your help!!