June News from the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce

Businesses may post a maximum of 3 A-Frames per business. One on each street frontage (maximum of 2) and the others within the parking area of the business complex. This would apply to businesses of 10,000 sq. ft. for Commercial and Office zoning and up to 30,000 sq. ft. for Employment zoning. The size is increased slightly as well.
We have introduced Flying Banner signs with a maximum of 15 ft. high with the same restrictions as A-Frames. So the maximum A-Frame/Flying Banner combination remains at 3 per business and still requires a 20 ft. separation between signs on the street frontage.
Short-term sales event signage allows businesses up to 8 days a month to post banners and advertising flags, and not more than 4 consecutive days.
We are lobbying for an on-line notification process to replace a permit for temporary signage. This area did not receive consensus and will be left to the Council to decide as to the method that will be most "open to business" and efficient for Town resources.

We will produce a brochure outlining the limitations for temporary signage once it has been approved. We have agreed the Town Council should evaluate these changes in 18-months to see if there is room for improvements.

We will also be working on defining special events in regards to signage in the near future.

New Ambassadors Invited to Join Committee

By Sarah Watts, executive assistant

The Chamber is welcoming participants to join the popular Ambassadors program, a committee of members dedicated to fostering a relationship between community businesses and the Chamber.

Chamber ambassadors commit to six-month terms and serve as greeters at Chamber events and follow up with new members to learn more about their businesses and how the Chamber can best meet their needs.

"Being a part of the Ambassadors Committee allows you to connect and strengthen the relationship between the Gilbert Chamber and its members," said J.W. Rayhons, a member of the Board of Directors and owner of Rayhons Financial Solutions. "You set aside your own agenda to serve others. People look to you, as a fellow member, for advice. It is a very rewarding committee."

A committee application can be found on the Chamber's website, gilbertaz.com. For additional information, contact Marty by phone at (480) 926-6003 or by e-mail at marty@gilbertchamber.com.

Leadership Celebrates Trail Grand Opening

By Sarah Watts, executive assistant

Gilbert Leadership celebrated last month the grand opening of their class project, the Born Learning Trail at Discovery Park. The celebration included a performance from local students and an official ribbon cutting ceremony.

The Born Learning Trail features nine stations around the park that incorporate activities such as hopscotch, rhyming, and follow-the-leader.

Project partners and sponsors include APS, Banner Gateway Medical Center, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, Friends of the Southeast Regional Library, SRP, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chick-Fil-A, Insphere Insurance Solutions, Town of Gilbert and Valley of the Sun United Way.

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Local Scholarship Money Raised, Matched at Chamber Tournament

By Sarah Watts, executive assistant

Gilbert's business community came together to raise scholarship funds at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce's Scholars Golf Tournament in April to benefit students in the Gilbert Public and Higley Unified School Districts.

The tournament was co-sponsored by SanTan Ford and GilbertTV.com and a patio party was sponsored by Orbit Cleaning. "We try to support most fundraisers when the event is to raise money for education," said Robert Alvarado, owner of Orbit Cleaning. "It's important for local businesses and residents to take an interest in activities that help shape the future of our children."

A committee of members has reviewed the scholarship applications and will honor the recipients at this month's Annual Awards Luncheon. The scholarship fund will be matched by Chamber member A.L. Russell & Associates.

Go Green! Tip of the Month

During hot weather, don't top off your gas tank. Refuel your car or truck in the early morning or the evening when it's cooler. A small fuel spill may not seem like much, but every spill evaporates and adds to air pollution, and fuel pumps with vapor recovery systems can feed a spill back into their tanks - after you paid for it!

Source: EPA - Unites States Environmental Protection Agency

EVCCA Reflects on Jobs Recovery Act, Insurance Reform Bills

The Arizona Legislature gaveled to a close in late April ending one of the shortest legislative sessions in nearly a decade. This year was dominated by headline-grabbing issues and a challenging economy. In addition to budget cuts, immigration bills and gun enthusiast legislation, several issues of interest to business made it through the legislative process. Two issues of note did not make it through the legislative process, including:

Arizona Jobs Recovery Act - HB 2250
In January Speaker of the House Kirk Adams introduced an ambitious set of tax law changes designed to generate jobs in Arizona. The bill was based in part on an Elliot Pollack economic study that suggested Arizona focus on growth industry jobs rather than relying on construction for prosperity.

The bill included the following:

Restructuring the Arizona Job Training Program to model it after successful programs in other states
Creating the Arizona Opportunity Fund for grants needed to attract appropriate manufacturing businesses to the state
Shifting Arizona's enterprise program from a social need based instrument to a job creating mechanism
Reducing Arizona's disadvantageous business property tax assessment ratio
Eliminating the Arizona Equalization Assistance Property Tax
Reducing the Corporate Income Tax rate
Shifting to a single sales apportionment formula
Reduces the individual income tax rates to encourage small business growth
Creates a tax incentive for job creation through withholding tax deductions

The EVCCA was the first Chamber organization to testify in support of HB 2250. The EVCCA in conjunction with the Local Chambers Committee of the Arizona Chamber Executives took the lead on authoring a letter signed by 23 business organizations throughout the state supporting a jobs package for Arizona. While HB 2250 did not move forward this session, the issue is far from resolved.

Unemployment Insurance Reform - SB 1041
The East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance and other members of the business community attempted to manage a deficit in the state unemployment insurance fund. For the first time in Arizona history, the fund had to borrow money from the federal government in March. The business community lobbied legislation that would have paid back the loan at a tolerable rate. However, attempts to adjust unemployment insurance rates have been placed on hold while the full impact of the loan is determined.

These and many other complex business issues will be scored in the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance Report Card. The report card will be available as an insert in the July newsletter. Should you have any questions about the aforementioned or any other business issues before the Arizona Legislature please feel free to contact East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance lobbyists, Tom Dorn, Eric Emmert and Heather Bernacki at (602) 606-4667.

Chamber Member Shout Out!

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce recognizes the following businesses for their contribution of door prizes or catering last month:

Buffalo Wild Wings

Chandler Regional Medical Center

Dillard's

Famous Dave's Legendary Pit BBQ

Membership Anniversaries

1-5 YEARS
Arizona Exterminating
BRIO Tuscan Grille
Best Western Legacy Inn & Suites
Buffalo Wild Wings - Elliot Road.
Craftsmen in Wood, MFG.
Jimmy's of Chicago
Rosepapa Creative Solutions
Sal's Gilbert Pizza & Restaurant
Spaich Benefits
StoneRidge Dental
The Sign Guys
TNT Shredding LLC
Toshiba Business Solutions
United Pressure Cleaning

6-10 YEARS
Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists of Arizona
Backfit Chiropractic & Rehab
D&R Construction
Higley Unified School District No. 60
Iguana Mack's
LeSueur Investments