|
CHAMBER CONNECTION: Week of December 26, 2011 |
|
Greetings from Pulaski County
Chamber of Commerce
Dear Member:
I hope you have been enjoying your Christmas holiday and are looking forward to celebrating the New Year! No matter where you go or what you do please be safe.
2011 has been a mixed year, a year of pain for some businesses and a year of gain for others. No matter what the situation may have been it has caused us as a business community to reflect on our strengths and our weaknesses and to reassess. Some of the results of that can be seen in the fact that Pulaski County in November had the lowest unemployment rate in the NRV and still continues to have a low rate. Several of our family-owned businesses celebrated: 50+ years for Hayden's Electric and 100 years for Martin's Pharmacy.
We acknowledged our outdoor recreation as our greatest assets and re-branded with the tag line "Pulaski County Orchestrated by Nature." The Pulaski County Chamber committed time and money to the Explore New River Valley website and was the only Chamber to commit financially so that all NRV Chamber businesses could participate.
We worked hard with Bike Va and our businesses to make sure that they were able to maximize the tourism dollars that were presented. Caricature maps were made and distributed so people could be directed to eateries and places to stay. Events were staged to entertain and showcase our assets.
2011 was only the begining. 2012 is going to come in with a bang! We have so many good things planned for you and your business that I'm just bursting to tell you about right now but I will have to wait one more week!
Here's to seeing you and hearing from you in 2012!!!
Peggy White
540.674.1991
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Send Us Your Legislative Concerns
Once again, on Wed. evening, Jan. 25, the Chamber will facilitate the Pulaski Co. Dinner for area legislators and elected officials (admission by invitation only) in Richmond. At this dinner as well as on Thurs. morning, Jan. 26, when we will be visiting the legislators in their offices, we will bring to their attention legislative concerns of our Chamber's membership. PLEASE FORWARD YOUR LEGISLATIVE CONCERNS TO THE CHAMBER OFFICE NO LATER THAN JAN. 16. Email sheilanelson@pulaskichamber.info or peggywhite@pulaskichamber.info. |
 New Members
Todd Morrison
Erie Insurance
4508 Surrey Road, Pulaski, VA 24301
|
|
|
|
Do you know how much you're paying for your office printer? We do...too much!
kbeckner@blueridgecopier.com
www.blueridgecopier.com
909 Iowa Street
Salem VA 24153
540.389.4400
Cell: 540.815.8212 |
|
Reduce your taxes and support rural communities.
|
|
Call to Action
We have a lot of exciting plans for 2012, and we need YOUR participation to make it happen! If you understand the value of relationships in business, marketing, commitments, and follow through, we want you involved in one of three Action Groups. Choose the one that would best suit your expertise: community involvement, tourism, or membership. Meetings will begin in January. Please call the Chamber office and let us know which group you want to be a part of; we have a nice representation of members already for each of the groups, but would love to include YOU! Contact the Chamber office and let us know in which group you would like to participate: email sheilanelson@pulaskichamber.info. |
|
Pick Your Level of Chamber Event Sponsorship Now and Enjoy the Benefits All Year Long!
(Plus, Major Sponsors for the Levels Shown Below Will Enjoy a 10% Discount if Signed Up and Paid Before March 1). Flyer with complete details was sent in your quarterly newsletter. Contact the Chamber office for availability as they are going fast! If you have not already done so, review the flyer and build your sponsorship level.
|
Chamber Spotlight by Sheila D. Nelson
"Some Thoughts for the New Year"
It is almost time to begin a new year, a time when people traditionally make resolutions about such things as diet, time management, etc. which are usually broken within the first two weeks of the year. perhaps we would be better off just to try to do a little better each day no matter what time of the year it is, to forgive ourselves when we slip, and to quickly get back on teh road to self-improvement.
As I was reflecting on the end of the year as well as what to say in this week's Spotlight, I ran across these thoughts from the late George Carlin and hope you will enjoy reading and reflecting on them as much as I did.
Read More
|
|
Soaring to New Heights
Kudos...
....to the following Town of Pulaski employees which recently received service awards:
5 years: Sharron R. Brown, Gary W. Dunford, Robert D. Gray, Wesley A. Ratcliff, Dale W. Richardson,
Matthew Smythers; 10 years: Gary W. Roche, Elaine D. Newman, Brian K. Cole; 15 years: David L. Cook, Jerry J. Hughes; 20 years: Kimberly F. Caudill, Patricia M. Cruise, Michael D. McManus, William M. Webb, Jr.; 25 years: James R. Ward; and 35 years: John R. Crockett, Jr.; and,
....to Curves of Pulaski for recognizing the need to remember seniors curing the holiday season as they adopted almost twenty of our older citizens to remember with needed items at Christmas.
|
|
Members & Community Events
WANTED: Young Entrepreneur with Mechanical Background
If you are willing to work and want your own business, here is an excellent opportunity! Take over a thriving equipment maintenance business with many ajor frachises including Steel, GrassHopper, Gravely, etc. This 10-year-old business with an established clientele would be the perfect opportunity for a small engine mechanic and general repairman. If you are seriously interested in exploring this excellent opportunity, call Don at 540.980.1133.
2012 DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award
Show support for standout businesses by nominating them for the 2012 DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Sam's Club. Recognize their leadership, contributions to their communities, exceptional service, and innovative business practices. The winner (which will receive a $10,000 cash prize), regional finalists, and 75 Blue Ribbon Award winners will be honored on May 22 at America's Small Business Summit of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. NOMINATIONS ARE DUE JAN. 6. www.uschambersummit.com/award
Seminars/Workshops for Non-Profit Organizations
Watch for more info on these upcoming seminars to be offered through New River Community College:
- Customer Service for Non-Profits: Feb 10
- Successful Grant Writing: March 6
- Social Media Marketnig for Non-Profits: March 30
 Ongoing Events at The Merc:
~ Friday Pie Day: Every Friday fresh baked pies available by the slice or whole.
~ Yoga Class: Every Monday, 6-7pm.
~ Beginner's Yoga (free): Every Wednesday & Friday, 8-8:45am
Visit our website drapermerc.com. for hours, contact info, directions, and more. The Draper Mercantile & Trading Co. is located at 3054 Greenbriar Rd. in Draper, VA, less than a mile from Exit 92 of I-81.
NRCC Fiddle, Banjo & Dance Club 2011/2012 Schedule
 ~ Jan. 14, 2012: Upland Express, Buck Mountain Band ~ Feb. 11, 2012: Olen & Frances Gardner, The Slate Mountain Ramblers
~ Mar. 20, 2012: The Blueridge Travelers, The Friday Night Dance Band
~ Apr. 14, 2012: The Adam Larkey Band, White Top Mountain
~ Apr. 28, 2012: Dailey & Vincent, 7:30pm, Admission TBA Free admission unless otherwise noted; donations accepted to help pay band expenses. Doors open at 5pm; live music 6-9pm. Edwards Hall at New River Community College. www.nr.edu/fiddle, 540.674.3600 x4307. |
|
Recognitions
County of Pulaski
The most recent Featured Employees are Donna Gray and Deputy Sheriff Terry Hale.
Read More.
Town of Pulaski
The Employee of the Year has been with the Town of Pulaski for approximately 3 1/2 years. This employee has been heavily involved in major Town projects during 2011 that have required the interaction between staff, contractors and the public.
Read More.
Town of Pulaski
The Employee of the Month for November 2011 is Officer Seth Greer. The Town of Pulaski Employee of the Month for December 2011 is David Quesenberry, Assistant to the Town Manager.
Read More. |
|
Thought of the Week
"Helping Hands"
A mother, wishing to encourage her son's progress at the piano, bought tickets to a performance by the great Polish pianist Ignace Paderewski. When the evening arrived, they found their seats near the front of the concert hall and eyed the majestic Steinway waiting on the stage. Soon the mother found a friend to talk to, and the boy slipped away.
|
|
Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce
|
|
|
|
|
|
