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Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce E-Newsletter
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January 2010
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Greetings!
Happy New Year!
Just over half way into January
and 2010 looks to be like an exciting and eventful year. The Chamber is moving
full steam ahead at providing our members a variety of services and events that
will enable them to thrive in 2010.
In the coming weeks, the
Chamber will officially start building out its leadership team through the
election of the board of directors and selecting a technical assistance council
or advisor team.
FMBCC Board (l-r:Bruce Heights, Tate Hill and Candice
Hill) presented a certificate of recognition to HIYN
at the 2009-10 Hmong New Year
The board will have the direct governing and fiscal responsibilities
for leading out the Chamber's strategic initiatives, events and projects. The
technical assistance council will be composed of well-respected individuals within
the business community who can provide guidance, connections and specific assistance
to projects or needs of the members. We believe this combination will result in
a capable, diverse set of leaders that will propel the Chamber into being the
resource it wants to be for the community. If you are interested in serving on
the board or as an advisor, please contacting the Nominating Committee via info@sjvbcc.com with the header, 'Leadership'.
Lastly, there are a number
of items scheduled to go before the Fresno City Council in the next two weeks. Specifically,
one is the contract to go forward on the development of the Downtown and
Neighborhood Specific Plans and another is the Expansion of the City Council
(Charter 1504). Potentially both items could have real impacts on the citizens
and businesses of Fresno.
The Chamber Board is meeting with City staff and council members to understand
the issues, provide input and to advocate for our membership. If you have
specific views or comments, please forward those to me at president@sjvbcc.com or call the office at
559-441-7929.
Stayed tuned into the
Chamber via our website and I look forward seeing you at one the Chamber upcoming
events!
Tate Hill II
President/CEO
SJVBCC
twitter: tatehill
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The Fresno Metro Black Chamber Board of Directors supports the creation of Downtown and Neighborhood Specific PlansAfter a meeting with the staff of the City's Downtown & Neighborhood Revitalization Department in December 2009, the Board unanimously moved to support the effort to create specific plans for downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods.
Just this week, the Fresno Metro Black Chamber was a co-sponsor of 'Standing Together to End Concentrated Poverty' Townhall on January 18th at the First Presbyterian Church in Downtown Fresno. Speakers included the Mayor Ashley Swearengin, Pastor H. Spees, Craig Scharton, Phil Skei and Greg Scott.
The diverse audience from throughout the city of Fresno had questions and concerns about the future of downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods.There were a number of African-American from the business, education, and faith communities who had question about the impact of the proposed specific plans and the need for immediate action.
The Fresno City Council is scheduled to take-up potentially approving the consultant contract to develop the downtown and neighborhood plans that would incorporate West Fresno, Chinatown, Cultural Arts District and the Lowell/Jefferson neighborhoods on next Thursday, January 28.
There are four ways to get involved:
1. Tell the City if you support the Downtown Plans at www.surveymonkey.com/s/downtownplans. By giving them your email address, you'll also
be signed up to receive updates on the Plans and other news from the City of Fresno Downtown and
Community Revitalization Department.
2. Come
support approval of the contract at the City Council on Thursday, January 28,
2010, at around 9:15 a.m. For more
information, call us at (559) 621-8350, or email Wilma.Quan@fresno.gov.
3. Tell
your City Council representative how you feel.
Call (559) 621-8000 to speak to staff for your Council Member about the
contract for the Downtown Plans.
4. After
contract approval, look for updates at www.fresno.gov/downtown. The City be post news of upcoming
Plan-related meetings and events, especially those where the community is
invited to come help make important decisions. They will also provide images and documents for public review.
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FMBCC teams up with the Fresno Housing Authorities to bring jobs to contractors
Fresno, CA- On January 12, 2010 the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce and the Fresno Housing Authorities (Fresno HA) teamed up to connect Black contractors to the number of contracting and procurement opportunities within the city/county agency.
 Along with the guest of the Central California Minority Contractors Association, over 30 people learned about the pre-qualification process, requirements for insurance & bonding, and typical scopes of work. Contractors had the opportunity to get questions answered directly from the rehab and capital improvement program managers of the housing authority. Contractors were encouraged to complete the one-page pre-qualification application for the Community Housing Partnership Program (CHPP) that would also tie them into other rehab programs like the Neighborhood Stabilization Program that have a combined impact of $7 million. With some many questions and valuable information, all parties agreed to set another meeting for February 9th.
The event was the result of a purposeful new effort by the Fresno HA to increase the number of minority contractors they do business as mandated by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Authorities' Economic Opportunity Plan, scheduled to be released later this month, will incorporate their goals for doing business with small, minority and women-owned businesses along with employment for residents and neighbors of public housing. The Chamber has been actively advocating for the development and implementation of the Plan since Spring 2009. The Chamber is committed facilitating the connections and resources that will enable our community's African-American contractors to grow their businesses.
For more information about this and other building projects that may be available for contractors, contact us at 559-441-7929 or check the Chamber's event calendar.
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Social
Security:
What
will your retirement benefit be?
Is
62 your lucky number? If you're eligible, that's the earliest
age you can start receiving Social Security retirement
benefits. If you decide to start collecting benefits
before your full retirement age (which ranges from
65 to 67, depending on the year you were born), you'll be in good company. According to the
Social Security Administration
(SSA), approximately 74% of Americans elect to receive their Social Security benefits early.
(Source: SSA
AnnualStatistical Supplement, April
2009)
Although
collecting early retirement benefits makes sense for
many
people, there's a major drawback to consider: if you start
collecting
benefits early, your monthly retirement benefit will be
permanently
reduced. So before you put down the tools of your
trade
and pick up your first Social Security check, there are
some
factors you'll need to weigh before deciding whether to
start
collecting benefits early. (Read the complete article here)
Submitted by FMBCC members:
Gary Lamb and Michael Scott, Waddell & Reed
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Your Chamber. . . . Our Progress
Look for the 2009 Annual Report . . . . SOON
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8 New Ways to Save Taxes from the IRS
There are several tax-related provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). To learn more go to the IRS ARRA Information Center website or contact your CPA.
Expanded Net Operating Loss -
Small businesses with deductions exceeding their income in 2008 can use
a new net operating loss tax provision in the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to get a refund of taxes paid over the past
five years instead of the usual two. Eligible calendar-year
corporations have until Sept. 15 to choose this expanded carryback
option, and eligible individuals have until Oct. 15.
Continued Expensing Deduction - The
cost of certain business property can be deducted in the year it is
placed in service instead of depreciating it over several years. This
property is frequently referred to as section 179 property.
Under ARRA, qualifying businesses can continue to expense up to
$250,000 of certain business property for tax years beginning in 2009.
Without ARRA, the 2009 expensing limit for section 179 property would
have been $133,000.
Extension of Bonus Depreciation Deductions Through 2009 -
Bonus depreciation of business property is extended through 2009,
allowing businesses to take a larger tax deduction in the year of a
property's purchase.
For individuals:
First-Time Homebuyer Credit. Taxpayers who haven't owned a principal residence during the past three
years prior to the purchase date of a home before Dec. 1 of this year
may be eligible to receive a credit of up to $8,000 on an original or
amended 2008 tax return. They can also wait and claim the credit on
their 2009 return. Time is running out.
Tax Credit for First Four Years of College.
The American Opportunity Credit can help parents and students pay part
of the cost of the first four years of college. The new credit modifies
the existing Hope Credit for tax years 2009 and 2010, making it
available to a broader range of taxpayers. Eligible taxpayers may
qualify for the maximum annual credit of $2,500 per student.
Computers Allowed for 529 Plans.
ARRA adds computer technology to the list of college expenses that can
be paid for by a qualified tuition program, commonly referred to as a
529 plan. For 2009 and 2010, the law expands the definition of
qualified higher education expenses to include expenses for computer
technology and equipment or Internet access and related services.
Energy-Efficient Home Improvements.
The tax credit for energy-efficient home improvements is increased for
homeowners who make qualified improvements to existing homes.
Qualifying improvements include the addition of insulation,
energy-efficient exterior windows and energy-efficient heating and air
conditioning systems.
New Vehicle Purchase Incentive.
Qualifying taxpayers can deduct the state and local sales and excise
taxes paid on the purchase of new cars, light trucks, motor homes and
motorcycles. The deduction per vehicle is limited to the tax on up to
$49,500 of the purchase price of each qualifying vehicle and phases out
for taxpayers at higher income levels.
The Chamber and its partners can point out potential tax saving benefits for your business that you can explore with your account or CPA. Contact us to set-up an appointment.
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Congratulations to Anthony Bea
As of January
12th, Anthony Bea of Tri-Counties Bank
will oversee the training and mentoring of managers from Chowchilla down through
Bakersfield.
He will be responsible
with helping those locations drive community business, mentoring, and coaching
activities and disciplines to move Tri-Counties Bank's mission and image forward
within its business model.
Anthony is a the branch manager of the Tri-Counities Bank in Fresno (Marks & Herndon). Recently, the Fresno branch was named the number #1 branch of Tr-Counties 57 locations. Anthony is an advisor to the FMBCC Interim Board.
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New & Renewed Members
Fresno Housing Authorities
Chuckansi Gold Casino & Resort
Unlimited Energy
Thank You for Your Support! |
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Are you a Member? 
WestCare representative receieves membership plaque
Join the leading voice for Fresno's African-American business & economic development community.
From networking, workshops, business technical assistance and access to service region wide, FMBCC is there for you.
If you would like to meet with the President/CEO about how the Chamber can help you as a member, contact us @ 559.441-7929 or by email
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Strategic Partners
Fresno Economic Development Corp.
(Fresno EDC)
SCORE
Valley Black Talk Radio
(KFCF-88.1 FM)
Central CA Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development
BlackXChange
Greater Fresno Chamber of Commerce
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| Upcoming Events |
Black Business & Professional
Network Mixer
January 27, 2010
5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Hilton-Garden Inn
(Shaw & Peach)
Clovis, CA
FREE
Teaming up with American Red Cross to raise funds for relief aid to Haiti
Fresno Housing Authorities & Contracting Opportunities
February 9, 2010
TBA
FREE
SAVE THE DATE - Fresno Core Real Estate Forecast
February 23,2010 7:30 AM African-American Museum  1857 Fulton St. Fresno, CA 93721 $15 (breakfast included)
Confirmed Panelist:
Terance Frazier, TSF Investment Siggie Moore, A-One Broker Gary Carter, G&G Realty Ramon Ventura, Pearson Realty
For more events, go to the Chamber's Event Calendar
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Support the California Advocate Newspaper with your subscription |
In order to survive in these tough economic times, the California Advocate Newspaper needs the entire community's help in order to continue printing and being the only newspaper in the Valley's Black community.
As of JULY 1st 2009, the California Advocate must change from free distribution to paid subscriptions only and is asking everyone to pitch in and pay $40.00 for an annual subscription (that's less than a dollar an issue!).
For 41 years, the California Advocate has advised us on how to vote, stood up for our leaders, printed news about our families, and brought us national celebrities through the Drum Major for Justice Banquet. The Advocate has informed and educated our people and we need to support this institution.
Join the Chamber and get order your subscription online at www.caladvocate.com
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| Contact Information |
Tate Hill
President/CEO
559.441.7929
info@sjvbcc.com
Join the Chamber on Facebook
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