October 29, 2014
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON MOBILE BRIDGE ENDS NOVEMBER 1
There is still time to provide input to the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Widening process.   Representatives from the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, Gulf Shores-Orange Beach Tourism, Baldwin Economic Development Alliance, Mobile Chamber, and other organizations were in attendance at the recent public hearings.  However, any input you provide in writing will carry equal weight and impact.   You can download a public comment form by visiting the Mobile River Bridge website.  Public comment deadline is November 1.



THINK SMALL.  SHOP SMALL!
You've heard of "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday".  Now get ready for "Small Business Saturday", a four-year old national campaign to encourage shopping at locally-owned
 and independent small retailers.   The Chamber's Retail & Business Services Council, ledby Vice Chairman John Chamberlain, will be officially launching this campaign locally at the November 7 First Friday Forum at Lulu's.   

Here in Coastal Alabama, we're taking the national one-day effort one step further.  We're continuing the campaign for the entire holiday season to encourage local shopping at Christmas time.

We're looking for small, independent retailers to participate.   But even if you're not that type of business, there are ways you can help by being a Small Business Booster. 

In the coming weeks, you will be hearing more about this important initiative.


WATCH FOR TWO VERY IMPORTANT MEMBER SURVEYS
In the coming week, you will be receiving two important annual surveys.  The first is our Annual Membership  Satisfaction & Needs Survey.   Your responses will help our Board of Directors as they discuss and plan our goals for 2015 and beyond.   The second is our Business Legislative Agenda Survey.  This is a joint project of the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and is designed to help us advance a regional pro-business agenda for our elected officials.



CATCH THE COASTAL CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!
The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber is ramping up its 3rd Annual Coastal Christmas initiative.  We've been busy putting the finishing touches on the Coastal Christmas website and we're busy planning for a trifecta of Chamber events that will be part of a larger slate of an expected 50-75 other Coastal Christmas events.  Visit the website and learn more about our 29th Annual Boat Parade, 3rd Annual Merry Market, and our
inaugural Coastal Christmas Concert featuring Aaron Neville!


YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS ACADEMY IN FULL SWING FOR YEAR #2
The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber's Young Entrepreneurs Academy at Gulf Shores High School is having a very successful second year.  Students are learning about our economic system, learning how to create business plans for their businesses, and will soon be working on implementing those plans.  They will also be taking some exciting field trips to local businesses.

Chamber members are invited to participate in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy in a number of ways.  We have openings for sponsors, speakers, mentors, and more.    To become involved in this program that will change lives for young people, please call Program Administrator Amy Elliott at  251-979-5496.


WILL YOU BE AN INFORMED VOTER IN NOVEMBER?
For the first time in the history of our state, every voter will have the opportunity to easily access information regarding statewide ballot measures.  This is a result of legislation sponsored by our own State Representative Steve McMillan
and our own State Senator Tripp Pittman.  There are five statewide issues on the November 4 ballot.

As a result of the Informed Voter Act passed during the 2014 Regular Session, a Fair Ballot Commission was created and charged with drafting descriptions of these ballot issues to be written in "plain, nontechnical language in a clear and coherent manner using words with common and everyday meaning that are understandable to the average reader".

The law goes even further to create transparency and provide descriptions of the content of the measures as well as the impact of passage or defeat; cost, if any, and any impact on taxes or other revenue.

The intent of the law is the same as Thomas Jefferson said of The Declaration of Independence; plain, and firm language "to place before mankind the common sense of the subject",   Voters can read these explanations by going to the Alabama Legislature's website,  www.legislature.state.al.us.  In the center of the page is a link to the commission's review of the five amendments on the ballot.

Coastal Christmas with Aaron Neville
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ORCHARD
APPLE SPECIALIST (formerly LIFEBYTES)
ON THEIR RECOGNITION AS ALABAMA EMERGING RETAILER OF THE YEAR!
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Above, Mike LeCroix from The Orchard Apple Specialist with Chamber Vice Chair for Retail & Business Services John Chamberlain at a special ceremony in Birmingham where The Apple Orchard was named Alabama Emerging Retailer of the Year.  Mike and John were joined by Chamber Membership Director Vicki Stillings for the ceremony.  More photos on our Flickr PhotoStream by clicking the above photo.
HANCOCK BANK SPONSORS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT-THEMED
FIRST FRIDAY FORUM
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A special thanks to our friends from Hancock Bank for sponsoring the October First Friday Forum featuring an informative program on Economic Development.  Speakers included Chamber Vice Chairman David Clark and Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance President Lee Lawson (both pictured below.)  Visit our Flickr PhotoStream for more photos of this and other Chamber events by clicking on either photo.
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CHAMBER MEMBERS ENJOY OCTOBER'S
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT LIVE BAIT
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(Please click on the above photo to view more photos from this event on our Flickr PhotoStream).
RIBBON-CUTTING
Sunbelt Business Brokers
Sunbelt Business Brokers - Daphne AL
Dillon Photoraphy
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   YouTube
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CHAMBER EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Visit Our Complete Coastal Calendar at www.mygulfcoastchamber.com

Thursday, October 30

Friday, October 31

Tuesday, November 4

Thursday, November 6

Thursday, November 6

Friday, November 7

Monday, November 10 through Wednesday, November 12

Friday, November 14

Wednesday, November 19

Wednesday, November 19


Thursday, November 27, 2014

 
Coastal Christmas Concertwith Aaron Neville 
 
Wednesday, December 3

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Friday, December 12 &
Saturday, December 13

(Note Date Change)
Friday, December 12, 2014 

December 13


Register for any Chamber event by clicking on the link above OR from our new smartphone app, Gulf2Go. 
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COMMUNITY EVENTS 
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DID YOU KNOW?

WE CAN BRING "CHAMBER 101" TO YOU!

Each month the Chamber conducts a Chamber 101 Class designed to provide members with information on how to utilize their Chamber membership to dramatically increase their exposure in the community and on the internet. 

For some members who are unable to attend, and other members would like to have multiple employees attend but cannot send them all at once, the Chamber will be happy to conduct a "Chamber 101" session for your employees in our boardroom -- or at your location -- at a special time that is convenient to all.   
 
We do not want any Chamber member to miss taking advantage of these valuable tools just because they cannot attend our "second Friday" morning classes," said Chamber President Ed Rodriguez.  "We'll schedule it at a different time and we'll even take the class to you -- whatever it takes!"

For more information, please contact Vicki Stillings at 251.968.7200.
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Foley, AL- mediStat Specialized Pharmacy announced it has voluntarily registered with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Human Drug Compounding Outsourcing Facility under section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act.  This new designation was created in November 2013 when President Obama signed Title 1 of the Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA) referred to as the Compounding Quality Act into law. 

 

The law, which calls for large-scale entities in the compounding industry to voluntarily register with the FDA and comply with guidelines, under the section 503B of the FD&C Act, has been recognized for the potential to improve patient safety as well as the protection that DQSA also affords hospitals/health systems and other healthcare providers.

 

As an 503B outsourcing facility, mediStat will become the first facility in the State of Alabama to be listed on the FDA's approved list of compounding pharmacies.  mediStat will therefore be able to compound and distribute medications to hospitals and clinics without patient-specific prescriptions provided that all requirements of Section 503B are met.  With this new designation mediStat is implementing guidelines provided under Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations.  The CGMP will ensure that higher standards of quality and safety are met.


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QUICK LINKS

 

 Coastal Alabama Business Chamber

 

Download Gulf2Go

 

Baldwin Economic Development Alliance

 

Business Support Center 

 

Coastal Baldwin Educational Enrichment Foundation

 

Gulf Shores-Orange Beach Tourism

 

 


ADVERTISE HERE!

 

Reach over 1,800 email addresses. 

Contact Vicki Stillings at [email protected]

or call 251.968.7200