Let’s have some fun. I often wonder how many people actually take time to read these articles. So this week I am doing something a little different. #1: What do you feel is the role of the Chamber of Commerce in Central? I have listed some questions, woven throughout the article, which I would like the Central Chamber businesses of our community to respond to. The first 100 responses that are mailed, not emailed, back to us by next Thursday will be placed in a drawing for one free month’s sponsorship of the e- newsletter. #2: What type of additional activities, issues, and events would you like to see your chamber involved? This, along with a gift card, will be over a $50 value. The purpose behind doing this is not only to find out if people are reading the articles, but to also collect information that will help make us a better organization. #3: What do you feel is the main issues effecting commerce and economic development in Central and what could we possibly do to help? In a few more weeks, I may do something similar for our citizens. So keep reading these articles and feel free to contact us at anytime with your insights.
Archive | Business
Central Chamber of Commerce C4 Report – Reading?
Posted on 20 May 2013.
Ron Erickson
President – Central Chamber
P.O. Box 78107
Central, La. 70837
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City of Central Chamber of Commerce C4 Report – A Community That Cares
Posted on 09 May 2013.
I truly like the statement, “Central, a Community that Cares!” One of the great things about our chamber membership is that they are also involved in so many other aspects of our community, which are not chamber related. Many take part in other civic groups, volunteer organizations, church groups, and many other activities and events held in our area. At almost any event that you attend, you will probably find a chamber member in attendance, working the event, and/or sponsoring the event! Truly our members and our community are a caring and giving group of citizens! This weekend, many volunteers from all around our area will be involved in hosting a tremendous event, “Cooking in Central”!
Cooking in Central will take place Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11 at the “Amazing Place” on Blackwater Road. This year’s event is focusing on raising funds to help the Veterans as well as supporting the Central Community School System. Friday night there will be a crawfish boil, live music, and a progressive auction. Saturday there will be a cook off, more auctions and live entertainment by local schools and groups. This will be the first time this event has been held at this property. A tremendous amount of time, energy, effort and finances have gone into making this a tremendous place for years to come!
From the offices of the City of Central Chamber of Commerce, we extend a heartfelt thank you to the Cooking in Central board, its members, and the many volunteers from around the community who help to make this event such a tremendous success. You all help our community to shine! We also extend thanks to all the businesses and organizations who donate their time, monies, and energy to such a worthy cause. We encourage everyone to come on out and support the efforts to assist our Veterans and the Central Community School System and help reinforce that Central is, “A Community that Cares!”
Ron Erickson, President
Central Chamber of Commerce
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City of Central Chamber of Commerce C4 Report: Ambassador Selected!
Posted on 01 May 2013.
The Ambassadors are a group of energetic volunteers that help your chamber of commerce stay in touch with the membership. This select committee of volunteer professionals supports the development and growth of the Chamber through enhancing public relations, serving as business liaisons to our members and by understanding of the services, programs, and activities offered by the Chamber. This personal contact provided to the Chamber Membership is extremely valuable.
Each quarter we recognize their valuable contribution by selecting an "Ambassador of the Quarter." We keep track of the ambassadors’ activities through reports they turn in each month and from these reports we make our selection. For the first quarter of 2013 we recognize and introduce to you, John Kavolcik.
John was in the insurance and financial planning business for 24 years earning his CLU and ChFC designations and was President of the Baton Rouge CLU/ChFC Chapter back in the early 90’s. 13 years ago, John decided to pursue something totally different and got into the Sign Business. He started out working for a national company that sold Franchise Quality Signs to business owners. After 3.5 years as an Independent Contractor, John tapped into his inner entrepreneur, chose to take what he had learned, ventured out on his own and founded Greater Baton Rouge Signs. John established a “unique” approach to the sign business by becoming a Sign Broker/Consultant. He does in the sign business what Independent Insurance Agents do in their business – he directly represents numerous national, regional and local sign manufacturers, shopping for the “best buy” for his clients. John buys from those manufacturers at wholesale, providing the product to the buying public at a price at or below retail, while providing “consultation” for his clients. With 13 years of experience and numerous connections, John has the ability to coordinate a “turnkey” project for his clients, much like a general contractor does BUT in the sign business.
We are excited to have such an innovative entrepreneur in our chamber and serving as an Ambassador! Congratulations to John Kavolcik of Greater Baton Rouge Signs, on being selected as our Ambassador of the Quarter and thanks for all you do!
Ron Erickson
President, City of Central Chamber of Commerce
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City of Central Chamber of Commerce C4 Report – Find It!
Posted on 25 April 2013.
Whether it is making it easy for you to promote a business, contact a business or find a business, the City of Central Chamber of Commerce has the tools to help you accomplish the task!
Promotion is available through the use of the website, e-newsletter, membership meetings and other chamber gatherings. This year we have started business over breakfast meetings and business after hours gatherings to help members get together who cannot come out to our monthly luncheons. These two new events are hosted by a business and is attended by other chamber members.
Contacting businesses is easily done through the new 2013 Chamber Directory and Telephone book. These were mailed out to around 8000 homes in our area and additional copies can be obtained through the Chamber office. Additionally, there is a business directory on our website that gives you the ability to search for a business by category or name. This website directory also allows you to view additional information about a business, such location, hours of operations, and special deals they are offering. You can access the online directory at www.cityof centralchamber.com.
Finding your way around is about to get easier! We are excited to announce a project to enhance the ability to find a business as well as get around in our ever changing city. About five years ago we produced a map of the newly formed City of Central. Needless to say, there have been tremendous changes since then! We have new schools, roundabouts, additional subdivisions, new shopping areas, revised highways, and soon a new throughway. We are in the process of creating a new map of the City of Central. We are collecting ads and data that will make this possible. These maps will be available, free of charge, at several chamber businesses and our office. Our goal is to be able to use these maps for another 5 years. If you would like to be a part of this map project and have your business featured, please contact the chamber office.
Finally, if none of these work for you or you would just like to have a live voice to talk to, call us at 261-5818 and we will do our best to help you promote, contact and find a business!
Ron Erickson
President – Central Chamber of Commerce
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The City of Central Chamber of Commerce C4 Report – On the Move
Posted on 16 April 2013.
We’ve been looking at the five facets of economic development that must be considered if growth is to continue to take place. Those facets are: Workforce Education, Infrastructure, Leadership, Business Industry, and Recruitment.
So far we’ve considered the aspect of Workforce Education, Infrastructure and Leadership. In review, education in a community and economic development go hand in hand! The creation of a strong and vibrant workforce is essential to the economic development and stability of our region. Investing in infrastructure enables us to sustain and develop our social and economic wellbeing. Likewise, investing in leadership allows the development of visionaries. These are leaders who can embrace the current circumstances, see past those circumstances, come up with a plan and look ahead to what is needed. All of these are essential to economic growth and stability and to keep us “On the Move”.
To wrap up, this week we address the importance of business / industry retention and recruitment. The retention of businesses and industries is important to our city, our area and our state. Local businesses provide services and create the flow of tax dollars necessary to maintain our schools, our infrastructure and our government. Industry in our region, especially the oil and gas related fields, is vital for the creation of thousands of jobs and the flow of cash into our local economy. Continually losing these businesses and industries diminishes our workforce, lessens our available tax dollars and can create a negative investment perspective of our area. This perspective can then make it hard to recruit other businesses and industries into our region.
In the economic and business world you’re either moving or getting passed by. Standing still is not an option! The old adage, “To keep on doing what we’ve always done, is to keep on getting what we’ve always got” is not true in today’s economic world. Actually, to keep on doing what you’ve always done, is to obtain less and less of what you used to get! You snooze, you lose! Truth is someone is going to get, “the bigger piece of the pie”! Leaders in our city and region must continue to aggressively retain and recruit business and industry. Granted, it may not all be appropriate for or even end up in our “backyard” but it can be established somewhere in our region! The point being, the ripple effect will stimulate the economy well beyond the location of its development.
We, the citizens of Central, can help as well. We can continue to support our local existing businesses, encourage the development of new ones and support efforts to bring in nonretail based business that would be appropriate for our area. The commitment to do so will help to retain and sustain jobs, attract other investors and stimulate our local economy. Shop Central and let’s stay “On the Move!”
Ron Erickson
President – Central Chamber of Commerce
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The City of Central Chamber of Commerce C4 Report – Leadership
Posted on 10 April 2013.
We’ve been looking at the five facets of economic development that must be considered if growth is to continue to take place. Those facets are: Workforce Education, Infrastructure, Leadership, Business Industry, and Recruitment.
So far we’ve considered the aspect of Workforce Education and Infrastructure. In review, education in a community and economic development go hand in hand! Education must exists that can prepare both the college graduate professionals and a highly skilled and in demand workforce. The creation of a strong and vibrant workforce is essential to the economic development and stability of our region. Commitment to infrastructure through the development of roads, sewer and water systems, communications, IT, schools, ports and hospitals is vital to our future. Failure to invest in infrastructure means a failure to sustain and develop our social and economic wellbeing.
Now we turn our attention to the development of leadership. Volumes could be and have been written on this topic. However, for the sake of time and space, I will keep it brief. Leadership is the ability one has to have influence over individuals or organizations in order to lead them in a particular direction. Visionaries, who can embrace the current circumstances and come up with a plan, but who also can see past those circumstances and look ahead to what is needed, are essential to economic growth and stability. Take the two items of economic development previously mentioned. Without quality leadership, the development of workforce education and proper infrastructure cannot be accomplished.
Over the last several years, Central has been blessed to have such visionary leaders at our disposal. Thus we have The City of Central, The Central Community School System, and a developing and increasing commerce community. However, as we continue to grow, the need for developing more visionary leaders must be met.
Programs, such as, The Leader in Me, Leadership North, LSU Mobile Classroom sponsored by the SBDC, and various other sources are available to our community. As well as supporting these fine programs, The City of Central Chamber of Commerce is exploring the possibility of launching other leadership initiatives in 2014. Our ability, in our community, to produce visionary and proactive leaders will go a long way to securing our future success in the economic arena.
Ron Erickson
President – Central Chamber of Commerce
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Michael Loolara Agency Opens in Central
Posted on 05 April 2013.
The Michael Loolara Agency is driven to succeed – through service. Michael, a lifelong Central resident and Central Private School graduate, had a successful career in Environmental, Health and Safety Management Consulting, working in 46 states and many countries abroad. After much thought and prayer, he decided to pursue a career change so that he could be more involved with his family and local community. He researched what best fit his skill set and goals. Becoming a State Farm agent met all of his criteria.
State Farm’s policy is that no one can simply buy an agency; they must pass a very strict selection process. Michael presented a business plan and became an Approved Candidate in November 2011. In January of 2012, Michael was selected to become a State Farm Agent in a New Market Opportunity in East Baton Rouge Parish. He vividly recalls praying “God, if this is your plan, it will happen.” For the first time in over 40 years, State Farm had decided to open up a new Agency that had never existed before. This opportunity was located in, of all places, Central- his hometown!
Michael completed intensive training and signed his contract in November 2012 as a State Farm Agent, able to serve customers with over 100 State Farm insurance and financial services products. He obtained a Series 6 License, enabling him to perform retirement planning via Mutual Funds, IRA’s, and 401k rollovers. He is one of only 5 State Farm agents in the Baton Rouge area with a mortgage license, allowing him to offer mortgage loans, refinances, and HELOC’s. Michael is a first generation American, and is proud to be the only State Farm Agent in Baton Rouge who is bilingual in English and Spanish. He likes to refer to his agency as a “one stop shop” for all.
“Customer service is the heartbeat of this agency,” Michael stated with conviction. “As a born-again Christian, I feel that’s what life’s about- to serve others. Here at the agency we are not trying to just sell products; we identify our clients’ needs through good conversations so that we can put the right products in place for them to meet their needs.”
Michael’s staff has also had to meet stiff requirements. “I call them my ‘rock star’ team,” Michael shares with pride. “They are insurance professionals and all are courteous, responsible, and caring about our customers. We work a lot of hours but have fun doing our job. We also will accommodate anyone’s schedule.” Michael told about a customer who called his cell phone after he was in an accident this past Easter Sunday morning. Michael worked with him to get everything taken care of . “We are committed to being there for our customers when they need us, regardless of what time or day that may be. Give us a chance, come drink a cup of coffee with me and my team and get to know us and see how we can help.”
Michael Loolara Insurance Agency, 8755 Sullivan Rd., Bldg 3, Ste C, 262-4343. www.michaelloolara.com. Open 8:30-5:30 Monday-Friday, 9:00-1:00 on Saturdays, and After Hours by Appointment
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Central Oaks Dental Celebrates A Decade in Business
Posted on 03 April 2013.
Submitted by the City of Central Chamber of Commerce
On March 27th, Central Oaks Dental celebrated a great 10 years in business. The Central Chamber of Commerce joined them for a ribbon cutting. Central Oaks Dental is located at 16606 Greenwell Springs Road.
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The City of Central Chamber of Commerce C4 Report – Infrastructure
Posted on 03 April 2013.
We’ve been looking at the five facets of economic development that must be considered if growth is to continue to take place. Those facets are: Workforce Education, Infrastructure, Leadership, Business Industry, and Recruitment.
Last week we considered the aspect of “Workforce Education.” In review, when education declines or is inadequate, a quality workforce disappears, business productivity is hindered and the economy declines. Education in a community and economic development go hand in hand! Education must exists that can prepare both the college graduate professionals and a highly skilled and in demand workforce. The creation of a strong and vibrant workforce is essential to the economic development and stability of our region.
This week we will discuss the importance of infrastructure.
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) takes a look every four years at the conditions and performance of our nation’s infrastructure. The nation's overall infrastructure grade for 2013 was a D+, which is a slight improvement over the “D” grade received in 2009. These evaluations are based on capacity, condition, funding, future need, operation and maintenance, public safety and resilience. Infrastructure, and the role it plays on a day to day basis, can easily be taken for granted. However, it is one of the most important issues that governments deal with on a local, state, national and even international level.
Basically, infrastructure is the foundational structures, services and facilities necessary for an economy to function. Infrastructure typically refers to the interrelated systems of roads, bridges, water supply, sewers, electrical grids, telecommunications, etc. that provide commodities and services essential to enable and sustain living conditions. Jeff Delmon, Senior Infrastructure Specialist with the World Bank, alludes to the fact that infrastructure is directly related to economic sustainability, expansion and competitiveness. Infrastructure will have an effect on an area’s ability to support commerce, provide quality of life and promote the health of its people. This takes infrastructure services from not just being a good investment but to the level of an economic necessity.
Failure to invest in infrastructure means a failure to sustain and develop our social and economic wellbeing. Commitment to the development of roads, sewer and water systems, communications, IT, schools, ports and hospitals is vital to our future.
In the movie “Field of Dreams”, the statement was made, “Build it and they will come!” Businesses are looking for areas that have an infrastructure foundation in place so that they can come in and hit the ground running. However, in order to have properly prepared infrastructure, there has to be a tax base that provides funding to accomplish this task. Thus begins the delicate balance, for a fledgling community such as ours, to put infrastructure in place to draw businesses and put businesses in place to create the necessary infrastructure. (Quick plug – shop Central – it will help!) We must support and encourage our local officials to find that balance. As we do, we will continue to see economic development and will be able to sustain the quality of life we have come to appreciate in the City of Central!
Ron Erickson, President,
Central Chamber of Commerce
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Magnolia Weddings: Affordable Elegance
Posted on 29 March 2013.
Contrary to the belief that a wedding day must be an overblown, over-expensive, overwhelming event, Magnolia Bend Weddings of Central exists to prove that beautiful, romantic weddings can be achieved in a reasonable, real life way. Held on lushly landscaped, private grounds, Magnolia Bend Weddings provides everything a couple needs to have their dreams come true on their special day. From photographer to officiant, from refreshments to flowers, Central residents Rhonda and Kerry Anders have created an atmosphere of ease and affordability for the bride and groom.
The Anders’ hold wedding ceremonies and receptions at their private residence. Clients are treated as family, welcomed to a lovely New Orleans styled courtyard, embraced by wrought iron gates and fencing and shaded by enormous oak trees. For night time weddings, the courtyard is romantically lit with soft white lighting. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony easily moves inside. Rhonda officiates over both civil and religious ceremonies, and will help the couple write their vows if so desired. She will even travel to a different venue. Kerry provides the photography, both formally posed and casual. In addition, Magnolia Bend Weddings creates scrumptious wedding cakes and finger foods for the festivities afterwards. A couple can select from packages that range from everything from the basic “Let’s Elope” to the full blown services of “Sealed with a Kiss”, all at fantastically affordable prices. A private dressing room and bath is also available for the bride. Music, both recorded and live, can be accommodated. Whether the couple favors a casual atmosphere or formal, the Anders’ are there to see that their wishes come true.
For those who are celebrating a “milestone” anniversary and considering a vow renewal, this is again the perfect setting to gather family and friends. Intimate, welcoming, and beautiful, Magnolia Bend Weddings will be sure to make that once in a lifetime event uniquely special and affordable.
Magnolia Bend Weddings. 18125 Magnolia Bend, Central, LA 70739. Phone (225) 252-4844. Reservations must be made in advance. www.MagnoliaBendWeddings.com
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