Weekly Report - Microsoft · Education at the ULM Conference Center. Cost to attend is $25. Please...
Transcript of Weekly Report - Microsoft · Education at the ULM Conference Center. Cost to attend is $25. Please...
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT Volume 17, Issue 13 2585854
Monroe Chamber of Commerce
Weekly Report
March 27, 2017
TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER CALENDAR
Monday, March 27 at 12 noon-The Monroe
Chamber, the West Monroe Chamber and OBA
will host the annual LABI Luncheon. The event
will be held at the Monroe Civic Center. Cost to
attend is $25. Call 323-3461 to RSVP.
Tuesday, March 28 at 12 noon-The Monroe
Chamber will host the State of Higher
Education at the ULM Conference Center. Cost
to attend is $25. Please call 323-3461 to RSVP.
Tuesday, March 28 at 6:00 p.m.-The Monroe
City Council will meet at the Council
Chambers at Monroe City Hall.
Thursday, March 30 at 10:00 a.m.-The
Monroe Chamber will host a ribbon cutting for
Pelican State Credit Union located at 2880
Louisville Avenue in Monroe.
Saturday, April 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00
p.m.-Ouachita Green will host Household
Hazardous Waste Collection at Brown Stadium
at ULM.
Tuesday, April 4 at 12 noon-The
Ambassadors Club will meet at the American
Red Cross. Guest speaker is Missy Fleming
with ARCO. Cost to attend is 15. Please contact
Sarita Daniel at [email protected] to RSVP.
Waguespack and Henderson to Speak At Update Luncheons
On Monday, March 27 at 12:00 a.m., the Monroe Chamber will host the
annual LABI Legislative Issues luncheon at the Monroe Civic Center. The
event features Stephen Waguespack, President of the Louisiana Association
of Business and Industry. He will speak on some of the issues that the 2017
Legislative Fiscal Session will address. One of those issues is the gross
receipts that Governor Edwards has proposed.
On Tuesday, March 28 at 12:00 noon at the ULM Conference Center, Dr. Jim
Henderson, President of the University of Louisiana System, will speak on the
state of higher education in Louisiana. Co-hosting the event are ULM,
Louisiana Tech and Grambling State University.
Come and hear more from Waguespack and Henderson. Call Daphne McClish
at 807-4018 for more information or to RSVP. Tickets are $25 per person.
Last Week, The Monroe Chamber and the City of Monroe hosted a ribbon cutting for First
South Farm Credit located at 1896 Hudson Circle, Suite 7.
SAVE THE DATE!
Northern Exposure
Baton Rouge State Museum
Tuesday, May 2
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 17, Issue 12
Several topics are beginning to surface for the
upcoming legislative session that begins April 10 at the
Louisiana State Capital. Topics being discussed include items
such as raising Louisiana’s gas tax, the gross receipts tax
proposal and criminal justice reform.
The Governor believes by 2019 the state won't be able to afford
to meet its match obligation to draw down federal transportation
funding without raising Louisiana's gas tax, which has remained
at 16 cents per gallon for three decades.
A Task Force on Transportation and Infrastructure was formed
during the 2016 legislative session to make recommendations to
the administration on how to address some of these issues.
Tolling on certain roads and public and private partnerships
have been recommended. The task force recommended an
increase in the sales and use tax on aviation fuel. The state
should establish special permit fees for the commercial trucking
industry and establish new vehicle registration fees. A
recommendation was made to increasing and indexing the
current excise motor fuel tax. The task force also suggested
$700 million should be directed to multimodal transportation
projects.
Fiscal reforms remain to be a huge topic for this session.
Governor Edwards has suggested that the state consider
adopting a new type of business tax in place of the current
corporate income and franchise
taxes paid by companies in Louisiana. The idea - a gross
receipts tax - is modeled on a method used in Ohio and is akin
to the Texas-style margins tax. Whether this concept will be a
formal part of the governor's fiscal reform plan remains to be
seen. He has pledged to flesh out the proposal. The Public
Affairs Research Council of Louisiana released a report that
explains the pros and cons of the tax in a Louisiana context,
notes the experience in Ohio, identifies the greatest challenges,
and reviews the right and wrong ways to implement such a plan.
wwwparlouisiana.org
Criminal Justice Reform seems to be open for discussion this
session. Louisiana has a higher incarceration rate than any state
in the country or any nation in the world. Proposals being look
to lowering 13 percent of Louisiana's prison population and save
the public $150 million over the next 10 years. Reducing
sentences for non-violent crimes, expanding alternative
treatment programs, increasing probation opportunities, and
creating more consistency and equity in sentencing are some
other options.
The Chamber’s Government Advocacy Committee will begin
meeting to discuss items just like these in the next few weeks.
Please contact [email protected] if you like more
information.
The 2017 State of Louisiana Regular Session begins April 10
Northern Exposure Slated for May 2
As the 2017 fiscal session of the Louisiana Legislature gets underway on April 10th, our elected officials will be deliberating on everything from a
gross receipts tax, reducing TOPS to investing in higher education, healthcare and infrastructure. As these discussions are held, we know that what
happens in Baton Rouge impacts every citizen in Louisiana. How do we keep our issues in front of legislators, many of whom have never traveled to
Northeast and North Central Louisiana?
Over thirty years ago, the Monroe Chamber began an annual advocacy trip to Baton Rouge. As the years went by, the trip grew to include more
business and community leaders. Eventually, the annual trek was expanded to include communities from throughout northeast and north central
Louisiana. The event, which highlights issues and projects important to our region, was named Northern Exposure and today the annual event draws
over 400 participants to Baton Rouge.
Joining the Monroe Chamber of Commerce in hosting the event are the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, the Ruston Lincoln
Chamber, the Union Parish Chamber, the Bastrop Morehouse Chamber and other regional economic development organizations, chambers of
commerce, institutions of higher education and city and parish governments in northeast and north central Louisiana. The function this year is slated
for Tuesday, May 2nd at the Louisiana State Museum.
The speakers for Northern Exposure 2017 include Governor John “Bel” Edwards, Speaker of the House Taylor Barras; Louisiana Superintendent of
Education John White; Secretary of Economic Development Don Pierson, Secretary of Louisiana Transportation and Development Shawn Wilson,
Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain and others.
The event proves that there is strength in numbers. Through the collective efforts of the communities who support and attend Northern Exposure,
northeast and north central Louisiana have been able to secure funding for key infrastructure projects like Arkansas Road and the Kansas Lane
Extension. Today, the event continues to focus on important infrastructure projects, but is also highlighting the need for adequate funding for area
colleges, universities, health care and infrastructure.
Platinum sponsors for the event are ATMOS Energy, A T & T and the North Louisiana Economic Partnership. Gold sponsors are ANGUS Chemical,
CenturyLink, the City of Monroe, D & J Construction, Entergy, Patty Stewart Photography and Progressive Bank. Silver sponsors are DeltaStyle,
Denmon Engineering, Grambling State University, KTVE Fox 14, Lagniappe Broadcasting, Louisiana Tech University, The News-Star, the Radio
People, The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living, and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Please join us on Tuesday, May 2 at the
Louisiana State Museum at 660 N. 4th Street in Baton Rouge. The schedule for speakers begins at 12:00 p.m. and will be followed by a reception at
the Louisiana State Museum Terrazzo. The cost to attend is $75 per person which includes lunch and the reception. To register or for more
information, call Daphne McClish at the Monroe Chamber at 318-807-4018.
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 17, Issue 12
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MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 17, Issue 12
Nominations Now Accepted for the 2017
Thomas H. Scott
Awards of Excellence
The Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the News Star
and the University of Louisiana at Monroe College of
Business plan to recognize the growth and
development of new and expanding businesses in
Ouachita Parish with an awards ceremony that will be
held on May 25th. The three entities have collaborated
on The Thomas H. Scott Awards of Excellence. The
awards will be presented to Ouachita Parish businesses
that have demonstrated a commitment to Northeast
Louisiana by creating or retaining jobs, making a
capital investment in machinery, equipment or a new
facility and that participate in worthwhile projects that
make the community a better place to live.
The award is named after Thomas H. Scott, the
founder of Scott Companies, which is headquartered in
Monroe. Scott was raised in Mississippi and attended
Mississippi State University where he received a
degree in agriculture engineering. Following
graduation, he moved to Shreveport where he was
employed with International Harvester. While in
Shreveport, he met Mayme, the woman who was to be
his wife and life-long companion. The couple moved
to Monroe in 1939 to open Scott Truck and Tractor
Company. Over the years, Scott Truck and Tractor
evolved into Scott Companies, which includes Scott
Equipment, Scott Financial Services, Scott Irrigation,
Scott Real Estate and CBS Interests.
Scott summarized his business philosophy in a
company brochure that was published in 2000. In it he
said, “People are important. Our number 1 goal has
always been to serve the customer. Our business has
been built on service to our customer and service to the
communities in which we are located.” Scott continued
to work at the business until his death in 2001 at the
age of 90.
Four awards will be presented: small business category
(businesses that employee 1-10 people); medium
business category (businesses that employee 11-50
people); large business category (businesses that
employee 51 to 100 people); and corporate (businesses
that employee over 100 people). Nominations are open
to any Ouachita Parish business that expanded their
business or made a capital investment in 2016/17;
created or retained jobs; and that participate in
worthwhile causes throughout Ouachita Parish.
Nomination forms are available at the Monroe
Chamber. Area businesses are encouraged to nominate
their own business. The deadline to submit a
nomination is 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 28th. All
completed nominations should be mailed or delivered
to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce at 212 Walnut
Street, Suite 100; Monroe, LA 71201.
The winners will be announced at a reception to be
held on May 25th
at the ULM Conference Center.
Tickets for the event are $35 per person. For more
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 17, Issue 12
Veteran’s Day at the Chennault Museum
The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum invites the
public to Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day at the
museum on Thursday, March 30, 2017 as the community
honors the brave sacrifices of our country's military veterans.
This national recognition day established by the U.S. Senate in
2011, honors Vietnam veterans and offers the “welcome home”
many never received. The Chennault Aviation & Military
Museum will host an open house and ceremony where veterans
are recognized for their service, and are also encouraged to
share their stories with the public.
The museum offers an ideal destination for visitors to not only
show their appreciation to our veterans, but to also learn about
the brave sacrifices our troops made during the Vietnam War.
The museum will have an open house for visitors from 9:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will conduct a ceremony at 11:00 am.
Texas Roadhouse will provide complimentary lunch for
veterans and visitors at 12:00 pm.
On March 30, 1973, all U.S. troops withdrew from Vietnam.
Unlike past World Wars, there were no ticker-tape parades
honoring veterans, or triumphant marches or speeches.
America’s Vietnam veterans returned home to silence, or
worse, in some cases to denigration for having served their
country during a politically controversial war. More than
58,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their
lives and more than 300,000 were wounded in Vietnam. Now,
communities across the country participate in this special day
to show unified gratitude for our veterans’ service and
sacrifices.
ARCO Raffle
Condo at Gulf Shores
ARCO, A Community has supported babies and adults
with developmental and intellectual disabilities for the
past 60 years.
We are hoping that this raffle will generate money for
the agency for all of their services.
You can purchase your raffle tickets online at
rafflepages.com. So, purchase your $10.00 Raffle
Ticket TODAY!!
Adventures at Gulf Shores are endless – Parasailing,
Paragliding, Zip lining, Kayaking, Canoeing, Fishing,
Golfing, you name it, it is there for you to experience.
5 Day/4Night Stay at the Lighthouse – Direct Gulf
Front Condominium – 15th floor
Raffle winner will be drawn on April 15, 2017. Ticket
sales will end at 3:00p.m. on April 15, 2017 and
drawing will be held at 3:15p.m. You need not be
present to win.
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 17, Issue 12
Keep Ouachita Parish Beautiful's Household Hazardous Waste Event
Saturday, April 1, 2017
9:00AM - 1:00PM
In front of ULM Brown Stadium at 518 War Hawk Way for all residents of Ouachita and surrounding Parishes.
ACCEPTING...
Hazardous household products: oil and latex paints, stains, automobile batteries, household
batteries, motor oil, antifreeze, oil filters, household cleaners, household chemicals, pesticides,
flammables, corrosives, medications, and electronic wastes (computers, monitors, computer
accessories, printers, scanners, fax machines, speakers, VCRs, DVD players, stereo equipment, TVs, game
consoles, digital cameras, any audio or video equipment, radios, calculators, cellular phones, and
accessories).
Recyclable Materials: office paper, magazines, cardboard, plastics number 1 thru 7 and white
goods/scrap metal (aluminum cans, food cans, appliances, refrigerators, stoves, and hot water heaters,
dishwashers, microwaves, lawn equipment, etc.).
Sharps: needles will be added to this year's collection. The participant will be required to
transfer the needles to the provided container at the collection site.
Shredding Services: document destruction of personal information on site. This service will be
limited to 3 copy paper size boxes per participant.
TIRES WITH UP TO A 20 INCH RIM DIMENSION WILL BE ACCEPTED. LIMITED TO 5 TIRES PER HOUSEHOLD
THIS COLLECTION IS FOR HOUSEHOLDS ONLY. Large quantities from businesses, farms, or commercial operations will not be
accepted.
PROHIBITED Materials: radioactive materials, compressed gas cylinders, ammunition, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and explosives.
For more information: Call Keep Ouachita Parish Beautiful at (318) 355-5622. Or “Like” Keep Ouachita Parish Beautiful on Facebook for other updates
THIS IS A FREE SERVICE!
Please utilize this opportunity to keep these hazards out of our waterways and natural
environment. Donations to Ouachita Green will be accepted to help pay for the cost of recycling
the hazardous materials. Additional Sponsors are: Keep Monroe Beautiful, Keep West Monroe Beautiful, ULM Toxicology Department, Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Union, The Home Depot, Central Oil & Supply, Scott Equipment Company, Delta Disposal/Waste Connection, Auto Shred of Louisiana, Sherwin-Williams, and Raising Canes
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 17, Issue 12
MONROE CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE
212 Walnut Street, Suite 100 Monroe, LA 71201
PHONE: (318) 323-3461
FAX: (318) 812-7594
E-MAIL:
Website: www.monroe.org
THE MONROE CHAMBER’S MISSION
IS TO LEAD IN THE CREATION
OF AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH
OUR BUSINESSES THRIVE.