Our 94th Year Believe in Bessemer July 2016
Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce
CONTENTS:
Community Events / News........2, 9
4th of July Celebration……………….……..4 Chamber Calendar …………………………….6 Chamber News……………..…...........................7
Chamber / Community News…….8 Free Workshops………………………….….10, 11 Nomination Form………………..……….12, 13
2017 Bessemer Magazine………….…..14 Corporate Sponsorship…...……..…….…15
Bessemer Recreational Complex Ribbon Cutting Celebration
The Honorable Mayor Kenneth Gulley and Bessemer City Council members are excited to cut the ribbon for Bessemer’s first recreational center
since 1968. Gulley stated that when he ran for office in 2010, he promised that the citizens of Bessemer a recreational center and today he is
pleased to say that he has kept that promise. The mayor and council have worked on the plans for the recreation center and have developed a
plan that looks absolutely gorgeous and will be rewarding for the citizens of Bessemer. The Recreation Center is slated for opening in August
and will feature an indoor pool with kiddie slide, indoor walking track, fitness and workout areas, activity rooms and a collegiate-sized
gymnasium.
The celebration will be held Saturday, July 2nd starting with the ribbon cutting at noon. This is a free community festival from Noon until 4:00
pm. The event will feature a cook-off, local talent performing and will feature food and arts & crafts vendors.
A concert will start at 7 pm and will feature Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Review. Also performing will be Urban Mystic, Alvin Garrett
and Sunshine Anderson. Tickets are $20 for the evening concert. Tickets can be purchased by calling 332-2346 or going to Bessemer City Hall
or Bessemer Civic Center starting today between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Civic Center on Saturday
between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
bessemerchamber.com JULY 2016
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COMMUNITY NEWS
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
SATURDAY, JULY 2ND
Bessemer Recreational Complex
Highway 150 & Hall Avenue
Ribbon Cutting and Festival
12:00 – 4 pm
Cook-off, local talent, kid zone, food and arts & crafts vendors
Contact city hall at 424-4060 for more information
~ Free to attend ~
Concert
Featuring Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Review
Gates open at 6 pm – tickets $20
MONDAY, JULY 4TH
City of Bessemer’s 4th of July Celebration
Bessemer City High School
6:30 – 9:00 pm
Free food, fun and giveaways for the entire family
Meet elected officials and enjoy patriotic music
Fireworks @ 8:45 pm
THURSDAY, JULY 7TH / 14th / 21st / 28th
Bessemer Farmers Market
Alex Bradford Park (1st Avenue N. and 19th St., Bessemer)
4 – 6:30 pm
Fresh, local and healthy food for you and your family
www.bessemerfarmersmarket.com
~ Occurs EVERY Thursday during the summer ~
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016
~ Free Seminar ~
How to Start Your Own Business
Downtown Entrepreneurial Center
401 19th Street North, Bessemer, Al. 35020
6pm – 8pm
Call 481-4800 or visit www.bessemerincubator.net for more info.
THURSDAY JULY 28, 2016
~ Free Seminar ~
25 Timeless Principles of Exceptional Businesses
Downtown Entrepreneurial Center
401 19th Street North, Bessemer, Al. 35020
3:30 – 5 pm
Call 481-4800 or visit www.bessemerincubator.net
for more info.
Training Business Leaders by Devron Veasley
It’s the middle of 2016 and it is a typical Alabama summer meaning
it is a HOT and people are active! The residents of Bessemer are not
the only thing that is moving around though, the business
community is also humming along. As a matter of fact, the business
community is growing and that is something about which all the
Bessemer Cutoff should be excited.
In the next few months, residents of the Bessemer cutoff will
witness the opening of the new Bessemer Community Center and
the new City Hall Building. Residents will also see the
transformation of the area around 21st street and 1st avenue with the
new Masonry Arts project. While these are projects completed by
the City of Bessemer and large private industry, the area’s small
business community is also growing and providing needed jobs.
Recently, new restaurants have opened or expanded, small industrial
companies are purchasing additional facilities and downtown
buildings, some long vacant, are now being frequently toured by
potential Lessors.
To assist the vibrant Bessemer business community and continue
growing the area economy, the Bessemer Business Incubation
System, a division of the Bessemer Industrial Development Board,
will be providing monthly training workshops. The workshops will
be aimed at training entrepreneurs in startup practices, business
finance, marketing, business planning and use of information
technology in business. In July, the programs will include seminars
on How to Start Your Own Business and 25 Principles of
Exceptional Businesses. Details about these and future programs
can be found at www.bessemerincubator.net or by calling The
Downtown Entrepreneurial Center at 205.481.4800. The general
public is encouraged to attend these informative programs. The
more the public is educated in how to start, maintain and thrive in
private business, the better for the entire community!
How to Start Your Own Business
Date: Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Location: Downtown Entrepreneurial Center
401 19th Street North, Bessemer, Al. 35020
Cost: Free
25 Timeless Principles of Exceptional Businesses
Date: Thursday July 28, 2016
Time: 3:30pm – 5pm
Location: Downtown Entrepreneurial Center
401 19th Street North, Bessemer, Al. 35020
Cost: Free
Congratulations Bessemer Police Chief
Nathaniel Rutledge
Chief Nathaniel Rutledge received the Heart of an
Eagle award from the BSA GAC Cherokee District.
Charles "Red" Farmer and Jonathan McConnell also
received an Eagle award. Bobby Humphrey was the
keynote speaker for the event that was held on June 9th
at Hueytown United Methodist Church.
Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 Sponsorship Investments
Diamond $10,000
Platinum $ 7,500
Gold $5,000
Silver $3,000
SBP $1,000
Call us at 425-3253 for more details
2016 BOARD MEMBERS
JULY 2016
3
bessemerchamber.com
Mitch Avery
Alabama Gas
Richard Bishop
ITT Technical Institute
Lynn Brown
Alabama Splash Adventure
Trisha Galvez
Legacy YMCA
Carlton Jackson
Bessemer Fire Department
Louis Jones
Mt. Hebron Baptist Church
Vicki Lane
AAA Bessemer
Candice Lee
TBGS Holdings / Masonry
Arts
Reggie Mays
United Prosthetics and
Orthotics
Dr. Fred Primm
Bessemer Board of Education
Cristy Richardson
America’s First Federal Credit
Union
John Sides
Alabama Power Company
Hank Tyler
Town & Country Ford
Devron Veasley Bessemer
Business Center
Trina Vines
Oak Trace Care and
Rehabilitation Center
Jerry Yarbrough
Bessemer Utilities
Past Chairman
Eric Messer
Shoals
Ambulance
Chairman
Joni Holt
Holt Insurance
Agency
Chairman
Elect
Nathan Clark
Medical West
PROMOTIONAL ITEMS IN STOCK at the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce
The Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce has
promotional items for sale. We have X-large
Beach towels and chairs for $20.00 each. Stop by
and pick up your items at 321 18th Street N.,
Bessemer, AL 35020.
2016 Investors
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS
Alabama Splash Adventure
America’s First Federal Credit Union
Chambers Funeral Home Comfort Care Home Health & Hospice
Engineering Environmental Forestry Service
Legacy YMCA Paden & Paden, PC
Pinnacle Motorsports
Regional Paramedical Services State Farm Insurance Agent, Julie Bell
Trustmark National Bank
William Parsons CPA
Treasurer
Connie Fuell
Dex Imaging
Finance
Chairman
Kela Pryor
City of Bessemer
Place Your Ad in
the Chamber
Communique
FULL PAGE AD
$75 per occurrence
SMALL AD
$50 per month or 6
months for $240
JULY 2016
6
CHAMBER NEWS (2016 Chamber Calendar)
bessemerchamber.com
Think BESSEMER
July
No Meeting Ambassadors
Tuesday, July 19, 11:00am Executive Committee Mtg.
Tuesday, July 19, Noon Board of Directors Meeting
August
Tuesday, August 2, 8:30am Ambassadors Meeting
Thursday, August 11, 5:30pm 25th Annual Business Awards
and First Responders Gala
Tuesday, August 16, 11:00am Executive Committee Mtg.
Tuesday, August 16, Noon Board of Directors Meeting
September
Tuesday, September 13, 8:30am Ambassadors Meeting
Wednesday, September 14, Noon Chamber Membership Mtg.
Tuesday, September 20, 11:00am Executive Committee Mtg.
Tuesday, September 20, Noon Board of Directors Meeting
October
Tuesday, October 4, 8:30am Ambassadors Meeting
Thursday, October 6 Golf “FORE” Progress
Tuesday, October 18, 11:00am Executive Committee Mtg.
Tuesday, October 18, Noon Board of Directors Meeting
PINK & PURPLE PARADE
November
No Meeting Ambassadors
Tuesday, November 15, 11:00am Executive Committee Mtg.
Tuesday, November 15, Noon Board of Directors Meeting
December
Tuesday, December 6, 8:30am Ambassadors Meeting
Thursday, December 8, 5-7pm Chamber Christmas Open
House
Saturday, December 10, 2:00pm City of Bessemer Christmas
Parade
Tuesday, December 20, 11:00am Executive Committee Mtg.
Tuesday, December 20, Noon Board of Directors Mtg.
25th Annual Bessemer
Business Awards and First
Responders Gala Thursday, August 11, 5:30 pm
SUMMER SAFETY TIPS:
8 Signs of Heat Overexposure Heavy sweating. But if heat stroke sets in, the body
can no longer compensate and stops sweating.
Pale skin
Muscle cramps
Feeling tired and weak
Altered mental status (confusion or disorientation)
Headache
Becoming semi-conscious, or passing out.
Nausea or vomiting
6 First Steps to take After Recognizing Heat-Induced
Illness Call 911.
Get the person out of the sun and into a cool area. An
air-conditioned area is ideal, but moving someone into
the shade will also help.
Apply water to help the person cool off.
Apply ice to the neck or armpits, where large blood
vessels are close to the surface.
Remove any heavy clothing
Immerse the body in cool water, either at a swimming
pool or in a bathtub.
NEW MEMBERS - JUNE 2016
Cloverdale Enterprises LLC
Gregory Scott
130 Hall Avenue
Bessemer, AL 35020
PH 205-427-4714
*Convenience Store
The Place TP LLC
Charity Hutchins
921 19th Street North
Bessemer, AL 35020
PH 205-335-4057 or 205-434-5704
*Event Rental / Caterer
Tower Loan of Bessemer
Bryan Dickerson
5031 Ford Parkway, Ste 102
Bessemer, AL 35022
PH 205-432-1093, F 205-432-1096
*Bank / Financial Services
bessemerchamber.com JULY 2016
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CHAMBER
JUNE 2016
8
2016 CHAMBER
AMBASSADORS
Coordinator
Lori Chisem, Lawson State Community College
Co-Coordinators
Daryl Owens, Bessemer City Schools
Andie Sloan, Comfort Care
Secretary
Nelda Pate, Retired
Mara Allen, Latch and Live Foundation
Kay Baggett, Retired
Sarah Beasley, Joe Beasley Memorial
Foundation, Inc
Sarah Belcher, Retired
Tamala Briggins, Oak Trace Care & Rehab
Erin Cooney, Holt Insurance Agency
Susan Franklin, TBGS Holdings
Paije Frazier
Sadie Harris, Retired
Shirley Horn, Retired
Latesia Jefferson, Oak Trace Care & Rehab
Charles King, Regional Paramedical Services
Doris Lewis, City of Bessemer
Claire Mitchell, Visalus - Body by Vi
Kenya Rose
Lula Walter, City of Bessemer
Trisston Wright Burrows, Moore Coal Co.
Ambassadors are the key resource in
extending hospitality in the Bessemer area
and are experienced in business,
community, and promotional arenas.
An Ambassador must serve as an active
public relations arm of the Chamber and be
prepared to meet visitors, local businesses,
and various forms of the media.
We encourage you join the ambassador
program. The ambassadors meet on the 1st
Tuesday of each month at 8:30am at the
Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce.
25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders Gala
It’s the 25th Anniversary for the Bessemer Business Awards. Successful planning is being
made by the 2016 executive committee. We are pleased to have these awards around for 25
years. The committee is planning to make this year’s event very special.
This year’s gala will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 5:30 pm at the Bessemer Civic
Center.
Many changes have taken place over the years, but the awards and recognitions continued.
This will be the 25th year for the Business of the Year, the 14th year for the Law Enforcement
Officer of the Year, the 14th year for the Firefighter of the Year, the 10th Year for the Deputy
Sheriff of the Year and the 4th year for the Doctor of the Year.
I encourage you to make a nomination for the Business of the Year and the Doctor of the Year.
The nomination form is included in this newsletter and the deadline for nominations is July
21st.
Make sure to support this event and join us as we recognize and honor our first responders.
They spend countless hours protecting us and this will be a grand event for you to attend and
say thank you.
Sponsorships are $1000.00. Tables are $400.00 and individual tickets are $60.00. Call the
Chamber at 425-3253 to make your reservations.
10 Good Reasons to Buy Local
First
Significantly more money re-
circulates in our area when
purchases are made at locally
owned, rather than nationally
owned businesses: More money
is kept in the community
because locally owned
businesses purchase from other
local businesses and service
providers.
New jobs are provided by local
businesses.
Our one-of-a-kind businesses are
a part of our distinctive
character.
Local business owners invest in
community.
Customer service is usually
better.
Competition and diversity leads
to more choices.
Reduced environmental impact.
Public benefits far outweigh
public costs.
Encourages investment in our
area.
Non-profits receive greater
support.
Think BESSEMER
COMMUNITY
bessemerchamber.com JULY 2016
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Don Gaylor Retires After 18 Years
With the City of Bessemer
Congratulations to Mr. Don Gaylor, Director
of the Building and Inspections Department
for the city of Bessemer, he will retire in
July. Mr. Gaylor has been with the city
since 1998. He will be missed.
Tower Loan of Bessemer Celebrates New Location With Ribbon Cutting
CCAA…”Building a Better Alabama Through Strong Chambers of Commerce”
The Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) consists of Chambers of Commerce, their executives and staff, and members of
business and community organizations that directly serve chamber of commerce work in the State of Alabama.
CCAA has a long tenure as the preeminent organization serving Chamber of Commerce professionals, and the Chambers of Commerce they
represent, in the State of Alabama. The organization exists to strengthen the vital role local Chambers of Commerce play in economic and
community development.
In addition, CCAA provides its members with exceptional services in the areas of advocacy, professional development, and communication
of issues that affect the local business community. CCAA also serves as a clearinghouse for business-related information, peer-to-peer
networking opportunities and other contacts that serve the needs of local Chamber of Commerce professionals.
In 2003, the grassroots efforts of CCAA were strengthened when The Partnership was formed between CCAA and the Business Council of
Alabama (BCA). The BCA/CCAA Partnership is the first of its kind in the United States and has become a model for other states. Together,
the two groups represent the interests and concerns of over one million working Alabamians.
CHAMBER
Left (Top photo) – Don Gaylor and Roderick Evans
Left (Bottom photo) – Lula Walter and Don Gaylor
Right (Top Photo) – Tower Loan of Bessemer Ribbon Cutting
Right (Bottom photos) – Daryl Owens presents Ribbon Cutting certificate from the
chamber. Chamber members enjoy refreshments at ribbon cutting event.
The
Latch and Live Foundation Takes on Homelessness in Bessemer
The Latch and Live Foundation held its first Annual “Imagine Me” gala on Saturday, June 25th at the EDU Warehouse in Bessemer. Over 200
gathered to support this worthy cause. The Latch and Live Foundation will provide immediate emergency funding for housing and bills.
The vision of the Latch and Live foundation is to rebuild lives and provide help and hope to impoverished families of Bessemer and
surrounding cities. Founder, Mara Allen stated that working in the child care field has exposed her to the growing needs of homelessness
among families with small children and that she has been fortunate to be able to impact the lives of others, all while partnering with some of
the most passionate and driven philanthropists on the globe.
If you would like to support this worthy cause contact Mara Allen at 1302 Eastern Valley Rd, Bessemer, AL 35020, by phone at 205-434-4294,
by fax at 205-434-4294 or by email at [email protected].
COMMUNITY
JULY 2016
9
bessemerchamber.com
Coming July 21st to the McAlister’s Deli Near You, We Are
Celebrating National Free Tea Day
Come anytime from open to close and get a free 32 oz. tea, no purchase necessary. You
can choose black or green, sweetened or unsweetened tea. There will be lots of
activities for everyone including a bouncy house and face painting. Bring your friends,
family or coworkers.
We are located at 4977 Promenade Parkway, Ste 121, Bessemer in the Tannehill
Shopping Center.
Any questions, call 205-426-0387. We cater breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Gold SPONSORSHIP $5,000.00 94th Annual Meeting - Table of 8
25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders Gala – Table of 8
1 full page ad in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine (preferred spot)
¼ page Story in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine
Silver Sponsor for Golf “FORE” Progress
Plan a business after hours on your behalf (Not to exceed $250)
Up to $400 credit toward annual membership dues
½ page ad in chamber Communiqué
Company Logo with website link on Chamber website
Chamber listing for up to 3 company representatives
Pre/Post event advertising
Silver SPONSORSHIP $3,000.00
94th Annual Meeting - Table of 8
25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders Gala – 2 tickets
$500 credit toward an ad in 2017 Bessemer Magazine
Golf “FORE” Progress Golf Tournament (Team of 4 and Name/Logo on all promotional material)
94th Annual Meeting - Table of 8
25th Annual Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders Gala – 2 tickets
$500 credit toward an ad in 2017 Bessemer Magazine
Golf “FORE” Progress Golf Tournament (Team of 4 and Name/Logo on all promotional material)
Small Business Partner SPONSORSHIP $1,000.00
94th Annual Meeting (4 tickets) with option to upgrade
$200 credit toward an ad in the 2017 Bessemer Magazine
Golf “FORE” Progress Golf Tournament - Hole Sponsorship
Business Card ad in one issue of the Communique newsletter
Chamber listing for up to 2 company representatives
Pre/Post event advertising
2016 Sponsorship
Opportunities
The mission of the Bessemer Area Chamber of
Commerce is to promote the economic well-
being of regional businesses and represent the
business community in economic, political, civic,
educational and cultural development of the
region.
We hope you will consider supporting the
Bessemer Chamber of Commerce programs in
2016. This investment is tax deductible, so sign up
today!