If you own a store front business, then chances are you rely on inventory to be delivered on a timely and regular basis.

Living in a rural community like Sierra Vista means that good transportation links to larger towns and cities are essential, especially when you run a business.

And with no local rail service, well maintained and multiple lane highways are vital to any economy that wants to grow.

Unfortunately, road projects are often a victim of cuts when the hard times hit and we are all well aware of the rocky path the state’s budget has taken in recent years.

In its bid to reduce Arizona’s massive deficit, legislatures have hacked away at just about every state department’s finances, and transportation was no exception.

And while many of these cost cutting measures had seen the deep financial hole become a little shallower, we are not out of the woods yet.

With this in mind, the Arizona Department of Transportation approached the Sierra Vista Area Chamber and asked how it could reach out to the business community to talk about its future plans.

So we invited ADOT representatives to give a presentation at a lunch to be held on February 2 at 11:30 a.m. at Pueblo Del Sol Country Club.

This will be the first of our new Hot Topics events, where we focus on an issue which we believe affects the business community.

The title of this presentation is Planes, Trains & Automobiles: ADOT’s Future Investment Strategy.

Attendees will learn about the role of transportation in Arizona and what the future holds, in particular the types of investment choices and the impact on the state’s budget.

Following the presentation, there will be a chance for audience members to give their feedback on ADOT’s proposals and to talk about their own transportation needs.

While learning and talking about transportation may not seem like the most exciting way to spend a lunch hour, it is an issue that affects us all, especially if this community wishes to build a more diverse economy and attract new industries to Southeast Arizona.

We encourage all members of the business community, whether a Chamber member or not, to attend this one-hour event.

The cost, which includes a hot lunch buffet, is $18 for members and $22 for non-members.

RSVPs are required, so sign up today by visiting the Chamber website www.sierravistachamber.org or call us at 458-6940.

Hopefully you read the report in Friday’s Herald/Review regarding the Chamber’s Annual Membership Meeting, which took place last Thursday at the Windemere Hotel & Conference Center.

Board chairman Frank Gonzalez and I had the pleasure of giving presentations on the many changes and improvements we have made at the Chamber to the nearly 200 members in attendance.

Not only were we able to talk about those changes, but also the positive results that we have seen and experienced as a consequence.

If you were unable to attend the event, you can read the 2011 Annual Report on our website by hovering your mouse on the ‘About The Chamber’ tab on our website home page, which will bring up a drop down menu. Then just click on ‘2011 Annual Report’.

The report contains a message from our Chairman, a basic financial report, some facts about the Chamber, as well as a list of our Executive Members.

But, most importantly, it lists our accomplishments during 2011.

Please take a few minutes to look it over and find out how we have been working on behalf of our members.

It is also a great way to discover how your business could be benefiting from Chamber membership, if you have yet to join our organization.

By

Throughout the year, I try to keep our members and the wider community informed about the Sierra Vista Area Chamber, and its events and programs, via this newspaper column.

I feel privileged to be able to utilize this format to communicate with area businesses.

Later this month, however, I will have the honor of personally addressing the business community at the Chamber’s Annual Membership Meeting, sponsored by Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative.

It has been seven months since I took on the Executive Director position. I hit the ground running and, along with my great staff, I’ve been sprinting ever since in an effort to keep on top of the many changes and improvements we have made in such a short time.

We are proud of what we have accomplished and we are looking forward to sharing those developments with our members, and any other interested parties, on January 19, at 11:30 a.m. at the Windemere Hotel & Conference Center (our Large Business of the Year in 2011).

During this event the 15-member Board of Directors will approve the minutes and financial reports, before our current chair, Frank Gonzalez, of Lawley Automotive Group, gives a short presentation.

I will then take a look back at 2011 and discuss the changes and improvements we have made, why we introduced them, and how they benefit our members.

We will then hear from some of our businesses about their Chamber experiences, before we move on to some of the new projects and programs we have lined up for 2012.

Every attendee will also receive a copy of our 2011 Annual Report, as well as the new look Membership Benefits Guide, which is also accessible on our new look website, www.sierravistachamber.org, by clicking Membership on the home page.

But that is not all. Everyone will also receive our Shop Local bag, which will contain a copy of the annual Community Profile & Membership Directory and a complimentary copy of our new Community Map, which we usually sell for $1 at the Chamber.

Not signed up for the Annual Membership Meeting yet? You have until January 12 to register. Just visit our website or call us at 458-6940.

When you are browsing the website, take a look at some of the new events we have coming up, where you can network and promote your business.

On Thursday, February 2, we are holding another lunchtime event, called Hot Topics. This is an occasional program we host when we feel there is an important issue that the business community should be aware of.

Last year, we were approached by the Arizona Department of Transportation, which asked if it could talk to our members about their transportation needs, as well as the current State budget and its consequences for ADOT’s future plans and projects.

This one-hour event will be held at Pueblo Del Sol Country Club at 11:30 a.m. and any business – whether a Chamber member or not – concerned about reliable transportation to and from Sierra Vista and Cochise County should take the opportunity to attend and voice their opinion.

Registration is now also available for our 2012 Health Fair at The Mall at Sierra Vista on Saturday, February 25. Open to Chamber members and non-members, we expect booths for this affordable expo to be snapped up quickly, so do not delay in signing up.

Finally, registration is now also open for the annual Southeastern Arizona Contractors Association Home & Garden Show at Buena High School on March 23 and 24.

Hosted by the Chamber, there is a wide variety of booth spaces to suit all budgets. This event will provide a great opportunity to showcase your services to thousands of potential customers.

Look for further information on these events in future columns, or go to our website to register right now.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing many of you at the Annual Membership Meeting on January 19.

Well we did it. We hit our June 30, 2012, membership goal of 600 in December 2011.

Reaching that magic number has been a great motivator for me and the staff during the last six months and we are absolutely delighted that we attained it so far ahead of schedule. Of course, while giving ourselves a pat on the back, we are also mindful of the fact that retention is equally as important as bringing in new members.

So we will be working just as hard for the next six months – the end of our financial year – to not only expand beyond 600, but ensure our existing members are happy with the services we provide.

Why do we think our numbers are swelling so significantly?

We firmly believe it’s because we have introduced many positive changes in the last few months which have resulted in improved benefits for our members. We are also seeing more home based businesses join our organization, following the reduction we made in annual membership dues from $300 per year to just $175, as well as non-profits who can now sign up for $150.

The Chamber has looked at new ways we can help local businesses, especially during this ongoing tough economy, and we will continue to do so  throughout 2012.

On January 19 the Chamber will hold its Annual Membership Meeting at the Windemere Hotel & Conference Center. At this event you can find out in more detail what kind of improvements we have made and what we plan to do this year. You will receive a copy of our Annual Report as well as our new look Membership Guide, which we designed to be more streamlined and cost effective.

You will also be able to pick up one of our free Shop Local bags, sponsored by a number of our members. The Annual Membership Meeting costs just $25 and includes a buffet lunch. Go to our website, or call the Chamber to register today.