Chamber Update
Whitehouse Weekly Chamber Buzz!

Business First Grants Round 1 Apps. Due Thursday April 19th To Chamber

Business First Grant Program.....First Deadline Approaching- Thursday, April 19th.

The Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce is offering financial assistance to our local businesses in our community through a matching funds grant. The grant is NOT affiliated with the Downtown Revitalization Grant that is currently being administered by The Village of Whitehouse. This is funded through non-dues revenues sources of the Chamber and not member dues. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis.

 

Purpose:
The purpose of the Business First Grant Program is:
• To aid member businesses to improve the appearance of their building
• To strengthen business potential by retaining and attracting new businesses.
• To restore the economic vitality of Chamber member businesses through increased retail sales and value of property.
• To improve the aesthetics of the member businesses.

Eligibility:
To be considered for a one of these grants with the Chamber, a business must:
• Be located in the Whitehouse Business Community, which is defined by the Chamber in the attached map.
• The business must be a member of The Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce and be current with their dues.
• Be applying for a grant that improves the façade of their business (painting and exterior improvement), or for marketing and promotion of your business.
• Be a small business with 50 employees or less.

Marketing & Promotional Support Grant-$500 Matching Grant
Designed to assist small business owners with the costs associated with marketing and promotion of your business. 
• Geographic area advertising (TV, print, internet, digital sign) 
• Production and printing of promotional materials (brochures, banners, flyers, posters, etc.)
• Production and printing of signage used to direct and/or inform customers.
• Marketing and promotion in support of special events within your business that are intended to drive traffic into your establishment.
This program pays 50% of the cost for materials and labor up to a maximum amount of $500.

Paint Assistance Grant-$1,000 Matching Grant
Designed to assist small business building owners with the costs associated with refurbishing the exterior of a storefront in need of fresh paint. This program pays 50% of the cost, including the cost to appropriately prepare the surface of the building as well as labor cost up to a maximum amount of $1000. Only store fronts and buildings that have been previously painted and need to be repainted are eligible. New construction projects are NOT eligible to participate. Home-based businesses are exempt from this grant.
 

 

For complete program criteria and for an application, please contact the Chamber office at 419-877-2747 or by visiting the Chamber office during normal business hours of 11am-4pm, Monday-Friday.

 

First Class of Chamber University Launches Next Tuesday, April 24th

Customer Service and YOUR Bottom Line Kicks Off Series

Chamber University is an innovative business seminar series designed to address critical business topics and offer tools to navigate and thrive in the ever-changing demands of the 21st century workplace, expanding current "essential knowledge" in the arenas of Technology, Customer Service, Marketing & PR, Leadership & Management, Accounting & Taxes, and Human Resources. Facilitators include subject matter experts, many from our local educational and business community.
Chamber University is an intelligent approach to learning. Each program is crafted to fill the needs of both business owners and employees. Topics are timely and exciting. Attending Chamber University is the best use of your business development dollars. Maximize your return on investment by signing up for Chamber University TODAY!

Classes are open to Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce members only. This is a very valuable educational tool that will have expertise at each training. Lunch will be available for you to purchase at the class.

Registration is $50 for all six classes and includes WORKBOOK and $12 for al la carte attendance. Space is limited to 35 participants.

Tuesday, April 24: Customer Service & Your Bottom Line!-Heidelberg University
Tuesday, May 22: WOW! Marketing….And So Much More!!!!!
Chamber funded marketing benefits for businesses, social media, public relations, cross promotions
Tuesday, August 28: Inventory Control & Risk Assessment
Tuesday, September 25: Human Resource & Employee Relations
Tuesday, October 23: Accounting & Taxes
Tuesday, November 27: Business Law & Ethics
Tuesday, December 11: Reception and Awards Ceremony
Sign up today by reserving your spot by registering online: www.chamberorganizer.com/members/evr/reg_event.php


$50 Class Credit
Upon completion of all six classes, you will receive back your $50 towards any Chamber advertising tool.

Program Structure:
The class will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. and take place at the Whitehouse Inn in the private dining area. Each month we will have a dynamic speaker to train you in various areas. The event will end at 12:30 p.m. with networking until 1:00 p.m. The approximate training time will be around 30-40 minutes.

 

Chamber Energy Solutions Ready To Help You Save

Sign Up NOW Before The Hot Weather Arrives!!!!!!

Sign Up Now Before It Gets Warmer Outside and Your Air Conditioning Consumption Begins or Increases!

 There’s never been a better time to join the Chamber Energy Solutions (CES) Electric Savings Program at the Whitehouse Chamber! This is a program that saves you money on your electric consumption. Through the strength of group buying we are able to secure great electric pricing for members through FirstEnergy Solutions.
You may have received information regarding savings opportunities on your electric costs. We strongly urge you to compare the CES Program’s rate to these other offers. The program’s current fixed rate has the potential to offer considerable savings to your business.
Current members participating in the CES Electric Program have secured savings up to 20% off the current generation/“price-to-compare” rate. This discount is significantly higher than the governmental aggregation (NOAC) program. Customers who use more than 250,000 kilowatt hours per year may save even more.


Why should I join the CES Electric Program?
Experts in the field of electricity and natural gas procurement agree that fixing a per kilowatt-hour rate is a wise choice for a number of reasons, including:
•Electricity prices are greatly dependent upon natural gas prices. Natural gas prices are at historic lows, and the possibility for them to increase is plausible.

•Current weak economic conditions are unlikely to continue long-term. As economic activity increases, additional demand for electricity and natural gas will cause prices to follow suit.


What are the benefits of the CES Electric Program?
•A fixed price for the generation component of your electric costs through May 2014.*

•A competitive rate of 10% to 20% lower than the current utility price to compare.


How do I join the CES Electric Program?-Contact the Chamber office at 419-877-2747 to sign up today and begin saving!!

2012 Weekly Chamber Buzz - Chamber Update

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