February 2016 www.portervillechamber.org

TICKETS • 559.784.7502$55 Members

$65 Non-members

Chamber Update

Ever wonder why some people like living in a small town? Some of the best reasons are that we find it quieter and safer, and the cost of living is less than in a larger town. In Porterville we are big enough to have good internet, city transportation, police and fire protection, good schools and a fine hospital. Plus, everyone is more helpful, friendly, and more caring.

I’ve written about some lousy customer experiences lately, hoping to spur some debate among the community. I also mentioned a few businesses I thought understood the idea behind being helpful, friendly, and more caring. I have my own hall of fame when it comes to people and places I like to visit and support in Porterville. Here are just a few.

I like running into Chris Bastian in Save Mart. He always has a good story about local history and he really knows his stuff when it comes to oranges. When I’m feeling like I need a little kick in the pants I go visit Steve from Hoagies. He’s been my hero (no pun intended) since he first opened way back in the day. Nobody works as hard as Steve, but he always has a moment for me. Plus his hot Pancho Villa and fries can’t be beat. Leslee and I try to do Cobb Monday’s at Randy’s. I love walking in to pick up dinner and see a cold Coors Lite at my favorite table waiting for me. Randy at Merle Stone knows my truck better than I do and Albert’s wife, our lawn guy, makes the best tamales on earth.

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P R O M O T I N G B U S I N E S S & C O M M U N I T Y

Rob TaylorBoard Chair

Eric Ball, a past Chamber President, is my life insurance guy. He’s practically part of the family. So is my accountant, attorney, dentist, and the list goes on. I would do anything for the folks in my Rotary Club and I know they’d do the same for me. You see, for me it’s all about relationships. I want the places I do business with to know me and my family as much as I want to know them. That’s what quality of life means to me. Helpful, friendly, and caring people.

If you’re like me then I have some good news. The Porterville Chamber is dedicated to bringing business owners together, especially helpful, friendly, and caring people. If you want new customers or want to become better known in our community (and if you’re in business why wouldn’t you want to) then this is a great place to start. Here’s a challenge-take a look at the list of Chamber members on our web site. How many people do you know? If you said not enough you know what to do. If you don’t, call me.

Everything you need for the life of your retirement

Care for what matters most by planning for your future.

As you enter and navigate retirement, Bankers Life will be by your side every step of the way, helping to protect your fi nancial security. Our friendly, knowledgeable insurance agents enjoy developing relationships with customers and delivering old-fashioned service with a personal touch. In fact, we still make house calls.

M. Joseph Zenith, M.B.A.Insurance Adviser

mishael.zenith@bankers.comCell: 559-289-5611

CA LIC. # 0G09529

We can help you prepare.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Jaffa Mediterranean Grill, Inc. Restaurant

460 W. Vandalia, Ave. Suite EPorterville, CA 93257

559-781-1291 www.jaffagrill.com

December 2015 ReportContributed By: Kyle Ladrigan

We started the day with our Session Coordinator, Jason Ridenour, at the City Transit building near Centennial Plaza. Mr. Ridenour introduced our first guest speaker, Sandi Miller, of Tulare County. Ms. Miller gave a comprehensive overview of the services her placement agency provides, from helping people find and apply for jobs to helping businesses find qualified candidates for positions they are looking to fill.

Our second speaker was our session coordinator Mr. Ridenour, the Economic Development Associate for the city of Porterville. Mr. Ridenour shared with the group the economic challenges facing Porterville. He also briefly described some of the processes that go into getting new business to come to Porterville. According to Mr. Ridenour, Kohls moved to Porterville 2-4 years ahead of their schedule because of the valuable data Mr. Ridenour was able to provide.

Next we met Randy Daniel at the Young’s trucking facility out near the Sports Complex. Mr. Daniels summarized the company’s history and some of the foreseeable economic issues the company is preparing for. To help combat these issues the company is planning on relocating their fleet shops closer to the 99 to save on mileage and fuel costs. They are also expanding to Arizona and into dairy transportation.

After our tour of the Young’s facility, we returned to the Transit Building for lunch and listened to our fourth speaker, Rob Taylor of Stafford Chocolate. Mr. Taylor reflected on the issues of the small business owner in Porterville and shared with us his desire to see Main Street revitalized. He said that Stafford’s would be opening a store on Main Street in the coming year.

Our fifth and final speaker of the day was our own Monte Reyes, representing the Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Reyes gave a brief overview of the EDC and explained that they were there to help assist existing and prospective businesses looking to open or expand in Porterville.

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P R O M O T I N G B U S I N E S S & C O M M U N I T Y

FEATURED MEMBERTownsend Architectural Group

Townsend Architectural Group turned 14 years old as of November 1st. “It is hard to believe it has been that long”, states Dennis. With an average of over 50 projects per year, they have been involved with well over 700 individual projects since TAG got rolling in 2001. They are a full architectural firm that provides design of all project types; from offices, residences, apartments, churches, restaurants, agricultural buildings, educational facilities, tenant improvements, remodels and additions of all kinds and scopes.

Dennis Townsend recalls that when he was about 11 years old he helped his Dad build a tool shed in the backyard. He was so excited to see the building come together over the course of a day and how he learned how to use the power tools that he rushed in the house to tell his Mom that he wanted to be a building contractor. In his Mom’s infinite wisdom she told him that he would be a good contractor but then after a brief pause, she mentioned that working in the heat and the hard physical labor takes its toll on you as you age. She let him think about it for a short time and then told him “You are very smart, maybe you can figure out a career in which you can work in construction but go into an air conditioned office when you choose to” Dennis thought for a moment and the blurted out “You are right Mom, I will be an Architect!”

Dennis was born and raised in Porterville and has lived here or Springville his entire life. He has been married to Cece for 33 years.

Townsend Architectural Group is located at 484 North Prospect, Suite B and can be reached by calling 559-789-9999. The office is open from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Monday – Friday and are closed for lunch from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Townsend Architectural Group is here to improve the quality of life for their clients and the community through design of and interaction with the built environment. Check them out on their website: www.townsendgroup.net

P R O M O T I N G B U S I N E S S & C O M M U N I T Y

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1+ Years Community Trust Bank, William S. McKinley

5+ Years ALC Construction, Calico Mermaid, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit,Harris Home Furnishings, MD Concrete Cutting, Porterville Art Association, Inc., ServiceMaster by Benevento, Success Valley Productions, Tule River Indian Health Center, Inc., Witzel Pump Service, Zion Lutheran Church

10+ Years Back to Balance Chiropractic, Magnolia Citrus Association, Rohrbach’s Cards & Gifts/Baby News

25+ Years Billiou’s, Porterville Electric, The Porterville Recorder, Wells Fargo Bank

RENEWING MEMBERS

BUSINESS AFTER HOURSFEB 25th @ 5:30 PM

1711 West Henderson

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784-7502

Government Affairs Update

The Porterville Chamber of Commerce Government Committee was pleased to host representatives from the City of Porterville during our November 17th meeting. We were honored to have in attendance Mayor Milt Stowe accompanied by Jenni Byers and Jason Ridenour representing the City’s Community Development Department who discussed

local efforts to promote economic growth and jobs in our community.

As the Director of the Department, Ms. Byers began her presentation by highlighting the mission of the Community Development Department: To serve and respond to the needs of the Porterville community for a better quality of life through visionary planning, design and development – now and into the future. Jenni also provided those in attendance with a high level discussion of the four divisions of her department that includes Economic Development, Housing Assistance, Geographic Information Systems, and Planning.

Ms. Byers and Mr. Ridenour discussed impediments to recruiting new companies and promoting job growth associated with changes in state policy. Governor Brown’s initiative to do away with Redevelopment Agencies and Enterprise Zones throughout the state; Americans with Disability Act compliance; reductions in Community Development Block Grant Funding (CDBG) and Prevailing Wage requirements make it much more difficult to compete with other states to attract corporations and business to our region.

Economic development tools used to promote economic growth, development and jobs, were also discussed. They include:

CBBG Loans for Small Business – Five or Ten year loans up to $50,000 at 2% interest.

Development Fee Payment Plan – the City will finance Development Fees over 10 years at 0%.

Local BIZ – Provides incentives for companies to relocate…targeted to Industrial & Manufacturing.

The balance of their presentation focused on revitalization efforts on Main Street. To date, the City has invested $5.6 million in downtown. These funds are focused on expanding parking for business, the re-surfacing of streets, planter re-habilitation and beatification projects and redevelopment of vacant lots like the Porterville Hotel site.

In 2016, the Government Affairs Committee will continue to discuss issues that are important to our community. We have been discussing several new topics and changes to meeting dates. All members are welcome to attend and encouraged to participate in the political process.

Cal RossiGovernment Affairs

Check our website for future events!www.portervillechamber.org

Chamber to Host “Havana Nights” Auction & Dinner Event The Porterville Chamber of Commerce’s Auction & Dinner will be held on Friday, March 4th at the Veterans Memorial Building. This year’s event theme is “Havana Nights” and guests are invited to dress casual or in themed attire. Attendees arrive at 6:00 p.m. to enjoy networking, a no host cocktail hour, and the much-anticipated silent auction featuring over 250 items up for bid. Items include get-away packages, jewelry, home décor, gift baskets galore, spa services, restaurant certificates, and a multitude of other items. We are adding the “Wine Pull” in the place of mystery boxes, yes a little change from last year’s excitement.

Tickets are $55 per person if Chamber member and $65 per person Non-Chamber member and may be purchased at the Chamber office or from any Director or Auction Committee member. Businesses will want to take advantage of this opportunity to gain marketing exposure by sponsoring or contributing an auction item. Contact the Chamber office to find out how your business or organization can best benefit from participation.

Got Piece-Rate Employees?A piece rate is a method of payment usually based on units of production, such as completing a particular task or making a particular piece of goods, instead of on time worked. The piece-rate compensation system is common in industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, automotive repair and truck driving, salons or spas, among others. For example, a factory worker might be paid per item made on the assembly line.

California’s Legislature stepped in, passing a new law that took affect January 1, 2016, which specifically addresses the issue of compensating piece-rate workers for non-piece rate time and expands on existing court decisions. The Legislature passed AB 1513, adding section 226.2 to the Labor Code.

If your business uses piece-rate workers, you will want to closely review this new law and make necessary changes to payroll practices. The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recently created a page dedicated to the new piece-rate legislation, which includes a fact sheet and answers to frequently asked questions.

Thousands Expected at Annual World Ag Expo The World Ag Expo will celebrate 49 years of excellence February 9-11, in Tulare. The largest annual agricultural exposition of its kind, World Ag Expo touts more than 1,400 exhibitors who display cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show grounds. An estimated average 100,000 individuals, from 70 countries, attend the Expo each year to learn about the latest advances in agriculture. Hotels through-out Tulare County will be at capacity and local restaurants will see an increase in activity for this event which has a significant regional economic impact. A full schedule of events, more information about the show, and pre-registration for World Ag Expo 2016 can be accessed at www.WorldAgExp.com.

Local Talent Showcased this MonthThe 54th Annual City of Hope Spectacular is scheduled for Saturday, February 27th at 7:00 pm. at the Buck Shaffer Theatre. The Spectacular, co-sponsored

by KTIP Radio, The Porterville Recorder and the Porterville City of Hope Auxiliary, showcases the talent of local performers, and is a fund raiser to support the medical efforts of The City of Hope in Duarte, California. Tickets are $10 per person and available for purchase at The Porterville Recorder, the Porterville Chamber, Jeff’s Music, Hanson Travel Ideas, and KTIP Radio. More details may be obtained by contacting Spectacular producer Dick Eckhoff at 784-4213 or cohspectacular@ocsnet.net.

Orange Blossom Klassic Comes to PortervilleThe annual Orange Blossom Klassic is scheduled to take place at the Porterville Fairgrounds February 20th and 21st. Over 200 Junior Exhibitors are expected from throughout California for this event. Sheep, hogs, and goats will be organized into three class divisions after weigh-in, and the event will begin at approximately 9 a.m. This two-day event is offering two separate shows for all three species. Registration information is available on the Porterville Fair’s website at www.portervillefair.com.

Federal Unemployment Insurance Taxes: California Employers Paying MoreCalifornia employers can expect a higher federal unemployment insurance (UI) tax bill when it arrives this month. This year will be the sixth in a row that California will have been in debt to the Federal Unemployment Trust Account (FUTA). Each year that a balance is owed to the FUTA, California employers pay a higher tax that goes to pay down the debt and the state must pay interest on the outstanding debt. By the end of 2015, the state will have paid almost $1.3 billion in interest to the federal trust fund.

The federal tax on employers increases $21 per employee, per year until the debt is eliminated.

The federal UI tax to be paid by employers in California for 2014 was $126 per employee (1.8% on a $7,000 tax base, which includes an additional 1.2% on top of the normal 0.6%). The maximum tax for 2015 is $147 per employee, and in 2016 it is projected to be $168 per employee (see table).

FUTA taxes are due January 31 of the year following the year in which the taxes are applied. The federal UI tax is in addition to the state UI tax (maximum 6.2% on the first $7,000 of wages per employee), and goes directly to pay down the state’s debt to the fund.

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Ribbon Cutting: Del TacoShane Pagela, along with Jason Moyes and staff, held a ribbon cutting in honor of Del Taco’s new location in Porterville. Chamber staff, ambassadors, friends and supporters were on hand for the December 8th event. Make sure to check out the new Del Taco at Henderson & Newcomb.

Tuesday, February 2ndCity Council Meeting, City Council Chamber, 6:30pmThursday, February 4thLove your Downtown Shopping Event, 4pm-7pmFriday, February 5thFirst Friday Coffee, Galaxy 9 Theatre, 7:00amWednesday, February 10thAmbassador Luncheon , Chamber Conference Room, 12:00pmFriday, February 12thDreams in Motion Ribbon Cutting, 5:30pmMonday, February 15thPresidents Day – Chamber Office ClosedBiggest Loser Community Challenge beginsTuesday, February 16thGovernment Affairs Meeting, Chamber Conference Room, 7:30am (Chamber Members Only)City Council Meeting, City Council Chambers, 6:30pmWednesday, February 17thBusiness & Development Committee Meeting, Chamber Conference Room, 12:00pm (Chamber Members Only)Thursday, February 25thChamber Board of Directors Meeting, Chamber Conference Room, 7:45amBusiness After Hours, The Village at Henderson, 5:30pmSaturday, February 27thCity of Hope Spectacular, 7:00pm

CHAMBER CALENDAR

P R O M O T I N G B U S I N E S S & C O M M U N I T Y

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Business After HoursHosted By: Sierra View Medical CenterDecember’s Business After Hours was held at the newly renovated Roger S. Good Cancer Treatment Center located at Sierra View Medical Center. The event offered great food and wonderful prizes in a “Winter Wonderland” and was enjoyed by all. Attendees were also treated to a facility tour and a brief history of the development of the Cancer treatment center.

93 NORTH MAIN STREETSUITE D

O F F I C E F O R L E A S E

Contact the Chamber @ 559-784-7502

SAVE THE DATEAPRIL 23RD

SAVE THE DATE

KNOW YOUR CHAMBER

Chamber Circle of Excellence

Platinum Eagle Mountain Casino, Tule River Tribal Council Tule River Economic Development CenterSilver Family HeathCare Network, Sierra View Medical CenterBronze Bank of the Sierra, Fitzpatrick Professional Accountancy, Galaxy 9 Theatre, KTIP Radio, Southern California Edison, The Porterville Recorder

2015-2016 Board of DirectorsOfficers/Executive CommitteeBoard Chair - Rob TaylorVice Chair, Member Services - Cheryl HaugenVice Chair, Finance - Janice CastleVice Chair, Government Affairs - Calvin RossiVice Chair, Special Events - Ramona Chiapa

Board of Directors - Term Ending 2016Jay Kelley - Family HealthCare NetworkChris Wiloth - Randy’s Bistro

Board of Directors - Term Ending 2017Ramona Chiapa - Sierra View Medical CenterJanice Castle - Bank of the SierraCheryl Haugen - Porterville Sheltered WorkshopCalvin Rossi - Southern California EdisonRob Taylor - Stafford’s Famous Chocolates

Board of Directors - Term Ending 2018James Carson - Porterville College Robert Cruess - Spoons Georgia Goode- Calico MermaidPhilip Slater - Wells Fargo Bank

Chamber StaffStephanie Cortez - CEO/PresidentCindy Camarena - Director of Membership & Special EventsXochitl Salomon - Office ManagerMary Alba - AARP Office Intern

B U S I N E S S & C O M M U N I T Y B R I E F SP R O M O T I N G B U S I N E S S & C O M M U N I T Y

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CONNECT is a publication of the Porterville Chamber of Commerce93 North Main Street, Porterville, CA 93257Phone: (559) 784-7502 Fax: (559) 784-0770Website: www.portervillechamber.org Email: info@portervillechamber.org

Articles to be considered for insertion need to be submitted to the Chamber Office by the 10th of the month. For more information, contact the Chamber at (559)784-7502 or email info@portervillechamber.org. The Chamber reserves the right to edit any information.

Advertising & Publication: Porterville Chamber of Commerce Printing: Central Valley Business FormsGraphic Design: Amy Benton, Who’s That Girl?

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