Published by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce • www.springfieldchamber.com • January 2012 • Volume 30, No. 1 Business Spotlight, page 5 • Your Chamber, page 6 • New Members, page 11 S pirit SPRINGFIELD The Chamber Board of Directors voted December 19 to oppose an upcoming ballot issue that would require all Spring- field employers to use the federal E-Verify system when hiring new employees. City of Springfield voters will consider the proposed ordinance February 7, 2012. Initiated by the Ozarks Minutemen as a means to locally address the issue of illegal immigration, the proposed ordinance also stipulates penalties including fines, sus- pension or revocation of business licenses for businesses that hire anyone who isn’t eligible to work in the United States for any reason. E-Verify is a free database, maintained by the Department of Homeland Secu- rity, that employers can voluntarily use to check whether a new employee is legally authorized to work in the United States. The Springfield E-Verify proposal is one of numerous city, county and state laws being advanced nationally to curb illegal immigration. However, the Springfield ordinance goes further than most because it includes fines for non-compliant busi- nesses. Currently, state and local govern- ments are allowed to require the use of E-Verify but they are not allowed to im- pose civil or criminal penalties beyond the suspension of business licenses. This dis- tinction was the Chamber Board’s primary concern in voicing its opposition to the proposal. The Board position follows the recom- mendation of the Chamber’s Local Issues Public Policy Task Force, which identified two major concerns with the proposed ordinance: 1) The E-Verify ordinance contains provisions that are illegal. Overall, the proposed ordinance is written in a vague and overly broad way that creates too much uncertainty and legal risk for the City and its businesses. Specifically, the proposed fines the City would levy on non-compliant businesses are not legal and would result in significant costs to the City in defending the ordinance when those fines are chal- lenged in a lawsuit. 2) The problem this ordinance is designed to address is a national issue that should be addressed at the federal level. Attacking the issue of illegal im- migration at the local level only creates a patchwork of different laws, placing some Chamber Board opposes E-Verify ballot issue VOTE NO February 7th DON’T FORGET communities at a competitive disadvan- tage due to the increased level of govern- ment regulation facing business owners. Local small businesses should not be man- dated to bear the burden of addressing this national issue. The Chamber’s concerns with the pro- posed ordinance are not concerns about the E-Verify system itself. In fact, many Springfield businesses (especially large employers) already use the federal pilot program, and most have found it to be an efficient and effective process. “This ballot issue aims to fix a problem that has not proven to be a significant chal- lenge facing our community,” said Chamber Chairman Jerry Harmison. “Illegal immigra- tion is a national issue and it should not be addressed by means of a City ordinance – especially one that contains illegal provi- sions that place an unnecessary cost and burden on local small businesses.” Springfield voters should reject this unnecessary and unlawful proposal. Cham- ber members are encouraged to vote “no” on February 7.
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Published by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce • www.springfieldchamber.com • January 2012 • Volume 30, No. 1
Business Spotlight, page 5 • Your Chamber, page 6 • New Members, page 11
SpiritSPRINGFIELD
The Chamber Board of Directors voted December 19 to oppose an upcoming ballot issue that would require all Spring-field employers to use the federal E-Verify system when hiring new employees. City of Springfield voters will consider the proposed ordinance February 7, 2012. Initiated by the Ozarks Minutemen as a means to locally address the issue of illegal immigration, the proposed ordinance also stipulates penalties including fines, sus-pension or revocation of business licenses for businesses that hire anyone who isn’t eligible to work in the United States for any reason. E-Verify is a free database, maintained by the Department of Homeland Secu-rity, that employers can voluntarily use to check whether a new employee is legally authorized to work in the United States. The Springfield E-Verify proposal is one of numerous city, county and state laws being advanced nationally to curb illegal immigration. However, the Springfield ordinance goes further than most because it includes fines for non-compliant busi-nesses. Currently, state and local govern-ments are allowed to require the use of
E-Verify but they are not allowed to im-pose civil or criminal penalties beyond the suspension of business licenses. This dis-tinction was the Chamber Board’s primary concern in voicing its opposition to the proposal. The Board position follows the recom-mendation of the Chamber’s Local Issues Public Policy Task Force, which identified two major concerns with the proposed ordinance: 1) The E-Verify ordinance contains provisions that are illegal. Overall, the proposed ordinance is written in a vague and overly broad way that creates too much uncertainty and legal risk for the City and its businesses. Specifically, the proposed fines the City would levy on non-compliant businesses are not legal and would result in significant costs to the City in defending the ordinance when those fines are chal-lenged in a lawsuit. 2) The problem this ordinance is designed to address is a national issue that should be addressed at the federal level. Attacking the issue of illegal im-migration at the local level only creates a patchwork of different laws, placing some
Chamber Board opposes E-Verify ballot issue
VOTE NOFebruary 7th
DON’T FORGET
communities at a competitive disadvan-tage due to the increased level of govern-ment regulation facing business owners. Local small businesses should not be man-dated to bear the burden of addressing this national issue. The Chamber’s concerns with the pro-posed ordinance are not concerns about the E-Verify system itself. In fact, many Springfield businesses (especially large employers) already use the federal pilot program, and most have found it to be an efficient and effective process. “This ballot issue aims to fix a problem that has not proven to be a significant chal-lenge facing our community,” said Chamber Chairman Jerry Harmison. “Illegal immigra-tion is a national issue and it should not be addressed by means of a City ordinance – especially one that contains illegal provi-sions that place an unnecessary cost and burden on local small businesses.” Springfield voters should reject this unnecessary and unlawful proposal. Cham-ber members are encouraged to vote “no” on February 7.
2 Springfield Spirit | January 2012
CalendarComplete details and online registration information can be found atwww.springfieldchamber.com.
1/11 Business2Business Connection Luncheon Noon-1:30 p.m. Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce 202 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy.
1/12 Business After Hours 5-7 p.m. Thompson Buick GMC Cadillac 1555 E. Independence St.
1/25 2012 Springfield/Branson Regional Salute to Missouri Legislators 4:30 p.m.- 6 p.m. The Capitol Plaza Hotel 415 W. McCarty St. Jefferson City, MO 65101
1/27 Annual Meeting 2012 6-9 p.m. University Plaza Trade Center 625 St. Louis
2/2 Good Morning, Springfield! 7:30-8:30 a.m. Mercy Hospital Springfield - McAuley Conference Center 1235 E. Cherokee Street
2012 Officers
Chairman of the BoardJohn Wilson, JSW Consulting
Chairman-electBrian Fogle, Community Foundation of the Ozarks
TreasurerJake McWay, CoxHealth
Assistant TreasurerJohn Black, City Utilities
Vice Chairman, Community Development/Special EventsDr. Jennifer Jackson, Springfield Business Journal/SBJ Publishing, Inc.
Vice Chairman, Economic DevelopmentDr. Hal Higdon, Ozarks Technical Community College
Vice Chairman, MembershipDawn Hiles, Drury University
Vice Chairman, Public AffairsJeff Schrag, The Daily Events
2012 Directors
Tim Bellanti, Associated Wholesale Grocers
Meghan Chambers, Staxx/Jelly Beans
Tim Connell, Connell Insurance, Inc.
Don Flatau, John Deere Reman
Jeffrey Gower, Wil Fischer Distributing Co.
John Hancock, Prime, Inc.
Jerry Harmison, Harmison & Pearman, P.C.
Tom Hilmes, CNH Reman
Matt Morrow, Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield
John Oke-Thomas, Oke-Thomas + Associates, Inc.
Sylvia Propps, 3M Co.
Linda Ramey-Greiwe, Springfield News-Leader
Dave Roling, Emery Sapp & Sons
Jeff Schrag, The Daily Events
Jon Swope, St. John’s Health System
Jim Anderson, Chamber of Commerce*
*Ex-officio board member
~
Springfield Spirit is published monthlyfor members of the
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.
Michelle West Vice President, CommunicationsClaire Faucett Public Relations/Interactive Media ManagerKristen Kelley Art DirectorEmily Denniston Public Affairs Project Manager
~
Jim Anderson PresidentBrad Bodenhausen Executive Vice PresidentJennifer Dalton Vice President, AdministrationSandy Howard Vice President, Public AffairsBrent McCoy Vice President, MembershipRyan Mooney Senior Vice President, Economic Development
®
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
Springfield Spirit | www.springfieldchamber.com 3
Board Report
Business issues that will be lobbied by the Chamber during the 2012 legislative session were approved by the board of directors during its December 19 meeting. Both the state and federal legislative agendas are available for view on the Chamber’s website. The board also voted to oppose the E-Verify ballot issue (see separate story page 1). And the board approved the operating budget for 2012 as presented by Jennifer Dalton, vice president, administration.
Chamber board approves legislative agenda
Economic Development Activity Tracker
Total New Prospects 30 Existing Companies 22 New Companies 8Current Active Projects 17Business Visits (inside market) 101Consultant/Business Visits (outside of market) 72Prospect Site Visits (to region) 4
Announced Projects (12): Digital Monitoring Products, Roma of Springfield, John Deere Reman, Gold Mountain Communications, American Products, PROFormance Powertrain, HealthMEDX, Nowata Printing, Undercover Trucks, Paul Mueller, CNH Reman, Diamond International.
www.business4springfield.com
The activity tracker measures the year-to-date level of economic development project activity (prospects) in the Springfield region. The Chamber and its economic development subsidiary, the Springfield Business Development Corpora-tion, serve as the lead business expansion and attraction entities for Springfield and the sur-rounding 10-county region. Also measured are the number of local business visits staff has conducted, as well as visits with site selection consultants and organizations making location decisions in our region.
Through 12/31/2011.
4 Springfield Spirit | January 2012
New leaders to guide2012 Chamber board
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce 2012 Officers
ChairmanJohn WilsonJSW Consulting, LLC
Chairman-ElectBrian FogleCommunity Foundation of the Ozarks
TreasurerJake McWayCoxHealth
Assistant TreasurerJohn BlackCity Utilities
Vice Chairman, Community Development/Special EventsDr. Jennifer JacksonSpringfield Business Journal/SBJ Publishing, Inc.
Vice-Chairman, Economic DevelopmentDr. Hal HigdonOzarks Technical Community College
Vice-Chairman, MembershipDawn HilesDrury University
Vice-Chairman, Public AffairsJeff SchragThe Daily Events
Springfield Spirit | www.springfieldchamber.com 5
Ozarksentertainment, LLC, takes event planning and management to a whole new level. They not only pro-vide rental space and equipment for fundraisers, weddings and corporate events, but they can also create and manage the entire event for you. “At Ozarksentertainment, our true passion is casino night! …We focus our expertise in running professional casino nights. Our other services are run by the best at their field as well,” says Robert Devore, managing partner. Casino game options include combinations of craps, roulette, blackjack, poker, and slot machines. Need a stylish way to get your guest to and from your casino night? They’ve got that covered too. Rent from a variety of limousines, exotic vehicles like a Hummer or F250 Harley Davison to regular shuttles. “Our other services we offer we
have done the research, interviewed the owners, and trust that they are the best at what they do and that is why we offer it. Not only do you know you have the best run casino in town, you know any other service you book has been qualified to be the same quality,” says Devore. In addition to casino night events, Ozarksentertainment offers the Gamin’ Ride party, which is a video arcade on wheels geared toward all ages, seating up to 16 players. New to its offerings includes a photo booth and Holly-wood-style spotlights. Founded two years ago, and growing rapidly, Ozarksentertainment remains focused on maintaining a high level of integrity in providing only quality events to its clients. “We cannot do business any other way,” says Devore.
Spotlight
• Managing Partner: Robert Devore
• Address: 1740-R S. Glenstone Avenue Springfield, MO 65804
• Phone: (417) 987-1546
• Website: www.Ozarksentertainment.net
• Email: [email protected]
• Products/Services: Entertainment-Recreation
Ozarksentertainment, LLC
Ozarksentertainment specializes in FUN!
6 Springfield Spirit | January 2012
Your Chamber
The Chamber will be working with Chamber member, Spring Hill Press, to publish a 2012-2013 Springfield area map. The map will be made available on request to Chamber members, visitors, resi-dents and potential new residents. This is a great opportunity for your business or organization to get its name in front of a large audience. Representatives from Spring Hill Press will be contacting members to offer advertising/promotional opportunities on the new map. Map advertising will be made available to Chamber members only. To secure a premium advertising position on the map, you may contact Spring Hill Press at (800) 627-8141.
Advertising space available on the Chamber’s community map
Time to nominate for the 20th anniversary Small Business Award
Since 1992, the Chamber has cel-ebrated the impact of small business in the Springfield area with a Small Business Award Luncheon each May. This year’s luncheon will mark the 20th anniversary of the W. Curtist Strube Award, presented to one of the top five finalists in the Cham-ber’s annual competition and named for W. Curtis Strube, the late director of the Breech School of Business at Drury Uni-versity and an avid supporter of small business. The Chamber’s Small Business Council, which was founded by Strube and hosts the annual competition, is now seeking nominations for the 2012 W. Curtis
Strube Award. Any Chamber member in good standing, with 50 employees or less (organization-wide), can be nominated. Click here to submit a confidential nomi-nation online. Nominations will be accepted until February 1st. Chamber staff and Small Business Council volunteers will contact the nominees and walk them through the simple application process. Nominees will have approximately five weeks to compile a written packet that covers company his-tory, business or management philosophy, response to challenges, innovative prod-ucts or services offered and community-
oriented contributions. The application does not require companies to disclose financials or host site visits. The application packets are scored by an independent panel of judges that in-cludes the previous year’s Small Business Award recipient, business assistance pro-viders, and local business leaders selected by the Small Business Council. Five appli-cants will be named as finalists, with the award recipient announced at the 2012 Small Business Award Luncheon on May 2 at The Tower Club. For more information about the luncheon or the application process, please contact Jen Johnson.
When you purchase an annual pass to Good Morning Springfield! and/or Business After Hours, you re-ceive a discounted rate and the con-venience of a one-time charge for your business or professional organization. With an annual pass, there is no need for advance registration every month and if you are unable to attend, your pass can be transferred to someone else within your company! About the events: Good Morning, Springfield!Find out what’s happening in our
community at Good Morning, Spring-field!, while you enjoy breakfast. Each month we cover timely topics and provide updates from leaders of the City of Springfield, Greene County, Springfield Public School System and the Chamber. Buy Now! Business After HoursMake new connections with poten-tial customers and colleagues at Busi-ness After Hours, a relaxed networking event that begins each month at 5 pm. There’s always good food and drink, along with door prizes. Buy Now.
2012 Annual passes now available for Business After Hours and Good Morning, Springfield!
Your Chamber
Springfield Spirit | www.springfieldchamber.com 7
8 Springfield Spirit | January 2012
Public Affairs
Mark your calendars for the Salute to Legislators reception on January 25 The Salute to Missouri Legislators Coalition invites you to join leaders from the Springfield region to host the 27th annual Salute reception on January 25, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. Acting as a business advocate for the Springfield region is a top priority for the Chamber. Our advocacy efforts include collab-oration in a number of legislative partnerships, including the Salute Coalition. The Salute reception provides Chamber members with an opportunity to discuss important legislative priorities with members of the statewide legislative delegation as well as other elected officials from around the state. Whether heavily involved in the state legislative process or just beginning to explore ways to utilize the advocacy portion of your Chamber membership, all Chamber members are encour-aged to attend. Tickets are available for $35 per person, which includes complimentary bus transportation to and from Jefferson City on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register for this event,
please contact Emily Denniston in the public affairs department. For more information on the Salute Coalition, including a full list of sponsors, please click here.
SaluteSprin
gfield/Branson Regional
to Missouri Legislators
Springfield Spirit | www.springfieldchamber.com 9
Leadership Springfield www.leadershipspringfield.org
Leadership Springfield is accepting applications for Class XXVIII Leadership Springfield offers you a unique opportunity to broaden your under-standing of community issues, improve your leadership skills, and connect with commu-nity leaders while developing relationships with a diverse group of other committed leaders. Applications for Leadership Spring-field Class XXVIII will be available on the Leadership Springfield website on January 16, 2012-March 16, 2012. You may download an application at www.leadershipspring-field.org. For more information, contact Kim Everest at 417-862-5567 or [email protected].
Leadership Springfield Class XXVII went high tech for their Communications and Technology Program Day. The organizers produced a great video agenda for the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvotMy4OHCo&feature=channel_vid-eo_title%20&noredirect=1
Class XXVII members Mike Finch and Gary Sorrells try their hand as anchors on the KSPR set
Academy Class XXII students enjoyed touring McLane Company on their Business Day program day!
Find Leadership Springfield on Facebook to keep in touch and
find out about upcoming events!
10 Springfield Spirit | January 2012
Membership RenewalsThank you for renewing The Chamber encourages members to do business with other Chamber members. Please consider these renewing members and new members the next time you have a need for products/services.
Abacus CPAs, LLC
Alzheimer’s Association Southwest Missouri Chapter
BancorpSouth
Bank of America
Bass Pro Shops
Benefits Unlimited
BKD, LLP
Bus Andrews Truck Equipment, Inc.
Casey’s General Store
CBIZ Benefits & Insurance
Clear Creek Vehicles
Colonial Supplemental Insurance
ColorGraphic Printing, Inc.
Courtyard by Marriott
CSL Plasma Services
Culpepper Place at Chesterfield Village
Daily & Rosen, DDS, LLC
Drury University
Food 4 Less
Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe
Gerken Environmental Enterprise
Governmental Services Group, Inc.
Grace Energy Corp.
Greenlawn Fertilizer
Grindstone Construction, Inc.
GuildMaster, Inc.
H & R Block, Inc.
Hiland Dairy Co.
Horst/Tymon, Inc.
Huckstep & Associates, LLC
IPA Educational Supplies
J C Penney Co.
Keller Williams Realty Greater Springfield
Knight Heating & Air Conditioning
KoJo, LLC
Kollmeyer & Co., LLC
L.J. Scharnhorst Floorcovering, Inc.
Lakeland Regional Hospital
Law Offices of PalmerOliver, PC
Maria’s Mexican Restaurant
Mark E. Adkins Insurance Agency, Inc.
Marshall-Waters-Woody Associates, Inc.
Medi-Transit of Springfield
Mid-Missouri Bank
Midwest Window & Door Corp.
Missouri Enterprise in Southwest Missouri
Missouri State University - Jordan Valley Innovation Center
Nakato Japanese Steak House
Naught-Naught Agency
Northern Summit
NorthStar Battery Co., LLC
O’Bannon Bank
Olsson Associates
Ozarks Community Hospital
Ozarks Regional YMCA
PFI Western Store
Pinnacle Family Advisors
Positronic Industries, Inc.
Presleys’ Country Jubilee
Primerica-Chip Kidd
Quik Cash 567
Rapid Roberts, Inc.
Rich Kramer Construction, Inc.
Rivendale Institute of Learning II, Inc.
Russell Cellular, Inc.
S M C Electric
SAAFhouse Spay-Neuter Clinic
Shaughnessy Paper Co.
Siemens Energy, Inc.
Springfield Engineering Co.
State Farm Insurance Agency - Rob Akers
The Courts, LLC
The Drain Strainer
The Pie Box
Therapy Support, Inc.
Touch Restaurant
TSYS Merchant Solutions
U.S. Photonics, Inc.
Volvo Rents Construction Equipment
Wickman Gardens
New MembersWelcome to our newest members
Aesthetic Med Studio1824-C S. Lone PineSpringtfield, MO 65804(417) 889-5274Medical Spa
Bennett Capital Partners3107 S. White Oak TerraceSpringfield, MO 65809(417) 861-8440Mergers & Acquisitions
Bohl & House, LLC1740-P S. GlenstoneSpringfield, MO 65804(417) 882-2500Accountants
Carpenters’ District Council4639 W. Pfeiffer CourtSpringfield, MO 65803(417) 831-2356Unions
Computer Recycling Center, LLC1434 N. NationalSpringfield, MO 65802(417) 866-2588Recycling
Customer Help AssessmentPO Box 85Ozark, MO 65721(417) 812-6011Mystery Shoppers
Dark Ops Holdings2231 W. SunsetSpringfield, MO 65807(417) 883-9444Manufacturers
DFI - Solutions in Print2833 E. Battlefield, #108Springfield, MO 65804(417) 865-4544Printing Company
Famous Dave’s BBQ4406 S. Campbell AvenueSpringfield, MO 65810(417) 877-8646Restaurants-Casual Dining
Greenlight Online Marketing4650 S. National, D-9Springfield, MO 65810(417) 262-6900Marketing-Online
Johnson Controls9850 Legler RoadLenexa, KS 66219(913) 307-4289Building Materials
Kay Fulnecky and Associates2733 E. Battlefield, #137Springfield, MO 65804(571) 277-0513Healthcare Services-Infection Control
Missouri State University - International Programs901 S. National AvenueSpringfield, MO 65897(417) 836-4416International Programs
Rafael Diamonds & Design Studio106 Four Seasons Center, #102-C Chesterfield, MO 63017(314) 495-5586Jewelry-Retail
Southern Missouri Judicial Services1111 N. BoonvilleSpringfield, MO 65802(417) 881-2626Organizations-Professional
The Sweet Spot Cakery5406 S. Gray Fox CourtSpringfield, MO 65810(417) 849-4229Catering
Springfield Spirit | www.springfieldchamber.com 11
Ribbon CuttingsThe Hamels Foundation – January 24420 W. College
Lobby DisplayBusiness providing floral arrangements in John Q. Hammons Enterprise Center
Linda’s Flowers1225 West Battlefield Road(417) 883-6861