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Volume 17, Issue 3 March 2003 - Page 1
Chamber Political Actions

 Longer Runway Means Better Air Service

The City Council has authorized a grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration that will pay for most of the planned extension for the main runway, paving the way for regional jets to begin serving Flagstaff. Most commuter airlines are phasing out planes such as the Dash-8’s that serve Flagstaff in favor of the 50-passenger regional jets. The Chamber strongly supports the runway extension and testified on behalf of the grant application before the Airport Commission and the City Council. The Council voted 7-0 to support the motion to apply for the grant.

Bond Election Postponed Until 2004

There will be no special election for city bond issues. The Council voted 4-3 to delay the election until May of 2004, the next general election date. The Chamber argued for this delay, supporting the view of the Bond Advisory Task Force. The task force had said that most of the proposed bond issues were not time sensitive and could wait until 2004, thus avoiding the cost of a special election. Additional items, such as future water rights, will be considered as part of a possible broader bond package in 2004. Voting against the motion were Karen Cooper, Al White and Art Babbott.

Reduced Stormwater Fees Possible

Final action by the City Council is expected at their March 4 meeting on establishing fees for a stormwater management program. The Council had sent staff and a consultant back to the drawing board a couple months ago to redesign the proposed program to meet with the minimum requirements of the federal-mandated program. The Chamber and other business groups opposed an earlier version of the plan that would have assessed annual fees of $5,000 or more to larger companies to comply with the proposed program. At press time, the revised plan and fees had not been made public.

Sale of State Fund Opposed

As the State Legislature looks high and low for new revenue sources to balance the budget, one of the possible sources is SCF of Arizona—the State Fund—for worker’s compensation insurance. Some legislators have proposed the sale of SCF, although its somewhat indirect link to state government may prohibit a sale anyway. The State Fund current provides worker’s comp insurance for about 65% of the state’s employers, the majority of which are small businesses. SCF often functions as the carrier of last resort for small businesses that can’t get the required coverage from other carriers. The Chamber opposes the sale of SCF and has conveyed this position to our District 1 and 2 legislators.

1,000 and Growing!

When Data Doctors joined the Chamber February 19, they became member number 1,000. It marked the first time in five years that the Chamber has had this many members; membership exceeded 1,000 for a three-year period in the mid 1990’s.

Economic downtowns often boost memberships in chambers of commerce. “People are looking for an edge—something that helps their business,” said Chamber president David Maurer. The networking and referrals offered by the Chamber become even more attractive in tougher times.

Member Services Director Cindy May says “the Chamber offers more opportunities for referrals than ever before. We’ve made major changes to our websites to promote our members to the large audience using our websites every day.” In addition to the on-line business directory that lists all members, new banner ads and enhanced listings provide additional opportunities for exposure.

The Chamber is also providing timely information to members at the member-oriented website, www.flagstaffchamber.org. News updates are provided regularly; updates are made every two days on average.

One of the best bargains available for promoting your business to the Chamber membership is the mid-month flier mailing.
For $125, we’ll mail 1,300 fliers to the full Chamber mailing list, including 300 additional representatives at larger member companies. You only need to provide the Chamber with 1,300 copies by the 5th of the month; they’ll be mailed by the 10th. Call Member Services Assistant Heather Rogers to schedule your fliers. Heather can also help with advertising opportunities in “Flagstaff Today.”



  

 In this issue:
 New Members
Ribbon Cuttings

 Page 2
 Comment from
 the President

 Page 3
 Vincent Brings Congressional Experience to Chamber Staff-
 Cost-of-Living Jumps in 4th Quarter-
 Phoenix Expansion Means Businss for Flagstaff-

 Page 4
 Howling Good Time at Flagstaff Night-
Be an Insider at City Hall-
 Beware of Phantom Chambers-

 Page 5
 Looking for Employees_-
 
 Page 6
 From the Chamber Mailbag-
 Use the Chamber Network -
   
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