Congratulations to Russellville automotive parts manufacturer Ventra Plastics and General Manager Ron Barbe on winning the inaugural Corporations for The Commonwealth award "for a civic-oriented large business." State Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes was in Logan County Wednesday to present the award to Barbe, who is a member of the Chamber Board of Directors, and the Ventra crew. Despite the very warm temperatures there was a standing-room only crowd and Secretary Grimes also toured the plant after the award was presented.
Ventra Plastics was nominated for the state-wide award by Paula Timberlake with LEAD. The Corporations for The Commonwealth Award recognizes Kentucky businesses that demonstrate a commitment to corporate giving, a drive to improve local and/or regional social conditions, and a culture of giving within their organizations. We should all be proud the first of this kind of award went to a Logan County business!
SOUTHERN HOME DESIGNS
The Chamber would like to congratulate chamber member Southern Home Designs on their Open House/ Ribbon Cutting on July 21. Rob Johnson was the winner of a beautiful mirror. Be sure to drop by Southern Home Designs located at 1211 Nashville Road; you will be impressed with their great selection. I found gifts I didn't know I was even looking for!
DAYMAR NETWORKING, LEVINE GROUP RIBBON CUTTING COMING UP
Mark your calendars now for the Daymar College Networking Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 11. Also, the Chamber will be having a ribbon-cutting celebration for the Levine Group Inc. Russellville office on Aug. 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 8 a.m. Look for more info on both events in coming weeks.
WOMEN IN BUSINESS SEPT. 3
We are excited to announce the Women In Business Luncheon will be on Sept. 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Logan County Extension Facility. The cost is $15. The speaker this year is Mrs. Evelyn Richardson, who will discuss the role women have played in businesses in Logan County. We have a full house each year, so get your tickets now! Call Amanda at the Chamber at 270-776-2206.
THE ROAD TO RETAIL
The Retail Initiative Committee met for the first time recently, and we were able to have a great meeting with Mike Harris, a former Logan Aluminum Executive and owner of Zaxby's franchises in Franklin, Murray and Evansville, Ind. Mr. Harris was very informative and spoke with the committee about his experiences with his franchise, the difficulty of bringing a "fast casual" restaurant to small towns like Franklin and Murray and what Russellville and Logan County are lacking to attract certain types of retail.
Mr. Harris also shared some wisdom and gave advice on how cities and counties with twice Logan's size do not have available information and maps on what land, storefronts and areas are available for retail. While the meeting was mostly informational, it was a great way for the committee to be able to speak face-to-face with a person who has invested, built and then ran a franchise in a small town in Kentucky. A big thanks to Mr. Harris and we will be sure to take his advice very seriously as we move forward.
Look for more in the coming months on our retail initiative.
BLUEGRASS CELLULAR RIBBON CUTTING
We had a great crowd earlier this summer for the ribbon cutting/coffee and networking event at the remodeled Bluegrass Cellular store in Russellville. Besides the food and fellowship Chamber President Shane Hayes was able to present a $100 check for the "Stuff The Bus" program to Bluegrass Cellular. Bluegrass is accepting donations, which will be matched, for the program to help with school supplies locally.
TOBACCO FESTIVAL SPONSORS, SCHEDULE
We are still working on the Logan County Tobacco and Heritage Festival sponsorships, and if you want to sponsor an event, contact us at the Chamber. Also, the Tobacco Festival Steering Committee met last week and was able to set the complete schedule for the festival. Look for a rundown of events, times, dates and places in the coming weeks.
That is all for this week. If you need me or want a visit sooner than later, please feel free to call or email me and I'll be glad to come visit or help you in any way I can. After all, the Chamber is a service organization and its members are its lifeblood. Let us know what we can do for you.