COUGAR CAVE

This past week I was able to be part of an event I felt was as good feeling as anything I have been a part of in a long time. Of course, I’m speaking about the Chamber’s ribbon-cutting and grand opening event at the Cougar Cave, located on the Logan County High School Campus.

The store, which will be run by the Exceptional Education Department and consisting of students with various levels of special needs, was a treat, the excitement of the teens was something to behold. We had a great turnout from the Chamber membership, and I was glad to see so many show up on a cold Thursday morning.

I included a couple of photos with this report, but if you want to see more, visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/logan.chamber.7. Also, WBKO television station from Bowling Green covered the event and if you want to watch its report (which includes 2015 Chamber President Shane Hayes and 2014 Chamber President Brent Summers) click here: http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/Logan-County-High-School-Opens-New-Business-294301221.html

ANNUAL DINNER – NO CRAWFISH HEADS!

The invitations have been sent out for the March 19 Annual Dinner, and we have seen several RSVPs already. A couple times we have had phone calls asking just what, exactly, do we mean by a Mardi Gras-themed dinner? 

More to the point, as one caller asked us, “There won’t be any weird food, will there?” 

“What do you mean by weird food?” we asked. 

“You know, sucking out crawfish heads or anything like that.”

No, no crawfish head sucking or alligator tails or sausage so hot your tongue falls off. But we are going to have such wonderful food as Cajun chicken, red beans and rice, green beans, gumbo, French bread and desserts, and we are going to have a great time. If you are looking for fun, food and fellowship, don’t miss this wonderful event!

Also, if you would like to sponsor a table at the Annual Dinner, call Amanda Baker at the Chamber at 270-726-2206. We have just a few tables still available.

RIGHT-TO-WORK ORDINANCE

The Logan County Fiscal Court unanimously passed, on second reading Tuesday, to go ahead with the countywide ordinance supporting what is known as right-to-work legislation that has been passed in surrounding counties such as Warren, Simpson and Todd.

Briefly, in places where right-to-work laws exist, employees can’t be compelled to pay dues for fees of any kind to work in a union shop. That’s true even in cases where unions have exclusive representation agreements win which the unions are compelled to represent all employees. (C-J, Jan. 16, 2015.)

Chamber President Shane Hayes addressed the fiscal court before the vote to relay the Chamber Board’s support of the measure. There were also several members of the Chamber and LEAD in the audience to show support as well.

WORK STUDY PROGRAM AT WKU

If you want to join Logan County employers who already benefit from the WKU Kentucky Work-Study Program, you can be eligible to get good help. According to Jane Morris with the WKU program, employers who are eligible to participate in the program could receive $2 per hour reimbursement, up to a maximum amount, on any eligible students with funds provided by the KHEAA.

The hours an employer can be reimbursed for a student may vary but can be as many as 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. It is possible that during the holidays and the summer semester, an employer could receive reimbursement up to 40 hours per week.

Contact us here at the Chamber office if you are interested or call Morris at 270-745-3095 for more information. You can also visit their website at www.wku.edu/career.

MEETINGS

We had two great meetings Wednesday: One was with the Chamber Ambassadors and the other was with Paige Dockins, Chair of the Tobacco and Heritage Festival Steering Committee for 2015.

At the Ambassador meeting, we discussed upcoming events and having an Ambassador 101 class in April to kick off a newly structured program that will go along with the upcoming Chamber Strategic Plan.