Culpeper Has Much to Offer in the Fall

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

August 26, 2013

The summer is essentially over when our kids are headed back to school. This time of year often awakens a fresh outlook on our opportunities. Most of us have the institutional calendars built into our annual routines. We are able to catch our breath and set our sights on the months ahead. This time of year is almost as powerful for goal setting as the new year.  

September and October in Culpeper are among the best months on the calendar. We will see the days shorten and the temperatures cool off. We will see the leaves change to spectacular colors. Our picturesque setting is a magnet for those in the Northern Virginia and Greater Washington Area to get out to the country for a weekend. Our restaurants and hotels will be busy with guests to our ever famous Town.

I used to think how great it would be to live in such a setting when I would come to Culpeper on business. My family and I joined the community in Culpeper moving here almost 25 years ago and we continue to appreciate the access to our natural beauty on a daily basis. My recent trips to NOVA and Richmond have refreshed my appreciation for our quality of life in Culpeper. I often joke that our traffic jams are when a few cows get loose and block the road. It is not quite that serene but it is close.

Since the Chamber of Commerce currently runs the Visitor Center, I hear many of the stories of those who visit our community. They are attracted to our area for many reasons. Our staff is of course very helpful in answering questions. However, we are always impressed with the stories from visitors of how helpful our citizens are. They remark about how someone helped them in some way or another. One might think that we have ambassadors at every corner. It is true - we do have many fans and it makes a big difference.

As you prepare for the next few months, consider making one of your goals to take time to visit a place in Culpeper that is new to you. Consider visiting one of the battlefields or take in a show at the State Theatre. Try a new restaurant, or visit one of our boutique shops to expand your ambassadorship knowledge. Once educated on the new place in Culpeper - tell everyone about it…. Our businesses love good stories on Trip Advisor, Facebook, and Twitter….

Set a goal to expand your ambassadorship with greater knowledge and greater reach. And… Invite your family and friends from NOVA to visit Culpeper and enjoy our Town this Fall. 

Collaboration Builds Opportunity

CSE

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

August 19, 2013

The collaboration with the business community and public educators in Culpeper County continued on Friday with the Annual Business, Industry, and Education Day. The businesses welcomed educators both new and seasoned to the new year in our public school system at Eastern View High School. The day was successful on all counts.

I want to say a big thank you to the Culpeper County School Administrators and especially Randi Richards Lutz for pulling together the teamwork to make this possible. Also, a special thanks the Greg Beamer for coordinating the refreshments. The businesses were especially thankful for the help from the girls field hockey team and the ROTC students for their assistance. The students were so polite and worked well together.

It is a pleasure to see such happy faces during the BIE Day activities. It could have been the Knakals Donuts, the Calhoun’s ham biscuits, the coffee from Culpeper Regional Health System, or the bottle water donated by Walmart. However, I think that there was a lot more to it than the great breakfast. We are so pleased to connect with the educators as business to promote the “Buy Local” message. Business is largely about relationships and educators and business were able to meet and discuss mutual interests and opportunities. The educators often leave with good deal of supplies for their classrooms as well.

In addition to the 100 businesses on hand to greet our educators, the event sponsors are impressive. The businesses in the  community are big fans of the Culpeper County School educators. Their support is significant throughout the year. We extend a special thanks to our event sponsors. Culpeper Regional Health System, Germanna Community College, Culpeper Star Exponent, Verizon - Terremark, Culpeper Times Community Newspaper, The P.I.G. Legacy, TE Connectivity, Braggs Corner Industrial Center LLC, Found & Sons Funeral Chapels, JHB Rental Properties & Storage, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Today’s Country 103.1 WJMA, StellarOne, Appleton Campbell Plumbing - Heating - A/C - Electrical, Union First Market Bank, Virginia Community Bank, Shear Secrets LLC Beauty Salon, Home Instead Senior Care, Cintas, Virginia National Bank, Aflac - Ed Petrovitch, Continental Automotive Systems Inc., Culpeper Media Network, and Culpeper Farmers Cooperative / CFC Farm & Home Center.

Welcome to the new educators to Culpeper from the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to offering our support in your mission to educate our future workforce... From what I observed on Friday - This will be the best year yet!!!

Education Advances Opportunities At Any Age

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

August 12, 2013

This week is a big week for most students. They are preparing to head back to school in the next couple of weeks. However, as adults we often overlook the notion of upgrading our education and advancing our opportunities. We are very fortunate to have a world class resource right in our back yard for education.

Germanna classes begin August 19th for credit programs. There is still time to enroll in classes right up to August 19th. In fact Germanna Community College Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper makes it easy to inquire about class and curriculum options. The new “Welcome Center” is open at the facility to help with all questions about enrollment and financial aid for Germanna Community College classes.

August 17th from 10 - 12 has been designated as a welcome day for new students and those seeking information about various disciplines. The welcome day session will be held at all Germanna locations including Locust Grove. There will be a chance for door prizes and refreshments for those that attend the session at the various Germanna locations. If you are interested in Nursing - be sure to attend the session at the Locust Groove campus.

The Culpeper location has enhanced their class selections by increasing the number of Business and Economics classes at this campus. Germanna has added a new major this year in electrical engineering. The college is also offering a hybrid curriculum graduating students as an Associate of Technical Studies aimed at fortifying local business needs for Advanced Manufacturing skills.

Education is a gateway to financial and cultural strength both individually and as a community. Take advantage of access to advanced education through the programs offered at Germanna. Explore the many resources for financial aid and student loans at the Germanna Community College - Daniel Technology Center - Welcome Center to move your goals forward. Dream big...

http://www.germanna.edu/admissions/applyonline.asp

Business Development Opportunities

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

August 5, 2013

Banners, Webinars, Networking, Ribbon Cuttings, Collaboration, Candidates Forums, Leadership Development, Sand, and Crabs! These are just a few key words that describe the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce in the next few months. Pull your calendars out and join us to take advantage of the benefits of our membership momentum. Business is bullish on Culpeper and we are very excited about our agenda for business development opportunities. Here are a few of the highlights:

August 8th 5:30 - 7 PM - Members Only Mixer at the State Theatre - This is one of the Season’s Best...

August 12th 8:30 AM @ The Depot - Chamber Member Social Media Engineers meet to informally discuss the latest in social media.

August 14th- 5 PM Ribbon Cutting at TechBOX - A new PC & MAC repair / tech support company in the heart of downtown Culpeper.

August 21st 5 PM - Ribbon Cutting for the New Department of Economic Development Office

August 22nd 5:30 - 7:00 PM - Members Only Mixer at Embrace Home Loans - Very Cooool Networking in the heat of August..

September 5th Noon - Young Professionals Luncheon - Presentation about Roberts Rules of Order.

September 7th Saturday Evening - Young Professionals Crab Feast - Tickets are available the Depot or online at www.CulpeperChamber.com

September 10th - Noon-1 PM - Non-Profit Council meeting at Culpeper Library - Presentation by Cole Johnson of the Northern Piedmont Foundation about New Fundraising Strategies for Non-Profits - All Non-Profits in the Region are welcome.

September 18th - 11:30 - 12:30 - Ribbon Cutting - Integrity Auto’s New 2nd Location in Culpeper

September 19th 5:30 - 7 PM Ribbon Cutting - Goodwill Industries new workforce facility

September 23rd - The Premier Golf Tournament of the Season - The Pepper Open at the Country Club of Culpeper. www.PepperOpen.com

September 26th - 5:30 - 7 PM Members Only MIixer Culpeper Surgery Center

October 10th - Women’s Networking Luncheon

October 24th - Candidates Forum - Virginia State Delegates, Culpeper Board of Supervisors

For more information and up to date event listings - Go to www.CulpeperChamber.com