A "Hyper Local" source of info

Published December 27, 2010 in the Culpeper Star Exponent

“Hyper Local” is a buzz word for all things local. With our access to national and global information, local culture and quality of life can become lost in the noise of larger voices. We are therefore, fortunate to have the Culpeper Star Exponent as a hyper local source of information about what happens in our community.

For a business to find the news, write about it professionally, package it in a printed form, package it in an electronic form, make it available in a printed copy, electronic copy, and now thru a smart phone app is remarkable. Doing it every day and delivering it to our door, email address, and smart phones… is even more amazing.

The need for local news is ongoing. We love the entertainment, edutainment, as well as the stories that affect our quality of life. The news reports tell of our good sides and sometimes those sides of us that are not so perfect. Having the professional forum to bring such information to the public is a treasured part of our American freedom.

Associates, reporters, journalists, and administrators of the Star Exponent are local residents and committed to our quality of life. I have admired their dedication to supporting our community success in so many ways. Where do local organizations go when they need to get the message out for their event? Where do local businesses go to get their message out locally about their products and services? Who do citizens go to when they want to make known an issue or an individual opinion? They often go to a trusted source for packaging and distributing the message, our friends at the Culpeper Star Exponent.

Though there are certainly changes in how news is delivered, there is nothing like opening the newspaper on Sunday morning with a cup of coffee (a local blend of course). The stories, opinions, and advertisements are something that many of us look forward to weekly and daily. Having reporters and journalists on the ground in Culpeper is critical to reporting the news here for local consumption.

I know many of my fellow column writers. I also know that we work at what we write with a great deal of pride. Our opportunities to express our views as local citizens, professionals, and civic leaders are made known through the generosity of the Culpeper Star Exponent. I am very thankful for the Star Exponent, their leadership, their involvement in the community, and the important role that they play in our free society.

To the associates of the Culpeper Star Exponent – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year – May 2011 be a year of prosperity for you, your advertisers, and your enlightened readers.

Chamber Membership a Great Gift!

Published December 20,2010 in the Culpeper Star Exponent

 

Considering gifts at the last minute? I have seen so many Facebook posts from friends suggesting that they have a lot of shopping left to do for Christmas gifts.  Let the Culpeper Chamber make it easy for you. We have “Chamber Cash” that you can buy to stuff those stockings. The Chamber cash is accepted by many local businesses and makes it easy to support the “Buy Local” strategy that we all have. Call the Chamber office at 540-825-8628 or come by the Depot for details.

What else do we have in our gift bag for you at the Chamber??? Consider a gift that will provide returns throughout the year. If you have not joined yet – we have a deal for you thru the end of this year. Chamber Membership makes it easy for you to connect with other businesses and consumers to enhance your business opportunities. A Chamber Membership will provide a way for you and your employees to connect with new opportunities in 2011.

What would Chamber membership offer you and your business? Glad you asked… I hope that your stocking can handle all of these… Member Referrals, Member Referral Statistics,  Business Seminars, Website Visibility, Mobile App Visibility, Business Discounts, Member Business Card and Brochure Distribution, Culpeper Chamber Community Guide and Business Directory, Informational and Network Breakfasts, Information and Network Lunches (RAVE Luncheons), Annual Banquet & Silent Auction, CulpeperFest & Business Expo, The “Pepper Open” Classic Golf Tournament, Chamber News Newsletter, Chamber News Email, Community Leadership Development Programs, Posts on CulpeperJobs.com, New Member Announcements, Young Professionals Group, Human Resource Council, Hot Deals on the Chamber Website and MyChamberApp, Non-Profit Council programs (see http://www.basicsbootcamp.com/ for the next program) , Legislative Programs and updates, Membership Mixers, and much more. The gift of Chamber membership has the ROI that fits all business plans.

Finally, one of the most sought after ways to benefit from your membership in the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is a coveted seat on one of the Leadshare Groups. The groups meet in the mornings and share business leads and business support among the members of each group. The leadshare groups are designed to assist participants in expanding their business network.  It is an active and structured system for furnishing and receiving business referrals. These are especially helpful for those home based businesses to keep their business and communication skills sharp. The groups meet each week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at various locations in Culpeper. Go to http://www.leadshare.net/  for more information. Give yourself the gift of joining a leadshare group in 2011.

Our mission at the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is to be the voice of the business community working to promote, build, and support the most effective climate for economic development. Join us to add your voice to the mission of the Chamber. Contact Martha Snider, at the Culpeper Chamber office located at the Depot to connect you and your associates today. Your Chamber – Your Business – Our Future.

Jim Charapich, President/CEO Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce

jcharapich@culpepervachamber.com

“Preparing for a Brighter Future”

Published December 6,2010 in the Culpeper Star Exponent

 

“Preparing for a Brighter Future” was the title of the first Virginia Economic Summit developed and hosted by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. The Summit was held at Kingsmill in Williamsburg on Thursday and attracted leaders in Virginia from Business, Government, and Academia.

With Virginia’s status as a leader in job creation in the United States, the conference reflected our success as well as our opportunities for improvement. Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Vice President for Business Management presented the case for why they choose Fairfax County for their new headquarters.  In addition to the many statistical reasons for their location choice, they were attracted to the location as a result of the “we are here to help you” attitude demonstrated by state and local governments.

The Executive Vice President and CFO, Rolls-Royce North America, Inc. made similar comments about their choice to locate their advanced manufacturing  facility 35 miles south of  Richmond. He described the project, Rolls-Royce Cross Point Center, as a vision and with good reason. The project is robust and includes resources from the entire state. Why this location? It intersects with 295, 95, and adjacent route 64 as major highway routes. It is proximate to the deep water Port of Virginia and the largest US Naval Base. Richmond International Airport and major rail routes are easily accessible. Virginia has world class research & educational institutions such as the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. In addition, The Virginia Community College system will play an important role in workforce development. The vision is to develop the 1000 acre property into a “major aerospace center integrating advanced manufacturing and research across multiple partnerships.” The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) will also be located on the Rolls-Royce grounds and offer other major companies opportunities to collaborate in research and development efforts.

Though these success stories are outstanding, we have some work to do in order to keep the momentum in attracting excellence employers to our Commonwealth. One concern was in the area of transportation. As location teams evaluate sites, they are very interested in the quality of life for their employees. Traffic in Northern Virginia was cited as the 2nd worst in the nation. Traffic in the tide water area is significant issue as well. Our Global competitors are solving this issue proactively and we cannot afford to fall behind.

Other sessions – The Economic Impact of Healthcare and Federal Legislation, Creating a World Class Workforce, Innovative Economic Development Programs, and A Look at Opportunities and Emerging Industries were rich and resourceful. The Virginia Chamber of Commerce - 2010 Virginia Economic Summit has set a new mark of excellence. Virginia Business is stronger and more focused as a result of the leadership of the new President of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce - Barry DuVal. “Preparing for a Brighter Future” is a foundation that we look forward to building on in Culpeper, Virginia.

Jim Charapich, President/CEO Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce

jcharapich@culpepervachamber.com