Bustling week for chamber

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, May 16, 2011

 

This past week was a busy week at the Chamber of Commerce, beginning with a tour of the new Radiology Oncology Center at Culpeper Regional Hospital. The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Major Industry Council members toured the center last week. According to the CRH website “there are only four other machines in Virginia, this cutting-edge technology is the first of its kind in our region. Tomo Therapy uses a fresh approach and new design to treat malignant tumors. Tomo delivers radiation doses that conform to the tumor and minimize exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, resulting in improved outcomes, fewer side effects and a higher quality of life.”

I was especially impressed with the discussion following the tour with Dr. Khandelwal. When asked what differentiates the facility in Culpeper Regional Health System from others nationally? He smiled and replied, “In addition to the newest technology contained in the Tomo Therapy unit, we have a team of specialists that we consult with at the University of Virginia Health System each week to determine the best treatment strategy for our patients.” What a great approach for business leaders to adopt in developing their business strategies, collaborating with other like minded business professionals on a regular basis. The new unit is certainly a significant addition to the Culpeper Region on many levels.

Later in the week the Chamber celebrated in the ribbon cutting and Grand Opening of the new Blue Ridge Produce operation in the former Willow Run property next to the Culpeper Regional Airport.  The operation lead by the core management team has the potential to enable more productive use of farm land in our region. It has the potential to encourage a new generation of entrepreneurial farmers. It has the potential of bringing a new level of prosperity to some of our farm families thru connecting the affluent Washington market with the local quality producers.  Welcome Blue Ridge Produce!

Finally, through a lot of hard work and dedicated effort, The Chamber Marketing Committee and the Culpeper Star Exponent completed the 2011 Community Guide. The guide will be released on schedule at CulpeperFest on June 2nd. The Community Guide is a great resource for finding information about Culpeper. The guide showcases Culpeper in a great way. We have even added the newest QR codes in some sections for easy smart phone access to information. The photography is also exceptional. We have some very talented photographers in the community who were very generous in providing great images of Culpeper.

If you are interested in Culpeper Chamber of Commerce activities, go to our Chamber Calendar at CulpeperChamber.com. Or, find us on Facebook, Twitter, CulpeperBusiness.com, and CulpeperFest.com for more information.

Jim Charapich, President/CEO 

Approach to taxes is key to success in this economy

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent
Monday, May 9, 2011

 

Though there is a general perception that the economy is improving. We are all painfully aware of fuel costs and their inflationary effects. Hearing the challenges of our local governments in developing budgets, it is clear that in order to keep taxes low we will need more revenue side solutions. I applaud our local government’s efforts to keep taxes low. Tax side solutions have a diminishing return on the local economy. This would pull dollars away from consumer and business disposable and discretionary income at a time when reserves are thin. There is no debate that taxes are a necessary part of our economy. It is the way that we approach the issue that makes all of the difference.

Congratulations to the Board of Supervisors for delaying the Traffic Impact Fee (TIF) implementation until next year. Considering the new transportation funding in place from Richmond, the need appears to be diminished.
Congratulations to the town and the county for voting to approve the Voluntary Settlement of Annexation and Utility Issues between the town and county. This is a model of leadership and collaboration that will strengthen our economic future.

Both issues are significant in moving our local economy forward. However, it is vital that we continue to focus on job creation and other economic strategies for improving Culpeper’s economy.

Jobs offer solutions to many of the challenges that we face. According to a report by Charles B. Kennington Economist - Research Division Virginia Economic Development Partnership, “In addition to the direct jobs created, basic industry employment generates multiplier effects. A new or expanding industry creates indirect employment and output by increasing the demand for business services, raw materials, intermediate goods, and the like. And, the increase in activity stimulates demand for consumer goods and personal services.” New jobs can contribute exponentially to our local economy.

In addition, we as businesses and citizens have opportunities to be creative in delivering additional revenue into the local economy every day. We can make a difference by choosing to buy locally as described in the Be a Culpeper Local educational materials. Another creative example is Chamber Cash for anyone to purchase as gifts, redeemable at only local businesses and sold at the Chamber office.

We can also showcase Culpeper as members of civic groups, church organizations, sports groups, and professional organizations. Inviting your groups from outside of Culpeper to host their meeting or competition here in Culpeper can have a significant impact on the local revenues (and potentially additional jobs).

We have opportunities every day to shape decisions, stimulate our economy, and find creative solutions. Our economic prosperity depends on it.

Jim Charapich is the President/CEO of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at jcharapich@culpepervachamber.com.

National Day of Prayer set for May 5 at Noon

Displayed in my office is a picture of George Washington kneeling next to his horse on snow covered ground. The framed picture is one of my favorite, as it draws comments of admiration from many that visit my office.

The inscription etched in colonial script goes as follows: ‘The Prayer at Valley Forge: I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God and those who have the superintendence of them into his holy keeping.” – George Washington.

The picture, painted by Arnold Friberg, is a reflection of a testimony from a Valley Forge Quaker named Isaac Potts and recorded in  "Diary and Remembrances" of Rev. Nathaniel Randolph Snowden, a Presbyterian minister and a Princeton graduate (Original Manuscript at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Call no. PHi.Am.1561-1568) (found at prayeratvalleyforge.com) as follows:

"I was riding with him (Mr. Potts) near Valley Forge, where the army lay during the war of the Revolution. Mr. Potts was a Senator in our state and a Whig. I told him I was agreeably surprised to find him a friend to his country as the Quakers were mostly Tories. He said, "It was so and I was a rank Tory once, for I never believed that America could proceed against Great Britain whose fleets and armies covered the land and ocean. But something very extraordinary converted me to the good faith."

"What was that?" I inquired. "Do you see that woods, and that plain?" It was about a quarter of a mile from the place we were riding. "There," said he, "laid the army of Washington. It was a most distressing time of ye war, and all were for giving up the ship but that one good man. In that woods," pointing to a close in view, "I heard a plaintive sound, as of a man at prayer. I tied my horse to a sapling and went quietly into the woods and to my astonishment I saw the great George Washington on his knees alone, with his sword on one side and his cocked hat on the other. He was at Prayer to the God of the Armies, beseeching to interpose with his Divine aid, as it was ye Crisis and the cause of the country, of humanity, and of the world.

"Such a prayer I never heard from the lips of man. I left him alone praying. I went home and told my wife, 'I saw a sight and heard today what I never saw or heard before', and just related to her what I had seen and heard and observed. We never thought a man could be a soldier and a Christian, but if there is one in the world, it is Washington. We thought it was the cause of God, and America could prevail."

As I considered the subject of this column I was invited to attend the National Day of Prayer ceremony in Culpeper on May 5th 12pm at the Courthouse (rain location – Culpeper Baptist Church). It reminded me of the picture on my wall and the power of faith and humility in leadership.

Jim Charapich, President/CEO of the Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce