Thinking ahead to 2012 taxes

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent Monday, November 28, 2011

What will next year look like when it comes to our taxes? This is a sensitive subject and yet one that we must face considering the challenges in our economy. Though there is good news for our local economy on many fronts. The revenue into our local governments will force us to make decisions about how to save money while growing our economy.

In essence, economic growth is a driving solution to the revenue challenges faced by local governments. The more meals eaten out, the more hotel rooms filled, the more our retailers sell, the more our professional services sell, the more our businesses produce and sell, the better our tax revenues. Buy Local!!! Simple right!

Let’s look a bit closer. There is one part of the equation that is not addressed in the list above, home values. Our tax revenues are based on the assessed values of homes. This is a significant factor in revenues for our local governments. The foreclosures have depressed values to a point that revenues are also depressed. Local governments often “equalize” the tax rate to offset the decrease in revenues from lower assessments.

So, if we are to see a broad base revenue increase from improved real estate assessments then the values need to increase. In order for the values to increase there must be demand, right? So how do we increase demand for local housing? Of course recruiting business to create jobs is one solution, and yet this takes time to impact the values.

So, what is another solution? My research suggests that home values in Northern Virginia are stable and increasing. We are typically subject to a timed ripple effect in Culpeper. Market improvements in NOVA usually work their way out to Culpeper... eventually? This is where we have opportunity. My theory is that we can bypass the ripple effect with strategic invitations to NOVA buyers by pooling our marketing efforts.

Today’s “strategic digital marketing” allows us to send targeted intuitive messages online, optimizing dollars for uniquely productive results. The new marketing efforts can find buyers ready to buy and deliver them to Local Real Estate Agents. A big issue for our local real estate agents is that buyers in NOVA initiate contact with NOVA agents and “drive until they qualify”. We need our agents to be the expert that these buyers find when searching for housing solutions and deliver them to Culpeper.

Local Agents are the ones that contribute to our local non-profits, charities, and youth sports teams. Supporting them and finding a way to deliver out of market buyers to them and to Culpeper can be a critical part of our economic success formula. Absorbing foreclosures, increasing demand for homes, and finding buyers for our area has potential to bring our community to a preferred level of prosperity.
 Stimulating local real estate is not a “pro growth” message. It is a building block to economic improvements. We need our local real estate market to improve in order for our local economy to support local needs: funding for schools, funding for emergency services, revenues for local business….
 The sooner we employ “Strategic Digital Marketing” the sooner we will see the potential results.

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

Giving Thanks

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent Monday, November 21, 2011

Thanksgiving is the cornerstone of transformation. The holiday season is a time of reflection, hope, and change according to one of my favorite pastors. He goes on to say that he often takes inventory of the many blessings in his life, enabling him to be prepared for the opportunities that will present themselves.

It is too easy to focus on the negative. We are almost drawn to it, conditioned to do so, as we hear “The News”. But really, we have an opportunity to change what we hear…. after all the root of “News” is “NEW.” By paying attention, choosing what we hear, we can refocus on the real news…. opportunity for transformation.

“Thanks Giving” is a course to a new outlook, much like driving a car. Imagine seeing “Thanks Giving” written on the side of your vehicle. Let’s go for a ride. First, we need to put the key in the ignition, a good indication that we want to change where we are. Great, we are ready to go. Not so fast, first let’s make sure that we have our seat belt on, we plan to arrive safely, so no negatives…. Seatbelts protect us from the negatives…

Now let’s adjust the rear view mirror. We need to see what lies behind us. We are looking for the positives, the things to be thankful for. What were they this year? You know, time with family, a fitness program that worked, or a goal set and attained. Whatever they were, they are in the rear view mirror. Knowing the successes of the past (things to be thankful for) can set the stage for a confident positive future.

Now that the rear view mirror is set, we need to check out where we are. Is there anything blocking your way? OK, now you know the best path to get moving forward. Turn on the engine and put “Thanks Giving” into gear. Oh Wait – where are we going? Good question. We need to key in a GPS destination, right (aka, our goals to move forward)! Now we are ready to move.

The windshield is clear and we can see the road. Though we have set the GPS to tell us how to get to our destination, we are still in the driver’s seat. We need to keep our eyes on the road, thankful for each successful milestone in our journey.

Where will your thanksgiving inventory take you this holiday season? The possibilities are yours to explore. Will it bring the freedom of forgiveness? Will your search set you free to achieve a new level of fitness (physical and mental)? Could it possibly bring a new way of doing business that sets the table for financial freedom? Thanksgiving can be a cornerstone, a transformation, and a freedom to succeed. Travel safely… to the NEW thankful you.

Jim Charapich is the President/CEO
Culpeper Chamber of Commerce.

Shopping in the heart of Virginia

Picture courtesy
of Culpeper.com

As a community, we have a lot to be thankful for this Holiday Season. However, as I look at the calendar of events for November and December, we are not resting on our proverbial laurels. We have exciting holiday activities going on!!!  Here are just a few to put on your calendar….
Sunday, November 20 - Noon to 5 PM, Holiday Open House in Downtown Culpeper (organized by Culpeper Renissance). Plus - Have Your Little One’s Picture Taken With Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus At The Depot on East Davis Street, 1pm to 4pm Downtown Culpeper $5.00 Donation Per Picture All proceeds benefit Services to Abused Families, Inc. (SAFE). And, the Blue Ridge Chorale will be performing Christmas Carols outside the Depot for the Community Tree Lighting @ 5:30 PM.

If you miss Santa at the Holiday Open House, He will be returning again to the Depot: The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group will host Santa Claus on Saturday, December 3rd from 10 AM – 1PM at the Visitors’ Center located in the Depot at 109 S Commerce Street, Culpeper.  Bring your own camera to capture this special moment.  Donations of canned foods are being accepted for the community food closet.

Want to hear more!!  The Blue Ridge Chorale presents "Destination: Christmas": 7 PM; Prince Michel Winery; 154 Winery Lane Leon, VA 540 948-4573 This holiday season, the Blue Ridge Chorale of Culpeper, directed by Virginia Erwin, will present a choral journey of seasonal music, from Medieval to contemporary, highlighted with selections from Karl Jenkins acclaimed work The Armed Man, a Mass For Peace. Holiday hors d'oeuvres buffet; with wine available separately. Tickets $25 for adults and $15 for children in advance only.

Finally, If you are in town for some final shopping and would like to treat yourself to something very unique to Culpeper… make a reservation a the Library of Congress for special showings of classic holiday movies such as MIRACLE ON 34th STREET on Dec 22 @ 7:30 or  IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE on Dec 23 @ 7:30. 

Shopping in Culpeper is like hot chocolate on Christmas morning with a big marshmallow on top. Join us to savor your shopping experience….