Small Business Saturday

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

October 27, 2014

Debbie Stohlman, Acting President/CEO

‘The only certainty in life is death and taxes’, was a constant statement made to me by my father during my teen years. I am certain my dear old dad was trying to teach me a life lesson of independence but all I heard was the death part which totally freaked me out.  Taxes meant nothing to me at the time.  Oh, how blissfully ignorant I was!

This article is not an attempt to extol the virtues or non-virtues of taxation but rather a supportive argument for spending your hard earned dollars locally.   It goes without saying, tax revenue is necessary for the support of roads, infrastructure, libraries, law enforcement,  schools and parks.  Without these amenities the quality of life in our community would suffer.  Tax revenue in Culpeper County and the Town of Culpeper come from many sources.  Let’s focus on sales tax revenue because we all have reasonable control on where we spend our dollars.  

In Virginia, the general sales tax rate is 5.3%.  For every dollar spent in Culpeper on taxable goods or services, 5.3 cents is collected from the consumer and paid by the business to the Commonwealth.  The Commonwealth in turn sends 1 cent back to Culpeper.  According to the Virginia Department of Taxation, Culpeper’s sales from August 2014 generated $611,710.56 in tax revenue for our community.  That is a lot of pennies!  You as a consumer and resident can easily have a positive effect on this figure - simply choose to spend more of your dollars in Culpeper.  As long as you are in Virginia, you will be paying the 5.3% sales tax - why not spend it locally?  It just makes good ‘cents’!

With the holiday season fast approaching, consider this concept.  Direct more of  your holiday dollars to Culpeper businesses.  Not only will your tax dollars come back to our community, but you will be supporting the many businesses that create our unique quality of life.  From the corner gas station and grocery store, to Culpeper’s  retailers and restaurants, both small and large - the dollars you spend in Culpeper are directly related to the tax revenue that comes back to our community.

The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce and Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. will be promoting and supporting Small Business Saturday on November 29th - a program founded by American Express to help small business owners get more customers and to encourage people across the country to support small, local businesses.  The program had its start in 2010 and is now  a holiday shopping tradition. Many local businesses will be participating. It will be the perfect time for you to start directing your dollars to our local businesses.     

      

Ribbon Cutting at Open House

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

October 20 , 2014

Debbie Stohlman, Acting President/CEO

The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is always excited to host a ribbon cutting celebration for any  of our members.  It is a symbolic gesture signaling a new beginning - an opening of a new business, a milestone anniversary or a new location.  

This past Thursday, the tables were turned as the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, hosted its own ribbon cutting.  Our new location on Sperryville Pike gave us a reason to celebrate.  The Chamber’s doors were open all day to allow members and the community to get a peek at the results of this year long project.  

(photo credit: Vincent Vala/Star-Exponent)

We would be remiss if we did not recognize the many members that generously donated to our festive occasion.   Thank you to Randy’s Flowers and Endless Creations Flowers & Gifts for the beautiful floral arrangements throughout our offices.  Thank you to the following members for the delicious food served throughout the day; Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, Atheneans Restaurant, The Ole Country Store, Radishes and Roses Cafe & Catering, Moving Meadows Farm, Luigi’s Restaurant, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Shawn’s Smokehouse BBQ, Pancho Villa Restaurant and the Culpeper County Public Schools Culinary Arts Program.     

The Chamber staff and Board of Directors wish to thank all the members, family and friends that joined us for our day of celebration.  We are proud of this accomplishment and appreciate your support and enthusiasm.

With our symbolic cutting of the ribbon, the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce renews it commitment to be ‘the voice of the business community, working to promote, build, and support the most effective climate for economic development’.  We look forward to continuing this mission as we enter our next century of service.  

Another Jewel in Culpeper’s Crown

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

October 13, 2014

By:  Debbie Stohlman, Acting President/CEO

Throughout this year’s Lead Culpeper program our participants have been introduced to many facets of Culpeper.  The sessions are designed to offer a unique perspective on our community with an emphasis on economic development and quality of life.   This column has served as a diary of the group’s journey, highlighting the many ‘wow’ moments along the way.

Our most recent gathering was hosted by our healthcare community - the newly named UVA Culpeper Hospital.  While the day’s activities centered around the plethora of services offered and the recent merger with the University of Virginia Health System, the one big takeaway of the day was passion.

The session’s agenda was full - each minute carefully allocated so our participants would not miss out on any aspect of this wellness-centric organization.  Each person that stood before us spoke with passion and dedication regarding their role in serving the health needs of Culpeper.  We could not help but find comfort in knowing that Culpeper is in good hands.  

This enthusiasm and zeal was expressed from the top down.   Greg Napps, CEO, UVA Culpeper Hospital, opened our session with a presentation of facts and figures - certainly important in laying the day’s ground work.  Adding to that, he wrapped up with a leadership lesson on setting your personal moral compass and using it to guide you through difficult decisions.  

And so began our day...person after person passionately sharing the mission of their department’s role.  From volunteers to department heads, to physicians and administrators and board members - the message was clear - they are here to serve Culpeper’s health needs and they love doing it.

Rest easy, Culpeper.  UVA Culpeper Hospital is here to stay.  They are committed to our community; they are committed to serving your family; they are committed to serving you.  And their commitment is personal and passionate - what more can we, as a community, ask for?    

UVA Culpeper Hospital - another jewel in Culpeper’s crown.

Chamber as a Business Opportunity

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

October 6, 2014

Debbie Stohlman, Acting President/CEO

 

If you have ever listened to someone speak about their personal or professional success, or have the habit of reading biographies or even historical fiction, there seems to be commonalities on the road to their successes.   Most often there is a defining moment that propelled them to attainment of goals and ultimate success.  Whether these moments were chance meetings, casual conversations with peers or simply life experiences, these moments can be easily described as opportunity.  

 

In closer study of successful people you quickly see that they each recognized opportunity and seized the chance to use it to their full advantage.  If opportunity showed up as a large blinking neon sign saying “Here I am!”, the path to success would be much less bumpy. Sometimes it means being in the right place at the right time, and recognizing that you are in the right place at the right time!  In other words, create your own opportunities.

 

The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is in the business of opportunity creation.  This business organization offers its members a benefits package specifically tailored to help pave a path to success.  Our many networking functions bring you face to face with the business community - people still want to do business with people they know.  The Chamber offers a robust online presence for all members - membership improves your online search rankings.  Our many committees and councils offer members the chance to become involved through volunteerism.  

 

Sponsorship packages can be a perfect complement to your business marketing strategy - they increase your company’s visibility to a wide and varied audience.  Whatever size business you are, the Culpeper Chamber has programs, events and marketing tools to fit your needs.  Create your own opportunities through membership in the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce.  

 

The late, great comedian Milton Berle once said, “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”  Let the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce be your door - all you need to do is open it and Opportunity will welcome you with open arms.