Vol. 3, No. 5 • May 2011

Business ConneCtionKelso longview Chamber of CommerCe • longview Downtowners • Castle roCK Chamber of CommerCe

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Castle Rock Chamber . . . . . .2

Around the Water Cooler . . . .3

Business Toolbox . . . . . . . . .3

Longview Downtowners . . . . .4

President’s Message . . . . . . .5

Mark Your Calendar . . . . . . .6

IN THIS ISSUEFriday, June 17, 2011Longview Country Club

9:00 am Shotgun StartTeams & Sponsorships filling fast!

It may seem like anything but golf weather lately, but it’s not too soon to get your foursome together for the Annual Chamber Golf Classic scheduled for Friday, June 17, 2011, at the Longview Country Club. Registration is at 7:00 a.m. with a Shotgun Start at 9:00 a.m

Our Golf Committee is hard at work to make this year’s tournament even more memorable than the last. Mission impossible? Put together your foursome and come find out! All Chamber members and their guests are invited to participate.

ARE YOU READY TO PAR-TEE?

And The Nominees Are:

CRYSTAL APPLEBrian Mitchell, Choir, Mark MorrisRick Davis, DECA Marketing, Kelso High SchoolTamra Bell, Education Planner, Lower Columbia College Katrina Fuller, Longview School DistrictMark Hottowe, Kelso School DistrictGreg Gardner, Kelso School DistrictBrenda Crawford, Kelso School District

Judy Frandsen, Toutle Lake School DistrictT .J .Frey, On-Track AcademyLouise Emerson, Spanish teacher, Lower Columbia CollegeJerry Zimmerman, Lower Columbia CollegeLisa Mustion, Teacher, Private School

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEARBianca Lemmons, Cowlitz County TitleTed Spraque, Cowlitz Economic Development CouncilSue Piper, Columbia River ReaderDiane Fulton, Walstead Mertsching Dale Lemmons, Interstate Wood ProductsMarti Johnson, LifeWorksPhillip Jurm, Battalion Chief, Longview Fire Dept.Cal Dowd, PrographyxGinny Whiffen, Red Lion Hotel & Conference CenterCathy Barr, St Johns Medical CenterDaryl McDaniel, Chief, Longview Fire Dept.Lonnie Knowles, Stewart TitleWendy Kosloski, Teague’s InteriorsFrank Randolph, Walstead MertschingKim Newbury, Weyerhaeuser

The Kelso Longview Chamber’s Education Foundation will honor outstanding indi-viduals and businesses that make a difference in the local education and business community at their 2011 Education and Business Awards Celebration – An Evening with the Stars on May 11, 2011 at the Cowlitz Regional Conference Center.

This will be a special evening as we show appreciation to business and individuals going above and beyond in commitment and service to better our community. To make your reservation, contact the Chamber Team at 360.423.8400.

cont. page 6

Norman Dick, Walstead MertschingRuss Chittock, American Family Insur-ance - Russ Chittock AgencyJulie Laird, Bicoastal MediaMike Claxton, Walstead MertschingJerri Henry, Futcher-Henry GroupDiana Loback, Global Images Graphic Design & Marketing

WORKFORCE BEST PRACTICEExpress Employment ProfessionalsJacki Masters, Longview City UtilitiesGoodwill IndustriesLower Columbia Pathologists

WORKFORCE INDIVIDUAL AWARD Kevin Taylor, Chief Firefighter, Longview Fire DeptBrendan Glaser, Lower Columbia Col-legeMarissa Jimenez, Somerset Retirement

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEARBanda’s BouquetsBob’s Sporting GoodsColumbia River ReaderCoPrintcoCowlitz County TitleEstetica Day SpaHighlander Cycling ImportsLongview Eye & VisionLongview TireomOriginals Marketing!Opsahl, Dawson & CompanyPrudential Northwest PropertiesThree Rivers Eye CareWalstead MertschingGlobal Images Graphic Design & Marketing

LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEARFibre Federal Credit UnionFred MeyerInterstate Wood ProductsLifeWorksLower Columbia CAPMonticello Park Retirement Com-munityNORPACPeaceHealthPNE ConstructionSt John Medical Center

STATE OF THE COUNTY

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

Kelso Longview Chamber of CommerceQuarterly Membership

Meeting

Cowlitz Regional Conference Center

1900 7th Avenue, Longview11:45 am – 1:30 pm

$30 until June 1$35 after June 1 and at Door

$45/ Not Yet a Member

Featured Speakers:Cowlitz County Commissioners:

Michael KarnofskiJames MisnerGeorge Raiter

You are invited to attend the Kelso Longview Chamber’s 2nd Quarter

Membership Luncheon. As the County moves into recovery, find out how you and your business may be affected by changes in

service and budget.

Reservations for our Quarterly Membership Luncheon can bemade by calling the Chamber

at 360-423-8400.

An Evening with the StarsWho will be coming down the red carpet?

PAGE 2 • MAY 2011 KELSO LONGVIEW BUSINESS CONNECTION

Storytelling Photography LLC“Every photo tells a story ...”

Melody Kranz360.355.5426storytellingphotography@yahoo.comwww.storytellingphotography.com

Castle Rock rocks!

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

Over the last several months our Castle Rock Chamber of Com-

merce has been growing and having a positive effect on the community. Monthly meetings have expanded to over 35 participants who are engag-ing other businesses, City officials and residents to build relationships and improve the community as a whole. We are once again sponsor-ing community events, handing out scholarships and promoting a clean city and business-friendly environ-ment through active involvement with the implementation of the Stra-tegic Marketing Plan and Castle Rock Clean-up Days.

We have engaged quality speakers who influence and affect our area, like Cowlitz County Commissioner Jim Misner and Mt. St. Helens Mon-ument Manager Tom Mulder. We are a friendly group and invite other businesses, or anyone who would like to be part of the positive change happening in Castle Rock.

NEXT MEETING: May 12 (and the 2nd Thursday of every month) at 8:30 am at Castle Rock Visitor Center & Exhibit Hall, 147 Front Ave NW.

To receive the agenda and minutes as a reminder before the next meet-ing, send your email address to: mcvorse@MinutemanPress.com

Kindest regards,

Mike VorsePresident, Castle roCk ChamBer of CommerCe

Energized Chamber sees new growth, bricks & mortar

Castle Rock may seem like a sleepy little town. But based on the level of business activity there lately, you wouldn’t

think so. The community is admiring two handsome, brand new commercial buildings and new businesses are popping up down-

town, including an art and gift gallery, a candy store, and a photography studio. The Chamber of Commerce is on the move. Castle Rock rocks!

Cowlitz River Den-tal just moved into its new building at 358 Front Avenue N.W., opposite Red Canoe Credit Union’s newest branch (top photo). The buildings, separately owned but similar in appearance, were designed by Collins Architectural Group of Longview, and built by BnK Con-struction of Gladstone, Oregon.

Call it “Tooth Acres”Dr. Blaine Kennington and staff now enjoy 50 percent more space than in their former downtown Castle Rock location. Ever since 2002, Kennington and his wife, Carolyn Kennington, have been wanting to move the practice. “We finally have been able to make that happen,” she said. And they are pleased with their new digs.

“We wanted to incorporate a feel of the Northwest,” said Kennington. “The Collins

Group did a great job.” An upstairs space, known as the Clock Tower Conference Room, is available for use by the commu-nity for meetings and events (call 360-274-9100). And the residents of Castle Rock, population estimated at 8,300, will likely find many occasions for getting together.

“I love the community feel,” said photog-rapher Melody Kranz, who is fairly new to town. “Everybody seems to watch out for everybody else.” Kranz operated Sto-rytelling Photography “out of a corner

cont. on page 6

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KELSO LONGVIEW BUSINESS CONNECTION PAGE 3 • MAY 2011

What makes your banker tick?

By Susan Hoosier

TOOLBOXbusiness

cont. on page 6

Question: If you could change just one thing about Downtown Longview, what would it be?

“I’ve lived in Portland and San Francisco, where downtowns are more lively. It takes participation

to make it happen. I’d like to see Downtown thrive due to participation . . . activities, along with

sculpture, art and flowers.”~Michael Montero, General Manager

Longview Country Club

“Around the Water Cooler” is a regular feature of Kelso-Longview Business

Connection. Watch for our roving reporter this month at a water cooler near you.

WATER COOLERaround the

It is unfortunate that business owners frequently consider their lender an

adversary rather than a team member. Mark Twain once wrote “A Banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining and wants it back when it starts to rain.’” In today’s world, banker jokes are probably second only to lawyer jokes.

I would,suggest that business owners reconsider this common attitude toward banking and, instead, consider the ben-efits of treating your lender as one of the members of your management team.

One of the first steps in building strength in your lender relationships is to become more knowledgeable about bankers in general. To this end, you might con-sider reading the book The Small Busi-ness Insider’s Guide to Bankers. This publication does a nice job of providing a synopsis of how the banking industry operates, how to speak the banker’s lan-guage and how to turn your banker into an advocate for the growth and success of your small business.

Uneasy relationships, with a lender, can be traced back to:

Business owners who do not under-stand the most basic facts about the business of banking.

Using the wrong bank or the wrong financing.

Failing to understand the four P’s of a perfect loan proposal and what it means to “package” a loan.

Failing to understand what makes your business “bankable.”

Failing to understand your commit-ments and the implications of resenting your lender’s requests for information.

Not valuing a long-term relationship and how it can impact your survival as a business.

Turnover in the banking industry and the need to continually nurture new relationships.

Here are five steps you can take to improve the relationship with your lender:

Consider reading The Small Business Insider’s Guide to Bankers to learn more about why and how your lender does business.“We might not have a lot of retail shops at the

moment, but if we just had more vibrant window displays and better lighting — especially in the windows — it would make all the difference. Upgrading our window displays could be relatively quick, easy and affordable. Maybe the Downtowners could organize a regular walking tour for retailers who are open to something like ‘peer review,’ a fun exchange with frank feedback and suggestions.”~Kate Packard, Operations ManagerrBeCause Business Resources, Inc., Longview

“Blade signs and floral arrangements on all the store fronts. Makes a world

of difference at a reasonable cost.”~James Misner

Cowltiz County CommisionerKelso, Wash.

“More activities . . . street fairs, car shows, outdoor markets . . . things that bring people downtown. We have such a great walking area.”~Carey MackeyBusiness Development RepresentativeRed Canoe Credit Union, Longview

Kelso longview Chamber of CommerCe Team

Rick Winsman, President/CEONorma Davey, Director of Administration

Amy Johnson, Program DirectorDebbie Brock, Bookkeeper

Kelso visiTor CenTerConnie Parsons, Center DirectorLois Sigurdson, Center Assistant

CowliTz CounTy Tourism bureauMark Plotkin, Tourism DirectorMegan Wells, Tourism AssistantNatalie Haney, Tourism Assistant

Kelso Longview Business Connectionpublished monthly by

Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce

1563 Olympia Way, Longview, WA 98632360-423-8400

Produced by Columbia River ReaderTo advertise, call 360-636-1143

or 360-749-2632. E-mail: nedpiper@comcast.net

PAGE 4 • MAY 2011 KELSO LONGVIEW BUSINESS CONNECTION

Office: 360-425-2950Fax: 360-425-8010Toll Free: 877-425-2950Email: Bonnie@cascade~title.comWeb: www.cascade~title.com

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Celebrating Five events are planned during May to recognize Longview Historic Preservation Month. May 5, 7pm. "Reading Between the Lines: the Stories Old Buildings Tell Us." Talk by Michael Herschensohn of Humanities Washington. May 7, 1pm. Opening events, including two films, at the Longview Public Library. May 14, 10am. Walking Tours of Lions Island

and Japanese Island. May 21, 10am. Walking (or bus) Tour of Old West Side homes. May 22, 2pm. Family Bike ride around historic Lake Sacajawea. Info: Bill Kasch 360-423-6704.

Expanding Highlander Cycling (1313 Commerce) which opened in December 2009, has expanded into the space next door and

doubled in size to more than 6,000 square feet. Owners Scott and Janice Forbes are also planning for the August 6 Second Annual Grand Prix Criterium bike race. More than 200 riders are expected to participate in the 11 races around the Civic Center traffic circle. 360-353-3760.

Expanding and CelebratingLord & McCord Art Works (1416 Commerce) is celebrating its first

anniversary this month. Owner Linda McCord has already had to forgo her art classes in order to expand her gallery space. Ms. McCord said she has “seen Downtown prosper in the past year. The streets are busy, and my November and December exceeded my expectations in sales.” She was also surprised by her business in January and February, ”typically slow months in the art business.” Lord and McCord will be celebrating First Thursday, May 5, from 5-7 with espresso, punch and many fine desserts. 360-423-9100.

Downtown Outdoor Market RedeauxThe Longview Downtowners will launch a Community Market on Saturday, May 14 from 9-2 in the municipal parking lot at 79E 12th Avenue (across from Bob’s between Hemlock and Hudson). The market will offer produce, flowers, plants, prepared foods, arts and crafts and activities for children. When Downtown LIVE activities start on Fridays evenings in July, the market will also be open on Fridays from 4-9. Bob Turner, owner of Beehive Enterprises, will manage the market. Reach Bob for information

and vendor application forms at beehive-enterprises@teleport.com.

Free Help for BusinessesMarcel Goulet, director of CAP’s Financial Independence Center, spoke at the April 12 Downtowners’ meeting about the Business Builder Program . The 11-week program is geared towards both the entrepreneur who wants to start a business and the business owner who wants to increase business knowledge. The core curriculum covers evaluating business potential, organization, the business plan, accounting, marketing and advertising and financing. Christy Payton, owner of Payton’s Produce, credits the program for her decision to open a second store. Info: 360-425-3430 ext. 248.

Your Chance to Win the LotteryTeagues Interiors will host the 4th Annual Antique Appraisal Day on May 14 from 10–-2. Three certified appraisers will be on hand to tell you what your treasures are worth. Laurel Murphy had a vase appraised last year and discovered it was worth $250! A $3 donation benefits the Downtown Street Decorations project.

Four Cowlitz Black Bears players are without a home for the summer. They need beds for 10 weeks and will be on the road for 5 of those weeks. While in town they will likely be at the ballpark the majority of the time and simply need places to lay their heads at night. Host Families receive season tickets to all Black Bears home games and other benefits. For info, contact general manager Grant Wilson, 360-703-3195 or 360-442-1037. cowlitzblackbears.com. Play Ball!

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Rick Winsman

Is exporting the “next best thing” for you?

As the area begins to see some posi-tive signs of recov-

ery, business should be getting a head start on finding ways to grow from the point they left almost three years ago. One way to grow is to consider export-ing products outside of this county. And, since we are so close, Canada is a perfect target.

Exporting can be a great opportunity to branch into a new market to increase revenue. For many businesses, export-ing may be daunting because they believe they are too small; however, size shouldn’t necessarily factor into the decision. Nearly 97% of US exporters are small- to medium-sized companies and the ability for small businesses to expand internationally is only increas-ing as individual economies grow more global. However, exporting is not some-thing that happens overnight or even over the course of several months; it requires detailed planning and strategiz-ing. A business owner should ask some serious questions before venturing into a relatively unknown territory and putting the integrity of their business on the line, including:

What will my company gain from exporting? Do I enjoy the sales part of the business? In other words, am I comfort-able giving pitches, heading up market-ing, being the face of the company? If I’m not, is there someone in the business who is?Is my business financially able to take on the risk of investment in pursuing a foreign market? How much money am I able to dedicate to the venture initially without bearing too much risk? Are such resources better used elsewhere?

What is an acceptable timeline to see suc-cess? How do I measure success in the foreign market, using return on invest-ment (ROI), market share, total rev-enues, profit margins, or other metrics?

Will sharing resources with another mar-ket jeopardize my current operations? Financials aside, do I have the people, the know-how, and ability to spread my focus over additional markets? Does exporting align with company goals?

This is not an exhaustive list, but a good start to take an introspective look at your business. Once you can confidently answer the questions that are important to your business, you can pursue the next step of setting up the infrastructure to get your product into a foreign market. The next step will require determining details and finding partnerships to get your product into the foreign market. Now is the time to get down to business and hammer out some integral details.

You may need to know:•Is a product similar to mine already available in the foreign market? What degree of competition do I expect to face

from established products? What is my niche?

•What customers will I be targeting and how will I identify and reach out to them?

•How will I sell my product? Internet sales, retail locations, some other means?

•Who is going to ship/distribute my product?

•What are the border/tariff regulations of shipping goods into the foreign market?

•Are there regulations specific to my prod-uct in the foreign country that differs from the ones for my current market? Will I have to make modifications to meet these differ-ent regulations? Will these changes com-promise my product or my buseinss as a whole?

•Can my current production capacity sup-port higher demand? What is the expected demand for the new market?

•What retail locations are a good match for my product and are these stores frequented by my target market? More importantly, will these stores carry my product?

•What price will I charge in the foreign cur-rency and what prices are my competitors charging for similar products? What is my pricing strategy? Will I price based on qual-ity and differentiation, or value?

•What are the legal and tax implications of receiving revenue from a foreign country? Are my current attorney and accountant able to handle this or am I going to need to find additional expertise?

Again, there are more questions that may need to be answered, but these cover a broad range of issues that may arise. The most important part of expanding into a foreign market is being prepared and hav-ing enough knowledge to be reasonably comfortable making decisions. You cannot know everything about your new market, so there will be some uncertainty. But you should reduce as much ambiguity as pos-sible and be able to justify your decisions. Two great resources for understanding exporting are www .export .gov and www .choosewashington .com .

Exporting is an option for many small businesses, viable for some but not for others. You won’t know where you stand until researching the opportunity. If your business would like help looking into the potential to export into foreign markets, the Center for Economic Vitality may be able to assist you in this process. Their team of business strategists and research analysts are available to assist businesses across Washington State. Information can be found at www .cevforbusiness .com or through our local Small Business Devel-opment Center or Economic Develop-ment Council .

Oh…did I mention that this assistance is free?

• • •

Rick Winsman is President of the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce.

HERITAGE BANK PROMOTES TWO Laurie Buhl became senior vice president, regional branch manager. In this role, Buhl manages the 13 Heritage Bank retail branch offices from Thurston/Mason County and south to Oregon. Buhl began her employment with Heritage Bank in May 1988 as a part-time customer service representative with the Lacey branch. She transfered to the Shelton branch and advanced progressively to sales system administrator and branch manager, VP and senior VP business banking loan officer. Buhl received the 1994 Employee of the Year Award.Blake Lindskog became senior VP, regional lending manager. In this role, he manages the commercial lending teams from Thurston/Mason County and south to Oregon. Blake joined Heritage Bank in April 1990 as assistant VP, branch manager of the Lacey branch. He advanced steadily, becoming senior vice president, business banking team leader for Thurston County in April 2002. Lindskog received the 1997 Employee of the Year Award and the 2007 Donald V. Rhodes Excellence in Community Banking Award.

PORT CONTINUES STREAK2010 was the third consecutive record-setting year at the Port of Longview . In 2008 the Port topped $23.4 million, in 2009 reached $27.1 million and in 2010 grossed more than $27.7 million in operating revenue. “Our team has worked hard to battle the economic climate,” said executive director Ken O’Hollaren in a press release. “We have found our success in our willingness to be flexible. Whether it is finding new uses for equipment or innovative means of handling cargo, we always fulfill our commitments to our customers.” Net operating income (before depreciation) was $2,997,693 in 2010, when the Port recorded 2.3 million metric tons of total cargo, up 55% from 1.4 million metric tons in 2009. While imports were down, exports soared nearly 70%, with the increase attributable to a rapid increase in demand for logs and agricultural exports, primarily bound for Asia. The decrease of import tonnage by 16% includes an anticipated decline in wind energy cargo. In 2010, construction continued at the new export grain terminal at the Port’s Berth 9, which will boost jobs and revenue to the region. The $200 million private development is expected to be online for the fall 2011 harvest. Last year the Port also signed new tenant Skyline Steel, a subsidiary of ArcelorMittal, to its West Industrial Park.

Publicize your promotions, significant happenings and personnel achievements here. Send info to: ndavey@kelsolongviewchamber.org

PAGE 6 • MAY 2011 KELSO LONGVIEW BUSINESS CONNECTION

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

2011-2012 Board of DirectorsOFFICERSFrank McShane, ChairCascade Networks, Inc.Dale Lemmons, Immediate Past Chair, Interstate Wood ProductsJerri Henry, Treasurer Futcher - Henry GroupMike Claxton, Legal Counsel Walstead Mertsching

DIRECTORSJohn Anderson, Anderson & Anderson Advisory, LLCDavid Campbell, City of LongviewSarah Cave, PeaceHealthDiane Craft, Koelsch Senior CommunitiesJoel Hanson, KLOG/KUKN/TheWAVE Mike Julian, Kelso Theatre PubBianca Lemmons, Cowlitz County TitleJulie Rinard, Community Home Health & HospiceGeorge Raiter, Cowlitz County CommissionerDenny Richards, City of KelsoSpencer Partridge, PNE Construction & CCSTed Sprague, Cowlitz Economic Development CenterRick Winsman, Kelso Longview Chamber

Neil Zick, Twin City Bank

Business Toolboxcont. from page 3

Saturday, May 7, 1 pm Opening Event, Longview Public Library (1.5–2 hours) “Clyde Shadiow’s Historic Photos” from the Long-Bell Reading Room. Refreshments served in Koth Gallery; Mr and Mrs R.A.Long arrive in 1931 Model A Ford, greeted by Longview Mayor Kurt Anaggnostou. Presentations by representatives of Longview Library, ‘23 Club, Longview Historic Preservation Commission. etc. Film, photos, showcase viewing. Visit

LONGVIEW HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH

Longview Room. Two films: KLTV’s “Early Longview” and the making of “Ours to Give.”

Saturday, May 14Walking Tours of Lions Island and Japanese Island, 10 am (takes about 1.5 hours). Meet at front gate entrance to Lions Island. Former City of Longview park superintendent Al George will lead tour explaining history of totem pole, Lake Sacajawea. Commentary by Willapa Hills Audubon Bird Panel representative.

Saturday, May 21Walking (or bus) Tour of Old West Side homes (takes about 1.5 hours). Meet at Vandercook Park. View about half the homes listed in Doris Disbrow’s guidebook.

Sunday, May 22Family Bike Ride around historic Lake Sacajawea (takes about 1.5 hours). 2 pm, meet in front of Monticello Hotel. City officials, Highlander Cycling, Boy Scouts explain route, speak to or escort cyclists, etc.

Four fun events offer historic view of Longview’s landmarks

May 4Education Foundation CommitteeMay 9Member2Member Monthly Mailing DeadlineMay 10Longview DowntownersMay 11Business & Education Awards – An Evening with the STARSMay 12Ambassador CommitteeMay 17Business After Hours - KLTVMay 26Lower Columbia Professional EventCopies Today/Speedy LithoJune 17KLCC Annual Golf ClassicAugust 24Mega MixerEvery WEDNESDAYYour Chamber ConnectionKEDO AM14003:00 – 4:00 p.m.

FREE COUNSELING & GUIDANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESS (existing or being formed)Provided by S.C.O.R.E., an adjunct of the Small Business Administration.Counseling is by appointment only. Call 360.699.1079

Invite your lender to visit your busi-ness and help him or her gain a better understanding of your operation.

Provide your lender with accurate, timely financial information. Not only is it a good idea to have this informa-tion for internal use, it is also a condi-tion of your loan commitment to the lender.

If you want to communicate more knowledgably about your financial status, consider the Profit Mastery Program offered through the Small Business Development Center.

Do not blind-side your lender. Be sure to keep your lender informed of critical issues affecting your business.

If you need assistance in the develop-ment of a loan package or would like to explore the Profit Mastery Program, you can access services through the Small Business Development Center in Longview.

•••

Susan J. Hoosier is a SBDC Certified Business Advisor with the Longview Small Business Development Center, part of the 24 statewide offices of the Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC). The network offers in-depth, confidential, and no-cost management advice to businesses within Washington State. Contact Susan Hoosier at shoosier@wsu.edu or 360-442-2946.

Castle Rock rockscont. from page 2 Golf tourney

cont. from page 1

We will have a 4-person scramble format, allowing both the accomplished players and the duffers to have a great time. To help make things more interesting, you can register for mulligan and/or pink ball. Each team will have the opportunity to purchase a special pink ball, which must be played by some team member on every hole. Those balls still in play at the end of the tournament are entered into a 50/50 raffle.

The registration fee includes a chance to win $5,000 in our putting contest, 18 holes of golf, lunch, carts, tee prize, golf club for each player and team photos, all followed by an awards presentation with hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar. Prizes will be awarded for holes-in-one, closest to the pin and longest drive, as well as team prizes for low net and low gross scores.

Not certain golfing is your “fore”-tay but you would like to have your business recognized? The Chamber has several opportunities for sponsorship still available and would like to take a moment to discuss those opportunities in more detail with you, so give us a call at 360-423-8400.

Be sure to sign up early and take advantage of this fun networking opportunity! Find the registration and sponsorship forms online at www.kelsolongviewchamber.org or contact Amy, 360-423-8400.

•••

of my husband’s shop,” until moving recently to 113 SW First, next to Castle Rock Pharmacy. Attending her first Castle Rock Cham-ber 10-attendee meeting six months ago, Kranz felt doubtful. “It was, literally, in a portable at the elementary school,” she recalled. “I thought, ‘Oh, dear, there’s not a lot going on.’” But since then, Chamber meetings have moved to a new venue and are drawing three times the attendance. “Business owners are very much on the same page,” she said. “There’s a pride of ownership. We are energized about keep-ing it up and running.”“I give a whole lot of credit to Mike Vorse,” said Carolyn Kennington. “He’s been doing a lot of work contacting peo-ple . . . we’ve pulled in a lot of new people.” Pro-businessThe reception in Castle Rock at its grand opening exceeded Red Canoe’s expecta-tions. “The welcoming from the town was overwhelmingly a true sense of commu-nity,” said Amy Davis. Red Canoe’s VP of marketing. “Castle Rock is very pro-business.”“We relied on sources like the Chamber of Commerce, the Senior Center and the School District” to promote the grand opening. “They really supported us and helped us generate a lot of energy,” Davis said. “We didn’t have to market this event.” Red Canoe pledged a donation for each signature added to a “We Support Schools” banner displayed in the credit union’s lobby, resulting in a $3,000 gift to Castle Rock schools.

Red Canoe in Castle Rock“We’d been talking about it for a couple of years,” said Davis. “After the success in Kelso (where a new branch was opened in February 2009), seeing how fast we could grow a branch in an area where we already had a strong member base,” confidence was high, she recalled. Members in the Castle Rock area totaled 3,800 then.“Why not repeat that in Castle Rock?” credit union leaders asked. “We had a lot of loyal members in that area and wanted to make it more convenient for them,” Davis noted. And so, the Front Avenue branch was built. It’s a very good location “right in the mid-dle of town,” she said. The primary con-sideration when locating a bank branch is location. Despite the rising use of per-sonal computers and media devices for online banking and loan applications via the Internet, she explained, “People still prefer the brick and mortar approach to banking.” “Everybody is feeling the effects of the recession,” Davis said, but “Red Canoe is a strong company. We are moving forward.”Management is now consider-ing adding a new branch in the Puyallup-Federal Way area. Davis likes working for a credit union which uses members’ pooled savings to make loans to other members.“It’s a true co-op,” she said. Despite a sluggish economy, “we intend to con-tinue reaching out to our members and make loans.” That’s how the credit union makes money, she said.“We have money to lend.”

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KELSO LONGVIEW BUSINESS CONNECTION PAGE 7 • MAY 2011

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