HomeMy WebLinkAboutChamber of Commerce April 2003Laurel Chamber of Commerce
April, 2003
108 East Main
Laurel, MT 59044
(406) 628-8105 fax: 628-2041
www:laurelmontana.org
e. mail: secreta ry~laurelmontana, org
Executive Board
President, Ryan Burrows, Edward Jones Investments
Vice Presidant, Bob O'Dea, Ydlowstone Bank
Past President, Gary Franklin, Welcome Travelers
Motel
Executive Sceretery, l/Jim Wombolt
Dire~ors
Sheryl Brester, Cenex Harvest Sta~s Cooperatives
Linda Wedel, Prudmtial Floberg Realtors
Bob Wieas, First Citizens Bank
Rheuda Diefenderfer, Lanre] Federal Credit Union
and Tri County Rentals
Coral Harvey-Lanral Ford
Don Meyers, Montana Dakota Utilities
Jou Ruth Water Specialties
Stepkauie Potter, Northern Skies Aviation
Lisa Cook, Firs~ Citlzen's Bank- Jan's IGA Branch
~tatistics (Januar~ through March)
Relocation Packets: 13
Visitor Paakets: 14
School Project Pac3~ets: 2
Business Relocation Packets: 1
Special Requests: 27
Walk-ins: 155
Phone Calls: 335
Recommendations: 54
Information Mailed: 24
Faxes Sent: 27
Faxes Received: 27
E.Mall Messages Sent: 12
E.Mail Messages Reamived: 83
New businesses and/or owners: 4
Bosiness Afl.er Hours Hetd: 1
Pdbbon Cuaings: 5
Speakers hosted at meetings: 0
Lost Chamber memberships: 3
New Chamber memberships: 4
Chamber Board Meetings:
The Laurel Chamber of Commeros would llke to
invite all Chamhex members to any or all Board
meetings held on the second and fourth Thursday of
each month daring the noon hour. The meetings ere
held at the different Chamber-member re,mutants and
last about one hour. For information about the
lomfion of the meetings, call the office at 628-8105.
If yon would Iike an agenda mailed or faxed to you,
con,ant Kim at the office.
Calendar of Events
April
10 - Chamber Board meeting - noon
10 - Business After Hours - Lrl. Factory Outlet
23 - Laurel Promotional Committee meeting -
noon - Cheerio Lounge
24 - Chamber Board meeting - noon
May
8 - Chamber Board meeting - noon
22 - Chamber Board meeting - noon
28 - Laurel Promotional Committee meeting -
noon - Cheerio Lounge
June
12 - Chamber Board mee{ing - noon
13 - Culpepper & Merriweather Circus - 5 and
7:30 p.m. r- lot across fi.om Laurel Ford
25 - Eafiret Promotional Committee meeting -
noon - Cheerio Lounge
26 - Chamber Board meeting - noon
30 -Deadline for Laurel Chief Joseph Run
Regislxations
Laurel Promotional Committee Meetings:
All businesses and organizations are invited to
attend these meetings held on the fourth
Wednesday of eanh month during the noon hoer
at the Cheerio Lounge. The focus of these
meetings is on how to bring more people to the
businesses of Laurel. items discussed are:
crazy days, farmers markets, flea markets,
concerts in the parks, festivals, socials, town
garage sales, business fairs, etc. The group has
decided to hold this year's Crazy Days on
Friday, July 25t~ and Saturday, July 26t~ and the
theme will be "Christmas In July." All
businesses, crafters, and others are invited to take
part in this event. The Christmas To Remember
organization will again sell banana splits at the
Laurel Bus Depot on those days in order to raise
money for the fireworks that are used during the
Chrismaas to Remember event. The Chamber
will work with crafters and others to set up booth
spaces in the business district of Laurel. The
group has decided to focus on four major events
for the year. These are Crazy Days with
Wednesday, July 16t~ as the kick off for the
Farmers Markets, Fourth of July, Oetoberfest,
and Christmas to Remember. Mothers On a
Mission Organization are working to bring an
Octoberfest to Lam-el the first weekend in
October. All interested parties are invited to
attend these meetings held on the 44 Wednesday
of each month with the next meet/ag scheduled
for April 23~. For more information, contact
the Chamber office at 628-8105.
Spotlight on Business - First Natlonal Pa~n
First National Pawn in Laurel is located at 8
Fifth Avenue, Laurel, MT 59044 - (406) 628-
4448. Since 1982, First National Pawn has been
offefin~ customers fast-rate cmality and service
with an impressive inventory. With twelve
stores across Mo~mn. and Idaho, they are one of
the largest chains of pawush6ps in the northwest
and midwest They offer online service and
online auctious at both Ehay.com and
Gunbroker. com. Each week First National
Pawn posts around 100 items between the two
sites. First National Pawn has three Billln~os
locations and these are: 4 North 29~ Street -
245-0711, 1142 Grand Avenue -245-7022, and
1416 Main (Heights) 259-4697. Besides their
Laurel location, they also have stores located in
Butte, Bozeman, Great Falls, Glendive, Miles
City, Kalispell and two in Idaho at Boise. First
National Pawn offers the sale and purchase of
many items as well as loans. To get more
im'ormation about the items they offer and buy,
you can contact them through the Intemet at
ecom~firsmationalpawn.com
pawn(~firstnafionalpawn, eom.
Their web site is *~r~w.firstnationalpawn.com
First National Pawn has been a member of the
Laurel Chamber of Commerce since they opened
their doors in Laurel and has been very active in
the comm~ality since that time.
Spotlight on Business- Big Sift Economi~
Developtne~tt Cen~er
The Big Sky Economic Development Center is
located at 222 North 32~a Street ia Billings.
They were originally called the Big Sky
Tradoport Authority. They are a. county
organization that focuses on building business
and creating jobs in the greater Billings,
Montana area~ They offer small business
assistance, goveamment marketing and
development, community grant services, and
relocation, retention and expansien services for
businesses. Because the tax structure in
Montana is complicated, they offer help to
businesses when they are looking to relocate here
and they are working with existing businesses in
order to clear up tax misconceptions. The BSED
provides a detailed analysis of the available labor
pool in Yellowstone County, as well as
information on available commercial real estate
in the area. They offer staff assistance to small
business leaders and cotrepronenrs in order to
develop and enhmace financial, managerial and
technical skills needed to compete and succeed
in today's business enviroranent. The services
provided are flee of charge and they are fimded
by the Small Business Administration and the
Montana Department of Commerce of
Yellowstone County. For small businesses they
offer: technical assistance in writing business
plans for new and existing businesses, financial
analysis planning and state and private capital
sources; assistance with marketing research,
analysis and strategy as well as advertising,
packaging and promotion; training in all areas of
business management and referral to business
professionals as needed; one on one counseling
for e~sting and start-up business managemenl
and pm-counseling (preparedness list). For
expanding businesses, they offe~: historical
year~,ad financial statements for the past three
years; estimation of costs associated with
expansion of the business; end histmical
business plans, ff one exists. A program is
offered that is called the BEAR Program for
business expansion and retention. With tiffs
program, they reciuit businesses to the area and
help to retain these business as wall as help with
the expansion of an already existing business.
This program involves five steps. Through the
Big Sky Economic Developmonl Center a
statewide program is offered called the Mollmna
P~ocm-emont Teelmical Assistance Center ia
which you can get personal government
marketing assistance at no cost to you. The
information offered through this program is:
what the government buys, how to sell to
government, and onderstanding bid documents.
The Big Sky Economic Development Center is
funded in part by lax dollars and is able to offer
proposal development services at a reduced
hourly rate. They conduct research to identify
funding sources and help complete grant
application packets. The center can be located ia
Billings at 222 North 32~ Street in the Granite
Towers or can be accessed through their website
at ~'ron'.bi~skveda. or~
YMCA Benefit Dinner and Auction
The Laurel YMCA will hold its annual benefit
dinner and auction on Sunday, April 6 at 5 p.m.
at St. Anthony's Parish Hall. The theme for this
benefit will be Hawaiian. Dinner will begin at 5
and the live a¢ctien as well as silent anetien will
be held a~er dinner. Tickets are available by
contacting YMCA Director Donna Hirt at 628-
1012. Tickets sell for $25 per person or a table
Of 10 for $250.
Distinguished Service Awards Banqu~
The Laurel Chamber of Commerce hosted the
2003 Distinguished Service Awards Banquet on
Monday, January 20* at the Laurel Golf Club.
Awards were given out by the Laurel Jaycees
and the Laurel Chamber of Commerce. The
Chamber gave out these awards: Employee of
the Year - John Whitmus of Northern Skies
Aviation, Manager of the Year -Mary Wagner
of the Laurel Golf Club, Business People of the
Year - Jun and Nancy Rutt of Water
Specialties, Public Official of the Year -Judge
Jean Kerr of the City of Laurel, Special Service
Award - Dennis Grecnwalt, and Lifetime
Achievement Award with a lifetime membership
in the Laurel Chamber of Commerce - Dr. John
H. Smith.
Laurel Fourth of Jul~ Parade Time Change
The Laurel Chamber of Commerce Fourth of
July Parade will be held at 11:00 a.m. instead of
1:00 p.m. irom this point on. Fur the last few
years, the parade has been held later and it was
found that it not only interferes with bur
schedules, but it is usually too hot for the
animals and vehicles as well as the people in the
parade. Line-up for the parade will begin at 10
am. down both 7th and 8t~ Avenue - pointing
towards Main Street. The first block of 7t~
Avenue is being reserved for the Laurel
Volunteer Fke and Ambulance Deparlment,
Grand Marshall, Junior Marshall and Military
Color Guard. Regisa'ations can be sent to the
Chamber at 108 East Main, dropped off at the
office, faxad to 628-2041 or be taken the day of
the parade at the registration booth that will be
set up in front of the Caboose Saloon - 704 West
Main. A parade enlry fee of $5 with an
additional $1 fee per extra antty is charged.
Horse groups will be charged a $5 fee for up to
15 horses with an additional $1 per ex-Ira 15
horses thereafter. This pays for the plaques and
ribbons awarded in the different categories. It is
not ton early to get registered. Fur more
information, contact the office at 628-8105i
Laurel Chamber Farmers Markets
The Laurel Chamber of Commerce will again
sponsor the Laurel Farmer's Square beginning
July I6a and running through September. The
markets will be held every Wednesday evening
at Firemen's Park starting at 4 p.m. and running
until dark. For more information or to reserve a
space, contact Klm at the Chamber at 628-8105.
Crafters and vendors are needed!! !! !
The Circus is Coming to Laurd! ! !
The Laurel Chamber of Commerce, First
Citizens Bank of Laurel, Laurel Federal Credit
Union, and Yellowstone Bank will sponsor the
Culpepper & Merriweather Circur on Friday,
June 13, 2003 for two shows - 5 p.m. and 7:30
p.m. The circus w/Il be held on Southeast 4~
Street across fi'om Laurel Ford. Dean Rankin
and Rod Halvorson will allow the use of their
land at this location for the circus and for
parking. This circus is a one-ting, 5.rst-clurs
circus that brings entertainment to all ages.
Tickets will go on sale with advance tickets
selling for; children (ages 2 - 12) - $5 and adult
tickets - $7. ~ Tickets sold by the circus an show
date will be: adult - $9. and children - $7.
Letters were sent to the Laurel businesses asking
for donations to purchase tickets for the Laurel
school children. It is the Chamber's hope that
every child in Laurel is given the chance to
attend this circur. There are over 800 children in
the Laurel elementary schools. To date, we are
halfway to our goal of being able to send lhese
children to the circus. We have received enough
donations to send 430 children to the C~rcus. All
tickets purchased for the children by business
donations will have that buriness' name printed
on the back of the ticket. The Chamber will
continue taking donations for tickets for the
children until May 1~t. Donations can be sent to
Laurel Chamber of Commerce, Circus
CommiRee, 108 East Main, Laurel, MT 59044.
A special thanks to these generous businesses for
their donadans:
First Citizens Bank of Laurel
· Laurel Federal Credit Union
· Yellowstone Bank
Applied Business Services, Inc.
· Countryside Photography & Gallcay
· L C Cattle Company
· Little Big Men
· Montana Motharlode Casino
· Cort's Saloon
· Nine Fingers Mustard Co.
· Schessler Ready Mix, Inc.
· Ace Electric, Inc.
· PfeffClinic of Chiropractic
· SEG Federal Credit Union
· A Haus of Realty
· Big Sky Wooderat~ers, Inc.
Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives
Ben Franklin Store
· Ace Hardware
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6th Annual Laurel Chief Joseph Run
July 4, 2003
Sponsored by:
Laurel Federal Credit Union - Locomotion Fitness Center-
Laurel Medical Center- Laurel Chamber of Commerce
Yellowstone Rimrunners - Laurel Outlook- Laurel Jaycee's, Laurel Roadrunner's 4-H Club, Water
Specialties, Dynamic Designs, Edward Jones Investments, Laurel Headng Service, Welcome Travelers Motel,
First Citizen's Bank, Yellowstone Bank, Nardella & Siems, CPA's, Schesaler's Ready Mix, Inc.., Ace Electric,
Expert Lobe and Wash, J & M Napa Auto Parts and Trailer Sales, ~EG Federal Credit Union, Ben Franklin
Store, Laurel Aut~ Parts, Jan's IGA, Rivemide Repair, Wes[brook Storage, Caboose Saloon, Montana Valley
Boffied Water, Uffie Big Men, Nine Finger's Mustard Co., Montana Mother]ode Casino, Curt's Saloon,
Groshelle Construction, Northem Skies Aviation
8-Mile Run, 4-Mile Run, 4-Mile Walk, 2-Mile Walk
Start of Race: Thomson Park (First Avenue North and Sixth Street)
Registration: 6:00 a.m, to 6:45 a.m. (Come Early!)
Race Time: 7:00 a.m. Deadline for entry: June 30, 2003
Entry Fee: $12.00- Early $15.00-Late
Late entTies will be allowed to enter up to the time of the race. Late entn'es will have t-shirts mai/ed to them
a few weeks afterthe race.
Awards to be given out directly after the races- approximately 9:00 a.m
Cut His potion off and mail it or fax it to:
Laurel Chamber of Commerce, 108 East Main~ Lauret, MT 59044 fax-628-2041
Name:
Address:
City: State Zip Phone
Circle T-shirt size (sm, reed, Ig, or x-lg. - adult sizes)
Age
Please circle the race entering:
Gender:. Male or Female
8.mile run, &mile run, &mile walk, 2-mile walk
Waiver:. In conaidoralion of the foregoing, I for myself, my executors, adminisU'ators, and assigns, do hereby release
and discharge any rights and claims for damages incurred before, dining, and al~er the race, against the officials and
sponsors of the Laurel Chief Josegh Run: Laurel Chamber of Commerce, Yellowstane Rimrunners, City of Laasel,
Montana I-~ghway Patrol, and other sponsors, held July 4, 2003, I attest and verify that I am physically fit and have
sufficlanfly tr~ned for this event.
Signature
Date
Parent or guardian must sign f~ minors.
Laurel Chamber of Commerce - Grand Parade
Friday, JULY 4, 2003 - 11:00 a.m.
Awards In The FollowinR Categories:
*Best of Parade *Best Vehicle *Best Patriotic *Best Club
*Best Commercial *Best Western *Best Musical * Best Class Reunion
Regisl~ation fee is $$.00, additional entries $1.00 each. Line up will begin at 10:00 a.m. down both sides
of 7th Avenue and 8' Avenue facing Main Street. The first block of 7* Avenue is res~'-ved for the Color
Guard, Fire Department, Ambulance, Grand Marshall and Junior Marshall. Horses can graze towards
Wood's Pow'r Grip since they will be last in the parade. Parade route starts at the Caboose and ends at the
High School.
Rules are as follows:
· No throwing candy - candy can be handed out but not thrown from moving entries.
· A safe dist~ce between entries - stay close enough to not caus,e breaks, but far enough away to allow
for safety. '
· Unruly conduct will not be allowed. Ifsomemaeisdrivingoracfinginconductthatmayeauseinjory
to another, they will be forced to exit the parade.
· Horses and other animals will be lined up towards the end of the parade. Loud vehicles or noisy
entries will be lined up towards the fi-mat of the parade. Horses can graze at Wood's until the parade
begins. Llamas may graze at Starlite Roller Rink.
Please do not block the first block of 7th Avenue or the Caboose Parldng
lots since this area is reserved for the Fire Department, Ambulance, and
Military.
START
FINISH
(Cut this portion offand mall it with your check to: Laurel Chamber of Commerce, 108 East Main, Laurel, MT 59044
or stop by the office - 628-8105)
Name Address
City State Zip Code Phone
Contact Person: Category(s)
Description of entry
Waiver: In consideration of the foregning, I for myself, my executors, administrators, and assigns, do hereby release
and discharge any right~ and claims for damages incurred before, during, and after the parade, against the officials and
sponsors of the parade, Laurel Chamber of Commerce, City of Laurel, Ceboo~e Saloon, Montana Highway Palrol, and
other~, held July 4, 2003. I have read the rules and regulations set before me.
Signature: Date:
Parent or guardian must sign for minors.
Laurel Chamber of Commerce Members:
1. A Haus of Reeliy
2. ACe Electric
3. Ace Hardware
4. All Season's Car W~h
5. Animal Lodge P~t Resort
6. Applied Business Systems
7. Auto Connection
8. Beartooth VetennatY Sera/ce
9. Bee Hive Homes
I0. Ben Franklin Store
11. Big Sky Economic Development C.¢nter
I2. Bob Redding Aeroplanes
13. Bray's Sharppning Service
14. Bromgard, Phyllis
15. Burger King
16. Cable Monts~a, LLC
I7. Caboos~ Saloon
18. Cenex Convenience Store
19. Cenex Harve~ States Cooperatives
20. Cheerio Lounge
21. Cind~m Heating & Cooling
22. City of Lattrel
38. Export Lube & Wash, Inc.
67. Laurel Outlook
68. Laurel Post Office
69. Laurel Servieemer, Inc.
70. Laurel School District 7 & 7-70
71. LeCabinet Shoppe
72. Little Big Men pizza
73. Locomotion Fitness Center
74. Locomotive Inn Bar & Casino
75. Locomotive Restaurant
76. Lucky LiPs Casino
77. Madagascar Imports Ltd.
78. Magnus Tree Removal Segvice
79. Main Street EFX Photography
80. Meadowlark Gallery
81. Midland Office Equipmeot (Billings)
82. Midwest Software
83. Modsa'n Auto
84. Modern Refrigeration (Billings)
85. Monigna Christmas Evergreen
86. Montana Dakota utgitie~
87. Montana Fireworks
88. Montana Motherlode Casino
89. Montana Valley Bottled Water
90. Nardella & Sims, CPA's
91. Namm Scape EOt., Inc.
92. Nine Finger's Muslard Co.
93. Northern Skies Aviation
94. NorthWestern Energy
95. One Eighty Cormnunicafi ohs
96. Orchid Cleaners
97. Owl Junction Diner
98. p_l.'s Mercantile and Antiques
99. Pizza Hut
I00. Pr/ce Pharmacy
101. Prudeafiad Floberg Realtors
102. Rnilsnie Diner
103. Reporter Office Products (Bglings)
104. Ricel's TmSfcway
105. Riverside Repair
106. Roc&y Mountain Leather, Inc.
108. Rut's Inc.
109. SEG Federal Credit Union
11 I. Sifts East Side Bar & Grill
112. Smith Funeral Chapels
114. Stahl Cabinets, Inc.
115. Stokke~ Samuel, D.D.S.
116. Taco Johns
117. The Circuit - Worn~n In Fitness
118. Thomae Lumber (Laurel and Billings)
1 I9. Townand Country Supply Association (Lrl, Bridger)
120. Town Pamp
121. Tri County Rentals
122. U. S. Army Reermting
123. U-Stet-It Mini Storage
124. Water Specialties
125. Welcome Travelers Motel
I26. Westbrook Storage
LifetimeMembers: Tom Frank, AllieDelven, Ray Harris,
Bob Singleton, Pat Muitaney, L Mol Williams, Dr. Lee
Richardson, Dave Po-~r~, Jim Sehroeder, and Dr. John H.
Smith