ConnectionsCONNECTIONSDothan Area Chamber of Commerce August 2019

Economic HighlightsFor Alabama And DothanPAGE 12

Dothan’s NewCity ManagerPAGE 4

Employee TurnoverAs An Economic IndicatorPAGE 13

EventsCalendar

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August

www.dothan.com(334) 792-5138

INSIDEWhat’s

August 2019

2 Events Calendar3 Ribbon Cuttings4 Cover Story7-11 Business Briefs12 Grow Dothan13 Workforce Development14 Small Business Development

Also In This Issue 8 Ray’s Restaurant Wins Best

Peach Cobbler Contest9 DACC Executive Director

Graduates IOM Program11 Scenic Cable Announces

Promotions, New Addition

Your Cover Photo

ConnectionsCONNECTIONSDothan Area Chamber of Commerce

August 2019

Economic HighlightsFor The Dothan AreaPAGE 12

Welcome Dothan’sNew City ManagerPAGE 4

Employee TurnoverAs An Economic IndicatorPAGE 13

2 CHAMBER CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019

Your cover photo features Dothan’s new City Manager, Kevin Cowper.

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Ambassador and Diplomat Committee Meeting – 9 a.m.Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber) LEADS Group 1 Biweekly Meeting – 8 a.m.Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)Ribbon Cutting: Alabama-Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America – 10:30 a.m.Location: 6801 W. Main St.Ribbon Cutting: The Ark Thrift Store – 10:30 a.m.Location: 419 W. Main St.Troy University Small Business Counseling – 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)*Reservations required: (334) 792-5138 General Membership Luncheon – Noon (Doors and buffet open at 11:30 a.m.)Location: 795 Ross Clark Circle (Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center Inc.’s Sterling Event Services Rotary Hall)*See page 5 for more information. Reservations required: (334) 792-5138Thank you to our luncheon sponsors: DSI Security Services, Mike Schmitz AutomotiveGroup, Signs Etcetera Inc., Slay-All-Day Pressure Washing and SunSouth Bank. Ribbon Cutting: Love To Run LLC – 2 p.m.Location: 560 Westgate Parkway, Suite 3LEADS Group 2 Biweekly Meeting – 8 a.m.Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)Ribbon Cutting: Reid Law Firm – 10:30 a.m.Location: 344 N. Oates St. (Maxwelle Building)Ribbon Cutting: Budget Signs – 11 a.m.Location: 721 W. Main St.Ribbon Cutting: Hissyfits Boutique, LLC – 10:30 a.m.Location: 560 Westgate Parkway, Suite 6Business Connections – 4-6 p.m.Location: 3230 Ross Clark Circle, (Tropical Smoothie Café)*See page 7 for more information.LEADS Group 1 Biweekly Meeting – 8 a.m.Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)Ribbon Cutting: Legacy Roof Contractors – 10:30 a.m.Location: 17844 U.S. Highway 431Small Business Seminar: How To Conquer Workplace Stress – 11 a.m. Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)*See page 14 for more information. Reservations required: (334) 792-5138 Ribbon Cutting: Dothan Civitan Club – 10:30 a.m.Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)LEADS Group 2 Biweekly Meeting – 8 a.m.Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)Ribbon Cutting: Brightway Insurance, The Rachel Davidson Agency – 10:30 a.m.Location: 1230 Westgate Parkway, Unit 4Military Affairs Committee Command Reception – 6 p.m.Location: 102 Jamestown Blvd. (Chamber)*Reservations required: (334) 792-5138

RibbonCuttings

Meadow Ridge Apartments

2600 N. Denton RoadDothan, AL 36303

Pamela Bond(334) 794-6973

www.cedarheightsal.comAPARTMENTS

Something To TalkAbout Boutique

116 E. Slocomb St.Slocomb, AL 36375

Wendy Shehee(334) 886-7882

www.facebook.com/STTABoutique

SHOPPING / SPECIALTY RETAIL

SpectraCare Health Systems Inc.’s

Houston County Day Treatment Facility

134 Prevatt RoadDothan, AL 36301

Melissa Kirkland(334) 712-2720

www.spectracare.orgFAMILY, COMMUNITY,

CIVIC AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

S. A. JonesConstruction

3246 Ross Clark CircleDothan, AL 36303

Scott A. Jones(334) 673-0070

www.sajonesconstruction.comCONSTRUCTION

EQUIPMENT / CONTRACTORS

The Law Office of Holly L. Sawyer, LLC

294 W. Main St., Suite 103Dothan, AL 36301

Holly Sawyer(334) 305-0290

www.hollysawyerlaw.comATTORNEYS / LEGAL

Ketchem’s Restaurant & Catering

115 E. Main St.Hartford, AL 36344

Cherie Orr(334) 723-4109

www.facebook.com/KetchemsRestaurant

RESTAURANTS, FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Maxwelle Building345 N. Oates St.,

Dothan, AL 36303Gantt Pierce

(334) 714-5830BUSINESS AND

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Pearly Gates Funeral Home

1039 N. Range St.Dothan, AL 36302

Pamela Sikes(334) 792-4141

www.pearlygatesfuneralhome.comBUSINESS AND

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

ADDITIONALLOCATIONS

EncoreRehabilitation Inc.

1811 E. Main St., Suite 3Dothan, AL 36303

Jesse Whitfield(334) 828-7300

www.encorerehab.comDENTIST / HEALTHCARE /

PHARMACY

Schedule ARibbon Cutting!

Are you a new Chamber member? Has your business expanded or relocated? Are you breaking ground for a new facility? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to schedule a Chamber Ribbon Cutting or Goundbreaking event.

These events take place weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Chamber staff will work with you to choose the date and time that best fits your schedule. Your event will be included in the Calendar of Events section of the Chamber Connections and your picture will also be featured in the newsletter after the event.

For more information or to book an event, contact Hayden Camp, director of membership, at (334) 792-5138 or hcamp@dothan.com.

www.dothan.com 3

Kevin Cowper,City Manager

CoverStory

Join Us In Welcoming Dothan’s New City Manager

The Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce would like to introduce area businesses and chamber members to Kevin Cowper, Dothan’s new city manager, and invite everyone to join us in welcoming him to the Wiregrass area.

Cowper has more than 28 years of experience in city and county government in Alabama and Florida. He began his career in 1991 as a planner in Shelby County, Alabama. As planning and zoning director for Baldwin County, Alabama, he helped establish a countywide planning and zoning program. He then oversaw an integrated community development program as Pensacola’s community development director. He has also served as assistant city manager/chief operating officer for the city of Auburn where he oversaw the city’s development services and public services business units.

Cowper holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Alabama and a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the University of Memphis. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the certifying organization for professional city planners. As a member of the International City/Council Managers Association, he is a graduate of the ICMA Emerging Leaders Development Program and is an ICMA credentialed manager.

Cowper has served as a member of the Task Force on Financing ICMA and the Conference Planning Committee. As a member of the Alabama City/County Management Association, he has served on the board of directors as secretary/treasurer, vice president, president-elect and president (2017-2018).

As a certified city planner and credentialed city manager, Cowper is a visionary, innovative leader focused on meeting community needs in a sustainable manner. He has significant experience in city planning, community development, downtown and neighborhood redevelopment, public finance, infrastructure development, capital budgeting and economic development.

Throughout his career, Cowper has been a strong advocate for strategic planning, linking budgets and capital improvements to strategic action plans. He has a passion for maintaining downtown as the heart of the city and worked extensively in both Pensacola and Auburn to improve the vitality, usability, appearance and charm of those downtown areas.

Having completed the Leading, Educating, and Developing Program through the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, Cowper has embraced the High Performing Organization model. During his time in Auburn, he was instrumental in re-shaping the city’s organizational structure into high performing functional business units to strategically meet the needs of Auburn residents by improving the collaboration and efficiency of departments responsible for the city’s infrastructure, development services and core city services.

The DACC welcomes Cowper and his family to our great city and looks forward to working with him in his new role here as Dothan’s city manager.

4 CHAMBER CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019

www.dothan.com 5

RenewingMembers

Clip and add these to your Membership Directory.NewMembers

Alabama Institute forDeaf & BlindJRobert May111 Medical DriveDothan, AL 36303PH: (334) 677-6270FAX: (334) 793-7044www.aidb.org/domain/57FAMILY / COMMUNITY / CIVIC AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Crunch FitnessDawn Curtis3850 W. Main St.Dothan, AL 36305PH: (334) 219-0189www.crunchdothan.comPERSONAL SERVICE AND CARE

Goldin MetalsMicala Cobb210 Vulcan WayDothan, AL 36303PH: (334) 547-6430www.goldinmetals.comCONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT/ CONTRACTORS

Reid Law FirmChristopher ReidMaxwelle Building344 N. Oates St. (Physical)636 Westwood RoadDothan, AL 36303PH: (334) 797-3172www.reidlawyers.comATTORNEYS / LEGAL

50 To 59 YearsBuffalo Rock Pepsi

40-49 YearsBBVAHill & Brooks Coffee and Tea Co. Inc.TriState Graphics Inc.

30-39 YearsBrian Holloway Carpet One Floor & HomeColeman Worldwide MovingDenneyVisionE & H Steel Corp.Extendicare Health & Rehabilitation CenterJohnston Hinesley, PCRobert’s Grocery Inc.

25-29 YearsBLP Mobile PaintsThe Chimney Sweeps, LLCTown of ColumbiaMobile Communications

20-24 YearsArt Solomon Photography Inc.Fischer, SusanThe House of Ruth Inc.Princeton Place ApartmentsThe Salvation ArmySoutheast Health Westgate ClinicSt. Columba Catholic ChurchStorage MasterWiregrass Children’s HomeWiregrass Human Resource Management Association

15-19 YearsDigestive Health Specialists of the SoutheastDothan Periodontics and ImplantsHouston County Health Departmentjsmithdesign

10-14 YearsCountry Inn & SuitesEye Surgical Associates, PCFriend BankHilton Garden InnHuskey Law FirmInterstate All Battery CenterM & M HomebuildersMartin Environmental Services Inc.

Milsco DistributionMRS BPO, LLCWiregrass Foundation

5-9 YearsCovenant SteelDothan Overhead DoorGlover Funeral Home Inc.Hots Deli Jimmy Johns Dothan Inc.Lafayette of Dothan Inc.Sunset Memorial ParkTim Tolleson Design, LLCWise Forklift Inc.

1-4 YearsAD Photo Restoration, LLCBethel Baptist Church & Christian AcademyThe Bliss AtelierBorden Dairy Co. of Alabama, LLCThe CellarCheddar’s Scratch KitchenChef KymClark’s Hardwood Refinishing, LLCCombat MindsetCommunity 1st Real EstateThe Cottages Dothan, LLCDothan Ice Cream Co.Flowers Medical Group Dothan Neuro-Spine-PainGuilt Boutique & Wine BarHealth Center South Medical TowerK Green HairspaMelissa Elmore State Farm InsuranceThe Recovery RoomRV Connections Super CenterSoutheast Health Westway Medical OfficeThe Upside GraphicsXtreme Air Trampoline Park

Two Great Publications,One Great Idea!

Are You Missing The Opportunity ToReach Thousands of Potential Customers?

You want to reach new residents and the business community. They want to know how to find you. The best way to achieve both goals is to advertise in the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Dothan’s Official Welcome Guide and the 2020 Membership Directory & Business Guide.

The Dothan Area Chamber and Print Services Inc., the Chamber member awarded this project, have begun the ad

sales campaign for these 2020 publications. Chamber members (primary contact and/or advertising agent) will begin receiving the Chamber’s project introduction letter, verification form(s) and a “Reserve Your Space” brochure.

Print Services will be contacting members about the advertising opportunities and has a media kit available online at www.psiprinter.com.

The Welcome Guide and Membership Directory & Business Guide will be mailed to Chamber members in late January 2020. High visibility through great distribution has been the key to the Welcome Guide’s success. Increased usage of the Membership Directory is a direct result of its convenience to find fellow business members to promote our business-to-business relationships. Don’t miss out on these important publications! Your company will benefit greatly by reaching all who look to the Dothan Area Chamber for information about Dothan businesses in 2020.

Distribution of the Welcome Guide (10,000) includes economic development prospects, new residents, prospective retirees and relocation families requesting information through the Chamber, 15 Chamber member apartment complexes for new residents, 15 Chamber member hotels/motels in-room distribution and the Dothan Utilities and Wiregrass Electric Authority offices to all new service customers. Great web exposure is another avenue of distribution for the 2020 Welcome Guide. The publication will be on the following websites: The City of Dothan, Houston County, Visit Dothan, Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce and Print Services Inc.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact:

(334) 702-4063(334) 712-6532 Faxwww.psiprinter.com

6 CHAMBER CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019

BusinessBriefs

Congratulations to the Ambassador and Diplomat Team of the Month “Chamber Six Pack” for claiming this month’s title. Team members (seated l-r) Tara Ryals, Troy University; Mary Colburn, Wiregrass Auto Care; Karen Forehand, MidSouth Paving Inc.; (standing) Elizabeth Buntin, Century 21 James Grant Realty; Tim Rockwell, Country Financial; and Sheila Cestaro, WDHN TV-18. Team member not pictured is Kelley Massingill, Mary Kay Cosmetics.

Thank you to all our Ambassadors and Diplomats who serve as the eyes and ears for the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce. It is their dedication and support that assist your local Chamber in meeting its goals.

Be sure to check out next month’s Chamber Connections to see who will claim the title.

Team Of The Month

Chamber Six Pack

Star Of The Month

Mary ColburnWiregrass Auto Care

Ambassadors&Diplomats

YOURCHAMBER

#SaveTheDateBusiness Connections

Tropical Smoothie Café3230 Ross Clark Circle

Aug. 20, 2018 • 4-6 p.m.Join the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce for its next

Business Connections event Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 4-6 p.m. at Tropical Smoothie Café in Cottonwood Corners, 3230 Ross Clark Circle.

Come make some great business connections in a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying some hors d’oeuvre and refreshments. It’s a great opportunity to network with other DACC members. The event is free and everyone is encouraged to bring plenty of business cards to exchange!

For more information, call Hayden Camp, director of membership, at (334) 792-5138 or hcamp@dothan.com.

Thank You To Our Event Sponsor

Harvest Church is pleased to announce that it now offers a grief support group for those who have lost loved ones, are going through a divorce or experiencing any kind of life-changing loss. Seeds of Hope will be held each Thursday night at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

The group is designed for members to offer understanding and support to each other as they walk through similar situations of loss and grief.   

For more information, call the church at (334) 702-6555, ext. 234 or email congregational care at ccare@harvestdothan.com. 

Harvest Church Offers NewSupport Group

YOURCHAMBER

Spotlight your business. Get more exposure!

As a Chamber member, you are entitled to one free business card ad in the Chamber’s monthly newsletter, Chamber Connections, within 90 days from the date you join. For more information, contact Melia McKean at (334) 792-5138 or mmckean@dothan.com.

www.dothan.com 7

BusinessBriefs

Ray’s Restaurant Wins Bama’s Best Peach

Cobbler ContestCongratulations to Ray’s Restaurant who

recently won the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association’s Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler contest. Ray’s regulars nominated the dish in a statewide Facebook contest this spring.

Combining firm peaches, soft-but-crunchy cobbler and melty vanilla ice cream into a recipe for success, owner Christi Peterson’s cobbler is a take on her maternal grandmother’s classic Southern dessert, with a few still-secret twists. Ray’s regulars nominated the dish in a statewide Facebook contest this spring.

“When we were preparing for the judges, I said, ‘I hope they don’t ask for the recipe because it’s a little of this, a little of that!’” said Peterson, who bought the 50-year-old restaurant three years ago with parents Chan and Carolyn Elliott.

Peaches from Aplin Farms in nearby Slocomb, Alabama, stars in Peterson’s cobbler during harvest season, which runs through late July. “In the spring, I like to cut up a few peaches and start getting a little fresh peach taste. My granny always made her cobbler with canned peaches unless we had good, fresh peaches,” she said. “I don’t like cobbler all bready, either. I take it from the oven when it’s a little runny so the cobbler is like a gel when it gets cold.”

As the winner of Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler, Ray’s Restaurant received $300 from the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. The contest’s nominating stage on Facebook received over 150 votes for more than 30 restaurants.

AFVGA President Taylor Hatchett recently said, “Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler judge” to her resume, traveling the state for Final Four judging in late April. Recipe developer and  SouthernBite.com  food blogger Stacey Little, along with AFVGA Executive Director Hunter McBrayer, rounded out the taste testers.

Ray’s Restaurant, which serves made-to-order breakfast and country lunches, is open Monday-Friday from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 5 a.m. to noon.

DEF Receives Gift Donation In Honor Of SuperintendentThe Dothan Education Foundation is

honored to announce the receipt of a personal donation of $25,000 by former Dothan Mayor, school board chairman and businessman, Mike Schmitz, to the DEF in honor of Dothan City Schools’ superintendent, Dr. Phyllis Edwards at a recent “It Takes a Village” Women’s CEO Alliance event. This gift is one of the largest by an individual donor in the foundation’s nearly 25-year history.

“On behalf of our board, we are excited to be able to use these funds to continue our mission of mobilizing resources for Dothan City Schools,” said Lindsey Fountain, DEF executive director. “It is because of generous donors in our community, that we can continue our much-needed work to provide support for our teachers and students. Since 1995, the Dothan Education Foundation has supported Dothan City Schools through funding for special projects and programs outside the annual school budget dollars.”

Superintendent Edwards added, “I am honored that Chairman Schmitz shared his generosity to the Dothan Education Foundation in honor of the work that I am leading here in the Dothan City School System. By providing a personal donation of $25,000, Mr. Schmitz has shown tremendous generosity, leadership and commitment to Dothan’s public education. We intend to make the school system the best public school system in the state and in the nation.”

“I made this personal donation to the Dothan

Education Foundation because I believe in its partnership with Dothan City Schools, especially now as we’re on the verge of a new era in our city’s public education system,” Schmitz said. “I have confidence in both Dr. Edwards and the DEF mission to help our teachers and students be the best, so this partnership is extremely important to me, and that’s why I’m committed to it.”

For more information, contact the Dothan Education Foundation at (334) 794-6585, lindsey@dothaneducaiotnfoundation.org or visit www.dothaneducationfoundation.org.

Ray’s Restaurant in Dothan was named Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler contest sponsored by the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. Pictured (l-r) are judges AFVGA Executive Director Hunter McBrayer and AFVGA President Taylor Hatchett; owners Chan and Carolyn Elliott and Christi Peterson, and judge Stacey Little of SouthernBite.com.

The Dothan Education Foundation received a personal donation of $25,000 by former Dothan Mayor, school board chairman and businessman, Mike Schmitz, in honor of Dothan City Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Edwards. Pictured (l-r) are DEF board member Critt Snellgrove, DEF Executive Director Lindsey Foundation, DEF board member Mark Freeman, Commuity6 Development Director Amanda Arnold, Edwards and Schmitz.

8 CHAMBER CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019

BusinessBriefs

Chamber Names Executive Committee,New Board Members

At the July Board of Directors’ meeting, the past five board chairs of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce presented the following slate of officers to be accepted for the FY 2020 Executive Committee beginning Oct. 1, 2019:

R. Cliff MendheimPrim & Mendheim, LLCChairmanDelvick McKayCity of Dothan Chairman-Elect

Mary Beth ReynoldsPersonnel ResourcesImmediate Past Chairman Bob WoodallBob Woodall Air Care Systems Inc.Grow Dothan Chairman Michelle LewisAAA Cooper TransportationTreasurer Water HillWiregrass United WayCommunity Development Council ChairmanSteve DuebeltSoutheast GasEducation and Workforce Development Council ChairmanTBAGovernmental Affairs CouncilBrad KimbroSoutheast Gas Membership Development Council Chairman

Also at the July meeting, the Chamber’s Nominations and Elections Committee, chaired by Bob Woodall, immediate past-chairman and Bob Woodall Air Care Systems Inc., presented the following slate of nine candidates as incoming board members who will serve three-year terms of office beginning Oct. 1, 2019:

Jennifer DohertySoutheast Alabama Community Theatre

Andy GosselinGosselin Architecture

Adam HartzogDothan Regional Airport

Elaine TaylorRealTime, LLC

Sandi HodgeShute Pecan Co. Inc.

Turner JonesDothan Warehouse

Donnie PembertonThe Pepi Companies

Gina GrantCentury 21 James Grant Realty

Dr. Linda YoungWallace Community College

The Chamber’s board determines policies and set goals aimed at advancing economic and community development in the Dothan area.

The Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce and the Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, are pleased to announce that Dean Mitchell, the DACC’s executive director, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Mitchell is the first staff member of the DACC to receive this designation.

Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM Graduate Recognition signifies the individual’s completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management. In addition, participants can earn credit hours toward the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE) certifications. Nearly 1,000 individuals attend Institute annually.

“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”

Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four weeklong sessions at five different university locations throughout the country. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.

Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. It is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness. It educates the public on the conditions necessary for business and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities, and emerging issues and creative solutions that will shape the future.

DACC Executive Director Graduates IOM Program

The Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director, Dean Mitchell, recently graduated from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Institute For Organization Management program. Pictured with Mitchell (l-r) are Megan Lewis, IOM Board of Regents chair; and Christine Kennedy, Lynchburg, Virginia Regional Business Alliance COO and executive vice president.

www.dothan.com 9

BusinessBriefs

The Dothan Tuesday Rotary Club recently awarded $19,300 to Wiregrass area nonprofits as a way of living the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.” The grants were awarded to the following organizations for capital projects:

• Alfred Saliba Family Services Center, $5,200• Exchange Center for Child Abuse

Prevention, $5,000• Lunches for Learning, $3,000• Boys and Girls Club of the Wiregrass,

$1,850• The Ark Dothan, $1,500• Wiregrass United Way, $500• Southeast Health Foundation (NICU and

Champions of Hope), $500• Dothan Houston County Library, $250• Fostering Hope, $250• Alzheimer’s Resource Center, $250• Wiregrass Hope Group, $250• Love in Action Ministries, $250• Wiregrass Museum of Art, $250• House of Ruth, $250

“Each year, our club accepts applications from area nonprofits for capital projects. Our allocations committee, chaired by Mike Lewis, reviews each application to determine the need and the impact it will have on the community,” said Drew Owen, outgoing club president. “The committee awards our larger grants in this manner and each Club board member is able to allocate $250.00 toward the capital needs of an area non- profit of their choice.”

Incoming Club President, Brad Kimbro,

added “This is my favorite Rotary Club meeting of the year. We are able to tangibly demonstrate our motto of “Service Above Self ” as we fund the needs of our area non-profits which are truly servicing the needs of many in our community.

If you would like more information, contact Kimbro at (334) 701-8747 or bkimbro@wiregrass.coop.

Rotary Club Awards Grants To Area NonprofitsDavis Named APPA Executive Director

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association recently named Jacob Davis as its executive director. APPA serves over 900 peanut farmers and is an affiliate of the Alabama Farmers Federation. Davis takes the helm after a

25-year career focused on agriscience education.“I’ve been privileged to work closely

with individuals from the Alabama Farmers Federation through my involvement with Alabama FFA,” said Davis, who was raised on a cattle farm near Opp. “Through those interactions, I’ve come to fully appreciate what the federation means to Alabama’s agricultural community. I’m excited to join this great organization and work with the Alabama Peanut Producers Association and farmers across the state.”

As executive director, Davis will monitor federal policy issues impacting peanut farmers; oversee promotions for Alabama-grown peanuts; work on research projects with stakeholders such as Auburn University and the National Peanut Board; and manage the day-to-day operations of APPA’s Dothan office.

“We’re thankful for the great relationship between federation leadership and the APPA board of directors,” said Brian Hardin, the Federation’s Governmental and Agricultural Programs Department director. “We work closely with APPA to advocate for peanut farmers and are excited for Jacob to join our team. Our farmers will benefit from his agricultural knowledge, organizational skills and understanding of the association’s structure.”

Davis is a two-time Auburn University graduate with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriscience technology education. He taught agriscience for 10 years before joining the Alabama State Department of Education’s Career and Technical Education Section in 2004, first as an education specialist and then as education administrator. He retired in April.

He has extensive experience serving on statewide agricultural committees, including the Alabama Farm-City Committee, Alabama Ag in the Classroom Steering Committee, Alabama Soil & Water Conservation Committee, Alabama Forestry Council and Alabama Natural Resources Council. He also served as adviser to the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association board.

For more information, contact Davis at (334) 792-6482 or visit www.alpeanuts.com.

Jacob Davis, Executive Director

Flowers Medical Group Primary Care Locations500 Healthwest Dr. • Dothan, AL 36303 • 334-641-4073

4300 West Main St., Suite 16 • Dothan, AL 36305 • 334-697-80554300 West Main St., Suite 41 • Dothan, AL 36305 • 334-731-7102

210 Westside Drive • Dothan, AL 36303 • 334-759-3054108 Medical Drive • Dothan, AL 36303 • 334-309-82784126 West Main St. • Dothan, AL 36305 • 334-309-8598

144 Virginia Avenue • Daleville, AL 36322 • 334-731-7121

Whether it’s for a checkup or something more serious, you and your family want convenient, accessible healthcare. Fortunately, the providers at Flowers Medical Group are making it easier than ever to get primary care.

Online scheduling is available for select providers at FlowersMedicalGroup.com.

ASK ABOUT

SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS FOR PRIMARY CARE.

FlowersMedicalGroup.com

99309_FLOW_PCP_CallTrack_4_75x4_1845c.indd 1 10/6/17 4:45 PM

Belinda Mitchell, Alfred Saliba Family Services Center executive director, thanks the Dothan Tuesday Rotary Club for grant presented to center.

Pam Miles, Exchange Center for Child Abuse Prevention executive director, thanks the Dothan Tuesday Rotary Club for a grant presented to the center.

10 CHAMBER CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019

Scenic Cable Network and Productions is pleased to announce the promotions of Kim Gannt to general manager, Doug Wynn to sales manager and welcomes its newest team member, Pagelea Howard.

Gantt joined the company in 1996 and holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business administration from Troy University. She specializes in research, advertising sales and assisting clients with advertising campaigns, marketing research and media placement. She enjoys working closely with business owners and managers and assisting them in growing their businesses.

Gantt is an active member of AUSA,

Calvary Baptist Church, Dothan Networking Alliance, Exchange Club, and in the area chambers of commerce in Dothan, Enterprise, Eufaula and Headland. She also serves as a board member for the American Advertising Federation Dothan.

Wynn joined Scenic in 1992 and works with sales staff in training, planning, recruitment and with businesses in assisting clients with placing their advertising. He is an active member of AUSA and TOPS. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s in business administration from Troy University.

Howard, the newest team member, is a life-long resident of Dothan and is the administrative assistant/traffic coordinator, where she assists with the day-to-day operations. She has worked in broadcast media for the past 16 years.

Scenic Cable Network and Productions began serving the area over 30 years, with at the time, a new revolutionary way for local businesses to advertise on television by advertising on cable networks.

The company has always presented its clients

Scenic Cable Announces Promotions, New Addition

BusinessBriefs

Celebrate RecoveryEvery Friday • 7 p.m.Harvest Church. This is a biblical 12-step program for anyone struggling with life’s hurts, hang-ups or habits. The program is free and all are welcome. For those with children, age-specific children’s program available. For more information, call Harvest at (334) 702-6555 or email celebraterecovery@harvestdothan.com. “You can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there!”

Foster FestAug. 2 • 6 p.m. Foster Street downtown Dothan. Hosted by the Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority, this is a free, pet-friendly event showcasing downtown Dothan, the local arts, crafts and music scene, downtown businesses and classic cars. For more information, contact the DDRA at (334) 699-8118 or visit. www.facebook.com/fosterfest.

Quarterly Adult Art ClassesAug. 8, 15 & 22 • Times VaryWiregrass Museum of Art and Conference Center. Want a creative end to your work day? Come immerse yourself in wonderful art. A three-class series will be held once a quarter (February, May, August, November) on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Thursdays of the month. Each month’s series will focus on an artist through the in-depth study of a piece by that artist on display at WMA. August’s classes will study ceramic art. Cost is $45 members, $55 nonmembers. To register, call (334) 794-3871 or visit www.wiregrassmuseum.org.

#SaveTheDateFor These Upcoming Member Events

Scrabble ClubAug. 4, 11, 18, 25 • 2-4:30 p.m.Dothan Houston County Library Westgate Branch. If you are a lover of the word game, then the library has a group just for you. Scrabble Club get togethers are held each Sunday. For more information, call (334) 699-2950 or visit www.dhcls.org.

Home Sellers WorkshopAugust 10 • 10 a.m.Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Showcase Properties. Free monthly workshops are held the second Saturday each month, except for in November when the workshop date is Nov. 16. To register or for more information, call (334) 792-7474.

Meet the EducatorAug. 28 • 4-6 p.m.Wiregrass Museum of Art and Conference Center. Come meet WMA’s talented education staff and learn more about monthly youth art education opportunities. No registration required. For more information, call (334) 794-3871 or visit www.wiregrassmuseum.org.

Have an upcoming event planned?

Send your event information to melia@dothan.com

Kim Gantt,General Manager

Doug Wynn,Sales Manager

Pagelea Howard,Administrative Assistant/Traffic Coordinator

with cutting edge video production; being the first to adopt non-linear computer editing with the AVID System in 1995. Scenic was one of only two production facilities in the state with this equipment.

Scenic invested in new 4K equipment a SONY 4K Broadcast camera equipped with Ultra-Wide Broadcast Lens and to complete the package new advanced editing computer with state of the art 4K editing. This makes available 4K TV commercials, training and company history videos for clients.

For more information, give Scenic Cable a call at (334) 793-2722 or visit online at www.sceniccable.com.

Serving The WiregrassSince 1969

334.794.0328 tomwestcompany.com2158 W. Main St. Dothan, Alabama 36301

YOURCHAMBER

Got News About Your Business? Submit your article to the Chamber for

inclusion in future Connections newsletter. Contact Melia McKean at (334) 792-5138 or mmckean@dothan.com.

www.dothan.com 11

Grow Dothan and the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce recently invited the area’s automotive dealerships and repair shops to a Meet-n-Greet with Dothan City School’s new Director of Career Technology Education and Workforce Development, Chris Duke, along with Wallace Community College to learn about their new partnership in offering Dual Enrollment Automotive courses at the Dothan Technology Center.

The event provided a great opportunity to meet Duke and the WCC staff and to give insights on the needs of our local automotive industry.

Helping To Bring Businesses And Education Officials Together

Economic Highlights ForAlabama And Dothan Areas

GrowDothan

Wallace Community College’s Jennifer Matheny (left) talks about their new partnership with Dothan Technology Center offering Dual Enrollment Automotive courses at the center. Also pictured are (l-r) Dothan City Schools’ Chris Duke, director of career technology education and workforce development, and Emily Peluso.

Dr. Bill Sellers (left), Wallace Community College associate dean of career and technical education, talks about the dual enrollment program the college has with the Dothan Technology Center. Also pictured is Dothan City Schools’ Chris Duke, director of career technology education and workforce development.

Grow Dothan and the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce recently invited the area’s automotive dealerships and repair shops to a Meet-n-Greet.

Each year the University of Alabama Center for Business and Economic research updates Alabama’s economy using the latest data available from government agencies. Since data is always in arrears, the latest highlights were presented to start off the 2019 year. The below information is to highlight some interesting facts on the Alabama and Dothan metro area economy.

Alabama’s top five exporting industrial sectors:• Transportation Equipment - $10.7 billion• Chemicals - $2.2 billion• Primary Metal Manufacturing - $1.5 billion• Machinery; Except Electrical - $0.9 billion• Paper – $0.9 billion

Alabama’s top five exporting destinations:• Canada - $4.1 billion• China - $3.3 billion• Germany - $3.2 billion• Mexico - $2.6 billion• United Kingdom - $0.6 billion

Per Capital Income Growth (2016)• United States – 1.6 percent• Alabama – 1.8 percent• Dothan – 2.5 percent

PopulationProjections 2010 2020 2025 2030 Percent

Change

Alabama 4,779,000 4,941,000 5,031,000 5,124,000 7.2%

Dothan MSA 145,600 151,500 155,100 158,700 9.0%

Houston County Private Employment By Sector for Quarter Ending December

Sector 2016 2018 Change2016-2018

Goods Producing 5,910 6,378 468

Natural Resources & Mining 153 179 26

Construction 1,888 1,997 109

Manufacturing 3,869 4,202 333

Service Producing 33,528 34,011 483

Trade, Transportation & Utility 13,562 13,377 -185

Information 634 515 -119

Business Services 3,663 3,785 112

Financial Services 1,559 1,608 49

Education & Health 7,622 7,748 126

Leisure & Hospitality 5,349 5,837 488

Other Services 1,139 1,141 2

12 CHAMBER CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019

WorkforceDevelopment

Congratulations to Abbey Knight of Ashford who was one of the 32 rising high school seniors who participated in the third annual Huntingdon College Economic and Community Development Scholars Program June 25-27. Sponsored by the Dothan Area Chamber Foundation to attend the program, Knight is a recent graduate of the Youth Leadership Dothan-Houston County Class 27.

“Abbey is a shining example of the students who participate in the Chamber Foundation’s youth

leadership program,” said Dean Mitchell, DACC executive director. “These young people are our future leaders, and the foundation was honored to sponsor Abbey. We look forward to her continued personal and professional growth and achievements. Congratulations Abbey!”

Planned in partnership with and sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, the Economic Development Association of Alabama and the Alabama Department of Commerce, ECDS introduces young citizens who are poised to begin their professional journeys to the importance of economic and community development. 

The students met with professionals seasoned in the processes of economic and community development and participated in a two-day economic development simulation. Participants “graduated” from the program wearing hard hats for ground-breaking and ribbon-cutting simulations.  

“We had an incredibly impressive collection of high school students on our campus last week,” said Huntingdon senior vice president Anthony Leigh, an architect of the program. “These students are difference makers in their schools and their communities.  I am confident they have returned to their communities enlightened about what economic and community developers do, and we hope that knowledge has given them an appreciation for the work of growing and bettering their community and our state.” 

Grounded in the Judeo-Christian tradition of the United Methodist Church, Huntingdon College is committed to nurturing growth in faith, wisdom and service and to graduating individuals

prepared to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Founded in 1854, Huntingdon is a coeducational liberal arts college recognized among “The Fastest Growing Colleges in America” by The Chronicle of Higher Education; among the top six best regional values and a top 11 regional college in the South by U.S. News and World Report; among a list of Colleges that Change Lives, by Washington Monthly; among the Best Colleges Region by Region (South) by the Princeton Review. The Huntingdon campus, a Tree Campus USA, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Houston County Student Participates In Hunting College Economic

And Community Development Program

Employee Turnover As An Economic Indicator

Steve Turkoski, Project Manager

The U.S. Census Bureau collects volumes of information through surveys, wage records, unemployment compensation, social security and other sources. Using this collected data, it provides information back to the public by way of Quarterly Workforce Indicators.

Since 1990, QWI provides 32 economic indicators including: employment, job creation/destruction, wages, hires and other measures of employment flows. The QWI indicator of

concern here is employee turnover. As one might imagine, employee turnover varies by industry, age, sex and location. All of these variables are available for input in the data query.

Age input is by one of eight cohorts ranging from 14-18 to 65-99. For Houston County, the older the age cohort, the less the turnover. The 21 major industry sector North American Industrial Classification System, can be searched at the Sector (four-Digit) and Industry Group (three-digit) level. Geography can be searched by state, metropolitan area, county and WIOA area. The time series can be searched by quarter or annual average.

As the need for a more educated workforce continues to grow, and skilled employees become more and more valuable, it may cause a higher level of regional turnover as workers look to maximize their return on educational and training investment.

A screen capture will not be legible here, so the Houston County annual average turnover for all industries and all age cohorts is provided at upper right. The website can be found at https://qwiexplorer.ces.census.gov/static/explore.html#x=0&g=0. Abbey Knight,

Ashford High School Senior

www.dothan.com 13

YOURCHAMBER

Attention Members!If you know of a business interested in benefiting from joining

the Chamber, please contact Hayden Camp at (334) 792-5138 or hcamp@dothan.com.

SmallBusinessDevelopment

Helping You To Build And Strengthen Your Networking Skills

Managing Workplace StressDothan Area Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday, Aug. 21 • 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

We have all experienced feeling very stressed and overwhelmed about a situation one day, and then a few days later feeling more positive about the same issue. In cases like this, it’s generally not the situation that has changed, but our attitude. So many circumstances can impact our day-to-day attitudes, stress levels and work productivity. Keeping stress in perspective allows you to see things in a new light, whether it is work, relationships or life in general.

Mark your calendar and plan to join the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce and David Balmer, area manager for Emerald Coast Dale Carnegie Training, for a Managing Workplace Stress luncheon workshop Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the chamber facility.

During this workshop, you will develop and practice stress management strategies based on three pillars of perspective: physical, mental and social. You will develop ways to frame things during difficult situations and manage stress levels. Learning and applying these approaches will empower you to propel forward and see circumstances in a whole new light.

The workshop cost is $15 and pre-registration is required by Monday, Aug. 19. To reserve your seat, call Susan Tatom at (334) 792-5138 or email statom@dothan.com.

The Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Mary Beth Maddox, from Personnel Resources and DACC chair, presented a Building and Strengthening Your Networking Skills workshop in July.

Over 50 Chamber members attended the workshop where they learned some valuable networking skills and picked up tips to help them come out of that “uncomfortable” shell to now be able to go out and establish great business connections and relationships.

Thank you to our presenter Mary Beth Maddox for taking time out of her busy schedule to share her experience and knowledge with us.

Mary Beth Maddox, from Personnel Resources and Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce chair, provides members with valuable tips on how to build and strengthen their networking skills.

Mark Your CalendarFor These Upcoming Seminars

Starting A Business?Dothan Area Chamber of CommerceThursday, August 7 • 10 a.m. - Noon

Are you ready to start or purchase a business? To help you in this process, join the Alabama Small Business Development Center at Troy University and the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce for the informative program Starting A Business to be held Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 10 a.m. until noon at the chamber.

In this two-hour program, a Troy SBDC advisor will discuss the steps you need to take to get your business up and running successfully. The program is provided at no cost; however, pre-registration is required. To register, visit http://bit.ly/startbizdothan.

The Alabama SBDC at Troy University is a trusted source for the information and tools you will need to succeed at every stage of the process. For more information on this program, the services provided to start/grow a business, international trade or government contracting, call (334)770-2620 or go to https://asbdc.ecenterdirect.com/signup to get registered for the SBDC’s services.

14 CHAMBER CONNECTIONS AUGUST 2019

The Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador and Diplomat Committees are gearing up for its 2019-2020 fiscal year and are looking for a few good volunteers who enjoy teamwork and meeting people. The program year runs October-September and the committees meet the first Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Chamber office.

Serving as an Ambassador or Diplomat allows you to become more involved in your business community. This results in increased networking opportunities, enhanced visibility of your business and numerous opportunities to market and promote your products and services.

If you are interested in serving as an Ambassador or Diplomat for the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce please complete and return the application. The commitment is for one year.

The Chamber has 50 Ambassador positions available for the 2019-2020 year and will accept applications until Aug. 1, 2019, or until all positions are filled.

Returning Ambassadors/Diplomats must also re-apply for the 2019-2020 year.

For more information, contact the Director of Membership, Hayden Camp, at (334) 792-5138 or email hcamp@dothan.com.

(To be a Diplomat you must have been an Ambassador for three consecutive years.)

Name: _________________________________________

Business Name: __________________________________

Title or Position: _________________________________

Address: ________________________________________

_______________________________________________

Phone: _________________ Fax: ____________________

E-mail: _________________________________________

Circle One: AMBASSADOR DIPLOMAT

AMBASSADOR / DIPLOMAT COMMITTEE APPLICATION2019-2020

Are you good at promoting your beliefin the Chamber?

Do you enjoy people and networking?

Is your business interested in connectingwith the community?

Then you may have what it takes to be aChamber Ambassador or Diplomat.

Let them find you.

There are a lot of people

looking for your business.

Over 6,000* read The Connect ions each month.

Over 4,000 visi t www.dothan.com each month.

Reach over 950 Chamber member businesses with a low cost ad each month.

Reach new prospects searching for local informat ion about Dothan.

AD SIZE COST PER MONTH 1 Mo. 3 Mo. 6 Mo. 1 Yr.

Bus. Card $130 $117 $110.50 $104Back Cover $160 $144 $136 $128Small $210 $189 $178.50 $168Medium $260 $234 $221 $208Large $375 $337.50 $318.75 $300

AD SIZE COST PER MONTH 1 Mo. 3 Mo. 6 Mo. 1 Yr.

Standard $75 $67.50 $63.75 $60

Ads will be linked to advertiser’s Website at no additional charge.

Call (334) 792-5138 to get connected.

IN THIS NEWSLETTER ON OUR WEBSITE

We reach the people you should be reaching.

DOTHAN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.dothan.com

* Est imated total based on 2,400 subscript ions

www.dothan.com 15

al 11022 al 52253 fl cmc1250696 ga cn209553334.340.1111 www.bwcair.com

Editor's Note: Sources for this information vary; call the Chamber for details. Data as of 7/08/19. Visit www.dothan.com for the most current information.

EconomicIndicatorsLabor Force for the Dothan MSA for May:

62,738 in 2018; 64,195 in 201960,441 in 2018; 62,279 in 2019 Employed

Unemployment for the Dothan MSA for May:3.7% in 2018; 3.0% in 2019

Residential Building Permits for the City of Dothan for May:10 issued ($2.93 million) in 2018; 18 issued ($4.86 million) in 2019

Home Sales in Dothan for May:136 sold in 2018; 148 sold in 2019

Enplanements for Dothan Regional Airport for May:5,029 in 2018; 5,347 in 2019

Houston County & Dothan Sales and Use Tax Collections ($) for May:

$1,597,125 in 2018; $1,763,173 in 2019 (County)$5,383,782 in 2018; $6,366,393 in 2019 (City)

A Publication of theDothan Area Chamber of CommerceAugust 2019Vol. 46, No. 11 (USPS 700-660)© Copyright 2019

ConnectionsC H A M B E R

CONNECTIONS

Chamber Connections is published monthly (USPS 700-660) for the members of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce,

102 Jamestown Blvd., Dothan, AL 36301. Subscription rate is $24 annually. Postmaster: Send address changes to Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce,

P.O. Box 638, Dothan, AL 36302. Periodicals postage is paid at Dothan, AL and additional mailing office.

meeting shapingm e e t i n g t h e c h a l l e n g e s h a p i n g t h e f u t u r e

DOTHAN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.dothan.com

(334) 792-5138chamber@dothan.com