The CornerThe Corner

SouthWest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce

February 2019 Serving All of South Mobile CountyServing All of South Mobile County

Chris Curry President, Mobile Airport Authority

New Pricing for Business Lunch $12 Member and $15 Non-Member

“In Step With Progress”

Jeff L. Schmitz

Board of Directors Jeff Brinson - Southwestern Consulting

Stephanie Chestnut - Dick Russell’s BBQ

Laura Hittson - W. C. Griggs Elementary

Russanne Howell - Farmers Insurance

Cindy Imsand - Mobile’s Best Storage

Tammy Lyons - Family Security Credit Union

Delores McLaney - McLaney Senior Dance

Wes Pipes - Individual

Curtis Polk - BLP Mobile Paints

Joe Summersgill - Mobile Co. Water, Sewer & FPA Teresa Taylor - AIM Mail Center Della Wade - Individual

Chamber MissionChamber MissionChamber Mission

Our Chamber’s mission is to foster, promote, advance, and Our Chamber’s mission is to foster, promote, advance, and Our Chamber’s mission is to foster, promote, advance, and improve the civic, commercial and general business interests improve the civic, commercial and general business interests improve the civic, commercial and general business interests

of the surrounding areas and to cooperate with other of the surrounding areas and to cooperate with other of the surrounding areas and to cooperate with other communities promoting objectives for the improvement of communities promoting objectives for the improvement of communities promoting objectives for the improvement of

our business and the welfare of our community.our business and the welfare of our community.our business and the welfare of our community.

2019 Officers President Pete Riehm NAI Mobile

1st Vice President Tiffany Ginn Uniti Fiber

2nd Vice President Chris Black Integrity IT Services

Secretary Cadie Gaut Payroll Vault

Treasurer Bryan Dewberry Midtown Mortgage

Pete Riehm, SWMCC President

Message from the President

Advisory Board Theresa Orrell (Past President)

Polysurveying of Mobile

Kay Peace (Past President)

Individual

Ruth Robinson (Past President)

Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery

Community Center Staff

Executive Director Tina Poiroux tpoiroux@swmcchamber.com

Rental Specialist Ashley Rester arester@swmcchamber.com

Building Supervisor Susan Williams

Nikkie Odom

Maintenance Gwyn Howard

Office number: 251.666.2488

The new year is off to a busy start with lots of business activity and economic development. AIRBUS broke ground on its second Final Assembly Line to start building the popular A220 Bombardier airliner. The Mobile Airport Authority announced that Frontier Airlines would start direct service to Chicago and Denver in a few months FROM Brookley Field! They will join Via Airlines at Brookley, so moving the airport to Brookley is apparently

underway. And the Walmart Distribution Center is still hiring as they ramp up to full operational volume.

The Southwest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce Annual Community Awards Dinner was a huge success with well over a hundred folks enjoying a great meal by Grand Catering of Mobile while we honored our 2018 Citizens of the Year, Mark & Kelli Dunn, for their tireless efforts to raise money for cancer research. They have organized many fund raisers, but their main event is the annual “Dunn with cancer” crawfish boil held here at the chamber. Watch for information about this year’s event coming soon. We added a new award this year. We honored “Teachers of the Year” from area schools and from them awarded the Southwest Mobile County Chamber Commerce Teacher of the Year. Our first awardee was Laura Sargeant from W.C. Griggs Elementary. Congratulations to all!

Mardi Gras is fast approaching, but right after that your Chamber will host the 6th Annual First Responders Breakfast, March 27th. If you are interested in sponsoring or supporting this wonderful event, please let Tina or Ashley know now. It’s always important to show appreciation for our First Responders, but this year is especially poignant as we remember Officers Justin Billa and Sean Tuder for their ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Please pray for their families and all our First Responders.

Please remember to check the chamber calendar regularly for all our great events, but our monthly lunch is almost always the first Wednesday of the month! This month our guest speaker is the Executive Director of the Mobile Airport Authority, Chris Curry. Brookley Field is on fire with new projects, so he will have lots of exciting information. You do NOT want to miss his remarks! Hope to see you all there! And as always, please let us know how your chamber can better serve your business.

FEBRUARY CALENDAR

14

Coffee with the Chamber

When: Feb 19th 7:30am

Where: Tillman’s Corner Community Center

Contact:: 251-666-2488

Cost: Free to attend

Sponsor: Boys and Girls Club

6 SWMCC Business Luncheon

When: Feb 6th (Networking 11:30am) 12:00-1:00pm Guest Speaker: Chris Curry- President, Mobile

Airport Authority

Where: Tillman’s Corner Community Center

Contact: Chamber Office 251-666-2488

Cost: $12 for Members and $15 for Potential Members

Sponsor: Integrity IT Services

21 Seminar w/ Marcus Neto

When: Feb 21st 8:00am Subject: Marketing Tackle Box - Using the Right

Hook

Where: Tillman’s Corner Community Center

Contact: 251-666-2488

No Cost to attend

RSVP to info@swmcchamber.com

19

Happy Valentine’s Day!

6585 Carol Plantation Road Theodore, AL 36582

251. 653.1188

Mardi Gras 2019 Parade Schedule

SouthWest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce

MONTHLY BUSINESS LUNCHEON

February 6, 2019

Networking 11:30 am / Meeting 12:00-1:00 pm

Chris Curry- President, Mobile Airport Authority

Caterer: Luncheon Sponsor: Menu:

Please RSVP to 251.666.2488 or info@swmcchamber.com $12 for Members & $15 for Potential Members

Pulled Pork or Chicken

Baked Beans

Cole Slaw

Potato Salad

Cake

Sweet & Unsweet Tea

770 Schillinger Rd S, Mobile, AL 36695

251-634-0999

5219 Hwy 90 West Service Rd STE C Mobile, AL 36619

251-206-7138

Thomas “Chris” Curry was hired as the Executive Director of the Mobile Airport Authority in October 2017, and was recently promoted to the position of President in September 2018. Upon his appointment to the position, he placed airline recruitment, evaluating the roles of Mobile Regional and Downtown Airports, and expanding business opportunities on the Brookley Aeroplex at the top of his priorities. His overall objective is to provide premium air service to the community and manage the assets of the Authority to achieve the greatest economic benefit to the customers of the region.

Since Mr. Curry’s arrival in Mobile, he has provided professionalism and expertise in representing MAA with the overall needs of its largest tenants, such as Airbus, VTMAE, and Continental Motors. During this past year, Airbus announced a partnership with Bombardier to build the A220 aircraft and Flight Works aviation experience center at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. In addition, he spearheaded the complex negotiations of a new agreement with Continental Motors, where they are investing $75 million in a new state of the art facility scheduled to open in 2019.

Because of Mr. Curry’s wealth of experience in the Airline industry, he was able to recruit Via Airlines to provide non-stop service to Orlando/Sanford; Mobile’s first new airline since 2003. Working with the FAA, he also managed the Metropolitan Airport Systems Study to determine the feasibility of moving commercial service from the Regional to Downtown Airport. Under his guidance, the MAA is moving into the Masterplan process for the Mobile Downtown Airport. This is a brief snapshot of a few items on a long list of his many accomplishments in under a year as Executive Director.

A native of Savannah, Georgia, Mr. Curry earned his associate’s degree in airway science from the Community College of the Air Force, Montgomery, AL. He also earned a bachelor’s degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in professional aeronautics. He was recently selected as “Aviation Professional of the Year” by the Florida Department of Transportation in 2016.

SIGN UP TODAY!!

NO Start Up or Yearly

Fees!

Free to SWMCC Members!!!

2019

February 19, 2019 7:30 am

Drop by SWMCC on your way to work! Start your day off right with a hot cup of coffee and networking!

No cost to attend!

Attendees are asked to give a short introduction about their business. Don’t forget your business cards!

Sponsored by: Boys and Girls Club

RSVP at 251.666.2488 or info@swmcchamber.com 8 or info@swmcchamber.com

FEEDING THE GULF COAST ASSISTING COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY THE CURRENT PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Entering weeks of the partial government shutdown, Feeding the Gulf Coast has begun to work with its

community partners and agencies to identify and fill any gaps in the food supply. As 800,000 government employees are facing furlough or working without pay, Feeding the Gulf Coast

would like to assure the communities it serves that it will continue to provide food assistance to anyone affected by the partial government shutdown, personal crisis, or disaster. “We are grateful for all of the hard-

working federal employees who choose to call the Gulf Coast home. They invest in our community economically and philanthropically and we want to minimize the hardship for them in these uncertain

times,” says Cathy Pope, Feeding the Gulf Coast President & CEO. Ways to get involved: - Host a food drive to help supplement any gaps in food supply or increase in the number of clients seeking food assistance as a result of the partial government shutdown. - Make a monetary donation to Feeding the Gulf Coast. Earmark the donation: ”Government Shutdown Relief.” These funds will be used to provide mobile pantries throughout Feeding the Gulf Coast’s service area and to help procure additional food items.

- Share your story with Feeding the Gulf Coast. How is your community being impacted by the partial government shutdown? Share your story by visiting: https://feedingthegulfcoast.org/share-your-story/.

February 21, 2019

8:00 am Tillman’s Corner Community Center

No Cost to Attend

Marketing Tackle Box Using the Right Hook

We understand that most small businesses do not start out with a loaded marketing team.

Promoting your small business can require tons of time, research, and advertising, and we want to resource you with tools that will maximize

your presence. In our workshop, we will cover consistent branding, the foundations of

websites, and how to optimize your social media appearance. Let us help you out fish the

competition. Join us!

Seminar with

Marcus Neto

The Mobile County License Commission is proud to be associated with the Southwest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce. As such, we realize the vast majority of the members would be categorized as small businesses. Most of you do not have a government compliance department or attorneys on retainer…all that ends up on your plate! Our staff at the MCLC is willing and able to assist you with your business compliance requirements. That’s why we are here. And, always remember the outstanding talent and experience that is available to you as a member of SWMCC. For those of you considering or in the process of starting up your new

business, we don’t have to tell you of the obstacles and challenges that you have to pass through before you begin that magic moment of pushing the cash register buttons. However, let us offer a few suggestions to help smooth out the process. First, now this may sound silly, but, in the State of Alabama, you may need a license to do business (hope you picked up on the word “may”! Yes, not every business requires a license from the state and county). Then, you may be in one of our eleven (11) municipalities or want to do business in one of them. This is where many aspiring entrepreneurs stumble. Obtaining a business license from one city is not an automatic license for the others. Each of these government entities has its own requirements. As an example, the State license and the County license are issued simultaneously, but a business license from the City of Mobile does not fulfill the requirements of obtaining a county and state license. Starting to sound complicated! This is why we always recommend that you visit us at the MCLC as your first step in considering your new business. We will answer all your questions to help guide you through the process. Many of these questions include the areas of: sales tax collection and reporting, license renewal, and coordination with other entities such as the Mobile County Health Department or the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. We will help you with becoming familiar with the laws governing your area of business. We highly recommend this for new and ongoing businesses. Many of your questions can be answered on our web site at https://www.mobilecountylc.com Go to the “Information” heading then click on the dropdown “Business License.” If you have any further specific questions, please feel free contact us at (251) 574 8561. Remember, we at the Mobile County License Commission are here to serve you with your business requirements and are sincerely supportive of your business. Nick Matranga Mobile County License Commissioner 3925-F Michael Boulevard Mobile, AL 36602 251-574-8566

We will be in your neighborhood soon on Friday, March 29, 2019 in Mobile at the

Tillman’s Corner Community Center - 5055 Carol Plantation Road | Mobile, AL

Get your special Community Circle Pricing!

Three ways to register:

Call toll-free: 1-866-229-0469

Online: www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycirle

Text: the word circle to 797979

Abdominal Aortic

Aneurysm

Screening Screens for an

aneurysm in the

abdominal aorta,

which could rupture.

Carotid Artery/

Plaque Screening Ultrasound scan of the

carotid arteries that

screens for plaque

buildup.

Heart Rhythm

Screening (Atrial Fibrillation)

Screens for

Irregular

heart beat.

All 5 Screenings for $139 Peripheral

Arterial Disease

Screening Screens for peripheral arterial

disease in the lower

extremities.

Osteoporosis Risk

Assessment Ultrasound screen of the heel bone to

determine abnormal

bone mass density.

SouthWest Mobile County Chamber Of Commerce

THE 6TH ANNUAL FIRST RESPONDERS

BREAKFAST

SAVE THE DATE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27TH

9:00 AM THANKING OUR HEROES!!

Nominate Your Favorite Business

Proceeds benefit local veterans and youth

through American Legion Programs

American Legion

Charity Golf

Classic Celebrating 100 Years

Putting Contest

Hole in One Prize

Sat. March 23, 2019

Spring Hill College

Golf Course 4000 Dauphin St.| Mobile, AL

Registration: 8 to 9 AM

Shotgun Starts at 10 AM

Entry Fee: $75/golfer or

$300/four person team

Submission deadline for

member news or news

release is the 10th of each

month to be released the

following month. News

release should be brief and

only1-2 paragraphs. Send

your info to

info@swmcchamber.com

Naomi Etheridge from St. Elmo Elementary Avery Davidson from Cottage Hill Christian Academy

Bayleigh Bosarge from Nan Gray Davis Elementary Not Pictured:

Milton Lucky from Meadowlake Elementary Mia Joachin from Pearl Haskew Elementary

THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS OF EACH SCHOOL

Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery Payroll Vault

Polysurveying of Mobile AIM Mail Center #153 Dick Russell’s BBQ

Elaine Sessions BLP Mobile Paints

SouthWest Mobile County Chamber

Amy Rainwaters

Coaching

CORPORATE SPONSORS

Platinum

PAYROLL VAULT

INTEGRITY IT SERVICES

Gold

EVONIK

Silver

Bronze

OLIVE GARDEN

HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER

MOBILE MEMORIAL GARDENS

FUNERAL HOME

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SO. ALA

TOUCHING HEART SENIOR CARE

MOBILE MEMORIAL GARDENS

CEMETERY

POLYSURVEYING OF MOBILE

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY

Friends of the Chamber

THE HOWARD FAMILY

SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY

THAT SUPPORTS YOU BY

JOINING THE SOUTHWEST

MOBILE COUNTY CHAMBER

OF COMMERCE.

For information on becoming a

member contact our office at

251-666-2488 or

Info@swmcchamber.com

If you are already a member, pass

the word along to help promote

our community!

Membership Renewals:

New Members:

Business of the Month:

Evonik

Alabama Credit Union 7790 Cottage Hill Road

Mobile, AL 36695 251-800-4903

Habitat for Humanity 3712 Airport Blvd Mobile, AL 36608

251-476-7171

Roberts Brothers West Tammy Curl Realtor

6721 Grelot Road Ste A Mobile, AL 36695

251-661-4660

Express Employment Professionals 3662 Dauphin Street Ste B

Mobile, AL 36608 251-476-8210

The Howard Family Gwyn Howard

Individual Member

All A Bloom Adams Homes, LLC

Adams & Reese ,LLP AIM Mail Center # 153

Alabama Safety Institute, Inc Army Aviation Ctr Federal Credit Union

Autry Greer & Sons, Inc Bancorp South Bank

Barnes, Kathy BLP - Mobile Paints

Boys & Girls Club Cart Dr. LLC

Cloverleaf Baptist Church Cypress Shores Baptist Church

Davis, Don Dick Russell's BBQ

Dobbs, Lola

Evonik Feeding the Gulf Coast

First Baptist Church of Tillman’s Corner Flexible Benefits, Inc

Godfather’s Pizza Hampton Inn Holmes, Tom

Home 2 Suites by Hilton Howell & Associates

Johnstone Adams, LLC La Quinta Inn Suites

Lindsey & Waldo, LLC McLaney Senior Dance Mitsubishi Polysilicon

Mobile County Commission PolySurveying of Mobile

Tuesday, April 9th

a Celebration!!

SWMCC Member

Appreciation

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Thank you for your

membership with

our Chamber!