Port Commissioner Marzano Addresses Port Issues Impacting Chamber Businesses

Last Friday's annual Import/Export Luncheon featured a presentation from Tacoma Port Commissioner, Dick Marzano, on the new Seaport Alliance between the Ports of Tacoma and Seattle.  Commissioner Marzano spoke about the economic impact the new alliance will have on our region for the future and presented just released statistics about the direct jobs created by the Ports in our local communities.  

Parametrix once again hosted the luncheon at their location in the Benaroya Campus on So. Hill.  The venue was filled to capacity with members and guests who also came to ask about the current Port labor dispute and share specific stories about the impact to our local business community.  Commissioner Marzano indicated he was hopeful about a speedy resolution and acknowledged the impact the slow down was having on our businesses and our region.

We want to thank Commissioner Marzano for making the time to address our members and Parametrix for continuing to host this annual event for the Chamber.  We also appreciate our businesses for bringing guests and making the time to attend and share their questions.  It was a great event and we hope to see you all next year with an update on the new Alliance and its impact on the Puget Sound.

Transportation Lobby Lunch in Olympia

Rep. Jake Fey and Rep. Ed Orcutt

Representative's from the South Sound Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coalition attended an AWB Transportation Lobby Lunch in Olympia on Thursday to hear presentations from Rep. Ed Orcutt, ranking member of the House Transportation Committee and Rep. Jake Fey, member of the House Transportation Committee.  Each talked about the challenges of creating a transportation package and working across the isle to gain support for investing in our state's transportation infrastructure.  

The Transportation Package of 11 bills, Senate Bills 5987-5997, would pay for mega projects Including almost 1.9 billion for the SR167/SR509 Puget Sound Gateway project, ongoing maintenance, institute transportation project reforms and funded primarily by an 11.7-cent gas tax increase.

Both Rep. Orcutt and Rep. Fey seemed encouraged by the proposal, but emphasized that the package must pass the chamber before the House and Senate negotiations can begin. Luncheon guests questioned Rep. Orcutt and Rep. Fey on carbon emissions and prevailing wage issues, as well as current state litigation pertaining to culverts impacting fish and wildlife.

Our coalition is encouraged that a transportation package has been proposed but realize that our business advocacy must remain a priority for our chambers in order to support our state legislators in creating a viable transportation plan for Washington State's future.

PS Chamber Asks SBA Administrator About Access to Small Business Loans

Maria Contreras-Sweet, SBA Administrator and Congressman Denny Heck

On Wednesday, Congressman Denny Heck introduced Maria Contreras-Sweet to a group of local business owners and representatives who gathered at the William Factory Small Business Incubator in Tacoma. When asked about the availability of loans to small businesses who have weathered the economic downturn of the past seven years and are looking for resources to grow and create jobs, Administrator Contreras-Sweet suggested the newly launched LINC program (Leveraging Information and Networks to access Capital). It's the first of its kind tool on the federal agency's website that will allow entrepreneurs looking for a small business loan to be matched with a SBA lender within 48 hours. She shared that by directly connecting with prospective borrowers, the agency will be able to provide more guidance and ensure more capital is reaching our nation's entrepreneurs. She acknowledged that across the country, thousands of small business owners are searching for loans for real estate, lines of credit, and equipment financing that will assist them with hiring and growing. The goal is for entrepreneurs with viable business ideas backed by good credit and sound financial planning, to have access to a streamlined process through the SBA for needed capital.

The Chamber is currently working with regional SBA administration to provide local access to SBA advisers and scheduled business presentations at the Chamber office. More information about Small Business Administration is available on their website.

We appreciate Congressman Heck's continuing advocacy for our Puyallup and Sumner businesses and providing our Chamber with the opportunity to access national leaders and federal business resources.

Contreras-Sweet is the 24th and current Administrator of the Small Business Administration which helps both Main Street and high-growth small businesses get access to capital, counseling, federal contracts, disaster assistance and more. She was formerly the executive chairwoman and founder of ProAmerica Bank, a commercial bank focusing on small to mid-sized businesses with a specialty in the Latino community. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Contreras-Sweet immigrated to Los Angeles, California and has since been involved in both the private sector founding a private equity firm and in public service as the California Secretary of Business, Transportation, and Housing under Governor Gray Davis. On January 15, 2014, she was nominated by President Barack Obama to join his Cabinet as head of the Small Business Administration. She was confirmed as the Administrator of the SBA by voice vote on March 27, 2014. She assumed the role of her position on April 7, 2014.

Calvin W. Goings, pictured above, now serves as the Regional Administrator leading SBA's economic development efforts in the Pacific Northwest states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. Goings is a well known community leader in Puyallup and Pierce County, has made various appearances at Chamber events and contributes to our ePulse publication on a regular basis.

February Luncheon Features Port of Tacoma Commissioner Dick Marzano

Dick Marzano
Port of Tacoma Commissioner

Join us Friday, February 13th for our annual Import/Export Luncheon.

Our guest speaker will be Tacoma Port Commissioner, Dick Marzano. 
Learn about the new Seaport Alliance between the
 Port of Tacoma and Port of Seattle and how it will 
affect our region and local business community.

The luncheon will be held at Parametrix in the Benaroya So. Hill Campus
1019 39th Ave. S.E., Puyallup 

(behind the new Group Health location near Pierce College)

Doors open: 11:00 am
Lunch served:  11:30 am
Presentation starts Noon

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

First Annual Putt Putt Classic a Fun Way to Conduct Business

The Chamber would like to thank all of our members who participated in our first Putt Putt Classic,  and our downtown Puyallup businesses who went all out in sponsoring their miniature golf hole location.  Our next networking Putt Putt tournament will take place in downtown Sumner.  
Congratulations to Dana Nuber who took home our best golf attire award.

HOLE #1:  Fairfield Inn and Suites

HOLE #2:  Washington State Fair

HOLE #3:  Columbia Bank

 HOLE #4:  Anthem Beverage & Bistro

HOLE #5:  The Stephens Law Firm

HOLE #6:  Design Dog

HOLE #7:  Tractor Supply Co

 HOLE #8:  Fix Auto Puyallup

   HOLE #9:  Bill Korum's Puyallup Nissan