Senate Passes Transportation Package Today

A Transportation Package was approved by the Senate today, which includes widening of the Interstate 5 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and completion of the last six miles of SR 167 from the Puyallup terminus to the Port of Tacoma.

The Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following senators who voted for the package:  Sen. Bruce Dammeier 25^thDistrict,  and Sen. Angel, Bailey, Baumgartner, Becker,  Braun, Brown, Conway, Darneille, Fain, Hatfield, Hewitt, Hill, Hobbs, Honeyford, King, Liias, Litzow, Miloscia, Mullet, O'Ban, Parlette, Pedersen, Rivers, Schoesler, Sheldon,  and Warnick

The Senate Transportation Package represents a shot in the arm for the state's economy and our region.  We need to get our freight moving, our commuters unstuck from those traffic jams and help grow jobs long term.  This package will do that.

It is important that the transportation funding source be the gas tax.  These funds are guaranteed under the State Constitution to be utilized for roads and transportation projects.  Low Carbon Fuel Standards and Carbon tax do not have this guarantee.  This means that the Senate package ensures we can see where our money is going. It also ensures that we know what projects will be funded.  It does not just raise a tax that could be diverted at any time and leave our region once again in a transportation quagmire.

The transportation package is now moving on to the House of Representatives and, if approved there, to Washington State voters.

Again, a thank you to all our legislators who voted their support of our businesses, investment in our regional freight corridors and future job creation in Washington State.

Economic Development Bus Tour Wed. March 4th

Be sure and sign up for our 2015 Economic Development Tour of Puyallup and Sumner. 

DATE:  Wednesday March 4th
TIME:  1:00pm to 4:00pm
PLACE:  Chamber Office, 323 N. Meridian, downtown Puyallup
TOUR AREA:  Puyallup and Sumner communities
COST:  $10.00pp

Attendees will board a Charter Bus at the Chamber Offices which will leave promptly at 1:00pm

The tour will include a drive through historic downtown Sumner, a visit to the new YMCA site, and a variety of businesses located in the industrial area where more than 10,000 jobs are located.

The second portion of the tour will include a drive through historic downtown Puyallup, the potential sites for a Sound Transit parking garage, a visit to the hospital campus, the Benaroya So. Hill Campus, and industrial businesses on Levy Rd.

Mark your calendars!  You won't want to miss this business focused sightseeing event of the year.  All Chamber members and guests are welcome.

Email the chamber at info@puyallupsumnerchamber.com or call our office at (253) 845-6755 to register for the event.

Anthem Receives Best Putt Putt Theme Event Award

Anthem Beverage & Bistro owner, Bryan Reynolds, gives a thumbs up at the news Anthem was voted as the Best Putt Putt Theme by participants in our first annual Putt Putt event in January.

Congratulations Bryan!  It was fun seeing everyone putt through your bistro on the big screen TV.  Thanks for your support of our Chamber.

Local Aerospace Company, P&J Machining, Inc., Poised for Growth

Paul Hogaboom shows Tom Utterback and Denise Dyer
the raw material used for machining aerospace parts.

The Chamber recently toured P&J Machining, Inc., with representatives from the City of Puyallup and Pierce County Economic Development.  Principal and owner, Paul Hogaboom, Jr., showed us through their corporate offices and machining facilities to explain how they have grown in the past 30 years as well as their plans for future growth.  P&J has been a direct supplier to Boeing for 24 years.

P&J Machining, Inc. certified precision machining services produces a wide range of high quality components and assemblies for the aerospace machining industry. P&J is accredited to AS9100 and has been involved with CCIP, lean Manufacturing and Partnering For Success. 

P & J Machining Inc. was founded in the family’s garage by Paul Hogoboom Sr. in 1979. They  moved from the garage to their current location in Puyallup, WA in 1986. Since then they have expanded four different times and now have multiple buildings totaling 70,000 sq. ft. of aerospace manufacturing, offices, and support systems. Building #2 runs lights out for 14 hours a day thanks to cell technology and simulation software like VERICUT.

P & J continues to cut the per part cost by using technology and innovation to compete on a global economic level. Lean manufacturing practices are the name of the game, and P&J excel at it thanks in part to their Matsuura and Toyoda cell systems from Selway Machine Tool Company.  They also does business with other local aerospace companies like AIM and GKN.

Congratulations to Paul Hogaboom and P&J for their achievement in the aerospace industry. We wish you continued success as you look to future growth and job creation in our community.

Paul Hogaboom points out the machine that run unattended
and lights out for 14 hours a day

Green aerospace parts are used for the internal sections of
planes and not visible externally.

Paul Hogaboom shows an example of machining to
Dan Weis, P&J Controller and Denise Dyer, Pierce Co.

Herrenknecht Presented with Chamber Award

The Chamber recently visited Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems to present their Rising Star Award for Business Innovations.  President and CEO, Jack Brockway, sat down with us to share a little about the Company which originates out of Germany and produces tunnel boring machines.  He was quick to point out that they were not the company that produced the infamous "Bertha" currently located underground in Seattle.

Herrenknecht is located on the very northern edge of Sumner and staff often visits our chamber offices to obtain Certificates of Origin for the machine parts they ship internationally.

Congratulations to the Sumner Herrenknecht team for their Innovations Award and thank you for sharing more about your company with us.  

Blue Max Meats Receives Chamber Award

Owners Tommy Marshall and Evan Greco hold up their
Chamber Rising Star Award

The Chamber recently visited Blue Max Meats at their location at 9512 Canyon Rd. to present their Rising Star Award for Young Professionals: Organization.  While there, we noticed how both Evan and Tommy work with our other local businesses.  You couldn't help but notice their new sign on the building that was designed and installed by SignDog Media.  Once inside, in addition to the meats we found Mt. Rainier Coffee Co. bags on the shelf in a variety of blends.

Blue Max has a premium offering of fresh meats and sausage that is definitely worth making the trip to Canyon Rd.  I found myself purchasing a variety of meats and sausages, plus some of their own specialty rub and BBQ sauce.  

Congratulations to Blue Max Meats on winning an award, and we especially liked your policy of doing business with other chamber members.  Another benefit of being a chamber member.

Blue Max Meats new building sign designed and installed
by another Chamber member SignDog Media

Chamber member, Mt. Rainier Coffee Co. products are also
for sale at Blue Max Meats

Life Care Center So. Hill Preparing to Open

Karen Williams, Executive Director

Life Care Center So. Hill recently hosted a tour for our Chamber and Congressman Denny Heck to introduce administration and showcase the new facility which is almost ready to open for residents.  

Also attending the tour was Dr. Stan Flemming who recently joined Life Care Physician Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Life Care Centers of America, as an on-site doctor. In this position, he serves as an attending physician to patients at Life Care Center of Puyallup, Washington, and he will do the same for patients at Life Care Center of South Hill when the facility opens. Flemming’s presence in the building helps enhance physician accessibility to patients and families, and he aids in hospital transitions and pharmacy communications. Being on-site allows him to personally respond to medical changes or emergencies in a timely manner.

Life Care Center So. Hill has a variety of equipment and workout areas for physical therapy, but the new facility has the feel of a sophisticated lodge and concierge staff as you enter the building.  You are greeted warmly by welcoming attendants as they walk you through halls with tall ceilings, oversize windows and an abundance of sunlight.  Living room areas include bookcases filled with books of every genre.  There is a bistro, gift show and even a small conference room which is available for meetings with eight to ten people and is available to the public at no cost by appointment.

Congratulations to Life Care Centers on their new facility and we would like to thank Congressman Heck for his interest in this project.  The Chamber also welcomes Dr. Stan Flemming in his new position at the So. Hill facility.  If any of our members would like a tour of the facility, contact the Chamber and we will connect you with their staff.  

Dr. Stan Flemming

Cyndi Anderson and Congressman Denny Heck discuss the
number of new employees that will be hired at LCC.

Gift Shop at Life Care Center getting ready to open.

Living area with library of books

Congressman Heck listens to LCC administration explain
patient services

62nd Medical Squadron Col. Gives Tour of JBLM Medical Clinic

Col. (Dr.) Monica L. Johnson

Col. Johnson of the 62nd Medical Squadron hosted a tour of the JBLM Medical Clinic for Honorary Commanders in the Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce last week.  The 62nd MDS serves the active-duty Airmen of McChord Field and it's mission is to provide quality healthcare services to promote fit, resilient, ready forces, while developing and strengthening our medics to sustain future medical capabilities.

The 62nd Medical Squadron provides support to the 62nd Airlift Wing in the areas of flight, medicine, optometry, bioenvironmental engineering, public health, aerospace physiology and health promotion.  

Dr. Johnson entered the military in September 1996 as an inactive Air Force reserve officer while completing her senior year of pediatric residency. Upon completion of her residency at Columbia Tulsa Regional Medical Center, she commissioned into active duty service in July 1997. She has served as Chief of Pediatrics, European Command Theater validating flight surgeon and Chief of Medical Staff. Colonel Johnson is board-certified in General Pediatrics and Allergy/Immunology. She has flown and deployed in support Operations NORTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM. Dr. Johnson assumed her current positions at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA in Aug 14.

The Chamber will be hosting a local tour of the pediatric facilities at the Good Samaritan Hospital Campus for Col. Johnson, as well as a "fly over" of our local communities.  Welcome to Pierce County, Washington, Col. Johnson and thank you for your hospitality.