San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce
Fall 2009 Quarterly Newsletter
P.O. Box 2310 • 202 North C.M. Allen Parkway • San Marcos, TX 78667 • 512.393.5900 • www.sanmarcostexas.com
Mayor Susan Narvaiz presents to Governor Rick Perry a City of San Marcos flag signed by dozens of attendees at the recent economic development announcement that will bring Grifols, Inc., a biomedical products company, to San Marcos. The Governor announced a Texas Enterprise Fund grant of $500,000 to bring the Spanish company to Texas. Grifols broke ground on October 16 for construction of a plasma testing laboratory that will create 190 new jobs and Presenting the City flag are, L-R, Rick Menchaca, City Manager; Amy Madison, Executive generate $76 million in Director of Economic Development San Marcos, Dan Roy, Immediate Past Chair of the San capital investment. Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce Board, Mayor Narvaiz, Governor Perry, Dr. Perry Moore, Texas State University-San Marcos Provost, and Don Nash, Chair of the Economic Development Board. (Photo by Don Anders).
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Find out how you can Over 100 vendors participated help feed a family and over 1,500 attendees. This this Thanksgiving With over 100 volunteers, this year’s page 9 was the largest Business Expo Membership Event broke several San Marcos has seen! Find out records. Find out more on page 7 more on page 4-5 In This Issue
Chamber Staff 2009-2010 Board of Directors Damrons recognized for dedication, honesty Page 3 Phyllis Snodgrass Chairman Joel Williams President Chair-Elect Earl Studdard Wide-Lite/Philips Honored Past Chair Dan Roy Page 3 Robert Watts Executive Vice President Treasurer Dan Stauffer Heldenfels Celebrates 100 Years Secretary Brenda Damron Page 3 Eric Bonar Vice Chair Michael Heintze TexPTS Receives Award for Top Private PT Communications Manager Vice Chair Clay DeStefano Practice in the U.S. Director Michelle Carswel Page 6 Margaret Lindsey Membership Sales Director Director Denise Collazo 2009 Business Expo Director Joe Gomez Page 4-5 Joel Davis Director Frank Leonardis Seton Medical Center Hays Grand Opening Bookkeeper Director John Martin Page 6 Director Chuck Nash Eselda Rodriguez CTMC Opens New Operating Rooms Receptionist Director John Schott Page 6 Director Fraye Stokes Director Jeff Stover Membership Event 2009 Convention & Visitor Page 7 Bureau SMCVB September Report Rebecca Ybarra-Ramirez Page 8 Director 2009-2010 Committees & Chairs SMCVB Director Elected to TACVB & TTIA Page 9 Viola Sowell Ambassador Club Mitsie Benton Group Tours Coordinator Turkeys Tackling Hunger Business Development Frank Leonardis Page 9 Denise Duran Administrative Assistant Education Theresa Knight Jury Verdict Against Employer who Accessed
Employee’s MySpace Page Government Affairs Denise Collazo Page 10 Economic Development San Marcos Natural Resources Clay Destefano Member-to-Member Discount Program Kyle Dickie Page 10 Amy Madison Director Special Events Kristy Stark Experts Debate the Impact of Healthcare Reform on Business and the Economy Rosemary Lucio-Suniga Page 10 Research Assistant Grifols, Inc. Breaks Ground Page 11
Q&A With Amy Madison Page 11-12
City Receives Bond Rating Upgrade Page 12
McCoy’s Building Supply Wins Industry Award Page 13
San Marcos Breaks Ground on Airport Tower Page 13
2nd Annual San Marcos Education Fair Page 14
December Eggs & Issues Breakfast Page 15
Newsletter Advertising Opportunities Page 15
2010 Sponsorship Opportunities Page 15
Quarterly Calendar of Events Page 16 2 Heldenfels Celebrates Alice, TX, which entered the Guiness Book of Member News 100 Years World Records as the world’s tallest concrete water tower. Heldenfels built the first highway In November, Helden- Damrons recognized for to cut through South Texas ranching country. fels Enterprises, Inc. dedication, honesty (HEI), with plants in San In 1955, Fred Heldenfels, Jr., was involved in Marcos and Corpus Brenda and Bill the approval and authorization of the Federal Christi, will celebrate its Damron of Interstate Highway System. Randall Morris 100th year of business. and Assoc. Real In 1995, Fred Heldenfels IV formed Helden- Estate, have been Heldenfels produces and installs fels Enterprises, Inc., with his father F.W. recognized by precast/prestressed concrete for all types of Heldenfels III. Today, the company special- their industry structures. izes in precast concrete structures for the peers for highway, marine and industrial markets. The latest and largest Heldenfels project was Heldenfels Enterprises has also expanded dedicated client service, honesty, integrity the production and installation of 3,000 into new construction areas by taking on and outstanding market knowledge. precast concrete pieces for the new Dallas large sports facilities, such as the Cowboys Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. About 28,000 Stadium, Reliant Stadium (home of the Hous- "Brenda and Bill are tremendous examples pounds of product was manufactured by the ton Texans), and the AT&T Center (home of of Most Referred real estate professionals. San Marcos-based company. the San Antonio Spurs). They also built Brenda and Bill have consistently demon- Whataburger Field (home of the Corpus strated the hallmarks of trusted Realtors – The company has won many prestigious Christi Hooks), which has consistently won integrity, market knowledge and superior Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) design fan awards for the best field in minor league customer service," James Secord, president awards. The Chicago-based PCI sponsors baseball. of Most Referred, said this week. nationwide architecture and engineering Article printed from Newstreamz San Marcos: competitions. www.newstreamz.com "We are proud to present this award to Brenda and Bill Damron for being recog- “We have a strong team spirit, most Texas Physical Therapy nized as in the Top three 'Most Referred evidenced by our willingness to take on Real Estate Agents' in San Marcos, and complex, challenging projects,” said HEI Specialists Receives Award for welcome them to our network," he said. President/CEO Fred Heldenfels IV. When Top Private Physical Therapy asked what was the single reason the firm Practice in the Country From an article printed in the August 19, 2009 has thrived for a century, Heldenfels said, “I edition of the San Marcos Daily Record. believe we have always practiced what we Texas Physical Therapy preached, stressing good stewardship by Specialists (TexPTS) is emphasizing our core values of integrity, delighted to receive the Private Wide-Lite/Philips Honored dependability and innovation. To me person- Practice Section (PPS) of the ally, the name Heldenfels is a badge of honor American Physical Therapy Wide-Lite, a Philips that has been earned by each generation Association’s (APTA) 2009 Practice Award. group brand and San through experience, hard work and dedica- The PPS of the APTA is bestowing this award Marcos manufacturer of lighting products, is tion. It’s a family tradition.” upon TexPTS as the top private physical honored by San Marcos Mayor Susan therapy practice in the country for their rapid Narvaiz and the City Council after being It was 1909 when F.W. “Fritz” Heldenfels, Sr. growth and innovative use of training awarded the “Best in Category Innovation and his brother, C. A. Heldenfels, founded programs to grow their practice. Practice Award” at the LIGHTFAIR International Heldenfels Brothers as a lumber and materi- Award recipients have positively impacted the conference in New York before more than als business. At the start of World War I, the shape, scope and quality of a physical therapy 20,000 industry professionals. Wide-Lite’s company expanded into ship building. During private practice and have contributed to the new LED parking garage luminaire was the past century, the company has touched overall development of physical therapy as a singled out for its technical and design on every major construction arena in Texas. caring profession. innovation. Some examples of Heldenfels’ work include the 156-foot-high water tower they built in continued on page 6 More than 100 businesses showcased their companies with a booth at the 2009 San Marcos Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, that’s 20 more than last year. Construction, investment, retail, education, health care and other industries were repre- sented and the Hays County Area Food Bank collected canned foods for a reduction on admission.
This was the first year the Expo was held at the City of San Marcos Conference Center. 21,600 square feet of the Confer- August 26 - 27, 2009 ence center was used for the Expo, while another 2,000 was used www.sanmarcosbizexpo.com for the free workshops and the Exhibitor’s Hospitality Suites. The new venue allowed for the additional vendor space, as well as easier accessibility thanks to a loading gate, and more parking for those participating.
Sneak Peek Awards
Mayor Narvaiz was on hand to open the 2009 Business Expo Sneak Peek Party with a welcome to the new City of San Marcos Conference Center Best in Show San Marcos Daily Record
NEW AT THIS YEAR’S EXPO
Preshow Interactive Workshop with tradeshow tips Internet Café Most Congenial Cool Mint Cafe
Exhibitor Hospitality Suite Most Interactive Taste of San Marcos Census 2010 Free Business Workshops
4 Expo Sponsors Business After-Hours (Sneak Peek) Party Sponsor
Media & Promotions Sponsors
Over 100 exhibitors and 21,600 square feet
Internet Café Sponsor
Getting Connected
Exhibitor Hospitality Suite Sponsor
Taste of San Marcos Sponsors
With the help of Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) and the Texas State Small Business Development Center (SBDC), we were able to o er three free business workshops: “Using Linked-In to Fire-Up Your Networking” “Six Marketing Tips to Get Your Business Noticed” “Building Your Business Through the World Wide Web.”
5 Continued from page 3 region that, until now, has lacked the full CTMC Opens New spectrum of medical services. The facility will Operating Rooms TexPTS is a privately owned, multi- be the largest hospital in Hays County: sitephysical therapy practice specializing in constructed on a 205-acre site, the building Approximately 100 evidence-based care. TexPTS has collabo- will be more than 330,000 square feet and will community leaders, rated with Evidence In Motion (EIM) and house 112 beds (with plans to expand to 210 physicians and other VIP implemented a distance-based physical beds). Sixty-eight beds will be operated on guests attended the unveiling of Central therapy residency and fellowship training the opening date. The physical plant is strictly Texas Medical Center’s (CTMC) $7 million program capable of training large numbers of state-of-the-art, with room service and operating room expansion. The expansion students, utilizing the latest educational wireless access. Seton Medical Center Hays created three additional operating rooms, technologies. Training programs such as will offer specialties and sub-specialties completing the hospital’s six-room renovated these are an efficient and realistic way to including oncology, cardiac care, orthopedics, suite. grow a large, multi-site practice that is staffed obstetrics/gynecology, outpatient facilities, an with highly competent, residency and fellow- ICU and full service emergency department. “I have worked with several other hospitals ship trained staff. TexPTS physical therapists As a member of the Seton Family of Hospi- and CTMC’s new operating suite is the best are distinguished by evidence-based clinical tals, Seton Medical Center Hays will be part of I’ve seen,” said Patrick Williams, MD, reasoning, evidence-based practice patterns Setons Level I trauma network, which offers Urology, past chairman of CTMC surgery and minimal practice pattern variation. Central Texas residents the finest trauma department. TexPTS is also being recognized for having care available. grown from a single location to 12 locations Each of the new integrated rooms is more and over 75 employees in the greater San Beyond the structure, the equipment and than 500 square feet and feature overhead Antonio and Austin regions of South Central programs are the people. Seton Medical Stryker Equipment Booms for lighting, Texas. TexPTS is the home of the largest Center Hays has attracted highly qualified high-definition monitors and anesthesia that number of board certified physical therapists and committed doctors, nurses and clinicians provide surgeons a more efficient and and manual physical therapy fellows in the to Hays County. Many of the physicians will accommodating setup. Texas region. have offices in the Medical Office Building, which will be adjacent to the Medical Center. “Our new ORs and technology TexPTS’ novel training program is paving For the first time, Hays county residents will enhancements have provided us with the the way for other practices who share a have access to the full continuum of clinical opportunity to accommodate more surgeries similar vision and mission for physical care without the need to travel to Austin. and provide our surgeons with the kind of therapy. These practices now have a means technology many of today’s more of meeting their needs in a similar manner to "We are anxious to treat our first patients in complicated procedures require,” said that of TexPTS. TexPTS is pleased to share about 30 days," continues Tom. "We have Madelyn Smith, CTMC’s director of surgical the fruits of their labor to improve physical recruited a nucleus of new physicians in many services. “The result is that more patients can therapy practices across the country. specialties. We are especially proud of stay home in San Marcos rather than recruiting five new obstetricians to town who traveling out of town to have more complex For more information about how a physical will soon deliver babies at SMCH, including procedures performed.” therapist can help alleviate pain, minimize the Kim Rutter, MD, whose family has been active use of prescription drugs and expensive in the Kyle community for decades. Orthope- This year, CTMC’s surgical staff has diagnostic imaging, and prevent painful and dic surgeon Christina Sheely, MD, who went performed more than 2,700 surgeries, with costly surgery, visit www.TexPTS.com or call to Hays High School, is also back in Kyle, general, OB/GYN, Orthopedics and the local San Marcos office, located at 2550 returning from practice in Michigan." Endoscopy procedures being the most Hunter Rd., Ste. 1104, at common. CTMC’s surgical staff consists of (512) 396-5122. Seton Medical Center Hays will offer a full more than 45 specialized surgeons. range of medical, surgical, diagnostic and maternity services. The expansion of the hospital’s operating suite is just one part of CTMC’s $35 million Seton Medical Center Hays * Full-Service Emergency Department expansion project, scheduled to open in late Grand Opening * Cardiac Care Services November. The 64,000-square-foot addition * Digestive Care including Surgical Proce- will include the Women’s Center, a Level II On October 1, dures Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a 2009, health care in * Womens Services new cardiac telemetry inpatient nursing unit. Hays County took a * Labor & Delivery giant leap forward as Seton Medical Center * OB/GYN “The opening of our operating suite is an Hays opened its doors to new patients. * Level II Neonatal Nursery exciting step towards the overall completion * Critical Care Services of our expansion project,” said Gary Jepson, "Despite rapid growth and development Hays * Inpatient Medical Services including CTMC President and CEO. “We look forward County has been under served medically. We Oncology to providing the community with several new are excited to bring to this community a * Surgical Care including Orthopedics services as we continue to find new ways to first-class tertiary hospital capable of meeting * Outpatient Therapies extend the healing ministry of Christ.” all medical needs in this area and connected * Diagnostic & Interventional Services to the Seton Family of Hospitals, "says Seton To learn more about CTMC’s expansion, Medical Center Hays President and CEO Campus/Facilities surgical services or to find a surgeon, visit Tom Gallagher. ctmc.org and click “Care and Services” or * Medical Office Building “Find a Doctor.” Seton Medical Center Hays, located just east * Adjacent Retail Development of I-35 on the Kyle Parkway (Hwy 1626) in Kyle, will bring top-quality complex care to a Information provided from an article in Seaton’s Good Health Website at www.goodhealth.com 6 Over 100 volunteers, led by ve of the community’s most respected business leaders, worked against the clock and against each other to sign up new Chamber members and create a greater community awareness of the important role the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce plays in the community. Over the two and a half day event, volunteers broke all previous records by signing up over 200 new members into the Chamber.
Serving as Membership Chairs for this event were: Brian McCoy, CEO, McCoy’s Building Supply, Earl Studdard, North Carolina Furniture Direct, Jim Stark, TCOR Insurance Management, Gerald Hill, Seton Hospitals, and Clifton Stapleton, TXI Hunter Cement. Winning Green Team Chair and Event “Godfadda” Brian McCoy remarked about the event and his role in it: "San Marcos is easy to promote. It was fun showcasing the Chamber's bene ts and contributions to our wonderful City!"
7 SMCVB – September 2009
1) San Marcos Hotels – Quarterly Hotel Occupancy Tax Collections - QTR Ending June 2009: Gross Receipts – April, June, July 2009 $6,071,689.01 Taxable Receipts – April, June, July 2009 $5,961,008.30 7% City Hotel Tax Collected 2009 $417,270.50 7% City Tax Collected 2008 $369,028.62 13.5% increase over same quarter 2008 2) Media Purchased –July - September 2009: San Antonio Destination Guide for Meeting Professionals 2009/2010, ½ Page Ad San Antonio Official Meeting Planner 2009/2010, 1/3 Page Ad Southern Living, July 2009, Travel Planner Ad, 4C, Focus: boutique shopping and more Texas Highways, September 2009, 1/3 Page 4C, Fall events Texas Journey, July/August 2009, Travel Planner Ad, 4C, Focus: Dining, shopping, tubing Texas Meetings and Events, Summer 2009, Focus: Conference Center Texas Monthly, August 2009, ⅓ Page 4C, Focus: River Recreation Southern Living, August 2009, Travel Planner Ad 4C, Focus: River Recreation Texas Parks and Wildlife, August 2009, 1/3 Page 4C, Focus: River Recreation Texas Parks and Wildlife, September 2009, 1/3 Page 4C, Focus: River Recreation Tour Texas.com Banner, July 2009, Focus - July events Tour Texas.com Banner, September 2009, Focus - Fall events
3) Sales Tax Collections – Comptroller Monthly Reports: Current Fiscal Year Previous Fiscal Year Change July 2009 $1,322,597.55 July 2008 $1,341,194.41 Decrease 1.4% August 2009 $1,572,711.45 August 2008 $ 1,581,004.89 Decrease 0.5% *September 2009 $1,520,381.07 September 2008 $1,617,391.57 Decrease 6.0% October 2008 to September 2009 reports – Decrease of 0.9% *actual July collections
4) Booking Status Report - Embassy Suites San Marcos Hotel, Spa & Conference Center: Guestroom Revenue September 2009 – future $410,554.00 All of 2009: $2,725,173.35 Function Revenue: September 2009 – future $434,251.25 All of 2009: $2,160,617.56 Total Revenue: October 2009 – future $844,805.25 All of 2009: $4,885,791.09 Total Room Nights: October 2009 – future 3,374 All of 2009: 21,781 October Conferences Groups – 44 Estimated Room Nights – 1,632 November Conferences Groups – 29 Estimated Room Nights – 1,204 December Conferences Groups – 21 Estimated Room Nights – 538 5) Bid Process Assistance – State Conferences: LULAC State Conference June 2012 – AWARDED! Texas State Association of Fire Fighters 2011 - AWARDED! Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureau 2011 Conference AWARDED!
Economic Development San Marcos is hosting its rst San Marcos Property Tour 2009: “Rollin’ on the River,” Thursday, November 5th from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., beginning and ending at the Embassy Suites and City of San Marcos Conference Center, 1001 McCarty Lane. Individual tickets are $20 per person and include continental breakfast, bus tour, lunch at the Embassy Suites, and a 140-page four color property reference book valued at $35 provided FREE to participants.
Who should attend? We are inviting developers, realtors, brokers, bankers, architects, engineers, land planners, title companies, and construction rms to ride in our luxury tour buses and view over 50 properties and learn about the 60+ capital improvement projects underway in San Marcos.
For more information or to register, please contact Rosemary Suniga, by email [email protected] or call (512) 393-3400. San Marcos CVB Director Elected to the TACVB & Elected to the TTIA Board of Directors Rebecca Ybarra-Ramirez, San Marcos Convention & Visitor Bureau (CVB) Director, was elected by her peers to serve a two-year term with the Texas Association of Convention & Visitors Bureau (TACVB) which began in August.
The Association is organized to provide cooperative action to enhance and encourage the growth of the convention and visitor industry of Texas.
Ramirez was also recently elected by her peers to the Board of Directors for the Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA) during the Annual TTIA Conference held September 20-24 in Arlington, Texas.
The Texas Travel Industry Association is a nonprofit organization made up of businesses, organizations, associa- tions and individuals dedicated to developing Texas tourism to its fullest potential. TTIA and its members work together to meet this goal in several ways: • by building a strong, on-going program of work to support tourism initiatives across the state; • by linking with affiliated groups to assist in their tourism activities; and • by charting a course for the future of the tourism industry to ensure its preeminence as a powerful, positive force.
TTIA's purpose is to help ensure the most effective tourism program possible, by complementing and maximizing the results of promotional efforts of private businesses, city and regional organizations and the State of Texas.
It’s Turkey time again! The Hays County Food Bank kicks o their annual Turkeys Tackling Hunger campaign the rst week of October. The campaign runs October 5 through the end of November.
Twenty dollars buys one family a holiday meal that includes a turkey and all the trimmings for a Thanksgiving meal. Last year, the Food Bank put together turkey boxes for 1376 families in San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Wimberley, Martindale and outly- ing areas of Hays County. Given the current economic downturn, they anticipate the need will be greater as there has been a 20% increase in the number of people requesting food compared to last year.
“The slowdown in the economy has hit local families hard,” says Pat Tessaro, Food Bank Community Relations Coordinator. “People have lost jobs and their health insurance. Families struggling to pay the bills and put food on the table are now faced with additional stress from the coming holiday season. This fall campaign is the primary way we help these people with a turkey box.”
To request a turkey box, call the o ce at 512.393.8300 as soon as possible to put your name on the list and get additional information. The deadline for completion of the application process is October 30, 2009. The Food Bank needs volunteers to help publicize the campaign, put up posters, and distribute donation envelopes. To participate, visit www.TurkeysTacklingHunger.org or call the o ce at 512-392-8300 for more information.
Corporate sponsors include Broadway Bank, Butler Manufacturing Company, the Leaning Pear Café and Eatery in Wimberley, Kettler Roo ng, Old Town Gift Emporium, Jane Hughson, and the Hays Educators Association.
Since 1984, the local Food Bank has been on the front lines helping to feed the elderly, families with children, the sick and disabled, and others su ering from hard times. Last year, the agency distributed more than 500,000 pounds of food through over 50 partner agencies and public distributions throughout the County.
Any resident of Hays County in need is eligible to receive food twice per week at various public distribution sites. Call 512.392.8300 for details or visit www.haysfoodbank.org for information about how to coordinate a food drive, get help, or volunteer. 9 Jury Verdict Against under false pretenses or by coercing another Member-to-Member Employer Who Accessed employee to grant them access they would not Discount Program Employee’s MySpace Page otherwise be able to obtain. Exclusive Discounts For Business Impact A recent case in the U.S. District Court Chamber Members And in the District of New Jersey is the Their Employees Only! perfect “ are-gun” case-sending a Accessing an employee’s restricted social networking site without authorization could poignant warning to employers Members are encouraged to provide a run you afoul of the law. considering similar actions. In Pietrylo discount or incentive that will be avail- v. Hillstone Restaurant Group, a waiter able only to Chamber members. Key Employers should consider policies that deal at the employer’s Houston’s restaurant tags are distributed to all Chamber with employee work-related postings on social created a MySpace page and group. businesses, couples, and individual networking sites. The company has a right to The group was private (password members to identify them as Chamber protect its confidential and proprietary informa- protected) and the page was devoted Members. A link to the list of discount tion and to protect employees from being to the daily happenings at the work- offers is included in the E-Newsletter bullied, harassed or intimidated. place. As one might imagine, out of encouraging everyone to "Shop the sight and earshot of management, Chamber First." The information in this article was provided by TCOR the employees engaged in a good Insurance Management and is for informational deal of “venting” and petty griping on purposes. It is presented from a risk-management Visit the Member-to-Member Discount the page. and insurance perspective only. It is not intended as, Program page on our Website at nor does it constitute, legal advice. For more informa- www.sanmarcostexas.com to see a Key Notes: tion on this article, please contact TCOR Insurance list of discounts offered. Management at (512) 396-9600, or visit their Website • An invited member permitted one at www.tcormanagement.com If you are a Chamber member and of the managers to view the site have not received your Member-to- while she was logged in under her Member key tags, or would like to offer legitimate credentials a discount to other Chamber mem- • The manager was not amused and bers, contact us by phone at (512) reported the page to the other 393-5900, or by email at managers. [email protected] • Management requested the employee’s password so they could access the site without her present. Experts to Debate the Impact of Healthcare Reform on • Houston’s fired the site’s creator Business and the Economy and an invited member for a violation of company policy Chambers across the Central Texas region have partnered with event sponsor Univer- involving “professionalism and a sity of Texas School of Law, to hold a luncheon featuring a panel of state and national positive attitude”. experts who will discuss the likely ramifications of healthcare reform on business and • The terminated employees sued the economy. Moderated by business owner Bobby Jenkins, President of ABC Home and won. In June of 2009, a federal and Commercial Services, Vice Chair-Elect of Membership and former Vice Chair of jury found that the managers Small Business, the informative event will reveal what to expect next as our nation violated state and federal laws that attempts the most sweeping policy initiative of the millennium. protect the privacy of Web-based communications. Distinguished panelists: • Dr. Eric Blankmeyer, Professor of Economics in the McCoy College of Business What’s it all mean? Administration at Texas State University – San Marcos • Dr. James Rohack, President of the American Medical Association and Practicing The jury determined that the way Physician at Scott and White Hospital and Clinic in Round Rock management gained access to the site • Dr. William Sage, Vice Provost for Health Affairs at University of Texas – Austin violated the Stored Communications • Ellen Wood, CEO of vcfo Act. Assuming that management “coerced” the log-in information from WHEN: the employee, then it was not an Thursday, November 19, 2009 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM “authorized user” of the site, regard- Registration begins at 11:00 AM less of whether it had a password or Program begins promptly at 11:30 AM not. WHERE: Employers should not log into an Hyatt Regency Hotel employee’s social-networking site 208 Barton Springs Road Texas Ballroom Austin, TX 78704 10 Grifols, Inc. Breaks Ground in San Marcos Q&A with Amy Madison,
Construction of a Grifols plasma research and testing facility began last Friday at River Ridge EDSM Director Business Park in San Marcos, with state and local o cials presiding. The following is a Q&A with Amy Madison, It is expected that the facility will open in about a year. Workers at the 72,000 square-foot facility will Economic Development test and process human blood plasma, from which they will produce the initial components of San Marcos (EDSM) Director, from the San products for use in the treatment shock, trauma and burns, primary immune de ciency diseases, Marcos section of the Austin Business and bleeding disorders such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease. Journal’s October, 2009 Austin-San Antonio Corridor Growth Summit insert. “The City of San Marcos is proud to have helped bring the rst local health care manufacturing facility of this type to the state of Texas,” said San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz. “This project What is the most significant development represents a signi cant partnership with Grifols, the city, the State of Texas, and Hays County.” currently underway in San Marcos?
The city will refund Grifols, a Spain-based company, $1.8 million in personal property taxes in the HEB broke ground in January 2009 on the next 15 years. The county will refund $2.1 million in personal property taxes to Grifols during the first of six planned expansions valued at same period. nearly $90 million in San Marcos. The devel- opment will continue over the next 10 years Narvaiz said Grifols will invest “some $76 million” in its San Marcos facility and bring 190 jobs to the and include an additional 750,000 square feet city. Texas Governor Rick Perry announced in July that the state will invest $500,000 in Enterprise of distribution warehouse space, doubling Institute Fund money in the Grifols facility. their current square footage, and creating 320 new jobs in San Marcos. The expansion is “The (Grifols) CEO also acknowledged that there really are going to be more than 190 full-time located at 2301 Hunter Road where HEB positions and that the (total funds) they are investing is actually going to be more than $76 million,” currently has approximately 534 full time said Hays County Commissioner Precinct 1 (D-San Marcos) Debbie Ingalsbe. partners in San Marcos to handle the opera- tion requirements for shipping to all HEB Grifols is expected to pay an average salary of $38,571. Median household income in the city during stores, operating 7 days a week, 24 hours a the last US census was $25,809. day. “It’s just going to be a great opportunity for…our region to have those types of jobs, with the great What is the most significant development salaries and bene ts that will come,” said Ingalsbe. “With (Texas State) university here, that’s just a planned for 2010 in San Marcos? great opportunity for a great partnership there, and for students to have a place where they can come in and have a good job….” Grifols, Inc., a global healthcare company that focuses on the production of life-saving Grifols Vice President of Government and Public A airs Christopher Healey said there is no formal medicines derived from donations of human relationship between his company and Texas State University at this time. plasma, announced a two-phase $76 million project to construct a Laboratory, Warehouse “We don’t have anything rm just now … but I can certainly foresee some kind of mutually- and Fractionation Facility over the next four bene cial working relationship in the future,” Healey said. years.
The blood plasma will arrive at the San Marcos Grifols facility from plasma donation centers, of Phase I includes a 72,000 square foot which the company owns and operates 17 in Texas. Healey said the Grifols owns and operates 80 Plasma Research and Testing Facility, plasma donation centers across the country, the closest of which is in San Antonio. completion in 2010, and phase 2 includes a Warehouse to store plasma, paste and Healey said his company expects local residents to receive many of the jobs that will be created by commodities and Fractionation Plant, the facility. completion in 2012-2013.
“We’ll be advertising locally and doing job placement locally — as we currently do, as a matter of This is the first manufacturing facility of its fact,” Healey said. type in Texas and sixth such facility in the United States. The project will be located in You can nd out more about Grifols, Inc. by visiting their Website at www.grifols.com the River Ridge Business Park in San Marcos, Texas and create 190 new jobs for Article from Newstreamz San Marcos: www.newstreamz.com our community.
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Visit the Chamber’s Website at www.sanmarcostexas.com for more information on the Awards Gala, and to find out how to reserve your seat at the Texas Hold-Em Poker Tournament!
11 City of San Marcos Receives Bond Rating Upgrade
The City of San Marcos has recently received upgraded bond ratings from Standard & Poor’s and praise for its financial practices.
Standard & Poor’s has raised the City’s water and wastewater revenue bond rating from A+ to AA-, a measure of credit-worthiness that helps the Saturday, March 20, 2010 City receive better interest rates on long term debt. More information to come San Marcos was cited for the City’s strong continued from page 11 for several industries including biomedical bond coverage, liquidity, rate structure and and green industries. With this state-of-the- planning for capital expenditures in the next What types of businesses and industries art center, we anticipate innovation to drive decade. is San Marcos seeking to attract most? our local economy for San Marcos and the region. “This is a major accomplishment, considering The four main targets for business and indus- the national economy and the financial try in San Marcos are Health Care, Corporate And, despite the downturn in the economy, outlook for many cities, as well as many and Professional Operations, Materials we continue to attract new development and businesses and the bond market,” said Rick Science and Advanced Manufacturing, and expand local companies in our area. This Menchaca, City Manager. “It reflects the Supply Chain Management. In addition, we year, we announced a total of 584 new jobs diligent attention paid to our financial condi- continue to focus on tourism, downtown created. In addition, we announced 600 tion and long term financial strategy by our development, general aviation and green reserves to be housed in a new $29 million City Council and staff.” In the past year, the industries. Army Reserve Center. New capital invest- City Manager has restructured debt, updated ment announced in 2009 is valued at $195.5 governing policies and designed several Characterize San Marcos’ ability to million. tools as part of the finance and debt strategy. accommodate residential growth? What are San Marcos’ best attributes? In its statement, the financial credit rating firm San Marcos continues to grow at a steady noted that “Standard & Poor’s deems San rate, and local developers continue to bring San Marcos has attractive quality of life Marcos’ financial management practices new residential opportunities to the area amenities and an ever increasing pipeline of “Strong” under its Financial Management including multi-family and single family dwell- graduates from Texas State University – San Assessment (FMA) methodology. The city’s ings. At Blanco Vista, we have 1800 lots Marcos, the fifth largest university in Texas. FMA was revised to ‘strong’ from ‘good’ remaining for development and 260 devel- We are centrally located between two major based on its policies regarding budget oped lots. Paso Robles, a 1300 acre mixed metropolitan statistical areas with over 160 amendments and updates. The Council use residential project located on Hunter and miles of extraterritorial jurisdiction – plenty of receives quarterly financial reports as well as Centerpoint Road, will be a premier residen- room to grow in the future. Our extensive monthly sales tax updates.” tial community for the region. The develop- frontage along I/35 corridor provides us with ment includes 2600 single family estate lots exposure to the growing region. And, the San The rating reflected S&P’s review of the local and provides an active adult setting. Marcos Municipal Airport is adding a new economy, the strong historical assessed tower and additional security fencing to valuation growth, and “the strong financial Characterize San Marcos’ ability to accommodate our growing general aviation performance, leading to high reserves, accommodate industrial growth? sector. Gary Job Corps, the largest job corps boosted by strong policies.” in the nation, is poised to provide training and We have several industrial parks, Greenfield additional workforce for companies relocating S&P also reaffirmed the City’s AA- bond sites, and significant support for new industry. or expanding in San Marcos. Finally, we have rating earlier this summer for the City’s San Marcos Manufacturing Association is the one of the strongest manufacturing sectors issuance of $49.7 million in certificates of oldest association of its kind in the state of along the I/35 corridor which is further obligation and general obligation bonds to Texas. The organization provides addition enhanced by our recent announcements with fund a variety of street, drainage, sidewalks, local support to companies that locate in our the expansion of HEB ($90 Million), Grifols, and utility projects and for refunding previous area. In addition, we have focused our Inc. ($76 Million), Central Texas Medical debt. The interest rates on the sale ranged recruitment and incentive policies to support Center ($18.5 Million), McCoy’s Corporate from 3.3% to 4.6%. industrial development. Office ($7.9 Million) and Grifols, Inc. ($76 Million). What excites you about San Marcos’ economic development? EDSM is located at 202 N. C.M. Allen Pkwy., San Marcos, TX 78666. You can contact by phone at Texas State University is planning a research (512) 393-8400, or visit their Website at and commercialization center in San Marcos www.ecodevsanmarcos.org that will support advanced materials research www.soarsanmarcos.com
12 McCoy’s Building Supply Wins company that allows them dependable time Sta ng levels will be determined by the FAA with their families each week. This simple and the contracted agency based on factors Industry Award expression of respect for the private lives of our including tra c volumes and daily patterns of McCoy’s Building employees is repaid many times over in loyalty. activity. Salaries for the controllers will be paid Supply was recog- Although I know some customers enjoy being by the FAA. nized by Home able to shop whenever they wish, others shop Channel News with us six days a week precisely because we are The $2.2 million project will be built by Zapalac/ magazine as the closed on Sundays.” Reed Construction of Austin and is expected to 2009 Pro Dealer of the Year during their annual be completed in the spring and operational in Pro Dealer Industry Summit, held Oct. 7-9 in Past recipients of the Pro Dealer of the Year the summer of 2010 following FAA certi cation. Phoenix, Ariz. award include Curtis Lumber, Carter Lumber, ProBuild Holdings, BMHC, Builders FirstSource, The airport tower will mean safer air operations From HCN’s listing of the top 500 building 84 Lumber, Shelter Products, Leeds Building at the reliever airport, which serves as home supply pro dealers in the nation, the San Products and Foxworth-Galbraith. base for more than 200 aircraft, the Central Marcos-based company was the largest retailer Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, 12 to show an increase in sales during 2008, despite – FROM HOME CHANNEL NEWS airport businesses and hundreds of transient the current economic recession and upset in the www.homechannelnews.com ights each month. U.S. housing market. Article printed from San Marcos Mercury: “We are also moving forward on the North Side www.sanmarcosmercury.com “This year, in looking over our Top 500 list and Development, which will create a new front talking to industry sources, McCoy’s was a clear door to the airport and provide executive choice,” said Ken Clark, the magazine’s editor in hangars, new utilities and new apron areas for chief. “Besides their growth in 2008—bucking San Marcos Breaks Ground aircraft,” Mayor Narvaiz said. the industry trend—their recent investment in a on Airport Tower new headquarters building re ects the In the next 12 to 18 months, some $8 million in company’s belief in their business and The City of San Marcos federal, state, local and private funds will be con dence in the future of the industry.” broke ground a new $2.2 invested at San Marcos Municipal Airport. million control tower on Founded in 1927, McCoy’s has evolved from a Wednesday, October 14, Speakers at the ground breaking included City small, one-store operation in Galveston into an 2009 at San Marcos Manager Rick Menchaca, Mayor Narvaiz, and expansive regional corporation with 83 stores Municipal Airport. Chuck Nash, Chair of the Airport Commission. located throughout ve states and annual sales in excess of $600 million. The tower will be part of The Commemorative Air Force marked the the Federal Contract Tower ground breaking with a yover of World War II “McCoy’s isn’t immune to the economic down- Program and sta ed by aircraft preserved at the CAF museum located turn, but our crews have worked very hard to four to six civilian Air at the airport. The 1,350-acre air eld rst continue to serve our customers like nobody Tra c Controllers. opened during World War II as a training base else,” said Brian McCoy, the company’s president for the U.S. Army Air Corps. and chief executive o cer “This award is a The 9-story facility will have 2,295 square feet, testimony to what dedicated team members including a base building, elevator, and control San Marcos Municipal Airport is located on McCoy’s has. I couldn’t be more proud of my cab where professional air tra c controllers will Highway 21 adjacent to Gary Job Corps Center, team, and I look forward to growing our manage ights in and out of the reliever airport. which also was created out of the original air business and serving our communities with base in 1965. them in the future.” “This project represents the leading edge of several initiatives to advance our airport,” said Long-term service is point of pride for the Mayor Susan Narvaiz. building supply retailer. In the commons area of their headquarters building is a display listing their 500 most tenured employees. Do something Big! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average employment tenure in the United Show a young person a path to success by becoming a States is 4.1 years, with retail jobs like McCoy’s Middle School Mentor at Goodnight Middle School. typically having a shorter tenure at 2.9 years. The building materials retailer breaks the mold for The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce and Big Brothers both categories with longer than typical tenure Big Sisters of Central Texas are making Big things happen! from its employees. The average employee We’re working to pair caring adult role models (Bigs) with students in need (Littles) in order to build one-to-one relationships that have lasting impacts. tenure at McCoy’s is 6.3 years. Learn more about becoming a volunteer mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the San Marcos McCoy’s shatters many standards for typical Chamber at www.bigmentoring.org or contact Aileen Hays at [email protected] or 753-9346. retailer behavior, including their long-standing tradition of remaining closed on Sundays.
“An important part of our leadership develop- ment is the understanding that every person’s personal life is important,” said McCoy. “Our team members appreciate being a part of a
13 2nd Annual San Marcos Education Fair
On Saturday Oct. 10, SOAR held the that education pays. Every family attending the Education second annual San Marcos Educa- Fair was presented with an Educa- tion Fair at the San Marcos Activity Step one is graduating from high tion Passport. After visiting a mini- Center. school. Many students from economi- mum of 6 booths, passports were cally disadvantaged homes are turned in and attendees were then SOAR - which stands for “Seeking tempted to drop out for financial eligible to enter drawings to win Opportunities, Achieving Results”, is reasons. But doing so limits their laptops, i-Pods, gift cards, bicycles a group of educational partners in future opportunities. Staying in and other great prizes. San Marcos who are committed to school guarantees them an average achieving higher educational attain- income of over $1 million dollars The first Education Fair, held in 2008, ment. more than a student who does not attracted an estimated 1,500 attend- stay in school and graduate. Yes - you ees. This year's attendance topped The San Marcos Area Chamber of heard it right – choosing not to drop 2,100 as students and families came Commerce, a proud partner of the out pays off – over $1 million dollars to participate in workshops, hands- SOAR initiative, recognizes the over a lifetime of earnings. That is on activities and learn more from the extreme importance of higher educa- significant. many exhibitors at the event. tional attainment levels to the economic future of our region. Step two is enrolling in a trade SOAR is a collaborative effort and school, college or university. Gradu- welcomes the help and support of Workforce and Talent Development is ating from college will bring in an any organization wishing to make a critical to the economic well being of additional $2.1 million dollars over a difference in San Marcos Education. our community. Without an educated lifetime. and trained workforce, we cannot SOAR encourages partnerships and attract the quality jobs we desire. To The San Marcos Educational Part- collaboration and looks for ways to make that happen, education must ners brought this message home to create greater impact by combining remain priority in our community and San Marcos students and families in resources and eliminating duplica- we must continue to encourage San a fun and informative way at the tion of effort. Marcos businesses to support annual San Marcos Education Fair. educational initiatives aimed at The San Marcos Education Commit- bringing up our attainment levels. It's Fifty five community and education tee, a volunteer committee of the San not just a matter of community partners were present at the second Marcos Chamber of Commerce, support. It simply makes good busi- annual fair, offering everything from proudly partners with SOAR to make ness sense. information on social services, tutor- a real difference in education attain- ing, college access, and educational ment in San Marcos. An educated community is a more support services to fingerprinting prosperous and engaged community. and mentoring. For more information on how you can Higher educational attainment levels participate and make a difference - increase lifetime earnings signifi- As an added bonus – there were please call the Chamber at cantly. This is the basis of SOAR's drawings for prize giveaways for (512) 393-5900. primary message to San Marcos – families that attended the event. Weekly E-Newsletter and Quarterly Newsletter 2010 SPONSORSHIP Advertising Opportunities OPPORTUNITIES
Weekly E-Newsletter 2010 Calendar of Events Emailed every Monday (except when a holiday falls on a Monday, then emailed on Tuesday) Camera-ready art must be received by noon the Thursday before the January newsletter is sent out. Formats Accepted: jpg, bmp, gif, pdf, psd, png, tiff, pub or ai** 14 Eggs & Issues 21 Prime Time Mixer Business Card Size Ad: Block Size Ad (up to a 1/3 page size): Link to your Website Multiple links can be inserted, e.g., to February $30 per ad, for businesses company Website, email addresses, 18 Business after Hours $25 per ad, for Non-Profits promotional flyers, etc. 20 Bowl For Kids Sake Free Business Card ad in Quarterly $75 per ad, for businesses 26 Economic Outlook Luncheon Newsletter if your ad is run in 8 consecu- $65 per ad, for Non-Profits tive Weekly E-Newsletters Free Half Page ad in Quarterly Newslet- March ter if your ad is run in 8 consecutive 18 Eggs & Issues Weekly E-Newsletters 20 Green Living Showcase 25 Business after Hours Quarterly Newsletter Formats accepted: jpg, bmp, gif, pdf, psd, png, tiff, pub or ai** April Camera-ready art is due the third Friday of the month prior to the month of the 15 Eggs & Issues publication 22-25 Central Texas Golf Fest Business Card 1/4 Page Ad 29 Business after Hours (3.5”w X 2”h): (8” w X 2.5”h): 6 spaces available per newsletter 2 Spaces available per newsletter May $150 per ad, for businesses $250 per ad, for businesses 13 Eggs & Issues $125 per ad, for Non-Profits $200 per ad, for Non-Profits 20 Business after Hours Half Page Ad Full Page Ad June (8”w X 5.5”h or 4.25”w X 10.5”h): (8”w X 10.5”h): 10 Chamber Luau 1 space available per newsletter 1 space available per newsletter $500 per ad, for businesses $750 per ad, for businesses
$400 per ad, for Non-Profits $625 per ad, for Non-Profits July All month: “Early Readers Become Ad Design Leaders” Book Drive We will design your ad for an additional $20.00 for Business Card sized ads, $40.00 22 Business After-Hours for Block and half-page ads or $50.00 for full-page ads. You must provide us with 29 Legislative Update Luncheon the text, graphics and/or pictures you would like in the ad in one of these formats: jpeg, bmp, gif, pdf, pub, psd, png or tiff. All text, graphics and pictures must be August received within two weeks of newsletter distribution. 25-26 San Marcos Business Expo
If you would like to find out more about advertising in the Chamber’s Weekly September E-Newsletter or Quarterly Newsletter, please contact Eric Bonar, Communications 16 Eggs & Issues Manager, by phone at (512) 393-5913 or by email at [email protected] 23 Speed Networking
October CAMPO 2035 Transportation Plan 9 San Marcos Education Fair WHEN: Thursday, December 3, 2009 14 Eggs & Issues
WHERE: San Marcos Activity Center 501 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos, TX November 12 Annual Awards Gala TIMES: 7:00 a.m. - Registration & Networking
7:05 a.m. - Breakfast line opens December 7:30 a.m. - Program begins 2 Eggs & Issues 9 Business after Hours COST: $10.00 - If RSVP received by 5:00 p.m. If you are interested in sponsoring an on Friday, November 27, 2009; $12.50 for walk-ins and non-Chamber event in 2010, please contact the members Chamber by phone at (512) 393-5900, SPONSORED BY: or by email at Halff & Associates [email protected] www.halff.com 15 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 152 San Marcos, Texas 78666-2310 San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 2310 San Marcos, TX 78667
Quarterly Calendar of Events For additional information, please visit the Chamber’s Online Community Calendar at www.sanmarcostexas.com October 10/1 Education Committee meeting 10/16 New Member Orientation Leads Group 1 meeting 10/19-10/23 Chamber of Commerce Week 10/2 Austin-San Antonio Growth Summit 10/19 City Candidates Debate 10/5 Last day to register to vote 10/22 Business Development Committee meeting 10/6 Ambassador Club meeting 10/26 Natural Resources Committee meeting 10/8 Eggs & Issues Breakfast: 10/28 Leads Group 2 meeting TexHealth Central Texas Board of Directors meeting 10/10 Education Fair (p 14) 10/30 Last day for Early Voting San Marcos Pet Fest New Member Orientation from Membership Event 10/12 Columbus Day 10/31 Halloween 10/13 Special Events Committee meeting Texas State Bobcats Homecoming Game 10/14 Leads Group 2 meeting 10/15 Government Affairs Committee meeting Leads Group 1 meeting State of the City Address
November 11/3 Election Day 11/18 Board of Directors meeting (moved up 1 week) Ambassador Club meeting 11/19 Government Affairs Committee meeting 11/5 Rollin’ on the River San Marcos Leads Group 1 meeting Property Tour (p 8) Experts to Debate the Impact of Healthcare Education Committee meeting Reform on Business and Economy (p 10) Leads Group 1 meeting 11/23 Natural Resources Committee meeting 11/6 Chamber Awards Gala Banquet & Auction 11/25 Leads Group 2 meeting 11/10 Special Events Committee meeting 11/26 Thanksgiving 11/11 Veterans Day (Chamber offices closed) Chamber offices closed 11/26 & 11/27 Leads Group 2 meeting December 12/1 Ambassador Club meeting 12/16 Board of Directors meeting (moved up 1 week) 12/3 Eggs & Issues Breakfast: 12/17 Government Affairs Committee meeting CAMPO 2035 Transportation Plan (p 15) Leads Group 1 meeting Education Committee meeting 12/21 First Day of Winter Leads Group 1 meeting 12/23 Leads Group 2 meeting 12/8 Special Events Committee meeting 12/24 Christmas Eve (Chamber offices closed) 12/9 Leads Group 2 meeting 12/25 Christmas (Chamber offices closed) 12/10 CTMC Holiday Mixer 12/31 New Year’s Eve - Chamber offices closed 12/11 Hanukkah