Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce FEBRUARY 2018 the ANNUAL REPORT JOBS VALUE ADVOCACY EXCELLENCE French Top Legislative Companies Issues The Chamber Study Mobile Will Focus On For 2018 business solutions We work for your business. When you choose us, you get more than just a technology provider. You get an ally. You get account teams who show up in person. Network engineers that deliver the highest levels of reliability. Product teams who use your needs as the guide for innovation. Support teams who live and work near you. We’ve got the people, the technology, and the expertise to help your business win. And we won’t stop until you do. Because we work for your business. C SpireTM and C Spire Business SolutionsTM are trademarks owned by Cellular South, Inc. 2 the business view FEBRUARY 2018 Cellular South, Inc. and its affiliates provide products and services under the C SpireTM cspire.com/business | [email protected] | 251.459.8999 and C Spire Business SolutionsTM brand. ©2017 C Spire. All rights reserved. FOCUS ON WHAT COUNTS CYPRESS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES ENABLES EMPLOYERS TO FOCUS ON PRODUCTIVITY, PROFITABILITY AND STAFFING FLEXIBILITY BY RE-DEFINING THE ON-TIME, BEST-FIT STAFFING SOLUTION MODEL FOR EMPLOYERS. FOCUSADMINISTRATION, ON CLERICAL & ACCOUNTING Accounting, office administration, WHATsales personnel, file COUNTS clerks & legal personnel Cypress Employment Services Enables Employers To Focus On Productivity, ProfitabilityHEALTHCARE and Staffing Flexibility by Re-Defining The On-Time, Best-Fit Staffing Solution Model For Employers WAREHOUSE & MANUFACTURING ADMINISTRATION & CLERKS Accounting,SUPPORT office administration, sales personnel, fileWarehouse clerks & legal & inventorypersonnel staff, shipping & receiving INDUSTRIAL & TECHNICAL SKILLS Welders, pipe fitters, riggers, journeyman plumbers & craneCONSTRUCTION operators/heavy equipment SKILLS operators Electricians, production labor, CONSTRUCTIONsheetmetal mechanics, SKILLS carpenters Electricians,and safety production personnel labor, sheetmetal mechanics, carpenters and safety personnel HEALTHCAREINDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE & & MANUFACTURINGTECHNICAL SKILLS SUPPORT WarehouseWelders, & pipe inventory fitters, staff, riggers, shipping & receiving journeyman plumbers & crane AVIATION,operators/heavy TECHNICAL equipment operators & LINE STAFF Aviation, aerospace & manufacturing support MOBILEMOBILE • • BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM • • NASHVILLE NASHVILLE www.cypressemployment.comwww.cypressemployment.com the business view FEBRUARY 2018 3 2017 MOBILE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL REPORT From Our Board Chair To see how far Mobile has come in only a year It’s easy to miss how one small action can has me excited about what the future has to have a large impact, which is why this year offer this charming place we call home. The my eyes have been wide open watching, year has been filled with economic, legislative learning, participating. At the end of a and small business successes. Our economy fulfilling year, it’s hard to think my year is continuing to diversify itself, adding a new as chair of this organization has come to market for startups and fostering budding a close. The Chamber staff knows I am entrepreneurs. We are seeing much-needed committed beyond this next year. There’s investment in the city’s and county’s even more to do. infrastructure that will only make us more Thank you everyone for the calls, visits, appealing to local and international investors. endless emails of encouragement and support None of this would be happening if not for for me in 2017. It has been an honor to work the people here in Mobile. During the 2017 for you the last year, and thank you for your annual meeting, I talked a lot about participation continued support for me personally, but most – be it with the Mobile Area Chamber, or a especially for your support of the Mobile Area nonprofit, or on a legislative issue that seems Chamber. daunting on the surface. During the last year, I was lucky enough to be the fly on Liz Freeman the wall watching passionate, hard-working 2017 Chair, Board of Directors and committed women and men put aside Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce differences and agendas to come together to President, Long’s Human Resource Services do what’s right for Mobile, and it’s working. Photo by Riales Toni the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce February 2018 | Also in this issue 4 2017 Annual Report & 2018 Plan of Action the business view is published monthly, except for the combined issue of December/January, 25 News You Can Use by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce 27 Small Business of the Month: JMF Solutions 451 Government St., Mobile, AL 36602 29 Investor Focus: Keith Air Conditioning 251-433-6951 www.mobilechamber.com ©2018 30 2017 Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Agenda Publisher William B. Sisson Executive Editor Leigh Perry-Herndon 32 Business Spotlights of the Month: Mobile ARC and Managing Editor Jennifer Jenkins The Admiral - Mobile Copy Editor Michelle Irvin 34 Ambassadors of the Month: Sara Polansky and Ava Trahan Additional Writers and Editors 35 Calendar Mike Herndon, Ashley Horn, Patty Howell, Susan Rak-Blanchard and Carolyn Wilson 37 Member News Printing Services: Interstate Printing/Direct Mail 42 Anniversaries Graphic Design: Wise Design Inc. 43 New Members Advertising Account Executive: René Eiland 251-431-8635 [email protected] MOBILE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL REPORT WHO WE ARE The Mobile Area Chamber divided its work into four strategic goals. This plan guides us through 2018 and includes measurable objectives. Retain, expand and recruit businesses, investment and jobs in the Mobile area. JOBS Vision: By year-end 2018, the Mobile Success Indicators: area will have steadily increased jobs, 1. Median income growth for the combined statistical area. business and capital investments in our community. The Chamber will also lead 2. Primary jobs gained. business engagement in more efficient 3. Average salary of jobs increased. workforce development initiatives. 4. Total capital invested. ADVOCACY Create an environment that promotes business and community growth. Vision: By year-end 2018, Mobile will Success Indicators: have a stronger, more diversified business 1. Legislative accomplishments. climate. Chamber-led efforts will have secured a more business-friendly environment 2. Progress toward realizing the I-10 Mobile River Bridge. and needed infrastructure improvements, 3. Progress in economic recovery from the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. balancing sustainable growth and ongoing development. Chamber programs and events will have encouraged diversity and fostered community growth. Provide value, services, opportunities and recognition for members. VALUE Vision: By year-end 2018, the Success Indicators: Chamber will be nationally recognized 1. Exceed 2,200 members and the national average in membership retention. for consistently exceeding member expectations and delivering the value 2. Board of Advisors engagement and growth. of membership. 3. Increased member satisfaction. 4. Increased usage of member rewards and benefits. EXCELLENCE Operate the Chamber with excellence, innovation and efficiency. Vision: By year-end 2018, the Chamber Success Indicators: will be again recognized as one of the 1. Five-star accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. nation’s best through accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber 2. Certification by the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. will be an effective, credible and vital 3. Healthy Chamber finances. organization known for its high standards, 4. Membership growth and retention. ethical behavior and responsive service. JOBS As the area’s lead economic developer, the Mobile Area Chamber’s jobs focus spans recruitment, retention, job creation, entrepreneurial assistance, small business development and workforce development. The backdrop for Walmart’s announcement was APM Terminals Mobile, signaling the impact the company’s new direct import distribution center would have on both the Port of Mobile and the container terminal. It was the second economic development project announced by the Chamber in 2017. – Top Economic Development Continental Motors Group Kimberly-Clark – The company’s After an extensive international latest investment in the Mobile 2 4 Announcements search, the company renewed its commitment facility is valued at $75 million and is the first Economic development successes for 2017 to Mobile as its global corporate headquarters, of multiple investments expected over the included two headquartered operations and retaining more than 300 high-paying jobs next two years. some familiar names in the worldwide locally. The company will build a new marketplace. As the lead economic developer manufacturing facility at Mobile Aeroplex Amazon – The internet retailer for the City of Mobile and Mobile County, at Brookley, estimated at approximately 5 announced it would build a Chamber-led project announcements included sortation center in west Mobile. The $30 $70 million. $350 million in capital investment and 647 million facility is the first investment by the new and retained jobs. In addition, there were Walmart – Within 48 hours of company in Alabama. 1,400 part-time positions associated with the Continental news, Walmart 3 2017 projects. announced Mobile would be home to its Safran USA – The aerospace newest direct-import distribution center in 6 company announced it would open SSAB Americas – The company charge of stocking small distribution centers