ANNUAL REPORT

CONNECTING ADVOCATING SUPPORTING

2019 SEARCY REGIONAL

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Mission Statement The purpose for which the corporation is organized is to advance and promote the

industrial, commercial, and civic interest of the City of Searcy, Arkansas and it’s

vicinity and thereby secure and preserve a high quality of life for its citizenry.

The Searcy Chamber of Commerce and the City of Searcy has had an amazing 2019. A year that started out with a joint meeting between the Executive Committees of the Searcy Chamber and the Searcy Regional Economic Development Commis-sion to discuss our shared vision for our City. The focus was on “Unity” in our efforts to work together with our City government leaders to make our shared vision a reality. A major obstacle to achieve those goals was having a permanent funding source that would be available to make the needed improvements to our City. The Advertising and Promotion (A/P) tax was determined to be the best approach to obtain that fund-ing source. This same tax was defeated by our city several years ago, so our efforts to unify our community and City Council to approve this tax would be a challenge.

Now, here is the exciting part of our 2019 journey. Searcy was nominated along with 12,000 other cities across the United States to participate in season 4 of the TV reality Show, Small Business Revolution. Winning this contest would provide our city with $500,000 revitalization of six small businesses and the downtown area. We had made the top 10 and were notified of that selection in the early part of 2019. From that point on, a small ember of excite-ment about our city grew into a raging flame of enthusiasm, excitement and pride for our community. All hands were on deck to help Searcy win Season 4. The Chamber took a major role in assisting with a huge social media blitz to help secure our spot in the top 5. Our community rallied and reached out to contacts across the globe and the State of Arkansas to vote for Searcy. After a nationwide vote, Searcy was chosen as the Winner of Season 4. The night of the announcement was one of the most emotional and exciting times in our City. United was our community, hand in hand, arms thrust in the air, tears streaming down faces, shouts of jubilation, Searcy WON!! Your Chamber was instrumental in this process and I thank all those that volunteered of their time to achieve this great achievement. With that achievement, the community was full of enthusiasm and pride on what was accom-plished. The time was right for the Chamber to actively encourage our City Council Members to build on the mo-mentum and approve the A/P Tax. The City Council listened, discussed and approved the tax. Wow!! What a year! The Chamber continues to be engaged with our community and business leaders by providing multiple seminars, classes and other programs that benefit our small businesses. We host approximately 35 events throughout the year enabling our membership to network with other business contacts. Some of those events include, Eggs & Is-sues Breakfast, Economic Club Lunches, White County Business Expo, Lunch Mobs, Monday morning legislative updates, Leadership Searcy and Small Business University. The Annual Chamber Banquet was held in October at the new White County Cooperative Extension facility. The banquet was a huge success with 300 members in attendance being entertained by comedian Paul Harris. Awards were given to the Business of the Year, Emerging Business, Volunteer of the year and Non-Profit of the Year. Each of these award winners were very deserving of their awards. Serving as your Chairman this past year has truly been an honor and privilege. Being Chairman during the Small Business Revolution contest will forever go down in my career as one of the most exhilarating times that I have been a part of. I thank the Chamber Staff and Chamber Board for allowing me the privilege to serve. I leave the Chamber in good hands with incoming Chairman Steve Foster. He will do a fantastic job in leading our Chamber and ask that you provide him the support and encouragement that was provided to me.

Patrick Stegall

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS & COMMITTEE CHAIRS

2019 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chairman of the Board Patrick Stegall .......................First Security Bank Vice Chairman Steve Foster .........................Bulldog Aviation Treasurer Bill Marion .............................Retired Past Chairman Flave Carpenter ....................Entergy

2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Melanie Parnell.......................Leslie Jewelers Susannah Streit......................Lightle & Raney, Streit & Streit, LLP David Wood ............................First Community Bank Ryan Pace ..............................Greenway Equipment Dei Bryant ...............................Shelter Insurance Dr. Bryan Burks.......................Harding University Justin Lawson.........................Centennial bank Phil Miller.................................Unity Health Philip Mize...............................Mize Heat & Air Dr. Jennifer Methvin ...............ASU-Beebe Dr. Steven Collier....................ARcare John Kilpatrick.........................Re/Max Advantage Kayla Osborne........................Regions Bank Jeff Spearn..............................Eaton Corp Lisa McKnight Tipton..............PR Florida Inc. Diane Barrett...........................Searcy Public Schools Michael Lincoln.......................White County Judge Kyle Osborne .........................Mayor of Searcy

2019 COMMITTEE CHAIRS Workforce Development/Education Robert Skinner ..................Bryce Existing Industries Bill Marion ..........................Retired Small Business University Lisa Tipton..........................PR Florida Consultants Club Mike Hart............................State Farm Mentor Club Justin Lawson....................Centennial Bank Government Affairs J.R. Thomas......................Retired

Leadership Searcy Robbie Atkinson................New Life Church

Chairman’s Memorial Golf Tournament Philip Hays.........................First Community Bank

Ambassador Committee Michelle Davis ...................Riverwind Bank

Banquet Committee Steve Foster ......................Bulldog Aviation Shop Local Committee Donna Rippey ...................Hartsfield Family Properties

CHAMBER STAFF

President and CEO Vice President Communications Coordinator Buck Layne Tara Cathey Jennifer Skinner

blayne@searcychamber.com tcathey@searcychamber.com jskinner@searcychamber.com

Vision Statement It is the goal of the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce to promote sound economic growth for business, in-

dustry and agriculture in the Searcy and White County area. Of equal importance, shall be our efforts to im-prove the economic well-being and quality of life for our residents. To that end, we will continue to promote

Searcy through persistent attention to our values.

2019 Leadership Searcy Graduates

Meg Armentrout .............City Code Enforcement Cindy Lynch....................City of Searcy - City Hall Cheif Steve Hernandez..Searcy Police Department Captain Brian Dunavan..Searcy Fire Department J. C. Clemons ................Searcy Parks & Recreation Joshua Stewart ..............Joshua Stewart Architect Trisha Lawrence.............Pruitt Agency Jonathan Murphy ...........Harding University Tammy Hughes..............ARcare Logan Russell ................ARcare Heather Stogner.............ASU-Beebe Jason Wells ....................Bryce Corporation Steven Webb..................Unity Health Laura Burks....................CASA Ed Covington, Jr.............Charlie's Auto Paint & Body Lori Patterson ................Unity Health Rita Iglehart ....................Summit Hospice Providers Kelly Adcock...................The Crossing at Riverside Erica Brooks...................First Community Bank Brad Bailey.....................Papa John's Pizza Will McCall......................First Security Bank Brandon Moss................First Security Bank Andrew Baker ................Harding University

Leadership Searcy is aimed at developing a net-work of talented leaders for present and future com-munity needs. The program opens doors for local business men and women with the desire and abil-ity to shape our community’s future. Through face-to-face meetings with local and state leaders and on-site visits to local institutions, agencies and or-ganizations, participants explore major issues and unique challenges facing the Searcy community. Participants commit to particpate in eight full day ses-sions. Session 1: Accepting the Challenge of Leadership Session 2: Searcy: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Session 3: Economic Development in our Area Session 4: Education: A Diversity of Opportunities Session 5: The State View - Capitol Visit Session 6: Local Government and Politics Session 7: Health and Human Services Session 8: Graduation Ceremony- Commitment to Service Currently, 2019 class has 23 participants in it. The goal is to have a 20% involvement rate from graduating classes.

The Consultants’ Club is a FREE service to member and non-member organizations to assist in clarify-ing business goals and acquire the knowledge, resources and perspective to meet them. They have meet with one non-chamber member and discusssed ways they could improve their business.

The Manufacturing Institute reported over the next decade, 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will likely need to be filled and 2 million of those jobs will go unfilled. The Workforce Development/Education Committee and the Existing Industries Committee are looking to develop and promote efforts in our local schools that encourage student achievement. Ultimately, their goal is to create a qualified, edu-cated workforce to fill gap shortages in our community.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

A) Met with 8 area school districts to build consensus on need for building workforce pipeline and ad-dressing employment shortagesand help to host 4 Career Fairs at local high schools.

B) Worked with local business and industry to identify hard skills and problem solving skill sets re-quird from potential employees.

C) Began facilitating programs that encourage high school students to look at technical careers as a viable career option (Manufacturing Day, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated In-dustries of Arkansas-Mobile Unit, etc.)

D) Hosted the Economics Arkansas Connecting Educators to Industry Workshop for over 60 teachers in our area.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT/EDUCATION

Small Business University graduated its first class of seven in May of 2019. The eight course program is designed to equip small business owners/operators with the knowledge needed to improve their day-to-day operations. Now in it’s second year, the committee is continuing to eva-lute each session to ensure it meets the busi-nesses needs.

CONSULTANTS CLUB

SESSION 1: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION TO CUSTOMER LOYALTY SESSION 2: LEAD, FOLLOW OR GET OUT OF THE WAY SESSION 3: DIGITAL MARKETING ESSENTIALS SESSION 4: DREAM IT. DO IT. SPRING SESSIONS We will tailor the Spring 2020 sessions to meet the needs of Small Business University Class ll. Topics could include business budgeting and financial management, legal compliance, HR tips, and apps and software to boost productivity for small businesses. Dates will remain the first Thursday of each month from 11a.m.-1p.m.

The White County Business EXPO Committee organized the Be the Revolution themed event, which was held on July 27, 2019 at the newly renovated Ganus Activites Center. The commitee is involved with the logistics including booth layout and design, marketing, theme presentation and venue preparations, maintaining corporate relation-ships, and marketing the event to the community and surrounding area. The event had over 90 booths displaying products and services. The six busineses that won the Small Business Revolution Main Street Make-overs were the guest speakers at the By-Invitation Event along with Mat Faulkner and Amy Burton. Over 175 attended the By- Invitation-Only event, while overall attendance of the event was estimated at over 1,000.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS A) Successful in lobbying our local city council to adopted an Advertising and Promotions Tax B) Coordinated and hosted weekly Monday Morning Legislative Updates beginning in February with state Senator and Representatives at chamber office to inform and educate the chamber membership on key issues and activities during the Legislative Session C) Hosted Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Annual Door to Door Luncheon D) Forwarded governmental/business related e-mails from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas to chamber membership E) Hosted a Legislative Review to update members on upcoming changes in the laws.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONSThe role of the Government Relations Committee is to bring focus to those issues that can have a positive influence on business, and to those issues that can be costly and unfriendly to business. Recommends political positions to the Chamber's Board of Directors, hosts Candidate Forums and Legislative Forums as needed.

Ambassadors represented the chamber at community events, open houses, ribbon cuttings and Business After Hours. The chamber conducted 32 ribbon cuttings for member businesses.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS A) Visited with new businesses in town B) Greeter Program – Greeted members at events C) Attended events as representatives of the chamber D) Began Operation Thank You - a member retention program

The chamber worked to promote the Searcy area with an overall goal to attract visitors to provide a positive impact on the economy of Searcy and the region.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

A) Identified festivals and events to promote in the weekly Things to Do Email

B) Was able to help get an Advertising and Promotion Tax passed to help promote tourism and improve park facilities.

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE

TOURISM

Members of the Golf Tournament Committee worked to plan, execute

and host this year’s 19th Annual Chairman’s Memorial Golf

Tournament held at the River Oaks Golf Club of Searcy. The

tournament highlighted past Chair Alebrt Yarnell’s contributions to

Searcy. Over 20 teams played in the event.

The Chamber held a Legislative Update at Cone Chapel featuring Senate Jonathan Dismang, Reprensentative Les Eaves and State Chamber Randy Zook.

2019

Year in ReviewJANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

BANQUET COMMITTEE

In February started weekly Monday Morning Legislative Updates with Senate Protemp Jonathan Dismang, Speaker of the House Jeremy Gilliam and

Representative Les Eaves.

The chamber secured an ad in the State’s Arkansas Love Where You Live Guide to help us promote Searcy across the U.S.

Partnered with the Greers Ferry Little Red River Association to produce a four color brochure promoting tourism in our area. The guide is in all 14 Visitor Center’s across the state

The Chamber held it’s Annual Awards Banquet on October 29, 2019. The Wizard of Oz “There’s No Place Like Home” themed event was a sell out this year. Winners included Volunteer of the Year-Logan Russell, Non-Profit of the Year-White County Single Parent Scholarship, Leadership Award-Steven Webb and Business of the Year-Bobby T’s Matress and Furniture. The Gavel was presented to outgoing Chair Patrick Stegall by incoming Chair Steve Foster.

The Chamber, SREDC and John Kilpatrick all worked to secure our latest manufacturer Erector, LLC. The facility is open employs 15 people. Welcome Erector LLC!

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

For the 19th year, the chamber partnered

with the Daily Citizen to produce the official Community Guide.

The chamber partnered with The Daily Citizen to produce several segments aimed at en-couraging local spending and community pride.

SEARCY WINS THE 

SMALL BUSINESS 

REVOLUTION!

In February, Searcy was annouced the 2019 Season Winner of the Small Business Revolution Main Street Se-ries out of 12,000 cities that entered. Searcy rallied the state and nation to help secure its win in an 8 day voting campaign. The event help to bring our town together and provide much neeeded publicity for our town. The $500,000 in kind services for the city and 6 lucky businesses was great too!

BANQUET

COMMITTEE

2019 BY THE NUMBERS

40 new members

584 members

23 networking events

32 ribbon cuttings and

groundbreakings.

56 Newsletters & Things to Do

Hosted 3 Industrial Prospects.

8 Leadership sessions

Represented the chamber at16 State and National Meetings.

10 Committees

56 Committee Meetings

Our Facebook page has

3,703 likes and

3,805 follows

736,124 reach

• Access to the largest regional business network in Searcy Regional Trade Area • Enhanced listing in our online directory including: - Hot link to company website - Link to company Facebook page and other social media • Single business category listing in the official Searcy Community Guide • Subscription to electronic e-news & weekly Things to Do emails, so you will always be informed • Subscription to grassroots advocacy alerts • Invitation to participate in Chamber meetings, committees and councils • Access to advertising opportunities with the Chamber’s mass emails service • Access to post the following for free on chamber’s web site - news - promotions - events - and job openings • Access to Chamber mailing list for a small fee • Ribbon Cuttings for new or expanding businesses • Special member pricing for Chamber and partner events

Is your business using ALL

of the BENEFITS of YOUR

Chamber MEMBERSHIP?

CONNECTING ADVOCATING SUPPORTING

Networking

People do business with people they know-the chamber creates networking opportunities and foster relationships.

Access to Resources

The Chamber connects you with resources your business needs to thrive, including educational opportunities.

Visibility

The Chamber increases your visihility within the Community

Credibility

Being a member adds credibilty with customers and consumers.

Advocacy

The Chamber acts as your voice to all levels of government and provides face to face contact with elected officials.

Business Community Supporting your local business community increases the health of our community, by

providing jobs and sales tax revenue.

SEARCY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Sponsored by

2323 South Main

Searcy, AR 72143

Office (501) 268-2458

www.searcychamber.com