2007 BUSINESS PLAN
GREATER KAUFMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Johnny Murrey, Chairman of the Board

Mission: The Greater Kaufman Chamber of Commerce is a pro-business membership organization dedicated to enhancing the growth and profitability of area businesses through economic development, business retention and expansion, community development, small business services and government relations.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT –
Attracting wealth to a community through economic development, small business development and tourism program is in a large way accomplished by positive developments in all areas of the community.

Broad Goals: Improve the appearance of the community, communications, infrastructure, health care opportunities, marketing, transportation, small business opportunities, and volunteer options for the Kaufman area.

Town Square/Washington St. Corridor
Johnny Murrey and Curtis Snow, Co-chairs
Form a new task force to determine the Kaufman Chamber’s role in revitalizing the town square.

Consider developing and finding the funding for banners on Washington St. in an effort to tie the town square to Hwy. 34 where it intersects with Houston St. (FM 1388).

Presbyterian Hospital Develop a top quality promotional piece for Presbyterian Hospital to be used in our newcomer’s packets and economic development promotional materials.

Involve the Chairman of the Economic Development Partnership, the new EDC Director and the City Manager in discussions on the potential to develop a new “Wellness Center” for Kaufman that might include a community center and perhaps new chamber offices.   

Ask PHK representatives to present a formal quarterly update at Chamber meetings, city council, civic clubs, etc.

Increase efforts to promote PHK, improve the “perception” of quality of care throughout the community, and look for ways to improve the profitability of this fine asset of the Kaufman community.

Include “guest columns” from Presbyterian Hospital of Kaufman in chamber newsletters.

Actively promote and participate in Hospital health fairs, promotions, celebrations, etc. throughout the year.

Transportation                  Staff & Lee Ayres, Co-chair
Assist Kaufman County Rural Transit in securing some type of park and ride facility on the U.S. 175 Corridor within the Kaufman city limits with the goal of increasing retail sales in that area.

Continue to make Highway 34 Alignment an extremely high priority for Kaufman. Continue to assist the City of Kaufman in acquiring donated right-of-way.

Attend public hearings and work to attract the Trans Texas Corridor to Kaufman County.

Support the extension of FM 2578 south to connect with FM 1390 to create another North-South thoroughfare in Kaufman County.

Community Appearance Support and promote the Keep Kaufman Beautiful Board efforts on cleanups, recycling, landscaping and improving the general appearance of the community.

Work closely with the city and financially participate in landscaping and beautification programs along the U.S. 175 corridor.

Ask the city to install “No Littering” signs with potential fines along the Washington St. Corridor and Hwy. 243 Corridors.

Ask the city to consider establishing an Adopt-a-Street program where volunteers use city materials to clean up one mile or ½ mile sections of city thoroughfares four times per year. The Chamber should consider adopting a street in 2007.

Consider some type of program or promotion to ask business owners to “pick up their lots” at least weekly along Washington St. Corridor and Hwy. 243.

Special Events Bobbi Byford, Chairman

Produce the Annual Banquet in February to recognize board members, volunteers, teachers and community leadership. Budget to net $1000 on the banquet in 2007.

Consider establishing a higher profile event around July 4th.

Organize and host a New Teacher Luncheon in August. Funded by sponsorship, this luncheon will welcome new educators to Kaufman, encourage them to purchase a home or lease here and shop locally. Bobbi Byford, Chairman

Communications/Member Relations                Anne Glasscock, President

The new Chamber President will develop new programs to include:

One staff visit to each new member within 30 days of joining.
One staff visit each year to 50 or 70 existing members deemed to be at risk.
Some type of board advocacy program that perhaps could involve chamber board members calling, e-mailing and visiting the fifty to seventy at risk members as well as the new members who have recently joined.
A survey of firms and organizations that drop their membership to learn why they did not renew.
A staff visit to each dropped member to ask them to reconsider membership.

Continue the monthly electronic newsletter to get more timely information to the general membership. Support staff will expand the distribution to multiple individuals within the same member firm and to some non-members and past members. Consider adding a member spotlight to the e-newsletter. Consider adding quotes to our new member recognition portion of the newsletter.

In conjunction with Presbyterian Hospital, consider developing quarterly breakfasts/luncheons for entire membership.

Using information from city water hookups, formally welcome new residents and new businesses to Kaufman.

Provide the Kaufman Herald with regular community updates.

Staff and volunteers should attend community meetings to endorse and promote the Kaufman 2020 Visioning effort. Promote the effort in the chamber newsletter.

Small Business Services
Julie Tijerina, Chairman Annie Harpold, Co-Chair
Implement the new “Shop Kaufman Campaign”.

Provide “Ribbon Cuttings” for new chamber members.

Assist small businesses in increasing their sales and profitability through programs, promotions, events and campaigns in addition to providing more than 2,000 business referrals each year.

Update and distribute Newcomer, Restaurant, Hotel, Shopping and Entertainment Guides.

Host or co-host four "Business After Hours Mixers" in 2007.
Jack Tyler, Chairman

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Steve Robertson, Chairman
Economic development creates jobs, attracts new payroll dollars, causes new families to move in and near Kaufman and generates additional sales and profits for all local businesses. It funds most of city government maintenance and operations. Economic development provides new investment to the existing tax base, enhances sales tax receipts and creates additional commercial, service and retail jobs through increased demand for products and services.

Broad Goals: Assist existing businesses, industries, developers and retail firms in Kaufman to grow and expand locally with priorities of tax generation, job creation and capital investment. Create a climate that encourages existing businesses to choose to add shifts or expand locally as they find new markets, expand their product offerings or as demand for existing products increase.

Kaufman Economic Development Corporation Meet or exceed the objectives of the new KEDC-Chamber agreement. Assist the EDC board members and staff in accomplishing objectives of their 2007 business plan.

Retail Work closely with the Kaufman EDC to attract at least one new retailer in 2007 that will provide 20 new jobs and $1 Million in sales. Continue efforts to assist in making Kaufman an attractive destination for a major national retailer like Wal-Mart or Target.

Manufacturing/Distribution Develop a formal Business Retention and Expansion program for existing industries. This should include at least two staff/volunteer visits per year and at a minimum, an informal survey on doing business in Kaufman.

Research/Communications Collect and provide demographics. Provide for latest available traffic counts, site layouts and topographic maps when needed.

Aerial Map Project                                             Brian Chambers, Chairman
Work with the Developer’s Roundtable and Kaufman EDC to produce a new aerial map for Kaufman in 2007.

Community Profile                                              Yvonne Floyd
Update the Kaufman Community Profile that includes population, climate, transportation, wages, taxes, utility information, incentives, major employers, etc. Include Recognized school district and recognized campuses to the publication this year.

Advertising/Promotion Provide news releases when appropriate to countywide print and electronic media on groundbreakings, expansions, etc.

Continue to produce brochures, packets, community profiles, demographics, etc. Use these materials to respond to prospects and to develop leads and prospects.

Partnerships                                                        Steve Robertson, Chairman
Continue to take a leadership role in the Economic Development Partnership and Developers Roundtable.

Continue to work with and advise the Kaufman Economic Development Corporation board in developing strategies to improve the business climate of Kaufman.

Retiree Attraction
Julie Tijerina, Chairman Lee Ayres, Co-Chair
Take a leadership role in the joint EDC-Chamber-City task force to explore the potential to make Kaufman a destination for retirees.

KAUFMAN COUNTY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL-
Johnny Murrey, Chairman
While each community in Kaufman County strives to improve itself, there are numerous issues, goals and objectives that are common to all or most county communities.

KCLC Administration Continue to contract with the Kaufman County Leadership Council to provide administrative services for a fee. Ensure that Kaufman area members participate as officers, committee chairs and committee members in KCLC.

Leadership Development Recruit heavy participation in Leadership Kaufman County by Kaufman area residents and business owners. Continue to provide administrative services for Leadership Kaufman County.

GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS – Andrew Jordan, Chairman
Though businesses don't "vote", businesses can and should have a strong voice in city, county and state government through a strong Chamber of Commerce.

Broad Goals: Identify issues, monitor proposals and legislation, and develop and communicate pro-business positions on city ordinances and county and state legislation and regulation affecting the growth and profitability of Kaufman's business and industry.

City of Kaufman                               Johnny Murrey, Liaison Curtis Snow
Encourage chamber board members to serve on city boards and commissions when asked.
Inform Chamber board members about city council and planning and zoning meetings to encourage their participation.

Support the city’s implementation of 2020 Visioning in 2007 with staff, resources and volunteers.

Ask the city of Kaufman to begin acquiring donated right-of-way within the city limits for the Kaufman segment of State Hwy. 34 as soon as the right-of-way maps are approved in Austin.

Work closely with the city and financially participate in landscaping and beautification programs along the U.S. 175 corridor.

Kaufman County                                 Johnny Countryman, Liaison
The Kaufman Chamber supports spending 100% of money budgeted for indigent care on indigent health care needs in Kaufman County.

State of Texas                                       Andrew Jordan, Chairman
Assist in organizing Kaufman County Day in Austin in March of 2007.
Develop positions on State of Texas issues, regulations, taxes, education, transportation, etc. and communicate them to state legislators.
Such issues for 2007 include but are not limited to:

School Finance
Support of a fully funded CHIPS (health insurance) program.
Support Funding for State Hwy. 34 Re-alignment.
Support increased funding for the Office of the Governor for Economic Development for use as incentives on out of state projects looking at Texas.
Oppose appraisals caps for growing cities, counties and school districts.
Finding testing alternatives for public school students

Public Education                                      Carma Sullivan, Chairman
Recognize outstanding teachers and administrators at the Chamber's annual banquet.

Assist the School district with grant applications, new programs and new initiatives such as the Texas Scholars Program as needed throughout the year.

Continue to support the Jack Callan Memorial Scholarship funded by sponsorships.

Assist KISD with school-to-work initiatives, vocational education and career days.

Assist KISD in developing a promotional plan to better tell the story of the very successful Kaufman Independent School District.

VISITORS AND TOURISM – Jamie Running, Chairman
When visitors come to Kaufman to attend a meeting, a special event, a sporting contest or to visit local points of interest, the community attracts outside money into the community. These visitors purchase meals, lodging, fuel and groceries as well as shop for clothing, furniture, appliances, gifts, and etc. while here. Events and meetings are also an excellent way to introduce new people to the community who may later choose to buy or build, and live and work here, move their businesses here or even retire here. Without hotel-motel tax funding for tourism programs, 2007 objectives will be limited.

Broad Goals:
Create awareness that Kaufman is a potential destination for memorials and special events. Attract outside visitor dollars to our local restaurants, motel and retail businesses by providing advertising and promotion for community events in 2007.

New Events
Assist in attracting, financing and organizing the local events for the Vietnam

Moving Wall exhibition in April of 2007.   Johnny Countryman, Liaison.

Make a decision to go or no go on the Hog Wild Festival by May of 2007. Jeff Jordan, Chairman.

Advertising & Promotion
Through the chamber newsletter, e-mail and electronic messaging sign promote the following community events:

Kaufman County Jr. Livestock Show
Vietnam Moving Wall exhibition
Memorial Day Ceremony to Honor Veterans
July 4th Parade to celebrate our country’s birthday
Support Your Local Heroes to honor police, sheriff deputies, firemen, etc.
City of Kaufman Fall Festival
Other festivals
Veterans Day Parade and program
Christmas programs on the square

Put the finishing touches on the infomercial/windshield tour video for Kaufman to be used for economic development, tourism and residential attraction.

Preview the three videos at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet and Membership meeting in February 2007. Jamie Running and Michelle Sjerven, co-chairs.
Continue to receive more than 2,500 visitors each year at the Chamber offices.
Continue to pass out maps to visitors (2,175 in 2006).
Continue to distribute phone books to visitors and newcomers (550 in 2006).
Continue to produce and distribute Tourism and Shopping Guides.
Continue to develop and produce newcomer’s guides for the community.
Continue to pass out or mail newcomer packets including the new video to families who are thinking about moving here or who have just moved here.

FINANCE -
Provide sufficient funding for economic development, community development, governmental affairs, advertising and special events, good quality facilities, state of the art equipment and professional staff to pursue the Chamber mission. Employ a part time staff person to assist with the EDC support staffing, civic auction and vacation time for regular staff.

New Member Campaign                        Anne Glasscock/Board of Directors
Encourage each chamber director to solicit one new member in 2007.

Golf Tournament                                      Jade Andrews, Chairman
Plan, organize and host the Annual Golf Tournament in late April with the goal of netting $14,000. Jade Andrews, Chairman and Andrew Jordan, Co-Chair

Civic Auction
Vivian Rhein, Chairman Michelle Sjerven Co-Chair
Plan, organize and host the Annual Civic Auction in September with goal of netting $65,000. Vivian Rhein, Chairman.

New Fundraiser
Continue to search for a new fundraiser that perhaps could net $10,000 to $15,000 per year.

ADMINISTRATION
Facilities
Continue to search for opportunities for new Chamber facilities. Steve Robertson, Chairman

Employee Manual
Develop a new employee manual during 2007. Donna Babovec, Chairman

Investments
Invest Chamber reserve and operating funds in a way to get the highest return with minimal amounts of risk. Johnny Countryman, Chairman