We are all familiar with the statistics. The United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released the Regional and State Employment and Unemployment Summary. The news continues to be bleak for the State of Arizona; the report shows an increase in the unemployment rate from 5.9 percent in August of last year to 9.1 percent in August of this year. While we do not have specific statistics for South Mountain and Laveen, I have no reason to believe that our community’s employment rates have faired any better.
Of course, statistics are what we make of them. While job loss may be easy to quantify, it is much more difficult to measure the more subjective aspects of living in Laveen and South Mountain. For instance, there is no way to measure our strong community spirit, nor is there a way to gauge how lucky we are to live in one of the most beautiful areas in the Greater Phoenix area. We remain here in our homes and in our businesses because we feel a connection with our community.
Each week, my family shops at grocery stores, frequents restaurants and puts gas in our cars. Monday through Friday of each week, my children attend school. We have a choice as to which grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations to patronize. We have a choice as to where to send our kids to school. Fortunately, Laveen and South Mountain are replete with businesses ready to provide exceptional service at fair prices, and we have exceptional teachers educating our students right in our backyard. Although we may not be able to stem the loss of jobs from South Mountain and Laveen, we can participate in our own local economic stimulus program by frequenting our businesses and by making sure that our tax dollars flow to our schools. As mentioned last month by Steve Glueck, the executive director of the South Mountain – Laveen Chamber, supporting our local businesses in Laveen and South Mountain makes good “dollars and cents.”
Of course, buying locally will not, in and of itself, provide the economic boost necessary to stabilize our local economy. However, supporting our businesses and schools and staying involved in our community will go a long way in ensuring that South Mountain and Laveen remain a rich, vibrant community.
Speaking of a vibrant community, the South Mountain – Laveen Chamber Spirit of South Mountain Awards Dinner is just around the corner on February 25, 2010. The dinner is an opportunity to showcase you – the businesses, organizations and individuals who make a difference. We are now accepting applications to recognize businesses and individuals in the following categories: (i) local business, (ii) non-profit agency, (iii) individual volunteer, (iv) local government agency, and (v) education/school administrator. Awards applications are available online at http://www.phoenixchamber.com/SMLC/. If you know someone deserving of an award, please submit an application prior to our deadline of December 15, 2009.
Interested in learning more about the benefits of a Chamber membership? Contact Executive Director Steve Glueck at steveg.smlchamber@cox.net.
November Events
Business for Breakfast
Wednesday, November 11, from 7:15 – 8:30 a.m.
Bougainvillea Golf Club
5740 W. Baseline Road, Laveen
Business After Hours Mixer
Click on the events calendar link at http://phoenixchamber.com/SMLC/index.html for more details.
South Mountain Leads Club – The Raven Grill at the Raven Golf Club
Meets each Wednesday at 7:15 a.m.
3636 E. Baseline Road, Phoenix
My hero is Verna McClain. She has been a driving force and inspiration in our family’s lives. She raised three children all while working both at home as a wife and mother and running her own business or working for someone else. She raised us to be honest, trustworthy, and respectful to others.
