SML Chamber (Mar 2010)
Posted by South Mountain Villager on February 23, 2010
A Word From The President
Momentous events continue to shape our South Mountain and Laveen communities. Like you, I watch with growing concern the efforts by our government leaders to make drastic cuts in order to balance shaky budgets. Particularly of interest are the ongoing discussions that the City of Phoenix intends to cut approximately 180 sworn public safety jobs (i.e., police and firefighters) as part of a broader $140 million in budget reductions to be implemented through fiscal year 2011.
The effect of our current economy continues to ripple down to each of us at an individual level. Eventually we will feel the effects of a decreased police presence in our neighborhoods. All of us have noticed, or will soon notice, condensed business hours at our libraries, Department of Motor Vehicle offices closing, and swimming programs being canceled.
I highlight these issues not to criticize our elected officials – difficult times require our leaders to make difficult, and often unpopular, decisions. I mention these challenges to stress that although we face challenges, the South Mountain and Laveen communities have overcome difficulties in the past and I believe that we can ride out this current economic storm as well.
We see our South Mountain Laveen Chamber of Commerce membership increasing from month to month. I emphasize this fact, not to pat ourselves on the back, but to point out that our business leaders are taking an interest in the future of our communities and that our local economies continue to grow. Some of these new members are existing businesses that have been in our communities for some time but many are new businesses that have decided to locate in our midst.
There is other good news coming out of our communities. Thanks to a large multimillion dollar contribution from The Kroc Foundation and thanks to the tireless efforts of many of you, on March 29, 2010, the Salvation Army is set to break ground on the new Phoenix South Mountain Youth Center. Built to replace the existing building located at 13th Street and Broadway Road, the 140,000 square foot center is expected to serve at least 1,600 South Mountain kids daily. When opened in 2011, the center will be the third KROC – Salvation Army Youth Center opened nationwide with more such centers to follow.
In addition, we recently witnessed the grand opening of the Boston Nail Salon in the previously vacant Laveen Village Marketplace located on the northwest corner of 35th Avenue and Baseline Road. We can hope that this is a harbinger of other stores to soon open in the area.
Interested in learning more about the benefits of a Chamber membership? Contact Executive Director Steve Glueck at steveg.smlchamber@cox.net.
March Events
Business for Breakfast
Wednesday, March 10, 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.
Brown Bag Lunch and Learn
Tom Trush of Writeway Solutions
Tuesday, March 2, from 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Register online at http://phoenixchamber.com/SMLC/index.html or www.writewaysolutions.com
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
