Business Weekly
July 27 – 31, 2009
- Card Check Still a Pressing Issue
- ”Connecting Your Business With China” Seminar Slated
- Board Meeting, New Member Lunch Scheduled for August 12
- Deadline Nearing for Leadership Arkansas Class IV Applications
- Small Business Council Sets Two Final Meetings for 2009
- Mark Your Calendar for State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting
- Strategic Planning Workshops Set for State Geospatial Business Plan
- Little Rock Branch of Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Holding Stimulus Workshops
- Tax Tips for Those Who Have Started or Are Thinking of Starting a New Business
- Welcome to Our New Members
- Thanks to Our Pinnacle Members
- Calendar of Events
Card Check Still a Pressing Issue
Thanks to those who participated
in last Wednesday's Card Check Coalition meeting and for taking a stand
against the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) in
We still need your help – maybe now more than ever.
The Congressional Recess runs from August 3 to September 4. Senators
Lincoln and Pryor may visit your town during this time. If you see
them, please convey your thoughts regarding EFCA. The Coalition Web
site, which can be accessed by clicking here, will continually
be updated for your resources. There you can find two new letters to
Senators Lincoln and Pryor in addition to EFCA informational fact sheets.
What
we need you to do:
- Write your senators - again!
- Reach out to your community chambers, business leaders and rotary organizations
- Write a letter to your editor
- Be on the lookout for senators in your area during the Congressional Recess
“Connecting Your Business With
The State Chamber/AIA, the Arkansas Economic Development
Commission, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Arkansas World Trade Center and
business and community leaders from throughout the state will welcome the
Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. during “Connecting Your Business With
China – The World’s Most Dynamic Market,” a seminar from
8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11 at the Capital Hotel, located at
The agenda includes:
8:30 – 9 a.m. Registration/Networking
9 – 9:10 a.m. Welcome by Leslie Schweitzer, Senior Trade Advisor,
9:10 – 9:35 a.m. Morning Keynote with Q&A
9:35 – 10:35 a.m.
Moderator: Leslie Schweitzer
- Steve Ganster, Managing Partner, Technomic Asia
- Neil Bagchi, Director, Business Development, SE, Nair & Co.
- Arkansas/China Business Success Stories
10:35 – 11:35 a.m. Resources
for
Moderator: Becky Thompson, Deputy Director, AEDC
- Brian Strebel, Vice President, Smart Sourcing
-
Dan Hendrix, President,
-
Brian Barnhouse, International Project Manager/
11:35 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Lunch Served
12:15 p.m. – 1 p.m. Luncheon Keynote with Q&A
The Honorable Zhou Wenzhong,
Chinese
Ambassador to the
Introduced by:
The cost for the event is $50 per person with lunch included. Make your reservation by August 6th by contacting Deb Mathis at 501-210-4212 or dmathis@arkansasstatechamber.com.
Board Meeting, New Member Lunch Scheduled for August 12
The State Chamber/AIA will hold a board meeting and new member lunch on August 12 in the Bob Lamb Conference Room.
The board meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the new member lunch at 11:45 a.m. The new member lunch is open to all new members and members who have not already attended a new member lunch.
Reservations for the lunch are required. To reserve your spot, contact Deb Mathis at 501-210-4212 or e-mail her at dmathis@arkansasstatechamber.com.
Deadline Nearing for Leadership
If you have not yet filled out and sent in your application for Leadership Arkansas Class IV and wish to do so, there’s still time. Applications must be postmarked by Friday, August 7, 2009. Applicants will be notified of the Selection Committee’s decision no later than September 7, 2009.
To apply or learn more about the Leadership Arkansas Program, click here. If you have any questions about the application, or about Leadership Arkansas, contact Susie Marks at (501) 372-2222 or smarks@arkansasstatechamber.com.
Leadership
Class members will be chosen to participate in a
stimulating and thought-provoking educational program that consists of a
series of six day and a half sessions held in locations throughout the state.
The sessions will include programming on issues critical to
Graduation from the class will not signify the end, but the beginning of a lifetime of opportunity as a member of Leadership Arkansas. For the graduates of the Leadership Arkansas program, we will convene regular meetings, regional and statewide, to facilitate continuing issues-oriented education, advanced leadership training, networking and the opportunity for members to work together toward shared goals.
Selection Criteria
The Leadership Arkansas Selection Committee is charged
with identifying those individuals most likely to utilize their leadership
abilities for the long-term benefit of
A commitment, motivation and interest in serving
A concern for
An interest in seeking key volunteer and/or appointed state leadership roles
Potential or existing occupational responsibilities that have significant influence on important issues facing the state
A commitment to continued involvement in Leadership Arkansas.
Small Business Council Sets Two Final Meetings for 2009
The State Chamber/AIA Small Business Council has scheduled two final meetings for 2009 on Thursday, September 3rd and Thursday, November 5th. Both meetings will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bob Lamb Conference Room.
The topic for the September 3rd meeting will be “Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.” The topic for the November 5th meeting will be “Disaster Preparedness.” Lunch will be provided at both meetings as well as a legislative update.
Small Business Council meetings are open to all State
Chamber/AIA members. For further information, contact
Mark Your Calendar for State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting
The State Chamber/AIA will hold our 81st Annual
Meeting on Monday, October 19th at the Doubletree Hotel in
U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln will be the keynote speaker
for the Annual Meeting, which will also include a board of directors meeting
and a business meeting. For sponsorship information, contact
Mark your calendar and make plans to attend. Additional information will be forthcoming as the event date gets closer.
Strategic Planning Workshops Set for State Geospatial Business Plan
There will be five Strategic Planning Workshops held throughout the state:
August 17 –
August 19 – Little
Rock: Arkansas Electric
Cooperative Board Room
1
August 31 –
September 1 –
121
Clayton Expressway (Located at
September 2 – Hope:
2500
Sessions will run from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and lunch will be provided. To register, click here.
You are welcome to attend more than one session. If this is your intent, please fill out separate registration forms for each event you plan to attend. The web site will also provide important background information on this project.
Stimulus Workshops Set by
The
Federal stimulus packages are creating unprecedented opportunities and resources for community and economic development efforts at the local level. However, making sense of the programs can be confusing and, at time, overwhelming. What exactly is ARRA? How is it different from HERA? What actions can community and economic developers take to make these and other federal programs work for their communities?
The August 20th workshop, “Stimulating Community
and Economic Development 1 – Opportunities and Resources for Small
Businesses,” will focus on new financing resources and contracting
opportunities available for small businesses. Speakers will included
representatives of the
Small Business developers, small business owners, community economic development professionals and representatives of financial institutions are encouraged to attend.
The September 3rd workshop, “Stimulating Community and Economic Development 2 – Opportunities and Resources for Community-Based Organizations,” will focus on new program resources and partnership opportunities available for community-based organizations. Speakers will include representatives of the Arkansas Coalition for Excellence and the Arkansas Development Finance Authority.
Housing developers, service providers, community economic development professionals and representatives of nonprofit organizations and financial institutions are encouraged to attend.
Both workshops are free but require registration in advance. To register, contact Julie Kerr at 501-324-8296 or julie.a.kerr@stls.frb.org. Registration is limited, so don’t delay.
Tax Tips for Those Who Have Started or Are Thinking of Starting a New Business
Anyone starting or thinking of starting a new business should be aware of their federal tax responsibilities. Here are the top seven things the IRS wants you to know if you plan on opening a new business this year.
1. First, you must decide what type of business entity you are going to establish. The type your business takes will determine which tax form you have to file. The most common types of business are the sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and S corporation.
2. The type of business you operate determines what taxes you must pay and how you pay them. The four general types of business taxes are income tax, self-employment tax, employment tax and excise tax.
3. An Employer Identification Number is used to identify a business entity. Generally, businesses need an EIN. Visit IRS.gov for more information about whether you will need an EIN. You can also apply for an EIN online at IRS.gov.
4. Good records will help you ensure successful operation of your new business. You may choose any recordkeeping system suited to your business that clearly shows your income and expenses. Except in a few cases, the law does not require any special kind of records. However, the business you are in affects the type of records you need to keep for federal tax purposes.
5. Every business taxpayer must figure taxable income on an annual accounting period called a tax year. The calendar year and the fiscal year are the most common tax years used.
6. Each taxpayer must also use a consistent accounting method, which is a set of rules for determining when to report income and expenses. The most commonly used accounting methods are the cash method and an accrual method. Under the cash method, you generally report income in the tax year you receive it and deduct expenses in the tax year you pay them. Under an accrual method, you generally report income in the tax year you earn it and deduct expenses in the tax year you incur them.
7. Visit the Business section of IRS.gov for resources to assist entrepreneurs with starting and operating a new business.
Thanks to the following companies and organizations that have recently joined the State Chamber/AIA:
AR Automatic Gates
Cone Solvents
Dwight Stroud & Associates LLC
Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc.
Hargrove Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Pactive Corporation
Superior Concrete Inc.
Transplace
Tromik Technology Corp.
UAMS BioVentures
US Steel
V. Wright Consultants
Thanks to Our Pinnacle Members
Thanks to Transplace for recently joining the State Chamber as a Crown Member. We would like to express thanks to all of our Pinnacle investors, the respected companies that support the State Chamber/AIA at the highest annual investment levels. We appreciate all that they do for us.
APEX
Entergy Arkansas, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Chesapeake Energy, Inc.
Cox Communications
Tyson Foods, Inc.
XTO Energy, Inc.
PEAK
Arvest Bank
AT&T Arkansas
CenterPoint Energy Southern Gas
Electric Cooperatives of
FedEx Freight - East
Georgia-Pacific Corporation
Kraft Foods
Nucor/Nucor-Yamato
Oaklawn Jockey Club
Southern Bancorp, Inc.
Southwestern Energy Company
State Farm Insurance
Verizon Wireless
Windstream Corporation
CROWN
Acxiom Corporation
AEP Southwestern Electric Power
Albemarle Corporation
American Greetings Corporation
Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation
Bank of the Ozarks
BP America, Inc.
CardinalHealth
CenterPoint Energy Gas Transmission Company
Crossland Construction
Deltic Timber Corporation
Evergreen Packaging Company
Experian
Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc.
Forest Oil Corporation
Glad Manufacturing/A Clorox Company
International Paper Company
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Lion Oil Company
LS Power
McKee Foods Corporation
Metropolitan National Bank
Nabholz Construction Corporation
OG+E
Petrohawk
Philander
RebeccaRice & Associates
Riceland Foods, Inc.
Russellville Steel Co. Inc.
Signature Bank of
Stephens, Inc.
The Clorox Company
The Trane Company
Transplace
US Bank
Waste Management
Weyerhaeuser Company
Wright Lindsey & Jennings
August 11 Connecting
Your Business With
8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Capital Hotel
111
August 12 State Chamber/AIA Board Meeting
10 a.m.
State Chamber Conference Room
August 12 New Member Luncheon
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
State Chamber Conference Room
September 3 Small Business Council Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
State Chamber Conference Room
October 19 State Chamber/AIA Annual Meeting
State Chamber/AIA Board Meeting
DoubleTree Hotel
November 5 Small Business Council Meeting
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
State Chamber Conference Room
