Matthew Hayes (center) receives the 2011 Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award. Photo by Deborah Young Studios

Matthew Hayes, principal at North Mecklenburg High School, was presented the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award by the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting held at the Havana Banquet & Ballroom in Cornelius.  Hayes was nominated for the recognition by Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board Member Rhonda Lennon and recommended by Huntersville Mayor Jill Swain. 

Lennon cited that Principal Hayes has engaged the North Mecklenburg High School community partnering with stakeholders in school improvement. The stakeholders included the parents, community members, boosters, business community, and elected officials.  He has organized the teachers into teams and created monitoring systems for students with a mastery binder to customize learning for students.

Principal Hayes has instilled “values” and encouraged students and teachers to honor the traditions and beliefs that make North Mecklenburg special with clubs, pep-rallies, grade level functions and extra-curricular activities, while reinvigorating the academic program with a focus on achievement. 

Lennon added, “Matt Hayes is a man with a plan and a can-do attitude.  His boundless energy and passion for changing lives of high school students is evident all over the North Meck High School Campus.  From tackling campus cleanup to creating a sense of community amongst a very diverse student body, to building a team of teachers and staff who are embracing ‘our students’ – Matt Hayes is getting it done.”

In accepting the award from 2011 Chamber Chairman Robert Reed and Tim Gause, Director of Government and Community Relations for Duke Energy, Hayes spoke of the strong commitment of his support staff including Lennon, Interim Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh, district personnel, and the teachers who work directly with the students.  Principal Hayes, in his remarks, encouraged the business community to get engaged.  He cited the critical role businesses can play in mentoring students as they make their plans in post-secondary education and prepare to enter the workforce.

Matt Hayes started in CMS as a teacher in the Afterschool Enrichment Program and taught sixth grade at Carmel Middle School from 1996-2002.  He also coached football and baseball there before becoming Assistant Principal at Quail Hollow Middle School from 2002-2006 and Principal of the School of International Studies and Global Economic at Olympic High School from 2006-2010.  He was named principal of North Mecklenburg High in 2010.

First week on the job with 1999 Chamber Chairman Scott Hinkle, 1996 Chairman Scott Lawrence, Bill Russell, and Cornelius Mayor Wes Southern

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the Lake Norman Chamber which was formed in 1987 as the North Mecklenburg Chamber of Commerce.  It also is my 16^th year at the Chamber.  I shared that the other day with a member who stated I must have seen quite a bit of change in the region over that course of time.  That’s perhaps putting it subtly.

The first week I was here in January of 1996, I asked then Chamber Chairman Scott Lawrence for a list of a dozen or so people I needed to meet immediately.  While the list was substantial and a “Who’s Who” of influential elected and business leaders – at the top was the name John Cherry.

John was the founder of the Lake Norman Chamber.  I made a call to his little office, then on Catawba Avenue in the “Cherry House” just down from the Cornelius Town Hall and Police Station.  John graciously pulled me into his office and began sharing how he, then Huntersville Mayor Sarah McAulay, Bobby Ranson, Don Carney and several others created a business organization that could provide opportunities to grow business here in “North Meck.”

A couple of weeks ago, I called John and reminded him of our meeting 16 years ago and asked if he thought we had made the impact those founders were looking to obtain.  Cherry stated the goal then was to get “Our fair share.”  John reminded me that in 1987, North Mecklenburg just around 4% of the county population and had virtually no representation on issues.  “Gary Knox was really our spokesman – a real hero for the region – as we all set out to get a District 1 County Commissioner and School Board representative.”  For Cherry and the early leaders, it was about getting the things that make a community: quality restaurants, shopping centers, a hospital, parks, quality private as well as public schools.

Richard Pappas, John Cherry, Karla Combs, and Robert Reed

“Getting our own office supply store so you didn’t have to rely on Charlotte,” John continued.  Cherry pointed out the early business leaders pushed for a unified North Mecklenburg including getting the three towns to work together.  “There is real strength in numbers and we could accomplish so much more together,” he added.

Few people recall it was the Chamber that began encouraging the three North Meck, and later Mooresville joining in, on a three town quarterly dinner meeting to share ideas and goals in common.  The Chamber coordinated the first of those meetings which have continued today.

The Chamber encouraged the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville to join the Chamber in forming a regional travel and tourism authority – today known as Visit Lake Norman and in 2003 lobbied again to create a public-private regional economic development authority – our present day EDC.

“The Chamber of Commerce is much more than an opportunity to socialize and network at events like the Business AfterHours.  It helps tell our story to other regional business and elected officials so we achieve our objectives,” Cherry reminded me pointing to the recent success of getting I-485 expedited, discussion of the Red Line, and I-77 improvements.

Cherry and those early elected and business leaders had a vision of what we could achieve by working together as a region.  Today that region includes South Iredell and North Mecklenburg.  It is the Lake Norman region and Cherry’s Chamber continues to tell the story.  It is the story of “Commitment.”  A commitment that transforms visions and promises into reality. It is the power and energy to change the face of things and for 25 years, the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism.

W.E. "Bill" Russell, Lake Norman Chamber

The international pharmaceutical corporation, Merck and Company, has always stressed that it was not just another drug company looking at making a profit.  It has always impressed upon its workforce that service to humanity is the best work of life.  About three decades ago, in the 1980’s, Merck and Company developed a drug that could cure river blindness, a disease that infects and causes blindness in millions of people, particularly those in developing companies with diminished infrastructure.

While it was a great product, the targeted consumer was perhaps the least able to afford the drug.  The customer simply could not afford to by it.  So what did the pharmaceutical company do?  It developed and manufactured the drug anyway and in 1987 announced that it would give the medicine free to anyone who needed it.  By the following year, the company had given away more than 250 million tablets.

George W. Merck said, “We try never to forget that medicine is for people.  It is not for profits.  The profits follow, and if we have remembered that, they have never failed to appear.”

This past month the Chamber heard an outstanding presentation from Jim Stella, a retail development specialist from ElectriCities.  Recently the utility company studied demographics and buying trends from the North Mecklenburg Communities of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville.

Jim Stella

A particular focus was what market segments do we have an over-supply, what segments could be targeted for retail growth, and what is the leakage to other communities.

The big take away from the session was how much we as a community and region support our fellow businesses.  The data strongly supported families who lived in Cornelius shopped in Huntersville and residents in Davidson bought goods and supplies in Mooresville as well as their own town.

As a Chamber of Commerce, the message of  “Buy Local” is extremely important.  Those dollars we spend in a local retail store or restaurant are turned several times in our community putting people to work and growing the local business community.

While no doubt the reason folks shop at stores and businesses in the lake is because of the deals they find and the service they receive.  But a big part of it is also the relationships we enjoy here.  We’re all one big family.

We also have some of the most compassionate and generous businesses owners, managers, and employees you would ever meet.  Our local charities: Ada Jenkins, United Way,  Big Day at the Lake, Habitat for Humanity, Angels and Sparrows and many countless others are testaments to the fact that local businesses at the lake are not just focused on being great businesses, they are part of being part of something bigger than their own business.

This holiday season, when you look at buying that gift for someone special – shop the lake and the many businesses that make our region so special.  When you see that volunteer asking for a contribution to help someone in need – consider giving just a little bit more.

Do something good in business – profits will follow.  Do something good for someone else – you change a life. Quite possibly – your own!

Happy Holidays!

Bill Russell, CCE Lake Norman Chamber

Benno Muller-Hill, a professor of Genetics, tells the story how one morning in High School he stood last in line of 40 students in a schoolyard.  His physics teacher had set up a telescope so that students could view a planet and its moons.  The first student stepped up to the telescope.  He looked through it, however, when the teacher asked if he could see anything, the boy said “no.”

His nearsightedness hampered his view.  The teacher showed him how to adjust the focus and the boy finally said he could see the planet and its moons.  One by one, all the students took their turn looking through the telescope, seeing what they were supposed to see.    Finally, the second to last student looked into the telescope and announced he couldn’t see anything.

“You idiot,” exclaimed the teacher, “you have to adjust the lenses.”     The student tried, but finally gave up and said, “I still cannot see anything.  It is all black.”

The teacher, disgusted with his inept student, looked through the telescope himself, and then looked up with a strange expression.  The lens cap still covered the telescope.  None of the students had been able to see anything.

Sometimes people just go along with the status quo – the popular thinking.  If someone else is thinking it, doing it, it must be right.  Often people feel secure in numbers, when everyone else is doing the same thing.

Earlier this year, leaders of the Chamber went to Washington D.C.  to meet with members of our federal delegation.  We discussed the need to widen I-77 and expedite the “Red line” for commuter rail service to Lake Norman.  We shared with our delegation the frustrations business had with the uncertainty when it comes to regulation and health care costs.  Our Senators and Members of Congress were attentive to our comments and we felt our trip was productive.

Meeting with Rep. Sue Myrick, R-NC

However, it was listening to the comments and rhetoric at some of the seminars and programs we attended where I heard the same partisan comments and divisive rhetoric that has placed this nation in a financial calamity.

I am as convinced today as I have ever been that government cannot and will not solve the fiscal challenges facing America.  The backbone of our economy is our small business and it will be the success of our  housing market, retailers, main street shops, and small business that will turn the economic tide.

It’s not what government can do to help; it is getting government out of the way.  Rewarding hard work and entrepreneurship, providing incentives for taking calculated risks, expanding business, and adding payroll.

We cannot wait for Washington to rescue our economy.  However, we can begin to lay the foundation for our own success by working together, supporting local business – buying local, and electing people in November and in the coming years that get that message.

Like the students, we can either blindly follow the trend or remove the cap and discover the unbridled possibilities when we work hard, work smart, and work together

The state’s overall population jumped more than 18% from 2000 to 2010 and now totals more than 9.5 million.  Much of that growth came in areas around Charlotte, Raleigh and Wilmington. Studies show the Latino population doubling from less than 400,000 to more than 800,000.   In the 1960s, there were fewer than 200 Asians and only eight Asian businesses in Charlotte. Today, the Asian-American population in greater Charlotte has grown to around 70,000, representing over 15 countries of origin, and directly involved in hundreds of businesses.

Host family on our Quito, Ecuador trip in 1992

 Twenty years ago, I had a chance to travel into South America and several Asian countries with Junior Chamber International.  In 1995, I was selected to represent the United States as a delegate to the Junior Chamber International Japan Academy.   The goal of the Academy is to cultivate true global citizens capable of building partnerships with one another, based on a mutual understanding from a global perspective.  During that weeklong program, I participated in a home-stay with a Japanese family.

I toured their business, shared the meals that the wife and daughter prepared, and even participated in a Zen meditation.  It was a cultural experience I have always treasured.     I was very excited when we put together this diversity program spotlighting the Asian and Latino population.  Our instructors for the program, Chia-Li Chien and Julio Colmenares, shared with the participants their insight into doing business with other cultures.  Chia-Li had three major points which certainly resonated with me.  First, in dealing with people from another culture, do not assume they understand you.  Second, do your homework on their culture.  Finally, and the most critical if you expect to market across cultural lines – you have to build a relationship first. 

That relationship must be based on trust – whether that trust is built between you two or perhaps someone who they trust such as a close family member or perhaps an individual within their Church or religion.     Listening to Chia-Li make her presentation, I could not help but think back on my experience.  I had been encouraged to do a little homework for my trip as well.  The staff of the United States Junior Chamber worked with me to learn just two sentences in Japanese on how much I enjoyed my stay with the family.

I have long since forgotten the words I spoke that day and I’m sure I really butchered the Japanese language.  But the wide smiles on the faces of my hosts told me they deeply appreciated my effort.  One thing is for sure – we all smile in the same language!

Less than a year from now, with the Democratic National Convention, the eyes of the world will be on the Charlotte region.  What they will see –  is the world is already here

Focus Friday: September 23rd 8-9:30a.m.

Setser

Continuing our month on education, September’s Focus Friday will feature Bryan Setser, a Sr. Partner at Open Education Solutions.  Open Education Solutions is a blended learning service provider which helps states, districts and school networks design schools and solutions that are innovative, personalized and deliver better results at the same or lower cost. Bryan will talk about programs that use existing resources and technology to impact teaching and learning in a digital world. 

We will also hear from the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce Vice-President of Education, Bill Balatow.  Bill was instrumental in bringing Franklin Covey’s “The Leader in Me” program to the Iredell County School System.  This is a unique program that guides student’s actions using the skills of Steven Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and “The Leader in Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time”.  Also on hand will be a representative from the Iredell County School System to share the implementation and success of the program. 

The Focus Friday is open to all members and is designed to show multiple views to a regional issue.  Participation by those who attend is encouraged.  The program is sponsored by CorneliusNews.net and DavidsonNews.net.

Next month’s Focus Friday will examine the Democratic National Convention with Torre Jessup, Deputy Executive Director of External Relations for Charlotte in 2012.

Democratic National Convention

Business Today recently held a very informative breakfast meeting on the DNC to be held in September of 2012.  It featured two hospitality officials with significant input by both Visit Lake Norman and the Cabarrus Convention & Visors Bureau.  Sally Ashworth, Executive Director of Visit Lake Norman cited her organization will be creating packages (group tours) when state assignments have been made in January.  She also pointed to information on her website at VisitLakeNorman.org that pointed to volunteer and vendor opportunities as well as information.  

The Lake Norman Chamber is working with the Charlotte Chamber and surrounding regional Chambers of Commerce in conjunction with the DNC Host Committee.  The Host Committee will use the Chambers of Commerce to create events, plan outings, and disseminate information on the convention.

A vendor directory has been created on the Charlotte in 2012 website that you can list your business as a potential vendor.  The Chamber’s will be examining opportunities to engage retail, hospitality, and attractions as we move closer to the event.

Chamber Takes Voice to Washington

Ten years ago, on 9/11, the Lake Norman Chamber joined Chambers of Commerce from throughout North Carolina in a program held in Washington, DC organized by eight NC Congressman.  Our Chamber once again made the annual trip and reflected on the somber occasion and the impact that fateful day has had on our nation.

This year, a delegation of the Chamber, Lake Norman Economic Development Commission, and Visit Lake Norman met with Legislative Assistants for Senator Burr and Hagan as well as Congresswoman Myrick and Congressman Watt.  Specifically we addressed the widening of I-77 utilizing HOV lanes for HOT lanes ; the Red Line Commuter rail; the challenges facing small business and our corporate business such as the uncertainty when it comes to regulation and healthcare costs; and financial regulations, access to capital, and refinancing.

We also had the opportunity to inform our delegation of business expansion/relocation by the EDC and Visit Lake Norman accomplishments with recent events.

On a related note, North Carolina Speaker of the House Thom Tillis will be the key-note speaker for the Chamber’s Commissioner Appreciation Luncheon November 10^th.  Details to follow.

Chamber sets dates on fall candidate forums

The Chamber has planned local candidate forums this fall for the three North Mecklenburg Towns.  The Cornelius Forum will be Tuesday, October 4 from 7-9 pm. held at the Cornelius Town Hall.

The Huntersville Forum will be held Thursday, October 13 7-9 pm at Huntersville Town Hall.

The forum for Davidson will be Tuesday, Oct. 18, 7-9 pm at the St. Alban’s Episcopal Church Sanctuary in Davidson   The event is co-hosted by the Chamber, the St. Alban’s Neighborhood Committee and sponsored by DavidsonNews.net.

The Cornelius forum is the only event which will include the candidates for Charlotte Mecklenburg School District at large candidates

Visit Lake Norman and Final Thoughts

Many of you have asked about Visit Lake Norman and the recent media coverage of the Chamber’s “Veto Authority” when it came to the Visit Lake Norman Articles of Incorporation.   As you no doubt have read in our local papers, the North Mecklenburg Towns have reached an agreement with Visit Lake Norman (approved now by all three towns) which is expected to be approved by Visit Lake Norman at their Board Meeting this coming Monday.

That agreement in place should free up the hospitality taxes the towns have been withholding from Visit Lake Norman pending approval of an Interlocal.  This will allow our travel and tourism authority to begin locking down tournaments and promoting events such as the upcoming DNC.

The much discussed “Veto Authority” that was indeed part of the VLN Articles of Incorporation, gave the Chamber the authority to approve potential Board Members and Bylaw changes.  However, it never provided the Chamber with any control over financial or operational matters, marketing, staffing, or even what events would be held.

Actually, it was an item we as a Chamber thought had been removed in 2003 when we made sweeping changes to the VLN Bylaws.  Much like that favorite sweatshirt you have boxed in the attic from college – no longer able to wear or even remember possessing.  Yet, reluctant to part with when it is discovered.

That said, our Chamber Board of Directors had one objective and that is providing a reliable and consistent funding stream of hospitality taxes to Visit Lake Norman to fill our hotels and restaurants by means of special business and amateur sporting events.  That accomplished – we are delighted the towns and Visit Lake Norman have reached an agreement that serves the interests of everyone involved.

Recently, I was asked by a reporter can the Chamber,VisitLakeNorman, and Town elected officials get past the stressed relationships of the past several months? Absolutely!  The towns, tourism, and business leaders all have the same objective and goals for our community which is sustained, healthy business growth.  We may not agree on how we get there.  But we will put issues of disagreement behind us and focus on our strengths and commonalities which make us a stronger region.  There are a great many misperceptions, and perhaps suspicions of motive, but what cannot be discounted is all of us as community leaders have the best interests of our communities at heart and that is the foundation from which we must rebuild our trust and efforts.

You as members of the Chamber and citizens of our communities would expect nothing less.

Bill

Hattabaugh

Join us as the Interim Superintendent for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Hugh Hattabaugh discusses the state of the public school system and education trends and priorities for the year at a luncheon to be held Thursday, September 15^th.  The Luncheon will be held at Kabutos of Lake Norman 11:45 am until 1:30 pm.  To register for the event, visit the PowerLuncheon registration on the website.  The event is sponsored by Park Avenue Properties

Focus Friday: September 22^nd Continues Focus on Education

 Continuing our month on education, September’s Focus Friday will feature Bryan Setser, a Sr. Partner at Open Education Solutions.  Open Education Solutions is a blended learning service provider which helps states, districts and school networks design schools and solutions that are innovative, personalized and deliver better results at the same or lower cost. Bryan will talk about programs that use existing resources and technology to impact teaching and learning in a digital world. 

We will also hear from the Greater StatesvilleChamberof Commerce Vice-President of Education, Bill Balatow.  Bill was instrumental in bringing Franklin Covey’s “The Leader in Me” program to the Iredell County School System.  This is a unique program that guides student’s actions using the skills of Steven Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and “The Leader in Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time”.  Also on hand will be a representative from the Iredell County School System to share the implementation and success of the program. 

The Focus Friday is open to all members and is designed to show multiple views to a regional issue.  Participation by those who attend is encouraged.  The program is sponsored by CorneliusNews.net and DavidsonNews.net.

Chamber sets dates on fall candidate forums

The Chamberhas planned local candidate forums this fall for the three North Mecklenburg Towns.  The Cornelius Forum will be Tuesday, October 4 from 7-9 pm. held at theCorneliusTown Hall.

The Huntersville Forum will be held Thursday, October 13 7-9 pm atHuntersvilleTown Hall.

The forum for Davidson will be Tuesday, Oct. 18, 7-9 pm at the St. Albans Episcopal Church Sanctuary in Davidson   The event is co-hosted by the Chamber, the St. Alban’s Neighborhood Committee and sponsored by DavidsonNews.net.

The Cornelius forum is the only event which will include the candidates for Charlotte Mecklenburg School District at large candidates

Rural Hill Warrior Dash Generates $3.4 million in Visitors Spending

Warrior Dash

The First Warrior Dash event to ever be held in the Carolinas took place at Rural Hill last weekend (August 27-28).  Over 13,400 participants registered and jumped through fire, crawled through mud pits, and worked their way through nine additional grueling obstacles.  The event was a cooperative effort of Rural Hill andVisitLakeNorman.

Chamber to host reception for all Leadership Lake Norman Graduates

Twenty-three business leaders have been accepted into the LeadershipLakeNormanclass for 2011-2012.  A special orientation will be held for those individuals who have been accepted into the fifteenth class of the program at 5:30-7:00 Thursday, September 8^th.

All Past graduates to the program, Classes 1 through XIV are invited back to meet them and networking with each other from 4:30 to 5:30 that day.  If you are a past graduate of any class, please consider attending this drop in.  We would ask that RSVP to Bill Russellat russell@lakenorman.org if you expect to attend.

DNC Host Committee Unveils New Website and Vendor Directory
This past week,Chamber leaders from Lake Norman along with York County, Mooresville, Lincolnton-Lincoln County, Gaston, Statesville and others met with officials from the Charlotte Chamber along with Torre Jessup, the Deputy Executive Director Of External Relationships with the Charlotte DNC Host Committee.  Jessup is planning on attending an October Focus Friday (Friday, October 28, 2011) to share how businesses can get more involved with the DNC.

Momentum is picking up with plans for a public ceremony at Time Warner Cable Arena and the launch of the new site.  Read more about yesterday’s announcement by the DNC along with a portal where businesses can register to get more information on involvement.  >> Read and watch

Final Thoughts

This week’s news that ousted Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has fled his country is great news.  This past week I was speaking with otherChamberleaders inCharlotteon the planned DNC event just a year away and we discussed the eyes of the world will be on theCharlotteregion just as we are watching the developments a half a world away in theMiddle East.

I have always been intrigued with the Kennedy family and Bobby Kennedy in particular. At a speech in Nashville, Tennesseein 1968, Senator Kennedy said, “Every dictatorship has ultimately strangled in the web of repression it wove for its people, making mistakes that could not be corrected because criticism was prohibited.”

In the wake of every dictatorship, the will of the people eventually win the day.  Kennedy was citing the value of dissent.  We are so fortunate as Americans to have the ability to disagree, to have the right of free speech, and to voice our opinions.  Often it is a freedom we take for granted – but it came for us at a high price with the men and women, who paid for that freedom with courage and blood.

Ironically the day we celebrate Monday, Labor Day, became a federal holiday in 1894,  following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike,  Later the day came to symbolize the strides made in the labor laws and recognizing workers in general.  Throughout the history of our country, we too have struggled with the rights of people to dissent.  From the Pullman Strike of 1894 to the Civil Rights and Anti-war demonstrations of the sixties and seventies.

While the challenges we face today with our economy and the social issues we wrestle with seem daunting, let us hope we never lose the right of dissent, the freedom of speech and expression we hold so dear, and the right to disagree.

Have a great weekend at the lake!

My mom, Sarah, nearly had a fit when she saw me caked in mud as I stood at the back door.  Only the white of my eyes betrayed the fact there was a young boy underneath.  She refused to let me near the house until she took a hose pipe and sprayed me down.  To my indignation, she had me completely strip in the backyard assuring me no one would see.

I have never forgotten the hosing down and lecture from my mom about playing at construction sites. That said,  I also remember the fun we had running that self-made obstacle course.

Last weekend (August 27-29, 2011), 13,400 participants registered in the first Warrior Dash ever held in the Carolinas.  Willing Warriors jumped through fire, crawled through mud pits, and worked their way through nine additional grueling obstacles.

Visit Lake Norman, the lake’s Convention & Visitors Bureau made contact with the event organizers last year while attending a travel and tourism conference in Charlotte.  Working closely with the staff of Rural Hill in Huntersville, the organizations helped put together an event that is estimated to have brought $3.4 million in estimated visitors spending to our region.

The two-day extreme event produced by Red Frog Events was the ultimate race for thrill seeking athletes and party-goers as perhaps 15,000 gathered for the fun and fellowship.  I have not seen the final numbers, but I was simply amazed at the crowd on Sunday.

Those that were not covered in mud dressed as warriors, costumed crusaders, panthers, and a couple of costumes I can’t write about in mixed company!  Warriors were encouraged to suit up in their best warrior attire and their sneakers were donated to charity at the end of the race.

After conquering the course, racers and attendees (those like me who were too timid this year to compete) celebrated with live music, beer, and food including turkey legs and other warrior grub.

Jeff Fissell of Rural Hill and his staff did an excellent job, as did Travis Dancy of Visit Lake Norman and their dedicated personnel in putting together an outstanding event.

I’ve already decided I’m going to participate in next year’s 5k event.  If I can endure the distance, I’ll survive the elements and even the hosing down.  Just don’t tell my mama.  Warrior or not, she would agree I’m too old to be stripped down but never too old for a stern lecture about running through fire and playing in the mud.

But the notion of competing has my blood stirring.  Perhaps it’s that Scotch-Irish heritage or maybe it’s because deep down .. .  there’s a little warrior in all of us!

Need a loan for your business but don’t know where to turn?

The Chamber is hosting a program this Friday on Capital Investments for your business!

 The Chamber has created a program Friday morning especially for our retailers and small businesses who need an injection of cash for their business.   The last three years have taken a toll on many lake businesses, and while things are improving and sales are headed in a positive direction, many of our businesses may need short-term financing to get back on track.

On Friday, August 26^th from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. the Chamber will coordinate a program at the Chamber on the Capital Access program.  Several local banks in the region including Aquesta, BB&T, blueharbor bank, Citizens South, First Citizens Bank and Trust, and Piedmont Bank participate in the program and are expected to be part of the session.   N.C. Representative Rodney Moore is also expected to speak on the program along with Tom Wall, the Associate Director of NC – CAP.

The North Carolina Capital Access Program is a small business lending program ramping up across North Carolina and being managed by the NC Rural Center.  By reducing risk, it encourages banks and other qualified lenders to consider loans that otherwise fall just outside conventional underwriting standards. To date, fifty-six banks have enrolled in the program including many with branches in the Lake Norman/Charlotte area.

The program will enable up to $800 million in business lending over the next several years, freeing capital in a tight credit market.  NC-CAP is made possible by $46.1 million in federal funding under the federal Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.  Gov. Beverly Perdue designated the Rural Center to administer the program in all 100 counties

If your business, or someone you do with business with, is interested in small business financing, please consider attending this informative program.  There is no cost and the Chamber is allowing any business to attend.  This event is part of our Focus Friday Program and is sponsored by DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net.

Chamber Business Networking Event at The Galway Hooker this evening

80% of all Chamber members cite the opportunity to establish relationships and to network is the number #1 reason they look to the Lake Norman Chamber for assistance.  We have strived to provide those opportunities and tonight (Thursday, August 25^th) there is no better venue than The Galway Hooker at Waterford Hall located at 17044 Kenton Drive in Cornelius.  The Chamber Mixer event 5:30 – 7:00 pm will give you an opportunity to network with other local businesses in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.  Join us this evening!

Chamber’s Leadership Lake Norman Program has “one” open position

The Chamber has  one spot open in the 2011-2012 session of Leadership Lake Norman.  Leadership Lake Norman, comprised of 21 business leaders, is a program to develop a group of informed, committed, and qualified individuals capable of providing visionary and progressive leadership for the Lake Norman region.  The tuition for the nine-month course is $425 for Chamber members and $500 for non-members. 

Payment plans can be arranged by contacting the Chamber.   All applicants will be notified in writing regarding acceptance in the program on Friday, August 26, 2011.  To download the on-line brochure visit Leadership Lake Norman.

Charlotte Women Entrepreneurs Summit to be held Sept 15^th

Lake Norman Women business owners are invited to attend a summit which will explore business challenges facing women entrepreneurs; promote dialogue among the women’s business community; guide national policy recommendations for Congress; and provide networking opportunities for women business owners.

This event is sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and will begin at 8:00 am until 1:00 pm at the Federal Reserve Bank 530 East Trade Street Charlotte.  To register visit the Summit Registration on the website.

Charlotte Mecklenburg School Superintendent to speak at Chamber Luncheon

Join us as the Interim Superintendent for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Hugh Hattabaugh discusses the state of the public school system and education trends and priorities for the year at a luncheon to be held Thursday, September 15^th.  The Luncheon will be held at Kabutos of Lake Norman 11:45 am until 1:30 pm.  To register for the event, visit the PowerLuncheon registration on the website.  The event is sponsored by Park Avenue Properties.

Lime Energy Relocates Headquarters to Huntersville

Lime Energy, a leading provider of clean energy solutions, announced Monday the relocation of its headquarters from Chicago to Huntersville, NC. The company will consolidate IT, accounting and engineering functions along with corporate management with the move. The company anticipates that the headquarters move will be completed in October.  The move brings 50-75 jobs to our region.

Chamber sets dates on fall candidate forums

The Chamber has planned local candidate forums this fall for the three North Mecklenburg Towns.  The Cornelius Forum will be Tuesday, October 4 from 7-9 pm. held at the Cornelius Town Hall.

The Huntersville Forum will be held Thursday, October 13 7-9 pm at Huntersville Town Hall.

The forum for Davidson will be Tuesday, Oct. 18, 7-9 pm at the St. Albans Episcopal Church Sanctuary in Davidson   The event is co-hosted by the Chamber, the St. Alban’s Neighborhood Committee and sponsored by DavidsonNews.net.

The Cornelius forum is the only event which will include the candidates for Charlotte Mecklenburg School District at large candidates.

 Final Thoughts

Last month, I had the chance to speak to our new Lake Norman Jaycees chapter which has been established here at Lake Norman.  The group is composed of young people (21-39) who gain leadership training as they conduct community service programs.  It was exciting to hear about their planned activities.

Yesterday afternoon, I attended an orientation of the Chamber’s new Junior Leadership program.  While we will host the 15^th year of our Leadership Lake Norman program, the graduates of that program have created a program for High School Juniors similar to the curriculum of the adult program.

They will hold a retreat at Historic Rural Hill with sessions over seven months on History and Education, Government, Health Care, Economic Development, Community Infrastructure, and Travel and Tourism.

We have 17 students from 4 area High Schools including Hopewell, Hough, Pine Lake Prep and Lake Norman Charter.  We are indebted to a great many of sponsors who have made the program possible:  Presenting Sponsor Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville, Retreat Sponsor McIntosh Law Firm, P.C., Graduation Sponsor Park Avenue Properties, L.L.C.; and session sponsors National Financial Services Group, Time Warner Cable, Lake Norman Infiniti, The Park – Huntersville, Shelley Johnson & Joyce Fox Team – Keller, and Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.  We are also indebted to Scholz and Associates and The Range at Lake Norman.

Most of the costs of the program is being absorbed through sponsorships by area businesses rather than assessing the students.  We lack two (2) $200 sponsors which would allow us to pay for the program and offer one more scholarship to a student to participate in the program.  If your company would be willing to participate please call me (Bill Russell) at 704-892-1922 and I can share what exposure your businesses would receive for the investment in the program.

Seeing the energy in the room last month with our new Jaycee Chapter and the excitement on the faces of the student attending the orientation, I could not help but feel a renewed sense of optimism for our region and our nation.

Driving home from the event, I remembered attending a national conference in 1992 and having a chance to meet and have lunch with President Reagan.  He was four years removed from office at the time but Reagan stirred my blood when he spoke to our group talking about how some people looked back toAmerica’s “Good Old Days.”  When times were simpler but people seemed to be happier.  However, Reagan gripped the podium, paused for a moment, and then looked us in the eyes with his steel resolve,  “I believeAmericais a country of tomorrow and her best days lie ahead of her.”

I have a Reagan quote on my refrigerator at home.  I look at it every morning when I wake up for breakfast and perhaps it is one of the last things I see before I go to bed.  I guess that betrays my habits a bit.  But the sticker says, “It is time for us to realize that we are too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams.”

Looking in the faces of the young people in the room at the Jaycees and Junior Leadership program, I see more than dreams.  I see words which speak boldly of our intentions and actions which will speak louder than the words.  I know, just as Reagan prophesied, our best days are ahead of us and we all have a great opportunity to play a role in it.  Today, it’s time we realized that.

Have a great rest of the week at the lake!

Lake Norman Chamber to host local financing program for area businesses

On Friday, August 26^th from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. the Chamber will coordinate a program at the Chamber on the Capital Access program.  Several local banks in the region including Aquesta, BB&T, blueharbor bank, Citizens South, First Citizens Bank and Trust, and Piedmont Bank participate in the program and are expected to be part of the session.   N.C. Representative Rodney Moore is also expected to speak on the program along with Tom Wall, the Associate Director of NC – CAP.

The North Carolina Capital Access Program is a small business lending program ramping up across North Carolina and being managed by the NC Rural Center.  By reducing risk, it encourages banks and other qualified lenders to consider loans that otherwise fall just outside conventional underwriting standards. To date, fifty-six banks have enrolled in the program including many with branches in the Lake Norman/Charlotte area.

The program will enable up to $800 million in business lending over the next several years, freeing capital in a tight credit market.  NC-CAP is made possible by $46.1 million in federal funding under the federal Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.  Gov. Beverly Perdue designated the Rural Center to administer the program in all 100 counties

If your business, or someone you do with business with, is interested in small business financing, please consider attending this informative program.  There is no cost and the Chamber is allowing any business to attend.  This event is part of our Focus Friday Program and is sponsored by DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net.

Chamber’s Leadership Lake Norman Program Accepting Applications

The Chamber is accepting applications for the 2011-2012 session of Leadership Lake Norman.  Leadership Lake Norman is a program to develop a group of informed, committed, and qualified individuals capable of providing visionary and progressive leadership for the Lake Norman region.  The tuition for the nine-month course is $425 for Chamber members and $500 for non-members. 

Payment plans can be arranged by contacting the Chamber.   Applications were due by today August 19^th, however there are still four spots available and we will accept applications until those spots are filled.  All applicants will be notified in writing regarding acceptance in the program by August 26, 2011.  To download the on-line brochure visit PowerLuncheon registration on the website.

Chamber sets dates on fall candidate forums

The Chamber has planned three local candidate forums for the North Mecklenburg Towns.  The Cornelius Forum will be Tuesday, October 4 from 7-9 pm. held at the Cornelius Town Hall.

The Huntersville Forum will be held Thursday, October 13 7-9 pm at Huntersville Town Hall.

The forum for Davidson will be Tuesday, Oct. 18, 7-9 pm at the St. Albans Episcopal Church Sanctuary in Davidson.   The event is co-hosted by the Chamber, the St. Alban’s Neighborhood Committee and sponsored by DavidsonNews.net.

The Cornelius forum is the only event which will include the candidates for Charlotte Mecklenburg School District at large candidates.

Final Thoughts

Years ago, I heard the story about a critical barber who never seemed to have a positive thing to say.  He was always grumbling how business wasn’t so good, times were tough, the roads needed fixing, schools could be better, and things just were not going well for this gentleman.  One day a salesman from Lake Norman came in for a haircut and mentioned that he was about to take a trip to Rome, Italy.  “What airline are you taking and what hotel will you be staying with?” asked the barber.

When the salesman informed him, the barber criticized the airline for always losing his baggage, delays causing missed connections, and lousy service from the attendants.  “You’d be better off staying at home,” he advised.

“Well,” said the salesman, “I’m looking at closing an international deal that could bring business back home and perhaps much-needed jobs for the folks in my community. Then I’m off to see the Pope.”

“You’ll be disappointed trying to do business in Europe, especially in Italy,” said the barber, “and don’t count on seeing the Pope.  He only grants audiences with dignitaries and politicians.”

Two months later the salesman returned to the barber shop, “And how was your trip?” asked the barber.

 “Outstanding!” replied the salesman.  “The flight was perfect, the service to the hotel impeccable.  We landed the account and will begin building a plant back home bringing jobs to the area … oh, and I had a chance to meet the Pope.”

“You met the Pope,” asked a surprised barber, “What happened?”

The salesman replied, “I even bent down and kissed his ring.”

“No kidding,” remarked the barber.  “What did he say to you?”

“Well, the salesman pondered thinking how he’d answer the question.  He said to me, “My son, where’d you get such a lousy haircut?”

It’s true in life that when you are critical of others, they are often critical of you.  If you have a bad attitude, you often see that attitude returned to you.  Just as keeping a positive attitude will result in positive things happening for you and people around you.

Aristotle said, “Criticism is something you can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”  One of the prices we all pay as being business leaders is we are subject to criticism. Yet if we are to stand apart from the crowd, to achieve what some said could not be done, we must be willing to take that criticism.

As we near the end of the week and beginning of another, remember to compliment rather than criticize, help rather than hinder, working together, as we build a better community and stronger region.

Have a great day at the lake!