A recent article in Small Business Labs , “Top 10 Small Business Trends for 2010” by Steve King, maintains economic, social and technological trends are key issues to small businesses.  He predicts a rise in home-based businesses, greener business practices leading to the creation of more small businesses, and a new localism movement which has been fueled by “changing demographics, new technology, rising energy prices, and environmental concerns.”  As a result, Americans are devoting more attention to their families, friends and communities, providing a means for small businesses to capitalize on this localism trend.  “Small businesses allow greater community focus for the owner and employees and they benefit from market opportunities created by locally-oriented customers,” King writes.

One of the key functions that your Chamber plays is that of facilitating dialogue and communication between business leaders and elected officials.   At times we serve as your voice, sharing information with our elected officials and their staff to help influence decisions which will impact business for good or for worse.   At other times, our role is to help get everyone in a room and create an opportunity for the two groups of leaders to share information, perspectives, and visions with each other.

The Central California Small Business Development Center and Pacific Employers take pride in presenting the 2010 Labor Relations Seminar Series. The February topic is Employee Policies – Every employer needs guidelines and rules.  We discuss planning considerations, what rues to establish and what to omit.

Newly installed Tulare County Cabrillo Civic Club #12 Officers.  Left to right, John Tamariz - Treasurer, Ken Nunes representing Dennis Mederos - 2nd Vice President, John Camara - President, Cheryl Borba - Secretary, Rick Borges - Vice President, & Anthony Rocha - Marshall.

On December 11th, the 2009-2010 Leadership Visalia class spent the day learning about some of the significant aspects of business recruitment and start-up in Tulare County at Rawhide Ballpark's new Hall of Fame Club.

VUSD has received one-time federal stimulus funds to help backfill lost state funding and invest in improving the efficiency of school systems to reduce costs in the future. It has been odd for our district staff to be experiencing general fund budget cuts and job losses while we are spending federal dollars on restricted projects.

A reminder from the Kaweah Delta Medical Center - February is American Heart Month

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Bank of the Sierra gained top honors as the community bank with the highest share of deposit dollars in Tulare County. In the FDIC’s Deposit Market Share report, published in mid-October, Bank of the Sierra held $793 million or 20.62%.

The corner at Giddings and Murray is a community gathering place where the phenomenon of minor league baseball has provided affordable family-oriented entertainment for more than 62 years.  “Minor League Baseball has become the best family entertainment in the country,” explains Visalia Rawhide President/General Manager Tom Seidler.

Are you one of those people who would rather donate a kidney than go to the dentist?  If you fear going to the dentist, you are not alone.  According to Web M.D., nearly 20% of Americans avoid dental work because of anxiety or fear.  For the last 12 years, local dentist Megan Ide has been putting patients to ease with her gentle and caring bedside manner.  And I can tell you from first-hand experience that she knows a thing or two about how to get that elusive tooth fairy to pay a visit just when you need her most (at 9 p.m. on a school night).