Entrepreneur of the Month: Craig McAnsh, Mojo Coworking

The Chamber is pleased to recognize Entrepreneur of the Month Craig McAnsh of Mojo Coworking.

 “Craig has played a critical role in moving our entrepreneurial scene forward, ”  said Pam Lewis, Director of Entrepreneurship at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. “Mojo Coworking is Asheville’s only coworking space literally busting at the seams.”

Craig launched Mojo Coworking in April 2011 giving individuals and small businesses access to typical office amenities with flexible space and payment options. Mojo can accommodate 20 workers at one time and has more than 20 members.

“Beyond just creating better places to work, coworking spaces are built around the idea of community-building and sustainability. Coworking spaces agree to uphold the values set forth by those who developed the concept in the first place: collaboration, community, sustainability, openness and accessibility.”

The idea has definitely caught on in Asheville. “Using only Facebook and Twitter, we were sold out of private desks before we opened the doors,” said Craig. “We’ve reorganized the space three times since opening to accommodate growth among coworking members.” 

“An awesome community of coworkers has found its way to Mojo. I couldn’t have dreamed we’d have such a great collection of enterprising, creative, conscious coworkers,” Craig said.

“This collection of members has found Mojo to be an energizing environment for their personal and professional growth. JB Media – one of our members- has grown from two people to six people. Native Marketing has grown from one person to four people. People are collaborating together and business is being shared among members.”

After just one year, Mojo Coworking has outgrown its current space and will be moving this summer to a new location three times bigger than the current facility.

2012 Legislative Luncheon

“Being a voice for business is critical work for the Asheville Chamber,” said Kit Cramer, President and CEO of the Asheville Chamber, at the annual Legislative Luncheon on April 20th.

Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce's 2012 Legislative Luncheon

During the luncheon attended by over 150 people, the Chamber unveiled the top priorities of the Chamber’s 2012 state legislative agenda:

• Job Creation including supporting programs that help businesses, regardless of size, to create and maintain jobs.
• Regulatory Reform
• Tax Reform/Fiscal Issues including examining the Unemployment Trust Fund
• Education/Workforce including supporting early education

Find more detail on the Chamber’s state and federal priorities here.

The Chamber’s legislative agenda was presented ahead of the annual legislative visit which is scheduled for May 22-23. This year the Asheville Chamber will be joined by six regional Chambers for the annual Raleigh visit. “Together we’re more powerful,” said Cramer.

The event gave Chamber members an opportunity to meet and hear from the WNC state delegation who each had a turn at the mic. 

Staff, Chamber members and legislators mingle during annual Legislative Luncheon

Here are just a few of the comments from the 11 legislators:

Senator Martin Nesbitt, Jr.

·         “I truly believe you have a legislature focused on the priorities of business in the community,” said Senator Ralph Hise.

·         “I hope going forward we can continue to make NC a better place for business,” said Senator Tom Apodaca.

·         “We are a fiscally strong state,” said Senator Martin Nesbitt, Jr., noting stability, quality of life and ability to educate workforce as strong points for our region.

·         “In order to build the workforce that we’ll need for our small, medium and large businesses, we’re going to have to have quality schools," said Representative Susan Fisher.

Senator Ralph Hise

·         Representative Chuck McGrady noted quality of life is key for our area in attracting businesses such as New Belgium.

Senator Tom Apodaca

Read coverage of the event in the Asheville Citizen-Times and Mountain Xpress.

Chamber recognizes John Miles of integritive as Entrepreneur of the Month

The Chamber is pleased to recognize Entrepreneur of the Month John Miles of integritive for being a critical piece of building the entrepreneurial scene in Asheville.

“We have watched integritive continue to grow and thrive despite a difficult economy,” said Pam Lewis, the Chamber’s Director of Entrepreneurship. “We are proud to have John Miles firmly rooted in the Asheville community and helping build the bigger brand of creative talent in Asheville.” 

John launched integritive in 2001 as an Asheville firm specializing in integrated online strategies which includes web design and development, strategic planning, social media and e-marketing. Since then, the company has grown to 24 living wage certified jobs with local and global clients including The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Mission Health and the Asheville Regional Airport locally and, on a global scale, long-standing client blues legend Taj Mahal.

“Ten years ago, I wanted to start a different kind of company,” John said. “One that would not only provide a job for me and a few others, but a company that would create, and uphold, a values-driven culture able to deliver exceptional outcomes to our clients.  I'm particularly proud of the fact that we have surpassed those initial goals, employing over 24 effective, positive and collaborative individuals that have helped me co-create an incredibly happy work place for all.”

John has infused values into every aspect of the company, starting with the name: “‘Integritive’ comes from combining ‘integration’ (lots of services under one roof) with ‘integrity’ (an all-too-rare commodity in marketing).” But being a values-driven organization goes way beyond a name. 

With a company tagline of “how we do anything is how we do everything,” integritive is dedicated to sustainability (from solar web hosting and a green facility to staff commuting via alternative transportation) and has a strong commitment to service.

“We're committed to service not because it pays the bills. And not because you expect it. But simply because it's what we expect of ourselves.” 

“Everyone at integritive has an entrepreneur mindset,” John said. “We are all responsible for innovative solutions to client riddles.  Everyone understands that if we find solutions for our clients, we are helping them grow and in return, so do we.”  

That inclusive approach earned integritive recent recognition on the WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces alongside companies such as Groupon, Zappos.com and hulu. The WorldBlu List is a global list honoring organizations that operate according to ten principles of organizational democracy, such as transparency and accountability.

What’s next on the horizon? “It's all about adding value to the community and sustaining the mindful, purposeful growth we've identified as our path,” John said. “We've adopted a long term focus in our strategy that doesn't echo the 'fast growth' mindset so often found in tech or web companies. We're in it for the long haul and we're on track to grow in the strategy, web design and development, social media/online PR, and mobile spaces.”

Asheville Chamber's 2012 Legislative Agenda

The Board of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce approved the 2012 Legislative Agenda on Wednesday, March 28 (scroll to bottom to see agenda). This marked the end of a long and diligent process of the Chamber to identify the legislative priorities and needs of Western North Carolina’s business community.

The legislative agenda process began with a survey of businesses across the region. For the first time the Asheville Chamber partnered with five other chamber’s (Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber, Henderson County Chamber, Haywood County Chamber, Madison County Chamber, and Transylvania County Chamber) to get a clear picture of the legislative needs from across the region. From the survey, it was clear that membership priorities revolved around tax reform, education funding, and regulatory reform.

Following the survey, the Chamber convened the Governmental Affairs Task Force for three meetings to hear from community presenters and learn about Asheville’s legislative needs. The group heard from Buncombe County Schools, Mission Hospital, UNC Asheville, North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, Senator Burr, Asheville Downtown Association, and Mountain Housing Opportunities.

The Task Force was able to use the survey and community presentations to identify the needs of Chamber business members and create a draft agenda. This agenda then went before the Chamber’s Executive Leadership Committee and finally the Chamber Board for revision and approval.

The Chamber will now begin work to advocate on member’s key priorities. This will take place at the upcoming Legislative Luncheon on April 20 when the agenda will be presented to state legislatures and on the ground in Raleigh during the Short Session. Finally, the Chamber will be taking a group of business leaders to Raleigh and Washington, D.C. to meet with our legislative leadership and convey WNC’s needs.

Click here to learn more and register for the Legislative Luncheon.

The Chamber is eager to represent your business. If you have questions or comments please contact Jeff Joyce at jjoyce@ashevillechamber.org.


2012 State Top Priorities

Job Creation
• Support programs and state legislation to help all businesses, irrespective of size, to create and maintain jobs, including tax incentive strategies, grants and an expand the small business preference for companies seeking contracts with the state
• Supports the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as a sovereign nation that has determined what is in the best interest of its citizens, in their efforts to amend their Tribal Gaming Compact with the State of North Carolina to permit live dealers at their gaming tables. (Approved by Chamber Board October 10-21-11) Encourage leadership to move forward with a live gaming agreement and address the agreement during the Short Session.
Regulatory Reform
• Protect and attract jobs through continued regulatory reform. The Chamber encourages the balance of environmental protection with job creation by streamlining and making the regulatory process more transparent.
Tax Reform/Fiscal Issues
• Support tax reform efforts resulting in “across the board” tax rate reductions- broadening the tax base to help lower rates for businesses and individuals; eliminating special tax breaks, simplify compliance, and ensure no specific industry is targeted
• Examine the Unemployment Trust Fund. NC currently owes $2.6 billion to the federal government. The Chamber encourages the creation of a solution that addresses sustainability and solvency.
Education/Workforce
• Support early education; more flexibility for local school boards and community colleges to make decisions on innovative programs, lottery funds, and budget decisions; and restoring to the University of North Carolina System the management flexibility needed to manage budget reductions and to retain and recruit university employees.

2012 State Agenda

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
• Support programs and state legislation to help all businesses, irrespective of size, to create and maintain jobs, including tax incentive strategies, grants and an expand the small business preference for companies seeking contracts with the state
• Supports the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as a sovereign nation that has determined what is in the best interest of its citizens, in their efforts to amend their Tribal Gaming Compact with the State of North Carolina to permit live dealers at their gaming tables. (Approved by Chamber Board October 10-21-11) Encourage leadership to move forward with a live gaming agreement and address the agreement during the Short Session.
• Oppose efforts to erode NC’s Right-to-work laws
EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
• Support early education; more flexibility for local school boards and community colleges to make decisions on innovative programs, lottery funds, and budget decisions; and restoring to the University of North Carolina System the management flexibility needed to manage budget reductions and to retain and recruit university employees.
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
• Request the completion of the I-26 Connector Project, including aesthetics design components
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
• Support incentives and programs to enhance green building and energy conservation efforts
FISCAL ISSUES
• Support tax reform efforts resulting in “across the board” tax rate reductions- broadening the tax base to help lower rates for businesses and individuals; eliminating special tax breaks, simplify compliance, and ensure no specific industry is targeted
HEALTHCARE
• Support legislation that reforms Medicaid without loss of benefit or cost shifting to business
• Support improved access for patients and fair payment for providers, including mental health services



2012 Federal Priorities

1. Tax Reform & Job Creation
• Encourage pro-growth tax policies that preserve American’s global competiveness and support businesses’ ability to grow, invest and create jobs. Broaden the tax base to help lower rates for individuals and corporations, eliminate special tax breaks, simplify compliance, and ensure no specific industry is targeted
• Support state efforts to provide incentives and job training to attract and grow jobs, including more directed support to community colleges for workforce training and education
• Support programs and state legislation to help all businesses, irrespective of size, to create and maintain jobs, including tax incentive strategies and grants
• Support the critical infrastructure needs of the Blue Ridge Parkway to maintain this key economic development driver in the region
2. Energy/Alternative Energy and Regulations
• Encourage pro-growth energy action that increases diverse energy supplies, supports the development of alternative fuels, reduces the cost of energy, improves efficiency, and promotes environmental stewardship while putting Americans back to work.
• Ensure that the EPA evaluates economic impact and job loss in its regulations, as is currently required by all major environment laws
• Support efforts by Congress to craft comprehensive environmental legislation which reduces greenhouse gas emissions
and protects our economic competitiveness and quality of life. We recognize that members of Congress are held accountable to constituents for decisions on cost and impact and federal agencies such as the EPA do not have the same accountability for economic consequences
3. Education Funding
• Provide more directed support to community colleges for workforce training and education
• Strengthen the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and other key programs
• Preserve the current maximum Pell Grant award for qualified students
• Preserve current funding levels for research grants and contracts with universities
• Improve the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to raise student achievement and close achievement gaps; support special emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), U.S. history and economics, investment in school improvement, and encourage innovation.
4. Healthcare
• Preserve and enhance funding for medical research for NIH (National Institute of Health), CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention), and AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) to promote associated economic development in WNC. Expand the number of Graduate Medical Education residency slots available to NC to address growing physician shortages; protect healthcare providers from arbitrary payment reductions that result in cost shift.
• Encourage business involvement during the development, implementation and administration of the federally mandated NC Health Benefit Exchange for individuals and small businesses.
5. Transportation
• Support multi-year legislation to provide long-term funding for states to undertake major infrastructure projects. We appreciate the Senate’s passage of MAP-21 (S 1813) , a two-year, $109 billion reauthorization bill that also makes reforms to eliminate inefficiencies and infuses $1 billion to boost the Department of Transportation’s innovative transportation program (road and bridge improvements transit upgrades; freight, port and rail expansions; and new options for bicyclists and pedestrians) We encourage the US House to pass companion legislation to avoid shutdown of highway and transit programs when SAFETEA-LU expires on March 31, 2012.

Health and Wellness Forum

Date: Thursday, January 12th 2012
Time: 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Sponsored By: Crescent Health Solutions

Description:
Learn how your business can be the solution to Western North Carolina’s health care challenges. With the start of 2012 there is no greater time to learn how your workforce can improve overall health, increase productivity and cut cost. Make plans to join us on Thursday, January 12 from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. to hear from health experts and business leaders leading the way in wellness.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Meridith Elliott Powell of Motion First.

Panel Discussion:

Dr. Ron Paulus, President & CEO, Mission Hospital and Health System
Paul Vest, President & CEO, YMCA of Western North Carolina
Stephanie Emerson, Director of Firm Administration, Johnson, Price & Sprinkle
Katie Craig, Van Winkle Law Firm
Anne Thornhill, NC Prevention Partners

Space is limited. Register today.

For more information contact jjoyce@ashevillechamber.org

Public Policy Update: NCGA Special Session

The North Carolina General Assembly was back in Raleigh November 27-30 for a special session, and the Asheville Chamber was on the ground making sure the voice of Western North Carolina business was heard.

North Carolina legislatures arrived in Raleigh on Sunday and got the November special session underway at 8 pm on Sunday night. Throughout the session, which ended Tuesday (November 30), legislatures worked on key legislation for WNC.

The Asheville Chamber was particularly excited to see HB 796 receive approval from both the House and Senate. HB 796 changes North Carolina’s alcohol law and will allow breweries that brew more than 25,000 barrels of beer to self-distribute their product at the brewery location. This bill is pivotal for potential job creation in Buncombe and Henderson counties.

The Chamber would like to give a big thank you to Representative Tim Moffitt, Representative Chuck McGrady, Senator Tom Apodaca, and Senator Martin Nesbitt for their hard work on this legislation.

The Chamber was also pleased to see the Governor’s compact with the Eastern Band of Cherokee come through on Monday. The compact will modify NC's gambling law to allow live dealers in Cherokee and will produce needed jobs in WNC. The Chamber will be working hard to see that the General Assembly approves this job creating legislation as soon as possible.

The special session saw additional action with the Senate repealing the Racial Justice Act (SB 9) and the House passing legislation to cap the gas tax (HB 645). In the coming weeks be looking for the Governor’s veto to come on the repeal of the racial justice act and expect no action on the gas tax cap as the Senate decided not to take up the bill.

The General Assembly is scheduled to return to Raleigh February 16-18.

The Chamber will work hard to keep you updated on the happenings at the NCGA. If you have questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact Jeff Joyce at jjoyce@ashevillechamber.org.

Action Alert: Chamber's Voice Heard in DC

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Utility MACT rule is awaiting implementation and scheduled to be finalized by December 2011.

The EPA’s Utility MACT rule requires an untimely decrease in mercury emissions by power plants. The Asheville Chamber recently asked President Obama, his Cabinet and the EPA to first consider the implications on North Carolina business and jobs the Utility MACT rule will have if implemented.

Economists are predicting the MACT (scheduled to begin in December) will drive up prices for the power sector, manufacturers and other industries vital to NC. The Asheville Chamber encourages the President remain diligent in safeguarding our environment while also protecting businesses and working families.

US Senate takes Action:

Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Dan Coats (R-Ind.) introduced the bipartisan “Fair Compliance Act” to create reasonable timelines and benchmarks for utilities to comply with two major Environmental Protection Agency to protect jobs and keep utility rates stable. The legislation would extend the compliance deadline for the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) by three years and the deadline for the Utility MACT rule by two years – so that both would fall on January 1, 2017. Our federal delegation can help to delay this rule to give the appropriate time to assess the impact by supporting Senate Bill 1833.

How You Can Help

Contact the President and EPA

Due to the limited time we have to ensure our message is heard, we cannot afford to rely on the post office to deliver your letter. Additionally, White House security can often delay the delivery of letters to their recipients. So instead, please e-mail a .PDF copy of your letter to: E-mail Address: vjarrett@who.eop.gov

The Honorable Valerie B. Jarrett
Senior Advisor to the President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20015

The Honorable Lisa Jackson
Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460


Contact your Federal Delegation

Our federal delegation can help to delay the Utility MACT to give the appropriate time to assess the impact of the Utility MACT rule by supporting Senate Bill 1833. Call your elected officials today.

Senator Richard Burr: (202) 224-3154

Senator Kay Hagan: (202) 224-6342

Congressman Heath Shuler: (202) 225-6401

Congressman Patrick McHenry: (202) 225-2576