At one time or another small business owners second guess their decision to open their own business. The Allen Chamber through our Business Builders workshops, 10 Big Ideas for Your Small Business, provides valuable information to help you grow your business and to realize that you are not alone. This month's program features a panel of small business owners who will discuss their struggles, challenges, failures and successes. While you may think your situation is unique, we believe that every small business faces similar pitfalls. Please join us in the interactive discussion.

Business Builders will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2005 from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. at the Allen Heritage Center (train depot)located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Allen. Cost: $10 per session for Chamber members; $15 for non and prospective members. To reserve your seat email crodgers@allenchamber.com or call 972-727-5585.

Business Builders - 10 Big Ideas for Your Small Business - is sponsored by Comerica Bank.

We think we've found a really unique way to help our Chamber members promote their business through sponsorship of one or more cards in 3,000 decks featuring Allen amenities, landmarks, city facilities, recreational areas and families. The cards will end up in the hands of new residents, new teachers and visitors to our community through the Chamber's distribution efforts. Interested in learning more about this great opportunity? Sponsor and registration information is available on the Chamber's website at www.allenchamber.com. Questions or need additional information? Contact chamber staff at 972-727-5585 or go directly to the source - Tim Alder, RM Communications Group, 817-488-1669. Click here to see a sample card and registration form.  http://www.allenchamber.com/pdffiles/AceDRegistrationform.pdf

Interested in meeting prospective clients and making new friends? Then we recommend you take advantage of this quarter's Nothing But Networking luncheon on Monday, August 15, 2005 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Twin Creek Golf Club's Elkhorn Bar & Grill located at 501 Twin Creeks Blvd. This luncheon is strictly networking - providing those attending an opportunity to talk about their business, products and services.

Cost: $17 Chamber Members; $20 Non & Prospective Members. Reservations are required (reservations@allenchamber.com.)

Inside Collin County Business will publish a special section in their August 31st issue featuring Allen.  They are a co-sponsor with the Allen EDC of our Business Appreciation Week.  The section will contain information about your Allen Chamber of Commerce events during the week of September 12-16 including the Allen EDC Millennium Business Awards.  For information about advertising in this section, call Mark Liberio at 972-612-2425.  Deadline to reserve space is August 8th.

Leadership Allen, now in its 17th year, is currently recruiting members for the upcoming class. A nine-month community awareness and leadership development program, will kick-off with an overnight retreat and ropes course on September 30 - October 1, 2005. The remaining sessions will include information, tours and speakers addressing city and county government, education, health and human services, quality of life, economic development and a full day of leadership training with the Metroplex's most dymanic instructors. For further information about tuition costs, class schedules and other requirements, visit http://www.allenchamber.com/default.asp?display=lidership

August's Business Wrap-Up, the Chamber's monthly business after hours event, will be held on Thursday, August 18th from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. at Presbyterian Hospital of Allen. We hope you will take advantage of this "strictly social" networking opportunity. Bring plenty of business cards for exchanging and to enter the drawing for door prizes. Reservations are not required and there is no charge to attend.

State Representative Ken Paxton, County Commissioner Joe Jaynes and Allen Mayor Steve Terrell will be our featured panelists at the August Eggs & Issues Breakfast, Friday, August 26, 2005. The breakfast meeting will be held from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Each speaker will discuss issues relative to their area of leadership. A Q & A period will follow.

Reservations are required. Cost: $15 Chamber Members; $20 Non & Prospective Members

Tuesday, September 13, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Presented by the Allen Economic Development Corporation and co-sponsored by the Allen Chamber of Commerce and Inside Collin County Business.  Winners of the Millennium Business Awards will be presented in these categories: National Corporate/Manufacturing (50+ employees); Local Independent business (less than 50 employees); Retail/Service (50+ employees); and one individual.  

Location:  Hilton Garden Inn, 705 Central Expressway South

Cost:  $20 per person; $22 if billed (Chamber members only)

Reservations:  Required.  Please RSVP to reservations@allenchamber.com or call 972-727-5585.  Please note that reservations not canceled 24 hours prior to the event will be billed.

The annual Business EXPO and Millennium Awards luncheon will be held in September. The Millennium Awards luncheon sponsored by the Allen Economic Development Corporation is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13th from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. The luncheon will recognize businesses and individuals who have contributed greatly to Allen's continuing economic growth. Deadline to register for the luncheon is Friday, September 9, 2005. 

The Business EXPO has undergone some small changes this year but will continue to feature booth space for 50 chamber member exhibitors and the popular Collin County Chambers Business After Hours. The EXPO will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2005, and will run from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the After Hours from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. For more information on the EXPO and to reserve your booth space contact the Chamber staff at 972-727-5585 or click here http://www.allenchamber.com/pdfFiles/ExpoRegForm.pdf for online registration & information.

The Texas Governor’s Committee for People with Disabilities held their quarterly business meeting in the City of Irving’s Council Conference Room on July 15.
 
Leadership Allen Class XVI was on the agenda for their 2005 class project.  In the effort to raise awareness of those with disabilities, the class gave a luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn on May 3. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations in conjunction with the Governor’s Committee for People with Disabilities awarded seven Allen businesses with “Access for All” decals to place on the front doors of their business. It was an unprecedented event in Texas to award more than one decal at a time. The luncheon’s Master of Ceremonies was Mike Snyder, NBC 5 news anchor and guest speaker Patrick Sapp, an athlete whose accolades include the U.S. Paralympian Hockey Team gold medal. Mayor Steve Terrell gave a proclamation declaring May 3, “Allen Disability Awareness Day.”
 
“The luncheon was a wonderful opportunity for those who are not familiar with disability issues to understand how normal it really is,” said Pat Pound, Executive Director of the Governor’s Committee. “This is the first time that seven decals have been given at one time. My congratulations to the Leadership Class for inviting such eloquent speakers as Mike Snyder and Patrick Sapp. It really gives a hands on view to hear stories of how people get hurt and the long struggle to not only survive but become role models for others.”
 
 
The meeting was attended by members of local city committee’s including Dallas, Irving, and Grand Prairie. The session agenda was comprised of member reports and work sessions on Committee Issue areas of access, communication, education, health, housing, recreation, transportation and workforce. Presentations were given by The Honorable Herbert Gears, Mayor, City of Irving, The Honorable Robert Cluck, M.D., Mayor, City of Arlington and David Dzumba, Nokia Product Accessibility. The Parks and Community Services Department, City of Ft. Worth and Streams and Valleys, Inc. were represented by their directors.
 

Knowing that the Lone Star State's continued growth places higher demands on our state's transportation infrastructure, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd
Dist.-Texas) today announced new funding for a high priority transportation project in North Texas.  Johnson successfully secured $12.8 million for State Highway 121 as part of the highway bill that just passed Congress and awaits the President's signature to become law.
 
"As more people move to Texas, our roads and transit systems must be upgraded and expanded to assure safety and meet the higher demand," said Johnson. "This transportation bill provides critical funding to meet our state's growing needs. It will also put people to work on beneficial public projects...further strengthening our robust economy."
 
The $12.8 million will go directly to Texas Department of Transportation (TXDoT) to be used for construction on the north-bound lanes and interchanges on SH 121 from Hillcrest to US 75. 
 
In addition the State Highway 121 funding, Johnson also worked to ensure that the government may work with private-sector companies as a cost-effective way to build new methods of transportation.  As a result of Johnson's behind-the-scenes negotiating, Johnson changed tax law to permit state governments to issue up to a total of $15 billion worth of Private Activity Bonds (PABs) to privately finance road construction while the federal government would spend about $1 billion.  While $15 billion will not go directly to Texas, the Lone Star State is well positioned to quickly apply for this money.
 
Johnson represents Dallas and Collin counties.

Does your company have a job opening or do you know of someone looking for a job? Then, refer to the Chamber's new job bank.  Simply go to the chamber's website at www.allenchamber.com and click on "job bank".  You can submit a job opening online or browse the job listings. 

The following committee meetings are scheduled:

August
Ambassador Club - Monday, August 8 - 8:00 a.m. - Elke's Market Cafe
Human Resources Committee - Tuesday, August 9 - 11:30 a.m.
Strategic Planning Committee - Thursday, August 11 - 4:00 p.m. - Chamber Office
Board of Directors - Thursday, August 25 - 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Office

September
Leadership Allen Steering Committee - Friday, September 2 - 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Office
Citizens Postal Advisory Council - Thursday, September 8 - 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Office
Ambassador Club - Monday, September 12 - 8:00 a.m. - Location TBA
Facilities Managers - Tuesday, September 20 - 11:30 a.m.
Board of Directors - Thursday, September 22 - 8:00 a.m. - Chamber Office