The Chamber Beat

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John Williams

I’ve decided to start including some of the news items that I collect from the state Chamber of Commerce when it comes to what your legislators are doing in Augusta.. Here are a couple of items that have come up this past week that you might find interesting, especially with the election right around the corner.

In the Legislature

Legislators looking at the state's tax policies say they want more detail from a Maine Revenue Services report on how business tax breaks are keeping or creating jobs. Mike Allen, the state's associate commissioner for tax policy, argued that the report covering four tax credit programs and the Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement program aims only to show how much the taxes cost the state and not how effective they are.

In total, the report lists 1,800 companies in the state that were reimbursed $52.7 million, a figure that prompted some legislators to say they would like to see specific returns in terms of jobs retained or created.

One credit, the Jobs and Investment Tax Credit, was used by just one employer, netting $489,986 in tax credits with a requirement to create 100 jobs. Rep. Gary Knight, R-Livermore Falls, said he wants to review that credit and others to determine their effectiveness.

The Maine Economic Research Institute has released its annual ratings of Maine legislators, giving positive marks to the state's 125th Legislature for what it called "proactive and pro-economic changes."

In an introductory letter to the report, which ranks Maine legislators based on votes for 20 laws the organization saw as important for business, Chairman Peter Vigue wrote that historically unprecedented tax cuts approved last year "were fair, sensible and encouraging to job growth."

The rankings and final averages – on a 100-point scale – are based on a combination of recorded votes on selected bills as well as a qualitative survey of government affairs professionals that represent the business community in the state, according to the report.

SCORE

And coming up in November SCORE and the Chamber are bringing Rich Brooks from Flyte New Media back to our area to talk about Mobile Marketing & how Face Book really works for small business.

In this workshop, Rich Brooks of Flyte new media, will give you a lay of the mobile landscape and show you how to make sense of it all. The workshop is taking place at the Norway Town Office Community Room on Tuesday, November 13th from 9 to11 a.m., and the cost is $25 but it is free to Chamber of Commerce members.

You can register online through SCORE or call the SCORE office at 743-0499 or the Chamber office at 743-2281. Believe me, you’ll want to be a part of this workshop with rich. He is informative, entertaining and on the cutting edge of the Social Media revolution.

Parade, Festival of Trees

We’re just a m,onth away from Maine’s largest Christmas Parade, so register your float right now for the 37th Annual Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade which will start at the head of Main Street in Norway on Saturday, November 24 at 11 a.m.

It’s Maine’s largest Christmas Parade and this year we have the United States Naval Precision Rifle Team (The Silver Dolphins) performing in the parade along with numerous mascots, the Kora Shriners Log Rollers, bands, choruses, and personalities from around the region. This year’s theme is “Characters & Critters,” so have fun making your float.

And our 2nd Annual Festival Of Trees from the Four Seasons Conference & Function Center in South Paris is also on the agenda for the entire weekend after Thanksgiving, from the 23rd to the 25th and we’ll kick it off with the Chamber Annual Holiday Open House Friday evening from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

You can have a tree in the Festival Of Trees at no charge. Just go to our website for all the details at www.oxfordhillsmaine.com and you can download a Parade and/or a Festival Of Trees registration or pick one up at the Chamber office at 4 Western Avenue in South Paris.

Newest member

I want to welcome yet another business into the family of members here at the Chamber of Commerce. The Healthy For Life Wellness Center, located at 9 Marston Street in Norway, right behind Goin’ Postal, has joined the rapidly growing chamber business directory.

Dr. Jill Gabrielson is a board certified general pediatrician takes an approach that looks at the best health you can have for your child from a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual perspective.

Jill is joined by her husband, Ed, who provides Yoga instruction and has directed Yoga workshops throughout the country. Go to www.healthyforlifewellness.com for all the information.

As always, the Chamber is on top of business throughout the Oxford Hills-are you a Chamber Member yet? It’s easy, just call us at the office and speak with Jennifer or myself and we’ll sign you up.I'll see you next week.