General Meeting

May 15, 2013

Jorge Vidal opened the May general meeting and welcomed chamber members and guests.  He then thanked Joanna Lyall for chairing Clemmons Community Day and all the volunteers that helped out.  He also thanked Claudia Page for her involvement in the new Dog Park at Tanglewood.  He thanked all the volunteers that also helped at the Tanglewood Dog Park and Lewisville Fair in the Square.

Next, a motion was made by Brad Hunter to accept the minutes from the April meeting.  Maggie Moe seconded the motion.  All chamber members agreed and the minutes were approved.

A representative from Mac and Nelli’s spoke next about the services they offer.  He mentioned that they would appreciate any business the chamber members can give them.

Next, Jorge introduced Bob Weston and Allen Younger with The Small Business and Technology Development Center.  They gave an informative presentation for the remainder of the meeting.

Meeting was adjourned.

Next meeting will be June 11, 2013.

CashKlick connects digital coupon, payment and reward solutions that allow brands to engage directly with customers through the most accessible, secure, and efficient technologies — resulting in increased customer engagement and loyalty.

You can reach Wendy at 408-638-1280 or by e-mail at wdulaney@cashklick.com.

Welcome Wendy!

To contact Kim, please call 336-283-9277 or by e-mail at invioconsignment@gmail.com.

Welcome Kim!

Signs Now of Winston Salem specializes in graphics, signs, and printing of all kinds.

You can contact Steve at 336-768-2810 or by e-mail at info@signsnowws.com.

They can be reached at:  titanslewisville@gmail.com.

Dan can be reached at 336-723-6711 or by e-mail at:  dansawyers@remax.net.

Welcome Dan!

General Meeting

April 9, 2013

Jorge Vidal opened the April general meeting and welcomed chamber members and guests.

A motion was made by Teresa Lindsay to accept the minutes from the March meeting.  Gayle Goldsmith Tuch seconded the motion.  All chamber members agreed and the minutes were approved.

Jorge introduced Kristin Johnson with Broyhill Office Suites.  Kristin spoke about the “Say No to the O” event that is happening at Broyhill on Friday, April 12, 2013.  Teal color flamingos are for sale for $20 each.  The money will go to the fight against ovarian cancer.

Kyle Agha with New Town Bistro and Bar spoke about the different events his restaurant has coming up.  For more information please visit his website at:  www.newtownbistro.com.

Jorge then introduced Dr. Branch with Wake Forest Baptist Health.  He gave a presentation on the following:

• We are fortunate to have two major hospitals in this area.
• In November 2012 WFBH transitioned its spine services from the main WFBH Medical Center to Medical Plaza – Clemmons location.  It consolidated services to create the multi-disciplinary Spine Center.
• The expansion has enhanced the services offered and the patient experience.
• The WFBH Spine Center is a multi-specialty clinic that combines all facets of spine care services.
• It offers multi-disciplinary care in a single location.
• WFBH is ranked in the top 50 hospitals nationally by US News/World Report.
• The Medical Plaza – Clemmons location offers easy drive-up, drop off and parking.  It is also patient friendly.
• Offers onsite imaging, MRI and X-ray services.
• Has a great physical therapy and rehab facility.
• Wake Forest Baptist Health Spine Center 336.716.WAKE or 336.713.2121.

Jorge thanked Dr. Branch for his presentation.

Joanna Lyall, Vice Chair, gave an update on Clemmons Community Day.  She listed the different sponsor levels and talked about the activities planned for April 27^th.  The deadline to sign up to be a $100 Friend Sponsor is April 19th.  The deadline for signing up for a booth is April 12^th.

Next, Dana Bryson, VP of Economic Development gave a presentation on the economic development in this area.  Her information can be found on our website at:  www.lewisville-clemmons.com.  Please look under the tab News/Chamber News.

Jorge thanked the Vice Presidents for their reports.

Jorge next mentioned that we need volunteers for Clemmons Community Day, Fair in the Square and the Tanglewood Dog Park Dedication Party.  Please sign up today to volunteer.

One Minute Commercials were made by the following businesses:

• Gayle Goldsmith Tuch with Gayle Goldsmith Tuch, PC
• Dana Bryson with The Village Inn Event Center
• Helen Naples with Woman’s Wellness and Fitness
• Todd Lockhart with Bridges Wealth Management
• Ashleigh Conley with Regency Care of Clemmons
• Shea Crutchfield with The Mosquito Authority

Next, door prizes were handed out.

Meeting was adjourned.

Next meeting will be May 14, 2013.

Economic Development Report

By: Dana Lu Bryson, dlbryson@bellsouth.net

Owner, Village Inn Event Center

April 9^th, 2013

Economic Development (by definition):

* The planned and guided growth of business that brings new energy and affluence to the community not only in the form of new jobs and higher wages and salaries, but also in terms of better education, stronger infrastructure and a more rewarding lifestyle.

* Promoting “the Quality of Life”.

This monthly report is based on this definition and broken down into three categories:

Residential Development, Commercial Development, and Large Events that attract Visitor’s to the area.

Events/General

North Carolina Jr. State Closed Tennis Tournament will be held April 19-21^st

Locations of Tournament Play:  Bermuda Run Country Club, Oak Valley Tennis Center, Tanglewood Tennis Center, Westwood Tennis Club, Wake Forest Tennis Center and Forsyth Country Day School

Host Tournament Site:  Bermuda Run Country Club

Host Hotel:  Village Inn Event Center, Clemmons, NC

Clemmons Community Day will be held at Jerry Long West Forsyth YMCA on April 27^th from 10am to 3pm. The festival will include music, games and activities for kids, food and crafts.

Lewisville Fair in the Square will be held on Saturday, May 4^th in Shallowford Town Square from 11am-7pm. Local businesses, churches, non-profits, and other civic groups will have booths and displays. The festival will include music, games and activities for kids, food and crafts.

The Dog Park Dedication Party will be held on Sunday, May 5^th from 1:00pm 5:00pm

Admission to the Dog Park will be free with a supply item to be donated to the Humane Societies of Forsyth and Davie Counties.

Dates for the next Clemmons 101 are set for April 25, May 2 and May 9

The Clemmons Historical Society has produced a History book on Clemmons written by Kevin White.

Commercial

The NC Chamber of Commerce unveiled the Vision 2030 report on March 22^nd.

Here is an exert from this guide:

North Carolina Vision 2030 – A Plan for Accelerating Job Growth and Securing North

Carolina’s Future is a forward-thinking, initiative-driven plan that provides focused economic development strategies to create good jobs for North Carolinians. Developed with the involvement of top North Carolina business leaders, local chambers of commerce and key stakeholders, it is built on the premise that in order to be a winner in the global jobs war, North Carolina must strive for excellence in four key areas:

> Education and Talent Supply

> Competitive Business Climate

> Entrepreneurship and Innovation

> Infrastructure and Growth Leadership

Some of you may be asking, ‘what does this have to do with us here in Clemmons and Lewisville’?.

Did you know that there is a 2030 Comprehensive Plan called Clemmons Community Compass? The Plan Highlights discuss “Improving our Commercial ‘Strip’”, “Creating a New Village Center”, “Greening the Community”, “Managing Growth”, ‘Focusing Development in Activity Centers”, and “Creating a Sustainable Future”.

The Town of Lewisville has a Comprehensive Plan developed in 2010 which also acts as a guide for decision making on Maintaining Community Character, Facilities and Services, Land Use, Transportation, and Citizen Engagement.

There are several interesting topics impacting Economic Development that is being discussed by the Village Council members.

One has to do with our tax base and how we achieve and maintain some of our financial and community goals.

Ad Valorem taxes made up approximately 48% of the total General Fund for the last reporting year June 30, 2012. Most of US pay this annually. It comes to 11.5 cents per $100 valuation.

Our boundaries in Clemmons can’t expand unless voluntarily by a surrounding area, and this probably won’t happen until the Village of Clemmons can do something of benefit to Developers, which involves incentives.

When we talk about expanding our tax base, there are basically two options to do this.

1)      Invest in developments or

2)      Increase the tax rate.

There is a third option, to do nothing.

Watch future Council agendas for discussions on gathering information on overlay district concepts applied to Lewisville-Clemmons Road. They will need input from affected businesses.

The Council reaffirmed the decision against applying for a 100% grant application (with no match required from the Village) for use towards Village Point connector or Market Center Drive connector roads.

What impact does this have on the affected businesses?  Could this money have been used for stalled economic development projects?

A few priorities agreed on by Council during their recent retreat:

1) controlling the tax cap

2) what to communicate to the public

3) acceptable development

4) village branding

5) sense of community

As individual Business Leaders of this community, we need to become more conscientious regarding Economic Development and more visible in terms of support and presence to our local council. If you hang around long enough, you can be a voice that brings value to the community.

In Other Developments…..

The Medical Office complex on Shallowford Rd. called Lewisville Family Medicine is nearing completion.

Milner’s American Southern is opening “Brothers”  Restaurant in the former I Bambini building on Lewisville-Clemmons Rd. just North of I-40, and is nearing completion.

A proposed 312 unit apartment complex in Village Point developed by Chris Parr is still in negotiations due to a right-a-way issue with one of the adjacent property owners. The interested parties expect to get this resolved.

Residential

The housing market has definitely picked up. Lewisville currently has 154 listings with 11 sold in the month of March.

Clemmons has 234 listings with 38 sold during the month of March. We are currently turning the corner from a buyer’s market to a very competitive somewhat balanced market on the way to a seller’s market.

Other Developments that are being followed and are in process:

Wake Forest Baptist Health’s West Campus –

Dog Park at Tanglewood opening in May.

The Town of Lewisville is purchasing land and developing a lift / pump station on Harper Road.

New round about at corner of Oaks Shopping Center that will take in Shallowford Rd., Williams Rd., and Heritage Drive

Yadkin River Greenway Project 

Medical Office complex on Shallowford Rd. called Lewisville Family Medicine.

Milner’s American Southern opening “Brothers”

New Skilled Nursing Home development at the Harper Rd./Fair Oaks

New Assisted Living development across from West Forsyth YMCA called “Carrillon Assisted Living”.

There is a new residential development called Lauren Acres underway on Kinnamon Rd. with price ranges from $299,000-350,000 for 10 new custom built homes.

A proposed 312 unit apartment complex to be developed in Village Point.

If you have any questions or would like more details on these developments, please contact me at (336) 971-6567.