This week’s business feature is on Super 1 Foods. If you haven’t stopped by a Super 1 Foods, you’ve missed the updates they have made. All Longview Super 1 Foods stores have a new look with updated paint, décor, signage and flooring-which have improved the shopping atmosphere for customers. The Longview Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Ambassadors facilitated the ribbon cutting ceremonies at each of the Super 1 Foods locations in Longview, TX on May 4, 2012.

The Changes customers notice are new carousel check stands with store cashiers sacking groceries. The “Wall of Values” continues to offer incredible savings as people enter the door with the hottest prices and bet values. The brand’s “Discount Pharmacy” maintains a free antibiotic and discount generic drug program at the South High and East Marshall Stores. Customers can receive a $20 Super 1 Foods coupon when they bring in a new or transferred prescription (from a non-Brookshire or non-Super 1 Foods pharmacy). Throughout May the stores will have truckload sales with three-day deals on many products, and there will be a Facebook offers in which customers can win prizes at super1foods.com.

Ambassadors host ribbon cuttings, help with special events, Business After Hours, assist in retention calls. Being a Longview Chamber of Commerce Ambassador allows you to meet people and get exposure in the community. In order to maintain membership in the Longview Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, it is the responsibility of each individual to meet all requirements necessary in order to retain status.
In order to become an active member of the Longview Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors an individual must:
1. Be employed by or represent a Chamber member in good standing.
2. Complete an application for Ambassador Membership.

If you’re interested in becoming an ambassador please contact us at (903)237-4000.

This week’s business feature is on Jake’s Feed. They are a local, family business owned by Alan and Karen Glowczwski of Hallsville, Texas. After years of planning, waiting, and building their dream was realized on McCann road just north of Loop 281 in Longview, Texas. Since 2004, they have been growing in this community and are eager to serve you better. It is their goal to supply you with quality products, service, and knowledge to help you care for your animals, garden, lawn, and farm.

Recently, Cassie Varnado attended a Facebook Crash Course at the Chamber. Chamber members were able to learn how to navigate and use the new timeline feature. Jake’s Feed now has fans of the week and posts promotions online. Classes like these and many other opportunities are offered at the chamber. The Chamber also has a series of monthly after hours networking events that are high-energy, and are a professional approach to grow your business and market your products and services, one handshake at a time. These events are prime opportunities for members to meet face-to-face with existing and potential clients to build positive business relationships that impact their bottom line. Our next Business After Hours will be at the Business Expo Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at Maude Cobb Convention Center.

“If it eats we can feed it and if it grows we can help it.” So, whether you are looking for help, information, supplies, or simply some good conversation, stop in and see Jake’s Feed. They are located on:

3612 McCann Rd.
Longview, TX 75605
(903) 663-3139
www.jakeslongview.com

Store Hours:
Monday – Saturday 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
Closed Sundays

This week’s business feature is on Johnny Cace’s Seafood and Steak House. Johnny Cace’s Seafood and Steak House opened on March 10, 1949. It is the passion of food that was passed down from one generation to the next that has made Johnny Cace’s Seafood and Steak House so successful. Chelsea Cace, third generation restaurateur, has added a modern flare to the restaurant. Growing up in the restaurant industry, she knows that hard work and determination makes a restaurant successful. Not only does she co-manage with her parents Gerard and Cathy Cace, she also created Oyster Wednesday and seasonal drinks; including the toasted marshmallow martini for winter and peach margarita for summer. Their menu consists of the freshest seafood and seasonal products. “The oysters you eat here today slept in their shells last night.” Johnny Cace’s Seafood and Steak House is very involved in the community. Their philosophy is “We support the community that supports us.” They stay current on legislative issues that affect the restaurant industry and partake in the culinary programs in the community.
Johnny Cace’s Seafood and Steak House has also incorporated social media into their marketing strategy. Chelsea recently attended a Facebook class at the Chamber. This class was designed to assist local business owners with the ins and outs of marketing on Facebook. The chamber also offers other business development classes throughout the year. If you are interested in taking a class please contact us at: 903-237-4000.

Restaurant hours are:
Sunday 11:00-3:00
Monday Closed
Tuesday-Thursday 11:00-10:00
Friday- Saturday 11:00-11:00

Visit: http://www.johnnycaces.com/ or their Facebook page to sign up and receive specials!

This week’s business feature is on Merle Norman. Judy Kennemer’s dream at age 20, was to own her own Merle Norman. Newly married, she knew the dream could not be fulfilled. In 1993, her daughter worked for Merle Norman and called her mom and told her that the Longview franchise was for sale. She immediately went to her banker and was turned down because she had inadequate income as a single mother of three. She didn’t give up on her dream, and approached the owner to see if she would do owner financing. The owner saw the passion the passion that Judy had for the business and financed it for her.

Judy credits hard work and determination for her success.  She knows her customers by name and knows that customer service is what keeps her customers coming back.  Merle Norman offers free services such as:  foundation makeovers, hydration facials, and the Merle Norman philosophy you can try a product before you buy it.  Merle Norman also provides facial services at their Tall Pines location.  From their Merle Norman signature facial to a pumpkin peel that can help diminish fine lines.

Judy recently attended a Facebook session at the Chamber.  She wanted to learn the latest marketing trends to attract younger clients on social media.  She was able to squeeze in this training into her busy schedule because it was offered at the chamber and lunch was provided.  The Chamber understands how hectic  small business owners days can be and offers convenient continuing education courses. Classes that are coming up are business development classes on Social Customer Service, and Twitter for your business.  To get a complete listing of classes offered at the Chamber, please check our calendar of events.

Merle Norman has two locations in Longview.

MERLE NORMAN COSMETIC STUDIOS

Longview Mall
PH (903) 753-0041
3500 Mccann Rd
Unit L-7A
Longview, TX 75605-4416

Pine Tree Center
PH (903)759-1551
1809 W. Loop 281
Ste. 134
Longview, TX 75604

John W. Turk Jr. Power Plant:

•    Approximately 89% complete

•    Currently 1700+ construction employees on site

•    Currently 108 full-time employees on site

•    The 600 MW plant will be the most efficient and cleanest coal-fueled plant in US

•    Will provide safe, reliable service and affordable rates for customers in AR, LA and TX

•    We appreciate the support of all our community partners and look forward to bringing the unit online late 2012

 A Powerful History – Celebrating a Century of Service in 2012

SWEPCO is celebrating a century of service to its customers this year, and 100 years is a long time. Our centennial logo even displays the popular gold and black colors from SWEPCO’s past. Formed as Southwestern Gas and Electric Company in June 1912, AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) is 100 years old, has undergone a name change twice, and no longer provides gas, water, ice or transportation services.

The original Southwestern Gas and Electric Company was the product of a merger between three utilities – Shreveport Gas, Electric Light and Power Company, Caddo Gas and Oil Company, and Texarkana Gas and Electric Company in 1912.

SWEPCO Seeks APSC Review of Flint Creek Power Plant Environmental Retrofit Plan

SWEPCO has asked the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) to review the company’s plans to install environmental controls on the Flint Creek Power Plant in Gentry, AR.  To comply with new Environmental Protection Agency regulations, we must install additional environmental controls to continue operation of the Flint Creek Power Plant beyond 2015, or we must replace that base load generating capacity.

SWEPCO Signs Wind Power Purchase Agreements for 359 Megawatts

SWEPCO has signed long-term power purchase agreements for a total of 358.65 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy from wind projects in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. This was done as a commitment in a recent settlement of legal issues involving the John W. Turk Jr. Power Plant. The agreements will more than quadruple SWEPCO’s wind energy portfolio. With these long-term power purchase agreements, we have added a substantial amount of wind energy to serve SWEPCO customers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, and we have combined efforts with a Turk Power Plant partner to exceed the 400-megawatt commitment in our settlement.

SWEPCO Plans For Rate Case Submittal with Texas PUC in Summer 2012 

SWEPCO plans to file a full base rate case in Texas during summer 2012, with new rates going into effect around December 2012. The primary drivers for the filing are to fully include the J. Lamar Stall unit and the John W. Turk Jr. Power Plant in SWEPCO Texas rates. The Stall facility is a 508 MW gas-fired generating unit that has been providing power to customers since June 2010 and the Turk plant is a 440

MW (SWEPCO’s share) plant that is expected to begin service in late 2012. SWEPCO continues to gather the information required for the filing (the last base case filing we made in Texas in 2009 required over 10,000 pages of information). Further details regarding this filing will be sent directly to city offices with follow-up visits from SWEPCO as the filing becomes more firm.

What is a Service Quality Improvement Program (SQIP)?

The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) and SWEPCO entered into a SQIP in 2000. The intent of the program is to increase overall service reliability and customer satisfaction by providing for and agreeing to maintain the following; 1) a minimum number of overall employees in the service territory (Louisiana), both field and management, 2) a tree trimming and vegetation spend program, 3) an apprenticeship program to fill future lineman vacancies, and 4) a 10-year inspection program for overhead and underground network service.

 SWEPCO Announces Settlement

SWEPCO announced on Dec. 22, 2011, that the company had settled all legal actions brought against it by the Sierra Club, the National Audubon Society and Audubon Arkansas related to the Turk Power Plant under construction in Southwest Arkansas. The settlement includes a provision that SWEPCO and its affiliates will construct or secure 400 MW of new renewable energy resources by the end of 2014.

Avoid Contact with Overhead Lines When Performing Outside Spring Cleanup Chores

Overhead power lines are often forgotten about or dismissed as potential safety hazards. A quick scan overhead can help to keep you safe. Whether you are cleaning a pool, trimming trees, painting your house, cleaning your gutters, or installing a TV antenna – all could put you near energized overhead power lines. Always maintain at least

10 feet of clearance between you and anything you are touching and the wires. If you have trees near your service drop (the power line from the utility pole to your home or business), make arrangements with your power company so they can de-energize the line. If a ladder, tree branch, antenna or pole falls into a power line do not touch it – serious injury or death can occur. Visit  http://www.swepco.com/ for more electrical safety information.

 SWEPCO Is Committed to the Environment – Celebrate Earth Day April 22, 2012

Eagles gather on SWEPCO Lake near the Flint
Creek Power Plant in Northwest Arkansas.

 •    SWEPCO informs people living in Gregg, Smith and Upshur Counties, Texas about Ozone Action Days through its WEATHERLINE service. Call 903-234-1000 for the days’ forecast and ozone action awareness.

 •    A supporter of the Black Bayou project, located in the northwest corner of Louisiana. The site contains five miles of spring-fed streams with a diverse habitat prime for preservation, including the globally rare Arkansas Oak.

•    With strong community partnerships, SWEPCO built an eagle and wildlife observation pavilion and nature area at the Flint Creek Power Plant.   www.facebook.com/SWEPCOEagleWatch

 •    SWEPCO undertakes environmental assessments of all new projects, including endangered species surveys, archaeological investigations, wetlands mapping, groundwater testing and socio-economic impact determinations.

 •     SWEPCO supports and promotes efforts to use electricity wisely by its customers. For information on how to save energy and money, visit  www.swepco.com.

Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) headquartered in Shreveport, La., serves territories in Louisiana, Arkansas, East Texas and the Panhandle area of North Texas. SWEPCO maintains regulatory offices in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, LA., Austin, TX. and Little Rock, AR. External affairs offices are located in Shreveport, LA., Longview, Texarkana, TX. and Fayetteville, AR. SWEPCO Serves 520,400 retail customers in three states, including 113,700 in western Arkansas, 225,700 in northwest and central Louisiana and 181,000 in north and eastern Texas.  

Visit our website  http://www.swepco.com/for more information or contact srmccloud@aep.com regarding the contents of this edition of Watts New From SWEPCO.

This week’s business feature is on Brothers’ Sandwiches. David Lichty’s passion for food started when he was 16 and started working in the food industry. Twenty one years later, attending culinary school and apprenticeships with several east coast chefs, he opened Brothers’ Sandwiches downtown Longview in August 2011. David wanted to create a restaurant where the food is affordable while using the freshest ingredients. He believes in a “no preservative, plan menu” concept. He has a passion for food and tries to use the least amount of ingredients in his dishes.

David uses social media to promote his business. Each day on Brothers’ Sandwiches’ Face Book page, David posts his special of the day. He also uses it to promote other events that are happening downtown. David also believes in shopping local.  He purchases his produce and other supplies for his restaurants from local vendors.  Brothers’ Sandwiches recently joined the Chamber to become more involved in the community, get continuing education, and to have opportunities to network with other local business owners. The Chamber offers low-cost classes on social media, customer service and other issues that small business owners are facing.  Check out our events calendar to see what classes are coming up. 

Brothers’ Sandwiches is located downtown Longview on:
108 E. Tyler Street
Longview, TX 75601
PH: 903.212.7687

Brotherssandwicheshop.com

Hours:

Monday –Friday
10:30 am -2:00 pm

Offering $1,000 Award for Referring Successful New Agency Owner Candidates

TYLER, TX, February 24, 2012—Allstate Insurance Company plans to open 10 agencies in the East Texas area this year. The company’s goal is to open 100 agencies statewide in 2012.

Allstate is looking for sales-driven, customer-service oriented professionals with management experience to own and operate the agencies. These new agency owners could generate additional jobs in their communities around East Texas as they will need to hire licensed sales staff to help them run their small businesses.

$1,000 Referral Award

Allstate is now offering a $1,000 award to people who refer a candidate who is successfully appointed as an agency owner in Texas this year.
“We’re looking for your coworkers and acquaintances that have an entrepreneurial spirit, are solution oriented and have a drive to succeed,” said Tom Caunitz, Allstate’s Texas Strategic Deployment Leader said.
Interested candidates need a minimum of $50,000 of liquid capital to invest in their agency. This money does not go to Allstate; it’s to help ensure the agency can successfully fund the normal day to day costs associated with opening and running a business.
“The advantage of investing in Allstate is agency owners are able to leverage one of Texas’ most recognized brands without ever having to pay a franchise or licensing fee,” Caunitz said. “The capital invested in the business will go directly toward the success of that agency.”

How to Apply

Interested candidates can learn more about becoming an Allstate agency owner by logging on to allstate.com or by calling 1-877-711-1006.
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. As part of Allstate’s commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.

Health care reform brings a number of changes for employers and health plans in 2012. As employers prepare to comply with new requirements, they need to be aware of how health care reform will affect them in the coming year.

This The Ward Agency Legislative Brief provides a compliance checklist for employers for 2012. Please contact your The Ward Agency representative for assistance or if you have questions about changes that were required in previous years.

GRANDFATHERED PLAN STATUS

A grandfathered health plan is one that was in existence when health care reform was enacted on March 23, 2010. Grandfathered plans are exempt from some of the health care reform requirements. A plan’s grandfathered status will continue to affect its compliance obligations from year to year.

□    Determine if you have a grandfathered plan. Contact your The Ward Agency representative if you have questions about whether your plan is grandfathered or not.

□    Determine whether your plan will maintain its grandfathered status. If you make certain changes to your plan that go beyond permitted guidelines, your plan is no longer grandfathered. Contact your The Ward Agency representative if you have questions about changes you have made, or are considering making, to your plan.

□    If you move to a non-grandfathered plan, make sure the plan includes all the additional participant rights and benefits required by health care reform. These rules include first-dollar coverage of preventive care services, an enhanced claim and appeal process, and non-discrimination requirements for insured plans.

ANNUAL LIMITS

Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, group health plans will no longer be able to impose annual limits on the value of essential health benefits. However, until then, certain minimum annual limits are permitted. Unless your plan received a waiver of the annual limit requirements, you should confirm that any annual limit included in your plan is set at least as high as the following amounts for each applicable plan year:

□    $750,000 for plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010, but before Sept. 23, 2011;

□    $1.25 million for plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2011, but before Sept. 23, 2012; and

□    $2 million for plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2012, but before Jan. 1, 2014.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS AND COVERAGE

□    Plans and insurance issuers must provide a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) to participants and beneficiaries.

• The SBC is a concise document – no more than four double-sided pages – providing simple and consistent information about health plan benefits and coverage in plain language.

□    A template for the SBC is available, along with instructions and examples for completing the template and a uniform glossary of terms.

□    The final SBC regulations provide that plans and issuers must start providing the SBC as follows:

• Issuers must provide the SBC to health plans effective Sept. 23, 2012.
• Plans and issuers must provide the SBC to participants and beneficiaries who enroll or re-enroll during an open enrollment period beginning with the first day of the first open enrollment period that begins on or after Sept. 23, 2012.
• For participants who enroll in coverage other than through an open enrollment period (for example, newly eligible individuals and special enrollees), plans and issuers must provide the SBC beginning on the first day of the first plan year that begins on or after Sept. 23, 2012.

60-DAY NOTICE OF PLAN CHANGES

□    Plans and issuers must provide 60 days’ notice of any material modifications to the plan that are not related to renewals of coverage. Notice can be provided in an updated SBC or a separate summary of material modifications.

WOMEN’S PREVENTIVE CARE GUIDELINES

□    Effective for plan years starting on or after Aug. 1, 2012, non-grandfathered plans must cover specific preventive health services for women with no cost sharing. These services include well-woman visits, STD screening and contraceptives. Exceptions to contraceptive requirements apply to religious employers.

MEDICAL LOSS RATIO (MLR) REBATES

□    Fully insured plans may receive rebates in August 2012 if they qualify for a rebate from their issuers due to the medical loss ratio (MLR) rules requiring insurance companies to spend a certain percentage of premium dollars on health care. The rebates must be used for the benefit of the plan’s enrollees, which may include reducing enrollees’ premium payments.

W-2 REPORTING

□    Beginning with the 2012 tax year, employers that are required to issue 250 or more W-2 Forms must report the aggregate cost of employer-sponsored group health coverage on employees’ W-2 Forms.

• The cost must be reported beginning with the 2012 W-2 Forms, which are issued in January 2013.
• This requirement is optional for smaller employers for the 2012 tax year – and until further guidance is issued. 
• Reporting is for informational purposes only – it does not affect the taxability of benefits.  TAX CHANGES FOR AGE 26 COVERAGE

□    If your state previously required you to impute income for covering dependents up to age 26, check on changes to your state’s tax code. All states that impose an income tax should now be in conformity with federal tax law, which permits this coverage to be provided on a tax-free basis.

COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS RESEARCH FEES

□    Self-funded plans must pay a $1 per covered life fee for comparative effectiveness research. Fees are effective with the first renewal after Oct. 1, 2012. Fees increase to $2 the next year and will be indexed for inflation after that.

SMALL BUSINESS TAX CREDIT                                      

□    Small employers that qualify for the tax credit provided by the health care reform law can claim the tax credit by filing Form 8941 (Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums) with their annual tax filings.

• To qualify, employers must have fewer than 25 employees and pay average annual wages of less than $50,000.

If you need more information on any of the health care reform topics addressed above, please contact your The Ward Agency representative.

This The Ward Agency Legislative Brief is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel for legal advice.

© 2011-2012 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

11/11; KP 2/12

This week’s business feature is on Color Me Happy. Color Me Happy is the creation of Shawna Blissett. She is a Special Education teacher by day and an artist by night. She wanted to create a place where people of all ages could come and paint and enjoy the company of others or as Shawna calls it, “Art Entertainment”. “There are places to eat, see a movie, but there is not a place where you can sit down, create something, and enjoy a conversation.” Shawna said. Shawna saw a need in the community and she fulfilled that need. Finding a niche is essential in creating a successful business.

You have to make your business your priority. Expanding your reach in the community assures the success of your business will be good. Not only is Color Me Happy a place to host birthday/holiday parties, but corporate team building sessions. Companies of different industries have sought an alternative to the usual team work building exercises. Groups of local business owners, doctors and healthcare employees attend functions at Color Me Happy. She now offers, Girl’s Night Out, Group Events, Church Groups, and Fundraisers.
Shawna also relies on word-of-mouth marketing and social media. After each event, Shawna posts pictures of the events on FaceBook and tag people that attended the event. In turn, Color Me Happy will get FREE exposure from the friends of people that are tagged. Shawna credits the Chamber on providing low cost business education programming and networking opportunities in getting the word out of her business.
If you are looking for a way to explore your artistic side but not sure where to start? Color Me Happy is an exciting, creative class for both the artistic and not so artistic. Come out and join Longview’s newest entertainment spot for an evening of painting, sipping and enjoying the company of friends.

Color Me Happy is located:
530 East Loop 281, Suite 101
Longview, TX 75605
Phone 903.238.9070

Hours:

Mon – Sat: 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sun: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
www.color-me-happy.com

Business Expo is your chance to connect with over 60 companies in one location to get the products and services your company needs!  This is Longview’s ONLY comprehensive Business to Business event during the year.

Low-cost business development sessions will also be presented during Business Expo.  This is an opportunity for you and your employees to receive quality education without traveling out of town and incurring additional costs. Leadership Development Program Sponsors are eZforex.com and Evans World Travel

Business Expo kicks off at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at Maude Cobb Convention Center.

This year’s event is presented by the Longview Economic Development Corporation and sponsored in part by Computerland of East Texas, Good Shepherd Medical Center and UnitedHealthcare.

Admission to the show floor is free and open to the public until 5:00 pm.  However, Chamber members are given exclusive access during Business After Hours, which begins at 4:45 pm and will conclude at 6:30 pm.

http://longviewchamber.com/BusinessExpo