SBCC 2022, ISSUE 4

L I V E , S H O P, & P L AY
LIKE A LOCAL

SBouth aldwinCHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2022 edition issue 4 J u ly/A U G U S T

Featuring

SBCF Junior Ambassadors Program

THE NEWSLETTER

PROVIDING INFORMATION, SERVICES, LEADERSHIP AND VISION

P. O. Box 1117 | Foley, Alabama 36535 | 251.943.3291 | www.southbaldwinchamber.com

On The Co r Established in 2003, the South Baldwin Chamber
Foundation is the education arm of the South Baldwin
Chamber of Commerce and is currently serving ten public
and three private schools in the South Baldwin area.

The South Baldwin Chamber Foundation’s Junior Ambassadors Program is a youth
leadership program tailored to assist high school juniors in identifying personal
leadership potential through exposure to economic development opportunities,
government awareness, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement
through community service. This past year our JAs participated in several field
trips that included a Health Day, Financial Literacy Day, Farm to Fork Day, and also
took a trip to OWA Parks & Resort to get a behind-the-scenes peek at the business
side of things to learn about their marketing and human resources departments,

food and beverage management, and roller coaster maintenance.

“Some people are just natural born leaders.
Others have the potential to be, given the right

opportunities, motivation and training.”

1 | Your Partner in Business

ve

DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS:

SOUTH BALDWIN CHAMBER FOUNDATION’S

Junior Ambassadors Kylee Raulerson
SBCF Executive Director
T he Junior Ambassadors program sponsored by the South Baldwin Chamber
Foundation (SBCF), now in its twenty-fourth year, focuses on developing the
qualities needed to produce the next generation of community leaders. Foley
and Elberta High School's upcoming junior students apply for the chance to be a part

of this elite group. Each student is interviewed and chosen based on both personal

and academic achievements.

For most students, when asked during the interview process what they would

change about the South Baldwin County community, the number one answer is

to "be more connected.” By participating in leadership programs like our Junior

Ambassadors (JAs) program, students are encouraged to get involved, take risks, and

experience the success of their efforts.

At the end of the 9-month program, JAs get to fulfill that "connection to the

community" as they are transformed into young adults that now have a few essential

skills to start them on their journey. They get to experience firsthand how to get

involved and stay connected to their community with confidence and ease.

We encourage each student, whether they reside in their hometowns after

graduation or settle somewhere new, to reach out to the same-like organizations

they’ve made contact with here, such as the local chamber of commerce. We want

them to flourish and be the community leaders we know them to be, no matter where

they land.

Over 400+ students have completed the Junior Ambassadors program since its

inception in 1998. SBCF hosts a workshop or program once a month in addition to

offering multiple volunteer opportunities to each JA. In every program, we strive to

incorporate one or more of the basic foundations our program was designed to

provide to the students. These include economic development, government

awareness, environmental stewardship, basic finance, advanced education, and civic

engagement. The SBCF partners with local leaders in businesses, government, and

other civic organizations to host each workshop and program for our Junior

Ambassadors. ■ LEARN MORE HERE: sbchamberfoundation.org

|2

CallIslandAir.com

251-943-4709

T he South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce
partners with Excelerate America to provide
members with highly-discounted pricing at ODP
Business Solutions that you could not get on your
own. The discounts extend to almost every item
and across all categories like technology,
furniture, and cleaning & breakroom supplies.

3 | Your Partner in Business What you get
when you join:

➡ Up to 55% off on office supplies
➡ Up to 55% off on cleaning & breakroom items
➡ 10% off branded ink & toner
➡ 20% off private brand ink & toner
➡ Average 10% off on over 200 tech core items
➡ Free next-day shipping on orders of $50 or more
➡ SIGNIFICANT savings on copy & print

SIGN UP TODAY:
https://bit.ly/odpSBCC

︎☎SPOTLIGHTTHE SOUTH BALDWIN CHAMBER’S




BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

August

Congratulations to
RJ's Seamless Gutters, Inc.,
our Business of the Month
for August 2022! RJ's Seamless
Gutters, located in Foley, Alabama, has
served residents and businesses in
Baldwin County since 1976. In 2020, Josh
Brady, Sales Manager, took a leap of faith and purchased the
company. From new gutter and leaf guard installations to gutter cleaning,
Josh and his small team of four are dedicated to providing affordable and
quality gutter services to all their clients. Call today for your free estimate!

“We love what we do. Not only the installs and cleaning, but especially
walking our clients through the step-by-step process of choosing the
perfect gutter addition to their home or business. We're ready to tackle
any gutter project, big or small." – Josh Brady, Owner.

This year RJ's Seamless Gutters is proud to be the presenting sponsor for
the South Baldwin Chamber's Cash Mob program that highlights and
supports other local small businesses in the area.

r j s s e a m l e s s g u tt e r s 8 . g o d a d d y s i t e s . c o m
(251) 948-8031

|4

Your Oct 21, 2022

Awtaabitlse

Presented
by

Information & Tickets: bit.ly/sbcssc

5 | Your Partner in Business

Local NEWS TO SHARE
ABOUT PEOPLE & PLACES

LOCALYOU KNOW
Governors Conservation Achievement Awards: From the City of Foley:
Leslie Gahagan wins Water Conservationist of the Year bit.ly/3zPNfQr
C ongratulations to Leslie Gahagan, Environmental and Nature Parks Director for the City of
Foley. Leslie was the recipient of the Water Conservationist of the Year Award.
The Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards are the
most prestigious conservation awards in the state. For over 40 years, the awards have been
presented to individuals and organizations that make great contributions to the conservation of
our wildlife and related natural resources, the natural elements upon which all life depends.

"Our Leslie won the Water Conservationists of the Year from the State Wildlife Federation.
“It's a statewide award and is a very high achievement for her. She is well known across our
See news article:
county and now recognized at the State level for her efforts in water conservation for our areabit.ly/3bsL10m
and the state. She is a treasure for our City and her love for what she does shows in many
ways...this is just one way,” Mayor Ralph Hellmich.
Foley Memorial Project Leads to Discovery About Oak Tree

Gulf Coast Media | By Guy Busby

E fforts to improve a tribute to Foley World War II veterans led to a discovery that the actual
memorial is not what many residents thought for decades.
A small stone marker with a bronze plaque sits under a massive live oak at the northwest
corner of John Foley Park. The plaque states, "Honoring our men and women in service in
World War II. Foley Women's Club." The marker has no date and most people thought that
the plaque was the city's memorial to World War II.
The stone, plaque and flagpole were added after World War II and were dedicated in a
ceremony on July 4, 1946. The council voted Monday, July 18, to approve plans for additional
benches and pavers to be placed at the stone. The city will also install a larger flagpole.

F “"I have found out some very interesting history about the monument, which isn't exactly a

monument at all," Brenda Shambo, city administrative assistant said. "The big live oak tree is
actually the living memorial, which is located to the left of the marker.”

Baldwin County Commission August 2, 2022 Regular Meeting:
Matt McKenzie officially sworn in as District 2 County Commissioner

ollowing a welcome by Chairman Jeb Ball, the invocation by Marty Hamilton, Senior Pastor at
First United Methodist Church, and the Pledge of Allegiance lead by Commissioner Billie Jo
Underwood, Matt McKenzie was officially sworn in as the newest Baldwin County Commissioner
representing District 2. Commissioner McKenzie’s bio can be found here: baldwincountyal.gov/
government/baldwin-county-commission/district-2-commissioner.
Baldwin County Commissioner Joe Davis took part in his final meeting as a county official
before stepping down at the end of July, 2022. Davis announced earlier this year that he would
not run for re-election; state regulations for retirement pay would not allow him to draw his full
retirement for the year if he continued to serve on the commission. Read more on Davis here:
gulfcoastmedia.com/stories/davis-steps-down-as-county-commissioner,128809.

|6

Gateway W O R KMFPOURSCUE pdate
ATEWAY INITIATIV C A

T he South Baldwin Regional Workforce Development Authority (SBRWDA) that was passed
through state legislation two months ago has now finalized its members. In May of 2021, Gulf
Shores and Orange Beach Tourism partnered with the Gateway Initiative to discuss the shared
economic value that tourism has on the growth of our communities. Other partnerships formed with
memorandums of understanding from Coastal Alabama Community College, The University of
South Alabama, Gulf Regional Early Childhood Services, and Auburn University’s Technical
Assistance Center. These partnerships have been working diligently to help improve the workforce
shortage here in south Baldwin County through a number of components to the campus, including a
two and four year college presence, dormitory student housing, an extended-hour childcare center,
a separate housing complex, and a fixed route transportation hub. In order to receive
public and private funding for the campus, the SBRWDA was formed of mostly
business and education leaders, along with the presence of our tri-city
municipalities.

SOUTH BALDWIN REGIONAL
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Board of Directors

Greg Alexander Bryan Wolfe Brian Harsany

President & CEO Vulcan, Inc. Cosmos Restaurant Group
Coastal Alabama Business Chamber    
 
John Fitzgerald Tony Marzullo
Donna Watts
Saunders Yacht Works Spectrum Resorts
President & CEO    
South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce
  Nick Wilmott Charlene Haber

Mayor Ralph Hellmich Community Health Systems Wolf Bay Restaurants
   
City of Foley
Dr. Margaret Roley Lane Gilbert
Mayor Robert Craft
South Baldwin Regional Medical Center The Wharf Restaurant Group
City of Gulf Shores    

Mayor Tony Kennon Penny Groux Edward Bushaw

City of Orange Beach Perdido Beach Resort Executive Director
South Baldwin Regional Workforce
Development Authority

AdHoc Educational Partner Committee

Lynne Chronister Dr. Janell Gibson

Vice President of Research & Economic Development Provost & Chief Academic Officer
The University of South Alabama Columbia Southern University
   

Dr. Josh Duplantis Hank Czarnecki

Dean of Workforce Development Director
Coastal Alabama Community College Auburn Technical Assistance Center

We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to the members
of this new workforce development authority!

7 | Your Partner in Business













































THE GATEWAY INITIATIVE

PREMIER TRAINING,
APPRENTICESHIPS, AND MORE

G at e way I n i t i at i v e . c o m

JUL/AUG 2022 | The Gateway Team

CONNECTING YOUR COMPANY

TO WORKFORCE TRAINING DOLLARS
T he Gateway Initiative is currently working with 12
South Baldwin Businesses, one tourism “After meeting with Ed Bushaw and having
organization, and one municipality on no-cost conversations about management and coaching
training opportunities for employees. The Alabama training that some of our staff requested, he indicated
Workforce Stabilization Program (AWSP) grant there were grants available through the AWSP for
provides training dollars to businesses and Technical Training through the Auburn business
organizations in six key industry sectors including college,” said Gendler. “He scheduled a meeting for us
Hospitality, Health Care, IT, Transportation &
Logistics, Construction, and Advanced to meet and discuss our needs, goals, and
Manufacturing.  The original award to the outcome objectives for both the manager
state was $17 million and there is still and coaching training as well as some
more than $10 million available between advanced Strategic Deployment
now and October of 2023. initiatives. I am waiting for a proposal
and start time from the Auburn group.
“The process is quite simple compared I am so excited about the opportunity
to many of our grant applications through this will provide our team to become
the state,'' said Ed Bushaw of Gateway.  “We even more effective in carrying out our
meet with businesses, identify training needs mission and commitment.” She
to upskill employees or develop staffing continued, “This is just one benefit of many
pipelines, identify the training resource and work with
our state partners to write the grant.  To date, all grants in being a Gateway Initiative investor.”
submitted have been approved”. The Gateway team is working with all types of
organizations on these grant opportunities. From
Municipalities and other government agencies can companies such as Sweat Tire to Saunders Yacht Works
apply for the grants as well.  The Gateway team and with municipalities such as the City of Foley. We
recently met with Beth Gendler, President & CEO of welcome the opportunity to meet with your business
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism.  or organization and identify opportunities for these
dollars. ■

If you would like to learn more about how the Gateway Initiative can help your business,
please reach out to [email protected] or call (251) 422-0942.

Thank you to our TOP INVESTORS for your partnership, leadership,
active participation and support in the Gateway Initiative.

|8

October 7, 2022 LEARN MORE HERE:
https://bit.ly/golf4edu

The South Baldwin Chamber Foundation is proud to The mission
partner with Rock Creek Golf Club in Fairhope to of the SBC
host the 2nd Annual Golf FORE! Education golf Foundation is
to enhance
tournament, on October 7, 2022. The the lives of
tournament will kick off with lunch at the students
Rock Creek Clubhouse followed by a shotgun through
start at noon. Players will enjoy fun and programs
games on the course and a silent auction and
partnerships
before and after the tournament. that enrich
Four-player teams are education to
available for $500 and
include 2 drinks and develop leadership,
lunch per player.  and better our community.
When you support the
Foundation, you are
supporting the future
leaders of our community.
We thank you!

EXTRAHow To Find Work-Life Balance As An Entrepreneur ~
Extra NEWS YOU CAN USEF R O M T H E W E B

more so now with The Great Resignation. Fostering

““Is work-lifeForbes | JULY 2022 Ryan Lucia growth in these six skills will help set your managers
balance realistic?” This apart.
is one of the most
common questions entrepreneurs ask me. You may have The Great Resignation is still unfolding around the
a partner, kids, hobbies, etc., but you probably also world. And with headlines touting that recent quitters
experience busy business seasons that require flexibility are feeling happy with their decision, more and more
for you and your relationships. How can you run a people are considering their options.
successful business while also being a committed spouse,
parent and friend? Poor managers have long been a driver of
Balance Hacks resignations — nearly two-thirds of people quit their
The key is not to feel guilty about the lack of balance in boss, not the company, but the company ultimately
terms of splitting time equally. You can’t always control pays the price. Replacing a worker is expensive (up to
your workload or task list, but you can be intentional and 250% of salary plus benefits), and today, it's especially
proactive about making time away from work. difficult to recruit and retain top talent.
Some tips:
• Put personal and family time on your calendar and Coupled with the fact that poor managers drive
communicate it to everyone before taking that time absenteeism, disengagement, stress and reduced
off. […] productivity, it's clear that they are quite costly to your
bottom line as well as your culture.

Read more online: www.entrepreneur.com/article/
428699 ■

• Try the Pocket Quarter Strategy. Start the day with BBB Tip: How to keep costs down when inflation hits
two quarters in your left pocket, then every time you
do something out of the ordinary for your partner or | JUNE 2022 Better Business Bureau
kids, move a quarter to your right pocket. The goal is
to have both quarters in your right pocket at the end In ationis higher than it has been since
of the day. the 1980s in both the United
States and Canada. With prices rising on everything
• Consider hiring more help, like a personal assistant. from gas to groceries to housing costs, how can you buy
One of the greatest decisions I ever made was hiring what you need and still stay on budget?  
a virtual assistant. This gave me back hours every
day. […] When price hikes hit people who already have limited
budgets,  covering basic monthly expenses becomes
• It’s okay to take a long lunch! This is a great difficult. Here are a few tips for dealing with higher
opportunity to go to your kid’s school and eat with prices (Read more on each tip from the link below):
them or invite a friend to join you.
• Know what you’re spending
Read more online: www.forbes.com/sites/ • Stick with your current vehicle
forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/07/01/how-to-find-work-life- • Get smarter with your grocery shopping
balance-as-an-entrepreneur ■ • See a sale? Jump on it
• Cancel subscriptions that you aren’t using
Turn Your Managers Into Your Biggest Asset for Winning • Negotiate better prices
• Take advantage of gas prices savings
the Great Resignation ~ Entrepreneur | JUNE • Watch out for shrinkflation
• Enjoy what you already have
2022 Britt Andreatta • Watch out for scams
Read more online: www.bbb.org/article/news-
Investing in your company's managers releases/27211-keep-costs-down-when-inflation-hits ■
will always yield a high return
on your investment, but even

| 10













lf

AuG 23 • featuring: August 17 • 8:30AM-9:30AM
Foley public library
Dr. Josh Duplantis PRESENTING SPONSOR:

Dean of Workforce development GULF COAST TRASH BIN CLEANERS
Coastal Alabama Community
College 5 pm - 7 pm
Aug 25 • Trustmark of Foley
SEP 1 • featuring: SEP 22 • TownePlace Suites at OWA
OCT 27 • Courtyard by Marriott
James E. (Jeb) Ball

Baldwin County Commission
Chairman, district 1

Location: FOLEY CIVIC CENTER

APPLY NOW

A: P. O. Box 1117, Foley AL 36535
P: 251-943-1036

E: [email protected]