State Comptroller Susan Combs

Reminding attendees to Wednesday's Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee luncheon that "the Texas state economy is the 12th largest economy on the planet," State Comptroller Susan Combs continued to plead her case for the reasons for the state's continued success. "We're just smarter than everyone else, and I can prove it! And our state has the best shape of them all."

Putting all kidding aside, though, Combs reminded the crowd that things were not always that good, however. "In fact, back in mid-80's, the Texas economy was pretty much completely broken. That's when we got a real case of the smarts," creating a rainy-day fund and making a conscience effort to diversify the state's economy.

As a result, this summer Texas will host a budget surplus of $8.2 billion.

The economy has once again been tough in the past few years, Combs said, "but we are coming back up, sooner and faster than others, and that's what is important."

Combs also bragged on the state's housing picture as a source of our success. In Texas, where one of 785 homeowners were getting foreclosure notices, other states, like Arizona and Nevada, were seeing foreclosure rates like one in 97 or one in 139, respectively.

During his introduction of Combs, State Representative Jimmie Don Aycock of Killeen jokingly referred to Combs as "The General," a reference to her well known - and well respected - methods of managing the state's finances.

Approximately 100 Governmental Affairs members enjoyed Combs presentation at the Shilo Inn & Suites  on Wednesday afternoon.

Your Opinion Counts!

Last edition's Poll Question:

Pretty cut and dried here.

75% of the respondents said, no, they were not happy the bill passed, and want it to be repealed. 25% said, yes, they were happy it passed; that it was time.

Thanks for taking this last poll. Last edition's poll is now closed.

The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce nominating committee is now requesting nominations for persons to serve on the 2010-2013 Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Chamber board members provide volunteer oversight over all aspects of the chamber's program of work, as well as exercise fiscal oversight and due diligence of the chamber's financial affairs.

Once public nominations are closed, a list of all nominations will be provided to the 2010 nominating committee for selection of five candidates to be presented to the Board of Directors at the May GKCC Board meeting. The chairman of the 2010 Nominating Committee is Mary Lindley-Wiley . The following criteria must be met for all nominations:

1.       *  The candidate must be an active member of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce in good standing.

2.      *   Persons may nominate themselves.

3.       *  All nominations need to be e-mailed to Jack Wade by April 18, 2010, or by filling out the above online short form by that date. The form will be delivered to the chamber when you click "Submit".

4.       *  Please include all information requested including the name of the business and a short paragraph indicating the person's qualifications.

Historical Book of Killeen, Texas

The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce is publishing a book on the history of Killeen, written by Gerald D. Skidmore. 

This book is now available for special presales. The regular cost of this publication will be $34.95; however, the Chamber is taking pre-sales at this time at the special price of  $24.95. There will only be a limited number of books for sale at this price and we are encouraging everyone to order theirs at this time. Contact the Chamber at 526-9551 to order your copy. All presales will be signed by the author.

Once the publications arrive at the chamber (approximately June or July), there will be a special signing ceremony by the author for all persons who have ordered presales of the book.

The author, Gerald Skidmore, has been a long-time resident of the Killeen community, and served as editor of the Killeen Daily Herald for more than 35 years.

Effective April 1, the Board of Directors of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce has voted to institute a 5% across-the-board dues increase for its members. This increase will be effective at the time of your next billing period following April 1, 2010.

For the vast majority of chamber members, this increase will result in an annual increase of from $7 to $15 in your annual dues.

"We know, just as in our members' businesses, general business expenses go up much more than this in a year," said Chairman of the Board, Jerry Haisler, "but prudent fiscal management among the chamber staff and management has allowed us to hold this increase to a minimum."

The last chamber dues increase was in April, 2008.

The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce Would Like to Welcome Its Newest Members!

New Chamber Members who have joined March25 through April 8

Toyota of Killeen owner, Paula Lohse (left), visits with Sue Hall at last year's April Third Thursday. This year's Toyota Third Thursday will be the fourth Thursday.

OK, everyone pay attention. It's not rocket science, but it is (gulp) a change from the ordinary.

In April, the Third Thursday will be the fourth Thursday. Got it?

No, the earth isn't going to spin around the sun faster in April just because the mixer in April is always at Toyota of Killeen. No, the celestial "accelerator pedal" isn't going to get caught in the floor mat.

The traditional great food, laughs, music and fellowship will still be present at the April mixer just as it is each year at the annual Toyota of Killeen event.

The Third Thursday this year will just be the fourth Thursday.

In fact, we can't, at this time, tell you why the Third Thursday in April will be the fourth Thursday, but we promise, come the fourth Thursday in April, we'll tell you why the Third Thursday was the fourth Thursday this year. Frankly, it's a pretty neat deal. Fair enough?

Everyone clear as a bell on this?

Central Texas youth are encouraged to participate in the Free Enterprise system by setting up lemonade stands on May 2nd.

Lemonade Day is a fun, free, community-wide, educational initiative where Central Texas kids learn to start, own and operate their own business. 

Kids of all ages learn to set goals, develop a business plan, establish a budget, seek investors, provide customer service, and give back to their community.  This event is designed to inspire future entrepreneurs and will be held Sunday, May 2, 2010.

Each young entrepreneur will set up their lemonade stand at their homes, local businesses, churches and sell, sell, sell their lemonade.  The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce supports the “Free Enterprise System” that we have within the our country and Lemonade Day is a great starting point for our future entrepreneurs. 

The chamber encourages parents and local businesses to participate.  Registration forms and backpacks are available at the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, One Santa Fe Plaza in Downtown Killeen.  First National Bank Texas and Fort Hood National Banks are the area businesses that are introducing this program to the Greater Killeen Area.  The primary contact for this event is Amanda Dickinson at First National Bank Texas,  (25) 554-4471. See the official Lemonade Day web site for complete information about the program.

Members of the GKCC Ambassadors join USAA CEO Gen. (RET) Joe Robles (center right) and Killeen market manager Sherita Johnson (center left) for a ribbon cutting on March 26 at the new USAA Financial Center.

Before a group of more than 70 well-wishers, USAA Financial Center CEO Gen. (RET) Joe Robles opened the USAA's first stand-alone location outside of company headquarters San Antonio in Killeen on Friday, March 26.

The major insurance and financial company, which heretofore has serviced its customer base via the internet and over the telephone, opened the new Killeen location to get closer to its members. "Our members have asked us repeatedly for face-to-face involvement," Robles said. "The company wanted to do more; that's why we are here," he said.

Sherita Johnson is the local manager of the USAA Financial Center in Killeen. She believes the local, personal service, as well as local ATM service, will be a huge asset to their local customers.

The USAA Financial Center in Killeen is located at 2309 E. Central Texas Expressway, suite 500, next door to FedEx/Kinko's, near Killeen Mall.

BRC to Hold Monthly Social Media Breakfast in Killeen

The Central Texas Business Resource Center will host a Social Media Breakfast at Jason’s Deli in Killeen. The group meets the first Wednesday of each month from 7:30am-8:30am.

Social Media Breakfasts bring together people who are interested in teaching, sharing, and learning about trends, case studies, and best practices in social media. This educational focus is critical for moving the social media industry forward. Anyone interested in social media are invited to attend. The program information is different each meeting, and information can be found at www.twitter.com/centexbrc

This new monthly event is free to attend, but attendees will have to pay for their own food and drink. Advance registration is required.

The next event will be held Wednesday, May 5, 2010 from 7:30am - 8:30am at Jason’s Deli, 3213 E Central Texas Expy #200 in Killeen. The Event is free to attend, and breakfast will be available for purchase on your own Otherwise, there is no cost to attend, but seating is limited so please call to reserve a seat in advance.

Please reserve your seat at least one day in advance by phone at (254) 200-2001

sign the pledge. . .

American Free Enterprise.

Dream Big.

Back When

Chaplain Visit

Army Chaplin Here - A patriotic program was rendered at the evening hour in connection with the lecture of Chaplain Timmons and a service flag was unfurled with a star for each soldier who was a member or worshipped with this congregation. The flag contained eight stars, representing the names of Grady and Duncan Collier at Camp McArthur; Allen Rodgers with the navy; Roy Hudson, lieutenant at Camp Travis; John Crouch, supposed to be on his way to France; Walter Mundell, navy, Great Lakes; Raymond Johnson, Camp Bowie; L.E. Lindemann, somewhere in France.

The Killeen Herald and Messenger, March 15, 1918

The Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) gained 1,356 new jobs from January to February 2010. Killeen alone had 397 new jobs in the same period.

Based on figures by the Texas Workforce Commission, four Texas metro areas had positive employment growth rates from February 2009 to February 2010. They were College Station–Bryan, Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood, Waco and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission. Twenty-two metro areas had net job losses.

The state’s actual unemployment rate in February 2010 was 8.3 percent. The unemployment rate for the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood MSA dropped from 7.8 percent in January to 7.3 percent in February 2010 which proves what community leaders have said all along in that the greater Killeen area will come out of the recession faster than the rest of the nation.

According to an article written by Benjamin S. Kogut, CCIM, Grubb & Ellis Co. job losses appear to have bottomed out thanks to the creation of 162,000 net new payroll jobs last month including 123,000 in the private sector.

Kogut went  on to say that the moreover, January and February data were revised higher by a combined 62,000. But it will take a long time to regain the 8.4 million jobs lost in 2008 and 2009. The last three recessions – 1981-82, 1990-91 and 2001 – were followed by progressively longer recovery periods before employment returned to neutral. Measured from the beginning of the recession, the labor market required 28 months to recoup its losses after the 1981-82 recession. The convalescent periods from the 1990-91 and 2001 recessions lasted for 32 and 48 months, respectively. In the current cycle, total payroll employment did not hit bottom until December 2009, 24 months after the losses began, and it is unlikely to return to equilibrium for at least another three years. This recovery span understates the pain because the labor market needs to generate 100,000 to 125,000 net new jobs per month to accommodate the growing labor force, which is why the unemployment rate, currently 9.7 percent, will decline painfully slowly even as employers begin to hire again. Nevertheless, the 162,000 new jobs in March are a welcome change and suggest that the labor market is finally headed in the right direction. Renewed hiring will boost commercial real estate leasing activity in the second half of 2010 with vacancy rates expected to peak by year-end.

Gov. Rick Perry on April 7 reiterated Texas’ commitment to ensuring military veterans and their families have the support they need, both during and after their deployment. The governor announced the first grant from the Fund for Veterans Assistance, $1 million for the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to help provide veterans and their families emergency assistance with household, vehicle, childcare, medical and personal expenses.

“Our veterans have willingly risked great personal harm to secure the rights and freedoms we cherish and to make the world a safer, more secure place to live,” Gov. Perry said. “As they serve, or when they return home, they deserve an extra measure of assistance.”

The Fund for Veterans Assistance was created by the Legislature to provide grants to local communities to address veterans’ needs and enhance or improve existing veterans’ assistance programs. The fund is administered by the Texas Veterans Commission, which assists Texas veterans and their families with claims, veterans’ employment services and veterans’ education

“Gov. Perry continues to demonstrate his concern for the well-being of Texas veterans, and his support of the Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veterans Assistance helps us provide much needed assistance to the brave service members and their families through this first grant today and future grants,” said Brigadier General Karen Rankin, chair of the Texas Veterans Commission.

The Texas VFW Foundation assists veterans and their families by promoting programs to raise awareness and educate the public about the sacrifices made by America’s veterans, as well as the unique and special needs resulting from their service. VFW services include support for families during long deployments, relief in emergency financial situations, assistance with medical claims related to military service, employment assistance and job training, and scholarships for children of veterans.

“This is a historic day for Texas veterans,” Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars Adjutant General Ray Grona said. “The Texas VFW Foundation would like to express our appreciation to Gov. Perry, members of the Texas Legislature, especially Sen. Leticia Van De Putte and Rep. Chris Turner, and the Texas Veterans Commission for this grant, which will improve the lives of thousands of our state’s veterans."

Sedona Staffing  and KWTX Seek “Boss of the Month” Nominations

Sedona Staffing Services, in partnership with KWTX television, is asking for nominations for “Boss of the Month”.  This is a great opportunity for employees and employers to recognize their outstanding supervisors or bosses. Please visit this link for complete details.

New Location of Brake Check Opening Soon, Accepting Applications

Central Texas' new location of Brake Check, located in Harker Heights, will be opening soon, and is now accepting applications online. Interested and qualified personnel for positions for managers and technicians can apply online at www.brakecheck.com. Benefits for these positions include medical, 401(K), paid vacations, incentive programs, paid sick leave and advancement opportunities.

Wounded Warrior Riders Due in Killeen on April 8, to leave April 9

On April 8, 135 Wounded Warriors who are riding bicycles from San Antonio to Dallas will arrive in Killeen and stay the night in the Shilo Inn. They will arrive between 2 - 3 p.m.

Fort Hood is planning a big send-off the next morning, but was hopeful some folks could be on hand to welcome them after their long ride from Austin to Killeen. The Shilo Inn has graciously said all are welcome in their parking lot for the welcome.

Folks can also welcome them along the route: north on 195. Turn RIGHT (East) onto Stagecoach Rd, Turn LEFT (North) onto (W) Trimmier Rd, Turn RIGHT (East) onto E Elms Rd, Arrive Killeen Shilo Inns Suites Hotel.

There will be celebrities riding as well including Chief of Staff US Army, General George Casey From Austin to Killeen leg; Warrior Care and Transition Commander, BG Gary Cheek, Jeremiah Workman, Recipient - Navy Cross, Nate Hunt, National R2R Spokesman - double amputee; Delvin McMillian, Quadruple Amputee; Medal of Honor Recipient, Mike Thorton; Actor, Adam Baldwin Actor, Ethan Suplee (My Name is Earl); USO Vice President, Jack Flanagan.

According to Fort Hood officials. the mayor has agreed to greet the riders upon their arrial.

Residents are invited to join the bikers along the route (or at least at the Shilo) to welcome these riders. They are true American heroes!

Plans Underway for 12th Annual Killeen Heights Rotary Club Crawfish Boil

The 12th Annual Crawfish Boil Fish Fry and silent auction is set for Saturday, May 8 from 11 a.m. until 3p.m. at the Killeen Special Events Center.  Sponsored by the Killeen-Heights Rotary Club, the event will feature crawfish, catfish and chicken.  Tickets for adults are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.  Kids under 12 pay only $5.  The Armed Services YMCA will also feature a Healthy Kids Day and a bounce house.

Live music at the event will be provided by Jerry Haisler and The Melody 5. 

The Rotary Club of Killeen Heights Charitable Corporation is also selling raffle tickets for $10 for a chance to win a Polaris Ranger 400 from Killeen Power Sports.  Only 1,800 tickets will be sold. 

For more information, visit our website.

Fort Hood Plans Earth Fest April 23

Many of you have never heard about Earth Day or ever been to an “Earth Fest.” At first glance, it might not sound very interesting or fun. That’s where you are wrong. Fort Hood’s Earth Fest is scheduled for April 23 at Hood Stadium offering opportunities for children, Families, and Soldiers. A huge 300 foot by 100 foot circus-type tent set up inside Hood Stadium. More than 35 different exhibits will be on display recycling, renewable energy resources, endangered species, natural resources, water conservation, and other environmental topics.

This year’s Earth Fest will be non-stop from 3:00 - 10:00 p.m. The free event is open to the public and will kick off with a performance by acoustic guitar artist Boomer at 3 p.m.

It will also include a farmer’s market, fuel efficient vehicles, inflatables, clowns, free food and beverages, and live entertainment. Games 2U mobile game theater will be at the event featuring the latest Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Wii games on 6 high definition televisions. Individuals can play the games for free, 4:00 -9:00 p.m. Zoomagination will also do a special show at 5:00 p.m. featuring a two-toed sloth, wallaby, bearded dragon, snake, parrot, and creepy crawlies.

The rest of the evening will feature live entertainment by the Rose Boom Band, the Brazos Stone Band and up and coming female country star Maren Morris, and Texas Country artist Radney Foster.

Make sure you don’t miss the largest Earth Fest event in the Army. Come out with your friends and family and learn more about how you can help the green Army stay green!

For more information about Earth Fest, call 254-535-1008 or email.

FORT HOOD EARTH FEST SCHEDULE
Friday, 23 April at Hood Stadium

3:00 - 10:00 p.m. Open to Public
(Displays/Vendors/Live Entertainment)
3:00 p.m. – Acoustic Guitar Artist Boomer
3:30 p.m. – Rose Boom
4:00 p.m. – Games 2 U Mobile Video Game Theater
5:00 p.m. – Zoomagination Show
Free Food and Beverages
Beer Sales
Budweiser Girls
5:30 p.m. – National Anthem
5:35 p.m. – Brazos Stone
7:00 p.m. – Pandemonium, Shoemaker High School
7:30 p.m. – Maren Morris
9:15 p.m. – Radney Foster
10:00 p.m.– Earth Fest Concludes

Activities, Programs Abound  at Central Texas College

Central Texas College has a number of special activities and programs set for the upcoming weeks.

For more information on each of these programs, activities and announcements, please click the links below.

Annual CTC golf tournament April 23

CTC SIFE Team wins 14th regional championship

CTC offers workshops to assist in job hunt

CTC Hosts Community Job Fair

CTC’s SIFE Team offers financial planning workshop

Here Are Some Of The Things Happening Around TAMU-CT This Week

A&M-Central Texas Student Wins ‘Social Worker of the Year’ Award

A&M-Central Texas Lecture Highlights Gender Identity Issues and Workplace Discrimination

Texell Plans April 22 Ribbon Cutting at 10:00 a.m.

Texell Federal Credit Union, Bell County’s largest member-owned, not-for-profit credit union, has announced plans to open a full- service branch in Killeen. The Killeen Office will be Texell’s fifth location.

"We have strong demand for an office in the Killeen market," stated Tony Hale, Texell CEO. “We are happy to be able to offer our members in the Killeen area an office to meet their financial needs,” Hale continued.

Texell’s Killeen office will be located at 2208 Sunny Lane, just off North W.S. Young Drive. The existing 2,100 square foot building will be completely renovated and will allow Killeen residents access to a full range of financial services, six days a week.

The new office will employ six staff members.

Extensive renovations have already begun on the building, and Texell will host a grand opening celebration in April. For more information on Texell Federal Credit Union, please visit www.texell.org

About Texell, Your Credit Union
Texell Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative serving more than 26,000 members throughout Central Texas. Texell was founded in 1948 and offers a wide range of financial services to its members. Texell has three locations in Temple, one in Belton and soon one in Killeen. Further information about Texell is available at Texell.org or by calling 254.773.1604.

Standards for Submitting Items for the Hot Links! "Digest"

The first requirement is that all sponsoring or associated entities of events or programs submitted must be members in good standing of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce. Items for chamber non-members will not be considered. What can we say? - it's a perk of chamber membership, and we apply this across the board.

All items to be submitted must be in the form of a MS Word or text document. They must be written in news style so they may be pasted into Hot Links! in the format you see throughout the e-newsletter. We are glad to edit for style and grammar; what we simply can't do is take your flyer and write the Hot Links! story for you.

If you have one piece of art to submit with the story, please submit that in a .jpg format.

If you have registration forms, entry blanks, flyers, etc. that go with a news story, please submit them as either Word, Publisher or Adobe Acrobat files. They will be converted to Adobe Acrobat documents and linked to the news story.

Staff members of the chamber are on many business and organizational mailing lists. Please do not assume that just because you sent us notification of a news item or event because we are "on your list" that we will automatically include it in Hot Links! Please submit anything you would like included in Hot Links! in an e-mail specifically marked for publication in the newsletter.

Any items not submitted in accordance with these guidelines will not be considered for inclusion. All items must be submitted via e-mail to Thad Byars at the chamber.

Latest Pictures of GKCC "People On The Go"

Sgt. 1st Class Sherise Bell sings the National Anthem prior to the March 26 ribbon cutting for Killeen's USAA Financial Center.	Ambassador chairman Sherry Hoffpauir of KXXV Television presents the traditional "First Dollar of Profit" to USAA local manager Sherita Johnson and USAA CEO Gen (RET) Joe Robles at the March 26 ribbon cutting.
Caughtya!! During the 2010 GKCC Staff Retreat, Jenna Weynand looks up just in time to catch her photo being snapped, while executive VP Jack Wade is deep in concentration. (Jenna is the one on the left.)	Only Once A Year - You don't often see the GKCC Staff in Hot Links! photos, but once each year the staff takes time to pose for a group photo during the annual staff retreat. Top row (L to R)  Heather Nusbaum, Marcus Carr, John Crutchfield, Jonathan Packer, Gerald Skidmore, Thad Byars, Jack Wade, Phyllis Gogue; Lower row- Diane Drussell, Kathy Morgan, Tammy Sanchez, Jenna Weynand. Taken April 1, 2010 at Peaceable Kingdom Retreat
Click on any picture for a larger view.

Miss an earlier edition of Hot Links!?

Vol. 4, Edition 6 (March 24, 2010)

Vol. 4, Edition 5 (March 10, 2010)

Vol. 4, Edition 4 (February 24, 2010)

Vol. 4, Edition 3 (February 10, 2010)

Vol. 4, Edition 2 (January 27, 2010)

Vol. 4, Edition 1 (January 13, 2010)

Please contact Thad Byars at the GKCC for editions prior to these.

Keep Track of all the chamber news!

www.killeenchamber.com

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Contact Thad Byars at the chamber (254) 526-9551 for more information.

Hot Links! Copyright 2010, Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce

Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, One Santa Fe Plaza, P.O. Box 548, Killeen, TX  76540  (254)- 526-9551   Fax: (254) 526-6090

For questions of comments about this newsletter, please contact Thad Byars at tbyars@gkcc.com  Please note that, properly formatted, the name of the GKCC newsletter is Hot Links!, with an upper case "H" and "L", followed by an exclamation point.