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Good News Starts Here.
A few good words from the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce
July 2009
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If you have not seen the new video from the Shawnee Convention and Visitors Bureau, click the image to watch it! It was produced to showcase the city and its new branding, Good Starts Here. Enjoy!

John Miller Web image
At the June Board of Directors' meeting, Shawnee Assistant City Manager Vicki Charlesworth shared with us some information on the financial challenges the city is dealing with as it develops the 2010 budget. The city will be facing a significant deficit next year and in future years, unless further spending reductions are made and/or revenues are increased. The city has already reduced spending to balance the 2009 budget, but more adjustments will be necessary. The Governing Body must make some difficult decisions when it adopts the 2010 budget later this month. The cuts in programs and services that have been identified include measures that would impair the quality of some basic city services, including reductions in public safety programs and street maintenance.

One revenue alternative that the Governing Body may consider is reinstatement of the franchise fee on residential gas and electric bills. Of the five largest cities in Johnson County, Shawnee is the only city that does not have such fees already in place. Shawnee did have franchise fees on residential gas and electric bills, but they were phased out in the mid-1980s in anticipation of growth in sales tax revenue that was expected to more than offset the reduced franchise fee revenue.

Today, Shawnee ranks well below other Johnson County cities in per capita spending. Our elected officials and city management proudly promote this fact as an indication of the efficient use of public monies in Shawnee, and rightly so. At the same time, our city leaders know that Shawnee must provide first class services in order to compete with other Johnson County cities for new residents and new businesses. One of the reasons our city revenues lag behind other cities is that we have not attracted as much investment in non-residential development. Our Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council work together with the city to attract new business development. We have a goal of increasing the commercial and industrial tax base to 35 percent of the total tax base from the current level of about 28 percent. This is up from about 22 percent in 2001, but still short of the goal. In order to continue to progress toward this goal, the quality of services and quality of life in Shawnee must remain on par with other area cities.

The dilemma our Mayor and City Council will face later this month is how to balance the budget during these very difficult economic times, in a manner that sustains the level of services necessary for future growth and economic vitality. They will likely find it necessary to make some decisions that are not popular or politically expedient. I would urge all Chamber members to learn more about the financial issues and options the city faces, and to support the Governing Body in making the difficult decisions necessary to place the community in a strong position in the years ahead.
Jim Martin Web image
Each year, the Shawnee Economic Development Council (SEDC) celebrates Business Appreciation with an event to showcase several area companies for making important contributions to the city's growth during the past year.

This year's Business Appreciation Luncheon is scheduled for July 21, 2009, 11:30 a.m., at Shawnee Town Hall, 11600 Johnson Drive.

Mayor Jeff Meyers will present the honors, which include the 2009 Business Development Awards. Criteria for selection include projects that were completed, or nearly completed, in the last 12 months; involved capital investment of at least $1 million and/or included significant job creation.

The event will also include recognition of significant downtown Shawnee redevelopment projects and valued businesses. The Downtown Impact Award was created by the SEDC's executive committee to recognize the business-development project that has the greatest impact on the City of Shawnee's downtown area. Qualified "impact," for the purposes of the award, could include added investment and property tax base, significant job creation and/or enhanced visitor attraction.

The Downtown Revitalization Award was created to honor the business that made the most significant improvement to the outside appearance of a downtown commercial building during the previous 12 months.

The final award is presented by the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, the Hall of Fame Award. This award is a special recognition of a business that has played a major role in shaping the face of the community and has made a tremendous contribution to the city over a long period of time. The 2008 recipient was Shawnee Mission Ford. Join us July 21 to find out who the 2009 recipient is!

This is an event you will not want to miss! Make your reservations today by calling (913) 631-6545 or e- mailing mtaylor@shawneekschamber.com. Lunch cost for SEDC members is $20, non-members and guest admission is $24. Deadline to RSVP is Thursday, July 16th.
2009 Business Expo image
Reserve your business' booth today for the 2009 Business Expo and receive the early-bird reservation fee! Don't miss this opportunity to exhibit your business to Chamber members, community businesses and the public.

The Expo will be from 2 to 7 p.m., Thursday, October 8, at the Shawnee Civic Centre; 13817 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kan. 66216. For more information, please either call the Chamber office, 913 | 631 | 6545, or e-mail Megan Hardwick, program coordinator, mhardwick@shawneekschamber.com.
Zarda/Rieke Development Corporation

Thank you for your continued, Investors-Guild support and dedication!
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In good business,
Shawnee Chamber of Commerce

phone: 913 | 631 | 6545

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Shawnee Chamber of Commerce | 15100 W. 67th St., Suite 202 | Shawnee | KS | 66217-9344