Jefferson Area Business Association, Inc.

Membership Meeting

January 20, 2011

Community Bank & Trust - Jefferson

Noon – 1:00

This month’s catering provided by Salvador’s located in the Kroger shopping center. 

Meeting was called to order by Shawn Watson, Vice President

Invocation by Danny Dean, Fit to a Tee Athletics

Pledge led by Mel Harris, The Lionheart Group

Welcome to all guests and members

Lisa Whittlesey has taken over as Treasurer, Mel Harris has taken his position as VP of Membership, Nathan Jaworski is our new Program Coordinator and Stephanie Stapler will handle catering. 

Mel introduced our speaker for this month, Mayor Jim Joiner. 

 Mayor Joiner discussed the increasing population of Jefferson, up almost 107% since 2000.  Some effects of the economy over the last several years:

-        the sharp decline in new home building permits, down from 435 issued in 2006 to only 6 in 2010.

-        a reduction in the tax base and sales tax revenue has lead to some ‘belt tightening’ but the city has been able to maintain it’s level of service without raising taxes.

The upgrades to the downtown area are in full swing.  Though this has been a long process, the end result will give downtown an improved look and be much more pedestrian friendly.  Beth Laughinghouse said that her personal goal is completion by April 15.  Upcoming downtown events are Arbor Day, the Easter Egg Hunt and Freedom Festival.  Mayor Joiner also gave us updates on the library and services offered by the recreation department.  We learned that the Jefferson Police Department has achieved State Certification and that only 100 out of 700 departments in the state have achieved this certification.   There are several current and up coming grant projects for the city.  The project to increase the water plant capacity by updating the filtration system will cost about $1.8 million but the city is only looking to have to pay $300-$500,000 of that cost thanks to grant money received and applied for.  The new Civic Center parking lot was completed entirely by grant funds.

As her last act as Treasurer, Deborah reviewed the beginning year financials and copies are available.

Shawn reminded everyone that 2011 dues are currently due.  If you have not yet taken care of this please contact Lisa Whittlesey.

 All members are encouraged to be on the lookout for new members. 

The Chamber awards banquet is Thursday January 27.  Anyone interested in attending please contact the Chamber for tickets.

There are two upcoming ribbon cutting ceremonies:

-        February 1 at Renewed Vision

-        February 8 at Stand Fast Cottage

John Ward announced improvements to the City of Jefferson website regarding announcements when there are weather related issues such as changes to garbage pick schedules and school closings.

The next Board meeting will be February 8 at Mountain Valley Bank

The next Membership meeting will be February 17 and our speaker will be a representative from the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.