Member of the Week
Vote Yes to Say No to Taxes on Construction Projects
The Chamber SWLA and its Board of Directors urge voters to vote YES on Constitutional Amendment #1 when voting on October 14.
    
Constitutional Amendment #1 will prohibit the assessment of property taxes on any
project while it is under construction. Only when construction of a house, building or facility is completed and ready for its intended use should the local assessor place 
the property on the tax rolls. 

If the amendment does not pass, citizens and businesses could be taxed on construction of homes, barns and other structures. Constitutional Amendment #1 provides certainty 
to every business seeking to invest money and create jobs in Louisiana by ensuring it 
is not targeted with a new, arbitrary and unexpected property tax bill. Please note 
that this Amendment does not effect current tax revenue on the local government 
level. Construction projects have not been taxed in the past and this amendment will 
prevent them from being taxed in the future.

For more information, visit protectlataxpayers.com.
George Swift
Alliance News & Events
Less than 10 seats remain for this luncheon!
Join us for a report on
The First 100 Days with Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
October 10, 2017
The SEED Center
$20 per seat / 
$200 for Premium Table of 8

RSVP to [email protected]

Other events next week...
Dr. Loren Scott
Dr. Loren Scott returns to Southwest Louisiana for his annual "Louisiana Outlook" report on October 11th.

Thanks for our sponsors (Iberia Bank & the H.C. Drew Center at McNeese State University) we are able to provide this event free of charge.

We do ask that only two representatives per company attend, and RSVP in advance to Dottie Monceaux at [email protected] or by clicking this link to RSVP online.
Bad service is like heart disease…it kills! In just a few seconds bad service can kill all that you have worked for!

But….great service can take away all the heart aches and pump new blood into your business! Great service is something to get excited about! It’s what makes people go WOW!

It is not just your service….it is the way your service  LOOKS !
The way your service  FEELS !
The way your service  SOUNDS !

Since we are what we think about then we need to be thinking about world class service all day long. In No Bad Service we learn about
-         Satisfied vs loyal customers
-         Milk your own cows first
-         Your walk vs your talk
-         Behavior modification
-         How to make your service glitter!

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
October 12, 2017
The SEED Center
$20 per seat / 
$140 for table of 8
RSVP to [email protected]
Member-to-Member News & Events
Recently, we had several new members join: America's Rehab Campuses - Louisiana, LLCS, LLC (Entrepreneur Level Member) and Cane River Pecan Company and House of Sole Running (Business Members).
Next week, we have been invited to the 100 th  Anniversary Celebration and Ribbon Cutting at Farmers Rice Milling Company on October 11, and ribbon cuttings at Savannah Lakes  on October 12. Later in the month, we will be at TownePlace Suites Lake Charles on October 19, and at the one year anniversary at Pizza Artista on October 25.
If you would like to know more about your Chamber SWLA membership and/or the SWLA Economic Development Alliance, please attend next month's membership orientation. It will take place at the SEED Center on October 5 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP to Paula Ramsey at [email protected].
Demand for slots at this year's golf tournament is at an all time high and the first flight is already sold out!


October 27
1:30 Shotgun Start
$525 per four-person team
Economic Development News
This week is Manufacturing Week in Louisiana! As part of National Manufacturing Week, LED FastStart and regional and local workforce development organizations are teaming up to conduct the  Dream It. Do It. Louisiana  2017 campaign to dispel misconceptions about the manufacturing industry and to facilitate events that encourage students and young adults to consider careers in this profession. The  Dream It. Do It.  network and regional and local partners around the state want to increase manufacturing awareness by scheduling and planning tours of manufacturing facilities, school presentations and visits to community and technical colleges. Visit www.dreamitdoitla.com .

A newly enhanced Louisiana Site Selection Center website was also recently launched to help businesses search for and secure prospective sites and buildings throughout the state. The web-based tool for attracting businesses and industries to Louisiana is sponsored by Entergy Louisiana, with Louisiana Economic Development and economic development organizations and chambers of commerce statewide as partners.

"Attending the roll out of Entergy's Louisiana Site Selection Center was a great opportunity to learn about the new advanced website for industrial and commercial property listings. The website and its updated features will allow us to better market properties in Southwest Louisiana," said Morgan Murray Turpin, MBA, Economic Development and Research Director for the SWLA Economic Development Alliance.

Designed to meet the modern needs of various economic development allies, the Site Selection Center consists of an easy-to-use platform with enhanced search and property management tools. The revamped site uses a combination of geographic information system, or GIS, technology, business analysis and demographic data to give users the ability to quickly access Louisiana’s available commercial sites and resources.

Kudos & Congratulations
The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance
 www.allianceswla.org
 (337) 433-3632