February 2019
The Edge eNewsletter
 for a community on the cutting edge!
HNWCC logo
THE RELEVANT RECAP
Dear Chamber & Community Friends,
One of the reasons that the Houston Northwest Chamber has thrived over the last 45 years is because the chamber has been forced to fill what we call "the gaps in governance". This is no one's fault nor a result of incompetence. If you have a few hours, we can explain it to you. Here is a perfect example...

We were notified that there are three Housing Tax Credit (HTC)apartment developments being proposed in our area for a general population. The Houston Northwest Chamber has historically been open to seeing housing for the elderly come into the area. After all, many of us will need this! But those developments that provide low income housing for families are not in keeping with the objectives of the Chamber to maintain the property values and to utilize vacant lands for the highest and best uses. The Chamber Board and our local legislators are electing to write letters of opposition regarding these projects in an attempt to prevent their development. We suggest that the HOAs and MUDs in these areas weigh in on what their organizations want. Go to https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/multifamily/housing-tax-credits-9pct/index.htm to the application logs and view project # 119101 (near Shirley Acres on Woerner Rd.), #19275 (near Stuebner-Airline and Strack Rd.) and # 19284 (Louetta at Terranova West Drive). For guidance, please feel free to contact us at the Chamber, your substitute for municipal government!

Sincerely,
Barbara Thomason
President
Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce
ADVOCACY TRIP TO AUSTIN
Monday, February 25 - Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Join other members from area Chambers for a private dinner with legislators and their staff at Austin's Chez Zee on Monday evening.

Breakfast on Tuesday will be at the new Texas Association of Business offices with special guest speaker George P. Bush and TAB CEO Jeff Moseley and then we are off to meet with our legislators in Advocacy Teams. Transportation and hotel accommodations are coordinated with the Chamber and the Advocacy Team Package (includes dinner, breakfast, group photo & legislative packet) will be $85. Download the Information Flyer and/or Register Here: bit.ly/Austin2019 The Hotel block with special room rates ends Feb. 4th! Those who register will meet in person or by conference call in later February before our trip to coordinate.
GROWING WEALTH | GROWING LIVES
with Bobby Lieb

The Rainmakers
"The 86 th Texas Legislative session is underway, and the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce, through its Public Policy Council, has diligently prepared its legislative agenda in anticipation of this session. Among other legislative priorities, such as public school finance reform, reauthorization of state economic development incentives, and greater MUD transparency, is the call for state funding for flood mitigation projects through the release of surplus monies in the State Rainy Day Fund." 
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
We are delighted to continue adding to our growing Chamber membership. If you haven't met these new and returning members yet at a Chamber networking event, we encourage you to click on their names below and welcome them to the community!











Join us on Valentine's Day to hear from David Hagy with Texas Central Railroad about the High Speed Rail and more details from Chamber Board Chair, Dr. Rodney Watson, about our Strategic Initiatives for 2019!
NEW MEMBERSHIP PATHS & INVESTMENT OPTIONS ARE HERE! CLICK TO VIEW
2019-2024 Chamber Strategic Plan

The VISION of the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce is to serve as the voice of the business, municipal, government and philanthropic entities of our community, fostering unity, growth & success for generations.

Our MISSION remains To Develop Successful Businesses and a Thriving Community.

For 2019, our Strategic Goals are:
1) To develop and maintain the highest caliber of Chamber leadership. [This means leadership in staff, volunteer, Board and in the community!]

2) To grow Chamber membership through recruitment and retention successes. [We must rebuild after Harvey hurt so many member businesses. Additionally, we are introducing NEW MEMBERSHIP PATHS to make membership bring you more value!]

3) Assess the Chamber’s marketing, technology and program offerings, both current and potential, and their level of support to businesses and the local economy.

4) Advance Public Policy Advocacy at the local, state and federal levels. [ View the Chamber's Public Policy Positions below.]
Chamber's 2019 Public Policy

The Public Policy Council is a Board-appointed body, chaired by Mr. David Riddle, that reviews issues and makes recommendations to the Board for advocacy positions. In preparation for the 86th Legislation Session, the following Position Statements were approved by the Board and will be communicated to our Legislators.

LAST CALL
Place your ad in the final printed edition of the Houston Northwest Chamber Member Directory and reach your next business connection. All ads must be submitted one week from today (Feb. 8).
COMING SOON!
Keep an eye out for this logo and look for details on how you can participate in these special community events!

Your voice matters.
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome New Members!
NEW Chamber Membership Paths
Economic Outlook Forum, Mar. 29
February Community Luncheon
Talks of the Town
Chamber Member News & Events
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Darian Tucker & Amanda Lane
Circle of Living Hope is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) foster care and adoption agency. We are based in Houston with 6 branch locations in Texas. Circle of Living Hope works to license individuals interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents. We continue to monitor homes once licensed, providing direct care to children placed into foster care and offering training and support to foster parents.

Our agency is built on compassion, patience, love and understanding. We currently serve over 200 children in our licensed homes. Individuals interested in supporting our mission by way of donations, volunteering or becoming foster parents should contact our corporate office at 877-240-4673 x 6 or visit our website at www.colh.org .

You can make a difference in a child's life. 
CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS & EVENTS
EVENTS:
Jan. 31-Feb.1

Feb. 2

Feb. 7
*NEW TIME* 4:00-6:30 PM

Feb. 8
If you volunteer with or serve as a committee leader for the Chamber this is a fantastic event to attend!

Feb. 12

Feb. 14

Feb. 25-26

Feb. 26
Harvey Funds Still Available For Businesses and Families
The Houston Northwest Chamber Of Commerce and NAM invite you to apply for Disaster Assistance Grants. Download the document below. There are still funds!
RIBBON CUTTINGS
& GRAND OPENINGS!
We love celebrating our members and their amazing accomplishments from ground breakings and new businesses to new ownership and everything in between:

1.15 | Atlas Bolt & Screw
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION BREAKFAST
Each month we hold a breakfast to welcome our new members and provide details on Chamber membership benefits and how to utilize them, from your online profile and directory listing to sponsorship opportunities and ribbon cuttings! We'd like to thank our January Breakfast Host: FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES !
SPECIAL SPONSOR OPPORTUNITY!

The monthly Apartment Managers Luncheons (a Special Interest Group of the Chamber) is searching for luncheon sponsors for our next event. If your company could benefit from a connection with local apartment managers this is great opportunity to sponsor and connect!

Please contact Barbara Thomason if you are interested. (281) 440-4160
NETWORKING BREAKFAST
Many thanks to Molen & Associates for hosting the January Networking Breakfast! We are looking forward to our next breakfast on February 26th at Windwood Presbyterian Church! RSVP here!
DISCOVER NW HOUSTON APP
The only app for BOTH visitors and community members.
DOWNLOAD IT TODAY!

This app ' unifies
To learn more, contact Bar-Z Mobile's:
Peter Coulter
(281) 782-5262
Calling all Young Professionals! Check out our Facebook page!
*Young Professionals must be between age 21-40.
Your Ad Here!
Want to share your news or more information about your business with ~4500 business owners, community members, and public servants?
Contact us at (281) 440-4160
or click here !
DIAMONDS & ICE GALA RECAP
RED, WHITE & BLUE SIGNATURE SPONSOR:
View all other sponsors here .
GALA HONOREES
The Diamond Award presented to Fallbrook Church was received by Pastor Michael Pender. Presenting the award is last year's awardee: Southwestern Energy's Ron Smith.
L to R: Barbara Thomason, Pastor Michael Pender, Ron Smith
2019 Gala Honorees, Becky & Mark Lanier are presented with an award for their significant impact on the economic health and well-being of the community.
L to R: Barbara Thomason, Becky Lanier, Mark Lanier
FEBRUARY COMMUNITY LUNCHEON
LUNCH & LEARN | Feb. 28
INVEST IN YOUR BUSINESS
Our next 2019 Lunch & Learn is coming up on February 28th and we are looking forward to hearing from Corey Harlock of Key Hire Recruiting Solutions on the topic:


Cost: $20 for members; $25 for non-members. Prices increase $5 on Feb. 26th. Purchase your seats online or by calling (281) 440-4160.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS & NETWORKING BREAKFASTS
The Chamber provides free networking opportunities for BOTH Chamber and non-Chamber members. People do business with people - come connect!

CEO ROUNDTABLE | Feb. 13
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FORUM
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS TO DATE:
Presenting Sponsor
H-E-B
LiftFund
Northland Christian School
Office Systems of Texas
Our Lady of the Lake University
IMPORTANT LINKS