Tanker Bid Process Delayed

The Department of Defense announced today the deadline for responding to the refueling tanker bid will be extended an additional 60 days to July 9, 2010.

This change allows more time for the European consortium EADS to piece together a bid after its American partner dropped out of the process. EADS has not yet confirmed that they will compete for the contract. The contract represents about $40 billion worth of work for the winner bidder.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Board recently added its support to the Boeing bid for this contract.

Health Care Reform Bill Timeline

With the passing of the health care reform bill into law recently, businesses might need a handy reference to guide them on the timing of the upcoming various changes.

The Chamber’s health care partner, Brown and Brown of Washington, developed a Health Care Reform Timeline that is easy to navigate and read.

Link here to download the report.

Chamber Supports Boeing's Bid for KC-X

Click on image for larger view.

Small Business Announcements

Check your own entry for accuracy at the State's New Consumer Website:
The Department of Revenue has launched a Website to allow consumers to check the conduct of companies they may wish to do business with. Suspectfraud.com allows consumers to check whether a business is legally registered and licensed and pays its taxes. Visitors also can verify the legitimacy of charity fundraisers and make reports to the state for further investigation. The site is a collaboration primarily between the Department of Revenue and the Department of Labor and Industries.

Subscribe to e-News for Small Businesses:
If you would like to receive e-News for Small Businesses, please visit this link to subscribe.

Tax Season 2010:
News releases, fact sheets, tax tips, YouTube videos and podcasts that provide helpful information for filing your tax return.

Free Workshop: Customer Loyalty Strategies that Work

The City of Tacoma’s Community and Economic Development Department will be hosting its first Economic Gardening Business Workshop in 2010: Customer Loyalty Strategies that Work.

This workshop is FREE to any business that is located in Tacoma. (view flyer)

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Choose a morning or evening session
8:00am – 10:00am or 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: Bates Technical College – South Campus
2201 S. 78th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409, Bldg E-Rm 102

Refreshments and light snacks will be served.

To Register Online:
Morning Session (8:00-10:00)
Evening Session (5:30-7:30)

To Register by phone or for questions, please contact Christine Clifford, or 253.573.2435.

Shorelines Roundtable With Councilmember Fey

Councilmember Jake Fey, who represents District 2 in Tacoma, met with members of the Shorelines Task Force in a roundtable discussion about the Shorelines Update process now underway.

This was Councilmember Fey's first meeting with the Shorelines Task Force and his first information on the issue since a notice some months ago that the City was developing the update.

Task Force members attending spoke of their concerns about proposed public access without consideration for public safety and security mandates, restrictions on expansion of facilities in industrial areas, restrictions on operational facilities in industrial areas where similar recreational infrastructure proposes to be allowed and the basic intent changes to make industry in industrial areas subject to impacts on subsequent non-industrial developments. 

Councilmember Fey asked if the group would accept an invitation for a roundtable at the Council's Environment and Public Works Committee which he chairs.  Task Force members were enthusiastic in their affirmation.

Shorelines On the Road

Last night marked the first on-the-road outreach by the Chamber's Shorelines Task Force with a panel presentation at the Propeller Club, Port of Tacoma Chapter.

Panelists (Gary Coy/Sperry Ocean, Dave McEntee/Simpson, Jason Jordan/Port of Tacoma, Scott Mason/ILWU and Mike Weinman/Weinman Consulting-Chamber Government Affairs) spoke to their issues and concerns (business continuity and job opportunity). 

Propeller Club members were encouraged to participate in the process.  The Port of Tacoma's comments, available here, were requested by Propeller Club members.  The Port's comments serve as an excellent general guide for specific issues and remedies in the draft Shorelines Update.  Likewise, the Chamber Business & Trade Manager Gary Brackett, serving as panel moderator, shared with the Propeller Club, a set of principles suggested to guide advocacy efforts.  That list of principles is available here. These principles serve as the "bones" for the "meat" of comments that should relate to the specific needs and concerns of individuals and businesses.

For those wishing to participate in the public process of developing a Shorelines Update, comments may be made or copied to Tacoma's Shorelines Update lead staff Stephen Atkinson or 747 Market St., Ste. 1036, Tacoma 98402-5531.

The Tacoma Planning Commission (first for review and approval) and the Tacoma City Council (final for review and approval) (contact info) are scheduled to make their decisions about August and October, respectively.  The public involvement process is now open and accepting public comments.  Your input will be part of the decision process.

For related blog articles, use the label:  "Shoreline" as immediately below.