Vetrepreneur and Military Business-Supporter Honored

Seven Spotlight! On Business award recipients were announced at the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s awards luncheon held at the Foss Waterway Seaport today.

 

The Spotlight! On Business awards recognizes the accomplishments and civic contributions that Chamber member businesses make to the community.

 

2012 Recipients included:

 

Veteran-Owned Business:  West Business Concepts, Inc.

Recognized West Business Concepts, Inc., President Mel West’s “passion for helping people succeed in both their personal and professional lives thru coaching, change management and process improvement.”

 

The Port of Tacoma Presents the Business Supporter of Military:  Harborstone Credit Union

Recognized for their tremendous support of JBLM’s 42,000 service members through such community efforts as leading the Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). In four years of leading the chapter, they have raised an average of $150,000 per year. and raising in sharing their success with Joint Base Lewis McChord and the community.  From integrating soldiers into cities, to raising funds for welcoming returning soldiers, to their employees’ tireless activities in supporting the military, their contributions are considerable.

 

The Chamber extends its gratitude to Spotlight! On Business Awards Presenting Sponsor Business Health Trust, Printing Sponsor Pacific Lutheran University and Awards Sponsor Meracord for their support in making the event possible.

Navy Increases Poseidon Order

The U.S. Navy on Sept. 21 awarded Boeing a $1.9 billion contract for 11 P-8A Poseidon aircraft, which will take the total fleet to 24 and bolster the service's anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

This third low-rate initial production award follows two last year that totaled 13 aircraft. Boeing has delivered three of the production P-8As, which are based on the company's Next-Generation 737-800 commercial airplane, and the Navy plans to purchase 117 to replace its P-3 fleet.

"This contract is a stepping stone to full-rate production, and our focus remains on building Poseidon on cost and on schedule," said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager.

"It has been an exciting and productive year for the P-8A program," said Capt. Aaron Rondeau, P-8A deputy program manager for the Navy. "The fleet operators in Jacksonville are excited to have received their first three aircraft and look forward to the next delivery as they transition from the P-3 to the first P-8 fleet squadron."

Boeing assembles the P-8A aircraft in the same facility where it builds all its 737 aircraft. The Poseidon team uses a first-in-industry in-line production process that draws on Boeing's Next-Generation 737 production system. All P-8A-unique modifications are made in sequence during fabrication and assembly.

After assembly, the aircraft enter Boeing's mission system installation and checkout facility for final modifications.

The Boeing-led team also has built and is testing six flight-test and two ground- test aircraft under a Navy System Development and Demonstration contract awarded in 2004. The test aircraft have completed more than 600 sorties and 2,500 flight hours to date.

Boeing's industry team includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 61,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Noteworthies with a Local Link

The Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert announced today the assignment of Rear Adm. (lower half) Troy M. Shoemaker, who has been selected for the rank of rear admiral, will be assigned as chief of naval air training, Corpus Christi, Texas.  Shoemaker is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine, Everett, Wash. 

FORUM: HASC & MILCON

MILITARY AFFAIRS FORUM

Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber

  

Date & Time: WEDNESDAY, October 10, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Place: La Quinta Inn, Cedar Room

          La Quinta Inn, 1425 E. 27^th St., Tacoma 98421

Price:  $13.00 pre-paid by Oct. 5, noon

          $15.00 pre-paid after Oct. 5

          $20.00 walk-ins/at the door

Information: Janice Hutchins, (253) 627.2175 X100

RSVP:  DUE 12 noon, Oct. 5 (Friday) ß

REGISTERHERE!

 

Event Speaker:  Congressman Adam Smith

Congressional Update from Congressman Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC).  

 

The HASC retains jurisdiction of all subjects listed in clause 1(c) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives and retains exclusive jurisdiction for: defense policy generally, ongoing military operations, the organization and reform of the Department of Defense and Department of Energy, counter-drug programs, acquisition and industrial base policy, technology transfer and export controls, joint interoperability, the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, Department of Energy nonproliferation programs and detainee affairs and policy.

Event Speaker:  Victor Ramos, USACE, Program Manager Milcon at JBLM.

Victor Ramos, USACE, Program Manager for MILCON at JBLM. The Corps of Engineers is responsible for execution of the Military Construction Program at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).  The Military Construction Program at JBLM has experienced record years with respect to amount of construction contracts awarded per fiscal year.  Ramos is the Army MILCON Program Manager for Seattle District and JBLM is the installation he supports.  Ramos is responsible for assuring the District executes the projects at JBLM in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management (ACSIM), USACE HQ and JBLM.

Event Speaker:  Julie Anderson, Pierce Co. Auditor

Service members & the 2012 Election 

NEXT MEETING:

November 8:  John Anderson Military Citizen of the Year with Tacoma Rotary Club #8

Nat'l POW/MIA Recognition Day

Official Sequestration Impacts Reported

The impact of Sequestration on defense programs can be distilled to the Office of Management & Budget’s (OMB) report that funding for each defense account would be reduced by 9.4% if sequestration is imposed on Jan. 2, 2013. 

Almost all DoD and military service accounts including military construction and operations and maintenance would be subject to the same uniform reduction.  That’s a $54.7 billion loss in fiscal 2013.

There is no detail on projects, programs and activities.  The exception is military force structure accounts.  But federal civilian employment is not exempt.

Vet Start-Ups Have Financial Resource

Vets who want to start their own business have a unique financing option: the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Patriot Express loan program.

 

Patriot loans feature lower interest rates than other SBA programs, depending on the size and maturity of the loan.  There is a maximum loan amount of $500,000 under this program; there is no minimum.  The SBA will guaranty up to 85% of the total loan amount.

 

Jeff Ivey, VP-SBA/Business Lending says, “Harborstone is committed to this program and we are actively seeking veteran-owned businesses in need of financing.  This really is a great program and very easy to use for both the business and for the lender.”

 

Eligible businesses apply directly to local financial institutions (banks, credit unions), and not to the SBA.  Once all of the information is collected and the loan is approved by the lender, SBA approval typically occurs the same day.  Businesses that qualify must be owned by an eligible military community member, which includes:

• Veterans
• Service-disabled veterans
• Active-duty service members eligible for the military’s Transition Assistance Program
• Reservists and National Guard members
• Current spouses of any of the above
• The widowed spouse of a service member or veteran who died during service or of a service-connected disability

Loan proceeds can be used to finance the following:

• Start-up costs for a new business
• Equipment purchases
• Business-occupied real-estate purchases
• Inventory and working capital
• Preparing your business for the possibility of your deployment
• Establishment of more reasonable repayment terms on existing business debt

HAFPY BIRTHDAFY

Congratulations on its 65th anniversary of the Air Force's founding. "As we celebrate the United States Air Force's 65th birthday, we salute all of the dedicated airmen who serve or have served in our nation's youngest and most innovative service," write Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh, and CMSAF James Roy in a message to airmen.

Seeking Vet & Business Specialist

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce is seeking a Veterans & Business Specialist for a full-time, temporary contracted position at their downtown Tacoma location. Candidates should have military experience and be knowledgeable about the Tacoma –Pierce County business economy.

 

Get more info here.

 

Sequestration Estimates by WA Congressional District

 

The Center for Security Policy has posted new Congressional District Reports to help estimate the potential local economic impacts of the ten-year $500 billion in cuts to the nation's defense budget under Sequestration.  The reports are free and available online to the public at http://forthecommondefense.org/districts.

To view today's additional new release (Version 2.60) of the detailed reports with 2011 data showing the 18% Sequestration cuts for all U.S. states and territories, counties and cities go to http://forthecommondefense.org/reports .

According to the Aerospace Industries Association, “Four out of five likely voters in critical battleground states want our leaders in Washington, D.C. to find an alternative to “sequestration” budget cuts before the November elections take place, according to a Harris Interactive online poll.”

The Congressional District Reports are a tool to help local officials and businesses prepare for the possible impact of job losses and harm to local communities from the sequestration budget cuts.  The Congressional District Reports provide a 2011 baseline to see how congressional districts may be affected by the planned across-the-board sequestration cuts in the 2013 defense budget.  These sequestration defense budget cuts will be an estimated total of 18% or more when combined with earlier budget cuts.

Download a separate spreadsheet for each congressional district in Washington state: 

1. Vacant    

2. Rick Larsen    
3. Jaime Herrera Beutler    
4. Doc Hastings    
5. Cathy McMorris Rodgers    
6. Norman D. Dicks    
7. Jim McDermott    
8. David G. Reichert    
9. Adam Smith

These Congressional District Reports show 2011 defense contracts for businesses in each congressional district (and bordering zip codes), including the contract dollar amount, contractor business name,  address and phone number, the contractor industry classification, and whether the business is a small or disadvantaged business, woman-owned, minority-owned or veteran-owned.  The Congressional District Reports are provided as a spreadsheet file for each congressional district.  They include contractor businesses in zip codes that are exclusively within the congressional district, as well as businesses in zip codes shared with bordering congressional districts.

To build each Congressional District Report, contract information was derived from public data at the Federal Procurement Data System ( https://www.fpds.gov) based on queries from http://www.governmentcontractswon.com, and combined with public zip code data linked to congressional districts.

The detailed reports for Sequestration's economic impacts on states, Cities and Counties have all been updated for the new release (Version 2.60) of the Defense Breakdown Economic Impact Reports, at http://www.forthecommondefense.org/reports including:

• Updated menus
• Additional links to profiles of 874 Government Contracting Offices, as reported for each state, city and county's contracts performed in that locality
• Archiving data for years 2006-2010
• Removal of largely "non-discernable" "weapons systems" data from "Place of Performance" reports
• Updated 4-page State Summary Reports for changed estimates on personnel cuts due to policy changes

The “Defense Breakdown Economic Impact Reports” are a project of the Center for Security Policy for the Coalition for the Common Defense, intended to educate and engage the American public on the importance of maintaining a strong national defense. 

About the Coalition for the Common Defense

The Coalition for the Common Defense is an alliance of like-minded individuals and organizations who believe that without provision for the “common defense,” as articulated by the Founders, the freedom that has allowed unprecedented opportunity and prosperity to flourish in this country would soon be imperiled. In this new age of budgetary cuts, the Coalition rejects the false choice between military strength and economic health contending that economic prosperity depends on a strong national defense. Through a series of events and strategic partnerships, the coalition is calling on elected officials, candidates for office and others who share our commitment to the common defense to uphold these principles.  We must return the United States to sensible fiscal principles without sacrificing our national security.

 

A full statement of principles can be located here. The Coalition of the Common Defense can be found online at www.forthecommondefense.org.

 

About the Center for Security Policy

The Center for Security Policy is a non-profit, non-partisan national security organization that specializes in identifying policies, actions, and resource needs that are vital to American security and then ensures that such issues are the subject of both focused, principled examination and effective action by recognized policy experts, appropriate officials, opinion leaders, and the general public.

For more information visit www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org.

Remembrance for 9/11

Today marks the anniversary of 9/11, Patriot Day and the annual “National Day of Service and Remembrance.”

 

"Behind this National Day of Service and Remembrance are the patriots who died on 9/11, the men and women protecting and defending our nation, and families all across America supporting their loved ones. With eternal strength and dedicated resolve, we gather our memories, hope and prayers to pay reverence and respect to all we have lost, our veterans, and all who continue to serve," said Tom Pierson, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber President & CEO.

 

President’s proclamation

 

DOD to Host 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

 

September 11 Flag Lowering

 

Governor Chris Gregoire joins President Obama in directing Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in recognition of Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, 2012.

 

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Tuesday, or first thing Wednesday morning.

 

Tacoma Fire Department Ceremony

 

Today, the Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) will honor the heroes and victims of 9/11 at a public remembrance ceremony at the Firefighter’s Memorial, 3301 Ruston Way. The remembrance ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m.

Rebuilding the World Trade Center

In honor of the 11th anniversary of September 11th, EarthCam is proud to premiere this new commemorative time-lapse with cinematic views of the World Trade Center site from multiple webcams. The movie focuses on the rise of One World Trade Center, New York's tallest building, and has spectacular shots of the entire downtown New York City skyline. The footage was captured between February 2010 and September 2012.

 

 

AUSA Hosts Deployment Social

On Thursday, September 27, 2012, the Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) will be hosting a Deployment Social for the Leadership of 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Lakewood Ford.   

 

The social will begin at 6:00 PM.  Business leaders and civilians will be charged $20.00 to attend and all service members can attend for free.   During the social, Famous Dave’s will be providing the food.   You can pay your $20.00 at the door by either check or cash.   This gathering will also serve as a quarterly AUSA general membership meeting.

 

Please RSVP by September 24^th here.