Service Member for Life Transition Summit

Save the Date for the JBLM Service Member for Life Transition Summit in October:

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Noteworthies with a Local Link

The Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert announced today that Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael E. Smith will be assigned as president, Board of Inspection and Survey, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Smith is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group Three, Bremerton, Washington.

Thank You for Your Comments on the Army SPEA

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT THE ARMY SPEA.

UPDATE:  09-25-14

50th Anniversary Commemorative of Vietnam War

A 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War event will occur on October 9, 2014, from 1 – 5 pm.  Joint Base Lewis-McChord Salutes Vietnam-era Veterans on this singular occasion with  special activities (see following poster):

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Army SPEA Comments Deadline 2:00 PM Today

THE DEADLINE IS 2:00 p.m. PT, MONDAY.

Today is the FINAL day public comments will be accepted about our concerns of the possible reduction of 16,000 military and civilian jobs at JBLM.  See Washington State's impact here.

The easiest way for you to comment is online by filling out a comments form available here.

If you've not seen much about the issue, you can view some news articles on the Chamber's blog page here.

Ways to comment:
1.    Online
2.    Email comments
       Use Subject:  SPEA for Army2020 Force Structure Realignment


Linked is a SPEA comment letter template you may use.  There is also a "talking points" paper to assist you.  You may review on this link to learn more about SPEA.

Please forward this notice to others to encourage everyone in writing public comments.

How Many Private Sector Companies Total 16,000 Jobs? Part II

How many private sector companies does it take to total 16,000 jobs?  Looking at the Tacoma-Pierce Co. Economic Development Board's Major Employers List, which includes firms down to 100 employees, lots!

It takes 120 major employers!

Here's the list from the smallest (100 employees firm) up in increasing numbers of employees until 16,000 employees are totaled:

TACOMA ROOFING & WATERPROOFING
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, INC
CHIP'S CASINO LAKEWOOD
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, INC.
TACOMA ROOFING & WATERPROOFING
IKEA (Distribution Warehouse in Frederickson)
LUCKS FOOD DECORATING COMPANY
BELINA INTERIORS, INC
TACOMA CABINET & FIXTURE CO
JAMES HARDIE BUILDING PRODUCTS
AMERICAN FAST FREIGHT
FIRST GROUP
FRANKE TOBEY JONES RETIREMENT
TACOMA SCREW PRODUCTS
LAKEWOOD FORD
PROPEL INSURANCE
SUPERIOR LINEN SERVICES
PRO-BUILD
TOOL GAUGE & PLASTIC MOLDED PRODUCTS
NORTHWEST PROTECTIVE
TOYOTA OF PUYALLUP
CARL T. MADSEN INC
CASCADE PARK COMMUNITIES
FASTENAL COMPANY
GEORGIA PACIFIC GYPSUM LLC
INVESTCO FINANCIAL CORPORATION
TACTICAL TAILOR
METROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
CARDIAC STUDY CENTER
SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES INC.
HERITAGE BANK
GENERAL MECHANICAL INC.
WEATHERLY INN, THE
ARTBEADS.COM
FEDEX FREIGHT
KEMPER SPORTS
LINDEN GROVE CARE CENTER
TACOMA HOUSING AUTHORITY
BELLARMINE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
BURKHART DENTAL SUPPLY
PRINT NW
PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP
ALLIANCE ONE
BEST BUY
BUFFELEN WOODWORKING COMPANY
PABCO ROOFING PRODUCTS Pioneer Roofing
PATRIOT FIRE PROTECTION
RAINIER REHAB
THE TRUSS COMPANY
GLOBE MACHINE MANUFACTURING
NARROWS GLEN
SMITH FIRE SYSTEMS
BJ'S BINGO
REGENCY PACIFIC
CARLISLE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
CHARLES WRIGHT ACADEMY
JESSE ENGINEERING
AMERICA'S CREDIT UNION
ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION
MILES RESOURCES
PEXCO
CINTAS
CARLILE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD
COMMENCEMENT BAY CORRUGATED
GRANT & WEBER  (in Puyallup) New for 2014
HEARTWOOD EXTENDED HEALTHCARE
UMPQUA BANK
A A ASPHALTING
TOYSMITH.
TUCCI & SONS
VALDO'S CATERING
GOLDEN STATE FOODS
VALLEY FREIGHTLINER
HOLLANDER INVESTMENTS, INC.
ORCHARD PARK HEALTH CARE CENTER
KORUM MOTORS
COMPREHENSIVE LIFE RESOURCES
SEARS ROEBUCK AND CO.
ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOL
BNY  MELLON
COORDINATED CARE CORP
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE (UPS)
ADOLFSON & PETERSON
SHINING OCEAN
NORTHWEST MEDICAL SPECIALTIES
SOUND CREDIT UNION
GREAT AMERICAN CASINO
METAGENICS
SIMPSON INVESTMENT COMPANY
WESTMARK PRODUCTS
BARGREEN ELLINGSON
CASCADE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
MCFARLAND CASCADE
SOUND FAMILY MEDICINE
NORTHWEST DOOR
CADENCE AEROSPACE - PMW OPERATIONS
COCA-COLA BOTTLING GROUP of WA
LIFE CENTER aka FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD
GENERAL PLASTICS MANUFACTURING CO.
DAMERON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY CORP
U.S. OIL & REFINING
HARBORSTONE CREDIT UNION
HOTEL MURANO
SUPERVALU
WILCOX FAMILY FARM
SOUNDCARE, INC.
WESTERN INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD  (WIRB)
QUALITY FOOD CENTERS, INC. (QFC)
KOREAN WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION
U.S. BANK
BROWN & HALEY
SOUTHERN WINE AND SPIRITS
AUTO WAREHOUSING

How Many Private Sector Companies Total 16,000 Jobs?

How does 16,000 jobs compare with the largest companies employment in Pierce County?

Mulitcare Health System (every hospital)
Franciscan Health System (every hospital)
Fred Meyer Stores (every store)
State Farm Insurance (half the employees of this newest employer)

Fight for 16,000 Jobs. ACT NOW!

Monday, August 25 is the FINAL day public comments will be accepted about our concerns of the possible reduction of 16,000 military and civilian jobs at JBLM.  See Washington State's impact here.

THE DEADLINE IS MONDAY, AUGUST 25.

The easiest way for you to comment is online by filling out a comments form available here.

If you've not seen much about the issue, you can view some news articles on the Chamber's blog page here.

Ways to comment:
1.    Online
2.    Email comments
       Use Subject:  SPEA for Army2020 Force Structure Realignment
3.    Postal mail: 
         U.S. Army Environmental Command
         ATTN: SPEA Public Comments
         2450 Connell Road (Building 2264)
        Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-7664     

        Re: SPEA for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment

Linked is a SPEA comment letter template you may use.  There is also a "talking points" paper to assist you.  You may review on this link to learn more about SPEA.

Please forward this notice to others to encourage everyone in writing public comments.

Workshop for Aspiring Vetrepreneurs

Boots to Business: Reboot is a two-day intensive starting a business workshop for long-time separated and retired veterans and their spouses modeled after the current nationwide Boots to Business curriculum for newly transitioning veterans. 

It will be held on August 20 & 21 at Highline Community College from 8:30 – 4 on both days.

There will be a Resource Panel on August 21 from 9:30 – 10:50, moderated by the Small Business Administration’s own Veterans Affairs Officer, Rick Rauschenbach. 

At the Reboot to Business workshop event 21 Aug are a few key considerations:

• Link to the Agenda here.
• The presentation (Module 8-Local Resources) will be held in Building 8 of the Mt. Constance/Mt. Olympus room and the Resource Fair will be adjacent to the room
• The Resource Fair will be open from 10:50-4:00, with 2 breaks at 12:30-1:45 and 2:00-3:00

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DuPont Hosts Hudson Bay Day & Salmon BBQ

The DuPont Museum & Historical Society's Hudson Bay Day and Salmon BBQ is set for Sunday, August 17 (12-4 pm). See poster below for more info.

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AF Reserve Runs the Beast

The Air Force Reserve presents the Subway Beast Mode Challenge, Saturday, Sept. 6 at Meadowbrook Farm in Snoqualmie-North Bend. This 3.5-mile adventure run with 12 football-themed obstacles isn’t just about Seahawk’s explosive running back Marshawn Lynch breaking tackles, and stiff-arming defenders as he attacks the end zone …

Whether you sit at a desk, or are a world-class athlete everyone has an inner Beast Mode. This is your opportunity to come out and tear up an obstacle course meant to stop you from reaching the end zone! 

The Air Force Reserve is offering a $5-discount on registration for all current Department of the Defense identification card holders. To redeem the discount, visit BeastModeChallenge, select “register now,” join as individual (or even create a team!) click “enter promotional code” type AFR12 in the box, click “apply,” then enter the quantity in General Registration or Xfinity MVP Experience, and proceed  by selecting “register” (military ID will be required at packet pickup).

If you can’t make it, please don’t hesitate to tell your fellow service members and family, and don’t forget to give them the registration code for their AFR discount!

And you don’t have to be in the service to participate in the challenge!

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Fun From Both Sides Now

Want to be in the parade?  There are around 40-50 banners to carry in the parade and organizers are looking for volunteers that would like to help us carry them.  If anyone is interested contact Jane M. Hughes, 253.722.1438 or jhughes@kiddermathews.com. 

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Media Responds to News of Army RIF

The South Sound Military and Communities Partnership featured Congressman Denny Heck responding to a panel of local business owners and government department heads about the proposed reduction in force up to 16,000 civilian and military jobs at JBLM.


The Suburban Times:
Rep. Denny Heck Speaks on Potential JBLM Cuts 

Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber C-9 Blog:
State Ups Ante for Potential Army RIF

City of Lakewood:
Rep. Denny Heck Speaks on Potential JBLM Cuts

City of Lakewood (YouTube):
Denny Heck speaks on potential JBLM reductions #IamLakewood  

The News Tribune:
Local leaders say Army needs to know JBLM cuts would be devastating 

Olympian:
Local leaders say Army needs to know JBLM cuts would be devastating

Bellingham Herald:
Local leaders say Army needs to know JBLM cuts would be devastating

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News:
JBLM Job Cuts

KING5.com:
JBLM neighbors encouraged to speak up about potential cuts

Northwest Airlifter/Ranger: 
JBLM cuts on the horizon: South Sound leaders mobilize to soften blow