Chambers set schedules
■ The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce will meet at noon today at Froso’s Restaurant in Soldotna. An Emergency Management update is planned. RSVP to 262-9814.
■ The Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce will host a joint luncheon at noon Wednesday at the Kenai Visitors Center for a presentation on “Your business and Pot: Providing details on the new marijuana regulations and how it affects business,” by Renee Schofield, CEO of TSS Inc. RSVP to 283-1991 by 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Soldotna Teen Club benefits from Credit Union 1 Community Support Fund
Credit Union 1 (CU1) is pleased to announce that its One for All Alaska Fund has surpassed 2013’s total by 14 percent, showing a strong year-over-year increase. Since the fund’s inception in 2011, the total amount disbursed to community-based nonprofits has increased 190 percent.
In 2014, the fund’s focus was “community change.” Organizations that support this focus were chosen as beneficiaries in each community where CU1 has a branch. All donations remained in the community in which they were raised.
A grand total of $41,120.58 was donated from the 2014 One for All Alaska Fund to the following organizations:
■ The Children’s Lunchbox (Anchorage)
■ Fairbanks Youth Advocates (Fairbanks)
■ Kodiak Women’s Resource and Crisis Center (Kodiak)
■ First City Homeless Services (Ketchikan)
■ The Soldotna Teen Club (Soldotna)
■ Boys & Girls Club of Eagle River (Eagle River)
■ Boys & Girls Club of Nome (Nome)
Junior Achievement Raffle tickets available
The Kenai Junior Achievement Committee has put together a raffle fundraiser for the 2014-2015 school year. Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. Tickets are $10 each and all proceeds benefit Junior Achievement programs on the Kenai Peninsula. Winning tickets will be drawn on March, 21, 2015 at the Kenai River Brown Bears hockey game. You need not be present to win. First place is $1,000, Second place is $600 and third place is $400.
To purchase tickets, please contact Janet Johnson at johnsoja@denalifcu.com or 907-257-1669 or Renee Rybak at r.rybak@alaskausa.org or 907-395-4505.
AK-CESCL storm water training program offered
The Kenai Watershed Forum is sponsoring two Alaska certified erosion and sediment control lead training sessions Feb. 9-10 in Soldotna. This training explains the erosion process and how to obtain and comply with the EPA NPDES Construction General Permit. The course will describe the key elements of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and stormwater Best Management Practices. This is a requirement for people who work on Alaska DOT roads. Other people who may need this certification include commercial and residential builders, project engineers, natural resource managers and anyone responsible for creating, maintaining or evaluating a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.
Farm business workshops slated
Kenai Soil & Water Conservation District invites current and prospective farm business owners to attend one of three educational workshops entitled “Flowers, Fruit & Vegetables: Profitable Opportunities in Alaska.” Presenters Jeff Tranel and John Hewlett of RightRisk, LLC (Colorado) will teach participants how to assess and manage the unique risks of farm businesses with crop insurance, good records and other risk management tools; how to calculate annual profits and long-term return on investment; and how to manage farm income taxes. Sessions are Jan. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at Homer Public Library and Jan. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m., at Kenai Community Library. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. To register for Kenai Peninsula locations, contact Heidi Chay at 283-8732 ext. 5 or kenaiswcd@gmail.com.
Applications due for Dream Big Small Business of the Year Awards Program
Applications are due by Feb. 2, 2015 for the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Awards Program. There are many businesses here on the Kenai Peninsula that could qualify for this award, so submit your application. There is a great chance to win $10,000 to help you with your business in 2015.
The Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Sam’s Club, celebrates the success of small business and honors its contributions to America’s economic growth. This is a chance to win a $10,000 cash prize and gain national recognition for your business! Are you a small business owner with a unique story to tell? If so, then we want to hear from you! The winner, and the 7 regional finalists, and 100 Blue Ribbon winners will be acknowledged on June 9 during America’s Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C.
Eligible small businesses can apply by completing the application form, found at https://www.uschamber.com/americas-small-business-summit-2015/dream-big-award.
The application fee is $25 for U.S. Chamber of Commerce members and $150 for non-members. The $150 fee includes a one-year Small Business Alley Level Membership to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
What’s new in your business?
Have you opened a new business, moved to a new location, hired a new person or promoted an employee?
Send us your information at news@peninsulaclarion.com, fax it to 907-283-3299, or drop it by the Clarion at 150 Trading Bay in Kenai.
Questions? Call 907-335-1251.
Business announcements may be submitted to news@peninsulaclarion.com.
