Member of the Week
Vote Yes to Say No to Taxes on Construction Projects
The Chamber SWLA and its Board of Directors urge voters to vote YES on Constitutional Amendment #1 when voting on October 14.
    
Constitutional Amendment #1 will prohibit the assessment of property taxes on any
project while it is under construction. Only when construction of a house, building or facility is completed and ready for its intended use should the local assessor place 
the property on the tax rolls. 

If the amendment does not pass, citizens and businesses could be taxed on construction of homes, barns and other structures. Constitutional Amendment #1 provides certainty 
to every business seeking to invest money and create jobs in Louisiana by ensuring it 
is not targeted with a new, arbitrary and unexpected property tax bill. Please note 
that this Amendment does not effect current tax revenue on the local government 
level. Construction projects have not been taxed in the past and this amendment will 
prevent them from being taxed in the future.

For more information, visit protectlataxpayers.com.
George Swift
Alliance News & Events
Today, Mayor Nic Hunter of Lake CHarles addressed a full house at his First 100 Days Luncheon. Mayor Hunter detailed his accomplishments to date and his plans for the future of Lake Charles. When addressing his plans for infrastructure - especially drainage - the City's goals "Proaction not Reaction."

Mayor Hunter (center) is pictured with Governmental Affairs Vice Chair Bart Yakupzack and 2017 Chamber SWLA Board Chair Ken Francis.
Only a few seats remain for this event...
Bad service is like heart disease…it kills! In just a few seconds bad service can kill all that you have worked for!

But….great service can take away all the heart aches and pump new blood into your business! Great service is something to get excited about! It’s what makes people go WOW!

It is not just your service….it is the way your service  LOOKS !
The way your service  FEELS !
The way your service  SOUNDS !

Since we are what we think about then we need to be thinking about world class service all day long. In No Bad Service we learn about
-         Satisfied vs loyal customers
-         Milk your own cows first
-         Your walk vs your talk
-         Behavior modification
-         How to make your service glitter!

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
October 12, 2017
The SEED Center
$20 per seat / 
$140 for table of 8
RSVP to DMonceaux@allianceswla.org
Have you ever wanted to launch
your own
Food Business?

The LSU AgCenter Food Incubator is hosting a step-by-step presentation on how to estimate financial investment and feasibility of your new food business or product. Don’t miss this presentation if you are interested in launching a food business or renting a DHH approved  facility for your new food business.

November 10, 2017
12 PM-2 PM
 The SEED Center
4310 Ryan Street, Lake Charles 

To reserve your spot at the new LSU AgCenter Food Incubator presentation, RSVP by November 5 to Dottie Monceaux at dmonceaux@allianceswla.org.
Live2Lead is coming to SOWELA!

Whether you are aspiring to become a leader, brand new in a leadership role, or a veteran of leadership, this broadcast event will breathe new life into your personal leadership. Be inspired from world-class leadership experts to implement a new action plan, and start leading when you get back to the office with renewed passion and commitment as you endeavor to Live2Lead!

The broadcast will begin on Thursday, November 2, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at SOWELA Technical Community College's Regional Training Center Auditorium (3820 Sen. J. Bennett Johnston Ave., Lake Charles, LA 70615). 

This event is hosted by SOWELA Technical Community College & Fierro LS&Co and sponsored by the SWLA Economic Development Alliance and Digikast.

Chamber SWLA members get the discount rate of $89 when they use CHAMBER17 . 
(General Admission is $99).
Dr. Loren Scott Outlook is sold out!
Dr. Loren Scott
Dr. Loren Scott returns to Southwest Louisiana for his annual "Louisiana Outlook" report on October 11th.

Thanks for our sponsors (Iberia Bank & the H.C. Drew Center at McNeese State University) we are able to provide this event free of charge.
Member-to-Member News & Events
Recently, we had several new members join: America's Rehab Campuses - Louisiana, LLCS, LLC & Avail Health Lake Charles Hospital (Entrepreneur Level Members), Mainstay Suites Hotel (Preferred Member) and House of Sole Running (Business Member).
This week, we have been invited to the 100 th  Anniversary Celebration and Ribbon Cutting at Farmers Rice Milling Company on October 11, and ribbon cuttings at Savannah Lakes  (noon) and Mainstay Suites Hotel in Hackberry ( 2 p.m.) on October 12. Later in the month, we will be at TownePlace Suites Lake Charles on October 19, and at the one year anniversary at Pizza Artista on October 25.
Demand for slots at this year's golf tournament is at an all time high and the first flight is already sold out!


October 27
1:30 Shotgun Start
$525 per four-person team
Kudos & Congratulations
The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance
 www.allianceswla.org
 (337) 433-3632