Thank you! - Membership Renewals July-October · South Texas IT 116 Sugar Creek Rockport, Texas...

Thank you! - Membership Renewals July-OctoberWharf Cat, GSM Insurors GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR, Griffith and Brundrett Surveying & Engineering, Aransas Area Bay Fishing, Kontiki Beach Management I, LLC, The Rockport Pilot, Woman's Club Of Aransas County, Town of Fulton, Moore Than Feed, Oyster House Restaurant, Rockport-Fulton Good Samaritans, Inc, Paradise House, Rockport Fitness - DIAMOND LEVEL SPONSOR, Humane Society & Adoption Center of Rockport/Fulton, Redfish Bay Cottage, Grace Point Bed and Breakfast, Church Unlimited Rockport, Kimmi's Fine Foods, Electrik Beach Tanning Salon, Kimmy's Nails, Coastal Shores Real Estate Company, LLC, State Representative Geanie W. Morrison, On The Map, Aransas County Democratic Club, The Bead Studio, LLC, Alliance Patrol Services, Magnolia's, Mermaid Ranch Coastal Decor, Crab N Restaurant, GSM Insurors GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR, Panjos Pizza and Pasta Inc.,Fulton Mansion State Historic Site, Sandollar Security & Sound, Aransas County United Way, Waffle Cone Co., Aransas Security, Charter Bank, Angel Rose Bed & Breakfast Inn, Whataburger, Inc., American Bank - Rockport, Rockport Little Theatre, Adelaide Marlatt, Hogan Homes, Kool Storage, Taqueria Puerto Vallarta, Aransas County ISD Education Foundation, Lynn Blumenfeld, Richard Bianchi, NativeDave Inc, Cathy Hinchman, LMT, Isagenix Independent Associates, KEDT-TV & FM South Texas Public Broadcasting, Rockport Area Association of Realtors, Yoga & Fitness By Dorene, C.K. Massage Therapy, Pam Dixon Frost - Realtor, Aransas County Republican Party, Jessica M. Hernandez, L.M.T., A.T.M.A.T Massage Therapy, J.C. Knocke Professional Development, Mac's Landing RV Park, H&R Block, Magnum Websites, David & Carla Gibson, GSM Insurors GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR, Aransas Area Bay Fishing, Johnson & Creekmore, C.P.A., Laguna Reef Condominium Association, Sigwald Service Inc, Aransas County Appraisal District, Aransas Bird & Nature Club, Alby's Seafood Market & Po Boys, Hampton Inn & Suites-Rockport Fulton, Pat & Dora McKelvey, ACRV Repair Center, CHRISTUS Spohn Physicians Group Urgent Care Center-Portland, The Groove, Heritage Place Venue, Ranch Dressin.

Ribbon Cuttings ......3New Members ........2

Volume 33, Issue 2 319 Broadway, Rockport, TX 78382 (361) 729-6445 Oct.-Dec., 2017

14

Continued on page 2

President/CEO's Message................by Diane Probst

BusinessAfter Hours

5:00–6:30:Thursday, April 23

Business ExpoPaws & Taws FultonConvention Center

•Thursday, May 25

Symphonic Financial1002 E. Main St.

Downtown Rockport•

Thursday, June 29Sassy's

416 S. Austin St.Downtown Rockport

Small BusinessSaturday

Saturday, November 25

Business After Hours5:00–6:30:

Thursday, November 30Dr. Raleigh A. Smith

MD, FACS1401 W. Wheeler Ave.

Aransas PassChamber Holiday

Luncheon11:30–1:00:Tuesday, Dec. 122002 FM 3036

Rockport

Our new normal; positive outcomes ahead of us

I will be honest. For the first month after Hurricane Harvey hit, most of us were not "driving" our days... our days were being "driven" by what Harvey had done to us and what would come next would range in emotions from experiencing good things to hearing, seeing, etc. bad things. We were just getting through each day the best we knew how. It wasn't

easy for any of us no matter where we lived or had to live during that time. Now, fast forward two months, we can begin to see opportunities coming our way for our community. It almost seems as though those with community development type of support knew we had to get through the crisis phase before they stepped in. Here is what is unfolding and happening in regards to helping our community: the County has hired a person to head the long term recovery and a foundation has provided two former city managers to assist and write the long term recovery plan that is needed for reimbursement funds, state and federal government, etc. We all know you have to know what you want and where you are going in order to get what you need. A strike team is working on the housing situation (no money flowing this way and why?) This is needed so our workforce can come back. An Ad Hoc Small Business Committee is working on programs to get short term and long term assistance to businesses as they wait for their insurance checks on the short term and plan for the future for long term. A preliminary economic forecast is being provided at the next Chamber Luncheon Nov. 14 at the Rockport Service Center. This will help in business planning and give all of us to better plan for the future. The International Economic Development Council is assisting with the creation of an Economic Development Plan. We will need community involvement so set aside the week of Dec. 11 for very important sessions on seeking your input for planning and development. A social media tourism "come back" campaign is being developed by University of Texas students of homeowner Jeff and Anne Hunt. We are also being helped by ICF agency on the creative branding for the "come back" campaign. This is all being provided through grants or probono work. We are monitoring the hotel, condo, rental situation and trying to coordinate it with the "come back" campaign. This will take us through to the end of the year. Please keep in mind, every day people are working hard to meet the needs of the community and plan for a future beyond our what we could have every imagined. It is exciting to see the opportunities unfold.

After Harvey: in the eye of the storm

What a whirlwind (literally) we have all been through. Fortunately the Chamber offices suffered minimal damage and were operational quickly. Our "Chairman's Honor Hall" and our hard-working staff have hosted many community meetings there and our Board and Committees are meeting regularly. On the Monday prior to Harvey's landfall

we had a fantastic planning retreat where we spent the morning planning your Chamber's goals, strategies and tactics for the next year.

The interaction and energy between board members was awesome. The goals we planned to focus on included membership development, communications, diversification of industry, strategic regional partnerships and resource development. These goals will be a future plan of work for the Chamber, but now we are focused on recovery. The role of the Chamber post-Harvey is settling in at the following: building the economy back, bringing the workforce back bigger and better, continue driving events and information to the residents and the visiting public and carry forward with its philanthropic efforts. The Chamber will help build the economy back through a strong tourism "come back" program that staff and the Tourism Development Council are working on. A session on future planning is already set for the week of Dec. 11 where the International Economic Development Council has agreed to support the community with a pro bono facilitator and the Chamber will facilitate programs to assist new and existing business, advertise the community to bring back tourism, and help with future planning to jump start our economy. The Recovery effort will establish a public information officer. The Chamber will push out public information through events and happenings. It is imperative for our businesses to have employees in order to function. The Chamber will establish creative ways through Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend to assist with attracting qualified employees. And lastly, the Chamber stepped up using its Foundation to receive donations for our community’s humanitarian, business redevelopment and recovery efforts and did this within the first 24 hours of Harvey hitting our community. Now, eight weeks after the hurricane, cash, checks, gift cards and funds coming from electronic means have slowed. The fund generated just over $900,000 in this

Chairman's Message.....................by Betty Hattman

Code 3 ER400 N. Enterprise Blvd. • Rockport

Coast Modern1012 E. North St • Rockport

North Shore Country Club801 E. Broadway Ave.• Portland

Taste of New Orleans & More1233 W. Market St. • Rockport

Hogan Homes102 Norwood Oaks Drive • Rockport

Italian Cowboy Food & Provisions GB928 Main Street • Rockport

The Disciple Ship Nautical Decor235 S. Commercial • Aransas Pass

July, August, September Groundbreakings

and Ribbon Cuttings

Estes RV Resort140 Estes DriveRockport, Texas 78382361-386-2263piratebayrentals@gmail.comBay Blazer: Candy Fletcher

Green Acres RV Retreat1508 Lone Star RoadFulton, Texas 78358361-386-4100happytrailsrvrepair@yahoo.comBay Blazer: Elizabeth Martin

Dr. Jeremy Mills DDS, Inc504 S. Pearl St.Rockport, Texas 78382361-729-7710millsdds@yahoo.comBay Blazer: Tempe Parisette

The June Project3513 Hwy. 35 N.Rockport, Texas 78382631-729-7484drdana@horizonvetclinic.comBay Blazer: Michelle Lewis

The Disciple Ship Nautical Decor Store235 S. CommercialAransas Pass, Texas 78336361-459-27540gracehousecc.orgBay Blazer: Elizabeth Martin

Resurgence MediaP.O. Box 2704Rockport, Texas 78381361-205-0112office@bigtreerealty.orgBay Blazer: Tempe Parisette

Coast Modern1012 E. North St.Rockport, Texas 78382361-450-0487catlinm3@gmail.comBay Blazer: Diana Pardue

Snap Fitness2810 Hwy. 35 N.Rockport, Texas 78382361-386-2909rockport@snapfitness.comBay Blazer: Dawn Walker

Stan's Handyman Service

4221 Hwy. 35 S. #52Rockport, Texas 78382361-354-0595Bay Blazer: Donna Wilson

Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary1401 S. Church St.Rockport, Texas 78382469-600-8169gegomez@me.comBay Blazer: Donna Wilson

Photography by Linda Kay600 Enterprise Blvd., #118Rockport, Texas 78382361-463-3114photographybylindakay@gmail.comBay Blazer: Debbie Williams

High Tide Docks62 A Copano Ridge Rd.Rockport, Texas 78382361-222-8548piratebayrentals@gmail.comBay Blazer: Robert Mitchell

R & W New Construction LLC66856 N. Hwy. 35Rockport, Texas 78382361-205-1170wpadier@yahoo.comBay Blazer: Taylor Price

High Tide Docks62 A Copano Ridge Rd.Rockport, Texas 78382361-222-8548piratebayrentals@gmail.comBay Blazer: Robert Mitchell

Coastal Cove Resort LLC359 Rattlesnake RoadRockport, Texas 78382361-205-2024hanberrypie@msn.com.comBay Blazer: Taylor Price

First Class Inspections10743 Villa Lea LaneHouston, Texas 77071-1509832-563-9384blackwellkevin@sbcglobal.net

Bay Blazer: Elizabeth Martin

Lewis Clark ValleyChamber of Commerce502 Bridge St.Clarkston, WA 99403509-758-7712lcpresident@lcvalleychamber.orgBay Blazer: Tempe Parisette

Brown Builders, Inc.1619 Jimmie Davis Hwy.Bossier City, LA 71112318-746-0211joe@brownbuilders.comBay Blazer: Fernando Lopez

OnPoint Roofing10400 Westoffice Suite 105Houston, Texas 77042361-717-3187southshoreconsulting@hotmail.comBay Blazer: Diana Pardue

Chase Building Group1 Wiggins StreetRainbow City, AL 35906254-490-4669Bay Blazer: Michelle Lewis

Jeffrey L. Evans TX PA209 45th Street, suite CGalveston, Texas 77550409-457-5937lonestarpublicadjusters@gmail.comBay Blazer: Christina Hynes

Rockport Eye Associates20/20 Optical101 MagnoliaRockport, Texas 78382361-729-2020Bay Blazer:

Four String Farm211 Spring LaneRockport, Texas 78382361-688-3802justinallenbutts@gmail.comBay Blazer: Donna Wilson

Italian Cowboy

Food & Provisions928-1/2 Main StreetBastrop, Texas 78602info@italiancowboyfoods.comBay Blazer: Christina Hynes

D V Roofing7346 Lazy LaneSan Antonio, Texas 78250210-556-4402dvroofing@gmail.comBay Blazer: Andrea Hattman

South Texas IT116 Sugar CreekRockport, Texas 78382830-542-2195daranda@southtexasit.comBay Blazer: Candy Fletcher

Koke Demolition and Clean Up189 Sailfish Dr.Rockport, Texas 78382361-444-4044kokedemo@yahoo.comBay Blazer: Robert Mitchell

Heritage Heat & Air105 RattlesnakeRockport, Texas 78382830-542-2195Bay Blazer: Donna Wilson

CWI LLC361-687-4357ronhealy@aol.comBay Blazer: Donna Wilson

Williams Kherkher Hart & Boundas, LLP8441 Gulf Freeway, Suite 600Houston 77017713-230-2200ljackson@williamskherkher.comBay Blazer: Debbie Williams

Trident Construction Services LLC1014 Patton StreetRockport, Texas 78382512-797-4576tbishop.trident@gmail.comBay Blazer: Taylor Place

Rio Engineering, Inc.2710 BayhouseRockport, Texas 78382512-257-1506jstarkey@rioengr.comBay Blazer: Dawn Walker

Lynda Humble801 Austin St.Bastrop, Texas 78602214-908-6763lyndahumblellc@gmail.comBay Blazer: Robert Mitchell

Coastal Hideaway RV Park652 Highway 35 N.Rockport, Texas 78382361-557-0082coastalhideawayrvpark@gmail.comBay Blazer: Jessee Pilgrim

Texas Sky Exteriors& Construction

Rockport Country ClubNew Membership Opportunities

available, come andcheck out our lifestyle!

Call Stan Reeder at 361-729-8324 for details

After Harvey............................................Continued from page 1short period. The Chamber Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit charity developed prior to the hurricane for worthy projects for the community. It became the repository for the Harvey effort to assist the EOC. It was never intended to administer the distribution process. The Chamber Foundation is staffed by a small volunteer Board and does not have the ability to handle the proper, fair and equitable means to disperse the funds. A regional organization was created in 2015 for this purpose. It’s called the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group (CBDRG) and they will be administering and disbursing the funds within our county.

The Chamber Board and staff are focused on running a 5-Star Chamber for the community. We thank all of the 300+ volunteers who led the successful Seafair 2017 and we look forward to resuming our luncheons and community events. Good luck to each of you as we move forward. We will get through this and build our community back, even better.

15102 Leeward Dr. #701Corpus Christi, Texas 78418833-777-8759jd@texasskyconstruction.comBay Blazer: Andrea Hattman

CMR Construction4308 Garland DriveHaltom City, Texas 76117855-766-3267croland@cmrconstruction.comBay Blazer: Michelle Lewis

RT RV Solutions1331 State Hwy. 188Aransas Pass, Texas 78336713-899-3783rickporter9847@sbcglobal.netBay Blazer: Taylor Place

Spoon Bill Tours1919 Hwy. 35 N. #349Rockport, Texas 78382210-338-2541info@spoonbilltours.com

2826 Main StreetIngleside, Texas 78362361-776-1747carriesgrillandtreats@yahoo.comBay Blazer: Diana Pardue

Spurell Nelida2367 Highway 35 N.Rockport, Texas 78382214-597-8751nelidaspurell@yahoo.comBay Blazer: Jessee Pilgrim

Bay Blazer: Donna Wilson

Wilson's Tree Service608 N. Ellis St.Thornton, Texas 76687254-645-1002wilsonlawnandtreeservice@gmail.comBay Blazer: Tempe Parisette

TWR Construction880 Scenic CircleDripping Springs, TX 78620

361-222-9131tyler@twrconstructionllc.comBay Blazer: Candy Fletcher

Christina's Shop508 S. Austin St.Rockport, Texas 78382361-717-2711christinas_shop@yahoo.comBay Blazer: Fernando Lopez

Carrie's Grill & Treats, LLC