The Plano Chamber was thrilled to welcome 25 new business members in the month of January. Learn more about each member business and the services they offer by clicking the links below.
Are you interested in learning more about the Plano Chamber of Commerce and what your business can gain from joining the Plano Chamber? CLICK HERE for information about member benefits, services, and programs or contact membership@planochamber.org.
Don’t forget to visit the Plano Chamber Business Directory the next time you are looking for products, services, or a fun night out with friends! Remember to support local businesses and Shop Plano First.
We are proud to announce the launch of the new Plano Chamber App, which is now available on iTunes and Google Play.
The app provides Plano Chamber members and Plano residents with access to Chamber resources on the go, including special interest push groups, hot deals and discounts, access to media such as the Plano Pulse podcast, and more!
Exclusive sponsorship opportunities are available now, CLICK HERE for more information.
The Plano Chamber was thrilled to welcome 11 new business members in the month of November. Learn more about each member business and the services they offer by clicking the links below.
Are you interested in learning more about the Plano Chamber of Commerce and what your business can gain from joining the Plano Chamber? CLICK HERE for information about member benefits, services, and programs or contact membership@planochamber.org.
Don’t forget to visit the Plano Chamber Business Directory the next time you are looking for products, services, or a fun night out with friends! Remember to support local businesses and Shop Plano First.
The Plano Chamber was thrilled to welcome 17 new business members in the month of November. Learn more about each member business and the services they offer by clicking the links below.
Are you interested in learning more about the Plano Chamber of Commerce and what your business can gain from joining the Plano Chamber? CLICK HERE for information about member benefits, services, and programs or contact Kara Goodson, Membership Development Manager, at karag@planochamber.org.
Don’t forget to visit the Plano Chamber Business Directory the next time you are looking for products, services, or a fun night out with friends! Remember to support local businesses and Shop Plano First.
The Plano Chamber was thrilled to welcome 36 new business members in the month of October. Learn more about each member business and the services they offer by clicking the links below.
Are you interested in learning more about the Plano Chamber of Commerce and what your business can gain from joining the Plano Chamber? CLICK HERE for information about member benefits, services, and programs or contact Kara Goodson, Membership Development Manager, at karag@planochamber.org.
Don’t forget to visit the Plano Chamber Business Directory the next time you are looking for products, services, or a fun night out with friends! Remember to support local businesses and Shop Plano First.
The Plano Chamber was thrilled to welcome 35 new business members in the month of September. Learn more about each member business and the services they offer by clicking the links below.
Are you interested in learning more about the Plano Chamber of Commerce and what your business can gain from joining the Plano Chamber? CLICK HERE for information about member benefits, services, and programs or contact Kara Goodson, Membership Development Manager, at karag@planochamber.org.
Don’t forget to visit the Plano Chamber Business Directory the next time you are looking for products, services, or a fun night out with friends! Remember to support local businesses and Shop Plano First.
The Plano Chamber was thrilled to welcome 36 new business members in the month of August. Learn more about each member business and the services they offer by clicking the links below.
Are you interested in learning more about the Plano Chamber of Commerce and what your business can gain from joining the Plano Chamber? CLICK HERE for information about member benefits, services, and programs or contact Kara Goodson, Membership Development Manager, at karag@planochamber.org.
Don’t forget to visit the Plano Chamber Business Directory the next time you are looking for products, services, or a fun night out with friends! Remember to support local businesses and Shop Plano First.
It’s tax time in Plano! On Monday, September 10, 2018, the Plano City Council’s budget process will culminate with a vote on the proposed tax rate of 46.03 cents per $100 assessed value. This is a rate decrease from last year’s rate of 46.86. While there has been some discussion regarding the effective tax rate of 44.05, we feel this rate would result in drastic cuts to public safety, libraries, and other important city services which would not be consistent with maintaining Plano’s standing as a “City of Excellence”. The tax rate that is currently being proposed (46.03 cents per $100 assessed value )– which was reached by taking the effective tax rate and adding in inflation and population growth – would reduce the proposed budget by $3.2 million, saving the average homeowner in Plano $24 a year. The cuts included in the $3.2 million savings from the originally proposed budget would impact economic development and the amount deposited in the city’s capital reserve each year.
The Plano Chamber advocates on behalf of Plano’s vibrant business community on issues that impact our members, including economic development, infrastructure and quality of life – three areas greatly impacted by our city’s tax rate and budget.
Now is the time to invest in maintaining our infrastructure and services. Our economy is strong and we want to ensure that our city services continue to support the quality of life we have come to expect. Earlier this year, the City conducted a scientific citizens’ satisfaction survey. The results showed that 90% of Plano residents are very satisfied or satisfied with the level of services and quality of life in Plano, and 75% of residents were in favor of keeping the current tax rate (46.86) in order to maintain those services.
As an organization, we support the proposed rate of 46.03, which includes over $3 million in cuts. As the following chart depicts, Plano will continue to have the lowest tax rate (net of homestead exemptions) of all major cities in the area. We feel this is the responsible and proper action council should take at this time.
Source: City of Plano
Source: City of Plano
The Plano Chamber is also working hard to address opportunities for meaningful tax reform beyond the rate reduction currently proposed by the city council. More attention must be placed on the other 70% that is captured in homeowners’ property taxes each year through school taxes. Through an arcane and outdated “Robin Hood” school finance structure, we continue to see local school districts collect more tax revenue, but send more of that money back to Austin in recapture ($208 million this year alone for PISD and over $1.7 billion since 1991). This is where true reform can help make a difference to our business community, our students, and our citizens. We encourage you to engage in this process and learn more about the facts.
Additional Resources
Plano Chamber Hosts Information Session on School Finance
The Plano Chamber was thrilled to welcome 22 new business members in the month of July. Learn more about each member business and the services they offer by clicking the links below.
Are you interested in learning more about the Plano Chamber of Commerce and what your business can gain from joining the Plano Chamber? CLICK HERE for information about member benefits, services, and programs or contact Kara Goodson, Membership Development Manager, at karag@planochamber.org.
Don’t forget to visit the Plano Chamber Business Directory the next time you are looking for products, services, or a fun night out with friends! Remember to support local businesses and Shop Plano First.
Hey! It’s SK; this is my final blog for my eight week journey at the Plano Chamber. For my final blog I decided to change it up a little. I still gave a quick recap of each of my weeks, but I also have a little insight on where I am mentally. I hope you enjoy it and thanks for checking in!
Week 5
Week five was another busy week. On Tuesday, I shadowed Katie as she worked on her marketing projects and then after I went to the Plano Legislative Days meeting with Catherine and Jamee. On Wednesday, I went to another Woman’s Division event with Catherine. It was a nice event, but I mainly sat at the nametag booth and helped fill in for Ryan who was on vacation. On Thursday I tagged along with Jamee to a Boeing unveiling event. It was really nice. I got to talk to many city officials and also meet with some of my fellow Plano Mayor’s Summer Internship Program interns. Finally, Friday was another busy day as I attend a meeting with Catherine and then had Katie’s birthday lunch to attend. Katie’s birthday was really fun; we ate Chipotle and had chocolate-covered strawberries.
Katie Gimenez with her strawberries.Woman’s Division meeting at Gleneagles Country Club.
Week 6
Week six was a different week. Jamee and Jeff (Board Chair of the Plano Chamber), as well as the directors were leaving for Des Moines, Iowa. The Chamber was a finalist for Chamber of the Year and so Jamee and Jeff went to be interviewed for the award. The directors also went because the Chamber was being recognized for other outstanding achievements. While half the staff was leaving, a new staff member was joining the team. Kara Goodson was recently hired as the Membership Development Manager. The Chamber was expanding rapidly and to accommodate the new growth the chamber created a new position. The week overall was pretty quiet; I pretty much did a lot of my projects the whole week and went to a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday with Christine and Kara.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for CMIT at Yeager Office Suites.
Week 7
Week seven was my second to last week as an intern at the Chamber. The directors and Jamee were back after winning the 2018 Chamber of the Year award in Iowa. Jamee had brought ice cream and brownies to celebrate the award. The week was pretty evenly split between events and desk time. I went to two ribbon cutting ceremonies with Christine, which I always love going to. I also attended a couple meetings with Jamee throughout the week. Thursday was a little interesting I went to Tom Thumb to get my Ariel some lemons because she hadn’t been feeling well. (If you read my first blog you would know that was the same thing I did for Ryan). Friday was the busiest day of my internship, however. I had attended the Chairman’s Council Meeting with Jamee at Oak Point Nature Preserve and then I went all the way to the other side of town to meet Ariel at the Toyota North America Headquarters. I really enjoyed both meetings as Jamee’s meeting was about the future of automatic travel and Ariel’s was about cultural inclusion in a work space. During both events I had the pleasure to talk to some very influential people. In Oak Point, I had the chance to talk to Mayor LaRosiliere and personally thank him for creating such a fantastic program. After the Plano Culture Inclusion Alliance meeting I also had the chance to speak with Philip Witcher of McAfee who introduced me to a great program for minorities looking for future careers in the corporate world. Overall it was a good productive week and Friday was just a great way to end a great week.
SK Kiero and Ariel O’Brien with her lemons.Plano Cultural and Inclusion Alliance meeting at Toyota North America Headquarters.
Week 8
Week eight was my final week of the program. I wanted to finish the internship strong, so I worked hard to finish all my final projects. But there were some events I wanted to attend. On Monday, I went to Plano Mayor’s Internship Celebration Luncheon at Hilton Granite Park. The event was absolutely fantastic! I was able to meet up with some of my friends and fellow interns. The food and venue were amazing. And best of all I won a $150 card to JC Penney, as well as a letter of recommendation from Mayor LaRosiliere! On Tuesday through Thursday, I was mainly at my desk working on my final projects. On Thursday, I attend my last ribbon cutting ceremony with Christine. It was at the Data Base building and it was really interesting. Friday was my last day at the Chamber, so to celebrate we had a pizza party. I really enjoyed the party, but I was really sad that it was my last day.
SK Kiero and Mayor LaRosiliere at PMSIP Celebration Luncheon.
Reflection
Now that my internship is officially over I can look back and say I had a great experience. I was able to learn so much about the business community and how it operates. I discovered a whole different side of Plano that I never knew existed. During my time of reflection, I also thought about where I am in my professional life. I realize that I have been blessed to have had this great opportunity and I’m at a huge advantage. I also realize that I’m in a great position right now, but I’m still not where I want to be professionally. I know I still have a long and hard journey to get where I want to be, but I’m glad to have had a great start at the Plano Chamber of Commerce. If I could give any advice to the future Plano Chamber interns it would be take advantage of every second you’re here, because you never know when a great opportunity presents itself.
Special Thanks
This internship has been one of the best experiences of my life! I would like to thank Mayor LaRosiliere for creating such a fantastic program that I had the privilege of being a part of. I give Cigna a special thank you for being so generous to sponsor my internship. I have to thank the most important people in my life -my family and friends- for being so supportive and encouraging through the whole journey! I really could have not done it without your love and support. I would like also to thank all the Chamber members for how welcoming they were; and for also making the Plano Chamber the number one chamber in the nation, because without them there would be no chamber! I would also like to thank the Plano Chamber Ambassador team for making all the ribbon cutting ceremonies fun and interesting to attend! I would also like to thank the Chamber Board for allowing me to sit in on their meetings and learn the logistical side of the business community. Finally, I would like to give a huge thank you to Katie, Judy, Jennifer, Megan, Kara, Tracy, Christine, Carole, Catherine, Ryan, Ariel, and Jamee! You guys took me under your wings and taught me a lot about the business world. You guys made me love coming to work every day because I knew there would be something new I could learn! It was my pleasure working with each one of you and I will really miss all of you. I will forever be thankful that our paths crossed because whatever success I will have in the future would be due to y’all!
Katie Gimenez, SK Kiero, Jennifer Ruhman, Kara Goodson, Ariel O’Brien, Judy Webster, Jamee Jolly, Megan Sieling, Catherine Riggle, Tracy Bartholomew, Christine Wunderlich, Ryan Minter (Going left to right)