HindmanSanchez P.C. donates 6205 pounds of food to Food Bank of the Rockies

HindmanSanchez, a Colorado law firm representing homeowners and condominium associations, sponsored the “Community Can-Can” Canned Food Drive and Sculpture Challenge at their Arvada office. Six teams from community association management firms and HindmanSanchez raised an estimated 6205 pounds of food and $165.00 in donations. Their efforts will enable Food Bank of the Rockies to provide about 8600 meals to families across Colorado.

For more information, please contact Melissa Garcia at 303.991.2018, via cell phone at 303.807.1311 or by email at mgarcia@hindmansanchez.com.

Blytheco Welcomes SFA Technology

Denver, Colorado – September 23, 2010 (Blytheco) – Leading Sage business partner Blytheco, LLC is pleased to announce that the company has acquired Denver-based SFA Technology. The transaction will further strengthen Blytheco’s existing CRM practice in Colorado and add to a growing national presence that has become the key to continued success for the company.

SFA Technology represents Sage SalesLogix. The company will relocate to Blytheco’s existing Denver office. SFA Principal Patrick Cherry has joined Blytheco’s staff and is actively participating in the transition of his client base to Blytheco.

“This is a win for everyone involved,” said Patrick Cherry. “SFA clients will now have access to the much wider range of expertise that Blytheco can provide, and Blytheco will gain clients in key markets with unlimited growth potential. I am delighted to join the top-level professionals at Blytheco.”

“It is a pleasure to welcome SFA Technology clients to Blytheco and to see our Colorado office grow,” said Phil Sim, Blytheco’s Vice President of CRM. ”We look forward to working with SFA clients, helping them use the skills and strengths of our team to get even more out of their current systems and grow their businesses.”

About Blytheco, LLC

Serving the business community since 1980, Blytheco offers business management software and consulting services to the mid-market. Blytheco represents Sage solutions including Sage ERP X3 , MAS 90 , MAS 200 , MAS 500 , BusinessWorks , SalesLogix , SageCRM , Abra HRMS and MIP Nonprofit business solutions. With 130 employees across the U.S. in sixteen states, Blytheco works to help companies meet their business goals with award-winning software products, custom programming, and the highest quality consulting in the industry. Please visit www.blytheco.com .

Eastern Plains (Falcon, Colorado) Chamber of Commerce Recycling Fund Raiser

The Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce will be holding a Recycling, Fund Raiser event at the Falcon WalMart, 11550 Meridian View, Falcon, CO on Saturday Sept 18, from 10am to 2pm. For more information, please click on the image.

Eastern Plains (

Town in Maine is Serious About Competing for Small Business

Lewiston, ME (PRWEB)

Many communities lament the exodus of youth, jobs and entrepreneurial talent. One Maine community is doing something about it. Two local business organizations, the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council (LAEGC) and the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to send a message loud and clear: the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, Maine welcome young, creative entrepreneurs - particularly youth who have roots in the community but who have moved away. To back up that sentiment, a number of local companies have stepped forward to contribute what is expected to be over $100,000 in cash and in-kind services to the most promising start-up company willing to come back home and set up business.

The LAEGC and the Chamber of Commerce have launched an entrepreneurial contest that has an ambitious goal of connecting with youth who have roots in the local community, and encouraging them to consider starting a business in Lewiston-Auburn, Maine. The program, called Launch L-A!, features a contest inviting young entrepreneurs to submit a proposal to start a business in L-A. Entries will be screened by a committee of business and banking professionals who will judge the ideas on a number of criteria including creativity, viability, and community need. Adding a page from the "American Idol" script, finalists will be voted upon electronically by community members of Lewiston and Auburn in January 2011.

The winning entrepreneur will receive an equity infusion of $10,000 - $20,000 seed money, along with a number of in-kind services for a year, including business consulting, accounting services, legal fees, advertising agency services, rent, and more -- all provided by Chamber members. Runners-up may also receive in-kind services.

Three local Maine banks, Bangor Savings Bank, Northeast Bank and Auburn Savings Bank have already committed $11,500 to seeding the prize package. In addition, dozens of local businesses are offering in-kind services including:

* Rinck Advertising: Branding, Creative and Public Relations Package - $15,000
* Curry Printing: Printing Package - $1,200
* Next Level Business Coaching: Business Consulting - $3,600
* LAEGC: Start-up office space, conference room space & receptionist - $4,000
* Robustelli, Soucy & Hussey, PA: Accounting services - $10,000
* Brann & Isaacson: Legal fees for a year - $2,500
* Core Zero Creative: Search Engine Optimization, web and social media marketing strategy - $1,500
* Oxford Networks: Internet/Phone lines - $1,900
* WGME-13: Advertising package, including cost of production - $2,000
* Leighton Images: Video Production -- $4,500
* Mainely Portrait Photography: Photo session - $500
* Strategic Talent Management: Personality Aptitude Testing - $2,500
* Chamber of Commerce: Membership, Advertising, and Support Package - $500
* RE-Group! Business Solutions: Risk Mitigation and Business Infrastructure - $1,000
* Sun Journal: 1 year's worth of advertising and consulting - $5,000
* Marriott Residence Inn: One-week stay - $1,000

The competition is open people between the ages of 18-30 who have roots in Androscoggin County but have not lived here in at least 9-months. Applicants will be encouraged to support their idea using digital applications such as video presentations, web sites, podcasts, and digital photos.

"The value of this program is not merely that a few entrepreneurs will get assistance to launch a business in Lewiston-Auburn," says Paul Badeau, Marketing Director, Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council. "What's perhaps more important is the message this sends to the world outside of L-A's borders: namely, that Lewiston-Auburn welcomes young, creative entrepreneurs and is committed to helping them succeed."

"The contest is part of a broader initiative to connect and keep in touch with young people, particularly college grad "expatriates" who have graduated from local high schools," says Wendy Tardif, a member of the event planning committee and Executive Director for The Dempsey Challenge. "Using e-mail and social media like Facebook and Twitter, young people will get regular updates about the community's ongoing renaissance."

"Native sons and daughters often leave for college and don't return, sometimes because they don't perceive that gainful employment or opportunities can be found in Maine," explains Laura Davis, a partner at Rinck Advertising who is also a member of the committee. "We hope people follow this story chapter by chapter."

Rinck Advertising, an Auburn-based advertising and public relations agency, has contributed its services in-kind to developing the logo and PR strategies for the effort. In addition, the agency will donate over $15,000 in services to the winning business.

"We have what young people are looking for right here in L-A: urban life, arts and culture, affordable housing, a riverfront, plenty of good restaurants, and talented people," says Davis. "What we don't have is enough recognition for our assets, and enough help for struggling entrepreneurs."

"Even if young people don't return to the community for whatever reason, it is still important that they feel proud of their community in order to serve as ambassadors, stay connected to local institutions, and serve as future benefactors for local institutions", says Chamber President, Chip Morrison.

"Will our youth return in droves because of this? Probably not," adds Morrison. "But if we can help a few entrepreneurs get off the ground, and get young people with roots in the L/A area to feel proud of their home community, we will have been wildly successful."

T.H. Creations, a Lewiston-based web site development company, created a web site to promote the contest. Entrepreneurs can enter the contest with their business idea right online at: http://www.launchlamaine.com. Contestants and interested parties can also follow the contest on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LaunchLAMaine or Twitter at https://twitter.com/LaunchLAMaine. Launch LA is also offering a chance to win an Apple iPAD for anyone who helps spread the word through Twitter. Details at Launch LA Maine.

Companies interested in finding out more about the contest and how they can be a part of it should contact the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council at 207-784-0161 or the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce at 207-783-2249.

Greater Pueblo Chamber Recruiting for Leadership Pueblo 2011

(PUEBLO, CO) The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce is recruiting for the 2011 Leadership Pueblo Class.

Every year the Greater Pueblo Chamber coordinates the Leadership Pueblo program. The program is designed for individuals interested in developing their leadership skills. The curriculum affords each class the opportunity to network with up-and-coming leaders and current decision makers in the community in order to grasp a better understanding of the issues facing the Pueblo community, as well as a chance to discuss solutions to these problems. As a requirement for graduation, all leadership classes are required to plan and implement a class project designed to benefit the community.

The 2011 program begins in January with an overnight retreat and is followed by seven additional sessions scheduled once every three weeks. Sessions include Pueblo ’s past, present and future, state and local government, education, health and human services, Pueblo ’s resources, the arts and media.

Tuition for the program is $550. Scholarships are available through the El Pomar Foundation for minority applicants and two scholarships are also available through the Southern Colorado Community Foundation. All scholarships require a three year commitment to community volunteerism.

The program syllabus and application as well as the scholarship applications can be found online at www.pueblochamber.org. For more information on the Leadership Pueblo program call 719-542-1704 or email info@pueblochamber.net.

Falcon Chamber of Commerce Recycling Event, 9/18/2010

the Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce will be having a recycling event for electronic items on September 18th, 2010 at the Falcon Walmart.

Click on the image for details

August Mountain States Economy Report

Mountain States Leading Economic Indicator Sinks:

Growth Likely to Slow

August survey results at a glance:

· Leading economic indicator points to slower growth in the months ahead but no double-dip recession.

· Almost one-third of supply managers expect a 2011 recession.

· Price gauge indicates much higher likelihood of inflation than deflation.

· Business confidence declines for the month.


Denver, CO (The Goss Institute) – For an eleventh straight month, the overall index for the Mountain States region, a leading economic indicator for the three-state area, moved above growth neutral 50.0. The overall index, or Business Conditions Index, for August sank to 54.7 from July’s strong 58.6. This is the first significant pullback in the index this year for Colorado, Utah and Wyoming and is mirroring what we are seeing in the national economy.

“These results are very similar to what we recorded coming out of the 2001 recession. Of course the big difference is that tax cuts were passed in 2001 and 2003 to support the economy and, at this point in time, Americans are staring at a significant tax increase on January 1, 2011. Even so, our surveys are pointing to slower growth at this time, not a double dip recession,” Goss Institute for Economic Research Director Dr. Ernie Goss said today. The Goss Institute conducts the monthly survey for Supply Management Institutes in the three states comprising the Mountain States region. Goss also directs Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group and is the Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics (http://www.ernestgoss.com/aboutus.html).

The August employment index fell to 57.6 from 61.1 in July. “On an annualized basis, the region has added jobs at a much stronger pace than the U.S. over the past several months. Our surveys indicate that this gap will widen somewhat for the rest of 2010 as U.S. job growth slows more dramatically than that for the Mountain States region,” said Goss.

This month we asked supply managers their expectations for the 2011 U.S. economy. Almost one-third, or 32 percent, said it was likely or very likely that the U.S. economy would move back into recessionary territory in 2011. Only 8 percent indicated that a 2011 recession was unlikely, or very unlikely. The remaining 60 percent indicated that there was a 50 percent chance of a 2011 recession.

The regional price gauge dipped slightly to a still inflationary 65.0 from 65.4 in July. The prices-paid index, which tracks the cost of raw materials and supplies, has now moved above growth neutral in fourteen of the past fifteen months. “Based on our survey results, as well as other surveys of supply managers, I still think fears of deflation are way overblown. Once the economy gets fully back on track, inflation and price bubbles will be the problem, not deflation,” said Goss.

Supply managers were asked their anticipations of price changes for their company’s products for 2011. Only eight percent expect price declines for 2011 while 58 percent expect price increases for 2011. The remaining 34 percent expect level prices for 2011.

Looking ahead six months, economic optimism, captured by the August confidence index, slumped to 55.3 from 62.6 in July. “Even in the expanding Mountain States economy, supply managers’ economic outlook is being negatively influenced by the less than optimistic national economic news,” said Goss.

Trade numbers deteriorated for August. The new export orders index declined to 51.5 from July’s 52.9. Imports for August sank to 55.0 from 60.1 in July. “Exports, particularly technology equipment, will be an important factor that sustains a regional economic expansion. Thus these weaker numbers are of some concern,” said Goss.

As another measure of somewhat weaker economic confidence, supply managers in the three-state region added to inventories of raw materials and supplies for the month at a slower pace. The August inventory index sank to 55.3 from 67.4 in July. “This is the ninth straight month that we have recorded inventory restocking after more than one year of inventory reductions. The growth in inventories has been a positive and significant factor pushing the regional economy higher. However, we need to see an increase in the pace of consumer buying before we can be assured that the economy will not dip back into a recession. Inventory buildups are not the basis for sustained economic growth,” said Goss.

Other components of the August Business Conditions Index were new orders at 51.7, down from July’s 53.3; production or sales at 54.0, down from 55.8; and delivery lead time at 54.9, down from 55.6 in July.

The Institute for Supply Management, formerly the Purchasing Management Association, has been formally surveying its membership since 1931 to gauge business conditions (www.ism.ws). The Goss Institute uses the same methodology as the national survey. The overall index, referred to as the Business Conditions Index, ranges between 0 and 100. An index greater than 50 indicates an expansionary economy over the course of the next three to six months.

The Creighton Economic Forecasting Group has conducted the monthly survey of supply managers in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming since 1994 to produce leading economic indicators of the Mountain States region. The Goss Institute assumed operation of the survey in August of 2008, working with NAPM-Utah (www.napmutah.org) and NAPM-Western Wyoming (http://www.ism.ws/sites/westwyoming/index.htm).

Colorado: For the eleventh straight month, the state’s leading economic indicator rose above 50.0. However, the August index, based upon a survey of supply managers in the state, is pointing to somewhat slower growth in the months ahead with an August reading of 53.0, down from 56.2 in July and 68.4 in June. Components of the overall index for August were new orders at 46.6, production or sales at 49.4, delivery lead time at 58.9, inventories at 53.0, and employment at 57.1. “Colorado is not benefiting as much from the energy industry expansion as Utah and Wyoming. Computer and electronic component manufacturers in the state continue to lose jobs even with a slight uptick in new orders. Manufacturers in the state are expanding output without any new hiring as a result of productivity growth,” said Goss.

Utah: The state’s Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator, once again climbed above growth neutral 50.0. Based on the monthly survey of the membership of NAPM-Utah (www.napmutah.org), the overall index dipped to 54.8 from July’s 58.5. Components of the overall index for August were new orders at 53.7, production or sales at 59.5, delivery lead time at 54.9, inventories at 52.5, and employment at 53.4. “Expansions among the state’s durable goods manufacturers more than offset somewhat weaker conditions in the non-durable goods sector. Heavy manufacturers are reporting improving new orders, employment and hours worked by existing workers,” said Goss.

Wyoming: The state’s leading economic indicator from a survey of supply managers in the state climbed above growth neutral for a tenth straight month. The Wyoming Business Conditions Index for August declined slightly to still healthy 57.5 from 57.6 in July. Supported by NAPM-Western Wyoming (http://www.ism.ws/sites/westwyoming/index.htm), surveys over the past several months indicate point to an expanding state economy for the second half of 2010. Components of the overall index for August were new orders at 49.9, production or sales at 49.2, delivery lead time at 66.9, inventories at 58.7, and employment at 63.3. “Manufacturers, both durable and non-durable, are recording solid improvements in business activity. However, recent growth in the state’s energy related industries has pushed overall growth higher. A cheap U.S. dollar, which supports higher energy commodity prices, will be an important factor influencing Wyoming economic progress in the months ahead,” said Goss.

For historical data and forecasts, visit our website at:

www.ernestgoss.com or

www.outlook-economic.com

www.twitter.com/erniegoss