Advertising & Promotion Commission

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS Advertising and Promotion Commission AGENDA February 20, 2024 6:00 p.m. Page 1. Call to Order: Chairman Roger Sundermeier 2. Roll Call: Recording Secretary Emilia Vazquez 3. Approval and/or correction of minutes: December 18, 2023 1-2 4. Financial Report: Finance Director Cheryl Erkel 5. Old Business: 6. New Business: a. Chamber of Commerce 4th Quarter 2023 Report Kathy Perez 3-6 b. Funding request: USSSA Autism Awareness Tournament Joe Stoute 7-8 c. Expenditure approval requested: Ad in 2024 Metro Little Rock Guide 9-11 d. Funding request: $3,600 Chairman to attend 2024 ICSC Las Vegas e. Discussion/approval: $75,000 Economic Development Director 7. Announcements: a. March 9: Community Movie Night 12 8. Adjournment www.jacksonvillesoars.com  A & P Commission Regularly Scheduled Meeting December 18, 2023 6:11 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. Call to Order: Regular A & P Commission Meeting - City Hall - #1 Municipal Drive The Jacksonville Advertising and Promotion Commission met at their regular meeting place on Monday, December 18, 2023. Chairman Sundermeier called the meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. Council Member Ray delivered the invocation and led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance.” Roll Call: Commissioner Jai Patel, Council Member Reedie Ray, and Council Member Joy Kinman answered roll call. Chairman Roger Sundermeier also answered roll call and declared a quorum. (4) Present (2) Absent (1) Vacant Others present for the meeting include: Recording Secretary Emilia Vazquez, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, and Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Kathy Perez. Approval and/or correction of minutes: Council Member Kinman moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of November 20, 2023, as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Financial Report: Finance Director Cheryl Erkel presented the financial report for the period ending November 30th, 2023. She stated Assets of $1,753,199.00 and Liabilities of $130,224.00. She read from the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures showing Total Revenues at $928,665.00, Total Expenditures at $854,072.00, and Excess of Revenues Over Expenditures at $74,594.00. She noted the next two pages are backup documentation to support the aforementioned figures in the report. She explained for comparisons, Hotel/Motel Gross Revenue for October was $277,399.00, which was an increase of 12% year-to-date and a decrease of 12% compared to October 2022. She related that Prepared Foods Gross Revenue was $3,806,067.00, which was an increase of 2% year-to-date and a decrease of 9% compared to October 2022. She concluded that Overall Revenue was $4,083,466.00, which was an increase of 3% year-to-date and a decrease of 10% compared to October 2022. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Council Member Kinman to approve the financial report for November, as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Old Business: New Business: a. Funding request: $951.69 for Shop Small – Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kathy Perez showed the Commission a shopping bag made for the event, adding that the event was very well-received and had several of the passports turned back in. She shared that the businesses she spoke to were happy, with only a very few not having many people come through. Council Member Kinman moved, seconded by Council Member Ray to approve the expenditure of $951.69 to the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce for reimbursement of Shop Small Saturday | Shop Small Christmas Crawl event. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Sundermeier related that Kayla Hawkins, Owner of Titan Nutrition, has agreed to serve on the Commission to fulfill a vacant slot for a restaurant owner. Council Member Ray moved, seconded by Commissioner Jai Patel to approve the appointment of Kayla Hawkins to the Advertising and Promotion Commission and forward the request to City Council for approval. Motion carried unanimously. 1  A & P Commission Regularly Scheduled Meeting December 18, 2023 6:11 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. Announcements: a. January 6: Plant Swap Community Center 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. b. January 11: Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Banquet Community Center | Networking 5:30 p.m. | Dinner 6:00 p.m. Adjournment: With no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 6:20 p.m. 2  4th Quarter A&P Report October - December 2023 First Friday Breakfast, our monthly business networking program, featured presenters such as Adriene F.Brown, District Director of the Small Business Administration, Teri Todd, Development and Marketing Director for the Children's Protection Center who is also a partner with Jacksonville North Pulaski School District and Chancellor Cam Patterson of University of Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS), further developing our relationship in regionalism, and quality of life. Participated and attended an all day Metro Little Rock Alliance’s Economic Development Prospect Sales Site Training with Carol Johnson, hosted by the Little Rock Regional Chamber. The training covered the factors driving site selection and how to present to prospects including Building Credibility with Prospects and Site Selection Consultants; Starting Strong, Gaining Agreement on Prospect Needs and Expectations; Case Study Workshop: Navigating the Prospects’s Decision Process to name a few. We were honored to attend a Customer Appreciation Dinner presented by Whit Davis Lumber hosted at their Cabot location. Also, received a certificate of appreciation at Building A Better Life Mentor Organization’s Appreciation Dinner. We are dedicated and committed to supporting and engaging with our members. Attended an exclusive invitation to the 2023 South Summit hosted by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. This exclusive, regional event included top business leaders, foreign policy experts and national security commanders to discuss the importance of America’s global leadership, what it’s worth to Arkansas, and featured U.S. Senator John Boozman, in correlation with governmental affairs. Celebrated Chamber of Commerce Week, October 15-21, a week proclaimed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to celebrate the contributions made by our state’s more than 140 local chambers of commerce. Mayor Jeff Elmore signed a proclamation recognizing Chamber of Commerce Week in Jacksonville. Mayor Elmore also invited members and citizens of Jacksonville to join him for breakfast at our local restaurant, First Street Cafe, with an opportunity to meet him and a chance to have an intimate conversation while supporting and promoting a member restaurant. Additionally, in connection with Chamber of Commerce Week the Cabot, Sherwood and Jacksonville Chamber CEOs met to share ideas and best practices strengthening relationships among neighboring chambers. We hosted monthly Air Power Arkansas | LRAFB Air Show Committee meetings as the event neared, also serving on the committee. LRAFB hosted the Thunder Over the Rock Air Show this October 21st and 22nd, the first air show since 2018. Airpower Arkansas’s mission is to assist in the fundraising, planning, coordination, and execution of large-scale events or activities that 3 strengthen the relationship between Little Rock Air Force Base and the civilian community of Arkansas. Thunder Over the Rock Air Show won the Thunderbirds Show of the Year! An estimated 280,000 attended the Air Show. Jacksonville Leadership Academy, a program to help identify, educate, and motivate potential leaders to become involved in the future of the community held its Economic Development Session, Education Session, as well as the Local City Government & Pulaski County Government Sessions. Participated and attended Arkansas State Chamber’s 2023 New Chamber Professional Boot Camp by Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives and led Best and Worst Roundtable: A real discussion about our communities. Attended the Arkansas Economic Development Foundation luncheon that featured keynote speaker James Taiclet – Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Lockheed Martin. Participated in Small Business Administration’s Long Term Recovery Stakeholder monthly meetings. Participated and attended Metro Little Rock Alliance (MLRA) third and fourth quarter advisory board meetings. A 2024 MLRA Planning meeting was held at the Chamber offices with Jack Thomas, EVP of Little Rock Regional Chamber and MLRA Director and Daniel Gray, MLRA representative. Also attended Metro Little Rock Alliance's Arkansas Economic Development Commision Appreciation Luncheon. December Attended the Arkansas Workforce Best Practices Summit, a one-day event dedicated to sharing innovative strategies and success stories in workforce development. The summit was the first Arkansas event bringing together national workforce experts, in- and out-of-state real-world success stories, and innovative leaders who are dedicated to the future of Arkansas manufacturing. This event will also address key workforce development challenges, available state resources, and a look into the future of Arkansas’ workforce education with Chief Workforce Office Mike Rogers and Office of Skills Development Director Cody Waits. Expert speakers covered a wide range of topics, including Attracting and Retaining Talent, Upskilling and Creating Career Paths, Workforce Trends & Research, Addressing the Industry Reputation. We held our Annual Fall Classic Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament with 26 teams. U.S. Marine Corps representatives were also onsite collecting toys and monetary donations for Toys for Tots. Supported and attended the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA Annual Meeting. JNPSD partner, City Year Little Rock’s team held a school tour at the Jacksonville Elementary School to show what their service looks like. The tour included showing the classrooms, modeling a Tier II intervention session. Proudly attended to hear them sharing their success stories and the impact it's having on the scholars. 4 We participated in Central Arkansas Academies and Jacksonville High School’s Career Academies 2023 Career Expo at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock with more than 3,000 freshman scholars and 100+ businesses in attendance. Jacksonville Police Department and Unity Health were onsite with their interactive gaming. We continue to assist in forging relationships to bring on more community and business partners here in Jacksonville, ultimately strengthening the workforce talent pipeline. Supported and attended Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council Executive Board & General Meetings. Attended the 2023 Little Rock AFB Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, and 2023 Little Rock AFB Commander’s Community Appreciation Holiday Reception. Shop Small Saturday Planning, Promotion and Proclamation signing. The Leader Publishing newspaper featured a great article supporting and advocating on behalf of small businesses because when businesses succeed, communities succeed, and state and local chambers are there every step of the way, empowering businesses to grow and thrive amid even the most challenging circumstances. Attended the Pulaski County Adult Education 2nd Quarterly Advisory Meeting for the 2023-2024 school year. They provided information and opportunities on Integrated Educational Opportunities, Scholarship Opportunities, Resources for the Workforce, and Networking opportunities. Advisory committees strengthen collaboration between those responsible for literacy, career and technical education programs and the communities they serve. The dialogue between advisory committee members and career and technical educators fosters shared responsibility for preparing students for a place in the workforce and in society. We featured Jacksonville First United Methodist Church, Jacksonville Museum of Military History, and Gwatney Chevrolet as Member of the Month in our newsletter. Child Advocacy Center and Jacksonville North Pulaski School District hosted a press conference to announce construction of second child facility to treat child abuse to open on February 1, 2024.CPC is partnering with JNPSD to bring services to child abuse victims in the North Pulaski County area. This innovative partnership between a school district and a child advocacy center will help children find the very unique services they need to heal while receiving sensitivity and competent care from a team of specially trained experts. Promoted Jacksonville First United Methodist Church Block Party, Jacksonville North Pulaski School District/Central Arkansas Academies 2023 Career Expo, Folds of Honor Patriot Cup, Pathfinder’s Golf Tournament, Parks & Recreation Popsicles in the Park Marshall Smith Inclusive Playground Ribbon Cutting, Trunk or Treat, Pink Out Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser, The Great Pumpkin Plunge, AGFF Annual Turkey Shoot, City of Jacksonville 66th Annual Christmas Parade, Holiday Craft & Gift Sale, JPR Toy Drive, Christmas Treet Lighting Ceremony, Plant Swap, Hire Jacksonville Job Fair, Youth Spring Sports Registration, Jacksonville Chamber Fall Classic Golf Tournament, Little Rock Air Force Base Thunder Over the Rock, Gwat-Thrilla Haunted Car Wash, Jacksonville Senior Wellness Beans & Cornbread Fundraiser, Central Arkansas Human Resources Association Work Matters Leadership Forum, Shop Small Business Saturday/Weekend, Arkansas Federal Credit Union ASBDTC Startup Summit, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4548 Senior Citizens Dinner, USMC Toys for Tots, Crain 5 Ford Pet Adoption, Building A Better Life Mentor Organization Community Appreciation Dinner, Sertoma Clubs Christmas for Kids, Jacksonville First Unity Methodist Church Community Christmas Concert, Jacksonville Military Museum Photos with Santa Claus, Sertoma Clubs Cookies with Santa, Unity Health Jacksonville Blood Drive, Jacksonville North Pulaski School District | Children’s Protection Center Construction Press Conference Announcement, Jacksonville Police Department Bleed Blue Blood Drive, AGFF/Jacksonville Shooting Sports Complex Arkansas Times The Best of Arkansas Wild! Recognition, Arkansas Office Products Independent Dealer Recognition, Jacksonville North Pulaski School District 2024 Employee of the Year Banquet, and Small Business Path to Prosperity Panel Discussion, on social media and newsletter. The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce continues to serve as a welcome and resource center for area businesses and citizens of Jacksonville by providing referrals and support to member and non-members businesses. 6 7 8 9 CHOOSE A NEIGHBORHOOD RACHEL ELMAKISS JACKSONVILLE Home to the only C-130 training base for the U.S. Department of Defense, Jacksonville is an important part of the nation’s military force, but the city of over 25 MINUTES FROM 29,000 possesses a family-friendly atmosphere that DOWNTOWN attracts people from everywhere. Less than 30 minutes from Little Rock and across the Arkansas River, Jacksonville offers a tight-knit community and affordable housing (Zillow reports an average home value of $149,179 as of October 2023). Sitting on 6,128 acres, the base is home to 6,996 military at LRAFB, 1,316 civilian employees and 5,582 family members. The health care, education and manufacturing industries are three more of the city’s largest employers. The Jacksonville Museum of Military History showcases Jacksonville’s proud military background in more ways than one: it is the former administration building for the Arkansas Ordnance Plant (AOP). The AOP was in operation from 1942 to 1945 and was the first of its kind in the country and over one billion devices (detonators, primers, percussion elements, etc.) were built at the plant by the time the war ended. Jacksonville was also the location of the Battle of Reed’s Bridge. Placards around the battle location tell the story of a skirmish that was fought in 1863 as Union soldiers attempted to move south while Confederate troops tried to protect the Capitol. Attractions like Splash Zone (only open during the warmer months) and Dupree Park (one of Jacksonville’s 14 parks) are popular spots for the locals. Dupree Park is home to the Marshall Smith Inclusive Playground, which opened in 2023. The playground has been recognized as a National Demonstration Site by Playcore for advocating for inclusive play and advancing recreation through research-based best practices. The Dog Park is the latest addition to the city, opening in 2021. Athletic and aerobic classes entice athletes to the city’s 56,000-SF community center, its facilities MICHAEL PIRNIQUE include a heated six-lane pool, two hardwood basketball/volleyball courts, an aerobics classroom, a walking track, cardiovascular equipment and two racquetball courts. The last weekend in September is the city’s annual one-day FestiVille event at Five Points in the Downtown area, featuring carnival rides and games, live entertainment, local vendors, a petting zoo and more. In the spring, Jacksonville’s annual Christmas Parade, Big Bang on the Range and Fourth of July celebration draws residents to the Downtown district for food trucks, a kids’ corner, a wing-eating contest and fun for the whole family. Food trucks also line Downtown during the spring and summer months for Food Truck Fridays. STORIED PAST Jacksonville — and some of the land the Little Rock Air Force Base now sits on — was home to the Arkansas Ordnance Plant Top: The city opened a new $74 million, 338,000-SF Jacksonville High School in during World War II. The plant was among the first of its kind 2019; the school serves an estimated 1,000 students. in the nation and was heavily relied upon by the U.S. for its Second from top: The city is popular with young families (the median age is 32) development of fuses and detonators for the war effort. Twelve with great annual events, a waterpark and a community center (pictured) that rivals production lines were operating around the clock. At the peak all others in the Metro. of production in November 1942, more than 14,000 workers Above: Based in Jacksonville, the Little Rock Air Force Base is host to 13,893 were employed there – most of whom were women. By the people, including 16,995 military, 1,316 civilian members and 5,582 family end of the war, the plant had provided over a billion devices. members, who live and work here. 50 metrolittlerockguide.com 10  COME DISCOVER WHY JACKSONVILLE IS SOARING HIGHER! IMMERSE CULTIVATE PROSPER The entertainment and dining options The Jacksonville-North Pulaski School District Jacksonville is proud to be the home of Little in Jacksonville are as diverse as the over is set for all eight schools to have new buildings Rock Air Force Base, the largest C-130 29,000 residents that call this city home. by 2024, as part of a $170 million investment training base for the U.S. Department of From chain restaurants to local, sit-down in school construction. Through JNPSD’s Defense. With central access along U.S. participation with the Academies of Central 67/167, it has never been easier for thousands cuisine, there is something to satisfy every Arkansas, high school scholars can prepare for of daily commuters to access Jacksonville. palate and preference. With 14 parks to their futures by exploring a variety of careers Jacksonville hosts a talented workforce and explore and events such as FestiVille and through the Academy of Building, Automotive a network of resources to accommodate a Food Truck Fridays at Five Points in the & Design, Unity Health Academy of Health multitude of industries. A state-of-the-art summer, to the Downtown Tree Lighting Sciences & Safety and the Academy of hospital providing radiology, inpatient and and Annual Christmas Parade in the Service, Sales & Marketing. Jacksonville is observation services, as well as behavioral winter, you and your family can find a also home to Arkansas Lighthouse Charter and emergency health care, serves residents way to connect with Jacksonville and its Schools, a K-12 charter school with a college with high-quality care close to home. residents all year long. preparatory environment. Both districts have Education, public service, health care, retail been named Purple Star Schools by the and manufacturing are the primary sectors Arkansas Department of Education for their of Jacksonville’s flourishing economy. commitment to serving scholars and families connected to the nation’s military. For more information, visit jacksonvillesoars.com or jacksonvillear.org Photos Courtesy of 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs at Little Rock Air Force Base, Jacksonville A&P Commission, Jacksonville Parks and Recreation 11 12