Since RI Airport Corporation clear cut 2 acres of trees 18 months ago, The Chamber property, owned by the Town of Westerly, has taken on an unattractive, barren look. The Board formed a committee that is looking into transforming this area into a parcel of pride for the town. As the official welcome center for the Town, and the first RI Welcome Center for those traveling Route 1, it is essential that we make a positive impression on visitors. Additionally, town residents deserve to have this area restored as an attractive picnic grove, consistent with its original use more than 30 years ago. The Parcel of Pride at 1 Chamber Way will develop in stages due to the site work needed, town grants that need to be acquired, private fundraising to supplement grants, council and airport approvals, etc. It will be a very natural setting, enhanced by flowering shrubs, small trees, walkways, benches and a gazebo. The proposed site plan will include the following elements: Stage 1 involves site work for development of 3 areas to grade off for public use for outdoor dining. Install 3 commercial, high-grade picnic tables Install trash cans and recycling cans with covers. We will plant a few low-growing trees, approved by RIAC, for shades near picnic table area. We will plant blue hydrangea plants near the picnic areas.

Chamber Property Proposed for Picnic Area and Walking Trails

Chamber News & Views February 2016 oceanchamber.org info@oceanchamber.org 401.596.7761

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS JANUARY:

Future work includes Excavation and site work to make meandering stone-dust pathways which are safe and navigable for walking, and a gazebo approximately, 20 feet wide as a focal point on the property. Eight additional parking spaces that are contiguous with the existing chamber parking lot. Plant a large number of blue hydrangea plants to create "New England's largest hydrangea garden". Blue is representative of the “ocean state”. We will also plant a variety of other flowering plants that attract butterflies. There will be no lights, so as not to encourage night activity at this site. There will be no additional restrooms due to expenses related to maintenance and our belief that the existing outdoor facilities would be sufficient from May-October. There will be no bodies of water due to liability concerns. Efforts will be made to bury, remove or reconfigure some of the rocks. Amy Grzybowski of the Town of Westerly has worked diligently to create a grant request of $15,000 for the RI Foundation to get things started. We look forward to working with The Town of Westerly to acquire additional funds to develop this vision. Chamber Considers

Solar

The Building & Grounds Committee is reviewing three solar proposals and will make a recommendation to the full Board in February. The group will decide if solar makes sense for our organization and if so, ground versus roof panels. Raising funds to purchase a system versus leasing is an additional consideration. Thanks to Paul Gencarella, Jr. of Conti Insurance for chairing this committee.

NEW MEMBERS

Roger A. Adams Adamsr321@gmail.com Roger has joined the Chamber as an Associate Member. He recently moved to Rhode Island from Connecticut and is a retired Chamber of Commerce Executive. Knowing the value of belonging to a Chamber he decided to join the Ocean Community!

Bogue’s Alley 11 West Broad Street, Pawcatuck, CT 06379 860-599-5883 Contact: Amanda Nall Bogue’s Alley, located on the Pawcatuck River Bridge, 11 West Broad Street, Pawcatuck, CT, is a well rounded market and deli. Started in 2004, they serve a variety of breakfast and lunch specials. Breakfast items include, breakfast pizza, sandwiches, burritos, and omelets. Their lunch specialty items include two homemade soups daily, grinders, wraps, flatbreads, and their famous Panini’s! Their house made meatballs are the best around! Party foods to go are also a big part of their business. They offer lunches for business meeting’s, or for your weekend party! Butternut Lasagna, chicken cutlets, Mac and Cheese, Lemon Chicken, sandwich platters, and so much more! Gluten free items are available upon request. Amanda Nall, the owner is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University’s Culinary Arts and Food Service Management program, who worked at the deli since she was 17 years old. In 2014 she bought the business from the previous owners and kept everything the same, only added a few new menu items!

Clean As A Whistle Westerly, RI 02891 401-596-6358 Contact: Mary Frances Comstock

Clean As A Whistle Continued…… Clean as a Whistle is a full service cleaning company. We have been in business for 3 years. We specialize in residential, commercial and seasonal cleaning. Our company has 1 regular and 2 seasonal employees. No job is too big or too small. Give Clean as a Whistle a call.

Comcast Spotlight 15 Thames Street, Suite 321, Groton, CT 06340 860-333-9203 Contact: Michelle Blondin Comcast Spotlight is the advertising sales division of Comcast cable. Market your business, with no advertising waste, in our targeted geographic local zones. Reach consumers on every device with TV EVERYWHERE and feature your short-form video message across 40+ cable networks and hundreds of premium websites in your local and regional geographic market areas. Let us create a custom advertising campaign and get your business noticed on top rated programs and websites such as The Walking Dead, Real Housewives, 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, FOXNEWS.com and XFINITY.com. Grow your brand and business with the power of digital advertising and succeed on screen with Comcast Spotlight.

Let’s Talk Business 4 Chin Hill Road, Westerly, RI 02891 401-388-0153 Contact: Bob Hoffman Bob Hoffman, a retired successful small business owner, and pillar of our community shares 45-plus years of hands- on business experience. As a trusted non-judgmental counselor who can help bring about favorable financial and personal business outcomes, his focus is on being a mentor, coach and sounding board. Bob is appreciative of those who have helped him

Let’s Talk Business Continued…. grow and succeed and knows it is time to share with other what his past has taught him.

Next Tech Solutions LLC Westerly, RI 02891 (860) 333 – 7834 Connor McGill, Isaac Kaufman Next Tech Solutions LLC, founded by Westerly High School seniors Isaac Kaufman and Connor McGill, provides superior technology services to residents and businesses at unrivaled prices. Our wide-range of on-site services include computer tune-ups, screen replacements, contracted work for businesses, and much more. Our unique advantage lies in our ability to charge low, flat rates while maintaining a high level of service integrity. With a wide-range of computer related knowledge, call us for a tech solution today!

RC Associates, LLC. 85 Beach Street, Westerly, RI 02891 401-596-0193 Contact: Pete Robinson RC Associates, LLC is a local firm specializing in individual tax returns. With RC Associates, the rates are very affordable and the service is friendly and prompt. Pete Robinson has been providing this service for 15+ years. He is also an Investment Advisory Representative at First Financial Advisory Services with fellow advisors Geraldine Cunningham and Matthew Cunningham. With R.C. Associates, a comprehensive approach is taken to tax savings as an integral part of a client's overall financial plan. Pete lives with his wife Jo and their three boys (Will, Nick, and Daniel) in Pawcatuck, Connecticut. When not doing taxes, Pete enjoys running, painting, and playing the guitar.

Benevides &

Turano LLC,

CPAs and Business Advisors

85 Beach Street Westerly, RI

401-596-9797

Small Business Development Center 75 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881 401-874-7232 Risbdc.org Contact: Monique Giguere

The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (RISBDC) at the University of Rhode Island serves as a focal point for the coordination of federal, state, local, academic, and private resources to assist small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. We provide no cost, one-on-one business counseling to entrepreneurs who wish to start, grow or maintain their businesses. In addition, the RISBDC offers a variety of training programs, workshops and seminars covering both basic business skills and advanced topical subjects at no or low cost.

The United Theatre 5 Canal Street, Westerly, RI 02891 860-705-3037 Contact: Simon Holt

“Uniting the Community through the Arts” The United Theatre is organized to establish a center for showcasing artistic excellence, creating for the southern New England region, a destination where all forms of art, including theatre, dance and film can be enjoyed by the public. As a venue, the theatre will have much to offer once it undergoes some needed renovations. From film, opera, live theater, music, comedy and lectures to a center for arts education, create spaces and workshops, the United Theatre will become a center for arts in the region, providing a home for local, national and international artists to showcase their work. The United Theatre is a registered 501(c)(3), non-profit organization.

NEW MEMBERS CONTINUED Is “Wall Dogs” for

Westerly/Pawcatuck? Local residents and town officials are very interested in hosting a Wall Dogs Festival in 2018 or 2019. This initiative would bring together about 100 highly skilled muralists and sign painters from around the globe to work collectively on a community mural project. Numerous brick building in our two state downtown would be transformed into bold, attractive works of art. Designs, selected by a committee, would have historical significance and could reference events, products, businesses and landmarks in our community. Imagine a mural dedicated to the granite industry or the flying horse carousel. Housing and food would need to be provided to artists and between $40,000-$50,000 raised to cover the expenses of the program and establish a maintenance fund. Murals would vary in size based on the space that is donated by the building owners, and the amount of funds raised overall. To see some examples of how this incredible art program can transform a community and create a dramatic impact, visit thewalldogs.com. To get involved on the ground level of this exciting project, contact Jean Gagnier at 401-932-8586.

The Jonnycake Center of Westerly is recruiting candidates for a workforce education program. This program is in partnership with the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, Education Exchange, Literacy Volunteers of Washington County, and Westerly Public Schools; and made possible by the Real Jobs Rhode Island grant. Beginning March 14, this 6 week, FREE, program will offer essential skills, digital literacy, resume and interviewing techniques. Students age 18 and up will have the opportunity to develop customer service skills, learn Microsoft Office, complete an internship, and obtain employment. Each student will receive a weekly stipend of $200, and a 6 week paid internship at a local employer. This program is open to all Rhode Island residents. If interested please contact the Education Coordinator at the Jonnycake Center of Westerly 401-377-8069 ext. 1 or stop by the Social Services office.

Workforce Development

We are in the process of submitting our membership information for our 2016 Membership Directory! Please take the time to review your membership

page and information on our website before February 11, 2016.

Changes can be made by logging into your member account, calling or emailing the changes to

info@oceanchamber.org.

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Chamber of Commerce

WalMart Store #1964 at 258 Post Road, Westerly has rejoined the Chamber and is now accepting Gift Certificates!