While we are moving through a tough financial period, the Chamber is working harder than ever to provide a variety of activities and programs in 2009 that keep local businesses, and the Yuba-Sutter community, strong.

Last month's Business Today featured the Chamber's 2008 accomplishments. This Business Today includes the Chamber's 2009 Program of Work (Page 11) in four areas, networking opportunities, supporting a strong local economy, promoting the community and advocating on behalf of business.

Already, this year, we've been involved in two successful Business After Hours events; at Rich, Fuidge, Morris & Lane in Marysville and Gold Country Bank in Yuba City. We heard the economic forecast for the region at the January Business Connection Breakfast and we have the "State of the Counties" as the topic of the February Business Connection Breakfast.

Membership Director Mandy Jones also worked with Beale Air Force Base to kick off the Happy Landings program, in which spouses of new Beale Airmen are invited to lunch to learn about the community. Mandy's part of the presentation includes a Powerpoint that highlights the Yuba-Sutter community.

The new Explore 99 Things was published as the annual guide to Yuba-Sutter and the Tourism Committee has arranged for six months of advertising in Sunset and VIA magazines. Plans to print the Farm Stands brochures and Historical Landmarks & Sites are in the works as is a new brochure on a tour of Yuba City historic sites and homes.

The Shop Local Committee meets every two weeks and new, "Love to Shop Local" radio ads will soon launch. The Shop Local Discount Card Program now has 33 participants offering discounts. You can see the full list on Page 9 of this Business Today and online at www.yubasutterchamber.com. If you need a card, go to the participating businesses or pick one up at the Chamber.

In addition, Page 11 of this Business Today gives you almost 100 Member 2 Member discounts available exclusively to Chamber members. We urge Chamber members to work with one another to strengthen each others' businesses.

Two events in the works include the Legislative Lunch (see Page 10) on Friday, April 17, featuring Assemblymen Dan Logue and Jim Nielsen. This is a project of the Government Affairs Committee, which also has heard presentations from Marysville city officials on their financial challenges and from the Three Rivers Levee Improvement District.

Also on Page 10, there's news about the 2009 Spring Gala where the Chamber will announce the Vision and Athena awards. That's on May 30 at Yuba College. This event has limited seating so sign up early.

To round out the month, the Chamber is working on two events in partnership with other groups. On March 11, The Yuba City Community Development Department and FREED will host "A Business Owner's Guide to the ADA" from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Yuba City City Council Chambers. Several topics will be covered and you will get an excellent overview of how to evaluate your business, identify common problems, tax credits and deductions and more. There is no cost to attend. RSVP to Becky Godinez at 822-4629 by March 10th. 

And, don't forget the Yuba-Sutter Business Consortium Presents Patricia Fripp, "Getting, Keeping and Deserving Your Customers," on Wednesday, March 25, at Yuba College. Wine tasting and culinary delights are featured from 5:30 to 7 p.m. followed by the presentation. The cost is $40 per person, $35 per person in groups of 10 or more and $45 at the door. This event follows the successful launch of the Yuba-Sutter Presents featuring Doug Lipp in 2008. Call Terra Yaney at Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation at 751-8555 for tickets.

We hope you agree, the Chamber is working for you.