Do we Want Government to Intrude in our Businesses?

2 comments March 26th, 2009

I know some of us don’t want government to intrude or get involved with our business.  Here is Congressman Manzullo’s questioning of the Secretary of the Treasury…what do you think? Intrusion

Senate OKs tax incentives to boost hiring-in Georgia

Add comment March 26th, 2009

Bill would give businesses $2,400 credit per jobless person they employ, keep on payroll.

The state Senate approved a Republican plan Wednesday to give tax breaks to businesses if they hire unemployed Georgians.

Just before that vote, the House failed to pass a bill giving homeowners a potential tax break by increasing the state homestead exemption.

Lawmakers are expected to spend much of the last few days of the legislative session voting on tax and spending bills.

The jobs tax bill the Senate approved has been among the most popular of the session and has been backed by many Democrats.

House Bill 481, which passed the Senate 43-7, would give businesses a $2,400 tax credit for each unemployed person they hire and keep on the job.

It would also give unemployment tax breaks to companies that hire the unemployed. In addition, the bill would gradually phase out state corporate income taxes for Georgia-headquartered companies.

The House overwhelmingly passed the bill, without the corporate income tax break. It will now consider the Senate version.

Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) said the plan could help create thousands of jobs.

“This does the most important thing we can do up here, and that’s help Georgians get jobs,” Rogers said. “The recovery starts in Georgia.”

However, Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) said it would result in a $600 million loss in state revenue. That’s how much money companies would save in lower taxes, she said.

“We’re in a budget climate where we are slashing and burning … this is fiscally unsound policy,” Orrock said. “It is irresponsible of us.”

Orrock said each job the bill would create would cost the state $265,000 in tax cuts. “It doesn’t pass the smell test,” she said. “We’re digging the budget hole deeper by passing bills like this.”

Business lobbyists applauded the bill’s passage.

“This is a big victory for small business,” said David Raynor, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business. “This is a visionary piece of legislation that’s going to help create and preserve jobs, and that’s going to help small business lead Georgia out of this recession.”

Earlier Wednesday, the House narrowly killed a bill to raise the state homestead exemption from $2,000 to $4,000.

The resolution was pushed by Republicans who argued that the state homestead exemption hasn’t changed since 1937. Homeowners also get much larger, local homestead exemptions.

Democrats complained that the measure would mean less money for local governments for schools and police.

Rep. Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta) urged colleagues to put the desires of local homeowners ahead of those of local governments.

“This shows our homeowners, our people back home, that we care and that we’re going to cut back,” Jones said.

By James Salzer

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Go Global Reason 5

Add comment March 26th, 2009

There will be some really good networking sessions available at Go Global II.

MATCHMAKING “Speed Dating”- Sessions will be 5-10 minutes long (plenty of time for your elevator speech).

Consulates (Mexico, Malaysia, China, India, Turkey, Philippines, South Africa, France, Australia, United Kingdom)

Talk to Trade Commissioners about the market potential for your products and services in specific markets.  Discuss                 incentives available for commercialization of technologies OR investment in specific markets.  Get up-to-date information on the impact of the current financial crisis in various markets around the world.

Large business (Lockheed Martin Space Systems Group, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Division, SupplyCore, Army Sustainment Command)

Meet one on one with large businesses that are looking to partner.    Find out what these companies are looking for in a supplier.  Opportunities to visit with all and explore synergies.

Register today because SPACE IS LIMITED!  www.GoGlobalRockford.com

Or contact:

Carrie Zethmayr,  Rockford Area Economic Development Council at Czethmayr@rockfordil.com
Marge Bevers,  Greater Rockford Airport Authority at mbevers@flyrfd.com
Megan McKinney,  SupplyCore at Megan.McKinney@SupplyCore.com

How do I get myself into these things?

Add comment March 26th, 2009

Rushing around to go a day early (sounded good in January) to the Fabricators and Manufacturers Conference I wondered why am I going?! Work and life have been so busy I doubted why I should have this on my schedule! A four hour flight (reviewing the SJTI FAA Repair Station Manual), lead to sitting in the warmish air, that lead to the FMA knowing how to through a welcome event, that lead to having a relaxing conversation with a potential customer (one I have tried to entice for over two years), that lead to bringing up a service I thought they could use, that lead to “I really need to come over and tour your facility and see what you are doing there!” BINGO that is why I am here! It might be that if you are reading this —you should be here too! Take a look on your desk are you wondering if you should attend Go Global or the next WOTM dinner meeting, or the Design 2 Part show, or the May event at the Rock Island Arsenal? Get signed up! Support of other manufacturers attending and the opportunity to meet new partners and customers is what is going to keep your company in the game! Miss you in AZ!

Go Global Reason 4

Add comment March 25th, 2009

Another in this series…see earlier posts:  GoGlobal and  GoGlobal 1 and GoGlobal2  and GoGlobal3

What to expect from OEM’s

Next Generation companies are generating double-digit revenue growth by leveraging their strong domestic operations to sell and source internationally.  As OEMs expand their global footprint, they expect key suppliers to keep pace in order to reduce landed costs and meet expectations for cost, quality and delivery.  In this panel discussion, the former head of Supplier Relations Management from Caterpillar will discuss why companies should consider going global, what avenues to take, and why an international strategy is necessary to benefit key customers.   Then, the VP of Business Development from Eclipse will talk about how this company has expanded market share by selling more internationally  He’ll provide context on the key issues of globalization such as financing, intellectual property, logistics, design specs, and dealing with local laws.  The session will be moderated by the President of IMEC, a team of business improvement specialists who work with companies to be more productive and globally competitive.

Register today because SPACE IS LIMITED!  www.GoGlobalRockford.com

Or contact:

Carrie Zethmayr,  Rockford Area Economic Development Council at Czethmayr@rockfordil.com
Marge Bevers,  Greater Rockford Airport Authority at mbevers@flyrfd.com
Megan McKinney,  SupplyCore at Megan.McKinney@SupplyCore.com

Go Global Reason 3

Add comment March 25th, 2009

Realities of 10+2

Just one additional day delay in the global supply chain is equal to ½ of one percent of the value of goods. A one day slowdown due to ineffective implementation of 10+2 compliance would cost $500,000 per year for a company importing $100 million annually.  Matt Gersper, President Global Data Mining, LLC focuses on the importance of understanding the enterprise-wide impact the newly released Importer Security Filing regulation may have on your company. Learn how best-in-class companies are funding cross-functional teams and developing strategic enterprise-wide solutions, using 10+2 as a catalyst to optimize currently inefficient global trade processes, and creating competitive advantage.

Register today because SPACE IS LIMITED!  www.GoGlobalRockford.com

Or contact:

Carrie Zethmayr,  Rockford Area Economic Development Council at Czethmayr@rockfordil.com
Marge Bevers,  Greater Rockford Airport Authority at mbevers@flyrfd.com
Megan McKinney,  SupplyCore at Megan.McKinney@SupplyCore.com

Is Manufacturing Heading Back Up?

Add comment March 25th, 2009

Excerpt from the Advanced Report on Durable Goods sure looks good!

“New orders for manufactured durable goods in February increased $5.5 billion or 3.4 percent to $165.6
billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced today. This increase follows six consecutive monthly decreases, including a 7.3 percent January decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 3.9 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 1.7 percent. Machinery, up following four consecutive monthly decreases, had the largest increase, $2.9 billion or 13.5 percent to $24.4 billion.”

See the rest here….Advanced Report

Small is Better!

Add comment March 24th, 2009

Small and Local, that’s what I said in my blog…. Small

Now this comes from the Banking Industry saying that Regional Banks are the future.  Read it here…Regional

Go Global Reason 2

2 comments March 24th, 2009

See the previous post….

http://blogs.e-rockford.com/manufacturing/2009/03/24/go-global-reason-1/

TAP Update:  FTZ as Economic Engine

Brandi Hanbeck, Managing Partner of Foreign Trade Services for the Rockefeller Group will explain the fundamentals of Trade Agreement Parity.  Why we need TAP, how TAP will help and why TAP is the right approach.  This will involve some background on free trade agreements, trade volumes and import/export trends.  We believe that TAP provides a much needed free trade agreement between the U.S. government and American workers by benefitting companies that manufacture in the U.S. that demonstrate they are otherwise at a tariff disadvantage to goods manufactured in countries with which we have entered into free trade agreements.  TAP is the modern day extension of leveling the tariff field for U.S.-based manufacturers, a concept the FTZ program has recognized and successfully addressed for over 50 years.

Register today because SPACE IS LIMITED!  www.GoGlobalRockford.com

Or contact:

Carrie Zethmayr,  Rockford Area Economic Development Council at Czethmayr@rockfordil.com
Marge Bevers,  Greater Rockford Airport Authority at mbevers@flyrfd.com
Megan McKinney,  SupplyCore at Megan.McKinney@SupplyCore.com

Specter Says No to Card Check Bill

Add comment March 24th, 2009

At least someone understands and is listening… No Cards