Chamber Board Member Non-Proft Housing Organization Cleans Up Anniston Neighborhood

NON-PROFIT HOUSING DEVELOPER TO CLEAN UP NEIGHBORHOOD, ONE ABANDONED HOUSE AT A TIME

Non-profit housing developer Baron Sandlin wants to restore quality living to an Anniston neighborhood by renovating the abandoned structures there.

Sandlin’s Northeast Alabama Community Development Corp., Inc. has finished a rehab project on the first home and is already making plans for the next house. The renovated home will be revealed Saturday, March 13 at 10 a.m. at 2001 Moore Ave. in Anniston.  Anniston Mayor Gene Robinson, Sandlin, financial supporters and others are expected to speak during the press conference and ribbon cutting.

Sandlin said it took three months to turn what was once a boarded-up duplex with a rotten roof, bad floors and a fallen-in utility room, into a clean, three-bedroom home ready for a family to rent. “The place was an eyesore at first. The property owner had left it there,’’ he said. “Now, it’s a nice house.”

Sandlin’s group saw that several homes along Anniston’s Moore Avenue had been abandoned. Worried about what effect the scenery was making on the families in the community, Sandlin investigated to see what could be done to change things.

He identified 20 abandoned properties and started asking the absent owners to donate the properties or work with him in negotiating a reasonable sale price. He prefers to make over homes that are in clusters in a neighborhood because of the larger impact that can be made on improving the community. Currently, the plan is fix up the homes and rent them to deserving families. If the real estate market changes, they may sell the houses in the future, he said.

He bought the first home for $6,000; and invested $70,000 to rehab it. Funding was made possible through the Housing Fund of Central Alabama, a statewide non-profit affordable housing support agency based in Birmingham. Another financial supporter was the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama, which focuses on seven northeast Alabama counties, including Calhoun, Clay, Randolph and Etowah counties.

Sandlin said his organization does not just serve Calhoun County, but also Clay County. “We are very excited about doing what we are doing; having the compassion to do rehab, countywide,’’ he said.

For more info:
Contact: Baron Sandlin
256-235-8018; or 205-541-9839 after 5 p.m.

Lineville Alabama High School Reunion

June 12, 2010
1:00 pm	to	5:00 pm

It has been said that you can never go home again.  Not so, because the Lineville High School Aggies are returning home for the day.  On the afternoon of June 12, 2010 from 1 to 5 pm,  all LHS classes from years 1960 – 1967 plus those from later classes who are members of the LHS Alumni Web Site, are being invited to join the Class of ’66 for an afternoon of great fun.  The return is called “Blast From The Past”.  If you are interested in organizing your class to attend “The Blast” then please visit the website Lineville High School Alumni website at http://lhsaggies.com/ and then click on June Blast in the main menu bar.

There is a link to downloadable document with all details – top left – right under the Ram head.

See ya there!

Welcome to Clay County, Alabama

The Clay County Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome you to Clay County, Alabama – The Heart of East Central Alabama. Thank you for your interest in the “peaceful place” that we call home. Our website is being updated almost daily as our goal is to provide you with as much information about our county as possible. We know it is impossible to cover every aspect of our county through this website so if you have any questions or need to contact us, please do. Contact info is below.

We hope you’ll take some time and navigate around our website. We want you to consider visiting Clay County and we’re always seeking new businesses to move here and help us grow. Clay County is a wonderful place to live. Enjoy the benefits of country living and if you still need a hit of the big city life, we’re only a two-hour or less car drive to the metro areas of Atlanta, Birmingham or Montgomery.

We’re only minutes from beautiful and clean Lake Wedowee and a short ride to Mt. Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama (click here to watch a short video on Mt. Cheaha State Park). We sit right in the Talladega National Forest with hiking trails, waterfalls, horseback trails, camping and just plain pretty scenery. And when was the last time you looked up into the sky and saw a gazillion stars? No light pollution here. Clay County is a stargazers paradise so bring your telescope.

Check out Clay County soon. Mark your calendar and attend the 2009 Clay County Music & Arts Festival on Saturday, May 16th, 2009 – all day. Guaranteed fun for the whole family. Look at photos from the 2008 Festival – click here. We know if you visit us, you’ll probably stick around for awhile – maybe a lifetime.

Contact us anytime – we’d love to hear from you. We have an Executive Director, Mary Patchunka-Smith, who mans our office Monday through Friday. She is a busy lady so if she doesn’t answer the phone right away, leave a message and she’ll get back to you very quickly. And, we even have high speed Internet service out here in the country, too. So, you can contact our Chamber through email as well. Our contact information follows:

Clay County Chamber of Commerce
86838 Highway 9 – P O Box 85
Lineville, AL 36266
256-396-2828 office
256-396-5532 fax
email: claychamber@centurytel.net
Executive Director: Mary Patchunka-Smith

Chamber Goals

To support and promote the business climate while preserving the quality of life that is unique to our community. To promote the civic, economic and social welfare of the citizens of Clay County, Alabama.

STRENGTHENING the development of business and industry.

ENCOURAGING cooperation among local officials.

PRESERVING and conserving the environment and significant historical sites.

ENHANCING quality education to prepare our young people for the future work place and to instill in them an appreciation of their citizenship.

FOSTERING a sense of community spirit.

Member Spotlight Ashland Tax

Professional Services for Individuals and Small Businesses
Patricia Mitchell, E.A. • Timothy Rude, E.A. • Carrie Fifarek

Ashland Tax & Business Services, Inc. is a charter member of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce. Patricia volunteered her services in organizing the Chamber, and used the resources of her office to apply for and receive recognition of the Chamber for tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service.

They have been helping individuals and businesses in and around Clay County since 1986. They offer all types of Federal and State tax preparation, accounting, payroll and sales tax services. And if you are having computer problems, they can help with that too.

The staff includes two Enrolled Agents available year round, Patricia Mitchell and Tim Rude. An ‘enrolled agent’ is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Enrolled agents, like attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs), are generally unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS offices they can practice before. In contrast, practice before the IRS is much more limited for other individuals.

Patricia and Tim have each demonstrated special competence in tax matters and have passed a background check with the Internal Revenue Service. Additionally, as EA’s they are required to maintain their skills by continuing education each year.

The firm’s mission is to help their clients achieve success by providing personalized attention and a commitment to service that addresses not only today’s needs but tomorrow’s plans. They provide excellent service, placing a premium on timeliness, thoroughness and accuracy.

This year there are many changes to be aware of before filing your tax returns.

• Making Work Pay Credit: Most people who have earned income from work are eligible for a tax credit this year of up to $400 ($800 for a married couple).
• American Opportunity Education Credit: Tax credits for college education have been expanded and increased. And now some of these credits can even generate a tax refund when in prior years they could not.
• Unemployment Compensation: The first $2,400 of unemployment compensation received for 2009 is tax free. Amounts over $2,400 are still taxable.
• New Vehicle Sales Tax Deduction: If you bought a brand new motor vehicle in 2009 after February 16, you may be able to deduct the sales tax even if you file the short form.
• New Rules for Parents who Divorce in 2009 or Later: In order for the non-custodial parent to claim a dependent exemption for a child, IRS form 8832 (a release signed by the custodial parent) must now be attached to the return. This is true even if the divorce decree states that the non-custodial parent is allowed to claim to the child as a dependent. A copy of the divorce decree is no longer sufficient.
• Home-Buyer Credits: First-time home-buyers (who did not own a home within the last three years) can receive a tax credit of up to $8,000 for a home purchase between 1/1/2009 and 4/30/2010. Long-time home-buyers (who have owned and lived in the same home for at least five consecutive years out of the last eight) who purchase a new home between 11/7/2009 and 4/30/2010 can receive a tax credit of up to $6,500. The credit for a home purchased in 2010 can even be claimed on the 2009 tax return, to speed up getting the refund.
• Tax Credits for Energy Saving Improvements: A number of energy saving items that homeowners purchase in 2009 are eligible for tax credits. There are specific requirements that have to be met in order to qualify.

This is just an brief overview of the tax changes for this year. For more information please stop by or call Ashland Tax & Business Services, Inc. From the square in Ashland go south on Hwy 9 about 2 blocks. The office is located on the corner of Hwy 9 and 3rd Ave S.

82948 Highway 9
Ashland, AL 36251
Phone: (256) 354-3166 / Fax: (256) 354-0066
Email: taxpros@ashlandtax.com
Website: www.ashlandtax.com

Clay County Chamber March Business After Hours Event

March 18, 2010
5:00 pm	to	6:00 pm

Make plans now to attend the March 2010 Clay County Chamber of Commerce After Hours Event on March 18th from 5 to 6 pm.

Sponsored by one of our newest members, Business Systems, Inc.  Attend and learn more about BSI and network with other Chamber members. Plus, have a chance to win a Savin B&W Laser Printer. Must be present to be eligible for this great door prize.

This event will be held at the Clay Automotive Dealership located on Hwy 9 in Lineville.

2010 Clay County Music & Arts Festival

May 15, 2010

The 4th Annual Clay County Music & Arts Festival is set for Saturday, May 15th from 10 am until dark.  This annual festival, sponsored by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, rotates between Lineville and Ashland, Alabama. This year’s event will take place on the Historic Square of Ashland.

Excellent musical talent from around the area and the county is already lined up – download list below. You will not be disappointed!

Now is the time for Sponsors and Vendors to get on board. Use the links below to download applications and registration forms. There is also a booth diagram so vendors can choose the booth they want. Don’t wait … get your booth early. When we held the festival in Ashland in 2008, we sold out fast. Check back here often as we will be updating our progress in the weeks and months to come.

Download Sponsor Application – 2010 Festival Sponsor Application (22)

Download Vendor Registration – 2010 Festival Vendor Application (36)

Download Booth Layout Map – 2010 Festival Vendor Map (48)

Download Musical Lineup – 2010 Festival Music Lineup (7)

Clay County Chamber Board of Directors

Clay County Alabama Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors 2010
Executive Director: Mary Patchunka-Smith
256-396-2828      Cell: (256) 276-8964      claychamber@centurytel.net

Listed below is your 2010 Board of Directors. We are here to serve you – our members. Contact us if you need anything. Your input is valuable and we want to hear your suggestions and ideas on how to make the Clay County Chamber of Commerce better. Our goals are the same and together we can improve our Chamber, our cities, our county, and our quality of life. We all look forward to hearing from you soon.

President
Kathy Pinkston – katpin@kochfoods.com
Koch Foods
Ashland, AL 36251
256-354-1913

1st Vice President
Brad Strother – brad@facslions.com
First Assembly Christian School
256-354-4090

2nd Vice President
Debbie McKinney – debbieadmin@clayhosp.org
Clay County Health Care Authority
256-354-1178

Secretary / Treasurer
Jeanette Carroll – jcarroll513@aol.com
Cell: 256-276-1216

Billy Robertson – billyrobertson@emeraldrealty.net
Emerald Realty
256-396-2717

Baron Sandlin – bsandlinnacdc@att.net
Executive Director – Northeast Alabama CDC
Cell: (205) 541-9839

Mike Coleman – mike@mikecolemaninsurance.com
State Farm Insurance
Ofc: 256-354-2272

Stan Gaither – aha@centurytel.net
Ashland Housing Authority
256-354-266

Lisa Runyan  – lrunyan@mindspring.com
Clay County Children Policy Council
256-354-9021

Mary Patchunka-Smith, Executive Director
256-396-2828
claychamber@centurytel.net

Chamber Business After Hours Event

January 12, 2010
5:00 pm	to	6:00 pm

Chamber Business After Hours Event

Attend the January Chamber Business After Hours Event at Clay Automotive. Sponsored by Clay Automotive and Neighborhood Publishing. Come join your fellow Chamber members and let’s start the year off by networking with each other and sharing ideas.

When: Tuesday, January 12th from 5:00 – 6:00 pm.

Where: Clay County Automotive Dealership in Lineville.

RSVP to the Chamber at 256-396-2828 or email at claychamber@centurytel.net.

Membership Info

We welcome businesses and individuals as members in our association. The Clay County Chamber of Commerce has been working for a better Clay County area since 1990.

Does anything on the list below apply to you?

* I want the Clay County area to be a better place to live and make a living.
* I believe that the Clay County area holds a promise of better living.
* I want to promote the Clay County area in a positive manner.
* I want to be involved in making the Clay County area better.

If this sounds like you then Join the Chamber – click to download 2010 Membership Application (173) – then complete and return to the Chamber. If you have any questions or need more information, call us at (256) 396-2828. We will be happy to assist you in whatever way we can. Click here for investment rate information.

Benefits and Services of the Chamber

Membership in the Clay County Chamber of Commerce entitles businesses and individuals to numerous benefits and services, to include:

*Advertising and publicity
*Workshops and seminars
*Membership directory
*Business referrals
*Marketing and research
*Business and political contacts
*Monthly newsletter
*Annual Prayer Breakfast, Annual Dinner, Town Hall meetings and much more

Reasons for being a Chamber Member

1. Clay County Chamber of Commerce is proud of each and every business that invests in the county – big and small.

2. Clay County Chamber of Commerce promotes economic growth through the expansion of existing businesses to that of new companies.

3. Clay County Chamber of Commerce is an information center for hundreds of telephone calls, office visits, and inquiries annually on what to see and do in the county and where to live and work in the county.

4. Clay County Chamber of Commerce is committed to community development and improving the quality of life in Clay County.

5. Clay County Chamber of Commerce is all about promoting every aspect of the county.

6. Clay County Chamber of Commerce works hard everyday for YOU and your business!

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