Chamber Advocacy Notes

2010 has been a very busy year already in terms of the number of important issues that we have been involved in and contributing input to. I would like to offer some brief summaries. Links to more detailed information that is available on the web are provided where applicable.

If you have questions about any of these advocacy areas, contact Member Services Coordinator Katy Korkos at 661-4816, or email chamber@losalamos.org
The Chamber through its participation on the MainStreet Futures Committee presented and discussed three policy recommendations for improving prospects for progress toward the downtown vision with the County Council.The recommendations had to do with ways to streamline business interactions with the County, remove causes of confusion and uncertainty, and solve issues of land assembly that are a barrier to potential redevelopment.

Recommendations to County Council
County Charter Review - The Chamber has provided input to the County’s Charter Review Committee to oppose a number of ideas that have been suggested to change the way that the County makes capital investment and real estate decisions. We believe that the suggested changes would be detrimental to the community.

Input provided to committee

County Charter Review Committee Page
State Legislature -- While the State legislature is in session we are involved in a variety of advocacy activities mostly as participants in larger groups such as the NM Chamber Execs Association, Association of Commerce and Industry, NM Industrial Development Executives Association, and the NM MainStreet Coaliton.
Wayfinding Signage Improvement -- We have advocated for improved signage for helping visitors to find their way around the County. A first phase of signage improvements is being developed and the hope is that it will be in place before the summer. A second phase involving a more comprehensive planning effort is anticipated after the phase 1 completion.
White Rock Master Plan -- The Chamber has been an active participant in the process to develop the plan and in the County implementation committee.

County Project Page
The Chamber and LACDC have taken an advocacy position supporting the option of future management of the Valles Caldera by the National Park Service. Similat input is being provided to the County Council and congressional delegation.

Input Letter
LANL Hazardous Waste Permit: National and Local Impacts - The Chamber has taken the position of supporting full renewal of the permit by the the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED). NMED is proposing denial of a portion of the permit and will be conducting hearings in April to gather input. After evaluating the NMED information including LANL response to NMED concerns, it is clear that NMED agrees that there are no health concerns nor consequential environmental concerns related to granting the permit. Their reasoning is based on the balance of public input being in opposition with little input having been received in support. We believe that there would be negative national security and NM economic impacts from the denial.

The Chamber has created a petition that we invite all interested parties to sign. You can either print it out, sign, and return to the Chamber. Or you can stop by the Chamber and sign. You are encouraged to gather other signatures.

Background Materials:
Chamber Petition
Economic Vitality Strategic Plan - The Chamber has participated with Los Alamos County in their drafting of an Economic Vitality Strategic Plan (EVSP) and have participated in County public input sessions to collect input for improving the draft.

Draft EVSP

Public Comment Notes Introducing Plan
The Chamber has provided input to the National Park Service, congressional delegation, and County Council on the Manhattan Project National Park Resource Study. Our input supports the preferred alternative to create a new national park unit here.

Input Provided to NPS
Municipal Building Downtown -- We have advocated for choosing a downtown location for the Municipal Building in order to maximize potential synergies for economic impact in the downtown. The County Council has selected a downtown location.

Input Provided to Council

County Municipal Building Project Page
An emerging advocacy effort is to support nomination of Los Alamos County for participation in Google's Community Fiber initiative.The Chamber is teaming with Los Alamos County and others to promote and characterize public support.We have established a webpage at www.fiberup.org to provide information and opportunities for involvement.
The Chamber facilitates a public blog at blog.laprogress.info as a collecting place and repository for news and opinons that are consistent with the progressive agenda of the Chamber.
The Chamber has been a continuing voice for the importance of supporting local business interests.This message is delivered through a variety of channels including www.fyiLA.com, op-eds published in the Los Alamos Monitor and at blog.laprogress.info., the Essence of Los Alamos & White Rock,, the Chamber's Facebook fan page, and video spots that have run at the Reel Deal and on Comcast.(example below)
Trinity Advisory Committee - The Chamber participates on the County's Trinity Advisory Committee.

County Project Page
Downtown Street Standards Committee - The Chamber has been a participant on the downtown street standards committee of the County and has worked to represent concerns expressed by members and communicate the work of the group.

County Project Page