A leading state businessman and businesswoman are being recognized as America’s Retail Champions.

The National Retail Federation has announced it is recognizing Alabama Retail Association Chairman Ricky Bromberg, president of Bromberg and Co. in Birmingham, and retail association board member Terry Shea, co-owner of Wrapsody in Hoover and Auburn, for their contributions to advocacy.

Bromberg and Shea will be in Washington, D.C., next week to take part in NRF’s Retail Advocate’s Summit.

“Through the America’s Retail Champions program, the National Retail Federation is proud to host hardworking small business owners in Washington, D.C., to recognize our industry’s most engaged retail advocates,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “These men and women truly personify the American Dream, and it is important that Washington lawmakers hear first hand from retail job and opportunity creators in towns large and small across the country.

Bromberg and Shea are among 41 small business retailers throughout the country to be named as a 2016 Champion, and are in the running to be named as a finalist and honored as the America’s Retail Champion of the Year.

In 2015, Alabama Retail Immediate Past Chairman George Wilder was named a Top 5 finalist for America’s Retail Champion of the Year.

View the original article here.

MONTGOMERY, April 15, 2016 – State tax obligations can sometimes confuse business owners. Licenses, sales tax, property tax, etc. – business owners are responsible for many details. To make that task easier, the Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR) is offering all business owners the new Business Essentials for State Taxpayers (B.E.S.T) educational program.

The cornerstone of the program is ADOR’s B.E.S.T. Seminars, formerly called Business Workshops. These free seminars are offered quarterly at each of ADOR’s nine Taxpayer Service Centers or the cities in which the service centers are located. Specialists from the service centers conduct the seminars, which include a brief but comprehensive overview of Alabama’s business taxes, the business owner’s tax obligations, and the forms that are required, as well as information on electronic filing and other requirements. Presenters cover a variety of state tax information topics, including employer withholding taxes, state and local sales taxes, property taxes, and business licensing requirements. Attendees also will learn about Alabama’s ONE SPOT, a free Internet filing and payment portal that allows business taxpayers to file and pay state, county, and city sales, use, and rental taxes all in one place!

The B.E.S.T. Seminars are designed to offer the same information in the same format across the state, so it will not matter which seminar business owners attend. New owners will learn how to register their business, obtain licenses and permits, file returns, and much more to help them get started, while current owners can brush up on any recent changes in tax laws.

Currently under development is the B.E.S.T. website, where business owners can find a schedule of upcoming seminars and registration information. The PowerPoint presentation that is used at each seminar will soon be available on the website, as will the “Starting a New Business” guide book that seminar attendees receive. In the future, videos will be added that touch on each portion of the B.E.S.T. presentation, so business owners who cannot attend a seminar will still have access to the essential information they need.

For more information on B.E.S.T. seminars and resources, please visit the website. The inaugural B.E.S.T. Seminars will occur on Tuesday in Opelika and Thursday in Hoover.

Media contact for more information:
ADOR Communications/Publications Division
Frank.miles@revenue.alabama.gov
Amanda.collier@revenue.alabama.gov Telephone: 334-242-1390; FAX: 334-242-0550
Website: http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/

JoMorris Law and his sister, Virginia Law, were visiting the Jackson Career Center in Clarke County when they were interviewed by Career Center staff to determine if they met the requirements for the Work Based Learning (WBL) program. Both were food stamp recipients lacking work history living in a poor rural area (Coffeeville).

JoMorris had taken some night welding courses at Alabama Southern Community College, but was not interested in enrolling full-time in the welding program (Industrial Training Authority). His goal was to gain employment in the welding field. Virginia also was interested in gaining employment in a position working with others.

Both were scheduled to take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). TABE results indicated JoMorris was basic skills proficient, but Virginia was basic skills deficient. JoMorris was referred to Sheila Thompson, Business Services Representative, for possible WBL placement and Virginia was referred to the Alabama Southern Community College Adult Education Program. Since Alabama Southern Community College (ASCC) Adult Education, Coffeeville site, was closed for the Christmas holidays, staff gave Virginia math and reading remediation information for her to study on her own and then re take the TABE.

Ms. Thompson had been conducting meetings with several employers regarding WBL, with positive responses. Jackson Metalworks, Inc., a metal machine shop in Jackson, AL, was one of those employers, and the ideal worksite in light of JoMorris’s desire to enter the welding profession. Jackson Metalworks has been an excellent employer in the On the Job Training (OJT) program, and has trained and subsequently employed eight Machinists and Welders over the past two years. Several of these OJT participants have either been promoted to supervisory positions or offered jobs elsewhere making in excess of $25.00 per hour. Jackson Metalworks trains these participants and gives the work experience required by most industrial employers.

Ms. Thompson called Ricky Milstead, the owner of Jackson Metalworks, and asked if he would be interested in JoMorris for WBL. Jackson Metalworks already had one WBL participant. Mr. Milstead interviewed JoMorris and was impressed with his humble attitude and courteous nature. Mr. Milstead offered a WBL Internship to JoMorris in the position of a Machine Shop Attendant, and said if JoMorris showed interest, dependability and a good work ethic, he would then like to offer him OJT in the position of a Welder. JoMorris began his internship on November 19, 2015.

On December 4, 2015, Mr. Milstead told Ms. Thompson during a phone conversation that, in his opinion, JoMorris was a SUPERSTAR! Mr. Milstead said he was very pleased with JoMorris’s performance thus far and that he wished he had a dozen more like him. Throughout the internship, all follow-ups with the employer were positive in regards to JoMorris. Ms. Thompson relayed this to JoMorris and encouraged him to keep up the good work. She continued to remind him that performance during the internship would be the deciding factor in being offered an OJT contract upon completion of the 390 hours.

On January 21, 2016, at the request of the employer, a request was made and approval was given for Jackson Metalworks to train JoMorris in the positon of Welder. JoMorris was scheduled to complete the 390 hours of WBL on February 3, 2016. Ms. Thompson received a phone call from JoMorris at the end of his work day. “Ms. Sheila! I got the job! I just wanted to call and say thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.” JoMorris will be trained as a Welder at the hourly rate of $11.00.
JoMorris’s sister Virginia was retested, but still needed remediation. Because of the success of her brother JoMorris, a request was made to allow Virginia to be referred to Ms. Thompson for possible WBL placement.

Ms. Thompson contacted The Arc of Clarke County (TARCC), which is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to providing services and advocating for persons with intellectual disabilities in Clarke County, who had an open job order for a Life Coach. Virginia had expressed an interest in working with and helping people. Ms. Thompson contacted TARCC, who interviewed Virginia. Virginia began her work experience at TARCC Monday, January 25, 2016. At the end of her first day at work, Virginia came to the Career Center and reported that she loved it! Ms. Thompson met with Virginia’s supervisor following Virginia’s second day of work, who said Virginia that was doing a wonderful job and that she thought she was going to work out great!

Since placing Virginia at The ARC as a Life Coach, ASCC has opened an Adult Education site at the Career Center. Virginia has been referred and will work on her math and reading skills after she gets off of work on Mondays and Wednesdays.
The WBL program has been life changing for this family. JoMorris has gained full-time employment going from $7.25 per hour to $11.00 per hour with benefits. Virginia is still working as a WBL participant, and if things continue to go well, TARCC will employ Virginia full-time as a Life Coach making $8.00 an hour.

Read the WBL Press Release

MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington announced today that nearly 33,000 Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) certifications, representing a potential $85,932,400 in tax credits, have been released in January by the Department to participating employers due to Congressional re-authorization of the WOTC program.

The WOTC program is a federally-funded program that provides incentives to businesses to hire individuals who have historically faced barriers to employment. Examples of WOTC eligible employees include: Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients, Food Stamp recipients, youth, ex-felons, Supplemental Security Income recipients, Veterans, and those with disabilities, among others. Read More

The Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday approved new legislation sponsored by State Rep. Kyle South, R – Fayette, that would provide a state income tax credit to small businesses for each new employee they hire.

The bill is included in the House Republican Caucus’s “Right for Alabama” legislative agenda that was announced prior to the session’s start, according to a release from the office of House Speaker Mike Hubbard.

“Over the last 20 years, small businesses have created more than 65 percent of all new jobs in our nation, but Alabama and other states have focused almost exclusively on providing incentives to industries and large employers,” South said. “By passing my bill, the Legislature can send the strong message that we care about small business owners and employees and understand and value the important role they play in Alabama’s economy.”
Under the new legislation, small businesses with 75 employees or less will be able to claim a $1,500 tax credit for each qualified, new, full-time employee hired.

The business may also claim an additional $1,000 tax credit if the new employee is an unemployed veteran recently returned from deployment. This credit comes as part of the Heroes for Hire Act passed by the legislature in 2012.
To qualify for the credit, businesses must retain the new employee for a consecutive 12-month period, and the employee must earn a salary of $40,000 a year or more. The employee must also be an Alabama resident in order to ensure that the credits are being used on behalf of Alabamians.

South said the state can now offer these credits with little or no loss of state budget dollars because the income taxes that these previously unemployed workers will begin to pay will offset the cost of providing the tax credit.
“Through whichever prism you view it, this bill is a win for small business owners, it’s a win for the newly-hired and their families, and it’s a win for the state,” South said.

To view the original article from the Birmingham Business Journal, click here.

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) –
A sales ban on fetal body parts, small business tax credits, and Second Amendment protections are among a host of items unveiled Thursday as part of the Alabama’s House Republican Caucus’ upcoming legislative agenda. The Caucus is promising to use its supermajority status to focus on a host of issues and is branding its agenda “Right for Alabama”.

Agenda points focus on 11 specific issues. They include budgeting and pension reforms, school and student safety, small business tax credits, taxpayer protections, protections against Syrian refugee threats, teacher pay raises and classroom technology upgrades, a constitutional amendment to solidify the state’s ‘right to work’ status, and protections for gun owners and unborn children.

House Speaker Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) and other House GOP leaders gathered to release the agenda at the Statehouse. The bills will get first priority in the upcoming session, which starts on Feb. 2.

Here’s exactly what the “Right for Alabama” agenda says about each specific point.

Zero-Based Budgeting Reform – In order to bring a new level of scrutiny, transparency, and accountability to the appropriations process, the Alabama House Republican Caucus will begin to implement a new “zero-based” budgeting system. This revolutionary new process will require state agencies to fully account for each dollar they receive, help identify ineffective programs that are in need of elimination, and potentially save or re-direct substantial amounts of taxpayer dollars.

Pension Reform – The Alabama House Republican Caucus will continue its efforts to ensure the long-term solvency and fiscal health of the Retirement Systems of Alabama while protecting and preserving the current level of benefits earned by existing retirees and employees.

Alabama Taxpayer Advocate Act – Under current law, the role of Taxpayer Advocate must be filled by an employee within the Department of Revenue who is selected by the commissioner and reports directly to her. In order to ensure fair and equitable treatment of Alabama taxpayers, House Republicans will offer legislation requiring the Taxpayer Advocate to be appointed by the governor from a pool of candidates recommended by a committee of government officials and business professionals. The advocate’s role and duties in protecting taxpayers’ interests would be expanded significantly under this measure.

Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit – During the past five years, Alabama has transformed into one of the most business-friendly states in the nation, and the Legislature has worked to provide incentives necessary to lure thousands of new, high-paying jobs to our state. Small businesses, however, have created more than 65% of all new jobs over the past 20 years nationally. To encourage further job expansion within the state, Alabama House Republicans will propose a $1,500 income tax credit for every new, qualified employee hired by small businesses operating within the state.

Alabama’s Right To Work Constitutional Amendment – Although Alabama and many other southeastern states are firm right-to-work states, labor unions have stepped up their efforts to organize industrial facilities across the region after experiencing recent successes that include Volkswagen in Tennessee and Golden Dragon in Wilcox County. Alabama passed one of the nation’s first right-to-work laws roughly 60 years ago, but House Republicans believe it is time to enshrine that employment protection in our state constitution and will offer an amendment to be included on the November 2016 election ballot.

Protecting Public Safety from Syrian Refugee Threats – Recognizing the inherent risks that exist and lacking confidence in federal claims of thorough background checks, the Alabama House Republican Caucus will oppose any Obama administration effort to relocate masses of Syrian or other Middle Eastern refugees to our state. The possibility of even one “refugee” with a questionable background slipping through the system poses a danger to our public safety that Alabamians should not be forced to endure.

Preserving Second Amendment Constitutional Rights – The Alabama House Republican Caucus pledges to assist members of our federal delegation in overturning Barack Obama’s unconstitutional executive orders attacking our Second Amendment right to own firearms.

School Security and Student Safety Task Force – Alabama schools have been extremely fortunate to avoid a violent situation like those that have occurred in other states, but we must continue looking for ways to improve school safety and ensure we are as prepared as possible to prevent or mitigate any situation that might arise. The Alabama House Republican Caucus will create a task force comprised of key education, law enforcement, and emergency management leaders from across the state and tasked with completing a comprehensive review and assessment of state laws, regulations, and protocols relating to security and student safety in our public K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. The Legislature will consider the task force’s resulting recommendations for improvement.

Teacher Pay Raise – Recognizing their importance in preparing students for success in the 21st Century workplace, House Republicans will work to provide Alabama’s K-12 and post-secondary education personnel with a pay raise.

Wireless Infrastructure Renovation for Education (WIRED) Act – An extensive knowledge of operating computers will be required of everyone in the 21st century workforce, so today’s students must be proficient in the latest technologies. Three out of five schools in the United States currently lack the infrastructure needed to take advantage of wireless technology, and that number is believed to be even higher in Alabama. The WIRED Act proposed by House Republicans will create a framework for putting wireless broadband in all K-12 public schools by providing grants to local systems for the purchase, installation or upgrade of wireless infrastructure. Schools already possessing the necessary infrastructure may use the grants to purchase wireless devices and technology.

Unborn Infants’ Dignity of Life Act – Recent reports about outrageous acts by Planned Parenthood and its representatives have prompted public outcry regarding the organization and the cavalier practices it utilizes regarding unborn life. In order to ensure that these atrocities do not occur in Alabama, the House Republican Caucus will offer legislation banning the sale of the bodily remains of unborn infants.

Copyright 2016 WSFA 12 News. All rights reserved.

To view the original article, click here.

Legislative session expected to address new tax credits, infrastructure problems.

The Alabama Legislative Session begins on Feb. 2, and there are several issues likely to be debated that will impact small business owners. Here’s a look at them.

HSA Tax Deduction

Legislation seeking to align Alabama’s income tax law to federal law with regard to health savings accounts—SB 9, HB 70 and HB 215—failed in the 2015 session, but is expected to resurface this year. These bills would give a state income tax deduction to those who make contributions to their HSAs to pay for healthcare costs.

Tax Rate Notification

Legislation on this topic—SB 322—also failed in the 2015 session, but we expect to see it again in the 2016 session. Under this bill, taxpayers would not be liable for collection and charge of incorrect tax rates based on the rate published by the Alabama Department of Revenue website. Local governments would have procedures with which to notify ADOR of rate changes, and these changes wouldn’t take effect until the first day of the third month following the notification. This would allow business owners time to update their bookkeeping for local and state changes and relieve them of penalties or interest for use of outdated rates.

Tax Credits

Two bills, which would give business owners tax credits for hiring veterans and for establishing an apprenticeship training program, are currently in draft form. “A trained and ready-to-work workforce is a priority for Alabama business owners,” says Rosemary Elebash, NFIB’s Alabama state director.

General Fund Cuts

Alabama legislators have stayed opposed to tax increases in the face of the state’s budget woes, and as a result of this and rising costs, cuts to the General Fund are expected this year, the Montgomery Advertiser reported last month.

The chairs of the Legislature’s General Fund committees, Representative Steve Clouse and Senator Trip Pittman, told the Advertiser that level funding in the budget was an optimistic best-case scenario.

In the current budget, Medicaid, Corrections, Mental Health, Human Resources and Pardons and Paroles were shielded from cuts, but Sen. Pittman says he doesn’t think any agency would get protection this year. Budget committees will hold budget hearings this month in preparation for the beginning of session.

Infrastructure

Alabama earned a C- for its infrastructure system of roads, bridges, ports, railroads, airports and more, according to an assessment recently conducted by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

ASCE studied 11 infrastructure categories, grading each individually:

Aviation (B-)

Bridges (C-)

Dams (N/A—Alabama has no dam safety program)

Drinking water (C+)

Energy (B)

Inland waterways (D+)

Ports (B-)

Rail (B-)

Roads (D+)

Transit (D)

Wastewater (C-)

“Whether you’re driving across roads and bridges, taking a shower, or charging your cell phone, infrastructure affects everyone in Alabama,” the study says. “Infrastructure also impacts our businesses and helps move our economy, taking freight from ports to store shelves and taking workers to their jobs.”

Proposals to solve this growing problem are expected to be debated in session, starting next month.

For the original article from NFIB click here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rosemary Elebash, 334-264-2261, or Todd Pack, 615-872-5897

MONTGOMERY, Nov. 18, 2015—Black Friday might be the traditional start of the holiday shopping season, but a survey released today by the National Federation of Independent Business and American Express shows that a record number of shoppers plan to shop local on Small Business Saturday.

The survey said a record 55 percent of U.S. consumers are aware of Small Business Saturday, while 83 percent say Small Business Saturday makes them want to shop local and shop small all year long.

“That’s really encouraging,” said Rosemary Elebash, Alabama state director of the National Federation of Independent Business. “When you shop local and shop small, you’re supporting your community. When you shop at a chain store, most of the money goes back to some corporate office somewhere else, but when you support small, most of that money stays here at home.”

According to the fourth-annual Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey:

• 80% of consumers are willing to pay slightly more for an item if it is purchased from a small, independently-owned retailer as opposed to online or at a large retailer
• On average, consumers are planning to do 35% of their holiday shopping at small businesses
• 45% of consumers who expect to shop on the day plan to spend more on Small Business Saturday this year than they spent last year
• Almost two-thirds (64%) of consumers who plan to shop on Small Business Saturday are motivated by the contributions that small businesses make to their community

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for most of the jobs in this country, and small businesses create most of America’s net new jobs.

“You probably don’t know the owner of a big department store, but there’s a good chance you know a few small-business owners,” Elebash said. “They’re your friends and neighbors. They’re some of the most generous supporters of civic groups, local charities, youth sports, schools and virtually every other form of community activity. They’re what make our communities strong.”

What’s more, small businesses often sell merchandise—and provide a level of service—that you simply can’t find at a chain store, she said. “Instead of dealing with temporary workers who don’t know the merchandise, there’s a good chance you’ll be dealing directly with the owner who cares very much about making you happy so you’ll come back time and again throughout the year.”

The Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 1,847 males and females 18 years of age or older. The sample was collected using an email invitation and an online survey. The study was conducted anonymously by independent marketing performance specialist Ebiquity on October 19-27, 2015. The survey has an overall margin of error of +/- 2.3%, at the 95% level of confidence. To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/1MBv1QC

To learn more about what NFIB is doing to help small businesses promote the sales event, visit www.NFIB.com/smallbusinesssaturday.

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NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists sends their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.

 

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) has released a video detailing the ways their “Small Business Game Changer” could genuinely change the game an Alabama small business.

A first-of-its-kind opportunity, the BCA is awarding a complimentary 2016 football sponsorship package for both the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Season football sponsorships offer enormous exposure for companies fortunate enough to land one, and BCA aims to“proudly recognize the importance and impact of small businesses on our state.”

“This contest is truly unprecedented and will be a game changer,” said BCA Presdient and CEO William J. Canary.

Corporate sponsor benefits will include hospitality, game tickets, in-stadium logo exposure, radio time and more.

University of Alabama Corporate Sponsorship Benefits:
• One 15-second pre-game and one 15-second post-game radio commercial on the Crimson Tide Sports Radio Network for the 2016 regular season (24 total commercials)
• LED recognition in Bryant-Denny Stadium for all seven home football games
• 300,000 impressions on RollTide.com during the regular 2016 schedule
• One half-page program ad
• Two season tickets, two corporate hospitality passes and one parking pass

Auburn University Corporate Sponsorship Benefits:
• One (1) 2016 half-page color advertisement in Auburn Football Illustrated
• One (1) Auburn Football Pre-Game Show radio spot before each 2016 regular season game
• 300,000 banner advertisement impressions on AuburnTigers.com during the 2016 football regular season
• Pro-Ad LED Ribbonboard exposure inside Jordan-Hare Stadium during 2016 football regular season home games
• Two (2) football season tickets and two (2) IMG Pre-Game hospitality passes for the 2016 regular season

Small businesses can apply by going online to BCA’s contest website and share in 150 words or less why a 2016 Alabama or Auburn football sponsorship would be a game changer for their small business by the application deadline on Jan. 29, 2016.

The “Small Business Game Changer” contest is open only to small businesses located in the state of Alabama that are BCA members in good standing.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to expose a deserving Alabama small business to fans and the campus community through association with Alabama football,” said Jim Carabin, general manager for Crimson Tide Sports Marketing. “We’re grateful to the Business Council of Alabama for graciously extending this offer and working closely with us to bring it to life. It will bring huge visibility to one company, and we encourage all applicable small businesses to register.”

For more information on the “Small Business Game Changer” contest, visit www.bcatoday.org/football.

 

For the original article click here.

SELMA, Ala. — Robert Armstrong is owner of G Mommas Cookies, and one of 10 finalists competing in the Small Business Big Game competition by Intuit QuickBooks. The national competition could provide this small southern cookie business the chance to appear in a prime time commercial during NFL Super Bowl 50 next year.

To vote for G Mommas Cookies before Nov. 3, visit smallbusinessbiggame.com.

The commercial for the winning entry, valued at $4.5 million is set to air during the “Big Game” on Feb 7, 2016. Last season’s Super Bowl audience averaged 114.4 million viewers, making it the most watched broadcast in U.S. history.

Armstrong has already said business has picked up since the announcement.

“I’ve gotten a lot of PR just regionally and state-wide just because of the competition,” Armstrong said. “It’s just such a big opportunity, people have really grabbed on to what this would mean for my business and what kind of big deal it is. From that I’ve really seen a sales pickup. It’s been crazy.”

With Armstrong getting the message out to go vote online for his business, other local businesses have come to aide Armstrong promote his store. Selma City Councilwoman Angela Benjamin sponsored a cookies and cream social on Oct. 26 at Sweet Advantages, a local ice cream shop.

“We wanted to promote G Mommas Cookies, so we thought cookies and cream,” said storeowner Towanda Friday. “Ice cream and cookies go good together. They are good cookies, and Robert is a good guy.”

Armstrong will be flown out to California to find out the winner of the competition on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

“It really probably hasn’t hit me yet,” Armstrong said. “When I get to California, I’m going to be a nervous wreck, because if I get it — it will change my life.”

Though he understands the potential effects of winning such a national competition, Armstrong still remembers his hometown and reasons why he started his business in the first place.

“The reason I started this business is to make an impact on my hometown not only tangibly, but also intangibly by showing people that you don’t have to live in a big city to start a business and be successful on a national scale,” said Armstrong. “My roots are in Selma and it is apart of who I am, and one of my passions is to see it revived and improve economically.”

To vote for G Mommas Cookies before Nov. 3, visit smallbusinessbiggame.com.

Find the original story here.