economic development Archives - Page 5 of 6

Using State Tax Credits to Reduce Your Income Tax Burden

August 22, 2018 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Using State Tax Credits to Reduce Your Income Tax Burden

00:00 /

Craig Frankel, Brian Sengson, Peter Stathopoulos, Adam Gaslowitz

Brian Sengson/Bennett Thrasher

Brian Sengson is a Manager in the State and Local Tax practice with Bennett Thrasher. Brian specializes in helping clients reduce their effective state tax rates through multi-state tax planning, state credits, and economic development incentives. Brian also provides state tax consulting for M&A due diligence with an emphasis on income/franchise tax, sales and use tax, and unclaimed property.

Prior to joining the firm, Brian managed the tax litigation practice of a national consulting firm specializing in federal and state tax credits for small/medium sized businesses and Fortune 500 companies. Brian earned his Juris Doctorate with honors at Georgia State University and graduated from Lee University Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Business Management. Brian is a licensed attorney with the State Bar of Georgia, and is a member of the Bar’s Tax Law Section in addition to the American Bar Association (“ABA”).

Peter Stathopoulos/Bennett Thrasher

Peter Stathopoulos is a Partner and leads Bennett Thrasher’s State and Local Tax practice. Peter has been practicing in the area of state and local taxation and economic development incentives since 1993. Peter has extensive experience in helping clients reduce their effective state tax rates through multi-state tax planning and in resolving state tax controversies from the audit level through litigation in state trial and appellate courts.

Prior to joining the firm, Peter was a partner with a national law firm and practiced in the area of state and local tax controversy and litigation. Prior to entering private law practice, Peter was a principal consultant in the multi-state tax consulting practice of a Big Four accounting firm. Prior to joining Big Four accounting, Peter was a tax policy attorney with the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Peter has worked closely with state tax and economic development policy makers to represent the business community’s interests. In 2008, Peter helped draft a portion of the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act as well as legislation that expanded a variety of Georgia tax credits to apply to the broadcasting industry. In 2002, he co-chaired a joint Georgia Department of Revenue/State Bar of Georgia committee that help draft Georgia’s current consolidated income tax return regulations. In 2001, he served on the executive committee of the Business Council of Alabama that helped draft Alabama’s privilege tax scheme. In 1995, he was a tax policy attorney with the Georgia Department of Revenue and led the drafting of regulations for many of Georgia’s current tax credits and acted as a liaison with the Governor’s Economic Development Council.

About Gaslowitz Frankel:

Gaslowitz Frankel is an experienced trial practice firm specializing in all aspects of complex fiduciary litigation throughout Georgia and the Southeast. With a focus on representing individuals, companies, banks, and fiduciaries in dispute involving wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, businesses, and securities law, their experienced and highly qualified litigation attorneys have tremendous credentials and a proven history of success.

CLICK HERE to watch the video of this show.

If you would like to watch past episodes of “Wealth Matters”, please visit their You Tube Channel.
Remember to tune in HERE on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 8:30 AM to listen live to their show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstateDispute
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstateDispute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatedispute

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN with Tom Hatten of Mountainside Fitness and Russ Yelton of Yelton and Associates

March 10, 2018 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN with Tom Hatten of Mountainside Fitness and Russ Yelton of Yelton and Associates

00:00 /

LEADERSHIP LOWDOWN with Tom Hatten of Mountainside Fitness and Russ Yelton of Yelton and Associates

It all started with an idea. An idea to be the friendliest gym in town. To know their members’ names, not just their numbers. To offer free towel service, even if that meant doing laundry at his apartment until two in the morning. This was the beginning of Mountainside Fitness.

In 1991, founder and CEO, Tom Hatten, began Mountainside Fitness while a junior at Arizona State University. Together with his family and friends, Tom brought his dream to life. From welding gym equipment to painting walls to selling memberships, the early years were true sweat equity in every sense of the word. Mountainside Fitness was founded on community and value, and those continue to be at the company’s core as they grow into 16 locations and over 80,000 members this year.

In November of 2005, Mountainside Fitness Centers was voted 1 of 10 “hottest growing” companies in Arizona by Biz AZ magazine when 5 clubs were added to the chain. Tom has also received various awards and accolades throughout his career, including being voted 1996 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Business Journal/USA Today, being the Cover story of Entrepreneur Magazine July 2004, and being featured in Forbes Magazine, US News and World Report, Club Solutions Magazine, Paradise Valley Magazine, and Club Insider Magazine.

In addition to growing his company, Tom is a motivational speaker to many business organizations, colleges, high schools and churches. His topics range from entrepreneurship, economics, and corporate community involvement. Hatten is also featured in the college textbook titled Entrepreneurship: A Practice Based Approach co-written by authors: Christopher Neck (Management Professor Arizona State University), Heidi Neck (Entrepreneurship Professor Babson College), Emma Murray (Consultant). And he is currently working on another book Dream On: An Entrepreneurs desire to overcome which is due out in Spring 2018.

Hatten at one time co-hosted the mid-day all fitness request hour for local KZZP FM radio. Tom strongly values the community and has dedicated his time and resources, not only to helping people live healthier lifestyles, but also to social responsibility. Some of the highlights of his commitment to the community include:

2016 Honoree – Teen Lifeline Foundation
2016 Honoree – Muscular Dystrophy Association
2016 Chairman of the board – Make-A-Wish Arizona
2017 Honored as one of the Most Admired Leaders by the Phoenix Business Journal
2017 Board member – AZ Special Olympics
2017 Board member – AZ Diamondbacks Foundation

Tom is also a Founding Board member of AZ Bank & Trust, member of the YPO (Young Presidents Organization) Scottsdale, and member of the International CEO’s against cancer. Born in Austin, Minnesota, he has lived in Arizona for all but 6 months of his life. Favorite charitable organizations include: Make-A-Wish Arizona, Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, Special Olympics and MDA of AZ.

Tom@MountainsideFitness.com
MountainsideFitness.com
Tom Hatten on Linkedin

Russ Yelton served as Chairman of the AZBio Board of Directors from January 2015 to December 2017. He has been an active board members since being elected in 2009.

He is currently president of Yelton and Associates. The firm provides economic development services as well as early stage business solutions. Yelton and Associates has experience both domestically and internationally and has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs to raise funding and bring their products to a variety of markets. The firm also has a long history of assisting municipalities with the development of co-w0rk, incubators and accelerators as well as loan funds, student focused entrepreneurial programming as well as shared facilities.

As a Board Member at Pinnacle Transplant Technologies, Inc., Yelton provides executive level leadership to a rapidly expanding tissue bank and medical device company. Yelton served as Pinnacle Transplant’s CEO from 2014 to 2017.

Pinnacle Transplant Technologies is a multi-service tissue bank dedicated to ethical participation in the donate life process. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registered and American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) accredited, Pinnacle only works with federally chartered Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) and agencies accredited by AATB to help safeguard our employees, provide superior allografts for transplantation and assure reverence to our donor families.

Prior to joining Pinnacle Transplant Technologies, Yelton was President and CEO of the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology located in Flagstaff. NACET is a business incubation program that assists companies with commercializing their technologies in both domestic and international markets. NACET is supported by the City of Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University where it functions as the Technology Transfer Office for NAU. Clients in NACET’s program received individual business consulting, access to mentors, venture and angel capital and domestic and international student research teams.

Prior to coming to Arizona in 2009, Yelton oversaw the creation of a business incubation program in Asheville, North Carolina in an abandoned 141,000 sq feet former BASF manufacturing plant. That program, located at a community college, included a commercial food kitchen, biotechnology space with wet, dry and core laboratories, light manufacturing and executive offices.

Yelton received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Appalachian State University, a Masters of Business Administration from Western Carolina University and Doctoral studies in Educational Leadership also at WCU. In addition, he received a European Union Grant in 2008 to complete Evaluation of Sustainability Training from Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration.

Russ@YeltonandAssociates.com
PinnacleTransplantTechnologies
Russ Yelton on Linkedin

The Leadership Lowdown was created to share the REAL story behind valley leaders’ rise to the top, and the truth about what it takes to TRULY succeed in life and business. Hear the raw stories of these leaders’ journeys…the pitfalls, the victories, and all of the heartaches and triumphs in between.

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Jodi Low is an accomplished corporate trainer, inspirational speaker, and the Founder and CEO of U & Improved. Jodi has trained thousands of entrepreneurs and executives on how to build a booming business, master a mindset for success, and achieve the lifestyle they desire through heart-fueled leadership.

Through U & Improved—an award-winning personal and professional leadership development company based in Scottsdale—Jodi has redefined traditional leadership training by creating a sustainable and actionable model that is personal, challenging and meaningful to each and every individual who enrolls in any of the two-and-a-half-day experiential training classes. She and her elite training team have advanced the charge in heart-based leadership
development and empower U & Improved graduates with knowledge, tools and awareness to immediately be more effective and responsive leaders at work, home and within their communities.

Among her many accomplishments as a Valley leader, Jodi launched a teen leadership program in 2014 to empower young adults to become more confident, motivated and focused stewards of our future. In 2016, she founded a non-profit arm of the company—the U & Improved Leadership Foundation—that makes the program more accessible to deserving teens.

Jodi has been recognized by industry publications and organizations for her work in leadership development and serves as a source of inspiration within the community. In 2015, she was honored as an “Outstanding Women in Business” by the Phoenix Business Journal and by the Phoenix Suns and National Bank of Arizona with the “Amazing Women” award. She has received both the prestigious “Diversity Leader of the Year” and the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce’s “Sterling Award.” She was also awarded a Silver Stevie Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 and was a finalist for the Junior League of Phoenix’s Valley Impact Award. Jodi is a devoted single parent who volunteers her time at her daughters’ school programs and with organizations such as Angel Mamas, where she’s served on the board for three years.

City of Maricopa Economic Development

July 26, 2017 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

City of Maricopa Economic Development

00:00 /

Join us for a fascinating conversation with The City of Maricopa Economic Development Team. Mayor Christian Price, Denyse Airheart and Mary Wolf-Francis share stories about the city’s rich history, current state of affairs, their unique community and exciting plans for the future.

Mayor Christian Price has been a resident of Maricopa since early 2005. After moving from Chandler with his wife, they purchased their first home and started a family. Mayor Price immediately got involved with his community by running for his HOA Board of Directors and was president for six years. He is very active in the community and volunteers his time whenever possible to non-profits, churches, the food bank and other service organizations. He was also selected for Maricopa’s first Board of Adjustments commission and served as the Vice Chair, before resigning to run for Mayor.

Mayor Price is an enormous advocate of networking – meeting new people and establishing relationships with citizens, stakeholders, regional partners, members of neighboring cities, and other government officials. He strongly believes that good working relationships with these groups and individuals will help Maricopa become a strong well-rounded regional player and directly influence the quality of life of the citizens through an enhanced economic development climate.

For more than 13 years, Mayor Price has been an entrepreneur and small business owner. He is the managing partner of Pantheon Investments, LLC/NPC, a financial advisory firm. A graduate of Northern Arizona University, he holds a Bachelor of the Arts degree in English literature.

Mayor Price has also had the privilege of working as a legislative analyst for the Arizona State House of Representatives and has first-hand knowledge of legislative processes and procedures. His family hails from northwest Tucson and he is an Eagle Scout who is fluent in Spanish. As a member of the Maricopa City Council, Mayor Price has a strong desire to work closely with fellow Council members and City staff to find the most economic and efficient solutions to help Maricopa grow and prosper.

Mayor Price also serves as:

Treasurer and Executive Committee Member, AZ League of Cities & Towns
Vice Chair, I11 Coalition
Board of Directors Member, GPEC (Greater Phoenix Economic Council)
Chairman, GPEC Ambassador Program
Chairman, Pinal County Government Alliance
Regional Council Member, MAG (Maricopa Association of Governments)
Economic Development Committee Member, MAG
Board of Directors Member, M.E.D.A. (Maricopa Economic Development Association)
Fellow of the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy
Member, Maricopa Chamber of Commerce
Member, Lower Santa Cruz River Alliance

Denyse Airheart joined the City of Maricopa in August 2013. Ms. Airheart received her bachelor’s degree from California State University Fullerton and holds a Master’s in Business Administration. Denyse has more than ten years of experience in business development talent acquisition. She joined the City of Maricopa in 2013 to move the community forward to achieve growth in retail, commercial and industrial base economies. Ms. Airheart manages a number of noteworthy tasks such as marketing the community to retailers and employers, the business retention and expansion program, shop local and the Maricopa Advocate Program. Denyse takes pride in serving as a liaison to the business community, citizen committees, non-profit organizations, special interest groups and neighborhoods by proactively providing information specific to the City’s economic development department. Ms. Airheart has also completed coursework for designation as a Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council. She is a member of the International Economic Development Council, the Arizona Association of Economic Development, and the Urban Land Institute. She has served as an Ex-Officio Board Member of the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce since 2015 and as the Greater Phoenix Economic Council’s Economic Development Directors Team since 2015.

Ms. Airheart is passionate about public service and is honored to serve Maricopa. She is married to her husband Steve and they have two children, Emery and Nolan.

Mary Wolf-Francis has 25 years professional experience building public private partnerships in the education, workforce and economic development arena at the local, state and national levels. With a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix she seamlessly leads private and public sector entities toward common goals such as the creation of a YOB (Your Own Business) Fair™ and the Arizona Energy Consortium. As a Business Liaison for the City of Phoenix she kept her finger on the pulse of emerging industries delivering industry intelligence to job seekers, tracking our local talent pool, identifying key training opportunities and working with hiring companies as our state emerged from the recession. In October of 2011 Mary transitioned to Community Liaison for DIRTT Environmental Solutions and was recently hired by the City of Maricopa as an economic development specialist. The Phoenix Business Journal named Ms. Wolf-Francis one of the top 25 women business leaders in January of 2012.

The City of Maricopa is a community with a “Proud History and Prosperous Future.” Strategically located between Phoenix and Tucson in the high growth Sun Corridor, Maricopa is poised for continued success. Maricopa became Arizona’s 88^th municipality when it incorporated in October of 2003. Since that time, it has been Arizona’s fastest growing community, transforming almost overnight from a quiet town of under 5,000 residents to a bustling city of more than 50,000. Historically an agricultural community, Maricopa is emerging as a regional hotbed for the agritech industry. Maricopa is home to a thriving cluster of local agritech businesses and research facilities, including the USDA Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center and the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center. Researchers at these centers are working to develop new technologies and solutions to problems faced by crop consumers and producers. Partnerships with the private sector have led to the commercialization of innovative agricultural products and have helped launch a number of agritech startups. Leaders in the renewable energy arena have also been drawn to Maricopa. Pinal Energy opened Arizona’s first ethanol plant in Maricopa. In the automotive industry Maricopa is helping to pave the way in vehicle research and development. Both Volkswagen and Nissan located their North American proving grounds in Maricopa, where they put vehicles to the test under extreme heat and sun conditions. A number of exciting projects have recently been completed in Maricopa, including the opening of Central Arizona College’s Maricopa Campus, a new City Hall and Police Administration building, the 98-acre Copper Sky Multigenerational/Aquatics Center and Regional Park and the newest commercial development, Maricopa Station. Maricopa is a growing community that offers residents and businesses the experience of a small-town, rural atmosphere, tremendous quality of life, proximity to Phoenix and Tucson, and convenient access to major markets throughout the Southwest.

To learn more about this unique and beautiful city:

http://www.maricopa-az.gov
https://www.facebook.com/MaricopaMatters and @MaricopaMatters
https://twitter.com/CityofMaricopa and @CityofMaricopa

NORTH ATLANTA’S BIZLINK: Todd Peneguy with TAG

July 20, 2016 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

NORTH ATLANTA'S BIZLINK: Todd Peneguy with TAG

00:00 / 00:22:37

Deborah Lanham, Todd Peneguy, Mike Sammond

Todd Peneguy/TAG

It’s a new world for tech, and the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) has emerged as a world-class membership organization and an engine for economic development for the state of Georgia. TAG’s mission is to educate, promote, influence and unite Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances Georgia’s tech-based economy.

Mayor Jere Wood with the City of Roswell, Steve Schilling with Digital Ignition, and Dr. Glenn Cannon with Gwinnett Tech

July 12, 2016 by Mike

North Fulton Business Radio

Mayor Jere Wood with the City of Roswell, Steve Schilling with Digital Ignition, and Dr. Glenn Cannon with Gwinnett Tech

00:00 /

John Ray, Mayor Jere Wood, Steve Schilling, Dr. Glenn Cannon, Mike Sammond

Mayor Jere Wood/City of Roswell

The City of Roswell continues to be a leader in the metro Atlanta area in managing the current and future growth of this wonderful city. Roswell is fortunate to have leaders who concentrate their policy-making into solid guidelines for smart growth and development. The Community Development Department is responsible for carrying out those guidelines. The City has implemented a number of projects that will enhance their community. These projects include receiving a $2.3 million LCI Grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission to fund the redevelopment of the Roswell Midtown from Norcross Street to Commerce Parkway; completion of the Transportation Master Plan; and the Town Square area Design Charettes. The Community Development Department also oversees economic development, building inspection and code enforcement. Roswell’s enforcement of building codes, with respect to apartments, is the model for metro Atlanta.

Steve Schilling/Digital Ignition

Digital Ignition is a tech incubator designed to foster the growth of North Georgia’s tech community. Located in Alpharetta, GA, Digital Ignition is committed to launching the next big North Georgia success story by supporting and inspiring today’s entrepreneurs with 45,000 square feet of unique, flexible co-working space in which to innovate, create and collaborate, along with access to experienced mentors and investors.

Dr. Glenn Cannon/Gwinnett Tech

Gwinnett Technical College is one of Georgia’s largest technical colleges and is committed to delivering relevant knowledge to meet the workforce training needs of their community. The college offers more than 150 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs, and hundreds of seminars, workshops and courses providing specialized training. Gwinnett Tech is Gwinnett County’s largest provider of corporate training and also serves residents and businesses in north Fulton County through their new Alpharetta-North Fulton campus.

Deborah Lanham with the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, Jessica Onorato with NorthPoint Executive Suites, and Casey Frames with Roswell Infiniti

May 10, 2016 by Mike

North Fulton Business Radio

Deborah Lanham with the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, Jessica Onorato with NorthPoint Executive Suites, and Casey Frames with Roswell Infiniti

00:00 / 00:33:41

John Ray, Deborah Lanham, Casey Frames, Jessica Onorato, Mike Sammond

Deborah Lanham/Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

The mission of the Greater North Fulton Chamber is to be the catalyst for economic development, business growth, and quality of life in North Fulton. The GNFCC promotes the interests of their members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.

Jessica Onorato/NorthPoint Executive Suites

At NorthPoint Executive Suites, they believe every professional deserves top quality in every aspect of their business. They have committed themselves to equipping them with the tools needed for their success. They are proud to offer the best quality in technology, amenities, meeting rooms, environment, and service. Their staff is committed to serve their clients. The support you will receive at NorthPoint Executive Suites is second to none. NorthPoint’s on demand support team will save you time and money as they deal with the everyday typical “housecleaning” tasks of running an office for you. They pride themselves on running a seamless business center with exceptional reliability in the IT department. They take the headache out of the logistics to ensure smooth operation and handle any issues that may arise with urgency allowing you to focus on your business.

Casey Frames/Roswell Infiniti

As one of the nation’s original Infiniti dealers, Roswell Infiniti has witnessed their area’s growth and how today’s customers expect and demand more than ever before. Their goal is to exceed your expectations. Their satisfied customers, many of them repeat customers, come from all over Georgia and the Southeast because buying or leasing a new Infiniti from Roswell Infiniti is both a pleasant and rewarding experience.

Metro Atlanta Chamber Driving Bioscience Growth

March 28, 2016 by angishields

Health Connect South

Metro Atlanta Chamber Driving Bioscience Growth

00:00 / 00:22:03

metro atlanta chamber of commerce — Kornelius Bankston of MACC talks bioscience.

Metro Atlanta Chamber Driving Bioscience Growth

The Metro Atlanta Chamber exists for one reason – to help Atlanta thrive. From recruiting businesses to tackling policy issues, MAC’s efforts in metro Atlanta are designed to promote prosperity and growth for you and your business. Georgia’s bioscience and health IT industries are responsible for almost $30 billion in annual reported revenue and 120,000 employees.

The Health IT industry in Georgia already leads the nation with more than 200 companies and more than $4 billion in annual reported revenue and 15,000 employees. The bioscience industry is also firmly rooted in the state, with more than 100,000 jobs and an annual economic impact of $23 billion.

As the national economy rebounds, Atlanta has the potential to create thousands more jobs per year in these two sectors. Whether you’re with a FORTUNE 500 business or putting in sweat equity in a startup, this is the city that can help you create a solid future.

Connect to these vibrant bioscience and health IT communities is through the Bioscience and Health IT Leadership Council. Join peers, including McKesson, Merial, Alcon, CDC, American Cancer Society, CyroLife, CardioMEMs and others who are leading the industry with cutting-edge innovation – tackling common goals. Council subcommittees focus on branding Atlanta as a center for global health and clinical trials as well as marketing the state as the “Nation’s Health IT Capital” to attract even more companies and high-quality jobs.

Special Guest:

Kornelius Bankston, Director of Bioscience, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Stephanie Christopolous with Organized Chick, Bruno Taillefer with Minuteman Press of Duluth and Nick Masino with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

January 22, 2016 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Stephanie Christopolous with Organized Chick, Bruno Taillefer with Minuteman Press of Duluth and Nick Masino with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

00:00 /

Bruno Taillefer, Stephanie Christopolous, Nick Masino, Johnny Phelps

Stephanie Christopolous/Organized Chick

Professional organizer Stephanie Christopoulos of Snellville, GA is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) as well as the GA-NAPO Chapter. She is the owner of Organized Chick, a professional organizing business that specializes in helping small business owners achieve balance in their lives and helping them save time and money.

Organized Chick believes in doing more than organizing a room and sorting things into a bin. They believe in helping you reclaim your life when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the current state of your life, your space, or a certain project or task. Organized Chick will help you reclaim that space, energy and enthusiasm. Whether your needs are big or small, Organized Chick can help you get organized and stay organized. Their services include Small Business Organizing, Residential Organizing, Home Office Organizing, and Relocation services.

Bruno Taillefer/Minuteman Press of Duluth

When it comes to business communications services, Minuteman Press of Duluth can do it all. With a complete range of products and services at your disposal, they can help you get your message out to customers, employees and vendors alike. Using the latest printing and document management technology, they handle your projects from start to finish. Their energetic and experienced staff is dedicated to delivering what you need, when you need it.

Minuteman Press of Duluth. They design, print and promote… You. They’re the one-stop shop for your business.

Nick Masino/Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

The mission of the Gwinnett Chamber is to strengthen existing businesses, facilitate the growth of quality job opportunities, and enrich the community’s quality of life. The Gwinnett Chamber serves over 2,000 members throughout metro Atlanta by delivering pertinent and useful programs that strengthen and connect businesses locally, regionally, and globally. The Gwinnett Chamber uses its strategic marketing and communications capabilities to support its members, promote its programs, and enhance economic development efforts.

CLICK HERE to watch the video of this program on YouTube.

Midtown Alliance and Blue Goblin

October 20, 2015 by angishields

Midtown Business Radio

Midtown Alliance and Blue Goblin

00:00 /

Midtown Alliance and Blue Goblin

I hosted Shannon Powell and Ben Hirokawa of Midtown Alliance and Blue Goblin, respectively. Shannon Powell is the COO for Midtown Alliance and Ben Hirokawa is founder and President of Blue Goblin, a plastic foam recycling company.

Created in 1978, Midtown Alliance has been a significant force in the revitalization of Midtown Atlanta, a district that runs from ~Pine St. on the south end to the Peachtree Bridge over I-75 entering Buckhead on the north end, and east-west from I-75 to ~Piedmont Ave.

Midtown Alliance is a not-for-profit membership organization and consists of a coalition of local business and community leaders. Each member is committed to establishing Midtown as a leading destination for commerce, culture, education and living.

Midtown Alliance is led by a 71-member board of the district’s leading private sector executives and their mission is to improve and sustain the quality of life for those who live, work and play in this thriving business and residential district. The Alliance fulfills is mission through a comprehensive approach to planning and development, including numerous initiatives to enhance public safety, improve the physical environment, and strengthen the urban amenities giving the area its distinctive character.

Guided by a visionary master plan – Blueprint Midtown – and in partnership with the Midtown Improvement District, Midtown has become a national model for urban excellence.

Ben Hirokawa has been a leader in three different start-ups, including a recent one in South Carolina focused on recycling a variety of household appliances. That enterprise developed technology that would allow them to dispense with the noxious coolant materials and associated fumes/gases safely, allowing them to reclaim the metals and plastics.

Founded in 2014, Blue Goblin is an innovative, environmentally-sound solution for disposal of plastic foams. These versatile foams – found in products ranging from commercial roofing and wall insulation, to refrigerated transport units, to mattresses and other furniture, to many types of packaging – pose significant challenges at end-of-life: they are bulky and difficult to transport and compact, and they can emit significant greenhouse gasses.

Both the U.S. EPA and the California Air Resources Board have recognized emissions from PUR, XPS, and ISO foams

as significant environmental challenges, but currently virtually all of these foams are landfilled. Blue Goblin offers a solution:

• Mobile Service: Blue Goblin brings its processing unit directly to its customers, and begins the process of compacting and recycling these foams on-site, significantly reducing transportation and waste disposal costs

• Environmental Responsibility: Greenhouse gasses are captured and properly disposed

• Convenience and Customer Service: Blue Goblin works with each customer to define the scope of the job and maximize convenience and value

Special Guests:

Shannon Powell, COO, of Midtown Alliance