Attend these upcoming Chamber seminars, workshops, Business After Hours

Interested in hosting a BAH in October? Contact the Chamber today!

Suddith, Schaffer join LPCCC Board

We welcome Judith Suddith of Lord Fairfax Community College and John Schaffer of Luray Caverns Corporation,to the board of the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce. Read more at www.luraypage.com/board.htm.

Deadline for "In the Loop" is Tuesdays at 10 a.m.

Go Green! Please forward an electronic "In the Loop" to your employees. To submit items to ITL, send TEXT only documents of 20 words or less to Pam Flasch at pcounty@embarqmail.com or call 743-3915.

Tourism members may add extra photo

Are you a Tourism member?  Add an extra photo to the web – no additional cost – added benefit.  Email photos to:  karen.riddle@luraypage.com

New options make attending chamber functions easier!

Every official chamber event will now offer an option for sending an RSVP, a Google map to the location and the opportunity to add events to a calendar. Each RSVP is stored in the "Chamber Prompt" website, where staff can easily keep track of attendees and a reminder will go out to members the day before the event.

It's not too late to register for LFCC Summer session!

Summer session begins May 23. Classes run May 23-August 4. LFCC also has a mini-course this summer in College Success Skills, SDV 100, which will meet a total of four days, from 6/23 to 6/26. The class will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and is a one credit class that will assist students in their course work for any class! It is required for graduation in all majors. There is still time to register.

Premier Technical Services to invest $16.5 million to open new data center

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Premier Technical Services Corporation will invest $16.5 million to open a new continuity-of-operations (COOP) and data center facility in Page County . The facility will be certified in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and support state, local and federal agencies and commercial customers. The project will create 96 jobs. Virginia successfully competed with Maryland , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and West Virginia for the project.

            “Premier Technical Services is the first major technology facility to locate in Page County ,” said Governor Kaine. “Not only is this disabled veteran-owned company a great asset to the corporate climate in the region and the Commonwealth, Premier will pay more than twice the average prevailing wage in Page County .”

            Headquartered in Luray, Virginia, Premier Technical Services Corporation is a Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and a HUB Zone Certified Small Business. Premier incorporated in Virginia on July 21, 1989, and provides a distinctive array of technology sales, workforce solutions and systems engineering. The company earned and maintains an excellent reputation serving a diversified client base that includes federal, state and local governments, commercial enterprises, prime contractors, trade associations, nonprofits and the U.S. military.

            Premier’s president, Dave Tong said, “I am excited to bring this facility to Page County . Premier chose the Commonwealth, and particularly Page County , because of the close proximity of Washington , D.C. and the natural environment of the Valley. Our decision was enhanced by the mutual cooperation between the Commonwealth and local officials, and the use of a comprehensive approach in assisting us.”

            The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Page County , the Page County Economic Development Authority and the Shenandoah Valley Partnership to secure the project for Virginia . Governor Kaine approved $300,000 from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Page County with the project. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will also provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

            “We are very excited that Premier Technical Services has chosen Page County for this project,” said Tom LaFrance, Chairman of the Page County Board of Supervisors. “Premier is looking toward the future in providing technology services in a green and environmentally-conscious manner, and will provide a tremendous opportunity for our workforce.”

Luray Wranglers need host families

The Luray Wranglers baseball team is in need of host families for the season. For more information, contact Monte Layman at 743-7442.

Events

May 1-31: "Anything Goes," themed show at Warehouse Art Gallery, Luray. Open Mon-Fri Noon -6 pm, Sat 10 am - 6 pm, Sun Noon - 5 pm

May 14: Acting lessons with Wayfarer Touring Theater & Acting School, 7 – 9:30 pm. BB&T Center for the Performing Arts. For more information, contact the Center at 743-3311.

May 15: Constituent Visit, A staff representative from the Congressman Eric Cantor’s office will be available to discuss constituent concerns from 3 – 4 pm at the Luray Town Hall Building, 45 East Main Street, Luray.  The second session , in conjunction with Page County REIAD & the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging (SAAA) will host a Social Security Online workshop 6:30 – 8 pm at the Lord Fairfax Community College,  334 North Hawksbill Street, Luray, VA.  Questions concerning the workshop, contact the Office of Congressman Eric Cantor at 800-438-3793.

May 15: Business After Hours, Heritage Title, Allied Mortgage LLC and Miller, Earle & Shanks. 136 General Drive, Luray.

May 16: “Go Green” Seminar, 10 am - Noon, Luray Town Offices

May 16: "Friday Night Live," 6:30 pm, Warehouse Art Gallery. Casual evening with entertainment and open mic.

May 17: Simple Abundance Workshop, 9 am – 5 pm in Luray. Led by Maryanne Ross, certified leader of Simple Abundance Workshops. For more information or to purchase a gift certificate, contact Maryanne at 703-969-4295 or 540-743-5500 or mross@simpleabundance.com .

May 17-18: "Save the Meadow," Shenandoah National Park. Staff and volunteers will demonstrate how the public can volunteer to fight back against invasive plants. Free park admission for those who attend the event. Call in advance: 540-999-3492.

May 17: Shining Lights of Luray: John Jennings, Estele Knott, Christopher Jenkins and Pops Walker, BB&T Center for the Performing Arts. Get tickets at the Chamber or see www.PerformingArtsLuray.org .

May 22: Chamber Seminar:  Customer Service Training, 9-11 am or 5-7 pm. Luray United Methodist Church, New Educational Wing & Fellowship Hall.   Cost $10 Members; $15 Non-members. Guest Speaker: Bobbi Walker, Virginia Tourism Corporation RESERVATIONS are required – please call the Chamber 743-3915 or pcounty@embarqmail.com

 We still have space available!

May 22: Alcohol & Drug Abuse Awareness Forum, 1-3 pm, Page County Circuit Courthouse in Luray. Hear a forum of speakers from the Virginia State Police, Page Memorial Hospital, Page County Sheriff’s Office, Page Alliance for Community Action, Northwestern Community Services, faith-based organizations and local businesses. For more information, contact Bobbi Wells at 843-2808 or call 743-6061.

May 22: Page Co Water Quality Advisory Committee Meeting,  7-9 pm, Page County Courthouse. Joint meeting with Watershed Management Planning Team.

May 23-24: Memorial Day Festival, Shenandoah. Visit www.TownofShenandoah.com for more information. Enjoy the parade on the 24th!

May 24: Quest for the Stars Competition, 7:30 pm, PCHS.Theme: Broadway Showtunes. $3 admission for school age and above.

May 26: Memorial Day Veterans Tribute, 11 am, Memorial Wall, South Court Street.

Jun 4: Chamber Seminar: Entrepreneur Express, 8:30 am - Noon, Stanley Fire Department. Free workshops for your business. Sponsored by LPCCC and Page County Economic Development Department.

Jun 6: Open House & Grand Opening, 4 - 7 pm, Allstar Lodging, new location at 803 East Main Street in Luray. Enjoy food, drinks and door prizes. Get updates on vacation rentals and new concierge attractions and special services.

Jun 7: Page County's Next Top Model, 7:30 pm, LHS Theme: Flower Power $3 admission for school age and above

Jun 12: Business After Hours, Century Luray at the Mimslyn.

Jun 17: .Shentel Breakfast & Vendor Show, 7 am - 9 am  Stanley Fire Hal

June 26: Health and Candle Sale, PMH, sponsored by the Auxiliary.

Jul 12: Shenandoah Riverfront 5-mile Run, 7:30 am, sponsored by Shenandoah Heritage Center. Starts and ends at Shenandoah River Park. Walking route available.Walkers, $15; Runners, $20. Tee shirts guaranteed for entries received by Jul 1

July 17: Tenth Annual Golf Tournament, to benefit PMH, sponsored by the  PMH Auxiliary. Quilt made by Katina Wakeman to be raffled

Jul 24: Business After Hours, Shenandoah Speedway.

Jul 25-26: Rotary Golf Tournament.

June 28: Chamber Members' Lunch at Farmers' Market.  11 am - 1 pm

Aug 7: Business After Hours, Jordan Hollow Farms.

Aug 16 & 17: Third Annual Luray Triathlon, Lake Arrowhead. For information, www.townofluray.com or call the Luray Parks and Recreation Department at 540-743-6475.

Aug 24: Page Valley Cycling Club Race. For more information, see www.pagevalleycycling.com .