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Whitney Theriot, Temple Chamber of Commerce President/CEO
As the first quarter of 2025 wraps up, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible momentum we’ve built and express gratitude to our Board of Directors, Chamber Members, Chamber Team, and the greater Temple community. If 2024 was a year of resilience and alignment, 2025 has roared into action—with focus, purpose, and impact. Over the past three months, we have moved from planning to execution, bringing our bold vision to life through strategic initiatives, strong partnerships, and meaningful engagement. Quarter One Wins In just the first quarter, we have: • Welcomed 31 new Members, continuing the growth of our network of over 1,000 businesses and organizations. • Celebrated 17 Ribbon Cuttings and Business Milestones, each one a meaningful celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that defines Temple. • Hosted Salute to Business, our 118th Annual Meeting—a signature event of the organization featuring keynote speaker and documentary film maker Brett Culp, whose inspiring message of leadership and storytelling set the tone for the year ahead. • Held a successful Temple Chamber Day at the Capitol, where we amplified our voice on critical issues for our business community, bringing together our Board of Directors, Public Policy Council, and Leadership Temple Class to constitute our delegation. • Hosted the well-attended State of the City Luncheon, where Mayor Tim Davis and City Manager Brynn Myers shared a compelling vision for “Growth with Purpose.” From Vision to Action We began the year with clarity—redefining our strategic framework with three verticals: Advocacy, Member Services, and Organizational Excellence. Each initiative we undertake now aligns with these core areas, ensuring that our efforts are intentional and impactful. • Under Advocacy, we advanced with strong participation with the delegation at the Capitol, a Public Policy Council luncheon, and advocacy efforts at the local level—most recently championing Member concerns regarding commercial roll-off dumpsters at City Council meetings. • In Member Services, we introduced fresh engagement tools at our first six Business Link Lunches and Business After Hours, including interactive games like a “conversation beach ball” and a Veteran owned business showcase. Additionally, our Membership Directory in print and online continues to serve as a vital connector. • Under Organizational Excellence, we’ve begun executing key aspects of our strategic plan-- including the initial development of a dashboard to enhance transparency and accountability for our Board of Directors and Membership, along with continued efforts to align governance with our long term vision. Investing in Leadership and Legacy Our commitment to community building and leadership development remains strong. The Board of Directors green lit the Leadership Temple Spring Project, opened applications for the Class of 2026, and continued recruitment for the Launch Temple entrepreneur program. We also celebrated legacy by establishing memorial contributions to honor past Chamber leaders. Looking Ahead The second quarter brings even more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and lead. We’re excited to support upcoming networking programs, educational partnerships, and enhanced storytelling to highlight the incredible businesses that shape Temple. To our Members—thank you for your trust, partnership, and continued engagement. Your success is our mission, and together, we are building a resilient, connected, and thriving business community. Here’s to continued momentum and bold progress in 2025! Published first in the April 2025 Focus on Business - Temple Daily Telegram
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The Temple Chamber recently participated in a Legislative Update hosted by the Texas Association of Business, where insights were shared regarding Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting. As a result, we wanted to provide more information about this topic to our membership and business community. On January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) came into effect, bringing new rules [1] regarding beneficial ownership reporting for businesses. [2] This legislation aims to address concerns related to illicit financial activities, money laundering, and terrorism financing by enhancing transparency and disclosure requirements. Beneficial ownership refers to individuals who ultimately own or control a legal entity, such as a corporation or LLC, and benefit from its operations or assets. Business entities subject to the CTA include S corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and similar entities created by filing with a secretary of state (SOS) or similar office. Some of the exempt entities include publicly traded companies, certain financial institutions, and charitable organizations. [3 & 4] The required information for reporting beneficial ownership to FinCEN includes each beneficial owner's full legal name, date of birth, address, unique identification number from an acceptable document, and the filing entity's details. Businesses can file this information electronically through FinCEN's secure system. [5] Non-compliance with the CTA can result in fines of up to $10,000 and potential criminal liability. [5] Understanding the CTA's requirements, including filing deadlines and the information needed, is crucial for businesses to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. [6] For more detailed information about Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting and the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), we encourage you to visit the following links. Should you have further questions or need assistance navigating the requirements of the CTA, we recommend contacting an experienced Attorney or Certified Public Accountant specializing in regulatory compliance. Links to More Information:
Dr. Christy Ponce, President of Temple College, delivered a compelling ‘State of the College’ address for the recent Temple Chamber Public Policy Council Luncheon. The event, attended by over 150 individuals including state officials, city leaders, and business representatives, was held at the Hilton Garden Inn. The focus of Dr. Ponce's address was to shed light on the present accomplishments and future vision of Temple College. Dr. Ponce's address resonated with optimism and excitement a she highlighted the continuous growth in enrollment, the alignment of programs with regional employer needs, and the expansion of partnerships to create more opportunities for students. The address also showcased architectural renderings and detailed insights into the ongoing and upcoming construction endeavors on campus, including the new Temple College Main Building, Arts and Workforce Building, Campus Services Center, and the forthcoming Health Sciences Building and renovations to the existing Health Sciences Center. These projects, made possible by a $124.9 million bond passed by Temple voters in 2021, are set to redefine the college's physical landscape and, more importantly, provide students with cutting-edge facilities and resources to excel in their educational journeys and career pursuits. The post-event buzz reflects a shared sense of excitement and anticipation for the transformative journey ahead for Temple College and our community. Photos Courtesy of Temple College
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