NewslineVolume IV, Issue 12 - May 2, 2003
CARE Announces First Grant WinnersThe First Annual Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) Meeting was held recently in Sandestin, Florida, and the organization awarded its first cycle of CARE Grants. A grant cycle was designed and based on both an annual request for proposals as well as an unsolicited component for smaller grants that may be submitted at any time outside the annual grant cycle. Three companies/entrepreneurs were awarded grants in the initial cycle to help foster market-based solutions for recovering value from discarded carpet in order to meet the recycling and reuse goals of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). TieTek, Inc., a company based in Houston, Texas, was awarded $40,000; Georgia Composites, based in Atlanta, received a $32,000 check; and Building Materials Resource Center in Massachusetts, was awarded a $20,000 check. Also honored at the CARE conference were: LA Fibers, Recycler of the Year; and Solutia’s Bob Peoples, CARE Person of the Year. Contact Frank Hurd at 706.428.2136. CARE Releases First Annual ReportAt CARE’s first annual conference last week, the organization released its first annual report, which documents the amount of carpet diverted from landfills through various management methods: recycling, reuse, waste-to-energy applications, and fuel for cement kilns. The report, the result of surveys conducted by the University of Georgia, is the first of a series of annual reports which will highlight CARE’s progress toward its national goals for carpet recovery. This first report, covering the period from January to December of 2002, also discusses CARE’s accomplishments for the first year, as well as related government efforts at the state and federal levels. A full copy of the Carpet America Recovery Effort 2002 Annual Report is available on the CARE website. Contact Frank Hurd at 706.428.2136. Georgia House Bill 189: Carpet Sample Sales TaxThe Georgia Senate, by a vote of 39-0 passed House Bill 189, the carpet sample sales tax legislation near the end of the 2003 Session of the General Assembly. For sales tax purposes, this legislation fixes the value of carpet samples that are not sold. It is anticipated that Governor Perdue will sign the bill; however, CRI will continue to promote the bill to encourage the Governor’s signature. The bill provides that the fair market value of any carpet sample is equal to 21.9% of the total raw material cost of the sample, except that the fair market value of a carpet sample manufactured only for commercial use, is equal to 1% of the total raw material cost of the sample. A meeting will be held with the Department of Revenue to discuss and bring closure to the separate issue of any open company audits. CRI wishes to thank Roy Bowen and the staff of the GTMA for their guidance and assistance in the successful resolution of this longstanding issue. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. CRI Appointed to ISAC 15John Miller has been appointed to serve on the Industry Sector Advisory Committee on Textiles and Apparel (ISAC 15) for the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) representing the U.S. carpet and rug industry. This Industry Consultations Program is jointly administered by the DOC and the United States Trade Representative (USTR). There are 17 Industry sector Advisory Committees within the Program. The U.S. Trade Act of 1974 directs the President to seek information from representatives of the private sector who advise the Secretary of the DOC and the USTR with respect to negotiating objectives and bargaining positions before entering into a trade agreement, the operation of any trade agreement once entered into, and other matters arising in connection with the development, implementation, and administration of the trade policy of the United States. This Committee provides detailed policy and technical advice, information, and recommendations to the Secretary and the USTR regarding trade barriers and implementation of trade agreements negotiated under the Trade Act with respect to products considered within its designation. It provides other advisory functions as may be requested by the Secretary of DOC and the USTR. CRI represented the carpet and rug industry on this ISAC a number of years ago; however, there has been no representation since that time. We are glad that this representation has now been reinstated. Contact Frank Hurd at 706.428.2136. Revised School Video and “Cleaning and Maintenance”A video for school administrators has been revised based on the results of our survey and after a meeting with CRI members knowledgeable in this market. This member group was named the Institutional (Educational) Committee. The revised video has added more overall mention of quality of life issues and also includes the message that carpet is easier and less costly to maintain. In addition, a blast email directed to 15,000 school administrators is almost ready to be sent. The administrators will receive the email in anticipation of the video which will also emphasize the maintenance issue. We are also developing a direct mail maintenance card for these administrators and are increasing our efforts and planning in the Cleaning and Maintenance area. Contact Steve Phillips at 706.428.2115. “Carpet for Cleaner Air” Television Segment is now a “Spotlight” FeatureThe “Carpet for Cleaner Air” segment, featuring Dr. Ouellette, aired in February 2003 on the VStar Productions, Parenting and Beyond web page. In addition, and on this same web page, CRI has a survey question posted under Quick Survey. This question links respondents to the CRI website. We will get feedback from the responses to this survey question through Five Star Productions. We’ll keep you posted. Contact Barbara Day at 706.428.2138. New MembersInterface Re-joins CRI Ask Heloise About CleaningCRI was a featured guest during an April one-hour segment of the Ask Heloise Radio Show. CRI’s Barbra Wilson, Manager of Technical Information, answered call in questions and talked about spot cleaning, professional cleaning, vacuuming, and the CRI Vacuum Cleaner Indoor Air Quality Testing Program. Ask Heloise is broadcast through the Talk America Radio Network which reaches more than three million listeners a week. Contact Barbra Wilson at 706.428.2125. CRI and RGACRI attended the Republican Governors Association (RGA) Spring Forum on April 23 and 24 at Lake Oconee, Georgia. Several Governors and their staff members were in attendance including Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. Also in attendance were Governor Owens of Colorado, Governor Riley of Alabama, and Governor Sanford of South Carolina. During the meeting, CRI took advantage of opportunities to speak with these Governors and/or staff members about the importance of the carpet industry to their state’s economy and other issues of interest. A dinner meeting with Governor Perdue and the First Lady was beneficial in conveying the importance of our industry to Georgia’s Chief Executive. Although the primary agenda item at this meeting was the administration of Medicaid programs within the states, it nevertheless provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships between our industry and state government. CRI will remain active by participating in upcoming meetings of this Association. Contact John Miller at 706.428.2109. The International Society of Cleaning Technicians Annual Convention and Trade ShowIt’s not often when the carpet, rug, upholstery, leather and restoration industries get together, but this year that’s exactly what’s taking place at The International Society of Cleaning Technicians Annual Convention and Trade Show, June 17-21, 2003. For more details visit the International Society of Cleaning Technicians website. CalendarThe following CRI Meetings are scheduled:
CRI participation in upcoming events:
If you are aware of other events that present significant opportunities to deliver our messages to our critical audiences, please contact Louise Dobbs at 706.428.2104. Check our website calendar for other industry related events |
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