WRITEON FOR SEP 25
sister alies.
COMMUNITY BUILDING 6
Since they have had several things on in these last weeks and many of the small business folks mentioned them, let's take a look at our CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Donna and Amanda head it up (both with newspaper backgrounds) with the important support of Melinda, President, and her Board. They fall structurally under the District Board appointed by our Supervisors. The CCCofCommerce Board has 7 members and the District 11.
Here are their stated goals: “The Chamber's short-term goal is to increase our awareness, the importance and impact the Chamber has on the community. Our long-term goal is to be a voice in local, state and federal government and for our County to be recognized throughout the state.” “The Chamber impacts Choctaw County by serving, representing and enhancing business growth and success and promoting our community as a positive place to live, work, and visit.” Consider the recent EXPO (well attended by vendors but not so much by local folks); the ribbon cutting over at POSH PINEAPPLE; the unveiling at the walking-track park (they had a great turn out!) and the ribbon cutting at the renovated library in Weir.
Here's the bottom line, as Donna and Amanda see it: “we are people connectors...we want folks to stay in town and County...we want relationships to be between school, library and businesses and all our people.”
The Chamber itself has two paid jobs and various committees and the Board. They want more young folks to become involved and report a good mixture of folks from the wider community.
They are pleased to report and intend to continue the Annual First Responders Dinner, the Teacher's Appreciation Breakfast, the JACK-O-LANTERN JAM, and the Christmas parade. Santa's Workshop is also a winner. I was impressed with the Community Services Class over at the High School, where kids get involved in volunteering, learning how to serve and give back. Donna also mentioned a Committee she serves on where teachers, administrators, and business leaders gather to work together to help the schools. (Let's hope the HS rises above “F” very soon!). The Council of Governments meeting is hosted by the culinary class at the high school where the students host, cook and serve.
If you or your business wants to join the CCCC they will gladly invite you and receive your membership money!
I was surprised at the basic funding: the Borel Resources company out at the mine markets fly-ash...and money they raise goes to the District Board and is distributed based on request budgets (one of these is the Chamber). Fly-ash, who wouldda thought?
You can find them on Facebook Biz page and be reminded of their work when at football games where you can see their their sign.
Amanda and Donna want the CCCC to be a go-to informational place for our community.
“How do we attract businesses, and get them to join? We guess by services rendered.” They always need volunteers for the activities already mentioned and continue by trial and error to discover those things that will help build a better community. Next will be the Industry Appreciation Lunch where lots of networking can happen. But not unlike their business partners, they too pose the question: what will draw folks into town and make our little towns in the county first places to go? Are there a city or county plans for growth and development? One thought was low-income housing!
CONTACT: DONNA McKAY,Director OR AMANDA McBRIDE,Communucations Coord. OR MELINDA NEWLIN, CCCC Board Chair...285 3778. M-Fri, 7:30-4pm.
BLESSINGS.
