Chamber News – April 2026
Welcome —- Matt Suzuki — Kore Construction, Laura Young – Parkway Superintendent Introductions and business information. Thanks for attending !
Financial Report: — Purchased Columbus zoo tickets for Spring Fling attendance prize. Received donation from Ft. Wayne Zoo – additional attendance prize. Venmo working well. David will add the code to some marketing materials. Spring Fling sponsors – Mercer Health, Rockford Eagles, Western & Southern, Thrivent Financial and Village of Rockford.
Old Business:
Congratulations to Gehle Transport 50 years in business!
Spring Fling Event – – train rides – will be here around 9 am. Discussed maybe purchasing additional cones to donate to the Village. Discussed other road blockade ideas. Weather looks nice. Information booth should be ready by 11 am. Car show set up around 9:30 am. Mark’s Ark at 1:30 – library green space.
Amy Noll can use help with vendor set up — several to help answer questions. Need to print handicap signage.
Main street planters —- quotes – working on it.
New Business:
Parkway Scholarship interviews – April 23rd. Pastor Bill and David will attend with Amy Wendel as a backup. The Chamber grants (2) $1,000 scholarships.
New Business — Ribbon Cutting — Tobe’s Lawn & Outdoor – Saturday April 25th at 9 am.
Lacey can attend – anyone else ?
David volunteered to get us listed with Google – would need several to post some reviews.
Discussed Quarterly business networking meetings – each business gets 1 minute to talk about business and any needs they have. We are excited to hear others want to get involved. A lot has to do with conversation and just walking into a business and let them know what is going on. More discussion and planning at the May Chamber meeting. We will give notice to all members of meeting date and time.
Matt Tuttle gave testimony regarding the Stolly Insurance presentation meeting and how that has helped him save a substantial amount of money. He also needs a window washer and received several leads during the meeting.
Enjoyed hearing some of the business collaborations that are happening – Grains and Tastee example.
Working on some communications and moving forward with the Rockford Branding.
Mike Hibner from the Coldwater Chamber will be invited to the next Chamber meeting to talk about county wide Chamber associations.
