Chamber News – February 2025
Welcome !
Kylie —-Financial Report / Membership update – donation request from St. Teresa for the Family Fun night —- Motion Lisa. Second Pastor Bill to send $100 to help sponsor the event. Donation request from the Imagination Library of Mercer County – this would be a yearly contribution – Motion Pastor Bill. Second Lacey to donate $500. All approved these requests.
Lacey will begin checking with the newer local business to let them know about the Chamber Gift Certificate program and how it works. Basically the gift certificate gets turned into Peoples Bank for cash.
Several local businesses haven’t paid their membership dues for 2025. Will try to reach out to them again.
Financials — at this time we will continue using Quickbooks to email invoices instead of using venmo. We have applied for the debit card in order to make online purchases when necessary. Ashley to Kylie – doing an excellent job — Thank you !
Old Business updates:
DORA signs – Lacey will work on this for an update at the next meeting.
Community giving back projects – Ashley has reached out to Chris Rasbach – the radio station manager and will work together on how to accomplish the Main Street speaker project – hopefully completed by Rocktoberfest.
Park – Christmas Deco has been mostly taken down — need to dry out the inflatables and store them properly. Looking at getting some shelves and bins to get better organized. When the weather breaks – would like to get a group together for 3 to 4 hours to help with organization. Would like the chamber to set aside some funds for this project.
Was mentioned that the wreaths that are used at Christmas are getting in bad shape — will get some pricing and ideas for new decorations. Would like the Village to give us some cost estimates and we will see how we can help. One idea is memorial candles ? Shelley and Pastor Bill mentioned it could be a project this year to plan on redoing the wreaths one last time while the rest is being figured out.
2024 – Business of the Year presentation – working on it.
2025 Citizen and Business of the Year nomination form – committee will review and make updates at the next meeting.
Rocktoberfest date set – October 25th from noon – 4 pm – Main Street – no discussion
Makers Market Holiday Bazaar – date set – November 23rd – Community Building / Park – no discussion.
New Business –
Inactive Board Members — we will be taking those that have not been participating off the Board of Directors list.
Business updates:
Grains of Love – Sourdough Bakery Café – notified and will let us know regarding ribbon cutting.
Panther Cubs Corner – – notified and will let us know regarding ribbon cutting.
Burtch’s Barn to Table – Ribbon cutting – rescheduled to February 28th at noon.
Mayor Searight will be attending “Filling Vacant Storefronts” on Tuesday, February 18, in Downtown Marion, an inspiring workshop on revitalizing downtown districts. This all-day workshop is part of the Ohio Main Street Revitalization Series.
Pastor Bill — Foundation / building is moving forward at the new site location. Helping Hands will be getting a facelift — will be much more welcoming. The Rockford United Methodist Church has taken on the full responsibility of the Parkway Food Pantry. Wednesday meals continue to be a positive way to provide outreach to the community.
Chamber to consider making a donation to the Food Pantry at the next meeting. Feeding people is a good way to support the community.
Shelley mentioned a seminar regarding the homeless and their needs on May 7th from 9 am to noon.
Next meeting will be held on Thursday – March 13th at 8:30 am.
Looking Ahead to 2025
• Update 2025 Memberships email / website / send welcome email / thanks for membership
• Spring Fling – not having in 2025
• Parkway Scholarship interviews
• Parkway Scholarship presentation
• Community Days Parade – Citizen / Business of the Year / Scholarship Winner
• Mercer County Leadership
• Rocktoberfest- October 25th – noon to 4 pm
• Citizen of the Year
• Business of the Year
• New Business / Anniversaries recognitions – working on these for the year
• Anthem ad / Anthem Presentation
* Makers Market – Holiday Bazaar – November 23rd
• Small Business Saturday – November 29th
• Membership 2026
