Chamber News – January 2024

Welcome

Financial Report – Amanda Peel  – Have been receiving 2024 Memberships and have several yet to process.  Will be getting an updated list soon that will be used to update the website and for the new directory.

Financial assistance request from St. Teresa for their Family Fun Night – committee agreed to donate (3) $75 Chamber gift certificates.

Old Business:    

Chamber directory / website –  Brand It Marketing – took photos of new Mayor and Council and will be using that information for the directory and website.    

 Officers for 2024 –

            President –   Lacey Rizor – The Fix / Second Crossing Brewery

      Vice President – Kylie Houser – The Peoples Bank Co.

      Treasurer – Amanda Peel – Rock Solid Performance

      Secretary – Lisa Kuhn  – Village of Rockford

Board members –  Ami Boley – Mercer Health,  Amy Wendel – Wabash Communications,

Shelley Muhlenkamp – Rockford Library,  Tom Burtsch – Rockford Carry Out and Catering,

Vance Waldron – First Financial Bank.

Spring Fling event date —  date was set for Saturday – May 4^th.    Will contact Amy Noll to lead the Vendor Market.   Also checking with Amy Noll on her contact for car show organizer.  Committee would like to see an entry fee for the car show.    $10 fee – $5 to Chamber / $5 towards door prizes as an example.  Need to ask Council to approve closing parking on Main Street — we had good feedback and was a safer environment with young children.    Kylie made some suggestions for themes / tag lines,  several ideas with flowers — have someone do classes,  See if Betsey will have a fresh bouquet making area in front of store, have kid zone again – which small flower pots painting / decorating and maybe planting flowers for Mother’s Day.    Would like to have a ‘flower’ photo set in Kids Zone.  Will look at offering tractor rides – seemed to go over very well at Rocktoberfest.     Music at both the Eagles and Second Crossing – outdoor seating available at both places.    Paint n sip event.   Food trucks – already have 1 scheduled for that date. 

Future plans — Discussed sponsoring a “Date Night” so parents can have a night out and the Chamber working with Vantage students to provide child care and crafts / snacks — maybe hosting at the Library. 

New Business:

2024 Business Spotlight –   Kylie presented a sample form to email to members.   Will be adding Kylie to the Facebook page administration and access to email account.  She has volunteered set up the Social Media posts for spotlights.   Will schedule the posts every couple of weeks throughout the year.    This is good benefit for members. 

New Ownership – Subway

New Ownership – Car Wash

New Ownership – Dental Clinic

Looking Ahead to 2024

• Update 2024 Membership for directory / web site
• Directory to printer
• Spring Fling – May 4^th
• Parkway Scholarship interviews – Ami Boley and Kylie Houser volunteers
• Parkway Scholarship presentation
• Community Days Parade – Citizen / Business of the Year / Scholarship Winner
• Mercer County Leadership
• Golf tournament – suggestion
• Rocktoberfest 2024
• Citizen of the Year
• Business of the Year
• New Business / Anniversaries recognitions
• Chamber Business Grant applications
• Anthem ad / Anthem Presentation
• Small Business Saturday
• Membership 2025