Chamber News – March 2021

 Welcome  –               

2021 Theme  –“WE WILL WE WILL ROCKFORD”

Welcome to Amber Subler of First Financial – joining us as a Board Member.

February  minutes posted online. 

Financial report (Amanda)

New memberships still slowly coming in otherwise not much activity.

Upcoming – Ribbon Cuttings

            New Ownership recognition to Grand Lake Dentistry – coming discuss in April ?

            GrassWorks Lawn Maintenance and Design – Blake King —   Yes – will contact us.

            Reckless Woodworx – Joe and Amy Noll  – not yet.    

Old Business

• Vice President – anyone ?
• Working on this —  post “Thanks”  membership information to Facebook
• Email and web site should be updated with current memberships
• NOACC membership agreement  – we have met all the criteria and received a free membership.
• Begin promotion – of 2021 Theme WE WILL ROCKFORD – SHIRTS / SWAG ETC.
• Possible monthly Farmers Market?  This may not happen till summer / fall.

New Business

• MAY 1^st Spring Fest  –  9 am – 4 pm  Vendor Market

30 vendors  max – 10’  – $20 member / $30 non member

                                  20’ – $40 member / $50 non member

1 vendor per product.  — forms and information at Rockford Carry Out

• Springfest opportunities will be share via email and the Main Street / Vendor Facebook groups –

• Events considered so far – library make and take craft for Mothers Day – book sale, petting zoo, face painting, museum open – guest speaker – and maybe painting tiles for the Market Street mural – business deco contest, lyric writing contest to We Will, We Will Rockford with prizes, t-shirt sales, vendor market, and Main Street business promotions  — information to Marie by March 19^th if at all possible and Art Exhibit. 

• Chamber and Village to share the costs Photo Star ad  –  Lisa will contact Photo Star to hold date and get quote.

• May – Scholarship applications interviews ( 4th/5th)   / presentation  (19th)  ?  Parkway not sure of dates and how it will look but want to get on our schedule.    Will finalize at the April meeting.

2021 Schedule of events:

* Virtual Speaker Series –   what it takes to start up a business – 2021 goal

* Spring Fest – May 1^st – 9 am – 4 pm

* April – Chamber Scholarship review applications

* May 1^st – Rockford Spring Fest

* May – Present Chamber Scholarship Award

* June – Community Days

* Summer Event

* August 5 – 8th will be the Sunflower Festival – with fireworks and sunflower maze.

* August – Mercer County Leadership

            * September – Chamber Business Grant promotions

            * Fall Event

* October –  Citizen of the Year / Business of the Year / Grant Awards and Business recognitions

* November / December – Membership Drive 2021

* Winter Event