The Chamber of Commerce has found its new home downtown and its executive director is excited to work alongside fellow businesses.

Executive Director Karen Boyer aims to open at 715 Main St. by the end of the month.

Boyer said she began discussions with the owner of the space, Tim Shepard, two months before acquiring the location. Boyer said she spoke with other residents about potential locations but decided it was best for the Chamber to be close to downtown.

“I want the Chamber members and the community to know we are real. That we are available and reachable face-to-face,” Boyer said. 

Prior to moving downtown, Boyer has been running the Chamber’s operations from her home. Boyer said the idea for a Chamber location came from Chamber President Jannell Lorenz.

Lorenz said that she wants to emphasize the Chamber’s growth alongside community trends. With downtown booming with business, the Chamber felt it was right to seize this opportunity. 

“As our local business community grows and becomes more established, our Chamber needs to expand and become more polished, as well,” Lorenz said. 

Now that Boyer is downtown, she hopes the Chamber and its neighboring members can work together with fewer complications. Other businesses also favored the idea.

“I think it is important that it be downtown with the other businesses. I know she (Boyer) is really busy. If I need to talk to her I know where she is at,” Eudora Thrift Store owner Andrea Starr said.

Eudorable Home owner Courtney Gebauer was more than happy to help supply the new Chamber building with furniture, such as chairs and a desk.

“I think it’s awesome that the Chamber is downtown and if I ever need anything, I know where they will be,” Gebauer said. 

The Chamber received a $10,000 grant from Douglas County to pay for the new location. In addition to the grant, Boyer said the Chamber is helping fund the location and upkeep the space for new paint and renovations.

While the Chamber is still settling in, there are some obstacles that need attention, Boyer said.

Boyer is working to set up a new Chamber website. Getting the site started and members familiar with the software is a top priority for Boyer. 

Boyer also plans to schedule new Chamber meeting programs. Not every member could attend meetings in the past. Boyer is aware of the issue and is planning to start a rotating meeting schedule every month. 

“One month we’ll have a coffee and a lunch. And the next month we’ll have a coffee and a social. So that way, if there are people who can’t come at night, maybe they can come at lunch,” Boyer said.

Boyer is still not sure what hours the new location will be open, but she hopes to plan a regular schedule that she and Chamber members are happy with. 

“I am so involved in this community, and I am thoroughly enjoying being able to work with everybody. And I want to make it known that I intend for everybody to be a Chamber member,” Boyer said.

Reach reporter William Crow at [email protected].

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