Membership Renewals -  Thanks to the following businesses & individuals for renewing their Chamber membership: 

                                Barnes Clothing                      Stephen Marshall, Esq.

                                Whole Back Stage                   Covenant Cove

                                Main Street Pizza                   KDS DAR School

                                Crowder Wire & Cable           Greencare Landscaping

                                Grant Clinic                            Ellis Chiropractic Center

                                                Horizon Communications

                                        Four Star Printing & Office Supplies            

 

New Members - A special “welcome” to the following new member:

 

                                                Service Master Clean

 

September Chamber Board Meeting: 

The monthly meeting of the Board of Directors was held on September 9 at the Chamber office.  The meeting was called to order at 11:30 a.m. by the President, Naomi Barfield.  Minutes of the previous meetings were approved.  The Treasurer reported a balance of $6,604.03 as of August 30, 2003.   

Don Milligan was welcomed as a new board member.  He was appointed to fill the vacancy created when Stan Mannon resigned.

 

Committee Reports:   

Economic/Industrial Development - The Hospital Board is very interested in purchasing property for a Wellness Center.  A restaurant is also still interested in locating to Grant.

Events - The quarterly Early Bird Coffee was held at and hosted by Mimi’s.  Over 30 people attended to welcome our new police chief, Allen Edmonds.

Membership - Service Master Clean has joined as the Chamber’s newest member.

Tourism - Terri Powell was reappointed to the MCCBV Board on a motion by Ann Barnes, with a second by Don Milligan.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS 

 

The Cathedral Caverns Welcome Center official opening has still not been scheduled by the State.

 

Bobby Joe Rice and the Loggins family represented the Grant Chamber of Commerce when 111 people (3 buses) from The Mississippi Queen visited Grant and Cathedral Caverns. 

 

Shelia Barbuck has installed the new computer, scanner and fax.  Prices for DSL, Host, etc., were discussed. Don Milligan made a motion, seconded by Bobby Joe Rice, to go with New Hope Telephone Coop.  Don will contact NHTC to see if our deposit and installation fees might be waived.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Naomi announced that a tree has been planted next to the fire station in memory of Verlon Lemaster.  Russ Hamilton will check on obtaining a plaque to go in front of this tree.  Board members will personally pay for this plaque.

 

Bobby Joe Rice suggested the possibility of purchasing a deer rifle and selling raffle tickets as a Fall fundraiser.  Final plans will be discussed at the October meeting.

 

There being no further business. The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.  The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 14, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. at the Chamber office.

      

Welcome - The Chamber Board of Directors would like to welcome Don Milligan as our newest member.  Don graciously agreed to serve out the remainder of Stan Mannon’s term of office.  Stan resigned due to work obligations.  Stan said he felt that it was in the Chamber’s best interest for him to resign, since his travel schedule keeps him from dedicating the time he felt he should to Chamber functions.  It was with regret that the Board accepted his resignation; however, Don will be a great addition and we thank him for so willingly agreeing to join the Board.

 

Dates to Remember - Please mark the following items on your calendar so you won’t miss them!

  

October

Tuesday, 10/14                       Board Meeting - Chamber office - 11:00 a.m.

Week of 10/13                         Fall Break - DAR students

Saturday, 10/18                       Judging of Fall Decoration Contest

Monday-Tuesday, 10/20-21  Dedication Activities at DAR

 

November

                Tuesday, 11/11                        Board Meeting - Chamber office

                Thursday-Friday, 11/27 - 28   Chamber office closed-Thanksgiving

 

December

                Saturday, 12/6                         Christmas Parade - 4:00 p.m.

                Tuesday, 12/9                         Board Meeting - Chamber office

                Week of 12/22                         Chamber office closed for holidays

 

January

                Thursday-Friday, 1/1-2          Chamber office closed

 

Election of Board Members - It’s time to elect two new Board Members to replace Jean Brewer & Chris Weeks, whose terms expire at the end of 2003.  Watch your mail.  You will be receiving a ballot.  Please fill it out and return it to the Chamber as soon as you receive it. 

 

President’s Paragraph - There is a petition “floating” around town regarding the possibility of locating a Wellness Center in Grant.  When you see this petition, please take a minute to sign it.  Having a Wellness Center in town would be a great boost for us. 

 

We will have our new Chamber website and e’mail up and running soon.  We’ll let you know when these are functional.  A big THANK YOU to Sheila Barbuck for getting our new computer systems up and running.

 

If you missed our last Early Bird Coffee, you missed a treat.  Not only was the food delicious and the location fantastic (Mimi’s), but we got to meet & greet our new police chief, Allen Edmonds.  Thanks to everyone who made this such a successful Coffee.

 

Director’s Corner  - The Chamber has some exciting things planned in the coming months.  We will once again host a members banquet during the first quarter of 2004.  Last year’s banquet was a great success, so watch your mail for information about our 2^nd annual event.

 

The Chamber will be electing two new Directors soon and it’s important that you vote.  Good leadership is essential to the continuing growth of the Chamber and Grant.  This can only be accomplished with your help.  If you are called upon to run for office or to head a committee, please consider doing so.  If you have any suggestions for potential candidates, please contact the Chamber office.

 

Fall Decoration Contest - The Beautification Board is holding a decoration contest and they would like for all businesses participate.  Simply decorate the outside of your business with a fall theme.  Judging will be held Saturday, October 18. Ribbons will be awarded to 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners.   If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Beautification Board.

 

Newsletter - Remember that our Newsletter is now published quarterly.  This will be your last newsletter for 2003. Any items for the 1^st Quarter 2004 Newsletter must be received no later than December 15, 2003.  You can either mail the item(s) to the Chamber office or send them by e’mail  to Jerry Ann  (jerryannholt@bellsouth.net) or to the Chamber office (grant@nehp.net).  Thank you.