The Carlyle Chamber of Commerce has had a good response from businesses this year and has grown since its re-emergence in 2013 following taxation concerns.
Recently Derrick Edwards, manager of Southern Plains Co-op in Carlyle and Brennen Dickson, senior operations manager at Bear Claw Casino, joined the Chamber board. While the Chamber treasurer, Martin Tourand, explained there are 66 businesses out of approximately 120 in Carlyle that have joined the Chamber this year, so far.
The Chamber formed at a time when business owners were concerned about the rise in property tax, but currently the business community doesn’t have any pressing concerns. However, Steve Schultz, president of the Chamber, said that he and Nicole Currie – vice president of the Chamber – meet with the town on a regular basis to ensure they are working together for the betterment of the community. Each entity checks with the other at these meetings to see if there are issues and how they can be addressed.
Since there are no pressing concerns at the moment, as there were in the beginning, the Chamber has been focused on giving back to the community.
“We’ve been approached by different groups to help with a variety of different things in the community,” Schultz said. “We’ll be holding a barbeque fundraiser this year at the dedication of the town shop to Roy Olmstead and all profits from that barbeque will go towards the fire department.”
“We’re also looking to do a downtown business promotion this year as a way to sort of replace Boogie Fest this summer. And this fall, we’re just in discussions now, but we’re hoping to host a business appreciation night at the hall.”
More immediately, however, the Chamber will be meeting on Tuesday, April 12, at 7 p.m. at the Bear Claw Casino for their annual general meeting. Here they will host a guest speaker from the Southeast Regional College who will talk about the different programs businesses can participate in and offer to employees.
“Everyone is welcome to come out, you don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend,” Schultz explained. “We encourage prospective members to come out.”
Additionally, the Chamber will be placing weekly information in The Observer to explain various benefits available to businesses by becoming a member of the Chamber.
