Chamber of Commerce may be formed

Citizens, businesses and political leaders attending a meeting last week voted to look into establishing a Lewis County Chamber of Commerce.

The move came following a presentation by Melony Furby, Director of the Maysville-Mason County Area Chamber of Commerce, on the workings of and how to establish a Chamber.

A 12-member steering committee was chosen and will be chaired by Kenny Clark, former Vanceburg plant manager for Nine West Group.

Furby explained that a Chamber of Commerce allows networking of the members and helps to bring the community together and keep dollars here. A Chamber also promotes and encourages private enterprise and works to unify the direction of the business community.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce elect a board of directors consisting of the representative of member businesses. The board of directors governs the Chamber operations and activities.

Those attending the meeting also heard from Wayne Foster (at left), President of Commonwealth Research, Inc., concerning a proposal to develop an economic development strategy for Lewis County. He was a member of the Economic Development Assessment Team to visit Lewis County in May and make specific recommendations to help spur economic development here.

One of the recommendations was to develop an economic development strategy for the county and market available sites to various businesses.

Foster suggested marketing the communities and looking at Lewis County through the eyes of the business leaders who would be making the decision to locate here.

"Take advantage of your strengths and reduce your weaknesses," he said.