HBA officials are investigating the possibility of
starting their own Chamber branch, or perhaps affiliating with another
group, such as
the
Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce. “
We are investigating whether it is feasible and advantageous for us
to
change,” said HBA President Chris Miller. “Local organizations
tend to go
strong for a few years, then fade away. That’s happened here
in Homer
before. The Chamber would give us long-term continuity.” Miller cited a number of advantages in addition to
continuity that would be
derived from an alliance with the Chamber. He said belonging to the
Chamber
would give the HBA a set of standard operating procedures, establish
a board
of directors, aid in developing a charter, provide liability insurance
and
provide a means for the group to attain non-profit status. “
It would also give us more name recognition,” Miller noted. “Many
people
come into town wanting to know if we have a Chamber of Commerce.” A concern with joining the Chamber was the costs involved, but Miller
said
he was pleasantly surprised to learn the fees would be just $125 per
year
for the group, plus $11 per individual. “
I thought that was very reasonable,” he noted. Miller stated he expects a representative of the Chamber of Commerce to address the HBA at one of its next couple of meetings. HBA members would have to vote for any change. “
I would hope we could have a decision one way or the other by the end
of
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