Kimball Banner Chamber Carries On Without Home

The Kimball Banner County Chamber of Commerce is temporarily a chamber with no office space.

According to Kimball-Banner County Chamber board member Annette Brower, Century 21 Realty has purchased the building where the chamber was located

The chamber is, in Annette’s words, in the state of a “temporary hiatus.”

Although there is no building to call home right now, the work of the chamber continues, according to Annette.

The chambers Facebook page is still up and operating with events and happenings listed. Kimball Economic Director Amy Sapp is taking over the business end of the chamber.

Sapp is charged with grants and promotional events. Jessica Rocha from High Point Visitors Center will help with the tourism aspect. The Chamber and the ambassadors will still be at events, such as business openings.

The chamber still has its 501 nonprofit status and its bank accounts are still functioning.

There currently are no chamber membership dues being collected, and chamber leaders are looking to fill board vacancies.

Alex Engstrom is the president. Other board members are Assunta Calise-Nelson, Jeri Rutledge, Rick Forepaugh and Annette Brower.

Farmer’s Day had been an arm of the chamber, but two years ago event separated out, so it is not affected by the dormant stage of the chamber.

Some chamber jobs have been absorbed by the city offices. For example, rental lists are now found at the front desk in the city offices.

The chamber was created to promote local businesses and had been active for more than 50 years, but loss of membership has had a huge impact on the organization.