Tonasket Chamber of Commerce Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2019
Call to Order
Meeting was called to order by president Mary Lou Kriner at 12:05 followed by the flag salute.
Minutes
January minutes were read accepted as written.
Treasurer’s Report
Budget was presented and accepted.
Membership
54 current Chamber members. Previous members who have been featured on the website will be removed the week of March 17th if 2019 memberships aren’t received. Members should visit the website tonasketchamber.com to check your listing details. Email chamberoftonasket@gmail.com if you have changes or additions and Tracy will update it.
Guest Speaker
James Moore presented the Route 97 Road Trip Guide, expressing his dismay that Tonasket doesn’t have an ad listed in the publication. In general, he feels Tonasket is under represented in the book and requested a committee to advocate for better representation. Marilee, Chamber Treasurer, will find out what the cost of an ad in this publication would be.
Roni Holder-Diefenbach and Ernest Rasmussen gave a presentation on The Opportunity Zone. The Opportunity Zone program was included in the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which was designed to provide tax incentives to investors who fund businesses in underserved communities. Investors are able to defer paying taxes on capital gains when invested in Qualified Opportunity Funds that in turn are invested in distressed communities designed as Opportunity Zones. Tonasket, East Omak/East Okanogan, Nespelem/Elmer City/Coulee Dam or Brewster/Pateros have been identified as Opportunity Zones in Okanogan County. The Economic Alliance will host a meeting about these opportunities on February 25 from 5:30-8 at the Omak City Hall.
The Whitcomb Avenue Project, formerly called the“Magnificent Mile” project will have a meeting today at 3pm and will be presented at the City Council meeting tonight. A long discussion ensued about the particulars of this project.
TVBRC
TVBRC will re-open in May.
RV Park
Will re-open in April/May, weather permitting.
Old Business
The Chamber would like to thank the banquet committee and all of the businesses who donated to make our banquet such a success. We are nothing without the dedicated businesses of Tonasket. Thank you!
New Business
Due to an error, there was no February business of the month. March will be Lee Franks. April and May businesses of the month will be voted on at the March meeting.
A vote was taken to move the Business of the Month advertising from the Gazette at two times a month, to the Chronicle once a month.
There will be a soap box derby added to the Founder’s Day festivities. It will run down State and 3rd streets and will occur immediately after the parade. Sign ups will be available soon.
A Tonasket brochure was created and shared with the group for input. The brochure will be included with promotional materials Lee Orr will be sharing at an upcoming aviation conference.
Founder’s Committee will meet again on March 13, 2019 at noon at The Kuhler.
Community Announcements
None, due to length of guest speakers and discussion.
Meeting Adjourned
1:35 pm. Next meeting will be at The Kuhler on March 12 , 2019.