LOVELOCK - The Lovelock-Pershing County Chamber of Commerce is well on its way to resituating itself as a business organization focused on supporting area businesses and promoting Lovelock and Pershing County as great places in which to live and work. The reorganization facilitation is being funded by Coeur Rochester, Inc.
Late last year the community demonstrated its support of the re-opening of Coeur's Rochester Mine near Lovelock and in return the mine has sought methods of enhancing long-term local economic sustainability for the area. Coeur's directive for new sustainability projects has been community development and support for the local economy. As an organization of local businesses the Lovelock-Pershing County Chamber of Commerce was selected by Coeur for its positive impacts on local businesses and as an agent of economic influence.
The chamber accepted an offer from the mining company to assist the chamber by funding a professional facilitator and chamber organizer. The Barkdull-Spencer Agency (BSA) was hired by Coeur to facilitate the revival of the chamber of commerce. Elaine Barkdull-Spencer, BSA's lead consultant, has several years of direct chamber experience and achievement in chamber organizations.
On Sept. 7, at a town hall meeting hosted by Pershing County, chamber Chairman Jennifer Hill presented an update on the achievements of the Lovelock-Pershing County Chamber of Commerce.
Hill reported that since the separation of the Greater Pershing Partnership earlier this year the Lovelock-Pershing County Chamber of Commerce has been operating as an independent entity.
She reported that with the assistance of the Coeur sponsored facilitator, the chamber Board of Directors had performed a self-evaluation of the organization and that they were able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the organization. Utilizing the evaluation eight priority areas were identified for immediate action. Priorities included determining the chamber's identity and duties as a local entity; updating the chamber's objectives to reflect a business organization; development of an annual work plan, creating a budget that meets the chamber's needs and sustains the organization; examining staffing requirements and office hours; determining value to its membership and communicating effectively with the community.
The chamber of commerce also performed a local business survey and asked several local businesses for their opinions of the organization. They believe the feedback was very useful and will help guide the chamber for the next year.
The chamber is working on a BUY LOVELOCK program. Included in the program is Lovelock Loot, a new gift certificate program that will be introduced to the community in the coming weeks. The first $500 worth of certificates have been sponsored by EP Minerals.
Hill reported that an exciting new assortment of membership benefits is in the works and
that they are working collaboratively with the City of Lovelock to open a new visitors center where the chamber can better promote the Lovelock area and Pershing County.
After presenting her report at the town hall meeting Hill presented Coeur Rochester Mine General Manager Cindy Jones with a certificate thanking the company for its support.
For more information relating to the reorganization call the Lovelock-Pershing County Chamber of Commerce at (775) 273-7213.
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