Volume 7, No. 1
January 2015
Business Kelso Longview
Connection Chamber of Commerce
Calendar Thursday
January 1 HAPPY 2015! Chamber Office Closed
Erin Brown, executive of the Lower Columbia College Foundation, shared a moment with incoming Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors President Diane Craft during the recent Holiday Mixer.
Saturday
January 3 – 9 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Planet Fitness
Wednesday
January 7 – 7:30 a.m. Education Foundation Committee Canterbury Park 1335 3rd Ave., Longview
Thursday
January 8 – 7:30 a.m. Ambassador Committee Canterbury Park 1335 3rd Ave., Longview
Monday
January 12 – Noon Government Affairs Committee Teri’s 3225 Ocean Beach Hwy., Longview
Monday
January 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Chamber Office Closed
Wednesday
January 21 – 5:30 p.m. Business After Hours Non-Profit Night Mark Morris High School 1602 Mark Morris Ct., Longview
Every Wednesday
Chamber Connections KEDO/1400 AM – 3-4 p.m. Stream live at www.threeriversradio.com Local guest and current events
Board drives forward on economic growth By Brenda Sexton For the Kelso-Longview Chamber
With the Kelso and Longview economy speeding forward, the Chamber of Commerce may not be the driver, but its leadership certainly plans to be there to make sure there’s a road map and fuel for a successful journey. That many not be exactly how incoming Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors President Diane Craft would phrase it, but she said the Chamber is moving forward at a fast pace and it’s exciting. “Right now, as far as growing, and growing local business, it may be the economy driving that, but we’re excited about that as a Chamber,” she said. “If I had to put it into words, the Chamber is enhancing the local economy and community.” It’s part of the Chamber’s mission to create a successful economic environment within the community for its members. It’s a role the Chamber has been building toward. To gear up, the Chamber has been providing affordable continuing education classes for smaller businesses through its Boot Camp. The Chamber’s annual Building Bridges Business Showcase gives local businesses an opportunity to promote their services and products to the community. The relocation to the I-5 corridor outside Kelso and its complete merger with the Visitor Center has given the Chamber better exposure. And, according to Craft, that’s just the beginning.
Please see Board, page 2