Townsend Business Leaders Reorganize Chamber of Commerce
 | Author:
Nancy Marks
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
Townsend Business Leaders Reorganize Chamber of Commerce
MT 43 News Staff
Several Townsend business owners gathered Wednesday, January 10 at The Betsy Bar to reboot the Townsend Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC). Realtor Jenni Fellenz and auto repair shop owner Keith Hartmann were elected co-presidents. Jenny Clowes remains treasurer and Rachael Brug is secretary.
The co-presidents emphasized a move to support both new and existing businesses on Front Street and Broadway. Ways to deliver that support would be to put out a packet with contact information about Townsend’s business district and services. Reading Leaves owner Rachael Brug told of the importance of reaching out when people are just setting up their businesses. “We want to see others thrive so we need to offer resource support,” she said.
The conversation surrounded a comment from C Hangin’ C owner Cassie Cooper who also owns a business in Dillon. She related Dillon Chamber members reached out to her to offer help in whatever she needed. “We, the businesses on Front Street in Townsend, feel left out of the Chamber. The Chamber needs to do something to include Front Street businesses in Chamber activities,” she said.
Fellenz pointed out the chamber had made a video of Goose Bay Glass some years ago to run on the TACC website. Townsend area businesses will receive a link to the website. “We will make a priority of getting videos of other Townsend businesses on the website,” she said.
In years past, TACC activities had been led and organized by one or two people, according to Fellenz. “The Christmas Stroll came off very successfully because business owners jumped in to organize the activity, but two months before we didn’t know if it was even going to happen. If we can figure out how to come together, we can work as a team,” she said.
New City Council member Doug Sitton suggested someone be designated to go business to business to invite them to meetings and to become involved in Chamber activities. “We are the new Townsend Area Chamber of Commerce as of today,” he said.
Fellenz suggested the group make up a Google Calendar with new business ribbon cuttings featured on the website. In the past chamber has sponsored “After Hours” activities at each business so owners could network and learn about each other’s businesses. “The activity could include appetizers and beverages as well as drawings with prizes from other members,” she said.
A recent TACC endeavor is placing a digital sign close to Highway 287 to educate people who drive through town about what is happening in Townsend. According to the Montana State Highway Department, 8,000 cars pass through Townsend daily.
Chamber members Tim McAlpine, Doug Breker and Tim Pool had worked with City Council and Townsend Schools to erect a new sign at the Front Street and Broadway Street intersection. The current sign is on railroad property. To install a digital sign on the site was not workable because of setback restrictions and was cost-prohibitive, according to Hartmann. “That location is off the table,” he said.
While members scout out another location, the chamber asked YESCO sign company employee Ben Toney to design a digital sign. Toney presented a design proposal that would include a permanent sign with a digital sign below. Monies set aside from Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival proceeds would pay for the sign.
Chamber meetings are set for the second Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is delayed due to Valentine's Day and is scheduled for February 21st, 6 pm at Canyon Ferry Brewing. Business owners, City Council members and the public are invited to attend.
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: Nancy Marks
Image 1 Caption: Realtor Jenni Fellenz and auto repair shop owner Keith Hartmann will co-chair Townsend Area Chamber of Commerce this year.
Photo Credits: Nancy Marks
 New Townsend Area Chamber of Commerce Leaders 2024.JPG)
