Odessa Chamber gears up for new year

ODESSA – Laura Estes reports that the Odessa Chamber of Commerce met Nov. 9 after members relocated to the Fellowship Hall at Christ Lutheran Church (after discovering that the floor at the Old Town Hall was still in the curing process). The group chose not to risk scratching the new floor.

Chamber President Norman Ott called the meeting to order. Treasurer Larissa Zeiler reported an approximate profit of $23,000 from the Deutschesfest Biergarten after most Fest bills had been received and paid.

Estes said a budget meeting will be held in December to allocate funds for 2022 events. Budget requests should be submitted in writing to the treasurer by December 1. Tentative 2022 events are the Chamber Banquet (date to be announced), beer and food vending at the Stumpjumpers 50th anniversary of the Desert 100 March 31–April 3 and Deutschesfest September 16-18, 2022.

Election of officers and first reading of the 2022 budget will take place at the December 14 business meeting. Nominations for officers are open up until the time of voting at that meeting.

A brainstorming session followed to come up with ideas for promoting Odessa businesses, encouraging tourism and making shopping in town and the area more attractive to residents. Among the ideas suggested were: boosting the electrical supply, increasing the number of outlets at Reiman Park for RV use and for community events, searching out an acceptable site for an RV waste dump and promoting businesses on the Chamber website. The Chamber would welcome additional ideas from Odessa businesses and residents.

New businesses in Odessa are given a one-year membership to Chamber at no charge and are encouraged to attend meetings and assist with Chamber projects. Individual community members and non-profit organizations may obtain membership as well. Membership applications are mailed in January of each year.

From December through March, Chamber meetings will be held at the Old Town Hall on the second Tuesday of each month at 12 noon. Watch the Odessa Chamber website for updates and leave your email address to receive Chamber meeting announcements. http://www.odessachamber.org.