Garden County Nebraska

GardenCoNe.com

Oshkosh, Lewellen, Lisco

Garden County Chamber of Commerce
2008 Meeting Minutes
March 4, 2008 Meeting
Renee Lucero, Secretary

The March Garden County Chamber of Commerce meeting was held on March 4, 2008 at the Eagles in Oshkosh. Dinner of hamburgers, cole slaw and french fries was served at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by President Todd Royston at 7:02 p.m.

There were no corrections to the November minutes. Carol Lake motioned to accept the minutes, seconded by Nathan Lloyd. Motion Carried

Old Business was discussed. The Tourism Committee is still seeking a replacement for Don Bentley. If anyone is interested, please let him know.

New Business:

Bill and Gladys Arnett are the new owners of the store at 306 Main Street. They plan to use it as both a store and to house the train in.

Mike Sullivan has also grown his current flooring installation business to now include the sale of all types of flooring.

The Tourism Committee met with a member of the Nebraska Historical Society regarding the John Hollman Grave site south of Oshkosh. They would like to meet to discuss plans on how to improve the current site and the possibility of making it more tourism friendly. This is an attraction that may spark interest in people touring the state and it's historical sites (busses, etc.). This is one of only seven historical gravesites in the State (also Ash Hollow). We need volunteers to help once this project gets started.

Loren Pospisil from the Chimney Rock Museum, is also a member of OCTA (Oregon California Trails Association, NE chapter)

Nebraska tourism guides were handed out to look at during the meeting. Pages were marked with points of interest and advertisements that pertain to businesses in Garden County.

Dr. Paula Sissel talked about the Service Learning Project. This project helps with community service projects. Dr. Sissel will work with Bill Dunlap on this project.

The report for the County Commissioners was given by Ron Shearer. He went to Kearney for a 3-day workshop regarding the 50 cent league. He is also running for County Commissioner for a 2nd term.

The membership drive for the Chamber of Commerce had a few pamphlets returned as undeliverable. Several new members have joined the Chamber as a result of the mailing. We would like to take this opportunity to welcome:

Garden County Soldier Support
JK Outdoors, LLC
Nancy B's Backyard Bunkhouse
Precision Plumbing (Welcome Home, Mike!)
We Hide It Storage
Western Nebraska Community College

Todd Royston will call the Railroad to see if they would like to become a member. At this time, there are 48 paid members.

Airport Committee has a bid out for snow removal equipment. Towards the end of 2008 or beginning of 2009, the FAA will have GPS vertical equipment installed. This should draw more traffic into the area. The runway length is not finished - there will be 300 feet more added on the West end (over 5000 feet) so insurance will be covered on larger planes.

The Chamber of Commerce applauded Clifton Buske for his induction into the Aviation Hall of Fame.

Dr. Paula Sissel talked about the 21st Century Federal Grant. This is now in it's second year and the Garden County Chamber is an active partner. There will be a $20,000 cut next year. They are seeking more monies. There is a survey that is due on March 15th and by a show of hands the members voted on each category in the survey on how positive the effects of this program are to Garden County. There are 92 elementary students and 67 participants of this program.

There is an e-business class for $99.00 that will available to the community. HTC (HomeTown Competiveness) is offering this course to learn how to conduct E-Business via the internet in rural Nebraska - if the course is completed, the participant will receive back half reimbursement. This will be held at the High School computer lab and starts Monday night 3/10/08 - there will be students from the high school available to help people with no prior experience with computers.

Rose Brassfield from the Garden County Prevention Coalition for Children, Youth and Families was the guest speaker. There are 11 counties in the Panhandle that she is responsible for. She talked about substance abuse survey's completed by our high school students along with underage drinking from both an individual strategy and environmental strategy. (What is around us and what needs to change?)

• Social normal (accepted within a group of people)
• Mass media (constant daily influence)
• Availability (how easy to access alcohol, etc.)
• Policies, Regulations, Laws (example: 30% improvement in schools for drinking and drugs from open campus at lunch to closed campus at lunch)

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Nebraska Rural Development Commission, announced the award of $35,500 through the Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA). to the Western Nebraska Community Web site and New Resident Service Bureau, a collaboration of Cheyenne, Deuel, Kimball, Garden, Scotts Bluff, Box Butte and Morrill counties . The High Plains Compass Community Web site will be a communication tool for existing and potential residents to improve retention of employees in western Nebraska. Matching funds will be provided by the city of Sidney LB840 Economic Development Funds and Cabela's, Inc.

Need to trade Chamber dues with Keith County / Deuel County? Todd Royston to meet with Amy Jay from Sidney on this website. The project currently has grants of $110,000 to get the project started.

Dr. Paula Sissel reported that the Garden County High School has partnered with WNCC (Western Nebraska Community College) to offer students career (clusters). This will give our high school students the ability to work towards credits while they attend high school.

Farm & Ranch Days The Garden County Growth and Development Committee reported they had another full house, and had to turn away 3 vendors for this years event. It is still very successful after 21 years.

For the 4th of July - the float committee needs volunteers. Also need volunteers to run the fireworks stand. Todd Royston will work on this and see if the Lion's Club would be able to help out. The theme that was suggested by Todd Royston was "Faces of Freedom" working with Terri O'Brien's Veteran Display. Also need workers for the 4th of July meal.

Shirley Sullivan brought up the TeamMates Mentoring Program in the school and said that for the first time since 2000, there are 3 open spots for Mentee's which is great news! They not getting referrals and this is a great project that helps kids head in the right direction. Mentees who participate for 3 years may be eligible for $100.00 per year for a scholarship.
The "walk-a-thon" will be held in April for the fundraising event for this program.

The Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 4:00 p.m. on March 18th at the Garden County Nursing Home. Volunteers are needed to help with this event.

St. Patrick's Day Activities will be held on Saturday, March 15th with Irish music at the Eagles.

Our quilt is now back from the Smithsonian where it was on display.

The new Garden County Chamber of Commerce Officers and Committees for the 2008 year were announced and began their duties at the March meeting.
Our new officers are:

• President - Todd Royston
• Vice President - Terri O'Brien
• Treasurer - Julie Royston
• Secretary - Renee Lucero
• Tourism - Don Bentley

Next meeting will he held on Thursday, April 17th, location to be determined.

The Chamber of Commerce has changed the meeting schedule for the 2008 calendar year. Meetings will not be held every month this year. The following is the list of meeting dates:

• June 19
• August 21
• October 16
• November 20
• December 18

Jack Nerud moved to adjourn and Gladys Arnett seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Renee Lucero, Secretary

Archives of previous Meeting Minutes:
Garden County Chamber of Commerce Archives of Minutes