Article from Clay Times Journal
By Ray Stansell
People passing through Lineville have noticed the Clay County Chamber of Commerce Office on Highway 9 North is now vacant, and there is a “for rent” sign in the window. People have been asking what has happened, and Chamber President Stan Gaither provided answers in a telephone interview on Friday, January 17. He said the Clay County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council (formerly Clay County Industrial Board) is preparing to have a building erected on their property along Highway 9 across from Airport Road. That structure will house both the Chamber‘s and Economic Council’s offices. “The Chamber has partnered with the Economic Development Council because we are both after the same thing, to bring more money into Clay County,” Gaither said. “People want to think of new industry, but that’s not always the case. We may not have everything an industry wants, but the new school is a big plus. Many times, you bring growth through new businesses and playing to other strengths such as tourism. We have Cheaha, Lake Wedowee and beautiful towns and countryside and many local venues that are attractive to outsiders. Council Chairman Terry Meek said the budget for the new building is set at $120,000. Both men said they had hoped the building would be under construction before the end of the year, but the work was delayed by the wet weather. Gaither explained the office in Lineville had been planned as a temporary location in the beginning. Meek said, “The Chamber has been moving around for several years, and the Council really has not had a permanent office, so we are both looking forward to a permanent location so that the public can know where we are.
The Chamber is still in operation, despite the lack of office space. Director Mary Patchunka-Smith is doing the work from her home. The Chamber number, 256-396-2828, rolls to her cell phone, so it is still a viable contact. The Chamber has a new email address: claychamber@gmail.com.
Gaither explained they expect to have broadband internet in the new office, and this email will continue to be good when they move in there. He added, “We are both here to help economic development on both sides of the county. We are not trying to raise money for the Chamber or the Economic Development Council beyond the cost of operations. If we didn’t feel we were creating more value than overhead, we will vote to close down our organizations.” Gaither continued, saying, “We have reviewed the sales tax receipts records for Clay County for the past five years, and these have increased every year. We feel the work of the Chamber has helped bring this about through promoting our cities and county throughout the southeast.”
“We will keep the public informed on the progress of our new building and our activities, including a groundbreaking, as soon as we have a date,” he said in closing.
Last modified: January 22, 2014
