The Stuart Chamber of Commerce met yesterday for its March session.

To begin the meeting, Treasurer Shannon Behnken addressed members to go over the Chamber’s February financials.  The Chamber had a net loss of nearly $1,000 last month, as dues had to be paid for its affiliation with Midwest Partnership and for maintenance of its website.

The Chamber still has a net ending balance of over $6,000.

Midwest Partnership Economic Development Coordinator Sarah Gomez then addressed the Chamber with a couple business updates from her organization.  Gomez is encouraging Chamber members and any area residents to attend the 2014 Annual Dinner of Western Iowa Advantage coming up on Tuesday, April 8th.  The cost to attend is $20 and it is being held at the Carrollton Centre in Carroll.

Gomez also discussed a workforce summit she is trying to put together.  The summit would be a means “to bridge the gap between students or youth and local businesses.”  More details will be released in the weeks ahead.

Next, Behnken again spoke to Chamber members about the latest with Stuart’s Good Egg Days.  Tents for this year’s event have now been ordered, and more details will be discussed at the committee’s next meeting, currently scheduled for Thursday, March 13th at AmericInn.

The Chamber’s Annual Dinner was then briefly discussed.  The event, which is being held tonight at Stuart’s All Saints Center, has received 49 RSVPs so far.

And finally, the Chamber discussed Stuart’s Easter Egg Hunt next month, which will take place on Saturday, April 12th at Lawbaugh Park.  Chamber members agreed to help Rose Acres with the event this year by contributing 150 goodie-bag prizes to area youth who participate.

The Stuart Chamber will next convene on Wednesday, April 2nd.