Members of the Stuart Chamber of Commerce convened yesterday for their July session.

To begin the meeting, Treasurer Shannon Behnken went over the organization’s June financials.  With a lot of monies coming in from Good Egg Days and its parade over Father’s Day weekend, the Chamber experienced a net gain of more than $3,000 last month.

The Chamber’s net ending balance is now more than $9,200.

Chamber Vice President Sarah Gomez then spoke to give members a business update for Midwest Partnership.  She says the organization’s entrepreneurship plan is now finished, and a few ideas for Stuart and surrounding communities have emerged.

Gomez says Midwest Partnership would like to establish and male and female Entrepreneur of the Year Award that would be given out at their annual meeting.  Gomez says the economic development group will also be working more with City Council members and area tourism boards to promote small business growth in our local communities.

As part of the new entrepreneurship plan, Midwest Partnership will also be looking into developing a young entrepreneurs program to get area youth involved in small business growth.

Bob Cook then spoke about the second Scoop the Loop night coming up July 12th.  Cook says he’s hoping to fill the commons area at West Central Valley High School for the Salute to Science Fair program that evening.

He’s currently in the process of trying to make Scoop the Loop an official non-profit organization by the time next summer rolls around.

To end the meeting, President Cheryl Marks announced she is stepping down as Chamber President.  Audrey Wells will fill-in on an interim basis until the end of the year.

The Stuart Chamber of Commerce will next meet on Wednesday, August 6th.