This week marked the first Stuart Chamber of Commerce meeting with a new president at the helm.

Ryan Morrison is a Stuart resident and has owned the Country Kitchen restaurant since 2018, along with some rental properties in the area. Morrison grew up in the City of Dexter, and he says being a Chamber member is important as it benefits not only his business but the community. He explains why he pursued becoming president, “I think that the earmark of a successful organization is to really stick to their mission, be goal driven. And I felt like the Chamber was going off in multiple different directions, and I thought that I could help refocus the group and get us back on track with the mission that the Chamber’s there for. I mean we all want a better, stronger community, and the Chamber is uniquely placed to give that to the community.”

Morrison says his main goal this year is to develop a comprehensive economic development plan, which would include involvement from other entities like the City. Another way he hopes to help refocus the group is a Lunch and Learn at noon January 15th at the Country Kitchen. It will focus on the Robert’s Rules of Order, which is the standard for facilitating group decision-making such as with the Chamber. The event is open to the public, and lunch is $5 for non-Chamber members. You can hear more from Morrison in today’s Let’s Talk Guthrie County program on air and at raccoonvalleyradio.com.