The Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce met yesterday for its March session.

To begin the meeting, Diane Flanery and Debbie Menning from Main Street Guthrie Center delivered a spirited presentation to the Chamber discussing what the main goals are of their Organization Committee for the town’s new program.

Flanery and Menning used the town of Woodbine as an example of a place that was reenergized when it became a Main Street Iowa community in 2008. Since that year, Woodbine has experienced 36 building renovations and 18 new businesses have emerged.  Flanery and Menning believe that story “can be Guthrie Center,” too.

Chamber members applauded their work, and Main Street Iowa Officials in attendance also complemented the presentation.

Next, the Chamber continued its conversation about possibly combining some of the organization’s committees to allow for better efficiency and the creation of more individual town celebrations.

Karen Sievers voiced her opinion that the Chamber needs to have a welcoming plan in place once new businesses come to Guthrie Center as a result of Main Street Iowa.  Vicki Frohling also suggested the Chamber create a “welcoming committee” that would welcome all new people to town, not just new businesses.

The Chamber will continue to discuss committee reorganization in future meetings.

President Lonnie Carrick then scheduled another Thirsty Thursday event for this month.  It will be held March 20th at Shipwrecked Saloon.

Finally, Guthrie Center Booster Club President Lori Hix concluded the meeting by asking that Chamber members get more involved in working at the school district’s athletic events this spring and summer.  She is asking that the Chamber help provide some of the labor while the Booster Club will continue to provide the food and other necessities.

The next Guthrie Center Chamber meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 8th.