Chamber notes
By CHRISTY WULF
Director, Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce
This past week I went to Salina for the We Kan Conference, sponsored by the Kansas Sampler Foundation.
There were lots of great ideas and I hope to put some of them into action.
The most powerful idea I came away with was a shop at home program that Paola has done.
The program educated residents about the cost of shopping out of town.
For example, when you buy that can of beans or bag of garden mulch out of town, you are not only paying for the gasoline to get there and back, but there are other costs as well, including the loss of tax revenue to your city.
When you make purchases out of town, Hillsboro loses tax revenue it could have used to make community improvements without raising taxes.
In the long run, buying out of town could be very costly. If enough people shop outside of Hillsboro, we could lose one of our businesses. Which shop, store, or business are you willing to give up to save a dime or a dollar on your next purchase?
Each of us needs to think about these things when we are tempted to shop outside of Hillsboro.
I know it's not possible to buy everything here, we just don't have everything available in Hillsboro, but we at least need to make an effort to buy in town.
Ask the businesses in town to order what you need if you can.
I'd like to encourage each and everyone of you to shop in Hillsboro. If we all did, think how much better and more prosperous we all would be.
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The chamber of commerce welcomes its newest members: Little Pleasures, Prairie Land Foods, and Southwest Distributors. If you see these business owners on the street, or stop by their businesses, let them know how glad you are that they've chosen to join the chamber.
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We're still looking for committee members. If you want the chamber to be doing something different, here's your chance to make it happen.
The promotions committee is looking into utility mailers to promote chamber businesses, a TV ad for Hillsboro, and block parties. It meets Thursday mornings at 7 o'clock at Olde Towne Restaurant.
Do you have ideas or interests in this area? Contact Cora Friesen at Quick Flick/Radio Shack, Brenda Hamm at Thee Bookstore, or Nancy or Joel Klaassen for more information.
The fund-raising committee will be working on the Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Fair booth, the annual dinner, and raising funds for other committees.
Is there a change you would like to make with these events? Contact Lola Unruh at Central National Bank, Randy Smith at First Mennonite Brethren Church, or Gordon Mohn at USD 410.
The business assistance committee is planning seminars to help member businesses and is looking for programs to improve chamber benefits.
Do you have an idea about a program we could support? Contact Mike Gerken at Hillsboro Industries or Jim Elliott at Tabor College for more information.
If you want to help, but aren't sure where? Call the chamber office.
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As a chamber member, you have the opportunity to take advantage of a television ad on Channel 12.
Up to three businesses can go together on an ad for a total cost of $300 that can be shared.
The 30-second ad will run at least 15 times during the month, after the morning news and after Dr. Phil. It also could be used as filler so that you might get more run time.
Burns and Florence have done this. Their ads have run or are running now. I e-mailed a video of their ad to the chamber e-mail list, but if you didn't get it, or don't have e-mail, stop by my office to check it out.
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The number one reason to be a chamber member: The future of Hillsboro!
