January 26, 2019
Chamber of Commerce celebrates 2018 at banquet, with largest crowd ever
The Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce has many accomplishments to celebrate at the close of 2018 and more important projects to pursue in the next year, incoming board chairperson Andy Moore said Saturday evening at the 81st Annual Chamber Banquet. “We are one of the fastest growing communities in Missouri and it’s just the beginning,” Moore told a crowd of more than 500 area business people and residents, the largest banquet attendance to date.
Donna Farley Associate Editor
The Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce has many accomplishments to celebrate at the close of 2018 and more important projects to pursue in the next year, incoming board chairperson Andy Moore said Saturday evening at the 81st Annual Chamber Banquet.
“We are one of the fastest growing communities in Missouri and it’s just the beginning,” Moore told a crowd of more than 500 area business people and residents, the largest banquet attendance to date.
In the last year, the chamber received its largest grant ever, $35,000 to add solar panels to its facility on Pine Street, Moore told guests at the Black River Coliseum.
The chamber also helped Poplar Bluff obtain a Veteran Friendly Community status, he said. Fellow board member Dr. Patricia Hall, director of John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, was among those responsible for that.
“It was an unbelievable year for tourism,” Moore continued.
The chamber obtained an additional $21,500 worth of tourism grants, and had a very strong campaign which included billboards and high quality social media videos that reached over a quarter of million people, he said. Their efforts also pushed for more local shopping and created new networking events for members.
In 2019, the chamber plans to make changes to its ambassador program and
continue to push for a future Interstate 57 connection through Poplar Bluff.
“In 2019, we will be taking a more regional approach to tourism and plan on accessing even more funding from the state to help get people from outside our area to visit Poplar Bluff and spend their money in your business,” Moore said.
The chamber is also anticipating an announcement soon for a new business at its certified industrial site.
Residents can look for a groundbreaking ceremony to be scheduled very soon, Moore said, adding that restrictions in how the state awards infrastructure money have made it necessary to wait for the announcement.
Incoming board members recognized during the event were Rick Lansford of Century 21 American Realty, Chair elect Danielle Berry of Health Partners Management, Jon Stansfield of the U.S. Forest Service, Jeff Kurcab of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and Charles Dunlap of Revere Plastics.
Megan Leist of Southern Bank received the Volunteer of the Year award.
Outgoing board members recognized during the event were: David Wyman, Dave Creg and Kirk Mondy.
A special thanks was given to Kevin McCormick, retiring Poplar Bluff Industries chairman, and Erick Kirkman, retiring Chamber chairman.
Also recognized during the banquet were Gateway to Leadership graduates: Alicia Davis of the Missouri Job Center; Amanda Gowen of First Choice Insurance; Brandon Woolard of Commerce Bank; Bryce Cohen of First Midwest Bank; Bryce Colvin of Poplar Bluff Police Department; Chad Wolfram of Ozark Federal Credit Union; Dawn Carrier of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center; John Dunivan of Missouri Job Center; Kristin Howdeshell of Express Employment Professionals; Lacey McClintock of PBRMC; Matt Wood of Briggs & Stratton; Monica Woolem of Moore Funeral Services; Nicky Chambers of Gates Corporation; Ron Jones of Briggs & Stratton; Roy Deshaney of Briggs & Stratton; Samantha Rodgers of Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission; Travis Gowen of Ozark Federal Credit Union; and Zach Bacon of Mossy Oak Properties.
The event was catered by Colton’s Steakhouse.
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