The City of Nitro

NEW NITRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOLDS FIRST MEETING

Nitro Chamber of Commerce is having a membership drive.

The

Nitro chamber is "very new. It incorporated last year, but no one has had a good opportunity to go out and let the public know about it," said Nitro City Councilman Jim McKay, who is serving as the chamber's executive director.

McKay is recruiting

Nitro businesses to join. The chamber was scheduled to have its first meeting on Tuesday, March 29, on the third floor of the Nitro Moose Lodge.

Currently, the

Nitro Chamber of Commerce has an office at Chuck Boggs & Associates, 197 First Ave.

During the last few months, McKay has been visiting

Nitro businesses to talk up the new chamber of commerce.

"I go out and talk to business people and recruit members," McKay said.

So far, about 25 businesses have joined the

Nitro Chamber of Commerce.

One of the chamber's goals is to help move businesses forward in

Nitro.

"One of the best benefits is business owners get to meet other business owners and discuss how they do business. It's a way for businesses to network and a way for them to increase business and get more exposure."

And chamber members, he said, are more likely to do business with other chamber members. A chamber of commerce is also an excellent resource for people new to a community.

"Most people who go into a city that they're not familiar with, one of the first things they'll do is look up the chamber of commerce to see what's available."

McKay said the chamber will be assigning committees and getting a website up and running.

Businesses will pay dues, but the dues will be based on how big a business is and how many employees it has.

"The dues will be used to promote the chamber," he said.

Vikki Hamilton, owner of Elizabeth's Attic, a gift shop on 21st Street, said she joined the

Nitro Chamber of Commerce to show her support for the town.

"I think

Nitro has a lot of potential. For the town to grow and develop that potential, the business owners have to get involved, and that will help our businesses grow," said Hamilton, who has been in business for eight years.

Elizabeth's Attic specializes in Vera Bradley products, Troll beads and a variety of home decor items.

Hamilton said the chamber is a step in the right direction to make

Nitro "a destination town."

McKay said the chamber would also be working with the

Nitro Convention & Visitors Bureau, which is also relatively new, to enhance Nitro.

Such enhancements include a "wedding gondola" and dog park at Ridenour Lake. Both those projects are in the bidding stage. A streetscape project on Bank Street, from 20th to 22nd streets is also planned.

"We're trying to do things to enhance tourism in the town," McKay said.

The chamber, along with the

Nitro Senior Citizens group, is sponsoring a fundraising show April 9 at the Nitro Moose.

The show will be a Conway Twitty tribute performance. Tickets are $10 each.

"The Moose (lodge) will get a certain amount of money, the seniors will get a share and the chamber will get a small share."

Other shows are planned, including a "rock band war" in May and an Elvis Presley show in June.

For more information about the

Nitro Chamber of Commerce, call McKay, 304-415-4514.