Chamber CEO requests funds to be reinstated

Tuesday, 12 October 2010 09:27

President and CEO of the Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Rick Roden recently addressed the Jackson County Commission and asked the commissioners to consider amending the 2010-2011 Jackson County Budget to include funding for Focus Jackson and the one percent lodging tax.

Roden apologized for the lack of communication between the commission and the chamber of commerce.

Roden asked the commission to continue funding $15,000 for Focus Jackson to go toward workforce development, tourism and business development. Roden stated the Chamber employs “a full time vice president for business development to grow local business, find tenants for empty buildings and to recruit businesses
Roden also requested the commission to continue investing the one percent lodging tax so the chamber can continue hosting bass tournaments.

“Bass tournaments are a huge part of what we do, and these tournaments have a direct impact on the community and the people in the community,” says Roden.

Jackson County Commissioner Horace Clemmons asked for a motion to be put on the Jackson County Meeting agenda to get a document of understanding to see where the money is spent.

Clemmons stated, “The commission supports the Chamber of Commerce but it is crucial communication between the commission and chamber improve.”

“The money that came into question did so because when Sandra Erickson [Jackson County Administrator] looked into the law, she was unable to find where the commission was suppose to spend it.” said Clemmons. He then asked for a motion to allocate that money [one percent lodging tax] to the chamber.

Clemmons then stated he would like to include in the motion that Erickson find something less than the $15,000 that was for Focus Jackson, and for the chamber to identify what they wanted it to go for and the commission fund that specific event.

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce will still receive the county lodging tax money that is collected.

So far this year the chamber of commerce has received about $105,000 in county lodging tax money.