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The Holbrook Chamber of Commerce met on April 17 to discuss activities in the city as they relate to local business.
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Jason Foutz with the City of Holbrook informed the board that the investors for the La Quinta Inn have secured their funding. “They have closed on the property and we will be having a ground breaking ceremony during the month of May.” Foutz encouraged everyone to attend once the date has been set as “they have invested a healthy amount of money.” The hotel will be built at the north end of Navajo Blvd.
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Regarding the Magnusson Hotel that was burned down, Foutz informed the board that the property is bank-owned and the plan is to have the hotel rebuilt. There is currently a dispute between the bank and the insurance company handling the claim as to how that should transpire. As a result, the parties involved are unsure when that will be resolved, although the initial plan had been there would be demolition beginning in April.
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Board member Colleen Marsh suggested the chamber provide a letter for Foutz to forward to the parties involved voicing their concerns with the efforts so far.
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The Petrified Forest National Park will extend park hours from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. beginning on May 12. I was noted that the park will be hosting a couple of dark sky events over the summer. One on May 4 will be a Dark Sky party to celebrate the designation that was made on that date last year and June 29 with a “telescope playground” astronomy event.
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Chamber Director Cindy Tafoya reported that the chamber is working with a local anonymous donor who is offering a paint grant to beautiful the exterior of businesses visible from the main streets. The chamber is currently seeking other private individuals and business owners who would like to contribute to the endeavor to make it sustainable for the coming years.
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Chamber board member Tany Tafoya reported on an effort to encourage local shopping. She is working to reinstate the Business of the Month program based on customer service and the curb appeal of the storefront. Anyone can nominate a business and the winner would have their photo and a story on their business in The Tribune as well as a banner in front of their business.
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“In return we hope that the business would offer a small discount to their customers, something as a thank you,” stated Tafoya. She is also looking to have a reusable cloth tote designed with the logos of business members that can be purchased for a nominal fee that will provide users with a discount when they use it at local businesses.
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Board member Robin Gonzales said she would like the chamber to consider changing the motto, Shop Holbrook First. “I understand, I’m sympathetic and I understand when people say we don’t have a lot so what can we do about ‘Trying Holbrook First’ or ‘Check Out Holbrook First.’ We need to look at some ideas of what we are actually trying to get people to do. At least try to find it here first,” stated Gonzales, adding that she gets negative feedback on the ‘shop local’ motto.
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The Chamber of Commerce is offering basic copying services for business owners in the community. The cost is 5 cents for chamber members per copy or 10 cents for non-chamber members. To schedule a time to have copies printed call or text Tafoya at (928) 241-1850.
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The chamber approved a decision to host the Hashknife Parade 2020. The parade fell to the wayside last year with the Hashknife members having a full schedule prior to the annual ride and were unable to plan a parade. Any funds needed for the parade would come from the leftover funds from the Hashknife send-off luncheon. Costs would be minimal to the chamber with the city providing security and insurance. The parade would be held in January.
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The chamber board also made the decision to donate any proceeds from the upcoming August food truck event and cornhole competition to the Historical Society to go towards the restoration of the Historic Courthouse roof.
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The chamber board reviewed nominees for the chamber board. Those nominees include Teri Young, Jme Baloo, Atsuo Sakurai, Paul Ortega, Cheyenne Gillespie, Michael Moore, Blaine Hatch, David Newlin, Yvonne Larson, Tyretta Brown, Daniella Day and Shar Gillespie. There are six positions on the board that are available and a seventh position would be appointed by the board as it was due to a resignation. The six nominees will be contacted to determine if they would like to be on the ballot to be voted on by all chamber members.
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Tafoya presented a chamber budget to the board for review before presenting it to the city. The draft includes additional funds that would move Tafoya from a part-time director to a full-time director. That increase would add $15,000 to last year’s budget making the total request $65,000.
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Councilwoman Francie Payne was in attendance and informed the board that the city will be contributing a portion of the lodgers tax fund, which funds the chamber, to contribute $20,000 to the replacement of the courthouse roof. As such, there would likely not be enough in the chamber funds to increase the budget by that amount, adding that she had approached City Manager Ted Soltis with an increase request for both the chamber and the Navajo County Historical Society. After consideration, the board approved the budget draft in the amount of $65,000.
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In upcoming events, there will be a travel mixer held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today (April 24) at the Route 66 Auditorium. Information provided will include the amenities within the city such as the Petroglyph Park, the Historic Navajo County Courthouse, the Petrified Forest National Park and other tourist attractions in the area.
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The Taste of Holbrook will be held June 20 at The Hangar with a tea party theme.
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A fly-in scheduled at the Holbrook Municipal Airport for November has been re-scheduled for Sept. 7 to increase the chances of having good weather. This will be a first event of this type for Holbrook.
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The board also approved a draft of the strategic plan.
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