New faces on Chamber of Commerce board

McCOOK, Neb. — Faces on the McCook Chamber Board of Directors are changing, with Karen Craw of Pinnacle Bank replacing Jaci Wiessert, also of Pinnacle Bank. Wiessert is relocating to Elmwood, Neb. Tera Koetter, newly hired assistant city manager for the City of McCook, will be replacing City Manager Nate Schneider on the chamber board. One other seat is currently open to replace Tina Kennedy, who is unable to continue serving on the board due to a job change. Chamber President Molly Smith encourages any chamber member who may be interested in serving to contact her as the nominations committee begins the work of finding a new board member.

The chamber is in the process of conducting a membership drive, and Smith would like to hear from any members who would be willing to provide a testimonial about the benefits of being a chamber member. Testimonials can be emailed to Smith at molly@mccookchamber.org.

In the next few weeks, the chamber will be inviting retailers to participate in a monthly retail group to share ideas and provide feedback on how the chamber can assist them in their business. “It will be an important part of what we need to do to make sure that we’re listening to that group of members and helping them,” Smith said.

The chamber is sponsoring a Lunch & Learn with HonorBound IT on January 25 from noon to 1:00 p.m. HonorBound IT staff will inform participants about tools in Microsoft 365 that will make time and task management easier and more effective. The training session will take place at the Keystone Business Center. The chamber asks that anyone wishing to attend can pre-register here so that the correct number of lunches will be ordered.

Another opportunity for learning will come on February 7th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Community Building at Red Willow County Fairgrounds. This event, hosted by Red Willow County Extension and McCook Philanthropy Council, will be an estate and will-planning workshop. There is no charge to attend, and lunch will be provided. RSVP’s can be made by calling Red Willow County Extension at 308-345-3390.

June will be a busy month for the community, with lots of opportunities for entertainment and socializing. The chamber is moving its annual “Bash on the Hill” celebration from June 9 to June 16, so it will not conflict with the annual Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival. Smith said plans are already underway for the “Bash on the Hill” which will be held at Heritage Hills. They are looking for food truck vendors who would like to set up for the event. Vendors who are chamber members will not have a charge to participate; non-chamber members can set up for a charge of $50. The chamber is also looking at options for expanded parking and providing a shuttle service to and from the event.