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2022 Board Nominations now OPEN!

Tracy Brookshier
2022 Board Nominations now OPEN!

Are you ready to become more involved with your community through the Chamber?! If you would like to nominate yourself for the ONE open board position we have or any other positions now is your chance!

The nominating process for the Chamber Board of Directors has opened. There are 4 director positions due for election, as well as all officers (President, 1st VP, 2nd VP, Treasurer, & Secretary). All positions are two-year terms of office. Nominations for all positions are being accepted now and through Oct 31. Nominations will be submitted to the Nominating Committee. The slate of nominees will be presented at the November member meeting and final voting will take place before and at the December meeting. Nominees must be a Chamber Member in Good Standing.

For a full description on duties of Board Members please visit the Chamber of Commerce By-Laws posted here.

NOMINATE NOW >>>

Now Accepting Applications for the 2022 Business Beutification Grant!

Tracy Brookshier
Now Accepting Applications for the 2022 Business Beutification Grant!

BOWLING GREEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS BEAUTIFICATION GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS

Thank you for your interest in the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Business Beautification Grant Program. The Chamber offers an annual grant to assist with funding for needed improvements for store-front beautification to businesses located within the City of Bowling Green. The grant process is administered through the Scholarship Committee of the Chamber. All questions may be directed to the Chamber Office.

 

Facts about the program:

  1. The program will offer an annual grant award of $500.00 to one (1) business.
  2. The grant application period will begin on August 1 and end at midnight on October 31. The grant recipient will be announced at the Annual Awards Banquet of the Chamber of Commerce held in January 2022.
  3. Grants are available for commercial properties located within the City of Bowling Green.
  4. Each grant applicant must be a current member in good standing of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce (all dues paid).
  5. Projects must conform to City of Bowling Green building and zoning codes.
  6. The grant recipient is responsible for obtaining any and all building permits or other permits that may be necessary.
  7. Grants cannot be approved for work begun prior to a formal grant approval. No agreement to grant funds is made or implied by the Chamber until the application if formally approved.
  8. The grant recipient must complete the project in an agreed upon amount of time as set forth in the application. The recipient will notify the Scholarship & Grant Committee upon completion of the project. No funds will be awarded until the project is complete and proof of expenditures has been submitted. If the project is not completed in the agreed amount of time, the recipient may request an extension of the Scholarship & Grant Committee.
  9. Any business may receive a grant no more frequently than every five (5) years.

 

Application process:

  1. Application forms may be obtained from the Chamber office or by downloading it using the link below.
  2. The completed and signed application must be submitted to the Chamber office.
  3. Once applications and appropriate documentation have been submitted, all applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee.
  4. The application selected to receive a grant will be submitted to the Chamber Board for final approval.
  5. Upon final approval, a grant award letter will be issued to the grantee at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet held in January.

 

Beautification Grant Application

Business Beautification Grant Brochure

 

Past Winners:

  • 2020 – Forever Primitives & Luncheonette

Fill The Freezer Raffle Tickets ON SALE NOW!

Tracy Brookshier
Fill The Freezer Raffle Tickets ON SALE NOW!

FILL THE FREEZER TIME!

Get in on your chance to win a $500 Gift Certificate to Woods Smoked Meats AND a 7 cubic foot deep freeze! Don’t need the deep freezer? No problem! You can trade it in for $200 worth of Chamber Bucks to use as you please! Winner is drawn each year at our Annual Awards Banquet held in January.

Drawing will be at our Annual Awards Banquet held on Thursday, January 13, 2022. No need to be present to win!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

  • Online here >>>
  • Chamber Office/BGCVB on Wednesday Mornings
  • Pike County Health Department (ask for Tracy)

Download this flyer >>>

Insurance Opportunities for Small Businesses

Tracy Brookshier
Insurance Opportunities for Small Businesses

A reminder to our existing chamber members that one of your benefits to being a member of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce is the chance to cost effective insurance plans for your employees.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the Missouri Chamber Federation have teamed up with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri to create a health program available to members of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce that has 50 or fewer employees. Download the flyer to get more information and to contact a representing agency of your choice for more information. Missouri Chamber Federation Small Employers Medical Plans

Holly Jolly Festival Cancelled

Tracy Brookshier
Holly Jolly Festival Cancelled

The Board of Directors of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce has determined that, in consideration of the recent dramatic spike in cases of Covid-19 in our county, it would be in the best interest of the public to cancel the 2020 Holly Jolly Festival scheduled for Saturday, November 21. This decision was not made lightly, but with deliberation and discussion, and with the advice of Pike County Health Department.

Thank you for your understanding as the Board made this difficult decision in consideration of our fellow residents. Although some events may be canceled, the Chamber is continuing to stay active and involved in our city whenever possible, including ribbon cuttings for the many new business here and our monthly membership meetings. Also, plans are still underway for the annual awards banquet next January.

If you need any further information or have any questions, visit our Facebook page, our website, or contact the Executive Director, Sarrah Gigous, at the Chamber office, 573-324-3733.

We made the finals and need your votes to win $15,000!

Tracy Brookshier
We made the finals and need your votes to win $15,000!

10/14/2020 UPDATE: Although we came close, we did not win the grand prize $15,000. We did, however, win $3,000 as runner up to put towards our Downtown Marketplace Project! THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to vote for our project!

 

We are SO EXCITED to announce that the Bowling Green Downtown Revitalization Committee’s “Downtown Marketplace” project has made the finalist list for the Strong Communities Award! This means we have the chance at winning $15,000.00 to put towards this project! This is HUGE since we work solely off donations, we could get this project done in less than half of our original goal time! NOW WE NEED YOU, our community to help us by voting next week (Monday, October 5th – Friday, October 9th) to help us make this possible! See below the press release with more information!

 

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

 

Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Named Finalist for $15,000 Strong Communities Award

 

Bowling Green, Missouri, September 29, 2020 – The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) announced the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Revitalization Committee’s Downtown Marketplace Project has been selected as one of four Strong Communities Award finalists competing for $15,000.

 

Community State Bank of Missouri a FHLB Des Moines member, partnered with the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce to apply for the Strong Communities Award. Through the Downtown Revitalization Committee, the Downtown Marketplace project provides low-risk, affordable rent options for new merchants giving them the opportunity to grow their companies. This project is part of a larger program working to beautify and invigorate the downtown Bowling Green area.

 

“The Downtown Marketplace Project,” said Tracy Brookshier, Chamber President and Chair for the Downtown Revitalization Committee. “We strongly believe in the Chamber and this project’s mission, which has enhanced the lives of the community. I urge the public to go online and vote for this important project to win this year’s Strong Communities Award.”

 

This annual award honors the projects people, and programs that promote local small business growth and retention. Winners will be determined through a five-day public voting period beginning on October 5 and ending on October 9, 2020.

 

“We are excited to announce The Downtown Marketplace as a top applicant for the Strong Communities Award,” said Kris Williams, president and chief executive officer, FHLB Des Moines. “Through their revitalization project, they have demonstrated a commitment to the needs of their community. This project is a great example of the tremendous impact that The Chamber’s Downtown Revitalization Committee has made.”

 

FHLB Des Moines challenges members of the Bowling Green community to cast their votes in favor of the Downtown Marketplace project by visiting the Strong Communities Award homepage at www.fhlbdm.com/award. The voting serves as a component of the selection process to select the winners. Winners will be awarded $15,000 each, and runners-up will be awarded $3,000 each.

Check out the project here: Bowling Green Downtown Marketplace

For more information on the FHLB Des Moines Strong Communities Award visit www.fhlbdm.com/award.

NEW! Bowling Green Coupon Brochure!

Tracy Brookshier
NEW! Bowling Green Coupon Brochure!

    

We are excited to announce something NEW for our Chamber Members, our community and our town visitors! We are producing coupon brochures that will be distributed in January 2021. These brochures will offer coupon and ad space for Chamber Members who want to promote and advertise their businesses. This will be a great new and exciting way for chamber members to promote themselves through our organization! Businesses who purchase coupon/ad space will be given brochures to distribute at their discretion and they will also be given out in our Chamber welcome packets, at Chamber events, our new visitors center and at our local hotels! Deadline for Sponsorships is November 20th, 2020; Coupons will expire on December 31st, 2021. 

 

Ad & coupon space is limited so don’t hesitate to claim your space now! There will be three different sponsorship opportunities:

Small Coupon Ad: 1” x 3.5” (14 available) – $50

Large Coupon Ad: 2” x 3.5” (10 available) – $100

Ad Space: 2.5” x 3.5” (7 available, choose your location, first come – first serve) – $200

 

Ready to take advantage of this opportunity?! Here is what you need to do:

  1. Either Coupon Brochure Sponsorship Form and mail in with your payment OR fill out the form and pay online here.
  2. Deadline for sponsorships is November 20th, 2020.
  3. Send us your coupon or ad.
  4. Await your delivery of coupon brochures
  5. Give out your coupon brochures how ever you see fit!

 

Questions? Call us at 573-324-3733 or email at info@bgchamber.org !

$500 Business Beautification Grant

Tracy Brookshier
$500 Business Beautification Grant

New to 2020 is an annual grant for Chamber Members. This grant can be applied for by any current chamber member in good standing and the winner will receive $500 towards a beautification project of their choice.

Use this opportunity to assist with funding for needed improvements for store-front beautification to businesses located within the City of Bowling Green. The grant process is administered through the Scholarship Committee of the Chamber. All questions may be directed to the Chamber Office.

The program will offer an annual grant award of $500.00 to one (1) business. The grant application period will begin on August 1 and end at midnight on October 31. The grant recipient will be announced at the Annual Awards Banquet of the Chamber of Commerce.

Learn more and apply right here on our website >> Business Beautification Grant

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 2020

Tracy Brookshier
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 2020

Are you ready to serve your community and fellow Bowling Green businesses? Get active in our Chamber’s efforts by joining our Board of Directors! We are now accepting nominations until October 31st!

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 2020

According to Article VI, Section 2, “An announcement shall be made at the September and October membership meetings that nominations are being accepted by the Nominating Committee.” Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there is no September member meeting. Therefore, this notice shall serve to fulfill the by-law provision.

Nominations are now being accepted for the one-year term officer positions of President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary, as well as four (4) two-year term Director positions. A nominee must be a Chamber member or employee of a Chamber member in good standing (all dues current). Serving as a Chamber officer or director requires attendance at no less than nine (9) monthly board meetings, in addition to the provisions below, as stipulated in the Covenant of Commitment. Officers are also required to fulfill the obligations and duties of the applicable office as set forth in the Chamber By-laws in addition to the Covenant provisions.

“As a Director on the Board of Directors of Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce (“the Chamber”), I commit to the following for the full term of my office:

  • Agree to abide by all provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Chamber
  • Attend regularly scheduled board meetings, missing no more than three (3) meetings per year without reasonable excuse
  • Actively serve on no less than one (1) committee
  • Actively participate as a Chamber volunteer in no less than one (1) regularly scheduled event, not including regular monthly member meetings, of the Chamber annually
  • Insure that the annual dues of the Director or his/her employer have been paid annually no later than February 28
  • Be willing and anxious to assist in the identification, cultivation, and sponsorship of prospective Chamber members and directors
  • Support the purpose and activities of the Chamber throughout the city of Bowling Green”

Nominations will be accepted through October 31 and may be submitted to Karen Arico, Second Vice-President/Nominations Committee Chair, (karico4him@gmail.com) or Sarrah Gigous, Executive Director, (info@bgchamber.org).