Commission provides $5k in support to new county-wide chamber of commerce

With a $5,000 appropriation, the Marengo County Commission Tuesday gave its support to the newly formed Heart of Marengo Chamber of Commerce.

Kenneth Barrineau, chairman of the board and acting director of the new chamber, presented the Commission with a proposed two-year contract asking for $10,000.

After an executive session, the Commission voted to amend its budget and designate the money rather than sign a contract. Commissioners will consider a second $5,000 appropriation for the 2019 budget.

Organized less than a year, the chamber already has more than 100 members from every part of the county, said Barrineau. It hopes to provide information about the county, promote its businesses and work for further development.

He promised commissioners they would “always know where this money is going.”

Barrineau said three members of the chamber are headquartered outside the county but do business in Marengo. All money would be spent to benefit Marengo County, not other areas, said board member Ben Lane.

Commissioner Jason Windham asked how the new chamber would work with other groups focused on developing the county, especially the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We’re not in competition with anyone else,” said Barrineau. A lot of areas of the county are under-represented, and he said the chamber hopes to use the resources in the county to spur growth, especially in tourism.

“We have a lot of things other counties don’t have.”

A chamber directory highlighting all areas of the county is being readied for print, he said.

Thomaston Mayor Jeff Laduron said new bids on a storm shelter for the town are going out now after previous bids came in well over budget. He also acknowledged that the current CDBG grant for water lines on County Road 54 must be completed before the county can apply for funding in the next round of grants.

“We’re well aware of the predicament it’s caused,” he said. “We’re moving just as fast as we can.”

Commissioner Freddie Armstead praised Laduron for the progress shown in Thomaston.

“It doesn’t look like something dead,” he said. “It looks like something coming alive.”

In other action, the Commission:

• Presented a resolution recognizing retiring Road Department employee Leroy Autery on his retirement.
• Approved a one-year contract with Jean Osburn for custodial duties at Chickasaw Park.
• Named Rosie Moore as manager of the Dixons Mills Nutrition Center.