Chamber addition a look into the future

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Johnny Harmon lays concrete blocks high above Main Street on what will be the third floor of the new Chamber of Commerce addition. Harmon’s no stranger to the business. “I started when I was 15 and now I’m 52,” he said. (James Clark photo)

If you’ve driven past Court Square in downtown McMinnville recently you may have noticed the new-and-improved Chamber of Commerce building taking shape right before your very eyes. Construction is currently under way for what will be about a 6,000-square-foot addition.

According to the Chamber’s Jim Gray, the foundation for the third floor was poured last week and workers began laying block after Memorial Day. The addition will include two stories and a basement, with 2,000 square feet per floor. When complete, the building will be an integral part of the efforts being made to renovate and beautify downtown.

“This whole thing was a dream that started over three years ago and now it’s starting to come to fruition,” said Gray.

But the project is still quite a way from being fully funded.

“We need the financial support of the community to make this become a reality,” Gray said.

Thus far, about $295,000 of an estimated $400,000 has been raised. Bridgestone and River Park have been the most generous contributors, each donating $25,000.

When complete, the building will serve multiple functions. The present Chamber offices will remain in the original building which will be renovated but not significantly expanded.

“The building is for everybody,” Gray said. “There will be community rooms for the community’s use. There will be a small business development center. It will be a public-use facility.”

The Chamber of Commerce itself has been in existence since 1950 and has occupied several locations over the years, finally settling at its present location on Court Square in 1980. The expansion will provide room for the organization to grow and provide even more community services.

Fund-raising efforts are still very much under way. A fund-raising letter was recently sent out to Chamber members and a Hawaiian-style luau fund-raiser, to be held at Harvest Farms, is being planned for July.

Anyone wishing to donate money, services or materials can contact the Chamber at 473-6611 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.