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Mission Statement
The Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce is organized for the purpose of advancing the civic, commercial, industrial, economic, social, and general interest of the people of Cleveland and Bolivar County. It shall encourage the growth of existing industries and businesses while giving all proper assistance to any new firms or individuals seeking to locate in Cleveland and Bolivar County. This organization will support all those activities believed to be beneficial to the community and the area and will oppose those which might be detrimental. And in general, the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce shall follow always those policies intended to accomplish the greatest good for the greatest number.
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December 24 - Chamber will close at noon for the holidays.
December 25 - Merry Christmas!
January 1 - Happy New Year!
January 4 - Chamber re-opens 8:00am
January 19-20 - 37th Annual Ag Expo
Please be sure to check the Quick Links in the right column for other events. |
Above: Dr. Kent Wyatt, Mr. Ned Mitchell and Mrs. Lee Aylward pose for a picture at the Chamber Open House. |
| Board Meeting Recap |
Above: The turnout for the Chamber Open House was a very good one including some firefighters from Poland, here on an exchange program, seen here in the red shirts.
Two new members approved for membership:
Timily's Fabric Store
Crave
We have added 17 new members so far this year.
Troop Support & President's Club: The President's Club helped to send the first "goodie boxes" to 33 men and women serving overseas. The Education Committee The Education Committee of the Chamber sponsored a County Wide College/Career Day on Thursday, November 12, 2009. Lucy Janoush and Tracy Portner co-chaired the event and from all indications, it was a great success. Schools from all six districts in Bolivar County and Bayou Academy were represented as were 26 exhibitors. The students browsed the floor visiting with each exhibitor for 20 minutes at the beginning of the event. Each student has previously chosen 3 exhibitors that they wanted to visit, and they did this in 20 minute sessions. Evaluation forms have been sent to exhibitors, guidance counselors and students. The Chamber has sent out letters to the membership concerning the Chamber Scholars Program. The Education Committee Board met after gathering information from the Education Support committee and decided to revamp the program. This year, twenty-five $400 scholarships will be awarded using the same criteria. In the past, fifty students received $200 scholarships. Educators had requested that the applications be made available to the students earlier so that they could have more time to work on them. Every graduating senior will have a chance to apply for the scholarship which will then be turned over to a committee for review. The scholarships will be awarded in late March or early April to give the schools time to be notified before Awards Day and graduation. Teach for America will be coming to the Delta beginning in May and lasting until the middle of July. The Chamber has established a committee to brainstorm for ideas for an opening reception. After meeting with the director, Carly Pass, it has been suggested that we concentrate on the weekend of June 13th for the event. Planning is in the very early stages. The Chamber is going to meetings monthly to assist in any way that we can.
Cleveland Cash: The Chamber is introducing a new program - Cleveland Cash. The Chamber is selling certificates that can be used in Cleveland only. Contact the Chamber for more info.
Economic Restructuring: Economic Restructuring:
Timbo Sandifer construction business has located on 61 North.
A La Carte will now be open for dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Crave has opened on 61 South.
The Grover Hotel has been sold to Clarence Chapman.
Above: A look at people gathered around the wonderful spread of food for the Chamber Open House.
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| Special Thanks!!! |
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We would like to send out a special thanks A La Carte, The Warehouse, Crave, and Western Sisslin for their contribution to the Chamber Christmas Open House. Their appetizers were enjoyed by all! Also we would like to thank all of our members who were in attendance. As you know, none of what we do would be possible without you and your undying generosity.
Above: A look at the pretty arangement and all the great food provided by those thanked above. |
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Thank You,
Brian Blansett
Marketing and Communications Director
Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce
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Member Spotlight |
Please Support and Congratulate our members!
Crave Bistro
Crave is a Bistro which serves lunch daily Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00am-2:00pm. They have a shopping area specializing in casseroles and many gift items for all occasions. They also have a full service Espresso Bar. The shopping area and Espresso Bar are open from 7:00am-6:00pm Tuesday-Friday and 8:00am-5:00pm on Saturday. Please stop by and see owners Charlotte Skelton and Stan Gaines. They are located at 103 South Davis Ave. beside Kossman's or give them a call at 662-843-5222.
Timily's Home Fabrics and Etc.
Timily's Fabrics, Etc. is Cleveland's only Fabric store. Available are fabrics for Home Décor, Cotton Fabrics for Children/Adult clothing and Quilting. We carry Patterns such as Children's Corner, Indigo Junction, Amy Butler and many more. We stock notions, ribbons, quilt batting, machine embroidery threads and many other supplies. Our workroom offers custom sewing such as drapes/curtains, pillows, bedskirts, nursery items, and much more. Sewing and quilting classes available. If we don't have it, we'll try to find it. Stop by and visit us at 158 North Sharpe Ave in Historic Downtown Cleveland or give us a call at 662-843-1400.
Hometown Gifts and Jewelry
We have a great assortment of fine gold & silver jewelry and diamonds & gems. We have a great selection of bridal jewelry, bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts all engravable. Hometown Jewelry is known for the fine engravable gifts and the fast and reliable service. We also repair jewelry right here at the store. You can always turn unwanted, unused and broken jewelry into new jewelry or cash.
We appreciate your business.
John and Anita Sauerwein
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| Letter From The Board |
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Dear Chamber Members,
On behalf of the staff at the Chamber, I want to wish you a Happy Holiday Season and a New Year of happiness, good health and prosperity. This is the time of year for reflection on the past year to learn from the good and the bad. We use this reflection to set our vision for the new year and hope it is better than the last.
Our mission here at your Chamber is to assist you and your business as we move forward. As you reflect and set priorities for next year, please let us know how we can help. Give us your thoughts and ideas of how we can improve your Chamber in order to accomplish our mission. We have made several changes over the last year in order to better serve the membership and we want to be flexible to accept the challenges that come our way. For us to do a better job, we need your input and involvement.
Bolivar County is a wonderful place to live and work with a great quality of life. We hear compliments from visitors about this being a great place to visit. The reason for this is the great leaders we have had over the years; leaders who were not afraid to bring ideas to the table and work to bring those ideas to fruition. It is up to each of us to honor those who have given so much our communities by giving of ourselves.
Thank you for putting your trust in your Chamber. In the days ahead, let's continue to put our trust in one another and work together to make this an even better place. May God bless each of you during this Holiday Season.
Merry Christmas,
Judson Thigpen III
Executive Director |
| What is Cleveland Cash? |
Cleveland Cash Q&A
For Consumers:
Q. What is Cleveland Cash?
A. Cleveland Cash is basically a gift certificate that is good at many of Cleveland's locally owned businesses.
Q. How do I purchase Cleveland Cash?
A. Call or go by the Cleveland/Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce.
Q. How do I know which businesses are participating in Cleveland Cash?
A. Below is a list of stores who are already accepting Cleveland Cash (check back because this list will grow!), or you can look for the "We accept Cleveland Cash" on the door of the store.
Q. I have a Cleveland Cash certificate. What happens if I make a purchase for less than my certificate?
A. Cleveland Cash and/or the change from a purchase is not redeemable for cash, so you will receive change in the form of that store's gift certificate.
For Merchants:
Q. How do I receive payment for the Cleveland Cash certificates?
A. Call or E-mail Anne Dilworth at the Chamber with the amount you have received, and she will come collect the certificates and bring you a check. PLEASE don't call her more than once per week!!! 662-843-2712 or anne@clevelandmschamber.com
Q. A customer uses the Cleveland Cash certificate, but is owed change. What do I do?
A. Give change in the form of store credit or gift certificate at your store.
Q. I am a merchant who didn't sign up to accept Cleveland Cash. Can I still accept it?
A. YES!!! Accept the certificate just like cash. Also, call Anne at 662-843-2712, and she will get you a store sign and add you to the website list below.
Q. How do I determine if the Cleveland Cash certificate is authentic?
A. The certificates are all numbered and printed on copy protected paper. Here are some of the easiest ways to check to see if the certificate is authentic:
- Hidden "VOID" image printed in background of the document
- Fine-line border design which will distort when copied
- Heat-reactive "PROTECTED" logo that will disappear when rubbed
- Call the Chamber to make sure that certificate number is valid
Participating Merchants
Neysa's Fireside Shop
Hometown Gifts and Jewelry
Heidi's
Christina's Exquisite Edibles
Kids Korner
Nancy's Hallmark
Fox Road
Posh
Wishing Well
Nancy's Frame Shop
Cotton Row Bookstore
Gilbow's
Punkin Patch
Warehouse
Airport Grocery
Bean Counter
Kutworks Flowers 'N Things Timily's Home Fabrics & Etc. |
| Ribbon Cuttings |
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The Chamber offers ribbon cuttings for grand openings and grand re-openings. If you would like to schedule a ribbon cutting please contact Anne Dilworth at 662-843-2712.
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| New Service Offered |
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Frances Pantin Janoush is now a Notary Public and would like to help with any notary needs you may have.
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