April 15 - Marty Stuart performing at the BPAC
April 17 - Crosstie Arts Festival
April 18 - Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz at the BPAC
April 22 - IDF Salute to Industry
DSU Jambalaya Jam
April 23 - Relay for Life
April 24 - Great American Clean-Up - 8:00 AM
Multiple Sclerosis Society's Walk MS 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
April 29 - Business After Hours - hosted by Partnership Properties from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Please be sure to check the Quick Links in the right column for other events. |
Above: Children and parents alike enjoy the train rides around the courthouse grounds at the Crosstie Arts Festival. |
| Board Meeting Recap |
Above: A group enjoying themselves and the weather at last year's Crosstie Arts Festival.
New members approved for membership Redline Fitness
Ella Rose Fabrics & Boutique
Delta Outdoors
Vascular Access Centers
Desert Inn Steakhouse
Anytime Fitness
We have added 26 new members so far this year.
Economic Restructuring:
Cotton Row Outlet has closed.
Ella Rose's has moved to Cotton Row from North St.
Laura Lee Connell has purchased Posh on Sharpe Ave. and has opened.
Darry's Eat Place will now be BeDo's.
Chamber Scholars: All applications for the Chamber Scholarship have been turned in and gone to the committee for review. We had 62 applications this year which is much better than last year. Of this 62, 25 will be selected for a $400.00 scholarship that will be assigned to the student and the college or university that they plan to attend.
TFA: The Chamber and the City are putting together planned activites for the Teach For America group that will be coming to Cleveland and Delta State. June 13th is registration day for over 600 participants. Refreshments and volunteers to help them move in will be available from 9am to 6pm that day. Transportation will be available for those needing supplies.
The big celebration event will be on Sunday, July 4th. The event will be for TFA members, Chamber members, city and county officials, and others involved with the program. Food, games, entertainment and fantastic fireworks will fill the day at Statesman Park. Several committee members are working on the particulars and the budget for the events.
Salute to Industry is scheduled for April 22. This is also the date for DSU's Jambalya Jam.
Above: Children painting on a mural, just one of the many attractions at the Crosstie Arts Festival.
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| Crosstie Arts Festival |
Don't miss the 41st Annual Crosstie Arts and Jazz Festival on Saturday April 17, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on the grounds of the courthouse in historic downtown Cleveland. With over 90 high-quality arts and crafts vendors, fantastic regional cuisine and live entertainment, this long-running festival has drawn attendants from all over the country to experience some of the best paintings, pottery, sculpture and more!
This year's festival includes the annual Crosstie 5K race, an author's tent featuring over 20 southern writers and expanded children's area, which for the first time will include a new segment called "Crosstie's Got Talent." On the Crosstie Main Stage, entertainment will be provided by critically-acclaimed musicians such as Blue Mother Tupelo, Ol Skool Revue and Brantley Catlette.
In conjunction with the festival, there will also be an exhibit open featuring the work of the late Floyd Shaman, which will be open at the Ellis Theater in downtown Cleveland. For more information on the festival, please visit www.crosstie-arts.org.
 Above: The Reed's enjoying a little shopping at last years Crosstie Arts Festival. |
| A Look Back At Team Cleveland | |
Over the years TEAM CLEVELAND Main Street (TC) has accomplished several projects. The projects are funded by profits from the Southern Home Ideas Expo, The Italian Festival of Mississippi, and revenue generated through membership dues.
Have you noticed the period street signs in the downtown area? Fifteen of the nineteen signs were purchased by TC. If you will look closely, the TC logo is at the top of each sign. These signs outline the Cleveland Heritage District.
The Heritage Commission was formed through efforts partly through TC. This commission will assure us that our buildings in the district (downtown) will have their historical integrity protected.
And how about the South and North entrance signs!! Again, these were planned and funded by TC. The construction, lighting, and part of the landscape materials were purchased by TC. Partial credit for the landscaping goes to City Beautification who works closely with any design project and helps with finances when they can.
Another example of TC and City Beautification teamwork is the continued painting of the Gazebo on the greenstrip, when needed, and the lighted Christmas trees that are displayed each year. The dredging, weir installation, and clean-up of Jones Bayou were done from an Entergy grant awarded to TC. The renovated parking lot across from City Hall was the first implementation by the City of a City Wide Comprehensive Beautification Plan purchased by TC in 1995. While the City funded the majority of the work done on the lot, TC purchased the sprinkler system to assure the success of the foliage.
One of the first projects TC funded was the irrigation system on the greenstrip from Court to Hwy. 8. A 30 foot American flag pole was installed at the walking trail turn-around at Hwy. 8. The pole matches the period lighting lining the trail.
The Christmas trees that line the greenstrip are another TC project. The above mentioned are just the visual accomplishments of the past years. Did you notice the Christmas promotion that has been done the past two years with movies shown downtown, carriage rides and entertainment on the weekends? This was all planned and executed by TC. The festive atmosphere made Cleveland the "shopping hub" of the Delta. With our beautiful walking trail and the great shopping on the highways, Cleveland truly has it all!
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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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Thank You,
Brian Blansett
Marketing and Communications Director
Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce
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| Congratulations!!! | |
Congratulations to Sam and Jeff Byrd on the 50th Anniversary of Byrd Service Station! There are some things that become an "institution" in a town (you can't remember when they were not here) and Byrd's Service Station is definitely one of them. Byrd's is a life-long member of the Chamber, IDF and Team Cleveland. Thanks for all your support, Sam and Jeff, as we salute you on your golden anniversary!
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New Member Spotlight |
Please Support and Congratulate our new members!
Redline Fitness
Ella Rose Fabrics & Boutique
Delta Outdoors
Vascular Access Centers
Desert Inn Steak House
Anytime Fitness |
| Letter From The Board | |
Dear Chamber Members,
On behalf of the Italian Festival of Mississippi committee, I would like to congratulate the Chamber membership as well as the entire Cleveland/Bolivar County area on a very successful fourth annual Italian Fest! This event has been embraced by so many throughout its short history and has already proven to be a huge attraction to festival-goers all over the southeast. Who doesn't enjoy an action packed weekend complete with food, continuous live entertainment, children's activities, competitions..... And a building full of Italians? We are so thankful that so many of you invest in this festival with us by serving on the committee, providing sponsorships, volunteering your time, having a family booth, cooking, helping with setup/cleanup, and telling all your family and friends to come out to the festival! Our Chamber Leadership team is second to none! Countless hours of mental and physical effort have been put forth by our executive director and staff. They deserve a huge pat on the back for a job well done! We sincerely thank you for your continued support as we build on this strong foundation. Working together, we can turn our festival into a premiere event for the South!
Michael Aguzzi
Italian Festival of Mississippi
Co-Chair
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| 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.
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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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| 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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