July 31 - Habitat for Humanity Bake Sale at Farmer's Market
July 31 - "The Long Battle for Nicky" Fundraising Benefit 7:00pm-11:00pm at The Warehouse
Please be sure to check the Quick Links in the right column for other events. |
Above: A shot of the crowd at this year's Fourth of July Celebration. |
| Board Meeting Recap |
Above: Volunteers at the Fourth of July Celebration prepare the barbeque to be served.
New members approved for membership
Brett Marchant DBA Farm Bureau
David Work
We have added 35 new members so far this year.
An information sheet will be sent to members to help improve communication.
Octoberfest: Chairs are in place and cash sponsorship is close to $8,000 already.
Italian Festival of MS:
Dates for the 2011 festival have been set for March 18th & 19th. That is a week later.
Presidents Club: This group continues to meet on a monthly basis. At the last meeting, they were each given a list of Chamber members to write a personal note of thanks.
Teach for America: Registration took place on June 13th at Delta State. Volunteers worked in two-hour shifts from 8AM until 6PM. They worked as greeters, welcome wagon workers giving information, water and ice cream to the corp members, and Wal-Mart shuttle helpers. Volunteers brought their trucks and loaded luggage and members and took them to their dorms. The members had lots of help from volunteers who were stationed at each dorm site giving them their room assignments and helping them take their luggage to their rooms.
Although the day was incredibly hot, it turned out to be a very successful as the TFA staff and corp members were very impressed with our hospitality.
The Fourth of July celebration at Statesmen Park at Delta State was for the Teach for America group, Chamber members, our Aldermen and Supervisors, and the superintendents of the twelve school districts involved with TFA. Chamber volunteers once again came to our aid and are giving of their time and talents to make this happen. The public was invited to view the fireworks display from the soccer field. This event took a lot of planning and co-operation from the City of Cleveland, the Chamber and Delta State. The firework disiplay was first class, there was a great turnout, and we have had nothing but positive feedback.
Tourism: Cleveland hosted the monthly regional board meeting for the Mississippi Delta Tourism Association June 11. This group of Convention and Visitors Bureau Directors returned to Cleveland to attend Senator Simmons Summit meeting June 16. The Summit stressed the need for the Delta to work together in partnership to create more economic development in the region. This is and has been the purpose of the Mississippi Delta Tourism Association for the last ten years. I encourage you to visit www.visitthedelta.com to witness how we work together to promote the region.
Above: A group of the Teach For America students play games and enjoy the weather at the Fourth of July Celebration. |
| Teach For America! | |
Good-bye, Teach For America!
After a year of planning for the "unknown", this week we are saying farewell to the over 800 staff and corp members that made up Teach For America. It has really been a wonderful experience and thanks to Dr. Michele Roberts and many others at Delta State University it was truly a success in a lot of ways! From the time the Chamber helped with Registration Day on June 13th to the Fourth of July celebration, TFA made quite a mark on our community, our businesses and our restaurants. They came to our little Delta town from all over the United States and were very hesitant about entering our community, but left here bragging on "Cleveland....the friendliest place in the South". We hope that most of you got to visit with our guests...they were very gracious, complimentary, and warm. They will be missed by lots of us here and I know that they will look back and remember the experience of not only the good times they had here, but their learning to adapt to the heat and the "mosquitoes"; and adapt they did!
We hope this is only the first of many Teach For America Institutes that Delta State University and the City of Cleveland will host. It was not only a learning experience but it said a lot for all concerned that a Delta town of 13,000 could take an event of this magnitude and make it happen.
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| Team Cleveland | |
TEAM CLEVELAND/MAIN STREET
Cleveland, Mississippi
The Main Street Program, under the umbrella of the Chamber of Commerce, was organized in 1990. Main Street is a national organization aimed at the revitalization and retention of our downtowns. In 1993 the name was changed to Team Cleveland/ Main Street in order to reflect the community-wide commitment to promoting and revitalizing all of our business districts, city-wide.
With 100 members, TEAM CLEVELAND is active in all areas of the four point approach: 1) The Organization committee develops the direction of TEAM CLEVELAND, as well as recruiting and retaining members. 2) The Economic Restructuring committee works with financial institutions, property owners and business owners. The committee attempts to both retain and recruit businesses that will offer residents and tourists the services and products they need. 3) The Design committee works toward the visual success of the business community with projects that include improved streetscapes and beautification projects. 4) The Promotion committee creates an exciting environment through many special merchant promotions throughout the year and continually updates the banner program. TEAM CLEVELAND also organizes special events such as OCTOBERFEST and the Italian Festival of Mississippi that provide funds for projects throughout the year. Before the Italian Festival the Southern Home Ideas Expo provided some of these funds.
Although TEAM CLEVELAND (TC) is governed by its own Board of Directors and Executive Committee, just like the Chamber, the Chairman of TC serves as one of five Vice Presidents on the Chamber Executive Committee and Chamber Board of Directors - - one hand knows what the other is doing! This "working relationship" is one of the main reasons for the success of the organization.
TC dues are $50 annually; but, considering the investment, it's a truly small price to pay!
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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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New Member Spotlight |
Please Support and Congratulate our new members!
Brett Marchant DBA Farm Bureau
David Work |
| Letter From The Chamber | |
Dear Chamber Members,
I would like to take a minute of your time to express our thanks for all that you do for our town and the Chamber. The unbelievable support that you have shown to our community is awe inspiring, even through a recession you have never once turned your back on our town or the people in it. The reason we do a monthly newsletter is to show our appreciation and to try our best at keeping you informed of what is going on. Once again we thank you for your time and efforts in making our town and county the best that it can be.
Brian Blansett
Marketing and Communications Director
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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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