Heather
Burnham, Orofino Chamber Director, Robert Simmons of the Kamiah Chamber of
Commerce, Stephanie Deyo of the Orofino Chamber of Commerce, and Harv Nelson of
the Pierce-Weippe Chamber of Commerce (l to r).
Three
chambers convene
Robert Simmons of the Kamiah Chamber of Commerce and Harv
and Colleen Nelson of the Pierce/Weippe Chamber were the guests and keynote
speakers addressing the luncheon held April 21.
Both guests emphasized the need to work together to
strengthen the communities involved. The representatives agreed that the use of
enhanced technologies such as websites, interfacing with Twitter and Facebook,
as well as promotional materials such as radio spots, printed flyers and magnets
are excellent tools to promote businesses and entice travelers to visit and stay
in these communities.
They stressed the benefit to all concerned if the four
communities of Orofino, Weippe, Pierce, and Kamiah promote each other’s
functions. What benefits one community, benefits all. Tourists passing through
the area, either along Hwy. 12, or into the back country, must access these
towns enroute. Hopefully, by learning more of what the area has to offer,
visitors will utilize the local businesses more.
Robert Simmons, of Kamiah, stated that the most proactive
step their community has done, promotion wise, was to hire a full time grant
writer. The cost is shared among groups and businesses in Kamiah.
Visit Pierce-Weippe Chamber’s website at
http://www.pierce-weippechamber.com and
www.kamiahchamber.com for Kamiah’s. Recommend these sites to others.
Interlinking businesses with these websites will also drive internet traffic to
the various websites.
There was a discussion concerning the heavy equipment
which is scheduled to pass along Hwy. 12, between the
Approximately 123 truck and trailers, 24’ wide, 170’ long
and 53 truck/trailers 12’-24’ long and 31 truck/trailers at a lesser length, for
a total of 207, will be hauling the equipment to supply an $8 billion dollar
open pit bitumen mine near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. The loads are
scheduled to move mostly during night time hours, but Simmons stated that as the
convoys approach the borders between
Theoretically, there are expected to be wait times of
approximately 15 minutes delaying traffic. The concern was that these kinds of
traffic delays in the summer months might inhibit businesses in the communities
along the route. Simmons said, working together, city officials might be able to
influence the schedules of when the equipment moves are made.
Free life jackets
The Corps of Engineers with Idaho Department of Parks and
Recreation, the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Department, the Orofino Humane
Society, and many more sponsors will be hosting a Boating & Water Safety Fair,
Saturday, May 22, at Big Eddy Marina. There will be a free kids’ life jacket
exchange, boat safety inspections, great food, equipment on display, and a water
craft simulator game.
Business After Hours
The next Business After Hours get-together will be held
at Brookside Landing, Thursday, May 13, between 5 and
Next meeting
Representatives of Back Country Medics will visit at the
next regular meeting scheduled for May 5, at