Scott City Chamber getting its own place

For the first time in its history, the Scott City Chamber of Commerce is adding a central hub for its members.

"It was just good for our needs," incoming chamber president Mary Ann Farmer said. "We've always wanted one, and with the chamber growing, it's perfect. ..."

The Bank of Missouri donated the building to Scott City in early 2013. After almost a year, the chamber worked out a lease with the city to use the building. It will share the space with the Scott City Historical Society.

Before becoming a charter for The Bank of Missouri, the building was owned by Security Bank and Trust, which merged with The Bank of Missouri in November 2012.

Dale Ferguson had worked for Security Bank and Trust for 34 years. After the merger, he stayed at that location and began work with the The Bank of Missouri. He is a vice president and commercial loan officer at the Scott City location.

Keith Farmer, a Scott City Chamber of Commerce member, removes a carpet tack strip during renovations Dec. 12 at the chamber's new location. (Glenn Landberg)

The bank rebuilt a newer location on Crites Street, leaving the old space at East Outer Road for the city to use as it pleased.

Ferguson is the lead planner in remodeling the building. Work began this month to replace carpet in the offices, paint the walls, add furniture and computers and generally "make it more appealing for a chamber office," Farmer said.

Carpet has been donated to the chamber, and with labor being donated, Ferguson is hoping to keep remodeling costs at a minimum.

"We plan to make it open at certain points during the week," Farmer said. "With volunteers working the desk and then maybe a part-time person working there a few years down the road, hopefully."

The space can be used by any chamber member for functions it hopes to have in the future and their monthly meetings. Farmer said it hopes to host its first chamber event at the new location Jan. 28 at its monthly meeting.

At the last chamber meeting in November, chamber members discussed raising money for the remodel, its annual year-end banquet, contributing funds for Scott City's new amphitheater at the city park and creating welcome packets with local business information for new residents.

"Some of our goals as a chamber [are] to promote our members, have our businesses promote the city of Scott City, hopefully bring new businesses into the city and just enhance the community where we live," Farmer said. "I think just having a presence as a chamber, a physical presence, will make a difference."

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

pertinent address:

318 East Outer Road, Scott City