The Clearwater County Chamber of Commerce continues to improve and serve the business and broader community as a whole in several areas including adding several new board seats and initiatives aimed at strengthening local businesses and giving the community a stronger voice in our state.
New board members, stronger focus
Among the new board members are Heather Storms, Vice President and CFO of Debco Construction joins as Treasurer with her extensive financial expertise, and Felecia McAbee, CEO and owner of Branch & Vines joins with a mass of experience in tourism and hospitality. Chris Goetz, the Clearwater County Sheriff, serves as a Legislative Community Representative and provides updates at the general member meetings as well as takes concerns to the county and state leaders.
These new additions to the organization bring valuable experience to the Chamber’s efforts in supporting local businesses.
Storms is excited to bring her expertise back to the Chamber. She states, “Local businesses are the backbone of this community, and financial stability is key to their success. My main goal is to ensure the Chamber itself is on solid ground and continues its work to foster economic growth by supporting our business owners and members with understanding best practices for our community so we can win together.”
McAbee brings energy and ideas to the Chamber explaining, “As a business owner, I know firsthand the challenges of balancing daily operations while trying to navigate government initiatives, access training, and find new opportunities for growth. That’s why serving on the Chamber board is so important to me. Small businesses are the backbone of our community, and they need a strong advocate to ensure they feel supported and valued.
“We also have to do more to bring in outside dollars by showcasing the rich culture, history, and character of our cities. By strengthening local infrastructure, capitalizing on visitors already coming, and attracting new ones, we can create more opportunities for our businesses to thrive. When we work together to uplift our business community, we’re building a stronger, more successful county for everyone.”
Programs & initiatives already in motion
Several initiatives have already been put into action to provide better support for local businesses:
Business Education Initiative – General Membership meetings now include dedicated time for practical business strategies and discussions. The past meetings have included discussion on capital management strategies with Matt Sartini of Edward Jones, the state of hiring in Northern Idaho with Lisa Grigg of the Dept. of Labor, and the Clearwater Corridor Project updates with Deb Smith and Dodd Snodgrass from the Clearwater Economic Development Association.
Branding & Website Upgrades – A new member directory and portal are being developed with the help of Stephanie Deyo at WebInk Designing, giving businesses more control over their membership, sponsorships, online presence, and marketing efforts in partnership with the Chamber.
Beyond business support, the Chamber is also focused on amplifying the county’s voice in state and local government.
Increased efforts are underway to provide businesses with clear legislative updates and help local representatives advocate for the community’s needs.
Goetz, whose primary focus is on strengthening the Chamber’s role in legislative matters. “So many decisions that affect our businesses and economy are made at the state level. Clearwater County has unique needs which requires more than a cookie cutter approach,” he states. “My goal is to bridge that gap and help our community have a stronger presence in legislative conversations, but also to inform our community about what is happening so we can take action if and when needed.”
Get involved
The Chamber is inviting local businesses, community members, and volunteers to get involved. A full list of Chamber events and opportunities to serve on committees can be found at clearwatercountyadventures.com.
For more information or to get involved, contact:
Erica Holland
Executive Director
208-476-4335
Clearwater County Chamber of Commerce
