As a New Year began in 1996, the seeds of an idea for the future were
planted in Hope, Indiana. Several business leaders in the Hope area saw a need
to find a medium whereby the local officials, business people, volunteers and
citizens of the Hope Community could come together and work for the benefit of
all of the community.
Brooke Tuttle, Economic Development Director for Bartholomew
County, offered his support to promote the economic climate of Hope.
The seeds of this idea began to germinate as community leaders met and began to
share their ideas, their goals, and their dreams. Columbus
Area Chamber of Commerce met with interested business representatives to
discuss Chamber structure.
The President of the Morristown Chamber of Commerce came to Hope and brought
with him the Bylaws of the Morristown Chamber. It is from these Bylaws that the
Hope Chamber bylaws were drafted.
By June 1996, the Chamber was more than a glint in the eye of those
founding fathers. On June 13, a meeting was held at the Hope Elementary School.
Fourteen representatives of local business and industry met, adopted Bylaws,
accepted a dues structure, appointed a nominating committee, and established a
membership committee.
On July 25, 1996 the Hope Area Chamber of Commerce met at Hope
Elementary School and elected their first officers. Gordon Elsbury, President;
Mark Dodd, Vice President; Nancy Ann Brown, Secretary/Treasurer; Randy Gearhart,
David Emmert, Spencer Gross, Board Members with Glen Keller to serve in the slot
on the Board designated as Immediate Past President.
By August 15, 1996 the Hope Area Chamber of Commerce had forty-one
(41) Charter Members. President Elsbury quickly established working committees
and appointed Chairmen. Jon Cain, local Extension Agent, was invited to
facilitate a planning session where twenty five (25) Chamber Members and
business leaders came together to begin planning for the future of the new
Chamber.
- Economic Development was a top priority. An Economic Development Brochure
was developed.
- South Street improvements, Representatives of business, government, and
professionals joined together in an effort to find funds to improve South
Street.
- Governmental cooperation.
- Membership was increased.
"TEAM work is what it takes," said President Elsbury. "Together Everyone
Achieves More."
History continued: 1997-1998 - - -
In May 1997 a new Health Services Committee was implemented. Later in
the year a Technical Services Committee was formed to develop a WEB page, and
Gordon Elsbury took Chairmanship of the Education Committee. Chairman Gordon
and the Flatrock Hawcreek School Superintendent traveled to several meetings on
education. Chamber Members participated in educational discussions, and
promoted proposed legislation.
By January 1998 Hope Area Chamber boasted a membership of over sixty
members.
The work on the $450,000 South Street reconstruction project was accomplished
by perseverance, a strong letter writing campaign to state officials and door to
door and personal contact with businesses and residents along South Street.
$250,000 from the Build Indiana Fund was appropriated by the State Legislature
thanks to the hard work and dedication of Senator Robert Garton and the help of
State Representative Jeff Linder.
Road 600 N is a major thoroughfare between Cross Cliff School and the Hope
Elementary/Hauser High School complex and a major access to the Hope Community
from Columbus and Highway 31. Reconstruction and development is a major asset to
the safety of our children and the growth of our business entities.
Jon Cain facilitated a second planning session. These annual planning
sessions assist in giving direction to the Officers, Board and Committee Chairs.
And provides the Hope Chamber members a formal means of bringing ideas and
projects to the Chamber leaders.
The Hope Town Council asked Chamber members for assistance on the Water
Project. The Hope Area Chamber was able to assist in getting over sixty (60)
people to attend a public meeting required to get funding approval. Chamber
members wrote letters in support of the water project to help gain approval of
the funds. This project was finished by spring 1999.
1997-1998 saw nine economic development projects.
- P & M Fabrications built and occupied a new facility in the industrial park
and expanded its workforce by two people. P & M have room for two expansions of
up to 12,000 additional square feet of manufacturing space.
- Spencer and Major Gross finished plans and began the construction of a
shopping center on the south side of Hope. Major's True Value Hardware is the
first store in the Center.
- Dollar General Store, the second building in the new shopping center was
opened.
- J R Ross purchased land in the industrial park with an eye toward
construction of a new facility.
- Hope Warehouse began upgrading facilities and construction of an expanded
area for their business.
- Huck's station and store.
- Pizza King on the Square.
- Retention of the Hope Star Journal in Hope.
- Development of a new subdivision on the south side of Hope brought homes in
the range of $120,000 to $160,000. The first home built was on the Bartholomew
County Home Builders Home Show for 1998.
- Hope Chamber members worked with the volunteers on the Hope Bike Ride, one
of the largest annual biking events in the midwest. Hope Bike Ride brings
thousands of visitors and tourists to the community each year.
- Chamber members are involved in the Heritage Days activities, which brings
over 40,000 visitors the last weekend of September.
- Hope Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors began seeking office space
And discussing the possibility of staff.
As Gordon Elsbury finishes his second term as President of the Hope Area
Chamber of Commerce, he said, "Hard Work and Team Work. A winning
combination."
"Economic Development remains a top priority with the Hope Chamber. It is
vital that the Hope Area Chamber of Commerce work toward bringing in a variety
of business and industry which will enhance the growth and development of the
Hope Community and surrounding areas," said President Elsbury.
1998-1999 work year. The Hope Area Chamber of Commerce worked with and
supported the Hope Town Board projects. And, more economic development projects
occurred through Chamber members.
- South Street construction completed in Spring 2000.
- The Build Indiana Fund added $50,000 to the previous $200,000 granted. The
total cost of South Street will be approximately $450,000. The County
Commissioners pledged $85,000 to help on the south side of South Street and at
the county road intersections.
- Construction has begun on the first phase of Road 600N. This is the
important connector road between Hauser Senior High School and Cross Cliff
Elementary School.
- The Water Project is completed including a new 300,000-gallon overhead water
tank, improved pressure and new lines.
- Major's True Value Hardware new store opens for business followed quickly by
a Dollar General Store.
- CJ's Market opened on the Hope Town Square by the Gernentz family. The new
grocery will fill a void left by the closing of Clouse's Grocery store about a
year and a half ago.
- Mike Arford's Photography is a new site for the Town Square. Mike bought
and renovated a part of the old Library building.
- Synergy Group, Inc. lead by Jim Kemp opened an investment consulting
business in the offices spaces occupied by Greg Spurling CPA.
- Chamber members and Miller's Merry Manor director, continue
to talk with Columbus
Regional Hospital officials about the possibility of finding a physician
who would like to have a clinic in the area.
- Teresa and Randy Gearhart, Mhart Express, went to Washington DC to testify
before the House of Representatives Small Business Administration Committee.
- Nancy Ann Brown, Bartholomew County REMC, went to Japan
with a group of 10 businesswomen from the Bartholomew County Area. They visited
with many of the Japanese companies who have business operations here in the
County.
- Feasibility Grant sought by the Hope Town Board to map the storm sewer
system and get recommendations for improvement.
- Another new housing addition is annexed and approved on the southeast side
of Hope and will be developed in two sections for moderate priced housing.
- Combining the Town Election with the County Election remains a high priority
of the Town Board.
- Elsbury's Greenhouses has become a
destination point for travelers. Elsbury's hosted the National Group of County
Extension Agents here in the Columbus Area for training in February 1999.
- Childcare for the area is being discussed, with a look at a possible Child
Care Center being built near the Industrial Park.
- The License Branch was saved.
- The Hope Star Journal stayed. Thanks to Charlie Biggs who purchased the
local newspaper, we will continue to have the local publication on a weekly
basis.
- FLW expanded with new employees.
- Chairman of the Education Committee and School officials announced a grant
proposal for the Lilly Foundation and Cinergy Foundation.
- The new Library Opened on the Town Square.
- The Chamber has changed and grown. A luncheon and a speaker on a bimonthly
basis starts at 11:30 a.m. and out at 1:00 p.m.
For 1999-2000 the Chamber continues to be very progressive. The
following programs are being finished:
Hope Area Chamber of Commerce opens new offices on the Town Square. 601
Harrison Street, Hope IN 47246.
Website Started.
New phone system and phone number 812-546-0980.
New website
www.chamber.com
In 2001-2002 we moved the office from the town square to the Community
Building.
2002-2003 Updated the Web Page.
Worked diligently on funding for the Hope Area Chamber of Commerce.
Worked with the Hope Town Board to design, purchase and install new signs to
the entrances of the Town of Hope on State Road 9.
Sponsored a Community Calendar in The Hope Star Journal.
Worked on medical care for the Hope Area. Possibility of physician and/or
a Nurse Practitioner.
Joint booth with Community Center for Hope Heritage Days, we deep fried pork rins,
made lemon shake ups, and popped kettle corn.
Helped to sponsor "Old Fashion Christmas on the Town Square".
Sponsored with the Flatrock/Hawcreek School Corp. a Career Center in Hope.
This program set up at the Community Center with 4 computers, fax machine, copier,
and furniture. Training for volunteers is complete.
22 new members joined the Chambers this year.
