NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce got things off to a fast start for 2020. Many topics were covered including membership received for 2020, the annual banquet, information on the North Webster Community Guide Book, purchase of a new computer and vision for 2020.

President Mindy Scaggs, RE/MAX Lakes, was in charge of the meeting.

Two members were introduced representing new North Webster businesses. Randy Gregory, owner of Roll-n-Smoke BBQ, is expanding to a storefront location in downtown on East Washington Street. He plans to also continue to operate his popular food truck. The storefront should be open by March 1 at the latest.

Karen White represented Caliber Design, a new residential construction, remodel and home design business. It is located in the former service station at the corner of North Main and East Washington streets.

Membership renewal forms have been sent out and will be emailed again to 2019 members. Applications for new members are online at www.northwebster.com. Deadline for inclusion of member’s information in the North Webster Community Guide is Friday, March 6. Payment must be included and can be done by PayPal or credit card. Applications and checks can also be sent to chamber, P.O. Box 19, North Webster, IN 46555.

New member rates are $35 for the first year, renewal rates are $90 for profit or government organizations with 10 or more employees; $65 for profit or government with nine employees or less; $65 for non profit organizations; and $20 for individuals. It was mentioned these fees are very reasonable in comparison to neighboring local chambers.

The annual chamber banquet will be held Monday, March 9, at The Owl’s Nest, 7369 E. 800N. Susan Stump, The Papers, is chairman. Invitations will be mailed soon and all members are encouraged to attend and bring their employees. Reservations are required by Friday, Feb. 28.

North Webster Person of the Year, Large Business-Organization of the Year and Small Business-Organization of the Year will be awarded during the dinner. Social hour begins at 5 p.m., dinner is 6:30 p.m. with awards at 7 p.m. A silent auction will be held. Members wishing to donate items for the auction should contact Stump, (574) 457-3666.

Nomination forms for the awards will go out by email shortly Scaggs announced. The person of the year does not have to be a chamber member but needs to have contributed greatly to the community.

Nominated businesses and organizations must have belonged to the chamber for the past five years. The current 2019-20 North Webster Community Guide has starred the members belonging for five years or more in the directory. Large means five or more employees while small is four or less employees. Deadline for nominations is Friday, Feb. 5. Please include the reason for the nomination in a paragraph or two. These can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed.

Deadlines for the North Webster Community Guide were passed out by Martha Stoelting, The Papers. Deadline for news is Thursday, March 12. Ad deadline is Monday, March 23. Copies will be ready for delivery Monday, April 20.

Scaggs discussed member engagement, visits and a new survey to be sent out. Treasurer Kim Bolt will purchase a new laptop computer for $1,200. Christmas decorations have been taken down and stored.

The next meeting of the chamber board and the membership will be noon Monday, Feb. 10, chamber office, Tippecanoe Township Building, 102 S. Morton St.