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Valley Chamber consolidates in LL
4/25/2012 9:41:02 AM
By Kelly Moore
Splash Staff Writer
"It seemed like there was a lot of support for us to conserve our resources and not raise dues," Chamber President and CEO Eldonna Shaw said. "This worked out to be the best opportunity for us. We'll have all of our staff in one place with consistent hours and continued programming."
The Chamber currently operates the Valley Chamber Business Center at Liberty Lake, a business incubator in the basement level of Greenstone's three-story Liberty Square Building. Here, start-up ventures are able to operate with below-market rent at a flat rate with utilities included. The incubator operation began about nine years ago through a partnership with Greenstone and the city of Liberty Lake. The Chamber branched eastward with its Liberty Lake satellite location in 2010 to take over management of the space under a two-year agreement.
"I think the Chamber is a really excellent partner for the city," Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson said. "I appreciate their ability to work with us and get involved with our incubator early on. We're happy, and we'll support the Chamber in any way we can."
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He said the Chamber's Liberty Lake location brought a focus to the city, and the two entities share a similar vision for the future and regional programming.
"I think the impact of having them based here is nothing but positive," Peterson said.
Shaw said the Chamber's board of directors and a special facility committee began researching location opportunities after the Sprague building in which the Chamber is a tenant went up for sale.
| Chamber roots reach across Valley By Kelly Moore Splash Staff Writer With the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber's 91st anniversary just around the corner, almost a century of history backs the organization's roots as a representative of the Valley region. "Prior to 1921, several communities existed in the Spokane Valley and there was some talk of forming a unified organization to represent the interest of the businesses and the community," said Jayne Singleton, director of the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum. Chamber President and CEO Eldonna Shaw said a group of apple farmers came together at the urging of Harry Nelson, the founder of the Spokane Valley Herald. Shaw added that Nelson later played a role in getting property donated for the first chamber building and then served as a Chamber executive in the 1950s. Not long after the Chamber's founding, the organization coordinated the All-Valley Picnic held every summer in Liberty Lake as a way to get everyone together and celebrate the community's heritage. Singleton said the event drew a crowd of more than 20,000 people in its most popular years. "The whole Valley would shut down," she said. "Everyone would head to Liberty Lake for the games and prizes and time at the lake." The event ran strong until at least 1933. Yet as volunteer support eventually waned, the All-Valley Picnic faded from the summer schedule. As far as the Chamber's presence as a local catalyst for commerce, Shaw said the organization never intended to solely be the representative for the city of Spokane Valley, incorporated in 2003. To ease confusion, the Chamber added the "Greater" to its name in 2005. Over the years, Chamber headquarters have bounced around a handful of locations throughout the Valley. The soon-to-be consolidated Liberty Lake location is just another chapter in its history. "We've been here a long time and we're looking forward to the future," Shaw said. |
"We originally wanted to buy it, but our research showed that just wouldn't be the most prudent decision," Shaw said. "We were not in a position to buy it. I think this is a time when people are closely watching their budgets, and it's important we do the same. Even though we're a nonprofit, we still deal with tough business decisions, just like everyone else."
She said a survey of members revealed that an overwhelming majority preferred not to raise dues, a potential consequence of purchasing the Sprague building or maintaining a second location.
"We understand most of our members preferred we conserve our resources," Shaw said. "This was not a quick decision."
According to Shaw, a committee researched the potential move for about nine months, studying needs of Chamber members, budgets and other opportunities in the area. Ultimately, she said, the currently operating Liberty Lake satellite location worked out to be the best option for the organization.
Chamber Chairman of the Board Nancy Holmes, a regional business manager for Avista Utilities, said the Chamber's facilities task force developed a matrix to determine the best alternative. The matrix was made up of weighted priorities with categories such as square footage, monthly costs (to include internet, janitorial and utilities), parking, ADA accessibility and signage.
"The consolidation of two offices into one at the Liberty Lake location was selected as the best alternative by the task force," Holmes said. "The Board agreed, noting that this decision allows the Chamber to maximize its resources for the benefit of its members, to stay ahead of technology and to continue to help members grow and thrive."
Studied options included renewing the lease on the current building, searching for new office space, or consolidating operations into one location by renewing the lease at the Liberty Lake Business Center, Holmes said.
The Chamber will hold an open house at the consolidated Liberty Lake location June 1, coinciding with its 91st anniversary.
"It's a good addition to Liberty Lake," said Greenstone Managing Director of Commercial Development Wayne Frost, whose company owns the Liberty Lake building where the Chamber is a tenant. "Anytime a business, especially one as established as the Valley Chamber, moves to Liberty Lake and draws attention to the area, that's good. ... It's a two-punch deal having the Chamber's offices as well as a vibrant incubator program."
Frost said the Chamber has been a "fantastic tenant" for the past two years in which it has occupied about 3,000 square feet. The new lease, effective June 1, will be based on a three-year term.
Six incubator spaces are currently operated in the space, and Frost said the space would allow for that to expand to as many as 12. The Chamber has also leased incubator space at its Sprague location, but the number of tenants at that location has decreased in recent years.
Shaw said she hoped the consolidation would allow the organization to focus energy and resources on growing its programming to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs. For the past five years, the Chamber has also conducted an entrepreneur training class. She also said the organization hopes to improve services through its website.
Shaw said all programs and services would continue without interruption, and all regular events will continue to take place in their usual locations throughout the Valley.
As far as the future goes, Shaw said she isn't counting out a future move back into the city of Spokane Valley - or anywhere else in the Chamber's service area.
"We'll continue to look at the needs of our members for strategizing our location," Shaw said. "In the future, we may look for a permanent home. It really depends on what will best serve our members."
The Chamber operates with membership open to all businesses, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, schools and churches. For more information, go to www.spokanevalleychamber.org or call 924-4994.