2009 Major Accomplishments

1. Educated businesses by hosting a seminar on Tax Incremental Financing.    Board of Directors endorsed TIF program for the downtown.  Chamber board members made connections and educated other businesses about TIF.  Information about TIF hosted on Chamber website.
   
   
2. Business leaders encouraged businesses to locate in the downtown area.  New cheese shop, bike shop, wool spinning shop, vintage clothing shop, 2 new resale shops.
   
   
3. Added 2 new trolls, created  cookbooks, postcards and most marketing efforts carried the brand theme of the troll.  Jorgen the Troll made a first ever appearance in the Frolic Parade.
   
   
4. Marketed our number # 1 suburb rating on the website and circulated the   magazine to realtors to help get the word out.
   
   
5. Permanent billboards, advertising in Chicago, Iowa – Tri-Cities, Minnesota  markets. Think Mount Horeb Area First buy local program continued, focus on  3/50 project and Independents Week was pursued.
   
   
6. International exposure from Olympic coverage- currently working on a marketing plan for 2010.
   
   
7. Education Committee continued to work on a positive relationship with the schools.  Working on programs like School Makes a Difference Program and hosting a Career Day.  Education Committee Chair and executive director spoke to all teachers about Chamber programs at the beginning of the school year.  Using more students for volunteering.  Surveyed teachers on topics to connect business leaders for presentations on careers.