Chamber News

Tom Bishop Gives Annual Report at Chamber Banquet

Tom Bishop, Executive Director, of the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce gave the following status report at the Annual Banquet held at the Historic Star Theatre on January 5th.

Status Patrick County Chamber of Commerce 2006 At the end of 2005, Chamber membership stood at 189. At the end of 2006, membership had grown to 246, which is a 30% growth rate The Chamber had great success in selling the 2006 Christmas ornaments and collector mugs with the Mayberry Presbyterian Church displayed. They are sold out. Concerning the Virginia Peach Festival we had the following changes and improvements: • Brought in Championship Barbeque Caterer, Tommy Houston with Pigs-R-Us. • Brought in Grand Ole Opry Music-Bobby Osborne and Rocky Top Xpress • Increased sponsorship levels to encourage more sponsors • Expanded the geographic boundaries of our advertisement program • Involved Star Theatre in music events on 3 different days. • Held Friday concert inside due to rain, which allowed us to experience our back up plan. And attendance was still improved. I am glad to report the establishment of the following new businesses in 2006: • Nunn Memorials-Ararat • Patrick Building Supply-downtown Stuart • Just Plain Country Antiques and Crafters Mall-downtown Stuart • Virtual ProjectPoint-Woolwine (home based) • Wolf Creek Cherokee Museum-downtown Stuart • Geobuilt-Patrick Springs (music entertainment tents) • Buffalo Ridge Estates-in nearby Floyd County • Mountain Meadows Farmer’s Market and Corn Maze-Meadows of Dan • Puckett’s Corn Maze and Farm Market-Ararat • Peppermill (Personal Chef) – Stuart • Stafford’s Music Store- Uptown Stuart • Wal-Mart-Stuart • Results-Stuart • 10 Oaks-Stuart • Angels Above Design-Patrick Springs • PAK Photo Works-Stuart (picture framing) • TechbyDesigns-Ararat (home based) I am very pleased of the arrival of the following high speed Internet options: Broadband network Fiber optic cable-Route 8 South and Route 103 Planned wireless high speed Internet- Town of Stuart I am very pleased to hear that unemployment levels are the best in about 4 years.