Chamber’s Annual Meeting
By Vanessa Rohwer
The Annual meeting of the Sanborn Chamber of Commerce was held on Tuesday, February 4th at Rails.
The meeting didn’t have a high attendance. Total in attendance at meeting 18. Board Members present were Laura Lux, Mackenzie Jenness, Jenna Boyd, and Caresa Carney. Absent Board Member was Wendy Nelson.
President Laura Lux welcomed all in attendance the meeting began at 5:30 p.m. Annual Meeting minutes from 2024 were reviewed and approved. Mackenzie Jenness prepared financial reports for review. Lux started the meeting with renewing terms on the Sanborn Chamber Board members Wendy Nelson and Stacie Andringa. Lux announced she was stepping down as chamber president. Jenna Boyd was nominated as president by Laura Lux. Jenna accepted presidential position. Mackenzie will remain secretary/treasurer.
The first speaker of the night was Jim Zeutenhorst – City Administrator for the City of Sanborn. Jim gave an update on some of the new businesses that have come into town over the last year including The Cut and The Grain House. The Light Plant has been researching options for generators. Some of the streets that were damaged due to flooding will be repaired/updated. There may be some retail spaces/buildings go up in the future. Details will come at a later date. The Park Board is currently working on a fundraiser for new equipment at the city park. The city is currently looking into software that allows the city to get information out to people via text.
The second speaker of the night was Melissa Michels Daycare Director at Kids Express Daycare. Melissa gave an update on the fundraising efforts for updating and remodeling the Prairie View facility where the daycare will be located. They will be applying for grant funds for the project but in order to apply, they have to have 50% of the funds secured. With the move, the daycare will be able to double its capacity for kids and will create around 15-20 new jobs. This facility has brought a lot of attention to Sanborn as it will be the first of its kind in the state where the kids and residents will be able to interact. Melissa expressed the importance of raising the funds needed for the facility as well as explained some of the fundraisers they currently have planned.
Mariah Stallman from the Railroad Days Committee was the third speaker of the night. Mariah thanked the community for their support and gave updates for the plans for 2025 Railroad Days. Mariah also expressed the need for volunteers and man power as there are currently only 6 board members. If anyone is interested in helping, please contact the Railroad Days committee.
Nyla Fritz from the MiOno Club decided to speak during the Annual meeting. Nyla gave an update on some of the projects that the MiOno club is currently supporting such as the cemetery project, new signs on the highway, and several other community beatification projects. MiOno does several fundraisers throughout to year with their biggest one being their Railroad Days food stand. Your support helps them to continue to support community projects.
HMS Superintendent Patrick Carlin was the last speaker of the night. Mr. Carlin gave an update on enrollment. Over the last 10 years enrollment has held steady. The school has many different ways for businesses to partner with them and get into the school including High Five Friday. He gave an update on things currently going on at each school and also gave an update on the construction/improvement projects. The school is currently working on getting a video board at the football field and the baseball field. This will give local businesses an opportunity for advertising while also helping to support the school.
Laura Lux spoke on goals and events for 2025. The chamber is looking to increase business and community involvement. The Chamber is made up of volunteers from local businesses that are trying to better their small town of Sanborn. Beings everyone on the chamber all have full time jobs, families, businesses, etc, they could use any and all help with events and ideas. Without help, the chamber may not be able to continue to put on events like what has been put on in the past.
The Sanborn Chamber will continue with several of our annual events this year:
- Cinco De Mayo Walk
• Business Trick or Treating - Turkey Trot
- Cookies with Santa Vendor fair
- Business Open Houses
They will also continue to support events hosted by Chamber Members such as Safe Kids Day, Railroad Days, and Cookies with Santa.
Everyone is welcome to come to the monthly Chamber Meetings. The Chamber rotates to local restaurants for meeting location. They will post these to our Facebook. Wednesday, February 12 meeting will be held at Locomotion Lanes.
Lux thanked everyone for attending. Mackenzie Jenness made a motion to adjourn and Caresa Carney second the motion to adjourn the meeting. The Annual meeting was adjourn at 6:00 p.m..